Document Document Title
US08003544B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes processing a second film 14 formed on a semiconductor substrate to a pattern including a plurality of linear parts and end portions formed in an end of each of the linear parts, having a width wider than the linear parts, forming a first pattern 16 by slimming the pattern, forming a second pattern including a first opening 180 that traverses the end portion 141a of the first pattern 16, etching the second film 14 exposed in the first opening 180, and dividing the end portion 141a into a first end portion 142a close to the linear part 140a and a second end portion 143a apart from the linear part 140a.
US08003543B2 Method of forming a hard mask and method of forming a fine pattern of semiconductor device using the same
A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer. A fine pattern of a semiconductor device, such as a trench isolation region or a pattern of contact holes, can be formed using the hard mask as an etch mask.
US08003539B2 Integrated assist features for epitaxial growth
A method for making a semiconductor device is provided which comprises (a) creating a data set (301) which defines a set of tiles for a polysilicon deposition process; (b) deriving a polysilicon deposition mask set (311) from the data set, wherein the polysilicon deposition mask set includes a plurality of polysilicon tiles (303); (c) deriving an epitaxial growth mask set (321) from the data set, wherein the epitaxial growth mask set includes a plurality of epitaxial tiles (305); and (d) using the polysilicon deposition mask set and the epitaxial growth mask set to make a semiconductor device (331); wherein the epitaxial growth mask set is derived from the data set by using at least a portion of the tile pattern defined in the data set for at least a portion of the tile pattern defined in the epitaxial deposition mask set.
US08003538B2 Method for producing a structure on the surface of a substrate
The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure serving as an etching mask on the surface of a substrate. In this case, a first method involves forming a first partial structure on the surface of the substrate, which has structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. A second method involves forming spacers on the surface of the substrate, which adjoin sidewalls of the structure elements of the first partial structure, cutouts being provided between the spacers. A third method step involves introducing filling material into the cutouts between the spacers, a surface of the spacers being uncovered. A fourth method step involves removing the spacers in order to form a second partial structure having the filling material and having structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. The structure to be produced is composed of the first partial structure and the second partial structure.
US08003537B2 Method for the production of planar structures
A method for the production of a planar structure is disclosed. The method comprises producing on a substrate a plurality of structures of substantially equal height, and there being a space in between the plurality of structures. The method further comprises providing a fill layer of electromagnetic radiation curable material substantially filling the space between the structures. The method further comprises illuminating a portion of the fill layer with electromagnetic radiation, hereby producing a exposed portion and an unexposed portion, the portions being separated by an interface substantially parallel with the first main surface of the substrate. The method further comprises removing the portion above the interface.
US08003535B2 Semiconductor device manufacturing method and target substrate processing system
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes removing copper deposits, by use of an organic acid gas and an oxidizing gas, from a surface of a second interlayer insulation film having a groove formed therein and reaching a copper-containing electric connector member. The second interlayer insulation film is disposed on a first interlayer insulation film provided with the electric connector member. The method then includes reducing a surface of the electric connector member exposed at a bottom of the groove of the second interlayer insulation film; forming a barrier layer on the second interlayer insulation film; and forming a copper-containing conductive film to fill the groove of the second interlayer insulation film.
US08003531B2 Method for manufacturing flash memory device
A method for manufacturing a flash memory device is capable of controlling a phenomenon in which a length of the channel between a source and a drain is decreased due to undercut. The method includes forming a gate electrode comprising a floating gate, an ONO film and a control gate using a hard mask pattern over a semiconductor substrate, forming a spacer over the sidewall of the gate electrode, forming an low temperature oxide (LTO) film over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the gate electrode and the spacer, etching the LTO film such that a top portion of the source/drain region and a top portion of the gate electrode are exposed, and removing the LTO film present over the sidewall of the gate electrode by wet-etching.
US08003528B2 Semiconductor structure and method for making the same
A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate; forming a conductor pattern on a main surface of the dielectric layer, the conductor pattern having a top surface and sidewalls; and performing a selective atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to selectively deposit a conformal metal layer onto the top surface and sidewalls of the conductor pattern, but without depositing onto the main surface of the dielectric layer substantially.
US08003526B2 Low resistance metal silicide local interconnects and a method of making
A process for forming a local interconnect includes applying a layer of metal over a semiconductor layer. A layer of metal silicide is formed over the layer of metal. The layer of metal silicide is patterned to define the boundaries of the local interconnect. The metal silicide is reacted with the layer of metal to form a composite structure. The composite structure includes the metal silicide, another metal silicide formed as silicon from the metal silicide reacts with the underlying layer of metal and an intermetallic compound of the metal from the layer of metal and metal from the layer of metal silicide. The unreacted layer of metal is removed with the composite structure remaining as the local interconnect.
US08003522B2 Method for forming trenches with wide upper portion and narrow lower portion
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. A hard mask layer is formed over a semiconductor region. The hard mask layer has inner portions that are thinner than its outer portions, and the inner portions define an exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. A portion of the semiconductor region is removed through the exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. The thinner portions of the hard mask layer are removed to expose surface areas of the semiconductor region underlying the thinner portions. An additional portion of the semiconductor region is removed through all exposed surface areas of the semiconductor region thereby forming a trench having an upper portion that is wider than its lower portion.
US08003518B2 Semiconductor device fabrication method
A semiconductor device fabrication method including the steps of: forming an interlayer insulating film on a substrate; forming an opening in the interlayer insulating film; forming an alloy layer containing manganese and copper to cover the inner surface of the opening; forming a first copper layer of a material containing primarily copper on the alloy layer to fill the opening; forming, on the first copper layer, a second copper layer of a material containing primarily copper and a higher concentration of oxygen, carbon or nitrogen than the first copper layer; heating the substrate on which the second copper layer has been formed; and removing the second copper layer.
US08003514B2 Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices including storage node landing pads separated from bit line contact plugs
A method can include forming gate lines on a semiconductor substrate and forming a first interlayer dielectric layer for insulating the gate lines from each other. First and second contact plugs are formed on the semiconductor substrate and landing pads are formed on the first contact plugs and the first interlayer dielectric layer to overlap portions of the first contact plugs. Recessed contact plugs are formed to have recessed portions by etching the second contact plugs, to be located below an upper surface of the first interlayer dielectric layer, where a cross-sectional total distance between the landing pads and the recessed contact plugs increases due to the recessed portions.
US08003513B2 Multilayer circuit devices and manufacturing methods using electroplated sacrificial structures
A multilayer circuit includes a dielectric base substrate, conductors formed on the base substrate and a vacuum deposited dielectric thin film formed over the conductors and the base substrate. The vacuum deposited dielectric thin film is patterned using sacrificial structures formed by electroplating techniques. Substrates formed in this manner enable significant increases in circuit pattern miniaturization, circuit pattern reliability, interconnect density and significant reduction of over-all substrate thickness.
US08003507B2 Method of integrating high-K/metal gate in CMOS process flow
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first active region and a second active region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer, the first metal layer having a first work function, removing a portion of the first metal layer in the second active region, thereafter, forming a semiconductor layer over the first metal layer in the first active region and over the partially removed first metal layer in the second active region, forming a first gate stack in the first active region and a second gate stack in the second active region, removing the semiconductor layer from the first gate stack and from the second gate stack, and forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the first gate stack and on the partially removed first metal layer in the second gate stack, the second metal layer having a second work function.
US08003506B2 Single poly CMOS imager
More complete charge transfer is achieved in a CMOS or CCD imager by reducing the spacing in the gaps between gates in each pixel cell, and/or by providing a lightly doped region between adjacent gates in each pixel cell, and particularly at least between the charge collecting gate and the gate downstream to the charge collecting gate. To reduce the gaps between gates, an insulator cap with spacers on its sidewalls is formed for each gate over a conductive layer. The gates are then etched from the conductive layer using the insulator caps and spacers as hard masks, enabling the gates to be formed significantly closer together than previously possible, which, in turn increases charge transfer efficiency. By providing a lightly doped region on between adjacent gates, a more complete charge transfer is effected from the charge collecting gate.
US08003499B2 Laser irradiating device, laser irradiating method and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for constantly setting the energy distribution of a laser beam on an irradiating face, and uniformly irradiating the laser beam to the entire irradiating face. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including this laser irradiating method in a process. Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that the shapes of plural laser beams on the irradiating face are formed by an optical system in an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape, and the plural laser beams are irradiated while the irradiating face is moved in a first direction, and the plural laser beams are irradiated while the irradiating face is moved in a second direction and is moved in a direction reverse to the first direction. The plural laser beams may be irradiated while the irradiating face is moved in the first direction, and the plural laser beams may be irradiated while the irradiating face is moved in the direction reverse to the first direction, and the irradiating face may be also moved in the second direction.
US08003496B2 Semiconductor device and method of mounting semiconductor die to heat spreader on temporary carrier and forming polymer layer and conductive layer over the die
A semiconductor device is made by forming a heat spreader over a temporary carrier. A semiconductor die is mounted to the heat spreader. A first polymer layer is formed over the semiconductor die and heat spreader. A first conductive layer is formed over the first polymer layer. The first conductive layer is connected to the heat spreader and contact pads on the semiconductor die. A second polymer layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the second polymer layer. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. Bumps are formed through a solder masking layer on the second conductive layer. The temporary carrier is removed. The heat spreader dissipates heat from the semiconductor die and provides shielding from inter-device interference. The heat spreader is grounded through the first and second conductive layers.
US08003495B2 Manufacturing method for semiconductor integrated device
In a chip pick-up process after dicing in an assembly process during manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device it is an important subject to diminish a pick-up defect caused by the reduction in thickness of each chip which is proceeding in quick tempo. Particularly, bending of the chip peripheral portion caused by a peeling operation is very likely to induce cracking and chipping of the chip. In the present invention, to solve these problems, in case of peeling a chip from a dicing tape (adhesive tape) or the like while vacuum-chucking the chip by a chucking collet, the flow rate of a vacuum chucking system in the chucking collet is monitored to check a bent state of the chip before complete separation of the first chip from the adhesive tape.
US08003494B2 Method for producing a bonded wafer
In a method for producing a bonded wafer by bonding a wafer for active layer and a wafer for support layer and thinning the wafer for active layer according to the invention, oxygen ions are implanted into the wafer for active layer at a state of holding a temperature of the wafer for active layer below 200° C. under a dose of 5×1015 to 5×1016 atoms/cm2, whereby there can be obtained a bonded wafer being excellent in the thickness uniformity after thinning and having a dramatically improved surface roughness.
US08003489B2 Method for forming isolation layer in semiconductor device
A method for forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor device includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate. A flowable insulation layer is formed to fill the trench. The flowable insulation layer is recessed. A buried insulation layer is deposited on the flowable insulation layer while keeping a deposition sputtering rate (DSR) below about 22 so as to fill the trench with the buried insulation layer while restraining the buried insulation layer from growing on a lateral portion of the trench.
US08003488B2 Shallow trench isolation structure compatible with SOI embedded DRAM
A deep trench is formed in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a pad layer thereupon. A conductive trench fill region is formed in the deep trench. A planarizing material layer having etch selectivity relative to the pad layer is applied. A portion of the pad layer having an edge that is vertically coincident with a sidewall of the deep trench is exposed by lithographic means. Exposed portion of the pad layer are removed selective to the planarizing material layer, followed by removal of exposed portion of a semiconductor layer selective to the conductive trench fill region by an anisotropic etch. The planarizing material layer is removed and a shallow trench isolation structure having a lower sidewall that is self-aligned to an edge of the original deep trench is formed. Another shallow trench isolation structure may be formed outside the deep trench concurrently.
US08003482B2 Methods of processing semiconductor substrates in forming scribe line alignment marks
A method of processing a semiconductor substrate in forming scribe line alignment marks includes forming pitch multiplied non-circuitry features within scribe line area of a semiconductor substrate. Individual of the features, in cross-section, have a maximum width which is less than a minimum photolithographic feature dimension used in lithographically patterning the substrate. Photoresist is deposited over the features. Such is patterned to form photoresist blocks that are individually received between a respective pair of the features in the cross-section. Individual of the features of the respective pairs have a laterally innermost sidewall in the cross-section. Individual of the photoresist blocks have an opposing pair of first pattern edges in the cross-section that are spaced laterally inward of the laterally innermost sidewalls of the respective pair of the features. Individual of the photoresist blocks have an opposing pair of second pattern edges in the cross-section that self-align laterally outward of the first pattern edges to the laterally innermost sidewalls of the features during the patterning.
US08003477B2 Method for making a P-I-N diode crystallized adjacent to a silicide in series with a dielectric antifuse
A method is described for monolithically forming a first memory level above a substrate, the method including: (a) forming a plurality of first substantially parallel, substantially coplanar conductors above the substrate, the first conductors extending in a first direction; (b) forming a plurality of vertically oriented contiguous p-i-n diodes above the first conductors, the contiguous p-in diode comprising semiconductor material crystallized in contact with a silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide layer; (c) forming a plurality of second substantially parallel, substantially coplanar conductors, the second conductors above the contiguous p-i-n diodes, the second conductors extending in a second direction different from the first direction, each contiguous p-i-n diode vertically disposed between one of the first conductors and one of the second conductors; (d) and forming a plurality of dielectric rupture antifuses, each dielectric rupture antifuse disposed between one of the contiguous p-i-n diodes and one of the first conductors or between one of the contiguous p-i-n diodes and one of the second conductors, wherein the dielectric rupture antifuses comprise dielectric material, the dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than about 8. Other aspects are provided.
US08003476B2 Semiconductor device having a plurality of kinds of wells and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device has a configuration in which more than three kinds of wells are formed with small level differences. One kind of well from among the more than three kinds of wells has a surface level higher than other kinds of wells from among the more than three kinds of wells. The one kind of well is formed adjacent to and self-aligned to at least one kind of well from among the other kinds of wells. The other kinds of wells are different in one of a conductivity type, an impurity concentration and a junction depth, and include at least two kinds of wells having the same surface level.
US08003472B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
When transistors having different gate lengths are formed on one substrate and an ESD structure is applied to at least a transistor having longer gate length, a method including: depositing a gate insulating film and a gate electrode material layer on the substrate; forming a first gate electrode having a longer gate length in a first region; forming a first insulating film on a whole surface; forming a second gate electrode including the first insulating film and having a shorter gate length in a second region; forming a second insulating film on a whole surface; forming second sidewalls made of the second insulating film on sidewalls of the second gate electrode; forming first sidewalls made of the first and second insulating films on sidewalls of the first gate electrode; forming a selectively epitaxially grown layer on at least exposed substrate of the first region and implanting ions into the substrate via the selectively epitaxially grown layer, thereby forming an ESD structure.
US08003471B2 Formation of a super steep retrograde channel
Systems and methods for raised source/drain with super steep retrograde channel. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, in one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a surface and a gate oxide disposed above the surface comprising a gate oxide thickness. The semiconductor device further comprises a super steep retrograde channel region formed at a depth below the surface. The depth is about ten to thirty times the gate oxide thickness. Embodiments in accordance with one embodiment may provide a more desirable body biasing voltage to threshold voltage characteristic than is available under the conventional art.
US08003467B2 Method for making a semiconductor device having metal gate stacks
The present disclosure provides a method including forming STI features in a silicon substrate, defining a first and a second active regions for a PFET and an NFET, respectively; forming a hard mask having an opening to expose the silicon substrate within the first active region; etching the silicon substrate through the opening to form a recess within the first active region; growing a SiGe layer in the recess such that a top surface of the SiGe layer within the first active region and a top surface of the silicon substrate within the second active region are substantially coplanar; forming metal gate material layers; patterning the metal gate material layers to form a metal gate stack on the SiGe layer within the first active region; and forming an eSiGe S/D stressor distributed in both the SiGe layer and the silicon substrate within the first active region.
US08003466B2 Method of forming multiple fins for a semiconductor device
A fabrication process for a FinFET device is provided. The process begins by providing a semiconductor wafer having a layer of conductive material such as silicon. A whole-field arrangement of fins is then formed from the layer of conductive material. The whole-field arrangement of fins includes a plurality of conductive fins having a uniform pitch and a uniform fin thickness. Next, a cut mask is formed over the whole-field arrangement of fins. The cut mask selectively masks sections of the whole-field arrangement of fins with a layout that defines features for a plurality of FinFET devices. The cut mask is used to remove a portion of the whole-field arrangement of fins, the portion being unprotected by the cut mask. The resulting fin structures are used to complete the fabrication of the FinFET devices.
US08003461B1 Method of fabricating efuse structure, resistor sturcture and transistor sturcture
A method of fabricating an efuse structure, a resistor structure and a transistor structure. First, a work function metal layer, a polysilicon layer and a first hard mask layer are formed to cover a transistor region, a resistor region and an e-fuse region on a substrate. Then, the work function metal layer on the resistor region and the efuse region is removed by using a first photomask. Later, a gate, a resistor, an efuse are formed in the transistor region, the resistor region and the efuse region respectively. After that, a dielectric layer aligning with the top surface of the gate is formed. Later, the polysilicon layer in the gate is removed by taking a second hard mask as a mask to form a recess. Finally, a metal layer fills up the recess.
US08003458B2 Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device with active regions of different heights
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor having a first active area, and a second transistor having a second active area. A top surface of the first active area is elevated or recessed with respect to a top surface of the second active area, or a top surface of the first active area is elevated or recessed with respect to a top surface of at least portions of an isolation region proximate the first transistor.
US08003457B2 Fabricating method of vertical transistor
A substrate is provided. A pillar protruding out of a surface of the substrate is already formed on the substrate, and a patterned layer is already formed on the pillar. The pillar includes a lower part, a channel region, and an upper part from bottom to top, and the lower part has a first doped region. A gate dielectric layer is formed on a sidewall at one side of the pillar. A surrounding gate is formed on the gate dielectric layer located on the channel region, and a base line electrically connected to the channel region is formed on a sidewall at the other side of the pillar. A second doped region is formed in the upper part of the pillar.
US08003456B2 Method for producing a semiconductor component
A method for producing a semiconductor component is proposed. The method includes providing a semiconductor body having a first surface; forming a mask on the first surface, wherein the mask has openings for defining respective positions of trenches; producing the trenches in the semiconductor body using the mask, wherein mesa structures remain between adjacent trenches; introducing a first dopant of a first conduction type using the mask into the bottoms of the trenches; carrying out a first thermal step; introducing a second dopant of a second conduction type, which is complementary to the first conduction type, at least into the bottoms of the trenches; and carrying out a second thermal step.
US08003448B2 Semiconductor package and method for producing the same
A semiconductor package includes a rewiring substrate and a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes: a first face with an active surface including integrated circuit devices and chip contact pads, a second face lying in a plane essentially parallel to the first face and side faces. Each side face of the semiconductor chip lies in a plane essentially perpendicular to the first and second faces. At least one edge between two mutually essentially perpendicular faces of the semiconductor chip includes a surface.
US08003444B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device 28 in which a plating mask 38, 39 having a noble metal plating layer 35 as an uppermost layer is formed at a predetermined portion on an obverse surface side or a reverse surface side of a leadframe material 10, and the leadframe material 10 is consecutively subjected to etching by using the plating mask 38, 39 as a resist mask, so as to form external connection terminal portions 22 which electrically communicate with a semiconductor element 18 disposed in an interior of an encapsulating resin 21, and which project downwardly. Base metal plating or noble metal plating 33 exhibiting etching solution resistance is provided as a lowermost layer of the plating mask 38, 39.
US08003443B2 Non-leaded integrated circuit package system with multiple ground sites
A non-leaded integrated circuit package system is provided providing a die paddle of a lead frame, forming a dual row of terminals including an outer terminal and an inner terminal, and selectively fusing an inner terminal and an adjacent inner terminal to form a fused lead.
US08003442B2 Integrated cirucit package and method for fabrication thereof
The invention provides an integrated circuit package and method of fabrication thereof. The integrated circuit package comprises an integrated circuit chip having a photosensitive device thereon; a bonding pad formed on an upper surface of the integrated circuit chip and electrically connected to the photosensitive device; a barrier formed between the bonding pad and the photosensitive device; and a conductive layer formed on a sidewall of the integrated circuit chip and electrically connected to the bonding pad. The barrier layer blocks overflow of the adhesive layer into a region, on which the photosensitive device is formed, to improve yield for fabricating the integrated circuit package.
US08003441B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises: laminating a surface protective sheet to a circuit surface side of a wafer formed with grooves which divide each circuit wherein an adhesive film is adhered on the circuit surface of the wafer; reducing the thickness of the wafer and finally dividing the wafer into individual chips by grinding a back face of the wafer; picking up individual chips together with the adhesive film; die-bonding said individual chip to predetermined position of a chip mounting substrate via said adhesive film; fixing the chip to the chip mounting substrate by heating the die-bonded chip having the adhesive film; and applying a static pressure larger than an ambient pressure by 0.05 MPa or more to a stacked body including the adhesive film one or more times, at any point between adhering the wafer to the adhesive film and fixing the chip to the chip mounting substrate.
US08003436B2 Stacked organic memory devices and methods of operating and fabricating
The present invention provides a multi-layer organic memory device that can operate as a non-volatile memory device having a plurality of stacked and/or parallel memory structures constructed therein. A multi-cell and multi-layer organic memory component can be formed with two or more electrodes having a selectively conductive media between the electrodes forming individual cells, while utilizing a partitioning component to enable stacking of additional memory cells on top of or in association with previously formed cells. Memory stacks can be formed by adding additional layers—respective layers separated by additional partitioning components, wherein multiple stacks can be formed in parallel to provide a high-density memory device.
US08003433B2 Process for fabricating a high-integration-density image sensor
The present application relates to the fabrication of an electronic component. The component comprises two, superposed integrated circuits: one of which is formed on the front side of a thinned first substrate, and the other of which is produced on the front side of a second substrate, with an insulating planarization layer interposed between the front sides of the two substrates. The silicon of the backside of the thinned substrate is opened locally above a first conducting area located in the thinned substrate and above a second conducting area located in the second substrate. A conducting layer portion, deposited on both areas, electrically connects them so as to provide the interconnection between the two circuits. The external connection pads may also be formed in this conducting layer.
US08003430B1 Sulfide species treatment of thin film photovoltaic cell and manufacturing method
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region, forming a first electrode layer overlying the surface region, forming a copper layer overlying the first electrode layer and forming an indium layer overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is subjected to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to forming a copper indium disulfide material. The copper indium disulfide material comprising a copper-to-indium atomic ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to about 2:1 and a thickness of substantially copper sulfide material having a copper sulfide surface region. The thickness of the copper sulfide material is selectively removed to expose a surface region having a copper poor surface comprising a copper to indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1. The method subjects the copper poor surface to a sulfide species to convert the copper poor surface from an n-type semiconductor characteristic to a p-type semiconductor characteristic. A window layer is formed overlying the copper indium disulfide material.
US08003429B2 Method of fabricating image sensor
A method of fabricating an image sensor includes forming a photoelectric transformation device on a substrate and forming a dielectric layer structure on the substrate. The dielectric layer structure includes multi-layer interlayer dielectric layers and multi-layer metal interconnections which are located between the multi-layer interlayer dielectric layers. A cavity which penetrates the multi-layer interlayer dielectric layers on the photoelectric transformation device is formed. A heat treatment is performed on the substrate on which the cavity is formed.
US08003425B2 Methods for forming anti-reflection structures for CMOS image sensors
Protuberances, having vertical and lateral dimensions less than the wavelength range of lights detectable by a photodiode, are formed at an optical interface between two layers having different refractive indices. The protuberances may be formed by employing self-assembling block copolymers that form an array of sublithographic features of a first polymeric block component within a matrix of a second polymeric block component. The pattern of the polymeric block component is transferred into a first optical layer to form an array of nanoscale protuberances. Alternately, conventional lithography may be employed to form protuberances having dimensions less than the wavelength of light. A second optical layer is formed directly on the protuberances of the first optical layer. The interface between the first and second optical layers has a graded refractive index, and provides high transmission of light with little reflection.
US08003423B2 Method for manufacturing a poly-crystal silicon photovoltaic device using horizontal metal induced crystallization
A method for manufacturing a poly-crystal silicon photovoltaic device using horizontal metal induced crystallization comprises the steps of forming at least one layer of an amorphous silicon thin film on a substrate, forming at least one groove of which depth is less than or equal to that of the thin film on the amorphous silicon thin film, and horizontally crystallizing the amorphous silicon thin film by forming a metal layer on an upper portion of the groove. Since a crystal shape and a growth direction of the photovoltaic device can be adjusted by the method, a poly-crystal silicon thin film for improving current flow can be formed at a low-temperature.
US08003422B2 Micro-electro-mechanical system device and method for making same
According to the present invention, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device comprises: a thin film structure including at least a metal layer and a protection layer deposited in any order; and a protrusion connected under the thin film structure. A preferred thin film structure includes at least a lower protection layer, a metal layer and an upper protection layer. The MEMS device for example is a capacitive MEMS acoustical sensor.
US08003411B2 Device for processing a substrate, method of processing a substrate and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which are hard to cause a defect in processing a substrate owing to that a pressure inside a process chamber is not kept constant, and which enable a better processing of a substrate.
US08003404B2 Methods and compositions for pathogen detection using nanoparticle-fluorescent polymer complexes
Compositions, methods and related apparatus, as can be used for selective pathogen detection and identification.
US08003403B1 Optochemical sensors for the detection of low pressure vapors based on porous semiconductors and emissive organics
A chemical sensor for detecting organic or inorganic target vapors and comprising a silicon member having a silicon surface with semiconductor pores therein, at least one luminescent sensory material entrapped in the semiconductor pores. The luminescent spectral material is exposed to the target vapors, wherein an excitation of the at least one luminescent sensory material results in a luminescent spectral response due to emission interference. The change in the luminescent spectral response is measured during this exposure.
US08003402B2 Method for measuring the concentration of a glycosaminoglycan anticoagulant
The invention provides an accurate, economical, automatable, high throughput method for the determination of the concentration of glycosaminoglycan anticoagulants, including low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulants, in aqueous solutions. A method for cleaning a unit of manufacturing equipment used in the preparation of a LMWH to obtain an acceptable residual concentration of LMWH is further provided.
US08003401B2 Carbon dioxide sensor and method of determining partial pressure of carbon dioxide
A carbon dioxide sensor and a method of detecting carbon dioxide using the sensor are provided, the sensor includes a closed chamber having as a wall portion thereof a substantially watertight, carbon dioxide-permeable membrane, two electrodes disposed in the chamber, and a film of substantially electrolyte-free liquid disposed in the chamber capable of simultaneously contacting the membrane and both of the electrodes.
US08003400B2 Measurement of vitamin D
The present invention relates to a method of measuring a vitamin D metabolite in a sample, the method comprising the steps of (a) treating said sample with a vitamin D metabolite releasing reagent under conditions appropriate to release a vitamin D metabolite from vitamin D-binding protein and not to cause protein precipitation, (b) subjecting the treated sample obtained in step (a) to a chromatographic separation, and (c) measuring a vitamin D metabolite during or after said chromatographic separation. The present invention also relates to methods for determining the vitamin D status of a subject, for use in the diagnosis of disease, and to agents and kits for use in performing the methods of the invention.
US08003399B2 Nitrite detection technique
A diagnostic test kit for detecting the presence or absence of nitrites within a test sample is provided. The test kit comprises an aromatic primary amine that is capable of reacting with a nitrite to form a diazonium ion. The test kit also comprises a lateral flow device that comprises a chromatographic medium and an absorbent material that receives the test sample after flowing through the chromatographic medium. The chromatographic medium defines a detection zone within which is contained a detection reagent (e.g., nucleophilic aromatic amine) that is capable of reacting with the diazonium ion to form an indicator (e.g., azo compound). The indicator exhibits a color that is different than the color of the detection reagent.
US08003396B2 NT-proBNP/troponin ratio for assessing myocardial dysfunction
The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing if a subject which has suffered from an acute myocardial infarction is also suffering from a pre-existing myocardial dysfunction, the method comprising a) determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of the subject; b) determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of the subject; c) calculating the ratio (natriuretic peptide/cardiac troponin); and d) diagnosing if the elevated natriuretic peptide level is related to a preexisting myocardial dysfunction or if the elevated level is caused by the acute myocardial infarction, based on the ratio calculated in step c). The method allows determining whether the individual has suffered from a myocardial dysfunction, in particular heart failure, before the myocardial infarction has occurred.
US08003395B2 Non-signal imidazole reagents for mass spectrometry analysis of phosphomonoesters
Analytical chemical reagents termed non-signal imidazoles and a method for their use that provide a host of advantages for analysis of phosphomonoesters are described. The method and compounds of the invention provide a host of advantages for the analysis of phosphomonoester-containing compounds, namely characteristic, multi-analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity of known and unknown phosphomonoester-compounds simultaneously.
US08003391B2 Fluid storage and dispensing vessels having colorimetrically verifiable leak-tightness, and method of making same
A fluid storage and dispensing vessel having associated therewith a colorimetric member that is effective to change color in exposure to leakage of a gas contained in the vessel. The colorimetric member may be constituted by a film, e.g., of a shrink-wrap character, that contains or is otherwise associated with a colorimetric agent undergoing color change in exposure to fluid leaking from the vessel. Such shrink-wrap film may be applied to a portion of the vessel susceptible to leakage, or alternatively to the entire vessel, so that the film is colorimetrically effective to indicate the occurrence of a leakage event by visually perceptible change of color.
US08003387B2 In vitro germinal centers
The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.
US08003384B2 Cell lines comprising sour-taste receptors
The present invention relates to sour taste receptors and compositions and methods thereof. In particular, the present invention provides assays and methods of screening for ligands specific for sour taste receptors. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for screening for accessory proteins and mutations, polymorphisms and other potential sour taste receptor protein mutations that are associated with disease states, and therapeutic agents, ligands, and modulators of such proteins. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for modulating sour taste receptors in vitro and in vivo.
US08003378B2 Capillary perfused bioreactors with multiple chambers
A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.
US08003375B2 Qualitative differential screening
The invention concerns a method for identifying and/or cloning nucleic acid regions representing qualitative differences associated with alternative splicing events and/or with insertions, deletions located in RNA transcribed genome regions, between two physiological situations, comprising either hybridization of RNA derived from the test situation with cDNA's derived from the reference situation and/or reciprocally, or double-strand hybridization of cDNA derived from the test situation with cDNA's derived from the reference situation; and identifying and/or cloning nucleic acids representing qualitative differences. The invention also concerns compositions or banks of nucleic acids representing qualitative differences between two physiological situations, obtainable by the above method, and their use as probe, for identifying genes or molecules of interest, or still for example in methods of pharmacogenomics, and profiling of molecules relative to their therapeutic and/or toxic effects. The invention further concerns the use of dysregulation of splicing RNA as markers for predicting molecule toxicity and/or efficacy, and as markers in pharmacogenomics.
US08003374B2 Reagentless, reusable, bioelectronic detectors
A reagentless, reusable bioelectronic DNA, or other oligonucleotide sequence sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes an oligonucleotide (aptamer) probe tagged with a electroactive, redoxable moiety, self-assembled on or near an electrode. This surface-confined oligonucleotide (aptamer) probe structure undergoes hybridization-induced conformational change in the presence of the target which changes the electron-transfer distance between the redoxable moiety and the electrode thereby providing a detectable signal change. In an alternative embodiment, the target can harbor the redoxable moiety.
US08003371B2 Systems for genome selection
Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
US08003368B2 Method for producing L-amino acids by fermentation using bacteria having enhanced expression of xylose utilization genes
A method for producing an L-amino acid, such as L-histidine, L-threonine, L-lysine, L-glutamic acid, and L-tryptophan, using bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia which has increased expression of genes, such as those of the xylABFGHR locus, which encode the xylose utilization enzymes, is disclosed. The method includes cultivating the L-amino acid producing bacterium in a culture medium containing xylose, and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture medium.
US08003362B2 Methods and constructs for high yield expression of clostripain
The invention provides methods and nucleic acid constructs to express clostripain. The source of the coding region for recombinantly expressed clostripain is Clostridium histolyticum.
