| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08034692B2 |
Structure and method for manufacturing asymmetric devices
A plurality of gate structures are formed on a substrate. Each of the gate structures includes a first gate electrode and source and drain regions. The first gate electrode is removed from each of the gate structures. A first photoresist is applied to block gate structures having source regions in a source-down direction. A first halo implantation is performed in gate structures having source regions in a source-up direction at a first angle. The first photoresist is removed. A second photoresist is applied to block gate structures having source regions in a source-up direction. A second halo implantation is performed in gate structures having source regions in a source-down direction at a second angle. The second photoresist is removed. Replacement gate electrodes are formed in each of the gate structures. |
| US08034690B2 |
Method of etching oxide layer and nitride layer
An exemplary method of etching an oxide layer and a nitride layer is provided. In particular, a substrate is provided. A surface of the substrate has an isolating structure projecting therefrom. A first oxide layer, a nitride layer and a second oxide layer are sequentially provided on the surface of the substrate, wherein the first oxide layer is uncovered on the isolating structure, the nitride layer is formed overlying the first oxide layer, and the second oxide layer is formed overlying the nitride layer. An isotropic etching process is performed by using an etching mask unmasking the isolating structure, and thereby removing the unmasked portion of the second oxide layer and the unmasked portion of the nitride layer and further exposing sidewalls of the isolating structure. The unmasked portion of the first oxide layer generally is partially removed due to over-etching. |
| US08034688B2 |
Methods of forming power switching semiconductor devices including rectifying junction-shunts
A semiconductor device includes a drift layer having a first conductivity type and a body region adjacent the drift layer. The body region has a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type and forms a p-n junction with the drift layer. The device further includes a contactor region in the body region and having the first conductivity type, and a shunt channel region extending through the body region from the contactor region to the drift layer. The shunt channel region has the first conductivity type. The device further includes a first terminal in electrical contact with the body region and the contactor region, and a second terminal in electrical contact with the drift layer. The shunt channel region has a length, thickness and doping concentration selected such that: 1) the shunt channel region is fully depleted when zero voltage is applied across the first and second terminals, 2) the shunt channel becomes conductive at a voltages less than the built-in potential of the drift layer to body region p-n junction, and/or 3) the shunt channel is not conductive for voltages that reverse biase the p-n junction between the drift region and the body region. |
| US08034687B2 |
Methods of forming a plurality of transistor gates, and methods of forming a plurality of transistor gates having at least two different work functions
A method of forming a plurality of transistor gates having at least two different work functions includes forming first and second transistor gates over a substrate having different widths, with the first width being narrower than the second width. A material is deposited over the substrate including over the first and second gates. Within an etch chamber, the material is etched from over both the first and second gates to expose conductive material of the first gate and to reduce thickness of the material received over the second gate yet leave the second gate covered by the material. In situ within the etch chamber after the etching, the substrate is subjected to a plasma comprising a metal at a substrate temperature of at least 300° C. to diffuse said metal into the first gate to modify work function of the first gate as compared to work function of the second gate. |
| US08034684B2 |
Semiconductor device with improved overlay margin and method of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor devices with an improved overlay margin and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. In one aspect, a method includes forming a buried bit line in a substrate; forming an isolation layer in the substrate to define an active region, the isolation layer being parallel to the bit line without overlapping the bit line; and forming a gate line including a gate pattern and a conductive line by forming the gate pattern in the active region and forming a conductive line that extends at a right angle to the bit line across the active region and is electrically connected to the gate pattern disposed thereunder. The gate pattern and the conductive line can be integrally formed. |
| US08034679B1 |
Fabrication of field-effect transistor having hypoabrupt body dopant distribution below source/drain zone
An insulated-gate field-effect transistor (100, 100V, 140, 150, 150V, 160, 170, 170V, 180, 180V, 190, 210, 210W, 220, 220U, 220V, 220W, 380, or 480) is fabricated so as to have a hypoabrupt vertical dopant profile below one (104 or 264) of its source/drain zones for reducing the parasitic capacitance along the pn junction between that source/drain zone, normally serving as the drain, and adjoining body material (108 or 268). In particular, the concentration of semiconductor dopant which defines the conductivity type of the body material increases by at least a factor of 10 in moving from that source/drain zone down to an underlying body-material location no more than 10 times deeper below the upper semiconductor surface than that source/drain zone. The body material is preferably provided with a more heavily doped pocket portion (120 or 280) situated along the other source/drain zone (102 or 262) normally serving as the source. |
| US08034676B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A plurality of origin patterns (3) containing a metal catalyst are formed over a semiconductor substrate (1). Next, an insulating film (4) covering the origin patterns (3) is formed. Next, a trench allowing at the both ends thereof the side faces of the origin patterns (3) to expose is formed. Thereafter, a wiring is formed by allowing carbon nanotubes (5) having a conductive chirality to grow in the trench. Thereafter, an insulating film covering the carbon nanotubes (5) is formed. |
| US08034674B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and electronic appliance
To provide a semiconductor device in which a channel formation region can be thinned without adversely affecting a source region and a drain region through a simple process and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor film, having a thickness smaller than a height of a projection of a substrate, is formed over a surface of the substrate having the projections; the semiconductor film is etched to have an island shape with a resist used as a mask; the resist is etched to expose a portion of the semiconductor film which covers a top surface of the projection; and the exposed portion of the semiconductor film is etched to be thin, while the adjacent portions of the semiconductor film on both sides of the projection remain covered with the resist. |
| US08034673B2 |
Film formation method and apparatus for forming silicon-containing insulating film doped with metal
A film formation method for a semiconductor process performs a film formation process to form a silicon-containing insulating film doped with a metal on a target substrate, in a process field inside a process container configured to be selectively supplied with a silicon source gas and a metal source gas. The method includes forming a first insulating thin layer by use of a chemical reaction of the silicon source gas, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the metal source gas; then, forming a first metal thin layer by use of a chemical reaction of the metal source gas, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the silicon source gas; and then, forming a second insulating thin layer by use of the chemical reaction of the silicon source gas, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the metal source gas. |
| US08034671B2 |
Polysilicon film, thin film transistor using the same, and method for forming the same
A crystallizing method for forming a poly-Si film is described as follows. First, forming an activated layer on a substrate, and the molecule structure of the activated layer includes carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and silicon. And then, forming an amorphous silicon film on the activated layer. Finally, performing an annealing process to crystallize the amorphous silicon film and transform it into a poly-Si film. |
| US08034668B2 |
Method for forming semiconductor device having metallization comprising select lines, bit lines and word lines
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region having a cell region and a second region having a peripheral circuit region, first transistors on the semiconductor substrate, a first protective layer covering the first transistors, a first insulation layer on the first protective layer, a semiconductor pattern on the first insulation layer