US08003358B2 Two-step enzyme method for preparing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid
The present invention discloses a two-step enzyme method for preparing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid from cephalosporin C, wherein D-amino acid oxidase used is purified D-amino acid oxidase mutant of yeast Trigonopsis variabilis, having a specific activity of 105% higher than that of parent D-amino acid oxidase. The method has no need of addition of hydrogen peroxide, β-lactamase inhibitor, catalase inhibitor, catalase and the like commonly used in the prior art. The productivity of the method can reach more than 93%. Thus, the method is simple, low in cost and high in productivity.
US08003356B2 Methods for the preparation of para-hydroxycinnamic acid and cinnamic acid at alkaline pH
Methods for the microbial production of para-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA) and cinnamic acid (CA) are provided. Microbes producing either tyrosine or phenylalanine are grown in the presence of either tyrosine ammonium lyase or phenylalanine ammonium lyase respectively where some part of the fermentation is accomplished at alkaline pH. The process results in greater yields and higher rates of para-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA) and cinnamic acid (CA) production as compared with fermentation exclusively at physiological pH.
US08003354B2 Multiplex nucleic acid reactions
The invention is directed to a variety of multiplexing methods used to amplify and/or genotype a variety of samples simultaneously.
US08003351B2 Activatable recombinant neurotoxins
Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
US08003349B2 YLMPO1 gene derived from yarrowia lipolytica and a process for preparing a glycoprotein not being mannosylphosphorylated by using a mutated yarrowia lipolytica in which YLMPO1 gene is disrupted
The present invention relates to a novel YlMPO1 gene which plays an important role in mannosylphosphorylation of an industrial yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, and to a method for preparing a host system capable of producing recombinant glycoproteins free of mannosylphosphate by disruption of the gene. The mannosylphosphorylation is suppressed by the disruption of YlMPO1 gene according to the present invention, thereby achieving humanization of glycosylation pathway of Yarrowia lipolytica.
US08003344B2 Microbial hydrogen-producing process and system thereof
The present invention provides a microbial hydrogen-producing process, comprising: providing at least one Clostridium microbe and at least one Bacillus microbe; and co-culturing said at least one Clostridium microbe and said at least one Bacillus microbe in a fermentation culture system to produce hydrogen. The present invention also provides a microbial hydrogen-producing system, characterized by that the system comprises at least one Clostridium microbe and at least one Bacillus microbe, and it uses an organic waste medium as the substrate to perform a hydrogen-producing fermentation having high efficiency, high stability, and high reproducibility.
US08003341B2 Method of amplifying ATP and use thereof
The ATP amplification method is a method for amplifying and detecting a very trace amount of exogenous ATP by allowing a fusion protein (PPK-ADK) of a polyphosphate kinase and an adenylate kinase, the fusion protein not containing ADP, to act on a mixture of ATP, AMP, and a polyphosphate compound. Also provided is an ultrasensitive ATP amplification method by which ATP at a single cell level can be amplified and detected, and an ultrasensitive microbial assay based on this ATP amplification method.
US08003340B2 Method and kit for isolating and fractioning phosphoproteins
Disclosed herein a method and a kit for fractioning/isolating phosphoproteins. Calcium ions, barium ions, cobalt ions and molybdenum ions are bound specifically to phosphoproteins to form metal-phosphoprotein complexes. They can be easily precipitated with precipitants including sulfates, citrates, bicarbonates and carbonates.
US08003338B2 Diagnostic method for diseases by screening for hepcidin in human or animal tissues, blood or body fluids and therapeutic uses therefor
The present invention concerns methods and kits for diagnosing a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence between and including amino acids 25 and 49 of a hepcidin precursor protein, and quantifying the hepcidin precursor level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of prohepcidin is indicative of the disease condition. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for applications in genetic technological approaches, such as for overexpressing or downregulating hepcidin.
US08003335B2 Levels of APRIL in serum and use in diagnostic methods
The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of APRIL in a biological sample, in a preferred embodiment, in serum. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing or currently suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as RA, predicting the future severity of the disease, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This diagnostic test serves to predict a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment, in particular treatment with APRIL antagonists, either singly or in combination with other immune suppressive drugs.
US08003330B2 Error-free amplification of DNA for clonal sequencing
Provided are methods of producing low copy number circularized nucleic acid variants that can be distributed to reaction volumes. The methods include providing a template nucleic acid; producing a population of clonal nucleic acids from the template nucleic acid; generating a set of partially overlapping nucleic acid fragments from the population of clonal nucleic acids; circularizing the partially overlapping nucleic acid fragments to produce circularized nucleic acid variants; and aliquotting the circularized nucleic acid variants into reaction volumes. Related compositions of nucleic acid templates are also provided.
US08003325B2 Polymorphisms of the BLyS gene and use in diagnostic methods
The present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising at least one polymorphic nucleotide sequence, for example, the major alleles of the SNPs described as rs12583006, rs1224141, and rs1248930 and diagnostic assays for detecting the presence of these polymorphism associated with a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as hematological malignancy including B cell malignancies. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as hematological malignancies, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as prediction of a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment. The invention also provides an array of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a solid surface, where at least one of the nucleic acid molecules comprises a BLyS polymorphic nucleic acid molecule. The nucleic acid arrays of the invention allow rapid detection of hybridizing nucleic acid-molecules, in a nucleic acid sample from an individual, of a BLyS polymorphism associated with hematological malignancy.
US08003320B2 Methods and compositions involving MicroRNA
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for isolating, enriching, and/or labeling miRNA molecules and for preparing and using arrays or other detection techniques for miRNA analysis. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for generating miRNA profiles and employing such profiles for therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications.
US08003318B2 Polymorphisms in growth hormone receptor, ghrelin, leptin, neuropeptide Y, and uncoupling protein 2 genes and their associations with measures of performance and carcass merit in beef cattle
The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine genes encoding growth hormone receptor (GHR), ghrelin, leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) and their association with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.
US08003317B2 Methods for high level multiplexed polymerase chain reactions and homogeneous mass extension reactions
Provided herein are optimized methods for performing multiplexed detection of a plurality of sequence variations. Also provided are methods for performing multiplexed amplification of target nucleic acid.
US08003316B2 Polarization-enhanced detector with gold nanorods for detecting nanoscale rotational motion and method therefor
A nanoscale motion detector attaches a gold nanorod (30) to the rotating arm (26) of a molecular structure (10) to cause the nanoparticle to rotate. The molecular structure is an F1-ATPase enzyme. The gold nanorod is exposed to a light source. The long axis of the gold nanorod scatters red light when the nanorod is in a first position. The short axis of the gold nanorod scatters green light when the nanorod is in a second position. A polarizing filter filters the red and green light to detect the rotational motion by observing alternating red and green lights. A detection DNA stand (50) is coupled between the gold nanorod and the molecular structure. The detection DNA strand hybridizes with a target DNA strand (58) if the target DNA strand matches the detection DNA strand to form a structural link between the molecular structure and gold nanorod.
US08003310B2 Masking techniques and templates for dense semiconductor fabrication
A template comprising pitch multiplied and non-pitch multiplied features is configured for use in imprint lithography. On a first substrate, a first pattern is formed using pitch multiplication and a second pattern is formed using photolithography without pitch multiplication. The first pattern and the second pattern are transferred to a template. The template is brought into contact with a transfer layer overlying a series of mask layers overlying a second substrate. The pitch multiplied and non-pitch multiplied patterns on the template are transferred to the transfer layer, forming an imprinted pattern. The imprinted pattern is transferred to the second substrate to form pitch multiplied and non-pitch multiplied features.
US08003307B2 Photo mask and method for fabricating image sensor using the same
A method for fabricating an image sensor includes forming an insulation layer over a substrate in a logic circuit region and a pixel region, forming a photoresist over the insulation layer, patterning the photoresist to form a photoresist pattern where the insulation layer in the pixel region is exposed and the insulation layer in the logic circuit region is not exposed, wherein a thickness of the photoresist pattern is gradually decreased in an interfacial region between the pixel region and the logic circuit region in a direction of the logic circuit region to the pixel region, and performing an etch back process over the insulation layer and the photoresist pattern in conditions that an etch rate of the photoresist pattern are substantially the same as that of the insulation layer.
US08003305B2 Method for patterning a semiconductor wafer
A method for etching a pattern on a surface is disclosed. A mask layer is disposed over a surface and a resist is disposed over the mask layer. The resist is exposed to light through the mask exposing primary pattern and sidelobe regions. The resist is developed and the mask layer is etched according to the resist pattern. A first material is deposited over the mask layer, wherein a gap is formed beneath the material and over the primary pattern region. The material is etched back so that the gap is exposed, and the primary pattern region is etched using the first material as a mask.
US08003304B2 Method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write pole using an electrical lapping guide for tight write pole flare point control
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method provides for accurate definition of a device feature such as a write pole flare point. A functional lapping guide is formed to determine when a lapping operation should be terminated to define an air bearing surface of a slider. In order to provide accurate compensation for manufacturing variations in the functional lapping guide, a dummy lapping guide is provided. An amount of variation of a front edge of the dummy lapping guide, which is defined by the same process step as a writer pole flare point, can be calculated by measuring the width (stripe height) of the dummy lapping guide based on its electrical resistance. Since the back edges of the dummy lapping guide and functional lapping guide are defined by the same manufacturing steps, the back edge of the functional lapping guide can then be determined, and used for accurately control of the writer flare point through their correlation established from the dummy lapping guide.
US08003302B2 Method for fabricating patterns using a photomask
Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a pattern using a photomask that includes forming a first light shielding layer pattern over a substrate; forming a first resist layer pattern aligned to the first light shielding layer pattern over the first light shielding layer pattern; forming a phase shift region by selectively etching a portion of the substrate exposed by the first light shielding layer pattern; forming a second resist layer pattern by reducing the line width of the first resist layer pattern; forming a second light shielding layer pattern, having a reduced line width, by etching an exposed portion of the first light shielding layer pattern, and exposing a portion of the substrate adjacent the groove to form a rim region; removing the second resist layer pattern to form a photomask; and transferring a second pattern onto a wafer by performing an exposure process using the photomask.
US08003301B2 Manufacturing method for semiconductor device
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device having patterns including two adjacent sides forming a corner portion with an external angle and a periodic pattern with a high density arrangement in the same layer is provided with (a) the step of exposing the first divided pattern including a first side which is obtained by dividing the pattern including two sides and the region which corresponds to a first thinned out pattern from which the periodic pattern is thinned out to light through a first mask having a first mask pattern, and (b) the step of exposing the second divided pattern including a second side which is obtained by dividing the pattern including two sides and the region which corresponds to a second thinned out pattern which is obtained by thinning out the periodic pattern to light through a first mask having a second mask pattern.
US08003298B2 Printing resist, method for preparing the same and patterning method using the same
Disclosed herein is a printing resist sequentially transferred to a printing plate and a substrate after being applied to a printing roll. The printing resist comprises at least one polymer main chain bound to a tackiness-inducing vinyl group. The surface of the printing resist has tackiness without complete dryness, thus enabling a correct transfer of the printing resist to the printing plate and substrate.
US08003296B2 Chemically amplified positive resist composition
The present invention provides a chemically amplified positive composition comprising: (A) a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group and being itself insoluble or poorly soluble in an alkali aqueous solution but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid, (B) a resin comprising a structural unit represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or a C1-C4 perfluoroalkyl group, Z represents a single bond or —(CH2)k—CO—X4—, k represents an integer of 1 to 4, X1, X2, X3 and X4 each independently represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, m represents an integer of 1 to 3 and n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and a structural unit having a fluorine atom in a side chain, and an acid generator.
US08003292B2 Method for applying a resist layer, uses of adhesive materials, and adhesive materials and resist layer
A method in which a resist layer is applied to a base layer is disclosed. The resist layer includes an adhesive material, and the adhesive force of the adhesive material decreases or increases during an irradiation process. Residues of the resist layer may be stripped using the disclosed method.
US08003291B2 Method of charging toner particles
A method of charging toner particles in a liquid toner comprising: mixing the toner with an acid; and mixing the toner with a base that reacts with the acid to charge the toner particles.
US08003286B2 Photoreceptor for electrophotography
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor which is not impaired in electrophotographic properties such as charge potential and residual potential and which is also excellent in repetition stability. The invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive support having thereon a photosensitive layer containing a zirconium compound represented by the following general formula (1): and one or more charge transport agents having an arylamino group in its molecule.
US08003280B1 System and method for holographic lithographic production of a photonic crystal
A system and method for holographic lithography is disclosed, including interferometeric alignment of laser sources. This includes creation of the volumetric holographic pattern around wire and other planar and non-planar substrates. This template is further processed into devices for various applications including Photonic Crystals, Photonic Band Gaps, Photonic Band Gaps with selective defects, and Photonic Band Gap incandescent emitters.
US08003278B2 Fuel cell
A power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator includes an oxygen-containing gas flow field. An inlet buffer area is provided between the oxygen-containing gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and an outlet buffer area is provided between the oxygen-containing gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. Plural columnar resistance members are provided within the inlet buffer area and the outlet buffer area. The membrane electrode assembly further includes first and second humidification sections.
US08003277B2 Fuel source for a fuel cell
Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell, including a housing made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing.
US08003276B2 Membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell using the same
A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes an electrolyte membrane (100); and a pair of electrode catalyst layers (110) provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of hydrophilic groups exist along a substantially continuous concentration gradient from a surface of one of the electrode catalyst layers opposite to a surface thereof in contact with the electrolyte membrane to a surface of the other electrode catalyst layer opposite to a surface thereof in contact with the electrolyte membrane in a thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane (100) and the electrode catalyst layers (110). This makes it possible to provide a membrane electrode assembly with water management performed not only in the surfaces but also in the entire assembly in the thickness direction.
US08003273B2 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell and fuel cell sealing member for the same
To provide a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which a reaction gas can be utilized efficiently for an electrode reaction even when a gap is formed between an anode-side sealing member and the end face of an anode and between a cathode-side sealing member and the end face of a cathode, and sufficient power generation performance can be ensured with a simple constitution. At least one of the anode-side sealing member and the cathode-side sealing member of the fuel cell includes an annular body, and at least one deformable protruding portion provided on the inner surface of the annular body.
US08003272B2 Fuel cell for microcapsule-type robot and microcapsule-type robot powered by the same
A fuel cell for a microcapsule-type robot uses alcohol or an aqueous alcohol solution as a fuel and was hydrogen peroxide or an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as an oxidizing agent. A microcapsule-type robot also uses the fuel cell. The fuel cell may be used in a microcapsule-type endoscope and have an operating time that is long enough to diagnose human organs. The fuel cell may comprise hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent instead of air or oxygen such that the fuel cell can operate inside the human body. Thus, an oxygen source, which cannot be obtained in a human body, can be easily supplied to the fuel cell, and the fuel cell has higher performance than a fuel cell in which air is used as an oxidizing agent.
US08003271B2 Heat exchanger for fuel cell
A heat exchanger that can mechanically automatically control a level of cooling water according to heat generation of the fuel cell. The heat exchanger includes a housing having a cooling water inlet and an outlet connected to a fuel cell stack, a moving plate which moves reciprocally in the housing and discharges cooling water filled in the housing to the stack when it moves in a one direction and when it receives a steam pressure from the stack it moves in an opposite direction, and an elastic member that applies a force to the moving plate in the one direction. The heat exchanger can automatically maintain the level of cooling water despite a difference in heat generated between a full and a partial load operation of the fuel cell obviating complicated electronics such as a thermo-sensor, a valve, or a controller. Also, under a partial load, the exposure of flow channels to superheated steam is avoided, thereby extending the lifetime of the fuel cell.
US08003269B2 Fuel reforming apparatus and its method of driving and fuel cell system including the apparatus
A fuel reforming apparatus includes an oxidation reaction unit in which an oxidation catalyst is formed, a reforming reaction unit in which a reforming catalyst is formed, and an ignition unit for igniting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel and an oxidant and preheating the oxidation catalyst in an early driving stage. The oxidation reaction unit has a first section and a second section respectively formed opposite to each other with the oxidation catalyst interposed therebetween and forms a stream of the fuel and the oxidant flowing to the second section through the oxidation catalyst from the first section, the ignition unit being located in the second section.
US08003266B2 Fuel cell and method of operating same
A fuel cell is provided which can supply the stable power and has higher reliability and a longer period of life without the influence of the circumstances and the operation conditions. An absorbent disposed near an oxidant electrode of a fuel cell including a fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode approaches to the vicinity of or is in contact with the oxidant electrode surface or departs from the oxidant electrode. Thereby, the absorbent removes moisture on the oxidant electrode so that the fuel cell which can supply the stable power with the higher reliability and the longer period of life can be provided.
US08003264B2 Process for generating electricity and concentrated carbon dioxide
A process for the generation of electricity and the production of a concentrated carbon dioxide stream using a molten carbonate fuel cell. Anode off-gas is at least partly fed to a catalytic afterburner wherein it is oxidized with an oxidant consisting of part of the cathode off-gas and/or part of a molecular oxygen containing external oxidant stream, which external oxidant stream has at most 20% (v/v) nitrogen. The oxidized anode off-gas is brought into heat exchange contact with the remainder of the cathode off-gas and the remainder of the external oxidant stream to obtain cooled anode off-gas and a heated mixture of cathode off-gas and external oxidant which are fed to the cathode chamber as the cathode inlet gas. As soon as a set point in the carbon dioxide concentration at the cathode chamber outlet is reached, part of the cooled anode off-gas is withdrawn from the process.
US08003263B2 Rechargeable lithium battery using separator partially coated with gel polymer
Disclosed are a separator for a battery, which is coated with a gel polymer over 40-60% of total separator area, and a rechargeable lithium battery using the separator. The separator partially coated with a gel polymer reduces the battery resistance so that the battery power can be improved. Additionally, the separator increases electrolyte impregnation rate and provides uniform electrolyte impregnation, thereby improving the life, capacity and high-rate discharge property of a battery. Further, the separator permits electrode reactions to be performed uniformly, thereby preventing lithium precipitation and improving the battery safety.
US08003260B2 Overcharge and overdischarge protection in lithium-ion batteries
A lithium-ion battery comprising a first electrode made of cathodic material, a second electrode made of anodic material and an electrolyte, said lithium-ion battery containing an overcharge protection material consisting of redox molecules, characterized by the fact that said redox molecules have a reduction potential which is lower than said anodic material.
US08003259B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a porous insulating film adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the porous insulating film including an inorganic oxide filler and a film binder, wherein the ratio R of actual volume to apparent volume of the separator is not less than 0.4 and not greater than 0.7, and wherein the ratio R and a porosity P of the porous insulating film satisfy the relational formula: −0.10≦R−P≦0.30.
US08003255B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, lithium titanium composite oxide and battery pack
A nonaqueous electrolyte battery is provided and includes: a negative electrode including a lithium titanium composite oxide showing an X-ray diffraction pattern in which each of main peak intensities of rutile TiO2, anatase TiO2 and Li2TiO3 is 5 or less with respect to a main peak intensity of ramsdellite lithium titanate of 100; a positive electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte.
US08003254B2 Battery cathodes
Batteries are disclosed. In some embodiments, a battery includes a cathode having a composition that includes a manganese oxide. The composition has an X-ray diffraction pattern with a first peak at about 18 degrees, a second peak at about 22 degrees, and a third peak at about 32 degrees.
US08003247B2 Button-type alkaline battery and method of manufacturing the same
A button-type alkaline battery in which an anode 3 containing an anode active material and an alkaline electrolyte is disposed in a sealed space formed by sealing a cathode housing 4 with an anode sealing member 5, with a gasket 6 being interposed between the cathode housing 4 and the anode sealing member 5. The anode active material includes mercury-free zinc or a mercury-free zinc alloy. The button-type alkaline battery includes a metal layer 7 that is disposed between and in contact with the anode sealing member 5 and the anode 3. The metal layer 7 includes a base material containing zinc, and at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of indium, bismuth, and tin, with the metal M having segregated in the base material.
US08003244B2 Battery, especially a microbattery, and the production thereof using wafer-level technology
The invention relates to a battery comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate (1) on which it is arranged, in addition to at least one cathode (4), one anode (6), and a separator/electrolyte layer (5) in the form of layers or films that are pre-formed from an electrochemically active or activatable material and optionally a polymer matrix and/or other auxiliary substances, in a corresponding sequence on the substrate (1). The layer thickness of each electrode layer is 10 μm. The inventive battery also comprises at least one current diverter (7) and at least one battery contact (2, 2a, 2b) that are respectively in electrical contact with an electrode. Said battery is characterized in that it comprises at least one first covering layer (8, 16, 17, 21) consisting of a first, electrically insulating material that is stable in relation to the used electrolyte and electrode material and has been deposited from the gas phase or in the form of a liquid or viscous paste. Said covering layer forms an encapsulation element with the substrate and optionally at least one other component, by which means the battery is sealed from the surrounding environment, and is provided with at least one recess (11, 18, 19) that is closed by an electroconductive material and is connected to at least one current diverter (7) of the battery. The invention also relates to a plurality of such batteries on the same substrate, and to methods for producing the cited batteries using wafer-level techniques.
US08003243B2 Spirally wound secondary battery with uneven termination end portions
A secondary battery capable of improving charge-discharge cycle characteristics in the case where an alloy material is used as an anode active material is provided. An exposed cathode region is disposed in an outer end portion of a cathode. The exposed cathode region includes an insulating protective member on at least one of an outer side and an inner side of the exposed cathode region in a position opposed to an outer end portion of an anode active material layer in one turn inside the outer end portion. In a cathode active material layer, a central angle between an outer end portion and a central end portion at the center of the spirally wound body is preferably within a range from 0° to −90° inclusive from the central end portion in a winding direction.
US08003237B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording disk and manufacturing method thereof
A magnetic disk 10 for use in perpendicular magnetic recording, which includes an underlayer 18, a size-reduction promoting layer 20 (nonmagnetic granular layer) of a granular structure, and a magnetic recording layer 22 having a ferromagnetic layer 32 of a granular structure. The size-reduction promoting layer 20 has an inorganic oxide matrix and nonmagnetic metal crystal grains and is disposed between the underlayer 18 and the ferromagnetic layer 32, thereby reducing the size of magnetic crystal grains in the ferromagnetic layer 32.
US08003234B2 Coated cutting insert and manufacturing method thereof
A coated cutting insert according to the present invention includes a base layer formed on a substrate and an indicating layer formed on a part of the base layer. The indicating layer is formed on a flank face, on the base layer on the entire surface or a part of a region A2 except for a specific region A1, and on a rake face, on the base layer on the entire surface or a part of a region B2 except for a specific region B1. In the region A1 and the region B1, the base layer is exposed at the surface, and has compressive residual stress in one or both of the region A1 and the region B1.
US08003229B2 Ambipolar host in organic light emitting diode
Some embodiments provide a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl; provided that: at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is selected from optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl and at least one of R6, R7, and R8 is selected from optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl; and R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl. Other embodiments provide an organic light-emitting diode device comprising a compound of Formula I.
US08003226B2 Metal complex and organic electroluminescent device
A metal complex which has a metal complex structure showing light emission from triplet excited state, and has a monovalent group derived from carbazole, and a light-emitting device using said metal complex.
US08003219B2 Coating liquid, conductive film formed by coating liquid, and forming method thereof
The present invention provides a technology related to a conductive film which is high in transparency, conductivity, and adhesiveness to a base plate. The present invention also provides a coating liquid including metal materials reacting with a ligand represented by a particular Chemical Formula and including indium (In), tin (Sn), or both thereof.
US08003218B2 Al-Ni-B alloy material for reflective film
With respect to a reflection-type display device, an Al-based alloy material for a reflective film, which has excellent reflective characteristics and can be directly bonded to a transparent electrode layer such as ITO and IZO is provided. The present invention is Al—Ni—B alloy material for a reflective film, comprising aluminum containing nickel and boron, wherein a nickel content is 1.5-4 at %, a boron content is 0.1-0.5 at %, and the balance is aluminum. It is more preferable if the nickel content is 1.5-3 at %, and the boron content is 0.1-0.4 at %.
US08003217B2 Metal oxide ceramic and method of making articles therewith
Disclosed herein is a ceramic comprising: at least two different metal oxides, the at least two different metal oxides comprising TiO2 and La2O3 or TiO2 and BaO; less than 20% by weight SiO2; less than 20% by weight B2O3; and less than 40% by weight P2O5; the ceramic having a glass transition temperature, Tg, and a crystallization onset temperature, Tx, and the difference between Tg and Tx is at least 5K. The ceramic may comprise additional metal oxides. Also disclosed herein is a method of making an article using the ceramic; typically, the ceramic is heated above the Tg, shaped, and then cooled.
US08003216B2 Heat-conductive dielectric polymer material and heat dissipation substrate containing the same
A heat-conductive dielectric polymer material having an inter-penetrating-network (IPN) structure includes a polymer component, a curing agent, and a heat-conductive filler uniformly dispersed in the polymer component. The polymer component includes a thermoplastic plastic and a thermosetting epoxy resin. The curing agent is used to cure the thermosetting epoxy resin at a curing temperature. The heat conductivity of the heat-conductive dielectric polymer material is larger than 0.5 W/mK. A heat dissipation substrate including the heat-conductive dielectric polymer material in the present invention has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm and bears a voltage of over 1000 volts.
US08003213B2 Composite particles comprising coating of cerium oxide and silicon oxide, and application thereof
Composite particles, wherein each particle contains titanium oxide, a first covering layer containing cerium oxide and a second covering layer containing silicon oxide in this order from the inside, and wherein the amount of cerium oxide is from 3 to 30 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of titanium oxide, the amount of silicon oxide is from 5 to 60 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of titanium oxide, and the average particle size of the composite particles is from 0.15 to 3 μm. The composite particles suppress discoloration, decomposition and photocatalytic reaction of titanium oxide by ultraviolet rays and show excellent resistance against hydrogen fluoride. Discoloration, changes in visible light transmittance, and decreases in the mechanical strength of coating compositions, printing inks, and resin films coated with printing inks containing the composite particles are suppressed for long periods of time.
US08003211B2 Microencapsulated particles and process for manufacturing same
Microencapsulated particles having improved resistance to moisture and extended release capabilities are produced by microencapsulating the particles in a film-forming, cross-linked, hydrolyzed polymer.
US08003206B2 Optical laminate
An optical laminate is provided, which prevents the occurrence of interface reflection and interference fringes at the interface between a light transparent base material and an antistatic layer has been effectively prevented. The optical laminate includes a light transparent base material and an antistatic layer and a hardcoat layer provided in that order on the light transparent base material. The hardcoat layer is formed on the antistatic layer using a composition for a hardcoat layer including a resin and a penetrative solvent. The penetrative solvent penetrates into the antistatic layer and the light transparent base material so that the antistatic agent contained in the antistatic layer disperses into the antistatic layer or the light transparent base material.
US08003199B2 Noise prevention plate consisting of acrylic glass
An acrylic glass plate for use as an opaque noise protection element in noise protection walls, the plate measuring a minimum of 2×2 m and having a minimum thickness of 8 mm wherein threads, strips, grids or networks consisting of a material which is incompatible with the acrylic glass are integrated into the acrylic glass for binding splinters in the event of a fracture of the plate, and the plate comprises between 40 and 80 wt. % of filling materials, in relation to its total weight (calculated without integrated threads, strips, grids or networks); and a method for producing such plates.
US08003198B2 Flexible printed conductive fabric and method for fabricating the same
A conductive fabric is provided. The conductive fabric comprises a base layer composed of a synthetic, regenerated or natural fiber, a conductive layer formed on the base layer to be capable of being freely formed by a pre-designed electric pattern, and an insulating layer formed on the conductive layer to protect the conductive layer from damage.
US08003196B2 Decorative material
The present invention provides a decorative material that represents recesses and protrusions by means of difference in the state of luster of the surface, and does not allow an oily substance to infiltrate and remain therein.
US08003195B2 Method for manufacturing display device
A method for manufacturing a display device includes forming an active layer by performing an SPC (solid phase crystallization) process on a first substrate; forming a cushioning layer of amorphous silicon (a-Si) on the active layer under an atmosphere containing about 90 to about 97% by flow rate of hydrogen (H2) and about 10 to about 3% by flow rate of silane (SiH4); forming an N-type impurity layer on the cushioning layer; forming a metal layer to cover the N-type impurity layer; forming a source and drain by removing the metal film by a first etching method; and separating the N-type impurity layer and the cushioning layer by a second etching method.
US08003190B2 Honeycomb structure
A honeycomb structure including a plurality of cells arranged in parallel while being separated by cell walls, and extending in a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structure. Each cell is sealed at one of end portions thereof. In the honeycomb structure, the relation expressed by an expression (1) is satisfied: 11/6−10/3×A≦B  (1) where A (mm) designates thickness of the cell walls, and B (m2/cm3) designates a surface area per unit volume of the cell walls.
US08003187B2 Optimized media structure for bit-wise multi-layer optical data storage
An optical medium including a plurality of data layers stacked relative to each other in a dielectric medium. A respective data layer including mark and land regions for having information recorded thereon. A mark region and a land region in the respective data layer are disposed beside each other and have substantially the same optical path length across respective thicknesses of the mark region and the land region. A method and computer program product associated with forming the optical medium which determines whether an admittance curve for a material to be used as the mark region forms an intersection with a desired admittance curve based on the admittance of a land region disposed beside the mark region, and determines a thickness of the material based on the intersection.
US08003185B2 Splice seam
A splice seam for joining various sections of fabric together is disclosed, wherein the fabric sections are initially delaminated into their constituent plies. The plies associated with each fabric section are then fully interleaved with each other, and bonded together. The amount of surface area between each interleaved plies can be adjusted as so as to achieve a desired level of load carrying strength between the fabric sections.
US08003181B2 Anticorrosion sleeve
An anticorrosion sleeve including a resin sleeve and a metal sleeve tightly received in the resin sleeve. The metal sleeve has a gradually expanding outer diameter thereof toward one circular edge thereof in a tapered shape in cross section so that the metal sleeve expands the resin sleeve in diameter when the metal sleeve is inserted into the resin sleeve. The resin sleeve includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. The metal sleeve includes an engagement end portion, an intermediate portion, and a tapered end portion in that order. The outer circumference of the engagement end portion of the metal sleeve is engaged beforehand with a step between the inner circumferences of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion of the resin sleeve.
US08003179B2 Films having a desiccant material incorporated therein and methods of use and manufacture
Film structures, packages, films and methods of making the same are provided wherein the film structures have a desiccant material incorporated into at least one layer of the film structures and further wherein the film structures can comprise a material for making a peelable seal when the film structures are heat sealed to other film structures. The film structures are utilized for a package to hold a product that may be sensitive to the presence of moisture. The product may preferably be pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical products, or devices such as absorbable sutures or medical stents, although any moisture-sensitive product is contemplated by the present invention.
US08003175B2 Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is a specific five-membered ring compound having a large maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy and the second component is a specific compound having a small viscosity, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08003174B2 Method for forming dielectric film using siloxane-silazane mixture
A method of forming a dielectric film, includes: introducing a siloxane gas essentially constituted by Si, O, C, and H and a silazane gas essentially constituted by Si, N, H, and optionally C into a reaction chamber where a substrate is placed; depositing a siloxane-based film including Si—N bonds on the substrate by plasma reaction; and annealing the siloxane-based film on the substrate in an annealing chamber to remove Si—N bonds from the film.
US08003171B2 Decorative golf club grip
A grip for the handle of a golf club having at least a polymerized region with two or more polymers. The first and second polymers cooperate to form a pattern on the top surface of the region. The region may be combined with a substrate to form a sheet. The sheet may be formed into a grip interface having any of a number of shapes including a panel shape. In the case of a panel shaped grip interface, the panel is then attached to an underlisting sleeve to form the grip. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple colors being polymerized together. The grip may be easily installed onto a golf club shaft and further accommodates the use of polymers including various different characteristics including level of tackiness or durometer.
US08003170B2 Control of pre-cured product moisture for formaldehyde-free fiberglass products
A system for controlling the residual moisture in pre-cured binder coated glass fibers. The moisture of the binder coated glass fibers is measured after the process water is extracted in a collection box. Based on the level of moisture found in the coated glass fibers, adjustments are made to the process upstream of the moisture measurements. The adjustments include, but are not limited to, adjusting the amount of water used to make the binder composition; adjusting the amount of heat applied to the binder composition as it is applied to the glass fibers and adjusting the vacuum conditions used to extract the process water from the binder coated glass fibers. Control of the residual moisture in the precured binder coated glass fibers helps ensure proper curing of the binder during the subsequent curing step.
US08003168B2 Method for sealing a building panel
The solution of the problem is arrived at through the following steps: a) applying liquid resin to the top side, b) drying the resin, c) pressing the construction plate under the influence of temperature, so that the resin at least partially melts, wherein the pressing may be performed in a continuous press.
US08003164B2 Method of making a scratch-and etch-resistant coated glass article
A method of making a scratch resistant coated article which is also resistant to attacks by at least some fluorine-inclusive etchant(s) for at least a period of time is provided. In certain example embodiments, an anti-etch layer(s) is provided on a glass substrate in order to protect the glass substrate from attacks by fluorine-inclusive etchant(s), a scratch resistant layer of or including DLC is provided over the anti-layer(s), and a seed layer is provided between the anti-layer(s) and the scratch resistant layer so as to facilitate the adhesion of the scratch resistant layer while also helping to protect the anti-layer(s). Optionally, a base layer(s) or underlayer(s) may be provided under at least the anti-etch layer(s).
US08003163B2 Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer formed on the substrate, a texturing layer formed on the soft magnetic underlayer and including a uniform pattern, and a recording layer including magnetic grains and a non-magnetic boundary region isolating the magnetic grains. The magnetic grains and the non-magnetic boundary region of the recording layer are formed into a regular granular structure by segregation according to the regular pattern of the texturing layer. Therefore, a regular granular structure can be formed in the recording layer without a process such as etching of the recording layer, so that the recording density of the magnetic recording medium can be largely improved.
US08003162B2 Method of forming phase change layer using a germanium precursor and method of manufacturing phase change memory device using the same
A method of forming a phase change layer using a Ge compound and a method of manufacturing a phase change memory device using the same are provided. The method of manufacturing a phase change memory device included supplying a first precursor on a lower layer on which the phase change layer is to be formed, wherein the first precursor is a bivalent precursor including germanium (Ge) and having a cyclic structure. The first precursor may be a cyclic germylenes Ge-based compound or a macrocyclic germylenes Ge-based, having a Ge—N bond. The phase change layer may be formed using a MOCVD method, cyclic-CVD method or an ALD method. The composition of the phase change layer may be controlled by a deposition pressure in a range of 0.001 torr-10 torr, a deposition temperature in a range of 150° C. to 350° C. and/or a flow rate of a reaction gas in the range of 0-1 slm.
US08003160B2 Wiring substrate
A substrate is provided on which wires can be formed satisfactorily using a dispersion liquid of metal microparticles without causing disconnection or short circuit. The wiring substrate comprises a substrate, an organic membrane formed on the substrate, and a metal wire formed on the organic membrane. An arithmetic mean deviation Ra of the profile of the surface of the organic membrane where the metal wire is formed is not less than 60 nm and not more than 5×10−2D, where D is the width of the metal wire. The contact angle with respect to water on the surface of the organic membrane where the metal wire is formed is not less than 110°.
US08003159B2 Methods and systems for processing a microelectronic topography
Methods and systems are provided which are adapted to process a microelectronic topography, particularly in association with an electroless deposition process. In general, the methods may include loading the topography into a chamber, closing the chamber to form an enclosed area, and supplying fluids to the enclosed area. In some embodiments, the fluids may fill the enclosed area. In addition or alternatively, a second enclosed area may be formed about the topography. As such, the provided system may be adapted to form different enclosed areas about a substrate holder. In some cases, the method may include agitating a solution to minimize the accumulation of bubbles upon a wafer during an electroless deposition process. As such, the system provided herein may include a means for agitating a solution in some embodiments. Such a means for agitation may be distinct from the inlet/s used to supply the solution to the chamber.
US08003154B2 Hydration process for a refried bean product
This application provides a process for producing a refried bean product. The refried bean product contains both homogenized cooked bean particles and larger sized cooked bean particles and provides a texture typical of refried beans. The present process includes hydrating dried beans in water a period of time sufficient to increase the moisture content of the beans, cooking the hydrated beans in water, coarse grinding the cooked beans to provide a bean slurry, dividing the bean slurry into first and second portions, milling the first bean portion to provide a milled bean portion, homogenizing the milled bean portion with water to provide an homogenized bean portion, combining the homogenized portion and the second coarse ground bean portion with water, spices and lard to provide a combined bean mixture, and mixing the combined bean mixture to provide a refried bean product.
US08003141B2 Dietary supplements containing extracts of cinnamon and methods of using same to enhance creatine transport
Materials derived from cinnamon can be administered orally to humans or animals for the purpose of controlling blood glucose as well improving glucose tolerance. Controlling glucose metabolism is essential for those with impaired glucose metabolism as is the case for those with Type II diabetes where insulin function is not properly functioning. Such administration can also be used for the purpose of enhancing nutrient transport for purposes of athletic performance and controlling bodyweight and body fat levels. Similarly related, such administration can also be used for the purpose of enhancing creatine transport into excitable tissues such as skeletal muscle. The material can be administered as extracts of cinnamon and can be administered in a variety of ways including capsules, tablets, powdered beverages, bars, gels or drinks.
US08003137B2 Extracts of Aristolochia paucinervis pomel and uses thereof
Methods of extracting from a part of a variety of the species Aristolochia paucinervis pomel, a biologically active extract, are disclosed. Methods of reducing cell growth in a subject and inducing apoptosis in a cell are also disclosed.
US08003135B2 Natural extract containing xanthohumol, and method for the production thereof products produced therefrom
The invention relates to a method for producing an extract containing xanthohumol (XN), which is obtained from toasted cereal products, cereal malt, coffee or cocoa. The XN-content in said extract is in the region of 10 mg/kg-2 g/kg xanthohumol. The use of XN-toasted extracts enables the XN-content of foodstuffs and pharmaceutical products to be increased in a natural manner.
US08003134B2 Ascorbic acid composition and method for treatment of aging or damaged skin
An ascorbic acid-based composition and related method for the treatment of aging or photo-damaged skin is disclosed. The composition includes water and ascorbic acid, at least a portion of which has generally been pretreated by being dissolved under relatively high temperature and concentration conditions. The composition typically includes at least about 5.0% (w/v) ascorbic acid and may advantageously be formulated to have a pH above 3.5. Generally, the composition also includes non-toxic zinc salt, tyrosine compound, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In addition, the composition may include an anti-inflammatory compound, such as aminosugar and/or sulfur-containing anti-inflammatory compound. The topical composition may be in the form of a serum, a hydrophilic lotion, an ointment, a cream, or a gel.
US08003132B2 Compositions comprising an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymer
Ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymers having a first pendant group that comprises an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing moiety and a second pendant group that comprises at least one siloxane linkage and/or an intermediate length carbon chain are disclosed. Personal care compositions including the ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymer are provided.
US08003131B2 Biomaterial derived from vertebrate liver tissue
A tissue graft composition comprising liver basement membrane is described. The graft composition can be implanted to replace or induce the repair of damaged or diseased tissues.
US08003130B2 Method for the production of milk or milk products with a high proportion of melatonin
A method for the production of milk with increased melatonin content or a milk product made therefrom. The method comprises dividing the daily cycle of a female mammal into a daytime phase under a first light regime with a proportion of blue light and a night-time phase under a second light regime and milking the mammal at least once during the night-time phase in order to obtain milk with an increased melatonin content. For the second light regime there is used at least one light source which emits light in the wavelength range of 500 nm or above and substantially no light in the wavelength range below 500 nm.
US08003128B2 Polylactide nanoparticles
A drug targeting system for administering a pharmacologically active substance to the central nervous system of a mammal across the animal's blood brain barrier. The drug targeting system comprises nanoparticles made of poly(DL-lactide) and/or poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide), a pharmacologically active substance which is absorbed to, adsorbed to, and/or incorporated into the nanoparticles, and either contains TPGS or comprises a pluronic 188 surfactant coating deposited on the drug-loaded nanoparticles.
US08003127B2 Nanoparticulate corticosteroid and antihistamine formulations methods of making, and methods of administering thereof
Compositions comprising a nanoparticulate corticosteroid and an antihistamine are described. The compositions are useful in the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and pediatric patients and for the relief of allergic conjunctivitis, symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and pediatric patients. Combining an antihistamine with a nanoparticulate corticosteroid in a single formulation results in improved efficacy.
US08003126B2 Stable tablet formulation
The present invention is directed to a stable solid formulations of tetrahydrobiopterin, processes for producing them, and treatment methods using such formulations.
US08003124B2 Sustained release implants and methods for subretinal delivery of bioactive agents to treat or prevent retinal disease
The invention relates to sustained release implants and to methods for treating eyes, particularly the eyes of mammals having eye disorders or diseases. By using the implants and methods described herein, the delivery of the one or more bioactive agents can be localized at a desired treatment site, particularly the choroid and the retina.
US08003123B2 Biologically absorbable coatings for implantable devices and methods for fabricating the same
Coatings for an implantable medical device and a method of fabricating thereof are disclosed, the coatings comprising a biologically degradable, biologically erodable, and/or biologically resorbable ABA or AB block copolymer. A biologically active agent can be conjugated to the block copolymer.
US08003122B2 Device for local and/or regional delivery employing liquid formulations of therapeutic agents
Medical devices may be utilized for local and regional therapeutic agent delivery. These therapeutic agents or compounds may reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including restenosis, vulnerable plaque, and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.
US08003115B2 Chimeric immunomodulatory compounds and methods of using the same
The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.
US08003113B2 DNA vaccine compositions and methods of use
The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for used as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3′ LTR.
US08003111B2 Dimeric alpha interferon pegylated site-specifically shows enhanced and prolonged efficacy in vivo
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming PEGylated complexes of defined stoichiometry and structure. In preferred embodiments, the PEGylated complex is formed using dock-and-lock technology, by attaching a therapeutic agent to a DDD sequence and attaching a PEG moiety to an AD sequence and allowing the DDD sequence to bind to the AD sequence in a 2:1 stoichiometry, to form PEGylated complexes with two therapeutic agents and one PEG moiety. In alternative embodiments, the therapeutic agent may be attached to the AD sequence and the PEG to the DDD sequence to form PEGylated complexes with two PEG moieties and one therapeutic agent. In more preferred embodiments, the therapeutic agent may comprise any peptide or protein of physiologic or therapeutic activity, preferably a cytokine, more preferably interferon-α2b. The PEGylated complexes exhibit a significantly slower rate of clearance when injected into a subject and are of use for treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
US08003109B2 Pharmaceutical compositions containing the long pentraxin PTX3
Pharmaceutical compositions are described containing a long pentraxin PTX3, particularly human PTX3, for the therapy of infectious and inflammatory or tumor diseases; expression vectors containing cDNA coding for PTX3; recombinant host cells transfected with such vectors; a method for producing substantial amounts of PTX3 involving the culturing of such cells, and the use of said vectors in the gene therapy of tumors.
US08003108B2 Sclerostin epitopes
Compositions and methods relating to epitopes of sclerostin protein, and sclerostin binding agents, such as antibodies capable of binding to sclerostin, are provided.
US08003106B2 Human monoclonal antibodies to influenza M2 protein and methods of making and using same
Human, humanized and chimeric monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza M2 protein. The antibodies are useful for, among other things, treatment, diagnostics, purifying and isolating M2 or influenza virus, and identifying the presence of M2 or influenza virus in a sample or a subject.
US08003105B2 Method of treating cancer by co-administration of anticancer agents
The present invention relates to a method of treating cancer by co-administration of an effective amount of 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-3-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-3-ium bromide and an effective amount of one or more anticancer agents selected from the group consisting of carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, irinotecan, docetaxel, doxorubicin, dacarbazine and rituximab, or a retuximab-containing combination therapy selected from R-ICE and R-DHAP. The treatment method of the present invention is useful for the treatment for all solid tumors and lymphomas, preferably skin cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovary cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreas cancer, renal cancer, gastric cancer and the like. Particularly, they are expected as therapeutic agents for tumor types which show resistance against existing anticancer agents.
US08003104B2 Method for treating inflammation
A method for treating IL-20 induced inflammation. An antagonist to IL-20 is administered to treat inflammation and associated diseases. The antagonist can be an antibody that binds to IL-20 or its receptor or a soluble receptor that binds to IL-20. Examples of such diseases are adult respiratory disease, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, septic shock, multiple organ failure, inflammatory lung injury, bacterial pneumonia, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
US08003098B2 Methods for damaging cells using effector functions of anti-EphA4 antibodies
The present invention relates to the use of cytoxicity based on the effector function of anti-EphA4 antibodies. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an anti-EphA4 antibody as an active ingredient for damaging EphA4-expressing cells using antibody effector function. Since EphA4 is strongly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, the present invention is particularly useful in pancreatic cancer therapies.
US08003094B2 Chemical combination and method for increasing delivery of Coenzyme Q10
The present invention relates to a chemical combination and method for increasing delivery of Coenzyme Q10. The chemical combination comprises Coenzyme Q10 mixed with at least one chemical. The at least one chemical includes cyclic monoterpene containing essential oil(s) that permit unprecedented levels of Coenzyme Q10 to be made available for delivery and absorption, increasing bioavailability, as well as overcoming the previous limits.
US08003091B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising purified intact bacterial minicells
The present invention provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells that involves subjecting a sample containing minicells to density gradient centrifugation in a biologically compatible medium. The method optionally includes a preliminary differential centrifugation step and one or more filtration steps. The invention also provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells in which a sample containing minicells is subjected to a condition that induces parent bacterial cells to adopt a filamentous form, followed by filtration of the sample to separate minicells from parent bacterial cells. The inventive methods optionally include one or more steps to remove endotoxin from purified minicell preparations, and/or treatment of purified minicell preparations with an antibiotic. Additionally, the invention provides purified minicell preparations, prepared according to the foregoing methods, and containing fewer than about 1 contaminating parent bacterial cell per 107, 108, 109, 1010, or 1011 minicells.
US08003090B2 Method for inhibiting a microvascular complication by administering IL-6
The present invention relates to the use of IL-6 or a fragment, variant, fusion protein, functional derivative or salt thereof in microvascular complications.
US08003089B2 Y shape branched hydrophilic polymer derivatives, their preparation methods, conjugates of the derivatives and drug molecules, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the conjugates
The present invention relates to Y-shape branched PEG derivatives of formulae (I) to (IV). The present invention also relates to conjugates of these Y-shape derivatives and drug molecules, pharmaceutical compositions comprising those conjugates.
US08003087B1 Multiphillic silicone polysorbate softeners
The present invention is directed to a class of polyesters that have dimethicone copolyol and polysorbate units linked by the reaction of their hydroxyl groups into a polyester by the esterification reaction with succinic anhydride. The polymers and a contribute softness, lubricity and antistatic properties when applied to hair, skin, textile fiber and paper.
US08003086B2 Bis-urea compounds and compositions and method of cosmetic treatment
Disclosed herein is a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a fatty phase and at least one compound chosen from compounds of formula (I), salts thereof, and isomers thereof, used to texture the fatty phase. Also disclosed herein is a method for texturing a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising adding to the composition at least one compound of formula (I). Further disclosed herein is a method for the cosmetic treatment of keratin materials comprising applying to the materials at least one composition of the present disclosure.
US08003079B2 Core and core-shell nanoparticles containing iodine for X-ray imaging
Nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 2000 nm, wherein said nanoparticles comprise a polymer having pendant cleavable iodine substituted groups are provided. Processes for preparing the nanoparticles and their use as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging are also described.
US08003075B2 Diagnostic assay for human matrix GLA-protein and its use as a biomarker
The present invention includes a diagnostic assay for the detection and determination of MGP in a human serum sample, which comprises the use of one or more antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies, specifically recognizing epitopes on and/or conformations of human Matrix Gla-Protein. A method is provided for using MGP-related antigens as biomarkers for certain diseases, for example, atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, and angiogenesis/neogenesis in tumor development. Monoclonal antibodies of class IgG are described for use in the assay, which are defined herein as mAb3-15, mAb35-49[Glu], mAb35-49[Gla], mAb35-53[Glu], and mAb35-53[Gla]. Polyclonal antibodies and methods are also disclosed for measuring MGP in a human serum sample.
US08003073B2 Autothermal hydrogen storage and delivery systems
Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of dehydrogenation of hydrogen carrier compositions where at least part of the heat of dehydrogenation is provided by a hydrogen-reversible selective oxidation of the carrier. Autothermal generation of hydrogen is achieved wherein sufficient heat is provided to sustain the at least partial endothermic dehydrogenation of the carrier at reaction temperature. The at least partially dehydrogenated and at least partially selectively oxidized liquid carrier is regenerated in a catalytic hydrogenation process where apart from an incidental employment of process heat, gaseous hydrogen is the primary source of reversibly contained hydrogen and the necessary reaction energy.
US08003068B2 Hydrogen chloride supply system, air pollution control system, and hydrogen chloride supply control system
An air pollution control system comprises: a carry-in tank truck that carries in a feedstock, i.e., concentrated hydrochloric acid (35% hydrochloric acid); a hydrogen chloride vaporizer that vaporizes the concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain hydrogen chloride; a liquid level regulator that separates residual hydrogen chloride from extracted dilute hydrochloric acid discharged as a by-product from the hydrogen chloride vaporizer, and that regulates the liquid level of the hydrogen chloride vaporizer; a concentration regulating tank that regulates the hydrochloric acid concentration of extracted dilute hydrochloric acid 25B from which the residual hydrogen chloride has been separated to a predetermined concentration (e.g., 22%); a by-product tank that stores therein dilute hydrochloric acid regulated to have a predetermined concentration; and a carry-out tank truck that carries out the dilute hydrochloric acid with a predetermined concentration discharged from the by-product tank.
US08003066B2 Method for scrubbing amine-type extractant
A method for scrubbing an amine extractant (A) containing an amine added with hydrochloric acid, and an amine binding a metal chloro complex ion, in a scrubbing stage constituting a solvent extraction step, characterized by substituting a chloride ion of the amine, which is added with hydrochloric acid, with sulfuric acid ion, by bringing the amine extractant (A) into contact with a sulfuric acid solution with a concentration of 3 to 10 N, and subsequently, by eliminating a metal by bringing the substituted amine extractant (B) into contact with water.
US08003065B2 Method for collection of valuable metal from ITO scrap
Proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap including the steps of subjecting the ITO scrap to electrolysis in pH-adjusted electrolyte, and collecting indium or tin as oxides. Additionally proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap including the steps of subjecting the ITO scrap to electrolysis in an electrolytic bath partitioned with a diaphragm or an ion-exchange membrane to precipitate hydroxide of tin, thereafter extracting anolyte temporarily, and precipitating and collecting indium contained in the anolyte as hydroxide. With the methods for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap described above, indium or tin may be collected as oxides by roasting the precipitate containing indium or tin. Consequently, provided is a method for efficiently collecting indium from an ITO scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or an ITO scrap such as ITO mill ends arisen during the manufacture of such ITO sputtering target.
US08003062B2 Microchannel for separating blood plasma
A microchannel has a substrate body; a separation channel which is formed within the substrate; at least two (first and second) connection ports which are formed at one end of the separation channel close to the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate body; and first and second branch channels connected respectively to the first and second connection ports. When the substrate body is perpendicular to gravity, a blood sample containing blood cells and plasma, flows from one end of the separation channel. Before the blood sample gets to the other end of the separation channel, the blood cells in the blood sample settle out. The blood cells having settled out are then separated into the branch channel.
US08003061B2 Test strip card
The present invention relates to a test strip for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved test strip and scale for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen.
US08003060B2 Reaction vessel with integrated optical and fluid control elements
The present invention provides disposable, semi-reusable, or single use reaction vessels with integrated optical elements for use with diffraction based assay systems. The vessel for assaying liquids for analytes includes a housing having at least one chamber or well for receiving a liquid therein and an optical element integrally formed with the housing for directing an incident light beam towards the well or chamber and directing a light beam away from the reaction chamber after the light beam has interacted with analytes present in the liquid.
US08003057B2 Method and apparatus for controlling acid gas emissions from cement plants
A method and apparatus for controlling emissions of acid forming gases such as sulfur dioxide from cement plants is disclosed. Gaseous effluent from the cement plant pyroprocessing chamber is routed to the plant's raw mill to heat and dry the feed meal used in cement production. When the raw mill is in operation microfine lime particles are sprayed into the raw mill using a nozzle system. The spraying of hydrated lime into the raw mill scrubs acid forming gases in the process gaseous effluent. When the raw mill is not operational, microfine lime is sprayed into a gas conditioning tower that is also used to reduce the temperature of the effluent gases to facilitate efficient collection of dust particles prior to emission of the cleansed effluent flow into the atmosphere.
US08003047B2 Vehicle efficacious constituents supply apparatus
A vehicle efficacious constituents supply apparatus 10 includes a main unit 13 including an air gun and a subunit 15 including an air gun. A curling ring V1 of air containing aromatic constituents is projected from the main unit 13 towards an efficacious area A, while a curling ring V2 of air is projected from the subunit 15 towards the efficacious area A. A control unit for controlling projection timings of curling rings V1, V2 includes an alarming mode in which a projection interval at which curling rings v1 are projected is set shorter than a projection interval at which curling rings V2 are projected, and by executing this alarming mode, curling rings V2 can be applied to an occupant without causing the curling rings V2 so projected to disappear in the efficacious area A.
US08003044B2 Apparatus for injecting solid particulate material into a vessel
A metallurgical lance (27a) to extend through an opening in the wall of a smelting vessel barrel (16) and into the interior space of the vessel. Lance (27a) includes a central core tube (31) through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket (32) surrounding the central core tube (31) throughout a substantial part of its length. Lance (27a) has a mounting structure (61) comprising an outer annular part (60) extended about cooling jacket (32) and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. The outer annular part (60) fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket (62) welded to the shell (16a) of vessel barrel (16) to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within mounting bracket (62) by clamping bolts acting between flanges (63,65) on the outer annular part (60) and mounting bracket (62). The outer annular part (60) is double walled and the interior space between its walls is divided into water flow passages through which cooling water flows from a water inlet (68) to an outlet (69).
US08003042B2 Toughened silicon carbide and method for making the same
Pressureless sintering of silicon carbide with fracture toughness in excess of about 4 MPa-m1/2 as measured by the single-edge precracked beam (SEPB) technique while maintaining a density greater than 3.1 g/cc for compositions with SiC greater than about 94 wt. % is made possible through the use of metallic Al to promote sintering and grain growth. Boron and carbon may be used as traditional sintering aids, with nitrogen to suppress grain growth, and additions of yttrium and/or lanthanide elements to promote intergranular fracture.
US08003040B2 Process and freeform fabrication system for producing a three-dimensional object
The present invention provides a process for producing at least one three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is controlled and/or adjusted in a border region of said pattern or image and/or is varied in border regions of patterns or images of different building regions of said material, to have an energy density different from the building region other than said border region(s), wherein the controlling and/or adjustment is dependent on, alone or in combination: (a) intensity of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation delivered to said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (b) total shape or contour shape of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; (c) size of said defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and (d) material to be solidified. A device is provided likewise.
US08003037B2 Enhanced reinforced foam core construction
A surface-reinforced article includes a core assembly (12) comprising a foam core (20) with a surface region (22) that includes fine fibers, and an outer reinforcing covering (14) which includes thicker fibers in a resin (30). The fine fibers includes coupling fibers (100) with outer ends (106) embedded in the resin. After the core assembly is molded, the spacers are removed, the core assembly is wrapped in the outer fibrous material, and the wrapped core assembly (120) is placed in the second mold cavity that is formed by the original mold but without the spacers.
US08003035B2 Method of manufacturing plugged honeycomb structure
A method of manufacturing a plugged honeycomb structure has a plugging process which includes the steps of: immersing one end (a first end) of a honeycomb base material in a plugging slurry while vibrating the plugging slurry; after bringing an internal part of a cell into a negative pressure and then returning it into an atmospheric pressure, vibrating the plugging slurry to make the plugging slurry enter a first open end of the cell; and drying the plugging slurry having entered the first open end of the cell to form a first plugging portion at the first end.
US08003034B2 Forming a composite structure by filament placement on a tool surface of a tablet
A method and apparatus are provided for forming a composite structure with an automatic placement head, through the use of a non-rotating tooling tablet having first and second substantially oppositely facing surfaces thereof, joined around the peripheries thereof by a side surface of the tablet, with at least one of the first or second surfaces forming a tool surface of the tablet. Layers of pre-impregnated fiber or tape are applied to the tool surface of the tablet by the automated fiber placement head.
US08003029B2 Method for preventing deposit forming on guide rollers
The invention relates to a method for preventing or reducing deposit forming of superabsorbent material and/or oil onto guide rollers during the process of applying a superabsorbent water-in-oil emulsion onto a yarn wherein the oil is a mixture comprising saturated hydrocarbons, characterized in that the at least 70 wt % of the hydrocarbons have 20 to 32 carbon atoms.
US08003026B2 Pitch-only densification of carbon-carbon composite materials
Method for making carbon-carbon composite friction product, by: fabricating carbon fiber preform; heat-treating the carbon fiber preform; infiltrating the carbon fiber preform with a high carbon-yielding pitch using VPI (vacuum pressure infiltration) or resin transfer molding (RTM) processing; carbonizing the preform with an intermediate heat-treatment at 800-2000° C.; repeating the pitch infiltration and carbonization steps to achieve a final density of >1.75 g/cc; machining the surfaces of the preform; and applying an oxidation protection system. This approach overcomes problems inherent in lower density carbon-carbon composites by employing high carbon-yielding pitches to densify the carbon-carbon composites to a high density. The high carbon yielding pitches may include isotropic pitches, 100% anisotropic (mesophase) pitches, or mixtures of the two. They may be derived from petroleum, coal tar, or synthetic feedstocks.
US08003024B2 Polyolefin contact lens molds and uses thereof
Contact lens molds and methods of producing soft cast-molded contact lens products are provided. The methods include placing a soft hydrophilic contact lens-forming composition in a cavity formed between a first mold member and a second mold member, subjecting the composition in the cavity to conditions effective to form a contact lens product from the composition, and repeating the placing and subjecting steps a plurality of times, thereby producing a plurality of soft contact lens products. At least the first mold members, and advantageously all of the first and second mold members, are injection-molded with a nucleated thermoplastic polyolefin resin having a melt flow rate in a range of 10 g/10 min to about 40 g/10 min.
US08003023B2 Master mold, master mold fabrication method, and method for fabricating liquid crystal display device using the same
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device wherein a photolithography technique is replaced by soft lithography is disclosed. The method includes: forming a thin film transistor array substrate; forming a color filter substrate; bonding the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrate; and applying a liquid crystal between the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrate, wherein at least one of the forming the thin film transistor array substrate and the forming the color filter substrate includes a pattern forming method using a soft mold. The pattern forming method may be a soft lithography process that includes: contacting a soft mold having a particular pattern with a surface of a buffer layer and applying a constant heat to the soft mold and buffer layer to transfer the particular pattern onto the buffer layer.
US08003020B2 Process for the preparation of a sintered ceramic spark plug
Process for the preparation of a ceramic wherein: 50% to 75% by weight of a compound intended to form a conductive phase, and 25% to 50% by weight of one or more materials allowing the formation of insulating phases composed of silicon nitride and modified silicon oxynitride are mixed in a receptacle containing a liquid after a thermal treatment leading to sintering of the ceramic; this mixture is subjected to grinding, drying and sieving operations; this mixture is pressed; and this mixture is sintered so as to obtain a ceramic with a porosity of between 0 and 30%. The sintering is carried out under a pressure of at least 50 bar of a gas which is inert towards the constituents of the mixture. Ceramic thus obtained and spark plug comprising it.
US08003017B2 Adhesive composition and anisotropic conductive film using the same
An adhesive composition includes an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a copolymer of an aliphatic heterocyclic compound and a monomer having an aromatic ring, a binder resin, a radical polymerizable material, and a radical initiator.
US08003013B2 Waterborne corrosion-resistant coating
A waterborne thermoset cured anticorrosion formulation includes a water dispersed or emulsified phosphonated or water dispersed or emulsified sulfonated epoxy resin that is cured with a phenoxy resin having a polyhydroxyl ether backbone and terminal alpha glycol moieties. Water is present as a predominant volatile in which the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin are present in a weight ratio of epoxy resin to phenoxy resin of between 0.1 and 3:1. An aqueous curative is provided to induce cure between the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin, A corrosion inhibiting metal salt is also present having a salt anion of phosphate, biphosphate or tetraborate and a metal cation with the proviso that the metal cation formulation as a whole is devoid of chromium, lead, cobalt, and cadmium. Ideal curatives include aqueous aminoplast crosslinkers, aqueous unblocked isocyanates, aqueous blocked isocyanates, and a mixture thereof. With the inclusion of electrically conductive aluminum or zinc particulate the formulation is rendered corrosion resistant as well as electrically conductive to make an inventive coating amenable to powder coating.
US08003011B2 β type sialon fluorescent substance
A β type Sialon fluorescent substance is disclosed that is capable of achieving enhanced brightness of a white light emitting diode using blue to ultraviolet light as a light source. In the fluorescent substance which contains not less than 90% by mass of a β type Sialon composition represented by general formula: Si6-zAlzOzN8-z as a host material wherein z is not less than 0.24 and not more than 0.42, Eu is present dissolved in solid solution as a luminescent center at a content of 0.05 to 0.2% by atom. The β type Sialon fluorescent substance is preferably in the form of a powder having an average particle size of not less than 1 μm and not more than 20 μm. A white LED of good luminescent characteristics can be obtained by using a blue or ultraviolet light emitting diode as a excitation light source in combination with a fluorescent substance that emits yellow or red light.
US08003009B2 Fluorescent and visible penetrant inspection
An environmentally friendly penetrant used in non-destructive testing of material includes a vegetable oil fatty acid ester. A first embodiment of the penetrant is a post-emulsifiable fluorescent penetrant, a second embodiment of the penetrant is a heatable fluorescent penetrant, a third embodiment of the penetrant is a water washable fluorescent penetrant, a fourth embodiment of the penetrant is a visible water washable penetrant, and a fifth embodiment is a visible solvent removable penetrant. The heatable fluorescent penetrant includes a phenolic antioxidant to provide stability to at least approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A method for using the heatable fluorescent penetrant includes heating the penetrant to lower penetrant viscosity and thus provide better penetration into flaws in the material.
US08003003B2 Refrigerant composition
An improved refrigerant composition, or a kit for an improved refrigerant composition, for use in air conditioners comprising a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon having a GWP of less than about 10 and an ODP of about zero, which is present at a concentration of at least about 50% by weight of the refrigerant composition; a lubricant wherein the lubricant is a polar, oxygenated lubricant; and an acid scavenger comprising a siloxane, an activated aromatic compound, or any mixtures thereof.
US08002999B2 Method for making stamper for press molding optical articles
An exemplary stamper includes molding portions arranged in an array. Each of the molding portions includes a central optical molding portion and an annular peripheral molding portion surrounding the central optical molding portion. Each molding portion is capable of facilitating formation of a respective optical article. A surface roughness of the annular peripheral molding portion is larger than a predetermined wavelength of light. The predetermined wavelength is selected according to a wavelength of light that is expected to be incident on the optical article when the optical article is in use.
US08002995B2 Fluid analytical device
A fluid analytical device is provided including a body, a reservoir, an inlet channel and a separation unit. The reservoir is formed on the body. The inlet channel is formed on the body connected to the reservoir. The separation unit is formed on the body connected to the inlet channel, which includes a pile area, a collecting area and a spacer. The collecting area is located between the pile area and the reservoir. The spacer is formed between the pile area and the collecting area.
US08002993B2 Bring your own water treatment system
A method and apparatus for filtering a fluid is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus converts contaminated water into water having a lower turbidity and bacterial contamination level than the contaminated water. The apparatus includes a settling unit for at least partially settling a portion of the water; a filter unit having a filtration media; wherein the filtration media comprises sand, anthracite coal, burnt rice husks, diatomaceous earth, gravel, pumice gravel, or combinations thereof; a sanitation unit; wherein the sanitation unit is an ultraviolet disinfection unit; a backwash unit; wherein the settling unit is in fluid communications with the filter unit and the backwash unit, the backwash unit is in fluid communications with the filter unit, and the filter unit is in fluid communications with the sanitation unit; and wherein at least a portion of the settling unit is elevated above the filter unit.
US08002992B2 Method for treating liquids with wave energy from an electrical arc
A method for treating a liquid is disclosed using an apparatus having: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone, (b) a throat connected to the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, wherein the opening is connected to the throat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and the focus is not located within the throat, and (d) a wave energy source having a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends into the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode. The liquid is supplied to the pump volute or hydrocyclone head and is irradiated by the wave energy source.
US08002991B2 Dewatering method
Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.
US08002990B2 Uses of fibrillated nanofibers and the removal of soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid
A filter for removing soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid, including lead using a first filter media for filtering soluble material from the fluid, a second filter media, adjacent and in fluid communication with, the first filter media, for filtering soluble material from said fluid, wherein the first and second filter media create a physical non-soluble particle barrier at their interface for capturing non-soluble particles, that when retained at the interface, become soluble over time in the fluid, and are subsequently removed by the second filter media. At least one of the filter media can be fibrillated nanofibers that are loaded with finely subdivided media of powdered ion exchange resins. A third filter media may be placed between the first and second filter media to enhance capturing and dissolving the physical non-soluble particles.
US08002987B2 Stationary phase and column using cucurbituril bonded silica gel, and separation method of taxol using the column
Provided are a stationary phase and a column using a cucurbituril-bound silica gel, and a method of separating taxane using the column. The taxane separation method includes: preparing a column for taxane separation, the column being packed with a stationary phase including a cucurbituril-bound silica gel in which a cucurbituril represented by Formula 1 or 2 is covalently bound to a modified silica gel represented by Formula 3; dissolving a taxane powder in a solvent to prepare a taxane-containing solution; applying the taxane-containing solution to the column; supplying a mobile-phase solvent to the column to obtain a taxane extract from the column; and purifying taxane from the taxane extract. Therefore, highly purified taxane can be separated from a low-purity crude taxane extract.
US08002982B2 Deflector for a water/wastewater filtration tank
A water/wastewater filtration tank includes a fluid deflector coupled to the inner surface of the water/wastewater filtration tank to divert fluid traveling along the inner surface of the tank into filter media within the tank. The fluid deflector includes a back plate coupled to a tank wall and a flange extending outwardly from the back plate.
US08002977B2 Storm drain anchored grate cover
A drain grate filter assembly having a filter sheet member, wedging anchors and mechanical fasteners, whereby the assembly is connected to a drain grate by inserting wedging anchors into the apertures of the grate, placing the filter sheet member atop the grate and inserting fasteners through the filter sheet member and into the wedging anchors.
US08002966B2 Biosensor, biostrip, and manufacture method of determination of uric acid by a non-enzymatic reagent
The present invention discloses a biosensor, a biostrip and a manufacture method of determination of uric acid by a non-enzymatic reagent, and particularly to the applications of determination of uric acid by a non-enzymatic reagent, which is useful for the quantification of the uric acid levels in the samples. The biosensor of the invention comprises at least a sensor, a biostrip and a non-enzymatic reagent for the determination of uric acid, wherein the biostrip has at least two working electrodes and at least one reaction zone and the non-enzymatic reagent for the determination of uric acid is disposed in the reaction zone on the biostrip, and has at least a tetrazolium salt and an active electron mediator, wherein the reaction zone is used for a sample to initiate the oxidation-reduction reaction of the tetrazolium salt and then, according to the oxidation-reduction reaction, with the active electron mediator and the two working electrodes, an electronic signal is transmitted to the sensor to produce a corresponding micro-current intensity which is in turn calculated by the sensor to reflect the uric acid level in the sample.
US08002958B2 Deposition method for nanostructure materials
A method for depositing a coating of a nanostructure material onto a substrate includes: (1) forming a solution or suspension of containing the nanostructure material; (2) selectively adding “chargers” to the solution; (3) immersing electrodes in the solution, the substrate upon which the nanostructure material is to be deposited acting as one of the electrodes; (4) applying a direct and/or alternating current electrical field between the two electrodes for a certain period of time thereby causing the nanostructure materials in the solution to migrate toward and attach themselves to the substrate electrode; and (5) subsequent optional processing of the coated substrate.
US08002951B2 Furnace and process for incinerating a decoke effluent in a twin-tube-plane furnace
A furnace and method for the cracking of hydrocarbons. The furnace includes a radiant firebox, the radiant firebox comprising a furnace floor having a centerline, a plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles mounted along or adjacent to the centerline for injecting decoke effluent upward into the radiant firebox, a plurality of burners arranged to form a first line of burners and a second line of burners, each line of burners positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles, a first plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the first line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the first row of burners, and a second plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the second line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the second row of burners.
US08002945B2 Method of plasma load impedance tuning for engineered transients by synchronized modulation of an unmatched low power RF generator
A method is provided in plasma processing of a workpiece for stabilizing the plasma against engineered transients in applied RF power, by modulating an unmatched low power RF generator in synchronism with the transient.
US08002944B2 Method of placing a material transversely on a moving web
Disclosed herein is a method by which a material may be placed onto a moving web in a transverse orientation. At least two assemblies, which carry either a first and a second web or a single web, periodically overlap each other in an alternating fashion such that a material may be placed upon their respective carried webs in a transverse manner. The first and second assemblies translate in a direction of web movement in order to modify the velocity of the web carried upon the assembly. Thus, with the velocities of the assemblies capable of being varied, the material may be placed in a transverse manner upon the moving web along with various other orientations.
US08002936B2 Dual-web method for fixing a radiation-curable gel-ink image on a substrate
Radiation-curable (such as UV-curable) ink is used to form an image on a moving substrate. A radiation-transmissive web is attached to the substrate, and then radiation is applied to the web and substrate to cure the ink. The resulting combined substrate and web forms a laminated print.
US08002932B2 Method for preparing golf ball with indicia having metallic luster
A method for preparing a golf ball with surface indicia such as a letter or image having metallic luster includes the steps of forming an adhesive indicia made of a thermoplastic resin on a golf ball surface, bonding the metal thin-film on a metal thin film-bearing film over the indicia under pressure or heat and pressure, then peeling off the film so as to leave a portion of the metal thin-film having the same shape as the indicia adhering to and laminated with the indicia.
US08002926B2 Composite tube production
An apparatus for producing tubes formed from fiber reinforced composite material, the apparatus including: an elongate hollow mandrel (3) having an internal mandrel cavity (5), the mandrel having an external surface (7) upon which reinforcing fiber material (9) can be wrapped to provide a composite lay-up (10) supported thereon; and fluid flow means (11) for enabling heat transfer fluid of different temperatures to be circulated through the mandrel cavity (5), such that when fluid at an elevated temperature is circulated, heat is transferred from the fluid, through the mandrel (3) to the composite lay-up (10) for curing or forming said lay-up.
US08002924B2 Apparatus for splicing webs
A continuous splicer includes first and second closely spaced rotating cylinders each having a respective cutting element and tape retaining arrangement disposed on its outer periphery. With a depleting web fed by the first cylinder and a replenishing web fed by the second cylinder, an end of the replenishing web is adhesively joined to the depleting web while in motion and the depleting web is severed by the first cylinder's cutting element in forming a splice of the two webs. As the replenishing web depletes, a third web may be inserted on the first cylinder and automatically or manually spliced to the original replenishing web without stopping or re-configuring the splicer. The splicer is capable of delivering the webs at a constant rate or a rapidly changing and/or dynamic cycling rate, and applies relatively low web tension for operation with delicate, narrow and extensible webs.
US08002921B2 Electrodes for electric double layer devices
The disclosure provides a method comprising contacting a fibrous polymeric material and a carbon material to form a mixture, contacting the mixture with a liquid to form a slurry, and then forming a layer comprising the slurry. Also disclosed are layers formed from the recited methods, electrodes comprising the layers, and electrical devices comprising the layers and/or electrodes.
US08002919B2 Method of inserting Z-axis reinforcing fibers into a composite laminate
A method of inserting z-axis reinforcing fibers into a multi-layer composite laminate. Layers of material made up of z-axis fiber and y-axis fibers are automatically transported into a z-fiber deposition machine having a housing with upper and lower surfaces. Z-axis apertures are formed in the respective upper and lower surfaces. An elongated solid rod having a tapered front tip is aligned in close proximity to the aperture in the bottom surface. The rod is first rotated by a motor and then actuated upwardly completely through the thickness of the layer of x-y material by an actuator. A first hollow tube having a z-axis is axially aligned with the aperture in the top surface and a fiber bundle is threaded downwardly through a first hollow tube to a position adjacent its bottom end. The z-fiber deposition machine has structure to feed a predetermined length of the fiber bundle downwardly through the first hollow tube so that it follows the pathway in the x-y material formed by the rod which is now withdrawn downwardly through the aperture in the bottom wall. The z-axis fiber is thus deposited into the x-y material. The top end of the z-axis fiber is then severed and the x-y material is then advanced a predetermined distance to complete the cycle and is, thus, set to be repeated.
US08002914B1 Smokeless flash powder
A flash powder formulation for use in flash grenades that produces reduced smoke containing from about 10 percent by weight to about 60 percent by weight of zirconium hydride, from about 40 percent by weight to about 90 percent by weight CAN, and from zero percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of a binder material.
US08002911B2 Metallic dental prostheses and objects made of bulk-solidifying amorphhous alloys and method of making such articles
Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.
US08002908B2 Steel product with a high austenite grain coarsening temperature
A steel product with a high austenite grain coarsening temperature having less than 0.4% carbon, less than 0.06% aluminium, less than 0.01% titanium, less than 0.01% niobium, and less than 0.02% vanadium by weight, and having fine oxide particles containing silicon and iron distributed through the steel microstructure having an average particle size less than 50 nanometers and may be between 5 and 30 nanometers. The steel product may have fine oxide particles distributed through the microstructure capable of restricting ferrite recrystallization for strain levels up to at least 10.0%, for temperatures up to 750° C. with holding times up to 20 minutes. The steel product may be made by continuous casting of steel strip introduced between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten carbon steel having a total oxygen content of at least 70 ppm usually less than 250 ppm, and a free oxygen content 20 and 60 ppm, counter rotating the casting rolls.
US08002903B1 Dishwasher that uses cold water during peak electricity demand and associated method of control
A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate cold water inlet, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or cold water inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only cold water from the outlet to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.
US08002902B2 Boiler cleaning apparatus and method
The boiler cleaning apparatus and method provides for cleaning the exterior surfaces of a heat exchanger. The apparatus and method include tools and steps, respectively, for temporarily spreading tubes with a wedge and holding open the tubes with a block to form and gain access to tube lanes. Once access to a lane is attained, a nozzle assembly having an outlet for blowing high velocity cleaning fluid is selected from a group of nozzle assemblies. The selected nozzle assembly will have an outlet for blowing fluid in a direction that effectively cleans the tubes adjacent the opened lane. After the tubes are cleaned the tool for holding the lane opened is removed and the process is repeated for another lane.
US08002900B2 Method and apparatus for automated cleaning of bottling equipment
A method and apparatus 30 are provided for cleaning of bottle filling equipment 10 that has a plurality of elevated valves 18, each valve being in flow communication with filling liquid supply means 14. The method includes storing a manifold 32 that has a plurality of cleaning openings 42 in a configuration resembling that of the valves, in a position that allows clear visibility and access to the operation of the valves. The manifold 32 is lowered relative to the valves 18, so that it is below the valves and is positioned underneath the valves, with each cleaning opening 42 in flow communication with a valve. The valves 18 are rinsed with liquid flowing through the filling liquid supply 14, the valves and the manifold 32. Afterwards, the manifold 32 is removed from the valves 18 and returned to its stored position.
US08002895B2 Heat processing apparatus for semiconductor process
A heat processing apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a reaction tube including a process field configured to store a plurality of target substrates stacked at intervals. A gas supply duct is integrally provided outside the wall of the reaction tube to extend vertically in a range that covers the process field. A plurality of gas delivery holes are formed in the side portion of the wall of the reaction tube, to be vertically arrayed in a range that covers the process field and communicate with the gas supply duct. A gas supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the gas supply duct to supply a process gas to the process field through the gas supply duct and the plurality of gas delivery holes.
US08002888B2 Phenylpyrazolone colorant
The invention relates to a colorant of the formula (2) where M=Ca, Sr or a combination of Ca and Sr.
US08002885B2 Dental restorations using nanocrystalline materials
Dental articles are produced using relatively low sintering temperatures to achieve high density dental articles exhibiting strengths equal to and greater than about 700 MPa. Ceramic powders comprised of nanoparticulate crystallites are used to manufacture dental articles. The ceramic powders may include sintering agents, binders and other similar additives to aid in the processing of the ceramic powder into a dental article. The ceramic powders may be processed into dental articles using various methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, gel-casting, slip casting, or electroforming, hand, cad/camming and other various rapid prototyping methods. The ceramic powder may be formed into a suspension, pellet, feedstock material or a pre-sintered blank prior to forming into the dental article.
US08002882B2 Droplet separator installation
A droplet separator installation for gas washers, cooling towers etc. is described according to which a row of parallel droplet separator profiles is supported at a support construction by means of an intermediate construction. The intermediate construction serves for the support and the stabilization of the droplet separator profile row and for the support of a rinsing means for rinsing the droplet separator profile row.
US08002876B2 Method and apparatus for electrostatically charging and separating particles that are difficult to separate
The invention relates to an electrostatic filter method and electrostatic filter for separating particles from industrial waste gases, wherein an optimal electric charging or ionization in the ionization zone are performed in a high-voltage zone and its unchanged ducts with one high-voltage supply source to ensure the subsequent particle separation in the separation zone at sufficient field strength which requires minimal energy input.
US08002873B2 Mobile nitrogen generation system
A method of increasing the nitrogen concentration within a tire of a vehicle includes transporting a mobile nitrogen concentrating apparatus to a position adjacent the vehicle and concentrating a nitrogen content of a compressed first gas to obtain a second gas. The method also includes coupling the nitrogen concentrating apparatus in fluid communication with the tire and programming an inflator to purge the tire to a predetermined pressure and then pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure. The method also includes purging the container of a portion of the existing gas and introducing a portion of the second gas into the tire to create a first gas mixture. The method additionally includes purging the container of a portion of the first gas mixture, and introducing a portion of the second gas into the tire to create a second gas mixture.
US08002871B2 Methods and apparatus for an oxygen furnace quality control system
A method for control of a basic oxygen furnace includes creating a computer-implemented model of the basic oxygen furnace based on support vector regression (SVR) such that the model is configured to produce a prediction of first turndown quality of the basic oxygen furnace. Historical data associated the first turndown quality is received. The model is applied to the historical data to produce a prediction of first turndown quality, which is compared to an actual measurement of first turndown quality. The control recipe for the basic oxygen furnace based at least in part upon a result of the comparison. The system generally includes a preprocessor, a database configured to store historical data associated with first turndown quality of the basic oxygen furnace, a prediction module coupled to the database, and a run-to-run control module. A graphical user interface is provided for visualization and adjustment of data.
US08002870B2 Agricultural compositions and methods for making and using the same
Soil amendment/foliar nutrient compositions and methods for their manufacture and use are provided. The compositions are aqueous compositions that include a carbon skeleton energy component (CSE); a macronutrient; a vitamin cofactor; a complexing agent; and at least one of exotic micronutrient component and an ionophore component.
US08002869B2 Air filter having fluted filter media
An air cleaner includes a housing and an access cover. The internal volume of the housing can be reached through an opening in a side wall of the housing. A filter element having fluted filter media is removable and replaceable from the air cleaner. The housing is constructed and arranged to cam the element into sealing engagement with the housing. The access cover includes structure to help support and ensure proper seating of the filter element within the housing. A method of installing the filter element in the air cleaner includes sliding a portion of the filter element against a slide surface in the housing. A method of servicing an air cleaner includes tilting the filter element against a tilt surface in the housing to release a seal between the filter element and the housing. The filter element can have a handle to assist in servicing of the air cleaner. The housing can have a window to allow visual inspection of the internal component of the housing and to determine visually whether a filter element is installed therein.
US08002864B2 De-oiler system for an aircraft engine
A de-oiler system for an aircraft engine including a casing defining a volume containing a rotary shaft and a mixture of air and oil for processing is disclosed. The system includes a hollow rotary axle; a de-oiler structure fastened to the hollow rotary axle and rotating together with the hollow rotary axle, the de-oiler structure having an inlet first face communicating with the volume and an outlet second face connected to a passage formed in the hollow rotary axle; and a transmission device between the hollow rotary axle and the rotary shaft for communicating to the hollow rotary axle a speed of rotation V about its axis in such a manner that the speed of rotation V is greater than a speed of rotation v of the rotary shaft.
US08002862B2 Filter bag and method for the production thereof
Described is a filter bag for a vacuum cleaner which may include a tubular bag with a closed free end area and an opposed, at least partially closed area as well as with a retaining plate. The bag is made from a bag material having at least one non-woven layer, and the at least partially closed area is folded forming a bottomPlies of the bag material which lie the one above the other are formed in areas, and is at least partially closed by a weld seam extending centrally in the bottom, the plies of the bag material which lie the one above the other being at least partially connected to one another.
US08002861B2 Abrasive grain powder
Abrasive grain powder, in particular intended for machining silicon ingots, such that the granulometric fraction D40-D60 comprises more than 15% and less than 80%, as percentages by volume, of grains having circularity of less than 0.85.
US08002856B2 Process for contracting a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst bed
The present invention relates to a process for contacting a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst bed in a reactor at a space velocity of at least 10,000 h−1, said process being characterised in that a) the reactor has a polygonal internal cross-section at least in the section where the catalyst bed is held, b) the catalyst bed is made up of 2 or more layers of catalyst in the form of tiles of polygonal shape, said tiles have at least 4 sides, c) each layer of catalyst comprises at least 4 tiles which tessellate together to form said layer, and d) the edges where 2 tiles meet in one layer do not align with the edges where 2 tiles meet in an adjacent layer.
US08002853B2 Hydrogen-generating fuel cell cartridges
The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.
US08002848B2 Two-part hair dye
A two-part hair dye including a first part containing an alkali agent, a second part containing hydrogen peroxide, and a non-aerosol foamer vessel to discharge in the form of foam a liquid mixture of the first part and the second part, wherein at least one of the first part and the second part contains a surfactant, 90% by mass or more of the total amount of which being a nonionic surfactant component.
US08002846B2 Method for manufacturing protein filling agent for leather utilizing animal hairs
Method for manufacturing a protein filling agent for leather utilizing animal hairs. The method includes pre-treating the animal hairs to obtain pre-treated animal hairs, wherein the pre-treating comprises soaking the animal hairs in an inorganic acid solution and a reducing agent solution. Next, the pre-treated hairs are hydrolyzed in an alkaline compound to obtain a viscous liquid and then, neutralized and dried to obtain the protein filling agent for leather.
US08002837B2 Spinal stabilization device and methods
Implant devices in the form of a vertebral body replacement for implantation within an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae is disclosed for immobilization and support of the adjacent vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship and for promotion of fusion by the adjacent vertebrae. Instruments for insertion and implantation of the implant devices and of fusion material such as bone graft material are disclosed. Methods are disclosed for implantation of the implant devices.
US08002836B2 Method for the treatment of the intervertebral disc anulus
Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the anulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.
US08002835B2 Intervertebral disc prosthesis
The present invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis preferably comprising at least three pieces including an upper plate (1), a lower plate (2) and a mobile core (3) at least in relation to the lower plate (2), co-operation means (23, 33) allowing to limit or eliminate the movements of the core (3) in relation to the lower plate (2), in translation and in rotation, respectively, about an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate (2) and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate (2), at least one part of the surface of at least one plate being concave and complementary with a convex surface (30) of the core (3), with which it is in contact, wherein the tip (31) of the convex surface (30) of the core (3) is off centre, in at least one direction, in relation to the centre (32) of this convex surface (30).
US08002828B2 Method of implantation using polymer adhesive for an intraocular lens that minimizes posterior capsule opacification
Various polymers are provided that can be polymerized in the lens capsule with the ability to covalently bond an intraocular lens implant to the posterior capsule of the eye such that there is no space available between the intraocular lens implant and the lens capsule for lens epithelial cells to proliferate and thereby significantly reducing posterior capsule opacification.
US08002826B2 Assembly for placing a prosthetic valve in a duct in the body
The present invention is an assembly comprising a prosthetic valve to be implanted; a radially expandable stent comprising at least one zone intended to be expanded to allow the stent, in the expanded state, to bear against the wall of the body duct to be fitted with the valve, this bearing making it possible to immobilize this stent with respect to this wall; and means for mounting the valve with respect to the stent, making it possible to connect the valve to the stent in such a way that the placement of the stent allows the valve to be mounted in the body duct, and expansion means such as a balloon catheter being provided to trigger expansion of the stent at the implantation site. According to the invention, the valve and the stent are designed in such a way that, at the moment when the stent is expanded, the valve is situated outside the zone or zones of the stent that are subjected to said expansion means. The invention thus consists in separating the valve and said zone or zones to be expanded, so that the expansion of the stent can be effected with an expansion force suitable for perfect anchoring of this stent in the wall of the body duct to be fitted with the valve, and without any risk of destruction or damage of the valve.
US08002824B2 Cardiac valve, system, and method
A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.
US08002822B2 Radiopaque coating for biomedical devices
A medical device has a porous radiopaque coating that can withstand the high strains inherent in the use of such devices without delamination. A coating of Ta is applied to a medical device, such as a stent, by vapor deposition so that the thermomechanical properties of the stent are not adversely affected. The coating preferable has high emissivity.
US08002820B2 Marker element for the precise implantation of stents
The present invention concerns a marker element (1) for marking one or more boundaries of a section of a stent (2) with a mesh (20), the marker element (1) including a radiopaque material and being fitted on a device (5) for the delivery of the self-expanding stent (2) into a body vessel, the device (5) including a tubular element (6) which is inserted through the stent (2). The marker element (1) between the stent (2) and the tubular element (6) can slide on the tubular element (6) and engages detachably into the mesh (20) of the stent (2). The invention further concerns a device (5) for the delivery of a self-expanding stent (2) into a body vessel which is fitted with a marker element (1) of this type.
US08002817B2 Stents with high radial strength and methods of manufacturing same
Polymeric stents having fracture toughness and resistance to recoil after deployment are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such stents. Improvements to mechanical characteristics and other improvements may be achieved by having polymer chains within individual stent struts oriented in a direction that is closer to or in line with the axis of the individual stent struts. The desired orientation of polymer molecules may be achieved by one or any combination of extruding polymers into hollow tubes to induce axially oriented polymer chains, applying a tensile load to polymer tubes to induce axially oriented polymer chains, and radially expanding polymer tubes to induce circumferentially oriented polymer chains. Stent patterns include struts defining diamond shaped cells and/or W-shaped cells.
US08002814B2 Over the endoscope introducer for stents
Over-the-scope stent introducers for detachably engaging at least a portion of the outside of an endoscope insert and for delivering a stent are provided. Embodiments include an inner member having a distal first end portion and a proximal second end portion and openings defining a channel. The inner member includes an outer surface, inner endoscope engaging surface, and stent abutting restraint disposed at the first end portion. Embodiments also include an outer member having a distal section and proximal section having openings defining a passageway sized to slideably receive at least a portion of the inner member, and a stent carrying inner chamber disposed at the distal section passageway and being configured to releasably contain a stent. In alternative embodiments, the inner and outer members are elongated to dispose substantially concentrically over a majority of an endoscope insert.
US08002813B2 Volume maintaining osteoinductive/osteoconductive compositions
An osteoinductive/osteoconductive composition prepared from a quantity, of demineralized fibrous bone elements possessing an average surface area to volume ratio of about 100:1 to about 20:1, a quantity of mostly shaped regular non-fibrous bone elements possessing an average surface area to volume ratio of about 10:1 or less and a sufficient quantity of biocompatible fluid carrier sufficient to provide the composition as a deformable mass is provided herein. Also provided is a method of using the composition to repair a bone defect site.
US08002812B2 Bone fixation implant system and method
A bone-fastening system includes an implant with a threaded screw, a distal nut with a threaded bore, and a proximal washer which may also be threaded. An instrument for implanting the implant includes a handle and a barrel terminating in a holder for the washer. A c-shaped bridge assembly has a first end connected to the barrel and a second end including a holder for the nut in axial alignment with the washer. A manually operated control on the instrument, coupled to an elongated element in the barrel, causes the washer to move toward the nut, thereby applying compressive pressure to bone portions to be fastened together. A drive mechanism disposed within the barrel has a distal end with a holder for the screw and a proximal end that is turned by a user, thereby advancing the screw through the washer to the nut to fasten the bone portions under compression. The manually operated control is preferably a trigger that is squeezed toward the handle by a user. A separate control, also preferably in the form of a trigger, is used to release pressure on the elongated element in the barrel, enabling the implant to be easily removed from the implant once in position.
US08002807B2 Sealed lubrication system and method for dynamic stabilization system
A dynamic screw assembly includes a fixation component that connects to a vertebral body, the fixation component includes at least one inlet to allow a lubricant to pass inside the fixation component, a ring member coupled to the fixation component, a stopper sealing at least one inlet, a coupling member includes an inwardly curved bottom portion and a bulbous end extending from the inwardly curved bottom portion, a bumper mechanism coupled to the fixation component and the coupling member, a longitudinal member coupled to the coupling member, and a blocker that retains the longitudinal member in the coupling member. The bulbous end includes at least one groove that houses the lubricant, and at least one slot to allow the bulbous end to fit into the fixation component and to limit a range of angulation of the coupling member with respect to the fixation component.
US08002798B2 System and method for spinal implant placement
A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas that mate with cages polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws. The cannulas maintain access to the pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod into engagement with the cages. Each cannula has a pair of blades that may be held together by an abutment member that at least partially encircles the blades. Each abutment member abuts the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula. Each abutment members is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots of each cannula, through which the fusion rod can be percutaneously inserted.
US08002795B2 Surgical instruments employing sensors
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument for operating on tissue is provided. The surgical instrument includes an end effector including a first tissue engaging member and a second tissue engaging member in juxtaposed relation to the first tissue engaging member; a gap determination element operatively associated with each of the first tissue engaging member and the second tissue engaging member for measuring a gap distance between the first tissue engaging member and the second tissue engaging member; and a tissue contact determining element operatively associated with a respective tissue contacting surface of at least one of the first tissue engaging member and the second tissue engaging member. The present disclosure also relates to methods of using the surgical instrument.
US08002793B2 Access and closure device and method
Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08002792B2 Access and closure device and method
Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08002791B2 Access and closure device and method
Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08002786B2 Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with deflection feature
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.
US08002785B2 Lancing apparatus for producing a puncture wound
A lancing apparatus for producing a puncture wound, comprising a magazine holder for a lancet magazine with a plurality of lancets. The lancet drive comprises a drive spring, a tensioning device for tensioning the drive spring and a push rod, the push rod being adapted for coupling to a lancet located in the lancet magazine and being adapted for moving at high velocity, together with a lancet coupled thereto, by means of lancet drive during a puncture and retraction movement to produce a puncture wound. A magazine advancing mechanism is provided for advancing the lancet magazine in such a manner that the lancets stored therein can be coupled to the push rod one after the other. According to exemplary embodiments, the lancet drive is not mechanically coupled to the magazine advancing mechanism whereby a plurality of puncture wounds can be produced using the same lancet a plurality of times. The lancing apparatus compromises an actuating element for actuating the magazine advancing mechanism independently from the lancet drive, in particular for actuating it independently from the tensioning device.
US08002780B2 Assisted apparatus for anastomosis and method thereby of reconnecting the urethra to the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy
An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit (1a) and a bladder suturing unit (1b), at least a section of said urethral stump suturing unit (1a) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a bladder neck and at least a section of said bladder suturing unit (1b) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a urethral stump; such that each needle pulls the suture leading from its equivalent position on the urethral stump through the wall of the bladder neck.
US08002774B2 Bone mill including a base and a mill head separate from the base, the mill head including a moveable catch tray
A bone mill including a base and a mill head that is removably attached to the base. A cutting disc is rotatably disposed in the mill head. When the mill head is attached to base, the cutting disc is rotated by a motor internal to the base. A plunger mounted to the mill head urges the bone against the cutting disc. The cutting disc and an impingement plate internal to the mill head shear the bone into chips. The chips are discharged from an opening in the mill head into a catch tray removably attached to the mill head.
US08002773B2 External fixator
An assembly includes a body, a plunger, a biasing member and a set screw. The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a polygonal drive surface interposed between the top surface and the bottom surface. The body has a first passageway extending from the top to the bottom surface, a second passageway extending from the polygonal drive surface to the first passageway, and a third passageway extending from the polygonal drive surface to the first or second passageway. The plunger has a channel that defines an interior surface having a threaded portion. The plunger moves within the second passageway. The biasing member biases the plunger toward a first plunger position. The set screw is movable within the third passageway between a first position in which the set screw inhibits movement and a second position in which the set screw allows movement of the plunger within the second passageway.
US08002770B2 Clamp based methods and apparatus for forming lesions in tissue and confirming whether a therapeutic lesion has been formed
Surgical systems, devices and methods including one or more tissue stimulation elements that, in some instances, may also be used for sensing purposes. Some of the surgical devices also include a tissue coagulation element.
US08002760B2 Barrier cuff for a unitary disposable absorbent article having intermediate bond for sustained fit
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pant like garments are disclosed. In particular, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pants having an improved barrier cuff structure for improved fit are described. The placement of a barrier cuff structure having a tackdown point near the waistband of the article tends to “pull down” the waistband and may cause sagging. Intermediate tackdown bonds are disclosed to achieve the containment benefits of a barrier cuff structure without sacrificing fit characteristics of the article. The intermediate tackdown may be intermediate one or both of the longitudinal ends of the barrier cuff strip and the lateral side edges of the strip. Additionally, the relationship of forces, angles, and design characteristics of aspects of the articles and sagging are disclosed.
US08002759B2 Ostomy appliance
A disposable ostomy receiving bag having front and rear walls sealed together along the rim thereof and having a top end and a bottom end, and a cover of a sheet material covering one or both surfaces of the bag and only secured to the wall along the part of the rim being superimposed on the sealed rim of the front and rear walls. The bottom end can be folded to reduce the size of the bag, with the folded end discreetly hidden under the cover sheet. Should a larger collecting volume be needed, unfolding of the bag allows for an easy enlargement of the active volume of the bag simply by withdrawing the end of the bag from under the cover sheet.
US08002743B2 Systems and methods for needle access to an intervertebral disc
A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results.
US08002742B2 Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture in tissue
An occlusion device for sealing a puncture through tissue includes a tubular wire member having a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into the puncture, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a port adjacent the proximal end communicating with the lumen, and a balloon on the distal end. A source of fluid is connectable to the wire member for delivering fluid via the port into the lumen for expanding the balloon. A piston is movable axially within the wire member to allow fluid to be delivered into the lumen, to isolate the lumen, and to deliver fluid within the lumen into the balloon to expand the balloon.
US08002737B2 Mixing/administration syringe devices, protective packaging and methods of protecting syringe handlers
A syringe device having a syringe barrel and a syringe piston having a container housing. At least a portion of the container housing is insertable within an internal chamber of the syringe barrel. A fluid passageway extends from the container housing through a piston stem. A method of protecting a syringe handler including providing the components of a syringe device and encasing the components in a protective film. The protective film is loose to allow manipulation of the syringe components relative to one another without opening or puncturing the film. Protective syringe device packaging that includes a laminate film of material sealed to encase the components of a syringe device containing a potentially harmful agent.
US08002736B2 Injection systems for delivery of fluids to joints
Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
US08002731B2 Anti-obesity stent
The anti-obesity stent includes a tubular structure having outer and inner surfaces and proximal and distal ends. The tubular structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The tubular structure is impervious or semi-permeable to digestive substances and chyme within the duodenum. The anti-obesity stent includes a transport structure at least a part of which is coincident with or connected to the outer surface. The transport structure extends to the distal end of the tubular structure. At least one retainer structure is connected to the tubular structure. The retainer structure secures the tubular structure within the duodenum such that the transport structure is positioned to receive digestive fluids from a papilla of Vater on an inner surface of the duodenum. The transport structure provides a conduit for the digestive fluids therein to flow to the distal end.
US08002730B2 Anti-thrombogenic venous shunt system and method
A venous shunt system and method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.
US08002729B2 Multi-lumen catheter assembly
A multi-lumen catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter body having a pair of lumens extending therethrough, and a septum separating the lumens. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment unit, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The infusion port is positioned distal of the aspiration port along a length of the catheter body. A flexible member is provided, wherein the flexible member has an end receivable in the first lumen and another end engaged with the catheter body distal of the aspiration port. The flexible member is structured and arranged to maintain a spacing between the aspiration port and a wall of the vessel.
US08002722B2 System for producing an orthopedic splint
The disclosure relates to a system for producing an orthopedic splint made of a cast material, wherein the system includes at least one thermoplastic cast material present as a flat material web and a template having a flat template body, wherein the cast material can be wound around the template body in a prescribed direction for generating a splint blank, and the splint blank can be activated in order to achieve deformability, particularly after cutting the cast material to length, and to a method for producing an orthopedic splint.
US08002718B2 Shockwave system control dependent on patient's blood pressure
In a shockwave system with a shockwave source for treatment of a patient with shockwaves, a control and evaluation unit for evaluating an input signal supplied directly thereto that is correlated with a blood pressure value of the patient determined during the treatment, and controls the shockwave source dependent on the input signal.
US08002717B2 Quantification of mechanical and neural contributions to spasticity
The present invention relates to a system (10) operable to evaluate spasticity in a movable extremity (12). The system (10) comprises a fixation device (14) comprising a first part (14.sub.1) connected via a movable joint (16) to a second part (14.sub.2). The fixation device (14) is operable to fix the movable extremity (12) in such a way that the rotational axis of the fixation device (14) is aligned with the rotational axis of the joint of the movable extremity (12). The system (10) also comprises a moving device (18) operable to move the second part (14.sub.2) with a first, constant velocity (V.sub.1), without any reflex contribution, and with a second, constant velocity (V.sub.2) with reflex contribution. The system (10) also comprises a force sensor (20) operable to measure a first force trace in connection with the first velocity (V.sub.1), and a second force trace in connection with the second velocity (V.sub.2). The system (10) also comprises a processor means (22) connected to the force sensor (20), the processor means (22) is operable to extract a first point (P1) and second maximum point (P2) from the second force trace, and a third point (P3) from the first force trace, which three points (P1-P3) are used to evaluate spasticity.
US08002715B2 Medical device including a polymer sleeve and a coil wound into the polymer sleeve
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A polymer jacket may be disposed about at least a portion of the core member. The jacket may include an outer surface. A lubricious coating may be disposed on the outer surface of the jacket. A coil may be disposed about at least a portion of the jacket. The coil may have an outer surface and may include a first section and a second section. At least a portion of the outer surface of the coil along the first section may be flush with or recessed below the outer surface of the polymer jacket. At least a portion of the outer surface of the coil along the second section may protrude from the outer surface of the polymer jacket, may be free of the coating, and may define a region of decreased lubricity.
US08002714B2 Guidewire structure including a medical guidewire and method for using a medical instrument
A first guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire having a working portion which is extendable beyond a distal end of a medical instrument. The working portion has a length, and the working portion is tapered for substantially one-hundred percent of the length. A second guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire having a working portion, wherein the working portion has a length, and wherein the working portion includes a tapered portion for over fifty percent of the length. A third guidewire structure includes a medical guidewire having a working portion. The working portion has a length, and the working portion includes a plurality of lengthwise-adjoining segment pairs for over fifty percent of the length. Each segment pair consists essentially of a non-tapered segment having a substantially constant cross section and a tapered segment lengthwise adjoining the non-tapered segment. Methods are described for using medical instruments having the guidewire structures.
US08002713B2 Biopsy device and insertable biopsy needle module
A biopsy device for tissue collection having a housing and a removable element. A power source is contained within the housing and the removable unit includes a biopsy needle module and a pressure source that can be integrated into the housing such that the biopsy device is fully operational without the need for wires or cables extending from the housing to connect to external units. The biopsy needle module includes a biopsy needle and a cutting sleeve, the biopsy needle having a sharpened distal end and a distal opening for collection of tissue, the cutting sleeve having a cutting blade on its distal end and being coaxially positioned with respect to the biopsy needle.
US08002704B2 Method and system for determining contact along a surface of an ultrasound probe
A method and system for determining contact along a surface of an ultrasound probe are provided. The method includes frequency analyzing ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound probe and displaying indicators of acoustic contact of the ultrasound probe with an object based on the frequency analysis.
US08002702B2 Ultrasonograph and method for controlling movement of display body of ultrasonograph
The operability of setting movement of a Doppler sample gate for setting a Doppler measurement portion on a sectoral or circular ultrasonogram is improved. An ultrasonograph is provided with calculation means (25) for determining the position where a Doppler sample gate is displayed after the gate is moved, with reference to the current position where the Doppler sample gate is displayed, according to the amount of movement of the Doppler sample gate position input through a tack ball (23). The calculation means decomposes the amount of movement in orthogonal two-axis direction input through a track ball (23) into a component in the direction of the ultrasonic beam line of an ultrasonogram and a component orthogonal to the former component, determines the ultrasonic beam line after the movement from the decomposed orthogonal components, determines the depth position of the ultrasonic beam line after the movement from the decomposed component in the ultrasonic beam line direction, and changes the display position of the Doppler sample gate to the determined display position after the movement. Thus, the movement of the Doppler sample gate corresponds to the operation of the track ball on the screen irrespective of the position in the sectoral or circular display area, thereby mitigating the feeling of strangeness and improving the operability.
US08002698B2 Therapeutic method that uses overtube
With a first endoscope inserted through an overtube, the overtube is orally inserted into an object being examined, and a distal end portion of an insertion tube of the first endoscope is made to advance, within the object, from a jejunum via a jejunum-to-jejunum anastomosed portion and a jejunum-anastomosed bent portion so that the distal end portion is located adjacently to a Vater's papilla of a duodenum. The overtube is then sent to a position which is adjacent to the Vater's papilla along the insertion tube of the first endoscope. After this, the first endoscope is pulled from the overtube. A second endoscope is then inserted into the overtube to make a distal end portion of its insertion tube protrude from the distal end of the overtube and is located adjacently to the Vater's papilla. The second endoscope thus-approached is used to treat the Vater's papilla and the tissue therearound.
US08002695B2 Medical procedure via natural opening
The medical procedure via a natural opening according to the present invention includes: adjusting the patient's body so that a target site on the anterior wall of a hollow organ faces in the direction opposite to the direction of gravitational force; introducing a liquid inflow conduit in the vicinity of the target site, and flowing liquid into the hollow organ via the liquid inflow conduit, to form a liquid holding area and a gas retaining area inside the hollow organ; introducing an observation device into the hollow organ, and confirming the position of the target site from the position of the gas retaining area; and incising while observation the target area.
US08002693B2 Receiving apparatus
A condition for determining that an examination by a capsule endoscope 3 (body insertable device) completes is set in advance. When a predetermined time period has passed since the examination starts, and when received electric-field strength of receiving antennas A1 to An detected during a predetermined time period is not higher than a predetermined value, the examination is determined to have been completed. An examination completion determining unit C1 determines whether the condition is satisfied or not. According to the result of determination, a notification controller C2 makes a notifying unit 15 notify that the examination completes, and a power supply controller C3 stop power supply to a radio unit 2a. Thus, unnecessary power consumption is prevented and the completion of the examination by the body insertable device is recognized.
US08002690B2 Centrifuge rotor having a waste collecting part separable from a bearing part
A rotor for a centrifuge (1), wherein the rotor is rotatably driven about a rotation axis and includes two parts, i.e., a central bearing part and a waste collecting part which is provided with a waste collecting area. The waste collecting part is separable from the bearing part for waste disposal or cleaning. The bearing part and waste collecting part are provided with torque transmitting surfaces which interact with each other in a form-fitting and/or adherence manner and are connectable by axially positioning the waste collecting part on the bearing part and disconnectable by axially removing the waste collecting part from the bearing part. The rotor is formed such that the circumferences of the bearing part and the waste collecting part are connectable in a form-fitting manner and arranged in such a way that the waste collecting part circumference is placed or rests on the corresponding circumference of the bearing part already at the initial state of the waste collecting part or as result of the radial expansion thereof produced by a centrifugal force and/or by heating.
US08002686B2 Tool changer and tool change method
A tool changer includes a spindle including a first collet, an auxiliary arm having a second collet, a tool-pan having a plurality of tool-seats, and an auxiliary tool-magazine. The auxiliary tool-magazine comprises a main body, a turnplate rotatable relative to the main body, a first tool-carrier attached to the turnplate, and a second tool-carrier attached to the turnplate.
US08002685B2 Twisting exerciser
A twisting exerciser includes a base having an arched track arranged along the periphery thereof, two swivel arms each having a front end pivotally connected to a pivot at the top center of the base and a rear end provided with a knee pad and slidably coupled to the arched track of the base, a handlebar detachably fastened to a stem at the front side of the base and having two grips at the distal end and a connection rod for selectively joining the two swivel arms for synchronous movement along the arched track of the base.
US08002684B2 Vibrating plate apparatus for muscular toning
A vibrating plate apparatus including a vibrating plate on which a user rests, a vibration motor member connected to the vibrating plate, several air cushions provided under the vibrating plate for dampening vibration, and an air tank in communication with each of the air cushions. The tank establishes the air pressure in at least one of the air cushions at a predetermined value independently from the user's weight. The motor member includes two motors rotating in opposite directions, each of the two motors including a set of flyweights driven by the two motors and having a center of gravity offset relative to the axis, the two sets having the same mass, being symmetrical to each other and including at least one moveable flyweight that can assume at least one position to vary the vibrating plate's vibration amplitude.
US08002683B1 Abdominal exercise device with plunger
An apparatus for abdominal exercise comprises a pair of laterally spaced u-shaped support rails for rocking back and forth on a surface. A pair of arm rests are each connected to the inside u-shape portion of one of the support rails and extend rearwardly from the contact point to the surface to receive an elbow of a person disposed between said rails in a supine position. A first connecting portion connects the support rails above the contact point to the surface. A second connecting portion connects the support rails behind the contact point to the surface. A plunger is connected to said first connecting portion whereby a person disposed supinely on said support surface and between said support rails and with one of the hands or arms of the person engaging said first connecting portion is able to conduct a curling exercise to exercise the abdominal muscles of the person while rocking said device, and wherein said plunger is positioned to engage a user's abdomen to provide a kinetic and isometric force.
US08002682B2 Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device
A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device comprising a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density, the predetermined diameter, and predetermined shape are configured to enhance mobilization of one or more small soft tissue structures of the human body.
US08002677B2 Exercise device
Aspects of the present invention involve an exercise device configurable to allow a user to perform various exercises. The exercise devices include an adjustable bench assembly connected with a frame supporting adjustable arm and cable-pulley assemblies providing a user interface with a resistance system. In some embodiments of the invention, the adjustable bench assembly includes a bench seat and a pivotal back support supported on an adjustable bench frame. The exercise devices also utilize various configurations of adjustable arm assemblies that are selectively positionable for numerous exercises and to suit a user's particular body size and shape. Other embodiments of the exercise devices include a resistance system with a transmission supporting a plurality of resistance packs. The transmission allows a user to conveniently engage any number of resistance packs to change the resistance level for a particular exercise.
US08002671B1 Supine elevation cycle
The Supine Elevation Cycle is uniquely designed to provide multiple levels of physical therapy, or if desired, a vigorous and effective cardiovascular workout while minimizing painful and damaging physical impact on the body's major joints. The SEC features an elevated cycling device whereby the user exercises in a supine or reclined position while pedaling with the lower extremities positioned above the level of the heart. This results in a transfer of weight bearing stress from major joints to the large muscles in the calves, thighs, abdomen and back. With an adjustable back support, the user, utilizing the extension and angling features of the cycling device, can target numerous muscle groups of the body and extremities. Additional supine or upright positions with proper adjustment of the apparatus allow the targeting of muscle groups in the arms, shoulders, chest and back. Magnetic resistance in the exercise operation assembly affords a wide range of cycling resistance, from light stretching or controlled muscle therapy, to the most intense cardiovascular workout.
US08002670B2 Resistance training device exerting a constant load without depending upon position
A resistance training device effectively training the muscular force of a desired muscle includes a saddle for a user to sit on, a robot arm adjustable to the length of a limb of the user, a fastener for securing the robot arm to the limb, a controller for controlling the torque of a driving source driving a joint of the robot arm, and an input operating unit for the user to input a driving condition. When the user inputs a training load and an output direction of the distal end of the limb to be trained, the value of a torque necessary for generating the training load is calculated. The robot arm generates the torque of the calculated magnitude acting in a direction opposite to the output direction in such a manner that a constant training load is exerted to the user without dependency on the position of the user.
US08002665B2 Method for controlling power actuators in a hybrid powertrain system
A method for controlling a powertrain system includes controlling a first power actuator based upon a set of power constraints for the first power actuator. The method further includes controlling a second power actuator based upon the set of power constraints for the second power actuator.
US08002663B2 Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission that includes two adjacent clutches. Two clutches each include a clutch drum, a piston that structures an operating oil chamber with a portion of the clutch drum used as a cylinder, a plurality of friction plates that engage with the clutch drum, a cancel oil chamber that is arranged on a back surface side of the piston and that cancels a centrifugal oil pressure acting on the operating oil chamber, and a return spring that is provided within the cancel oil chamber and that is structured between a cancel plate and a back surface of the piston and that biases the piston toward the operating oil chamber.
US08002661B2 Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission includes an input shaft rotatably supported in a housing; a first speed change unit and a second speed change unit, provided within the housing and disposed facing each other symmetrically with respect to a plane normal to the axial direction of the input shaft, to continuously vary the speed of rotation of the input shaft using traction force; an output rotating gear supported to be able to rotate freely about the input shaft so that the rotation of the output rotating gear is synchronized with the rotation which has been varied in speed by the first speed change unit and the second speed change unit; and an output shaft. The torque of the input shaft can be doubled by the two speed change units while continuously varying the speed, and the thrust loads generated in the axial direction of the input shaft cancel each other out.
US08002660B2 Vehicular automatic transmission
A vehicular automatic transmission including first and second shafts coaxially splined to each other at their adjacent axial end portions, and a lubrication system including: first and second lubrication passages formed through the respective first and second shafts in their axial direction, in communication with each other through the adjacent axial end portions, oil outlet holes in communication with the lubrication passages and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, and first and second oil inlet holes formed through the respective first and second rotary shafts such that the oil outlet holes are located between the oil inlet holes and the adjacent axial end portions of the shafts, so that lubricating oil introduced into the lubrication passages through the respective oil inlet holes flows through the lubrication passages toward the adjacent axial end portions of the shafts.
US08002658B2 Chains for power transmission
A power transmission chain includes a plurality of links and a bending-restraining mechanism. The bending-restraining mechanism includes a wire extending in a lengthwise direction along the chain and engaging at least three adjacent joints of the chain. The wire is formed such that it elastically deforms when an inside link rotates around the inner joint in a first direction from a linearly extending state, the wire thereby applying a bending resistance to the inside link during articulation of the chain. In one embodiment, the wire includes at least one curved section clipped around at least a majority of a circumference of at least one joint. In another embodiment, the wire is formed such that a predetermined bias due to a bending deformation of the wire is applied to the inside link when the chain is extended linearly.
US08002655B2 Actuator device for a bicycle gearshift
An actuator device for a bicycle gearshift is provided. The actuator device having an articulated quadrilateral mechanism intended to be integrally fixed to a bicycle frame and to a derailleur of the gearshift, a motor member that acts on the articulated quadrilateral mechanism to deform the articulated quadrilateral, and displaces the derailleur and a support element for the motor member associated with the articulated quadrilateral. According to the invention, one of the motor member and the support element comprises at least one jutting element and the other of the motor member and the support element comprises at least one seat adapted to receive said jutting element. Thus, the motor member is associated with the support element so as to prevent mutual translations in the axial direction in any operating or climatic condition.
US08002653B2 Power unit having engine and continuously variable transmission, configuration thereof, and vehicle incorporating same
A power unit includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley operatively connected with the crankshaft, a driven pulley, and a belt extended between and wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The power unit further includes a transmission input clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the crankshaft to the drive pulley, mounted on a drive pulley shaft; and a starter clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the driven pulley to the drive wheel, mounted on a driven pulley shaft. The transmission input clutch and the starter clutch are arranged such that a continuously variable transmission is sandwiched therebetween.
US08002652B2 Sporting game of Sokker Golph™
A sporting game in which a game ball that behaves differently from a conventional soccer ball is kicked from a starting point toward an end point for the purpose of getting the game ball in the end point in as few as strikes as possible and, if this is not accomplished in one kick, then the game ball is kicked one or more additional times until it is in the end point. However, unlike the direction of travel for a conventional ball, the game ball's direction of travel is to the right when a counterclockwise spin is applied at a point of contact with the player's foot, to the left when a clockwise spin is applied at the point of contact, and straight when a top spin is applied at the point of contact.
US08002651B2 Tennis racquet frame, its method of manufacture, and racquet comprising such a frame
A tennis racquet frame including a handle, a rim and arms connecting the handle and the rim and wherein each arm includes two fingers extending one above and one below the rim when the racquet frame is laid flat on a support surface.
US08002650B2 Play and sport device for lobbing and catching a flying object, which can be played using one hand
Play and sport device in which a flying object can be both lobbed and caught one-handed thanks to a specially constructed diaphragm which is tautened and fastened to the device. The invention can be used both by one player (juggling, wall rebounding, hitting a target) and by two players, as a group or in teams.
US08002644B2 Intgerchangeable shaft for a golf club
A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).
US08002642B2 Playset system components
Many playsets include one or more tower sections with one or more platform sections supported above the ground or a similar support surface with a support structure or framing. In certain embodiments, a curved wall portion defines one or more panel openings. Subpanels may optionally be mounted into the openings. A balcony floor protrudes outwards with a curved outer edge or face with an interior flat floor edge adjoining an edge of a polygonal platform section floor to enlarge the square footage of the floor area of the platform section.
US08002638B2 Smart discard rack for playing cards
A discard rack moves and reads suit and rank of individual cards. The cards are provided to a card in-feed area and moved to a card collection area. Both suit and rank of each card is read in the card in-feed area or between the card in-feed area and the card collection area. The discard rack comprises a) a card in-feed area with card moving elements that move only a bottom card from a set of cards in the card in-feed area, b) a card collection area that receives cards from the card moving area in the same sense as cards are received in the card in-feed area, c) an image capture device that captures data from a card while the card is between the card in-feed area and the card collection area, d) preferably a communication port to send out captured data to a processor, and e) an elevator that lowers to maintain a level at which cards are received in the card collection area.
US08002634B2 Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium
A game machine is provided in which processing load for displaying a scene of falling snow or falling rain, for example, on a game screen in a three-dimensional game can be reduced. An environmental effect object placement unit (snow object placement unit (64)) places a plurality of environmental effect objects in a target region of a three-dimensional game space based on a viewpoint position and a sight line direction. A target region controlling unit (snow generation target region controlling unit (60)) moves the target region, in response to a change of the viewpoint position or the sight line direction, based on the viewpoint position and sight line direction after the change. A display unit (70) displays a game screen representing a scene, in the three-dimensional game space in which the plurality of environmental effect objects are placed in the target region, viewed from the viewpoint position toward the sight line direction.
US08002630B2 Tournament game system and method using a tournament game card
In an embodiment of a gaming method, an identifier may be received from a first gaming unit, wherein the identifier is associated with a tournament game card, wherein the tournament game card is provided to a player in response to paying a fee. Whether the identifier received from the first gaming unit is authentic may be determined. A duration the player may play in a tournament may be determined based on the identifier, and the first gaming unit may be enabled for play in the tournament for the duration if the identifier is authentic. A tournament score of the player may be received, and a winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined. Data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated if the winning player of the tournament is determined.
US08002628B2 Moving reel symbols on reel-based gaming machines
Gaming machines, systems and methods that present reel-based games are disclosed. Reel symbols can move or appear to move from one gaming reel to another gaming reel. Such reel symbols may include lenticular images, such as those that are implemented onto a medium via a lenticular process, whereby the medium is then applied to various gaming machine reels so that a viewer can perceive effects such as motion and depth. The medium can be a multi-image sheet containing regions of overlapping images where different images are visually predominant at different viewing angles, and the movable base can comprise a gaming reel. Multiple gaming reels can be used, and can be adapted to rotate in any direction.
US08002627B2 Slot machine
A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, a memory, and a controller. The controller implements a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device are entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic gamer to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second reduction values to be subtracted from the capacity of the character, with respect to a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel; (f) executing a subtraction with the selected reduction value and controlling the memory to store the resulting capacity; and (g) controlling a transition from the bonus game to a basic game in accordance with the stored capacity.
US08002625B2 Gaming device having game with symbols and adjacently displayed complementary sub-symbols
A gaming device including a plurality of reels or cards having several symbols and a plurality of sub-symbols each associated with one of the several symbols. Each sub-symbol has a designated number of complementary sub-symbols that share at least one characteristic or are otherwise related to such sub-symbol. In one embodiment, when at least two complementary sub-symbols are adjacently displayed, the gaming device transforms the symbols associated with the adjacently displayed complementary sub-symbols into a group wild symbol to allow the player an additional opportunity to obtain a winning symbol combination. In another embodiment, when at least two complementary sub-symbols are adjacently displayed, a bonus award is generated. In another embodiment, when at least two complementary sub-symbols are adjacently displayed, the gaming device transforms the symbols associated with the adjacently displayed complementary sub-symbols into a group multiplier to increase the award for certain winning symbol combinations.
US08002624B2 Gaming machine reel having a flexible dynamic display
A gaming machine, specifically a slot machine, having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible. The internal reels having a flexible display, mounted on the outer circumferential region of the reel, capable of displaying an infinite number of different indicia to a player of the machine. By allowing an infinite number of indicia to be displayed, the gaming machine may be programmed with a variety of gaming options and payouts.
US08002621B2 Gaming device and method having purchasable randomly selected paytables
An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.
US08002611B2 Chemical mechanical polishing pad having improved groove pattern
A chemical mechanical polishing pad and method for chemical-mechanical polishing is provided, wherein the polishing pad has a plurality of first mesas and one or more second mesas defined on a surface thereof. The plurality of first mesas are generally distributed about the surface of the polishing pad, wherein each of the plurality of first mesas has a first surface area associated therewith. The one or more second mesas are associated with a center region of the polishing pad, wherein each of the one or more second mesas has a second surface area associated therewith. The second surface area is at least twice the first surface area.
US08002610B2 Double side polishing method and apparatus
To provide a technique for rotating a plurality of carriers 500 between an upper and a lower rotary surface plates to simultaneously polish both surfaces of a plurality of works 400. The work 400 is merged with the carrier 500 outside a polishing apparatus main body 110. The work 400 is supplied onto a lower rotary surface plate 111 of the polishing apparatus main body 110 while remaining merged with the carrier 500. The present invention enables the work 400 on the lower rotary surface plate 111 to be perfectly automatically supplied. After double side polishing has been completed and when an upper rotary surface plate, a liquid such as a water is injected from the upper rotary surface plate to hold the plurality of works 400 to have both surfaces thereof polished, on the lower rotary surface plate 111. The present invention enables the works 400 to be automatically ejected from the lower rotary surface plate 111. A brush housing section 180 and a dresser housing section 190 are provided near the polishing apparatus main body 110. Brushes and dressers are used to frequently efficiently process polishing clothes installed on opposite surfaces of the upper and lower rotary surface plates to efficiently and economically achieve high-quality double side polishing.
US08002597B2 Outboard motor
An engine is disposed in a top cowling. Burned gas produced in the engine is discharged to the outside through a first exhaust pipe, a second exhaust pipe, a third exhaust pipe, exhaust passage, and a exhaust passage. A catalyst is disposed to be housed in the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe. The first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe are disposed in the top cowling. A fan is provided above the catalyst. As a result of this unique structure, a temperature increase in the cowling is prevented from being caused by heat radiated from the catalyst.
US08002594B2 Electrical contact for use with LGA socket connector
An electrical contact adapted for use in an electrical socket comprises a planar retaining body for being retained in the electrical socket, a soldering portion extending from a bottom end of the retaining body, and a resilient arm extending from a top end of the retaining body. The resilient arm comprises a first beam sloped upwardly and a second beam extending upwardly and reversely from the first beam. The first beam has a first angle with respect to a plane of the retaining body and a second angle with respect to another plane both perpendicular to the plane of the retaining body and a horizontal plane. The second beam has a contacting end at the top end thereof and toward the retaining body. An offset is defined between the contacting end of the resilient arm and the soldering portion.
US08002588B1 Electrical connector to decrease molding flashes
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a mating port with a mating tongue exposing therein and a base from which the mating tongue extends forwardly. A plurality of grooves is arranged in the mating tongue and extends along a front-to-back direction through the base. A plurality of contacts defines mating sections received in the grooves. Each of the grooves defines a wider portion adjacent to the base.
US08002586B2 Electrical power supplying device having a lower deck housing region for containing and concealing a plurality of electrical power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and an upper deck housing region for supporting a ring-like power assembly having a central aperture and receiving the power plugs and/or power adapters of electrical appliances, while managing excess power cord length within a 3D volume passing through said central aperture
An electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment. The device includes a power supply cord for plugging into a standard power receptacle by way of a supply power plug, and a base housing portion having a bottom surface and a 3D interior volume. A power-ring subassembly is supported within the base housing portion, and is adapted for supporting a plurality of electrical receptacles and one or more electronic circuits, which are electrically connected to a power supply cord. A power-ring housing portion covers the power-ring subassembly and has a set of plug apertures, aligned with the electrical receptacles, and allows appliance power plugs to plug into the electrical receptacles. A power cord portal allows a group of electrical power cords to enter/exit the 3D interior volume in a bundled manner.
US08002584B1 Connector
A connector has a top housing, a plurality of terminals mounted in the top housing. The top housing forms a plurality of receiving passages therethrough. Two sides of a bottom of the receiving passage are recessed outward to form two pairs of fixing recesses. One end of the receiving passage has a top portion protruding inward to form a resting portion. The terminal has a holding slice having lateral sides extended outward to form two pairs of fixing slices. The holding slice connects with an elastic arm of substantially inverted-V shape with an opening facing to the holding slice. The holding slice is located at a bottom of the receiving passage with the fixing slice received in the holding recess for fix the terminal in the top housing. The elastic arm rests against the resting portion for preventing the deformation of the terminal by the pulling of the terminal.
US08002583B2 Electrical connector system having electromagnetic interference shield and latching features
A connector system may facilitate interconnection between electrical components, such as a printed circuit board and a cable. The connector system may reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference on the transfer of power and data signals between the cable and the printed circuit board. The connector systems may include a cable connector assembly and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a body that is configured to receive the connector assembly, thus, providing a shielded channel into which the connector assembly may be inserted. The connector system may includes latches that facilitate having multiple connectors adjacent to one another in close proximity. The cable assembly include pivotally supported latches with vertically staggered handles such that when a pair of connector systems are mounted laterally side-by-side, the adjacent handles can pivot without interfering with each other.
US08002582B2 End connector for a shielded cable
End connector (20) for connecting a shielded cable (30) to an equipment (10) on which it is to be connected. The connector comprises a connector body (40) provided to receive the shielded end of said shielded cable, and an orientation component (70) having first fastening means (74) for the fastening thereof onto said connector body and guiding means (72A, 72B, 72C) to set the orientation of the cable at the connection thereof with the connector body. In this end connector, the orientation component (70) further comprises second fastening means (100) for the fastening thereof onto said equipment (10). Thanks to these second fastening means, a long-lasting connection is realized between the connector (20) and the equipment (10).
US08002580B2 Coaxial cable crimp connector
A connector for semi-rigid outer conductor coaxial cable having a body provided with a connection interface at a connector end, a body bore and a crimp area around an outer surface of the body. The body bore dimensioned to receive the outer conductor together with a cylindrical sleeve dimensioned to receive the outer conductor therethrough when the outer conductor is folded back over the sleeve, to a position along the body bore corresponding to the crimp area.
US08002578B2 Watthour meter socket lock adapter
A watthour meter socket adapter has housing formed of snap together rear and front housings. The front housing surrounds but allows access to jaw contacts and terminals mounted in the rear housing by a watthour meter and electric power conductors. An aperture in the front housing engages a socket adapter mounting fastener extendible through the aperture to attach the socket adapter to a mounting surface. The fastener and aperture resist separation of the front housing from the rear housing when a watthour meter is removed from the socket adapter. A clip extends from the front housing through an aperture in a terminal cover attachable to the front housing and receives a seal lock member. Another clip on the front housing extends through the terminal cover and is engaged by an expandable ring lock clip. A meter surge guard is removably mountable to the rear housing and exteriorly of the front housing.
US08002575B2 Cable assembly with strain relief member
A cable assembly (100) includes a housing having a main portion (11, 21) and a mounting portion (12, 22) extending backwardly from the main portion, the mounting portion defining a positioning cavity (1202, 2202) in an inner side thereof; a cable (4) having a number of wires (41) and a jacket (40), the wires enclosed by the jacket; a strain relief member (7) having an inner ring (71, 72) and an outer ring connected with each other to form a one-piece structure; and the strain relief member mounted to a front segment of the cable, the wires of the cable forwardly extending through the inner ring, the jacket of the cable sandwiched between the outer ring and the inner ring, the outer ring accommodated in the positioning cavity of the mounting portion.
US08002573B2 Connector arrangement for braided conductors
An electrical connector for electrically connecting a hollow bus bar member with an insulated multi-wire or braided conductor inserted axially therein, including a conductive contact screw that is threadably connected within a first opening contained in the bus bar member wall for axial displacement from a retracted position toward a fully penetrating position, thereby to cause a pointed end of the contact screw to successively pierce the adjacent insulation layer, extend diametrically through the multi-wire conductor, pierce the adjacent layer of insulation, and extend into a second opening contained in the adjacent bus bar member wall. The bus bar member may be soldered to a printed circuit board, thereby to connect the multi-wire conductor with conductors on the printed circuit board. Alternatively, plurality of bus bar members may be formed by stamping and bending from a common conductive metal sheet, with the bus bar members being interconnected by integral straps.
US08002569B2 Electric connection box
An electric connection box which can easily attach electric components to an attachment portion of box body. The electric connection box includes a box body having the attachment portion attaching the relay on an upper surface of the box body, and a relay fixed on the box body. The attachment portion includes a tube, a plurality of openings and a plurality of holding portions arranged in the opening. The tube inserts the relay into an inside thereof, and stands from the upper surface. The opening passes through the tube 5, and is arranged with a space along a circumferential direction of the tube. The holding portion presses the relay toward the inside of the tube, and holds the relay to the tube. The holding portion includes an arm and a protrusion projecting toward the inside of the tube.
US08002568B2 Connector frame
A connector frame is provided. The connector frame can be a generally rectangular member having a bore formed therethrough. The rectangular member can be at least partially formed by a first wall, and a second wall, connected by two side walls. The first, second and side walls can form at least a portion of an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least a portion of the interior surface can include a plurality of raised features adapted to detachably attach to a cable connector. A plurality of projections adapted to provide a grip for one or more fingers on each of the two side walls can be disposed on the exterior surface of the two side walls.
US08002565B2 Waterproof connector kit useful for airfield lighting applications
A waterproof electrical connector for airfield lighting applications has a connector body with a first end and an opposing second end. The first end terminates at a first end cap that has a strain/bend relief feature and a first bore for receiving a cable that extends into the first end. At least one O-Ring extends from the walls of the first bore. The opposing second end terminates at a second end cap and has a second bore extending through the second end cap and into the second end. A sleeve is affixed to an exterior surface of the second end cap. An electrically insulated cable is inserted into the first bore engaging the O-Rings to form a waterproof seal. An electrical contact engages the second end cap and the sleeve folds over the second end cap to engage a surface of this contact forming a waterproof seal.
US08002561B1 Connection systems and methods
A connector apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a housing having at least a first aperture and a second aperture. The apparatus can further include a hollow, flexible member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the hollow, flexible, member can be non-detachably attached to the first aperture. The second end of the hollow, flexible, member can be detachably attached to the second aperture. The apparatus can also include a tensioning member disposed to bias the hollow, flexible, member towards the housing.
US08002560B2 Movable audio-visual component system and method
An audio-visual (“A/V”) system includes one or more A/V components, each one of which can be attached to a wall using a bracket or support bar. Each support bar enables the transfer of power signals and control signals (including media data) to each of the A/V components. Instead of wires, each A/V component includes one or more contact or conductive surfaces that abut corresponding surfaces on the support bar in order to receive power and transfer control signals among other A/V components.
US08002558B2 Electrical connector defining plurality of discrete interconnecting sectors for respectively receiving individual IC package thereon
An electrical connector for receiving more than one IC packages (3) includes an insulative housing (1) having a planar interface with a plurality of passageways (10) defined therein; and a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the passageways (10) respectively and arranged in more than one groups. Each group of the contacts (2) is incorporated with positioning members (111) that jointly position the IC package upon the group of the contacts (2).
US08002553B2 Sleep quality data collection and evaluation
A sleep quality assessment approach involves collecting data based on detected physiological or non-physiological patient conditions. At least one of detecting patient conditions and collecting data is performed using an implantable device. Sleep quality may be evaluated using the collected data by an implantable or patient-external sleep quality processor. One approach to sleep quality evaluation involves computing one or more summary metrics based on occurrences of movement disorders or breathing disorders during sleep.
US08002544B2 Fluid controllable laser endodontic cleaning and disinfecting system
An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues. Another aspect can include provision of the endodontic probe with an adjustable channel-depth indicator, which encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip besides the radiation emitting region and which is movable in proximal and distal directions along a surface of the fiber optic tip to facilitate the provision of depth-of-insertion information to users of the endodontic probe.
US08002543B2 Orthodontic bracket, bracket positioning jig, and system for revising a set of teeth
A system for revising a set of teeth including a bracket for revising a set of teeth and a bracket positioning jig is provided. The bracket positioning jig includes a cap at the lower portion of which a groove contacting tooth is formed, and which has a throughhole to lengthy direction on the upper portion of a cap body, and a connector one side of which has a fixed protrusion which is detachably inserted into and fixed to the throughhole of the cap, and the other side of which is bent toward the lower end of the body and has a coupler which is combined on a slot of an orthodontics treatment bracket for revising a set of teeth. An individual prescription value which is the most appropriate for an individual patient is given to the bracket positioning jig on a computer program to thus manufacture a desired jig, so that a non-prescription bracket as well as a bracket having a given prescription value can be used.
US08002542B2 Heat treatment jig and heat treatment jig set
A heat treatment jig includes a holding concave portion to hold an object and a void part formed near the holding concave portion and a thermal history variation of the object in a heat treatment process is reduced thereby.
US08002539B2 Injection stretch blow molding system with rotating and linear conveying functions
An injection stretch blow molding system with rotating and linear conveying functions includes a lifting and rotating mechanism, an injecting mechanism, a conveying mechanism, an extending and blowing mechanism installed at a third operating position, and a pushing mechanism installed at a second operating position. The lifting and rotating mechanism has a lifting seat, a rotating plate, and two bottleneck seats. Each of the two bottleneck seats has at least one bottleneck mold, with the rotation of the rotating plate, positions of the two bottleneck seats are selectively interchanged between a first and the second operating positions. The injecting mechanism has a female mold and a core mold installed at the first operating position. The conveying mechanism has a conveying seat connecting the two bottleneck seats whose bottleneck mold clamps a preform is installed at the second operating position. The conveying seat is driven by a convey driving device.
US08002538B2 Collapsible core assembly for a molding apparatus
A collapsible core device for molding articles around the core device in a mold cavity includes an expansion member, a discontinuous first sleeve and a discontinuous second sleeve. When the expansion member is fitted within the first and second sleeves, the expansion member and the first and second sleeves form a substantially continuous, flush top molding surface with the first and second sleeves.
US08002530B2 Mold for vulcanization of tire
Provided is a mold for vulcanization of a tire which does not entail troublesome work including removing vent spews, and which does not spoil the external appearance of the tire with the spews, and prevents light failures from occurring in the tire. Vent grooves are formed in sidewall molding surfaces for molding sidewall parts in such a way as to extend zigzag in the tire circumferential direction. At least one vent hole is formed in each of the vent grooves.
US08002529B2 Scroll compressor with extended profile
A scroll type compressor, according to the invention, comprises first and second scroll members each having an end plate and a scroll wall projecting from the end plate. The scroll members have their scroll walls interleaved with one another to define therebetween a compression chamber and upon relative orbiting movement between the scroll members the compression chamber migrates to compress a compressible medium. The scroll walls are each comprised of a plurality of alternating straight line wall portions and circular arc portions. The straight line wall portions can be modified to house a catalyst or a fluid port. Or the straight line sections may be telescopically extendible in length to thereby adjust the displacement of the compressor.
US08002527B2 Dry operating screw-type compressor with pneumatically controlled air relief valve
A screw-type compressor having a motor driven and dry operating compressor unit. A butterfly valve is disposed in an intake line connected to the suction side of the compressor unit. An adjustment cylinder mechanically shifts the butterfly valve. A pressure line is connected to the pressure side of the compressor unit and, via the interposition of a check valve, is connected to a compressed air system. The pressure line is connected to a pneumatically controlled air relief valve via an air relief line for relief of pressure during idling of the compressor unit. At least during idling, the air relief valve is adapted to be acted upon by the pressure that is effective on the pressure side of the compressor unit.
US08002526B2 Rotor drum for multiple rotor wind turbine
According to embodiments described in the specification, provided is a rotor drum for use with a multiple-rotor wind turbine, the rotor drum being mountable on a generator shaft of a generator. The rotor drum comprises a plurality of rotors, each rotor being configured to permit a mounting of a plurality of blades. The rotor drum further comprises a plurality of cross straps affixed to the plurality of rotors for maintaining each of the plurality of rotors in a predetermined spaced-apart relationship. The rotor drum is provided with a mounting coupler provided on at least one of the plurality of rotors for affixing the rotor drum on the generator shaft.
US08002523B2 Turbine system and method for extracting energy from waves, wind, and other fluid flows
An apparatus and method for harvesting fluid energy including a wave turbine consisting of a long shaft having pairs of buckets positioned at intervals along the shaft and rotated 90 degrees from each adjacent pair. Each bucket is connected at an offset angle with respect to a plane that is normal to the shaft. When adapted for harnessing wave energy, the shaft is elevated above water surface and positioned at an oblique angle to the prevailing wave fronts. Each bucket is positively buoyant, so that buckets capture both potential and kinetic wave energy.
US08002521B2 Flow machine
A flow machine is described having a first space adapted to contain a hot fluid and delimited by a wall. The wall having a first wall surface facing the first space and a second wall surface turned away from the first space. Cooling is provided for a region of the wall by supplying a relatively cool fluid onto the second wall surface. The cooling means includes a supply chamber containing the second fluid, a cavity adjacent the second wall surface, at least one duct, which has an inlet opening at the supply chamber and an outlet opening at the cavity for conveying the cool fluid to the cavity, and a deflection surface facing the cavity.
US08002516B2 Wind harnessing system
A wind harnessing system comprises a substantially helical structure including at least a portion of a spiraling groove and at least one energy converter positioned at least partially within the portion of the spiraling groove. In other embodiments, wind grooves formed by adjacent bands which are fixed with respect to one another, carry energy converters which are moveable with respect to these fixed bands.
US08002514B2 Method and system for supplying portable gas cylinders
A method of supplying a portable medical gas system is provided. The disclosed method includes preparing a portable medical gas system, the portable medical gas system including a cylinder adapted to be filled with medical gas and a gas dispensing valve. The portable medical gas system is place in a specialized container having a configuration adapted to hold the portable medical gas system only when the cylinder of portable medical gas system is unused state or empty state. The portable medical gas system is delivered to the customer, and returned as an empty cylinder via commercial carrier. Upon receipt of the empty or spent portable medical gas system, another portable medical gas system filled with medical gas is sent to the customer. In one embodiment, the portable medical gas system includes a single-use flow control valve which ensures the cylinder is empty after its initial use.
US08002513B2 Food product conveyor and handling systems
A conveyor system for assembling and stacking sliced food products is provided. The conveyor system includes an assembly area, wherein groups of a predetermined quantity of sliced food products travel from a slicer on a conveyor and are deposited on discrete carrier sheets on a downstream conveyor. The assembly area is configured to delay advancement of the carrier sheets on the downstream conveyor until a group of the predetermined quantity is formed. The slicer is configured to calculate the number of slices in each group and determine whether a group is complete. A stacking area of the conveyor system includes a nose conveyor that extends and retracts to deposit each carrier sheet onto a pair of initial supports. The initial supports reciprocate away from each other in opposing directions to drop the carrier sheet onto a subsequent level, with the initial supports reciprocating each time a carrier sheet is deposited thereon.
US08002507B2 Connector assembly for attaching a threaded fastener to a slotted surface
A connector assembly for installation to a surface having a slot pattern. The connector assembly includes a base shell and a clasp shell. The clasp shell movable relative to the base shell between an open position and a closed position, and one of the base shell and the clasp shell includes a threaded insert spaced from an end of the connector.
US08002506B2 Method of fastening a guard rail by means of a guard rail bolt, the guard rail bolt and the tool for fastening the guard rail bolt
A self-expanding and self-undercutting guard rail bolt includes a dowel having a guard rail fastening end and a ring. The fastening end is configured to be driven in rotation, and the ring is configured to rigidly connect to a first screwing end of the dowel by an incipient fracture portion. The self-expanding and self-undercutting guard rail bolt further includes a counter-dowel screwed to the dowel by a second screwing end. The counter-dowel includes an expansion cone, and an anti-rotation head having at least one edge which projects beyond a periphery of the dowel to prevent rotation of the counter-dowel about an axis of the guard rail bolt.
US08002505B2 Tie down assembly for a vehicle
A tie down assembly for a vehicle is provided. The tie down assembly includes a retention body and an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is slidably disposed within the retention body for reciprocating movement between a release position and a restraint position. The tie down assembly also includes a stop secured to the anchor assembly. The stop is positioned on the anchor assembly for releasably locking with a portion of the retention body when the anchor assembly is in the restraint position.
US08002504B1 Rocker slide lift adjustment mechanism
A router lift adjustment mechanism for an inverted router (50, 52) mounted to a router table (92) comprising an assortment of attachments, FIG. 9 (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d) that engage the height adjustment mechanism of various types of routers. The routers height adjustment mechanism, the attachment's (98a, 98b, 98c, 98d), a flexible attachment holder (100), a driving shaft (104), and a rotatable adjustment mechanism, typically a hand wheel (122) are contiguously coupled respectively. The driving shaft is retained by a rocker drive guide (112) providing the driving shaft (104) the ability to rotate and slide to and fro within the bore of a bushing (114) lined within the rocker drive guide (112). Additionally, the rocker drive guide (112) hinges pivotably on the base mount (128) which is typically mounted to a stable surface. The rotatability, pivotability and slidability of the driving shaft (104) and rocker drive guide (112) assembly prevent any binding of the driving shaft (104) upon movement of the router adjustment mechanism; thus providing a quick, safe and stable method for adjusting the depth of a router bit (90). The present embodiment can be retrofitted to a wide variety of existing routers and adjustment apparatuses that rotate; including those that rotate and move spirally or provided as a feature of a newly manufactured router.
US08002500B1 Method and apparatus for elevating a marine platform
A method of elevating the deck area of a marine platform (e.g. oil and gas well drilling or production platform) utilizes a specially configured sleeve support to support the platform legs so that they can be cut. Once cut, jacks elevate the platform above the cuts. The sleeve support is then connected (e.g. welded) to the platform leg and becomes part of the structural support for the platform.
US08002493B2 Flexible route marker
A flexible marker post assembly having a base, first and second members of an elastomeric material secured to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second flexible members each having respective first and second side walls with a concave recess formed on each of the side walls, substantially rigid post mounted intermediate of an upper portion of the first and second flexible members with the post having a lower end secured to an upper portion of the first and second flexible members. The provision of concave recesses permits a better bending action when the post is struck at an angle.
US08002490B2 Corner piece for valance interface in cases and containers
A unitary, bent corner piece for a valance frame has an extending tongue at each end shaped to interfit the hollow cross-section of an adjacent, extruded, valance frame member. Complementary corner pieces so formed provide part of a valance interface between the lid and body of a container, ensuring sealing continuity around corners fitted with such corner pieces. Each corner piece is provided with a mating valance surface for presentation to the valance interface to provide an intimate engagement with the mating valance surface of the complementary, opposed corner piece. Gaskets fitted within the corner pieces may form part of the interface. Tongues formed a at the respective ends of a corner piece are provided with a groove to accommodate the inclusion of a gasket into the interior core of the longitudinal frame members. Corner pieces may also be formed with two or more cavities beneath the valance surface, such cavities being defined by bridging walls extending from an inside surface of the corner piece to an outside surface of the corner piece. The outside surface of a corner piece may be provided with one or more perforated fastener openings, penetrating the outside wall of the corner piece, for attaching sidewalls of a container to the corner piece.
US08002485B2 Guide apparatus for mounting and dismounting inner part and image forming device having the same
A guide apparatus for mounting and dismounting an inner part usable in an image forming device includes: a first and a second sliders formed at both sides of a built-in part respectively; a first and a second undercut preventing parts formed at a first and a second side walls of the frame facing the both sides of the inner part under the connecting member, respectively; and a first and a second guide rails integrally formed with the first and the second side walls adjacent to the first and the second undercut preventing parts, respectively, and housing and guiding the first and the second sliders. Accordingly, the first and the second guide rails are integrally formed with the first and the second side walls of the frame, respectively, so that manufacturing is simpler, manufacturing costs and inferiority are reduced, and the intensity is increased.
US08002482B2 Transparent screen, projection display device, and method of receiving control signal light
A transparent screen is constructed in such a way that a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12d each of which is smaller than a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a and has a shape approximately similar to that of each of the plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a are arranged in a sawtooth shape on a non-light incidence surface portion of a Fresnel lens 12 on a light incidence side to which any image light PB applied from a projector 1 is not applied directly because blocked by a Fresnel prism 12a placed frontwardly.
US08002478B2 Optical sub-assembly with glass member physically contact with external fiber
An optical receptacle that enhances the optical coupling tolerance is disclosed. The optical receptacle of the invention provides, in stead of the coupling fiber installed in a conventional optical receptacle, a glass member with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the external fiber. The glass member, which is held by the support, provides a convex surface that abuts against the top of the external ferrule and another surface inclined with the optical axis to prevent the light reflected thereat from returning the optical device. The glass member has a substantially homogeneous distribution in the refractive index thereof; accordingly, the fluctuation in the optical coupling with the external ferrule may be reduced.
US08002470B2 Drawable track assembly
A drawable track assembly comprises a track and a retainer; the track being installed on a drawable box or other computer peripherals; the track having a plurality of locking points serving to be combined with a drawable box; the retainer is locked to a frame; and the retainer being installed with at least one rolling unit; thereby, a center of the retainer being formed with a sliding space at a central area thereof for receiving the track. Each of two sides of a long sheet of the track is extended with a strip for retaining a drawable box. A front end of the retainer is bent with a bending section with at least one through hole. The rolling unit is formed with a rolling post and a bearing set.
US08002457B2 Process for blending refrigerants
Disclosed are methods and systems for forming multi-component refrigerant compositions comprising: (a) introducing a first refrigerant component into a vessel at a first flow rate; (b) introducing at least a second refrigerant component into said vessel at a second flow rate, which may be the same as or different than the first flow rate, during at least a portion of said first refrigerant introducing step; and (c) controlling at least one of said first and second flow rates to obtain the desired relative proportions of said first and second refrigerants in the refrigerant composition.
US08002456B2 LED light has pinhole imaging
An LED light has a pinhole-imaging function for dark area use as a plug-in wall outlet light, direct current (DC) operated light, or interchangeable power source light to project a shaped image to a surrounding environment. Tiny shaped pinholes can create a fine image of desired message, data, logo, or time on a ceiling, walls, floor, optics means surface or other desired surface. At least one pinhole-means may be incorporated with an LED and parts selected from a housing-member, plastic film openings, cut-outs, transparent material piece, translucent material piece, adjust-means, sealed-unit, battery-pack, paper material, plastic material, metal material, wood material, geometric shape substrate, AC adaptor and jack means, and/or solar power or wind power generator to project the desired image, message, data, logo, to the surrounding environment, which may include any combination of ceiling, walls, floor, or other desired surfaces(s). The light may have an adjustable feature, interchangeable power source feature, dot-matrix gerometric shape feature, and features to change position or orientation of the pinhole substrate or LED.
US08002454B2 Backlight assembly
Backlight assembly includes a plurality of light guide plates, a plurality of light modules, and a plurality of driving units separately in control of corresponding light modules which are configured at the incident sides of the LGPs. Each light module faces two adjacent LGPs such that the driving unit drives the light module to provide light for two adjacent LGPs at the same time. As local dimming function is switched, besides the power-saving and the high contrast, the local edge effect due to the joint of the LGPs can be reduced.
US08002451B2 Backlight assembly and display device having the same
A backlight assembly includes; light sources which emit light, a diffusion plate including an incident surface on which the light is incident, an exit surface which is disposed substantially opposite to the incident surface and from which the light exits, and a lens pattern which is disposed on the exit surface, and an optical sheet which overlaps the diffusion plate and includes a prism pattern on a top surface thereof, wherein each lens of the lens pattern includes a first curved portion which forms part of a curve and first linear portions which extend from both ends of the first curved portion, respectively, and each prism of the prism pattern includes a second curved portion at an apex thereof.
US08002442B2 Color filter and method for its manufacture
A color filter (1) for illumination purposes, such as, for example, for stage illumination is proposed, which comprises a full-surface antireflection layer (3) and an additional, multilayered structured interference filter layer (4) arranged on it.
US08002441B2 Adjustable arm gondola lighting system
An adjustable arm gondola lighting system is provided. The adjustable arm gondola lighting system allows a user to illuminate retail merchandise located on a vertical wall by angularly and linearly adjusting the positioning of a light element of the adjustable arm gondola lighting system. The adjustable arm gondola lighting system may integrate a light shade which may include advertising by having printed graphics thereon. The light shade can be positioned around or within a light element to adjust the lighting characteristics of the adjustable arm gondola lighting system.
US08002437B2 Light emitter to be attached to caps
A light emitter to be attached to caps includes a case having several second lamps formed at a front surface thereof, a power switch attached to an outer surface of the case, a battery installed inside the case to provide power, a guide channel formed at a center of the case, a mounting clip formed at the outer surface of the case, a sub-body having a first lamp at a front surface thereof and being coupled to the guide channel, and a switch unit for controlling on/off operation of the first lamp. A user may move the sub-body back and forth to activate the first lamp, and may rotate the sub-body to alter the illumination angle of the first lamp.
US08002436B2 LED chip package structure using a substrate as a lampshade and method for making the same
An LED chip package structure using a substrate as a lampshade includes a substrate unit and a light-emitting unit. The substrate unit has a substrate body with a lampshade shape. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of light-emitting elements electrically disposed on an inner surface of the substrate body. Therefore, one part of light beams projected by the light emitting elements is reflected out of the lampshade by the inner surface of the substrate body.
US08002433B1 Decorative light mount apparatus
The decorative light mount apparatus provides for permanent support of lights and light strings to a structure. The right angle member provides for light wiring to be wire tired or fastened otherwise, to the gapped risers of the tie plates, so that lights are extended from the horizontal length of the right angle member. The right angle member is supported on a structure via the hinge that is fastened to the right angle member. The hinge allows the right angle member to be pivoted, positioning the vertical length of the right angle member either vertically upward, vertically downward, or even angled from the downward vertical. The lock member provides fastening of the right angle member so that the lights are visibly concealed. Release of the wing nut allows the right angle member to pivot upwardly to position lights in a downward and visible mode.
US08002432B2 Desk lamp with a separable magnifier
This present invention discloses a desk lamp with a separable magnifier, which comprises a magnifier component and a desk lamp holder. Around the lens of the magnifier component, a plurality of illumination lamps is arranged for illumination. When the power storage module of the magnifier is exhausted, the handle of the magnifier can be inserted into the slot of the receptacle to charge. When the desk lamp is put into use, the magnifier component is combined with the receptacle as a desk lamp. The whole assembly is convenient.
US08002430B2 Configurable interior and/or exterior portable article illumination system
One embodiment relates to a portable article illumination system with an enclosure disposed between openings in the interior and external surfaces of a portable article. A removable illumination device may be disposed within the enclosure such as a selectably engageable portable lighting device. The interior and exterior openings may each be substantially covered by transparent and opaque members respectively. The transparent members cover the interior and exterior openings and are disposed proximal to the enclosure with respect to the opaque members. The transparent members may further provide optical pathways between the enclosure and the interior and/or exterior region. The opaque members substantially cover the transparent members thereby optically obstructing the optical pathways which extend from the enclosure through the corresponding transparent member to the interior or exterior region. The opaque members are selectively passable to selectively unobstruct the respective optical pathways between the enclosure and the interior or exterior region.
US08002425B2 Lighting assembly and lamp aiming device
A luminaire and lighting assembly is provided having a ceiling pan and a light assembly supported on the ceiling pan. The light assembly is rotatable and movable in a lateral direction on the ceiling pan to provide adjustment of the light assembly with respect to the ceiling pan. The light assembly includes an aiming device which allows the lamp to be adjusted about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis for adjustment of the lamp. The aiming assembly includes a locking assembly which fixes the position of the aiming assembly to simultaneously prevent rotation about the vertical axis and about the horizontal axis.
US08002423B2 Backlight module with position part abutting against inner surface of bottom plate of frame and liquid crystal display utilizing same
In an exemplary embodiment, a backlight module (20) includes a frame (21), a diffuser (25) and a supporting member (29). The frame includes a bottom plate (213). The diffuser is accommodated in the frame opposite to the bottom plate. The supporting member includes a supporting bar (290), a blocker (297) and at least one elastic arm (292). The supporting bar supports the diffuser. The blocker extends from an end of the supporting bar. Each elastic arm extends from the supporting bar. The blocker elastically abuts against an outer surface of the bottom plate. Each elastic arm has one end abutting a bottom of the frame at an inner surface of the bottom plate. A liquid crystal display (2) employing the backlight module is also provided.
US08002422B2 Backlight assembly having a diffuser supporting member and a lamp supporting member and display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes a plurality of lamps to generate light, a diffusing plate, a receiving container and a first supporting member. The diffusing plate is placed over the lamps and diffuses the light. The receiving container has a bottom portion and a sidewall portion extending from the bottom portion to provide a receiving space that receives the lamps. The first supporting member is disposed on the bottom portion to support the diffusing plate, and has a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion. The first and second inclined portions can be inclined to each other, or oriented in any other manner that allows them to reduce the amount of shock forces transmitted from the diffusing plate to the bottom portion. Thus, shock resistance and manufacturability of the backlight assembly may be increased and display quality of the display apparatus may be improved.
US08002418B2 Projection type image display apparatus
A projection type image display apparatus includes an image display element, a lens group disposed in a direction of propagation of light with respect to the image display element and being formed with a plural number of lenses, a s reflection mirror configured to reflect light emitted from the lens group thereon so as to project the light on a screen, obliquely, and a housing configured to receive the reflection mirror and the lens group therein. The lens group is fixed on a bottom portion of the housing, and a part of the lens group is configured to enable movement of lenses of the lens group.
US08002417B2 Projection-type image display apparatus
A projection-type image display apparatus for projecting an image, enlargedly, onto a projection surface, comprises: an image display element; a lens group, being disposed behind the image display element, comprising therein, a front lens group made up with a plural number of lenses, including, at least, a refractive lens, and a rear lens group made up with a plural number of lenses, including, at least, a lens having a free curved surface configuration and being rotationally asymmetric, thereby emitting an image displayed on the image display element; a reflection mirror for reflecting the light from the lens group, thereby projection onto the projection surface, obliquely; and a movement member for moving the plural number of lenses of the rear lens group.
US08002415B2 Projection-type image display device with cooling mechanism
A projection-type image display device generates projection light by modulating light beams of at least three primary colors in accordance with image information and synthesizing the modulated light beams. The display device includes a light source unit constituted by arranging a plurality of light source elements each having light source arrays being arranged on heat receiving plates respectively so as to conduct the light beams of the colors to irradiation surfaces of a synthesizing prism, a refrigerating unit including at least a refrigerant compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing unit and a refrigerant pipe constituting an evaporator, and an air cooling device lower in cooling capacity than the refrigerating unit. Of the plural light source arrays, those relatively large in the amount of heat generated are connected to the refrigerating unit, while the others are connected to the air cooling unit.
US08002409B2 Vision treatment procedures and devices
A vision treatment system comprises a computer and a user input output module associated with the computer, the user input output module including a display screen and means for receiving user input, wherein the computer includes a testing and training module for one or more vision disorders, the training and testing module in communication with the user input output module and testing a user's cutoff spatial frequency of a contrast sensitivity and applying a training regimen based upon Perceptual Template Model (PTM) analysis of interactions with the user.
US08002405B2 Progressive power lens manufacturing method and progressive power lens
A method provides for manufacturing progressive-power lenses in a manner in which an inventory burden of semis can be reduced. A progressive-power lens is designed by arranging a progressive-power surface on a convex surface and combining the convex surface with a concave surface so as to meet prescription values of a spectacles wearer. The method for manufacturing progressive-power lenses includes previously preparing the concave surface side as a concave surface semi group based on a predetermined classification table, selecting a most suitable semi-finished lens according to an order, designing a progressive-power surface on the convex surface side by adding the difference between cylindrical component of a most suitable concave surface semi selected based on an order and cylindrical component of the prescription values to the concave surface side so as to meet the prescription values, and finishing the lens by performing free-form processing.
US08002403B2 Variable focus lens and spectacles
A variable focus lens includes a ring with a front surface and a rear surface. A flexible membrane is held between the front surface of the ring and a generally rigid transparent front cover, and a rear cover is attached to the rear surface of the ring, optionally with a second flexible membrane sandwiched between the rear cover and the ring. A cavity is formed between the flexible membrane and the rear cover or the second flexible membrane is filled with a liquid, and the amount of fluid in the cavity can be varied to vary the curvature of the flexible membrane and so vary the optical characteristics of the lens. The ring of the lens may be coloured, and may be transparent, translucent or opaque. Alternatively, a decorative cover may be attached to the front of the ring to give the appearance of a frame. The lenses may be used in variable focus spectacles.
US08002401B2 Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus includes a stapler configured to staple a bundle of sheets by driving a staple into the sheet bundle; a cutting mechanism configured to cut off portions of staples driven into the sheet bundle; a storage portion configured to store cut-off portions of staples; a lid mounted on the storage portion capable of opening and closing; an open and closed state detecting portion configured to detect open and closed state of the lid; a collecting portion configured to collect cut-off portions of staples from the storage portion; and a lid opening and closing portion configured to open the lid when cut-off portions of staples are collected, wherein after the lid opening and closing portion has performed a lid opening and closing motions, if the open and closed state detecting portion detects that the lid is not closed, the lid opening and closing portion repeats a lid opening and closing operation.
US08002400B2 Process and apparatus for forming pattern
A pattern forming process and a pattern forming apparatus comprising forming a liquid receptive particle layer on an intermediate transfer body in a specified area by using liquid receptive particles capable of receiving a recording liquid containing a recording material; applying a liquid droplet of the recording liquid on a specified position of liquid receptive particle layer according to specified data, trapping the recording material near the surface of the liquid receptive particle layer on the intermediate transfer body, and forming a pattern of the recording material near the surface of the liquid receptive particle layer; and removing the liquid receptive particle layer provided with the recording liquid from the intermediate transfer body so that the pattern may be positioned between the transfer object and the liquid receptive particle layer, and transferring the liquid receptive particle layer to the transfer object.
US08002397B2 Ink container, ink container set, and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink container detachably mountable to an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink accommodating portion accommodating ink; a casing accommodating the ink accommodating portion; an ink supplying portion for supplying the ink from the ink reservoir portion; a displaceable member which is provided in the casing and which is displaceable between an insertable position where the ink container is insertable into and extractable from the ink jet recording apparatus and a non-insertable position where the ink container is not insertable into and is not extractable from the ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the displaceable member is non-self-restorable with respect to the displacement.
US08002395B2 Ink recirculation system
An ink recirculation system includes a printhead adapted for printing an ink image on a media, a printhead reservoir fluidly connected to the printhead, a pump, a valve fluidly connected to the pump and the printhead reservoir, and an ink supply container including cleaning fluid therein. The ink supply container is fluidly connected to the pump.
US08002394B2 Refill unit for fluid container
A refill unit for a fluid container is provided. The unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and a plunger having a toothed thread which engages with a screw thread provided in an internal wall of the housing, the ejector having a drive gear so that actuation of the drive gear imparts rotation to the toothed thread so as to rotate the plunger within the screw thread of the housing to incrementally eject fluid from the fluid reservoir when the drive gear is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing.
US08002393B2 Print engine with a refillable printer cartridge and ink refill port
A print engine for a printhead assembly includes a refillable cartridge having a body defining a plurality of fluid chambers, the body having a lid assembly with a plurality of ink refill ports leading to respective fluid chambers, the lid assembly having an actuator to actuate a refill unit; a number of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements configured to operatively eject printing fluid onto a printing medium; and a fluid distribution member operatively arranging the nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective fluid chambers. The lid assembly engages with the refill unit to actuate the refill unit. The refill unit includes an outlet adapted to engage with the plurality of ink refill ports, a fluid reservoir, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject fluid from the reservoir when the ejector assembly is actuated by the actuator during operative engagement of the print cartridge by the lid assembly. Each fluid chamber includes a stack of polymer layers with a micro-capillary array of channels formed therein to form an absorbent assembly within the fluid chamber.
US08002388B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.
US08002387B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.
US08002386B2 Inkjet printhead having nozzle chambers with redundant ink inlets
An inkjet printhead includes: a substrate; a row of nozzle chambers disposed on the substrate; an ink conduit extending longitudinally adjacent the row of nozzle chambers; and a nozzle plate spanning over the ink conduit and the row of nozzle chambers. Each nozzle chamber has a respective ink ejection opening defined in the nozzle plate; a first ink inlet defined in a sidewall of the nozzle chamber for receiving ink from the ink conduit; and a second ink inlet defined in a floor of the nozzle chamber. Each of the first and second ink inlets is in fluid communication with a common ink reservoir.
US08002385B2 Head unit, droplet ejection apparatus, method of manufacturing panel from base, image display apparatus and electronic apparatus
A head unit for use in a droplet ejection apparatus is provided with a plurality of droplet ejection heads for ejecting liquid material of a predetermined color onto a base as droplets. In each of the droplet ejection heads, first and second nozzle arrays are arranged in a side by side relation in a second direction and nozzles of the first nozzle array are shifted with a half pitch in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction with respect to the nozzles of the second nozzle array when viewed from the second direction. The nozzles of the first and second nozzle arrays of the first and second droplet ejection heads of the first set are arranged so as not to overlap with the nozzles of the first and second nozzle arrays of the third and fourth droplet ejection heads of the second set when viewed from the second direction.
US08002380B2 Cartridge-information detecting device
A cartridge-information detecting device including: an optical sensor for detecting information about a cartridge which stores ink and is removably mounted on a cartridge mount, the information including specific information indicating that the cartridge is in a state of being mounted on or removed from the cartridge mount; and a controller including a timer which measures time and configured to execute a control for changing an operational mode of the optical sensor, wherein the controller permits the optical sensor to operate in a constant operational mode in which the information about the cartridge is constantly detected through the optical sensor until the timer has measured a predetermined time from a timing at which the detection of information about the cartridge becomes to be allowed, and wherein the controller permits the optical sensor to operate in an intermittent operational mode in which only the specific information is intermittently detected through the optical sensor, after the predetermined time has passed.
US08002378B2 Nozzle testing apparatus, nozzle testing method, and test program
A nozzle testing apparatus and method that tests whether recording liquid is ejected from a plurality of nozzles provided in a print head using changes of voltages between measurement terminals that are generated in accordance with ejection of the charged recording liquid. The apparatus comprises a voltage applying unit capable of charging the recording liquid to a predetermined electric potential level by applying a voltage between measurement terminals in a predetermined direction, a head driving unit capable of ejecting the charged recording liquid from the nozzles, a voltage change acquiring unit that acquires the change in voltage between the measurement terminals generated in response to the ejection of the recording liquid, and an ejection checking unit that determines whether the recording liquid is ejected from each nozzle in the plurality of nozzles by using the acquired changes in voltage.
US08002376B2 Printing device and printing method
Provided is a printing device which prints an image using a metallic ink and a color ink, the device including: an input unit which inputs image data; a metallic dot formation unit which forms dot concentration dots on a printing medium using the metallic ink; and a color print unit which prints the image indicated by the image data using the color ink on the printing medium on which the dots using the metallic ink are formed.
US08002375B2 Mechanical dithering of printing mechanisms
A system including a control module and a vibration generator. The control module is configured to communicate with a printhead having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink onto a print medium to create an image on the print medium. The control module is configured to detect a malfunction of a first nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. The malfunction of the first nozzle causes ink not be ejected onto a first portion of the print medium. The vibration generator, in response to the malfunction of the first nozzle, is configured to vibrate the printhead synchronously with at least one of (i) a timing of firing of the plurality of nozzles and (ii) a speed of the print medium. Ink is at least partially ejected by a second nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, which is adjacent to the first nozzle, onto the first portion of the print medium.
US08002372B2 Liquid pump and inkjet printer equipped with liquid pump
A long-life pump capable of simultaneously conveying plural liquids and an inkjet printer having the pump are provided. The liquid pump includes: a liquid storage unit having liquid chambers trapping at least two types of liquids with each chamber corresponding to the type of the trapped liquid; a coupling member for connection to each liquid chamber of the liquid storage unit; a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of an internal pressure of the liquid chamber; an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid to the liquid chamber; an outlet valve discharging the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a pass resistance variable mechanism adjusting an amount of the liquid trapped in the liquid chamber depending on a level of the liquid in the liquid chamber.
US08002370B2 Serial data transfer method, electric device, and printing apparatus
Serial data transfer method, electric device and printing apparatus for enabling various controls without adding signal lines and control signals to serial data transfer utilizing, e.g., three signal lines for transferring a data signal, a clock signal, and a strobe signal. According to this method, when a data signal, which is supplied from a first electric device to a second electric device using a first signal line, is serially transferred from the first electric device to the second electric device in synchronization with a clock signal which is similarly supplied through a second signal line, the data signal is inputted to a shift register of the second electric device in synchronization with the clock signal, and the data signal inputted to the shift register is captured by plural latches of the second electric device utilizing at least one of the control signal supplied from the first electric device to the second electric device using a third signal line, a signal level of the data signal, and a signal level of the clock signal.
US08002369B2 Slide system for drawers or shelves in an appliance
A slide system for an appliance is provided. The system may be used with a retractable compartment, such as a drawer, shelf or grill and may be implemented inside a cavity of the appliance having a pair of vertical walls provided with a series of ribs having a recess at their top surfaces, and a movable runner in the recess. The runner may be located over slides that delimit and guide travel of the runner to provide a longer draw-out distance for the retractable compartment, which is conducive to improving storage ability and accessibility to the retractable compartment.
US08002367B2 Food refrigerator
A food refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment for storing therein kimchi, fruit, vegetables, greens, drinking water, wine, beer, etc., and an accessory storage compartment for storing therein a variety of accessories related to the use of the food stored in the refrigerator unit.
US08002362B2 Optimal thermal properties in light weight and high performance braking composite clincher or tubular tire bicycle wheel rim
A fiber reinforced plastic bicycle wheel rim is formed of six segments per side and formed in a section having precisely formed, machinable brake surfaces and preferably combining inner high modulus fiber reinforced plastic lamination as a main structural body and an outer lamination of improved frictional coefficient materials at the braking surfaces. The main structural body with overlapped individual sheets of unidirectional fiber reinforced plastic, having crossing fibers, in segments, and continuous unidirectional fiber bundles in areas of concentrated load, enables strong, light wheels for sew up or clincher tires to be formed.
US08002361B1 Method of manufacturing and assembling a decorative skate wheel
There is an apparatus comprising a two-part hub system that can be used to make decorative wheel designs customizable, easier to assemble, and in a more cost effective way to manufacture. By splitting the hub into two parts, each individual hub part can be economically molded with simpler molds and be made from two separate processes; specifically, the first hub part could be made from a plastic injection molding process, and the second hub part could be made from a die-casting or plastic injection molding process combined with a vacuum metalizing process.
US08002360B2 Adjustable planer system
Certain embodiments of the disclosure include planers with side plates which may be adjusted independently or simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a planer with adjustable side plates is comprised of a planer housing enclosing a grinding drum with grinding tools to be moved over a surface to be ground in a direction of travel and a pair of side plates are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of travel and mounted substantially adjacent the housing. The side plates are mechanically linked to the housing and are hydraulically controlled to be adjustably raised and lowered relative to the housing.
US08002355B2 Vehicular seats
One aspect of the present invention can include a vehicular seat including a seat cushion, a seat back inclinably attached to the seat cushion, and a restricting falling down mechanism. The restricting falling down mechanism restricts the seat back from falling down forward when the seat back falls down from a substantially erected state so that the seat back is maintained in a forward inclining attitude. The restricting falling down mechanism comprises an interference lever pivotably attached to the seat cushion. When the seat back falls down forward from the substantially erected state, the interference lever is squeezed between a member on a side of the seat back and a member on a side of the seat cushion. And the seat back is restricted from falling down forward by the member on the side of the seat cushion via the interference lever.
US08002351B2 Support member
A support member configured for attachment to a back assembly and a chair component is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of the support member may be included in a chair that includes a base, a back assembly and the support member. The back assembly includes an extension attached to a back frame. The extension is attached to the base such that the back assembly is moveable relative to the base. The support member is attached to the extension and the base. The support member is more rigid than the extension. Preferably, the extension is composed of elastomeric material.
US08002347B2 Cycle seat with adjustable sides
The cycle seat with adjustable sides includes laterally adjustable side wings for increased rider stability. The seat is mounted on arcuately articulating arms that pivot from the lower forward frame of the cycle. The arms are biased upwardly by a spring, thus urging the seat into contact with the rider. A latch mechanism allows the rider to latch the seat position in a lower range for normal riding, or to latch the seat in a higher range to support the rider as he or she stands on the pedals to exert greater force during acceleration or uphill riding. The greater support provided by the raised seat and articulating support mechanism during such riding greatly reduces the amount of upper body exertion the rider would otherwise need to stabilize him or herself using the cycle handlebars, thus freeing the rider to exert greater pedal force during such extreme cycling operations.
US08002343B2 Foldable dining chair for children
A foldable dining chair for children comprises a frame body (1) and a seat mechanism disposed thereon. The frame body (1) may be in an open state and a folded state. The frame body (1) is folded in back-and-forth direction and up-and-down direction thereof when it is in the folded state. The frame body (1) comprises a backrest frame (2), an armrest frame (3) of which the rear end is rotatably connected to the backrest frame (2), an upright support frame (4) of which the upper end is rotatably connected to the front end of the armrest frame (3), a seat frame (5) of which the front end is rotatably connected to the upright support frame (4), a front support frame (6) rotatably connected to the lower end of the upright support frame (4), and a rear support frame (7). The rear end of the seat frame (5) is connected rotatably to the rear support frame (7). One of the lower end of the backrest frame (2), the upper end of the front support frame (6) and the upper end of the rear support frame (7) is connected rotatably to the other two thereof.
US08002341B2 Roll sunshade device
A roll sunshade device, which includes a screen for shadowing an inner opening of a roof of a vehicle, a rotating body which is disposed ahead of the inner opening or behind the inner opening in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and rotates freely around an axis in a vehicle width direction, a turning member which is disposed at a predetermined distance from the rotating body in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and rotates freely around an axis in the vehicle width direction, and two circular wires which are disposed on both sides of the inner opening in the vehicle width direction, respectively and hung between the rotating body and the turning member, in which both edge portions of the screen in the vehicle width direction are supported by the two circular wires, respectively, and when the screen is slid in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a state where the screen shadows the inner opening, the screen is folded along an outer circumferential surface of the turning member.
US08002334B2 Service panel for a motor vehicle
A service panel is provided for a motor vehicle that is designed for closing an opening between an apron and a hood and for being mounted on the suspension strut top mountings of the motor vehicle. The service panel is equipped with an integrated strut top mounting brace. A motor vehicle is also provided with an apron for separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment and a service panel designed for closing an opening between an apron and a hood and for being mounted on the suspension strut top mountings of the motor vehicle. The service panel is equipped with an integrated strut top mounting brace.
US08002323B2 Console assembly
A center console assembly for a vehicle interior compartment includes a console body defining a storage compartment characterized by an access opening. A first member is operatively connected to the console body and is selectively rotatable about a first axis between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first member obstructs the access opening. In the open position, the first member does not obstruct the access opening. A second member is operatively connected to the first member such that the second member is selectively rotatable with the first member about the first axis, and such that the second member is selectively rotatable with respect to the first member about a second axis.
US08002322B2 Multi-use snow tool
A multi-use snow tool is described, which includes a snow fluke and a snow picket that may be combined to function as a snow shovel, or may be used independent of each other as climbing anchors. As one example, the multi-use snow tool includes a snow fluke including a blade body having a base end and a nose end opposite the base end; a snow picket having an elongate shaft including at least a first flange; and a lip assembly located at the base end of the blade body and cooperating with the blade body to define at least a first channel that is adapted to mate with the first flange to detachably couple the snow picket to the snow fluke.
US08002321B2 Device for picking up loose material
A leaf grapple for grabbing and lifting a pile of leaves or other loose debris is disclosed. The leaf grapple includes a basket at the end of a handle. The basket has multiple sections, each section being movably attached at the top to a first spider and, some distance away from the top, pivotably attached to a second spider. An actuating rod is assembled in the handle. The first spider is attached to the end of the actuating rod; the second spider is attached to the end of the handle. Pushing on the handle forces the first spider downward, which forces the top portions of the grapple sections downward. The grapple sections pivot about the lower ends of the second spider, which causes the grapple sections to open. Pulling up on the actuating rod forces the grapple sections to close.
US08002320B2 Tongs with magnet
A tongs for manually grasping items has two elongate tong arms pivotally joined together with a pair of magnet members. The arms pivot between an open position when the magnet members are joined together and a closed position when the magnet members are separated. A user can easily break the connection of the magnet members and separate the two arms, making it easier to store and clean the tongs.
US08002318B2 Container for picking up and transporting waste, in particular dog excrement
A container for picking up and transporting waste such as dog excrement comprises a bag extended by a flap suitable for closing and opening of the bag, the bag having a front wall and a rear wall, the flap extending the rear wall so as to be capable of occupying either an open position for picking up, in which it is folded against an outside face of the rear wall, or else a closed position for transport, in which it is folded against an outside face of the front wall. The invention relates to urban hygiene.
US08002306B2 Vehicle interior cladding with airbag cover
A vehicle interior cladding is provided for one or more vehicle components situated in or adjacent to the vehicle passenger compartment, in particular for the dashboard of a vehicle, with an airbag cover, under which an airbag is arranged in an airbag module for a restraint function. The vehicle interior cladding exhibits at least two separate cladding components that are provided for cladding different areas of one or more arranged vehicle components, in particular for a passenger side dashboard. A first cladding component at least partially envelops the airbag cover and a second cladding component forms a visible boundary line with the airbag cover. An airbag through opening is formed in the vehicle interior cladding at least partially in the area of the boundary line during the deployment of the airbag.
US08002305B2 Low-floor type vehicle
A low-floor vehicle includes a head pipe turnably supporting a steering handlebar steerable by an occupant; a main frame extending downwardly rearward from the head pipe; an occupant seat provided rearward of the head pipe and adapted to allow the occupant to sit thereon; a straddle space defined between the occupant seat and the steering handlebar and straddlable by the occupant; an airbag module provided forward of the occupant seat and storing an airbag therein, wherein the airbag module is disposed rearward of the head pipe; and a pair of left and right bag-mooring members provided for retaining the airbag at a position facing the occupant upon expansion and deployment of the airbag, wherein the bag-mooring members are arranged along the main frame and have one ends connected to the airbag and the other ends connected to the main frame at a position below the occupant seat.
US08002301B2 Vehicle suspension systems for seperated acceleration responses
The invention relates to suspension systems comprising, in certain embodiments, a pivoting means concentric to a wheel rotation axis so that braking forces can be controlled by placement of an instant force center, and so that acceleration forces can be controlled by a swinging wheel link.
US08002298B2 Vehicle having an elevated cab and access steps
A vehicle with an elevated cab is provided with a power driven access step that is capable of being moved between an operating lower position and a raised stowage position. The step is carried by at least one telescopically collapsible tubular strut and an actuator is housed within the strut for raising and lowering the step by extending and contracting the strut.
US08002296B2 Skate board with wear resisting means
A skate board (1) of the type including a riding platform (2) having a leading end and a trailing end and an undercarriage (3) formed by front and rear bogies which support said platform; wherein the platform and undercarriage mutually co-operate to allow relative movement. The platform has a peripheral edge (5) in which there is/are embedded a wear means (4); wherein, the wear means provides reinforcing and contributes to wear resistance of said surface of said platform.
US08002290B2 Child carrier assembly for a shopping cart
A child seat assembly for use in a shopping cart and secured to the hinged rear gate of the shopping cart that is configured for lifting to expose a rear opening for nesting like carts. The child seat is secured in a lower portion of the shopping cart basket by hinged connections, such that the seat assembly is movable between a use and a non-use configuration, and the seat assembly is suspended in position by a strut member, as an articulating strut member, and a suspension support member attached to the strut.
US08002289B2 Roller stopper
A mechanic's creeper comprising a one-piece creeper frame; a first set of free-rolling wheels located proximal a first side of the creeper frame; a second set of free-rolling wheels located proximal a second side of the creeper frame; a first rotatable shaft attached to the first and second sides of the creeper frame and supporting at least one stopper thereon; a second rotatable shaft attached to the first and second sides of the creeper frame and spaced from the first shaft and supporting at least one stopper thereon, the shafts each rotatable between a stopper up condition and a stopper floor-engaging condition; a linking bar connecting the first and second shaft and providing the shafts with corresponding movement; and an actuating lever connected to an end of the first shaft and moving the shafts between the stopper up condition and stopper floor-engaging condition through a one-step process.
US08002284B1 Doll-based game machine
A doll-based game machine includes a frame, a doll-hanging unit, a displacement unit, a string-cutting unit and an operation unit. The frame includes an opening defined therein. The doll-hanging unit is located in the frame and used to hang dolls. The displacement unit includes an X-axis displacement unit located in the frame, a Y-axis displacement unit connected to the X-axis displacement unit, and a cutter-carrying unit connected to the Y-axis displacement unit. The string-cutting unit is carried by the cutter-carrying unit. The operation unit is located on the frame and operable to cause the X-axis displacement unit to move the Y-axis displacement unit along an X-axis, to cause the Y-axis displacement unit to move the cutter-carrying unit along a Y-axis, and to turn the string-cutting unit into a cutting mode from an idle mode.
US08002282B1 Ball game with skipping implement and targets
A ball game with skipping implement and targets comprised of a skipping implement (22) having a highly efficient rebounding and skipping surface (56) where by a player (16) can throw a ball (14) onto the skipping implement (22) redirecting the ball (14) in a multitude of directions including targeting a basket (10) for recreation and game play.
US08002279B2 Device and method for unloading laminar elements from a roll and transferring stacks of laminar elements, and roll used for same
A device and method for unloading laminar elements from a roll and transferring stacks of such laminar elements, and to the roll used for the same. The method including unloading sheets from a roll with the aid of a barrier; receiving the sheets on a support, such as to form a growing stack; positioning a separator between two adjacent sheets in which the first sheet completes a finished stack on the support and the second sheet is held by the separator in order to begin a new stack; moving the support to an outlet support and pushing the finished stack with the aid of a push element in order to transfer same from the support to the outlet support; moving the support to the position of the separator and removing the separator in order to transfer the growing stack from the separator to the support. The invention also relates to the device used to implement the method.
US08002276B2 Sheet conveyance device
A sheet conveyance device includes: a first conveyance member configured to convey a sheet in a first direction; a second conveyance member configured to convey the sheet in a second direction; a guide disposed between the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member, the guide having a curved face configured to guide the sheet conveyed from the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member; and an adjustment member disposed at an inner position of the curvature of the curved face of the guide, the adjustment member being configured to swing to contact with a curved inner face of the sheet guided by the guide in accordance with a contact force applied by the sheet.
US08002275B2 Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus having a first skew feeding correction unit and a second skew feeding correction unit
A sheet conveying apparatus includes a plurality of skew feeding correction rollers, a detection portion and a control portion which controls each sheet conveying speed of the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers so as to perform skew feeding correction of the sheet depending on the output from the detection portion. The control portion controls the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers so as to perform skew feeding correction of the sheet while the sheet is conveyed in a state in which the sheet conveying speed of the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers is slower than that when the amount of skew feeding of the sheet is less than a predetermined amount of skew feeding when the amount of skew feeding exceeds the predetermined amount of skew feeding.
US08002272B2 Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
There are provided a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus, which enable stable sheet conveyance without depending on sheet size.An air suction portion having a duct portion for air suction is provided inwardly of an endless belt having a plurality of suction holes. Air is taken in through the suction holes of the endless belt and the duct portion for air suction by the air suction portion to absorb a sheet onto the endless belt. When the sheet having a sheet conveying direction length in which a sheet trailing end reaches the endless belt before a sheet leading end reaches a fixing device is conveyed, at least part of the portion of the duct portion through which the sheet trailing end passes before the sheet leading end reaches the fixing portion is closed by a shutter.
US08002268B2 Sheet feeding device and recording apparatus with separating means
A sheet material feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking recording sheets; a feeding roller for feeding the recording sheets from the sheet stacking portion; separating means for separating the recording sheet fed out by the feeding roller; a holder for holding the separating means, the holder being rotatably supported on a main assembly of the apparatus; first urging means for urging the holder toward the feeding roller; a preliminary regulating member, rotatably supported on the holder, for regulating a gap relative to the feeding roller; second urging means for urging the preliminary regulating member toward the feeding roller; a first regulating member, supported by the holder, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the holder; and a second regulating member, provided in the main assembly of apparatus, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the main assembly of the apparatus.
US08002264B2 Automatic document feeder
An automatic document feeder (ADF), which is capable of feeding a document for double-sided reading, includes an input tray, an output tray, which are vertically arranged, a U-shaped document feed path, which is made up of an upper portion, a curved portion, and a lower portion, feeding rollers disposed in the document feed path, a bidirectional feed path connected to a connection position, a bidirectional feed roller provided in the bidirectional feed path, a bypass connecting a branch position and the connection position, and an ADF cover, which is rotatable with respect to an ADF frame. A paper jam is readily cleared with a simple structure and reasonable cost.
US08002263B2 Pickoff mechanism for mail feeder
A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism positioned to frictionally engage an outer surface of a mail piece at the end of the stack and transport it transversely to a thickness direction of the stack, which mechanism includes one or more belts mounted on rollers and driven by a drive motor. A sensor is positioned to determine mail piece movement speed as it is being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A system is provided for reducing or stopping slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt during transport by the belt pickoff mechanism. A controller is connected to the sensor and the belt movement speed measurement device. The controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller actuates the means for stopping slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt.
US08002262B2 Method for applying pick retry using a modified pick roller force to reduce likelihood of failure to pick top sheet from stack
A method for applying a pick retry using a modified pick roller force includes operating an actuator in a first duty cycle to cause a pick roller to impose a first force on a media stack ordinarily sufficient to pick and feed a top sheet from the media stack to a media path, sensing whether or not the sheet arrives in the media path, and retrying the actuator in a second duty cycle different than the first duty cycle to cause the pick roller to impose a second force on the media stack different from the first force in response to not sensing the arrival of the sheet in the media path. The second force may be greater than the first force. The second duty cycle may be longer than the first duty cycle. Also, the method includes rotating the pick roller concurrently with or subsequently to operating the actuator.
US08002260B2 Card processing unit
A card processing unit may include a card processing part for performing predetermined processing to a card, a card stack part in which a plurality of cards are stacked and stored, and a card feeding part for carrying a card between the card processing part and the card stack part. The card stack part may be structured such that the card stack part is capable of being separated from the card feeding part as a module and mounted on a main body base as a module. A plurality of card stack parts and a plurality of card processing parts may be mounted on the main body base as modules.
US08002259B2 Image forming apparatus, method for assisting paper sheet supplying operation and control program of the same
Described is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to create a vacant tray. The apparatus includes a paper sheet managing section to conduct consecutive operations including: acquiring the residual amount of the paper sheets accommodated in each of plurality paper sheet trays; calculating a total sum of residual amounts of paper sheets having the same attributes; comparing the above-calculated total sum with the maximum accommodating capacity of each of the paper sheet trays currently accommodating the paper sheets concerned; and notifying the operator of the fact that a vacant tray can be made by collecting the paper sheets concerned into a specific paper sheet tray, if there exists such paper sheets and a combination of paper sheet trays that make the total sum of the residual amounts of the paper sheets equal to or smaller than the maximum accommodating capacity of the specific paper sheet tray.
US08002252B2 Engine mount and elastomeric element thereof
An isolation mount for supporting and isolating one part from another includes an inner member formed to be connected to one of the parts and an outer member formed to be connected to one of the parts. The inner member has a first and a second inner plates being connected at one end and extending at a first angle with respect to each other; the outer member also has a first and a second outer plates being connected at one end and extending at a second angle with respect to each other. The isolation mount further includes a first and a second individual elastomeric element compressed between respective inner and outer plates.
US08002247B2 Cross purge valve and container assembly
The present invention is a quartz bubbler container with cross purge capability. This cross purge allows the user to easily purge air and chemical from the valve inlet and outlet by simply flowing inert gas, and avoids the requirement for a more complicated vacuum purging apparatus. The design incorporates two small footprint 3-way valves mounted on the bubbler container inlet and outlet connectors. The 3rd port of each valve is piped together between the valves with a crosspurge line. The valves are corrosion resistant, leak free, maintenance free, non-leaching of impurities, and can accommodate an optional breakseal crusher that will perforate quartz break seals (on the inlet and outlet of ampoule). Liquid out containers of various materials of construction are also contemplated.
US08002244B2 High load block construction and connection
A high load lightweight block assembly (1) with a reduced mass hollow central shaft (2) through which a continuous or discontinuous rope loop (10) can be passed, which rope loop (10) carries the tensile operating loads within the block (1) thereby minimizing the weight of the assembly.
US08002242B2 Extension rod unit
An extension rod unit includes an outer tube with an inner tube retractably inserted thereto and a ratchet unit is connected to the open top of the outer tube. The ratchet unit includes a connection member and a lever. The connection member includes two side panels and each have a first lug extending therefrom. The lever has two second lugs and the shaft extends through the first and second lugs so as to pivotably connect the lever to the connection member. Two ratchet gears are located between two sets of first and second lugs. A slot is defined axially through the shaft. A driving member has a first end fixed to the fixing part and a second of the driving member extends through the slot of the shaft and is located beyond the outer tube. By pivoting the lever, the inner tube can be moved relative to the outer tube.
US08002233B2 Distributed network vibration isolation system and vibration isolators useful therein
A distributed network vibration isolation system includes several vibration isolation nodes distributed throughout a structure. The nodes wirelessly intercommunicate and include a passive structural isolation device and an active structural isolation device. The nodes work together via wireless communication to isolate a payload from a disturbance source.
US08002231B2 Adjustable support device
A support device includes a support frame, an arm, a first tray, and a second tray. The support frame is configured to rest on a support surface. The arm is coupled to the support frame and configured to rotate between at least a first position and a second position about a central axis substantially parallel to the support surface. The first tray is coupled to the arm and configured to rotate about a first axis substantially parallel to the central axis as the arm rotates between the first and second positions. The second tray is coupled to the arm and configured to rotate about a second axis substantially parallel to the central axis as the arm rotates between the first and second positions.
US08002225B1 Stroll away
A novel device for hanging a stroller on a door or wall particularly in apartments. The invention includes a hanging bracket which fits over a door at its upper end having two hanging tubes mounted thereto extending downwardly along its length. The hanging tubes are mounted within integral cylindrical retainers on the hanging bracket by strategic placement of a pin. The orientation of the hanging tubes is modifiable by adjusting the positioning of the pin on a series of notches in the upper surface of the tube retainer so that the hanging tubes may be swiveled out of the way when not in use.
US08002224B2 Adjustable pedestal support
An adjustable support which includes a housing constructed of a sidewall wherein a column is positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the sidewall and wherein the column defines threads. A leg is also provided which is constructed of another sidewall which defines other threads wherein the other threads are dimensioned to engage the threads defined by the column.
US08002219B2 Multi-functional annular fairing for coupling launch abort motor to space vehicle
An annular fairing having aerodynamic, thermal, structural and acoustic attributes couples a launch abort motor to a space vehicle having a payload of concern mounted on top of a rocket propulsion system. A first end of the annular fairing is fixedly attached to the launch abort motor while a second end of the annular fairing is attached in a releasable fashion to an aft region of the payload. The annular fairing increases in diameter between its first and second ends.
US08002217B2 System for adjustment of thrust reverser pivot door
A system that allows for quick and easy adjustment of the position of a thrust reverser pivot door comprises an actuator rod end bolt and a pair of pivot door hinge pins, all of which have an eccentric element. The actuator rod end bolt includes a cylindrical portion along the center of the length of the bolt that has an eccentric element which protrudes beyond the outer surface of the cylinder. Each pivot door hinge pin includes a cylindrical portion along the center of the length of the pin that has an eccentric element which protrudes beyond the outer surface of the cylinder. Rotation of either the actuator rod end bolt or the pivot door hinge pins or both the actuator rod end bolt and the pivot door hinge pins adjusts the position of the pivot door.
US08002216B2 Solar powered wing vehicle using flywheels for energy storage
A solar powered air vehicle that can stay aloft for indefinite periods of time. The vehicle employs photovoltaic solar cells for primary power and high speed counter-rotating flywheels for energy storage and steering of the vehicle. The flywheels are placed in the wing to reduce airfoil drag. A control law provides three-axis stabilized control of the vehicle by controlling propeller pitch to vary the speeds of the flywheels.
US08002215B2 Reel changer having a holder for supporting a material reel with a winding sleeve
A reel changer is usable for supporting a reel of material that is wound on a winding sleeve. The reel holder includes a carrier journal and a plurality of driver elements. These driver elements are arranged such that they engage in a front of the winding sleeve. The number of these driver elements which can engage in the front of the winding sleeve can be varied.
US08002211B2 Scrap material shredding and compressing apparatus and system
A scrap material recycling apparatus includes a feeder, a shredder and a separator, the feeder and the shredder mutually coupled, and the shredder and separator mutually coupled. The feeder includes a means for compressing a quantity of scrap material and means for advancing the scrap material to the shredder. The shredder includes a rotor having a plurality of cutting means, the rotor mechanically rotated to reduce the scrap material. The separator separates the reduced scrap material by fractional composition. The recycling apparatus may be part of a system further incorporating additional components, such as conveyors and/or dust extraction devices. The recycling apparatus may be further adapted so as to be a transportable system, thereby allowing such system to be relocated at or near scrap material stockpile locations.
US08002209B2 Method for operating a fragmentation system and system therefor
A fragmentation system including a reaction vessel with processing fluid and fragmentation product and a pair of electrodes. Two respective ends of the pair of electrodes are arranged at a distance to each other inside the reaction vessel and can be admitted with pulsed high-voltage to grind the fragmentation product positioned in a reaction zone. The system also including a solid/fluid separation device, a suspension device to keep the fragmentation product continually suspended in the processing fluid, and a transfer device to transfer processing fluid and a first share of the fragmentation product out of the reaction vessel to the solid/fluid separation device. A second share of the fragmentation product returns to the reaction zone. The system includes at least one return-flow line coupled to the solid/fluid separation device and the reaction vessel to empty the processing fluid from the solid/fluid separation device into the reaction vessel.
US08002207B2 Fuel injection valve
This invention serves to suppress the deterioration of oil tightness of a valve after welding without any change in the direction of fuel injection even with deformation of a convex portion after welding of an injection opening plate to a valve seat, as well as without any variation in the direction of fuel injection due to welding variation. In this invention, in a fuel injection valve which has a valve body for opening and closing a valve seat, and receives an operation signal from a control unit to operate the valve body so that fuel is injected from a plurality of injection holes formed in an injection hole plate welded through a welded portion to a downstream side of the valve seat while passing through a gap between the valve body and the valve seat, said injection hole plate is formed at its central portion with a convex portion which is substantially axisymmetric with respect to a valve seat axis and which has a circular-arc shaped cross section, and said welded portion is also substantially axisymmetric with respect to said valve seat axis. In addition, inlet portions of said injection holes are disposed in an injection hole arrangement surface diametrically outside of said convex portion and diametrically inside of a valve seat opening inner wall which is a minimum inside diameter of said valve seat, and said injection hole arrangement surface is coplanar with a surface having said welded portion.
US08002202B2 Air brush marker
An air brush marker includes a marker barrel having a first end and a second end, with a pump disposed at the first end of the marker barrel and a hollow nib disposed at the second end that is configured to absorb ink. A filter is disposed within the marker barrel, is configured to absorb ink and is positioned in contact with the nib. A tube is disposed within the marker barrel and provides an air passage extending from the pump to the nib. The pump is configured to supply a burst of air through the tube and the nib such that ink particles are sprayed out of the marker at the second end in a generally dispersed pattern.
US08002201B2 Hose nozzle apparatus and method
A device and method are provided for regulating two types of flow from a nozzle. The first flow is a deluge stream and the second flow is a fog spray. The deluge stream is controlled by the nozzle operator using a first flow control valve, such as a ball valve. The fog spray is controlled by the nozzle operator using a second flow control valve. The nozzle permits the nozzle operator to manually control the flow of the nozzle, thereby permitting quick regulation and adjustment of flow types and amounts to accommodate then existing fluid pressure and supply conditions to address fluid application needs.
US08002195B2 Radio-frequency identification tag
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes: a plate-shaped sealing piece made of an elastic material. An inlet is enclosed within the sealing piece. The inlet includes an electronic component and an antenna connected to the electronic component. A pair of reinforcing pieces are located respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sealing piece so as to sandwich the electronic component. The reinforcing pieces are made of a first material harder than the elastic material. A joint piece configured to couple the reinforcing pieces to each other. The joint piece is made of a second material harder than the elastic material.
US08002194B2 Smart information carrier and production process therfor
Disclosed is a smart information carrier containing a security element laminated with a transparent polymer foil having a melting point higher than 150° C. and the security element is surrounded by an edge at least 1 mm wide in which the transparent polymer foil on each side of the security element are laminated to one another, the security element including an IC-module and a fibre-containing continuous support, wherein the support is security printed on at least the side of the support nearer to the IC-module and the IC-module is encapsulated with a transparent polymer or polymer mixture with a melting point up to 150° C. wherein the transparent polymer or polymer mixtures also coats the side of the support nearer to the IC-module. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the smart information carrier.
US08002193B2 Payment card dynamically receiving power from external source
A payment card with a display and/or dynamic magnetic stripe that operates using power received from an electro-magnetic/RF signal, without the need for incorporating a battery within the payment card. In one example, a payment card includes a receiver for receiving an external electro-magnetic signal and converting it to an electrical signal for powering the payment card; a CPU coupled with the electrical signal of the receiver; a display (i.e., a persistent display) for displaying data, wherein the display receives power based on the electrical signal from the receiver; and a dynamic magnetic stripe storing magnetically readable data, wherein the dynamic magnetic stripe receives power based on the electrical signal from the receiver. Responsive to the electro-magnetic signal received by the payment card, the data displayed on the display and stored in the dynamic magnetic stripe is changed. Methods relating to a payment card are also disclosed.
US08002191B2 Segmented microencapsulated display system
A segmented microencapsulated display system that includes a substrate upon which an image is produced in a layer of microencapsulated electrophoric elements and a unit remote from the substrate that includes electronics circuitry that creates the image produced in the layer of microencapsulated electrophoric elements.
US08002189B2 Media processing device, media processing system, and control method for a media processing system
A hybrid processing device that continuously reads information from a plurality of process media can set the speed of the continuous reading process appropriately to the situation. The hybrid processing device 20 has a conveyance portion 2c, a reading control unit 28, and a discharge control unit 25 that runs a discharge process according to the result of the read process, and continuously reads a plurality of checks S according to instructions from a host computer 30. The reading control unit 28 runs a read process to read all read items when the reading accuracy priority mode is selected. When the reading speed priority mode is selected, the reading control unit 28 runs a read process to read only specific read items. In the reading accuracy priority mode the discharge control unit 25 runs the discharge process based on the results of reading all read items, and in the reading speed priority mode runs the discharge process controls the discharge process based on the results of reading only the specified read items.
US08002188B2 Method utilizing digital picture taking optical reader having hybrid monochrome and color image sensor
A portable hand held optical reader having a specially constructed two-dimensional image sensor array is operational in a bar code decoding mode and in a picture taking mode. The specially constructed image sensor array, in one embodiment, is a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor pixel array, wherein a first subset of the pixels are monochrome pixels devoid of wavelength selective color filter elements and a second subset of the pixels are color sensitive pixels including wavelength selective color filter elements.
US08002184B1 Bi-optical imaging point-of-transaction workstation with recessed upright window
A bi-optical workstation has dual windows and an imaging reader for electro-optically reading indicia on targets to be processed at the workstation through at least one of the windows. An upright window of the workstation is protected from scratching and/or contamination by deeply recessing the upright window in a raised housing portion of the workstation, and by spacing the upright window away from a front wall of the raised housing portion by a spacing exceeding one-half of an inch. A pair of protection bars is advantageously exteriorly mounted on the upright window and located in the spacing to block contact of the targets with the upright window.
US08002180B2 Portal system for a controlled space
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for monitoring and tracking an item in a controlled space. In one embodiment, a portal system that monitors the controlled space includes a radio frequency tag that is attached to inventory and a portal device, which includes a computing device, a receiver and a locking door. The receiver is configured to receive a signal from radio frequency tag, and send the signal to the computing device. The locking door is coupled to the computing device. The computing device is configured to verify whether the user is authorized to be taking inventory in and out of the controlled space through the locking door based on the received signal, and to unlock the locking door based on the received signal. The computing device has a database that includes the total value of the inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space. The computing device determines whether the user have exceeded a threshold value of inventory based on the total value of inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space, and provides a notification signal to an administrator based on the total value of inventory.
US08002176B2 Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records with improved resistance to fraud
An automated banking machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraud devices. An anti-fraud sensing system is operative in the machine to sense the probable installation of unauthorized devices on the machine. Such unauthorized devices may include for example, fraudulent card reading devices, fraudulent keypad input intercepting devices, cash outlet trap devices, deposit input diversion devices or other fraud devices.
US08002172B2 Paper collection system and device
A shredding/recycling paper collection system and device, wherein a cabinet-style housing with a self-locking door is adapted with a paper guard member to prevent unauthorized reach-in access and assist with directional feed, and wherein the door-mounted paper guard member and the uniquely supported collection bag hangers facilitate easy authorized access to collection bag contents, while also providing secure positioning for weighty materials within the housing.
US08002171B2 Package with recloseable dispenser
A package having a dispenser with reclosable features. The package has a reclosable flap that is positionable between an open position for accessing products within the package and a closed position preventing access to products within the package.
US08002168B2 Method of producing an engine wall structure
A method is provided for producing an engine wall structure that includes an inner wall, to which hot gas is admitted during engine operation, an outer wall, which is colder than the inner wall during engine operation, and at least two webs that connect the inner wall with the outer wall and delimit a cooling duct between the walls. The engine wall structure is produced by wire-electro discharge machining the duct out of a solid sheet forming the entire engine wall structure including the inner wall, the outer wall and the webs.
US08002164B2 Step-down transition of a solder head in the injection molding soldering process
A mold plate to parking location interface includes: a mold plate for holding solder; a fill head with an o-ring for dispensing solder bumps on the mold plate; a parking location for locating the fill head; and a platform between the mold plate and the parking location for relatively moving the fill head from the first location to the second location such that the o-ring decompresses as it passes over the platform.
US08002156B2 Handicraft clip
A handicraft clip is provided for forming a pleat in a cloth. The clip includes a relatively wide base plate and a narrower fastening plate connected to the base plate via a connecting hinge portion having a reduced thickness for allowing pivotal movement of the fastening plate relative to the base plate. The base plate is formed with a generally elliptical through-hole, while the fastening plate is provided with a locking protrusion to be fitted into the through-hole of the base plate when the base plate and the fastening plate are superposed on each other. The fastening plate includes a cloth holding portion of a generally constant width. The cloth holding portion is formed with a slit for insertion of a cloth. The slit extends from the distal end of the cloth holding portion toward the locking protrusion.
US08002141B2 Waterproof storage unit
A storage unit which is substantially water proof is provided. The storage unit may comprise a shell having lower edges which mate into a groove formed in a top surface of a base to provide a substantially waterproof barrier therebetween. The junction between the lower edge of the side walls and the first groove may be sealed with a water proof sealant. A front side wall of the shell may have an aperture therethrough to allow users to move items into and out of the storage unit. A door may be attached to the storage unit to prevent water from entering into the storage unit through the aperture. Moreover, a lower edge of the door body may be inserted into a second groove formed in the top surface of the base to prevent water from entering into the storage unit from under the door.
US08002140B2 Baby bowl
A bowl includes non-slip means and spoon-assisted food conglomeration means. In a preferred embodiment, the bowl is transparent. Non-slip means may include a weight structure, a non-slip material affixed to the bowl bottom either substantially continuously covering the bottom or substantially discontinuously covering the bottom. Spoon-assisted food conglomeration means may include a sloped bottom, a substantially spoon-shaped locus, a steep rim, or an inward-curving rim. The bowl may further include spillage reduction means. Spillage reduction means may include an abrupt taper terminus, a steep rim, an inward-curving rim, or a chamfered or rounded bowl vertex. Alternatively the bowl may comprise a sloped bottom terminating in a substantially spoon-shaped locus and further comprise non-slip means. In alternate embodiments the bowl may further comprise spillage reduction means or be characterized by a substantial transparent region.
US08002139B1 Method of joining a plastic tube to another tube
A method of joining a thermoplastic tube to another tube includes orienting a thermoplastic tube within an outer tube, positioning a malleable band within the thermoplastic tube, and expanding the malleable band radially until a seal is formed between the thermoplastic tube and the outer tube. The invention may also be considered an apparatus including a first tube a second tube and a malleable band. The first tube contains a portion of the second tube. The malleable band is expanded radially, forming a seal between the first and second tube.
US08002137B2 Fuel cartridge
A fuel cartridge is provided. The fuel cartridge capable of reliably suppressing fuel leakage and realizing improved safety. The fuel cartridge includes a cartridge body having a fuel supply port, and a seal member for directly closing the fuel supply port. The cartridge body has an atmosphere communication port, and the seal member directly closes the fuel supply port and the atmosphere communication port.
US08002136B2 Explosion-proof material and its processing method
The present invention provides an explosion-proof material which includes a high-porosity sheet (11); With one side(12) of the material as center, the high-porosity sheet (11) is wound into multilayer material body(1) along the direction perpendicular to the side(12); The skeleton(13) is inserted between the multilayer high-porosity sheet (11) of the material body(1); The present invention also provides a processing method for explosion-proof material, including: inserting the skeleton (13) between the high-porosity sheet (11), cutting off the high-porosity sheet (11), and the high-porosity sheet in which the skeleton(13) is inserted is wound into multilayer explosion-proof material. The present invention adopts skeleton to support the body of high-porosity sheet, and thus can effectively prevent the material body from collapse and deformation. Featured by simple structure and easiness of processing, the present invention can effectively prevent explosion accident, thus achieving the safety, environment friendness and reliability of storage-transport vessel.
US08002134B2 Doorless intermodal cargo container
In one embodiment, an intermodal cargo container includes a lid section having a rectangular box with an open bottom portion. A floor unit has a channel portion arranged around a periphery, and the channel portion receives a bottom edge of the lid section. Locking mechanisms are arranged along an edge of the lid section to couple the lid section to plural rungs that extend across the channel portion. The sliding lock mechanism includes engagement tabs that engage associated rungs extending between two walls of the channel portion. A sealing portion is provided within the channel so as to provide a fluid-tight seal when the lid section is coupled to the floor unit. A powered actuator can assist in moving the lock mechanism. A spring assembly at a corner of the floor unit provides a spring tension to the sliding lock mechanism.
US08002128B2 Decking beam rack apparatus and method
A combination of racks for the management of conventional decking beams incorporates unique racks with special features facilitating the organization, storage, protection, and shipping of decking beams when the decking beams are not in use supporting shipments of cargo. Additional features facilitate stacking of racks when loaded with beams; and for stacking of empty racks themselves in minimal space for their storage or transportation when not in use. Identification of beams and of racks for wireless location-tracking is included.
US08002126B1 Portable surf board rack and holder
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for supporting and holding items including surfboards, fishing rods, beach items and tabletops in horizontal positions raised above ground surfaces such as at the beach, and be easily transported, assembled, and disassembled when not being used. The racks can include a pair of horizontal beams. Each of the beams can have legs pivotally attached to ends of each beam. The legs can have storage positions with the legs folded up and parallel to the beams, and extended positions with the legs perpendicular to the beams and having lower ends staked into the grounds. The rack can support tabletops and surfboards in horizontal flat positions on top of the assembled horizontal beams. Fishing rods can be stored in horizontal positions in cradle shaped concave recesses so that the fishing rods can be between the surfboards/table tops and the horizontal beams. A storage bag can be used to carry and transport a folded tabletop and folded legs and beams.
US08002123B2 High density panel with rotating tray
The present invention relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a tray pivotably mounted within the front opening of a housing. The tray pivots about a hinge located adjacent one of the sides of the housing and includes a raised floor. The raised floor of the tray cooperates with the side adjacent the hinge and a bottom of the housing to define a cable path from a rear cable access port to an opening on the tray adjacent the hinge. The tray includes a plurality of connection locations and cable management structures to direct a telecommunications cable from the cable access port to a rear of the connection locations without violating bend radius rules. The tray may also include a temporary cable holder to assist in pulling cables through the rear opening into the housing. The present invention further relates to a telecommunications equipment rack with a termination panel with such a pivoting tray mounted to the rack.
US08002116B1 Vibrating stackable fine industrial mineral high speed screening unit
A single or multi-deck vibrating stackable material screening unit having a plurality of screen frames each with a plurality of compression cross members, a plurality of tension cross members, two air manifold cross members, a plurality of air operated isolation mounts, a plurality of mounting blocks, fastened to an air operated isolation mount; a vibrating screen tensioner supporting a vibrator motor and a body over and connected to the mounting blocks over all compression cross members wherein the body has a length longer than its width and the length extends from the feed inlet to the discharge spout, two relocatable removable detachable lifting mechanisms, two clevis assemblies connecting to at least two tang assemblies, and particulate falls through the screen cloth from the first screen frame to the second screen frame, while discharging a predetermined diameter particulate.
US08002115B2 Containers and other objects with integrated dispenser
Container including front, rear and intermediate panels forming a main internal compartment therebetween in which items can be stored, a flap portion of the rear panel being movable to enable access to the main compartment and expose a portion of the front panel which includes an opening. The front panel and internal panel define a side compartment communicating with the opening. A cover is arranged over the opening and includes a slit. When the dispensable items are retained in the side compartment, they can be removed from the side compartment through the slit when the flap portion is moved to expose the opening in the front panel. The container may be used as a diaper bag in which diapers are placed into the main compartment and diaper wipes into the side compartment whereby the diaper wipes are sealed in the side compartment and do not dry out.
US08002113B1 Medical seal product dispenser
A medical seal dispenser having a container molded of plastic and having clamshell portions hinged together. The clamshell portions of the container can be locked together when in a closed position. One clamshell portion includes a core holder for holding a roll of medical seals. The core holder includes speed bumps that are raised or domed protrusions on the core holder to provide rolling friction to the roll of medical seals during dispensing. This controlled rotation of the roll prevents spooling if the carrier strip is pulled out of the container too quickly.
US08002112B2 Apparatus for packaging and presenting rotary drill bits
A container is provided for packaging, shipping, storing and presenting a rotary drill bit. The container may be used with fixed cutter drill bits or roller cone drill bits. A wide variety of tools and accessory components may be disposed within the container. A bit breaker may also be attached to one end of the container using a bit breaker adapter. Bit breakers for two different sizes of rotary drill bits may be releasably engaged with a container using the same bit breaker adapter.
US08002107B2 Apparatus for transferring containers
Apparatus for transferring containers, comprising a first turntable (6) centrally fixed onto a first shaft (5) so as to rotate about a vertical axis (Z) and a plurality of first grippers (7) mounted peripherally on the first turntable (6). Each first gripper (7) is provided with at least two first arms (9) which can be actuated by a first actuator (12) so as to rotate about different first pins (10) with first parallel axes (Y, Y′) between at least a first open position, where respective first retaining portions (13) of the first arms (9) are spaced from each other so as to receive or release a container (2), and at least one first closed position, where the first retaining portions (13) are close together so as to hold the container (2) between them. Each first arm (9) of each of the first grippers (7) is provided with a slot (15) aligned with the slot of at least one other first arm (9) of the same first gripper (7).
US08002102B2 Apparatus for orienting stacks of trimmed molded articles and method
A thermoformed article stack guiding apparatus is provided with a frame, a guide ramp and an array of juxtaposed article guide channels. The guide ramp receives and guides individual stacks of inter-nested articles exiting a female die of a thermoforming trim press from multiple rows and multiple levels. A first set of article guide channels is inter-nested with a second set of article guide channels in an alternating array. Each of the first set and the second set is spread out laterally in a direction from an entrance end of the guide ramp to an exit end of the guide ramp to accept respective stacks of inter-nested articles from an upper row and a lower row of a trim press and transfer the stacks into a common exit row. A method is also provided.
US08002100B2 Device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch for vehicles
The invention concerns a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch (20) for vehicles by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator (24), comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator (24), whose output control variable actuates the actuator (24). To compensate for the strong nonlinearity of the releasing force over the releasing stroke that is typical of diaphragm springs, a controller is used, whose characteristic curve is plotted in such a way that this nonlinear curve of the releasing force is at least approximately compensated via a correspondingly coordinated actuation of the actuator (24), so that it remains essentially identical over the releasing stroke.
US08002098B2 Torque responsive release clutch for a power nutrunner
A torque responsive release clutch intended for a power nutrunner and comprises a driving clutch half (11) and a driven clutch half (10) coupled to each other for torque transfer by means of axially directed teeth (16, 17), wherein one of the clutch halves is axially movable between an engagement position and a release position against the action of a bias spring (13). Each one of the teeth (16) of one of the clutch halves (10) has a substantially prismatic shape and extends axially from a base portion (19) to a top portion (20) and comprises two surfaces (22, 23) which form between them a ridge (25). The base portion (19) of the tooth (16) has a radial extent from an inner diameter (d1 to an outer diameter (d2), and the ridge (25) extends from the inner diameter (d1 at the base portion (19) to the outer diameter (d2) at the top portion (20). The contact points between teeth (17) of the driving clutch half (11) and the teeth (16) of the driven clutch half (10) are arranged to travel along the ridge (25) during the release sequence of the clutch, whereby the torque coupling of the clutch is transferred via a smaller diameter at the beginning of the release sequence than at the end thereof. This means that the dynamic torque additive emanating from the inertia of the movable clutch half at the beginning of the release movement is added to a torque level that is lower than that at the end of the release sequence.
US08002097B2 Clutch mechanism of an outboard motor
A clutch mechanism of an outboard motor includes a forward gear and a reverse gear that are always driven in opposite directions by a drive shaft driven by a drive system, and a dog gear disposed around the output shaft. The forward gear, the reverse gear, and the dog gear are provided with a plurality of engaging projections and engaging recesses that can be engaged with each other, with the dog gear being engaged with either the forward gear or with the reverse gear by forceably moving the dog gear toward one side in the axial direction. A drive shaft has a drive gear and is driven by the drive system generating a maximum output power of about 300 ps or more, the forward gear and the reverse gear have input gears respectively which are always engaged with the drive gear, and the engaging projections and the engaging recesses are located radially inside of the input gears and disposed at least seven in a row along a circumference thereof.
US08002096B2 One-way clutch of roller type
The present invention provides a one-way clutch comprising an outer race, an inner race, a roller adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, a cage having a window for holding the roller, a spring disposed in the pocket between the outer race and the roller and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surface and having one end and the other end which include tab portions bent non-straightly from a main body portion, one of the tab portions being locked to an axial end face of the outer race, the other tab portion being pinched between an axial end face of the roller and a flange portion of the cage, and wherein one end of the spring is secured to the outer race and the other end is engaged by the roller, and the one end and the other end are connected to the main body portion of the spring via bent portions, and the bent portions are provided with interference preventing portions for interfering the bent portions with the outer race and the roller, respectively.
US08002095B2 Buckle and elastic luggage strap
A luggage holder for holding a carrying case or valise stacked upon a wheeled case having a telescoping handle includes a pair of spaced elastic cords extending from a fastener plate attachable to the wheeled carrying case. A medial bridging element connects the cords and is slidably adjustable along the length of the cords to enhance the placement of appropriate retention forces on a case stacked upon the wheeled carrying case and positioned against a telescoping handle. An adjustable spacing plate is provided to fit over the telescoping handle and includes frictional material on one side to insure retention of the spacing plate and the assembly with the telescoping handle.
US08002094B2 Vibration isolation apparatus and methods of manufacture
A vibration isolation apparatus is provided that includes a main spring and a tuned mass damper. The main spring has a first end and a second end, and is configured to resonate when vibrated within a predetermined frequency range with a first axial surge mode having a magnitude. The tuned mass damper is coupled to the main spring at a first axial position located substantially equidistantly between the main spring first end and the main spring second end and is configured to reduce the first axial surge mode magnitude at least 50% when the main spring is vibrated within the predetermined frequency range. Methods of manufacturing the vibration isolation apparatus are also provided.
US08002093B2 Damper and vibration damping structure using the same
A damper includes a hollow outer elongated body; a hollow inner elongated body; a liquid viscous body or liquid viscoelastic body disposed in a gap between an inner surface of the elongated body and an outer surface of the elongated body in such a manner as to be in contact with the inner surface and the outer surface of these elongated bodies, respectively; and first and second attaching structures. Further, a controller may be provided to control an increase or decrease in the internal pressure of the liquid viscous body or the liquid viscoelastic body.
US08002092B2 Bicycle damper
A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.
US08002091B2 Clutch between a rotary output drive shaft for a cutting device, a rotary cutter and cutting device provided with said clutch
A clutch between the rotary output drive shaft of a cutting device and a rotary cutter includes a rotor which is connected to the drive shaft and whose at least one part of the internal walls forms a friction track and a stator which bears the cutter and is driven by the rotor by pivotable friction shoes. The shoes are spring-loaded and supported by the stator, each pivotable shoe being also mounted with clearance on the plate in such a way that it is angularly displaceable between two end positions, i.e. of the clutch engaging and disengaging positions. The clutch is characterized in that the transition from the engaging position to the disengaging position is carried out during the stator deceleration by relative displacement of the shoe and the stator for compressing a second spring which brings back the shoe from the angular disengaging position to the angular engaging position.
US08002090B2 Electro-mechanical brake apparatus
The invention provides a brake apparatus in which a vibration resistance and a heat resistance are improved, in a control apparatus of an integrally structured brake in which an electric circuit portion is attached to a brake force generating portion of the brake apparatus. In the control apparatus of the integrally structured brake in which the electric circuit portion is attached to the brake force generating portion of the brake apparatus, the structure is made such that an opening is provided in a circuit side case and a connected portion is arranged in a space within the opening, in order to secure an assured electric connection after attaching the circuit portion. A connecting work can be executed from the opening portion, a vibration resistance can be improved, and a heat resistance can be improved.
US08002088B2 Self boosting electromechanical friction brake
A self-boosting electromechanical friction brake for a motor vehicle in which, with an electromechanical actuator, a friction brake lining can be pressed against a brake disk, and the friction brake lining is braced in the brake caliper via a wedge mechanism, which effects a self boosting. A friction brake lining which is pressed by the actuator has with a lower coefficient of friction, and in particular with less relative fluctuation in the coefficient of friction, than another friction brake lining positioned fixedly in the brake caliper. An operation-dictated fluctuation in the coefficient of friction and thus a change in the self boosting is reduced, and as a result the disk brake, with a low coefficient of friction, can be actuated with less actuation force and less actuation energy.
US08002084B2 Stepladder
A stepladder has a front frame, a rear frame, a bracket and multiple steps. The front frame has two front side rails and multiple rungs mounted between the front side rails. The rear frame is connected pivotally to the front frame and has two rear side rails, a crossbeam and a lock. The lock is mounted pivotally on the crossbeam. The bracket is connected pivotally and slidably to the rear frame and has multiple pivot pins. The steps are mounted pivotally on the bracket and are selectively and engaged respectively with the rungs of the front frame. The lock selectively hooks a pivot pin to stably lock the bracket for improved safety.
US08002082B2 Drag rescue device
A drag rescue device for rescuing incapacitated firefighters, emergency workers and others provides for easier and more dependable deployment as well as improved serviceability and ease of use. A method of reinforcing openings in garments is provided that can result in improved reinforced openings in garments where stress and strain may otherwise result in undue wear on the opening.
US08002081B2 Exhaust system for combustion engine
An exhaust system includes a tubular inner shell for passing therethrough exhaust gases from a combustion engine, and a tubular outer shell enclosing the tubular inner shell and cooperating therewith to define a sound silencing chamber into which the exhaust gases are introduced. The tubular inner shell forms an inner peripheral wall of the sound silencing chamber, and an upstream portion of the inner peripheral wall is formed with a perforated wall area having a plurality of communicating perforations for communicating between an interior of the tubular inner shell and the sound silencing chamber, and a downstream portion of the inner peripheral wall has a non-perforated wall area having no communicating perforation defined therein.
US08002080B1 Removable exhaust baffle
A selectively removable exhaust baffle which can be placed within an exhaust pipe to muffle the emitted sound. The removable baffle preferably includes a frame having a pair of legs joined by a spring portion. One or more transverse occluding plates are mounted on the frame. The frame is sized so that when it is pushed into the exhaust pipe it must be compressed. This compression holds the frame in place. The transverse occluding plate or plates lie against the interior wall of the exhaust pipe. The gas flow must therefore pass around the plate or plates, thereby attenuating the sound.
US08002079B2 Diaphragm for speaker, speaker using the diaphragm for speaker, and process for producing the diaphragm for speaker
A speaker diaphragm which includes a woven cloth which contains a thermosetting resin of thermo-cured state, and a paper board bonded and integrated with the woven cloth at the back surface. The woven cloth has its weave texture exposed on the front surface. The diaphragm has a high strength because it is made with a woven cloth; furthermore, its hardness is high because the thermosetting resin impregnated in woven cloth is in thermo-cured state. Thus the diaphragm helps implementing a speaker which demonstrates superior vibration characteristics in the high frequency sound region.
US08002078B2 Acoustic waveguide vibration damping
An acoustic waveguide with at least two portions coupled by vibration damping structure. The vibration damping structure may be a conformable material such as closed cell foam. The vibration damping structure may further include structure for inhibiting motion in a direction transverse to the interface between the vibration damping structure and a portion of the waveguide.
US08002077B2 Electrical power steering with air discharge system
The invention relates to an electrical power steering system for a motor vehicle with a steering housing, in which a gear system is arranged, wherein a bar mounted such as to be displaceable longitudinally in the housing is a gear element for actuating steerable wheels, and wherein the steering housing is closed off by at least one folding bellows element, which is secured on one side to the steering housing and on the other side to the bar. Rapid pressure compensation in the event of temperature change is guaranteed, because a hose is connected at one end such as to communicate with the interior volumes of the steering housing, and when in operation is secured at a second free end above the steering housing.
US08002069B2 Work machine including hydrostatic ground drive which automatically provides increased propulsion torque when the mechanical transmission is in a high gear
A work machine having a mechanical transmission in combination with a hydrostatic ground drive including a primary drive and a secondary drive engageable for providing additional propulsion torque in a power assist mode, the hydrostatic drive automatically providing an increased torque capability when the transmission is engaged in a high speed range, thereby allowing the work machine to accelerate from a complete stop to a high speed range with the transmission in a high speed range without the need to stop to shift the mechanical transmission to accommodate an increased propulsion torque requirement.
US08002052B2 Particle-matrix composite drill bits with hardfacing
A rotary drill bit includes a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material having an exterior surface and an abrasive wear-resistant material disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bit body. Methods for applying an abrasive wear-resistant material to a surface of a drill bit are also provided.
US08002049B2 Well treating method to prevent or cure lost-circulation
A method of preventing or treating lost circulation during the drilling of a well comprises the addition, at concentration ranging between about 0.5 and 6 pounds per barrel, of water-dispersible fibers having a length between about 10 and 25 mm, for instance glass or polymer fibers, to a pumped aqueous base-fluid including solid particles having an equivalent diameter of less than 300 μm.The base-fluid with the solid particles can be the drilling fluid or a small-volume pill specially pumped for curing lost circulation.
US08002048B2 Drilling implement and method for operating a drilling implement
The invention relates to a drilling implement with a derrick, a drill drive for driving a drill rod guided on the derrick and a gear, which is placed between the drill drive and drill rod for transmission purposes. According to the invention, for inverting the gear ratio, the gear is placed in disengageable and reversible manner on the drill drive.
US08002045B2 Downhole tool with load diverting system and method
A downhole tool for providing a seal downhole within a wellbore for reducing loading experienced by a sealing member of the downhole tool is disclosed. The downhole tool may include a pair of directional locking members, at least one of which is operable to transfer a loading experienced by the downhole tool through rigid components of the downhole tool, thereby bypassing the sealing member.
US08002044B2 Coupler retained liner hanger mechanism with moveable cover and methods of setting a hanger inside a wellbore
A liner hanger has a housing with a pocket disposed on an inner wall surface and a slip slidingly engaged within the pocket. A moveable cover is disposed interior to the slip thereby restricting movement of the slip from a unset position to a set position. The liner hanger housing is secured in the string of casing and an actuator is mounted on the liner. As the liner is moved through the casing coupler, the actuator actuates the cover, causing the cover to be moved so that the slip can move axially downward from its unset position to its set position. As the cover is moved, the slip moves radially inward and grips the liner to secure the liner within the casing string of the wellbore.
US08002042B2 Actuatable subsurface safety valve and method
A downhole tool includes, a tubular, a tooth profile on the tubular, at least one first actuatable latch complementary to the tooth profile and at least one second actuatable latch complementary to the tooth profile. The at least one second actuatable latch prevents movement of the tubular when actuated. Additionally, at least one actuator is in operable communication with the at least one first actuatable latch such that actuation of the at least one actuator while the at least one first actuatable latch is actuated and the at least one second actuatable latch is nonactuated causes movement of the tubular.
US08002039B2 Valve for controlling the flow of fluid between an interior region of the valve and an exterior region of the valve
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a valve. In one embodiment, the valve includes a body having a first biasing member and a sealing member configured to axially move inside the body against the first biasing member to provide a path for fluid to flow from an interior region of the body to an exterior region of the body at a first predetermined pressure difference across the sealing member.
US08002031B2 Independent measuring and processing probe for preliminary studies on a well
The invention concerns an independent measuring and processing probe designed to be lowered in a tube for temporarily installation at the bottom of a hydrocarbon well.It includes removable anchoring resources (3, 4) capable of anchoring the probe to a casing at the bottom of the well, a set of sensors, at least one of which is a seismic sensor, recording resources, resources for processing the measurements provided by the sensors, and a central body (1) integrally reamed throughout the whole of its length by an opening (2) so as to allow free passage through the probe when it is in the anchored position.Such a probe can be used in particular to effect a reliable preliminary study on the well before installing a more complete observation system.
US08002029B1 Apparatus and method for raising a fluid in a well
An apparatus, and a method which uses the apparatus, for raising a fluid from a lower region to a higher region of an at least partially cased well. The apparatus includes: a tubing string; a contacting structure at the upper end of the tubing string for engaging a stop structure in the well casing such that the tubing string is held in suspension; an exterior sealing element for sealing against the casing wall; and an internal check valve.
US08002026B2 Methods and apparatuses for electronic time delay and systems including same
Electronic time delay apparatuses and methods of use are disclosed. An explosive or propellant system, which may be configured as a well perforating system includes an electronic time delay assembly comprising an input subassembly, an electronic time delay circuit, and an output subassembly. The input subassembly is activated by an external stimulus, wherein an element is displaced to activate an electronic time delay circuit. The electronic time delay circuit comprises a time delay device coupled with a voltage firing circuit. The electronic time delay circuit counts a time delay, and, upon completion, raises a voltage until a threshold firing voltage is exceeded. Upon exceeding the threshold firing voltage, a voltage trigger switch will break down to transfer energy to an electric initiator to initiate an explosive booster within the output subassembly. The explosive booster provides a detonation output to initiate the next element explosive or propellant element, such as an array of shaped charges in the well perforating system.
US08002024B2 Heat exchanger with inlet having a guide
A heat exchanger 1 comprises a heat exchange core 4 composed of heat exchange tubes 12 in groups 13 in the form of two rows arranged in parallel in the direction of flow of air through the exchanger, a refrigerant inlet header 5 disposed on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having one row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto and a refrigerant outlet header 6 disposed in the rear of the inlet header 5 on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having the other row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto. A cap 19 for closing an opening of the inlet header 5 at one end thereof is provided with a refrigerant inlet 37. The cap 19 has a lower edge defining the inlet 37 and provided with a guide 40 upwardly slanting inwardly of the inlet header 5.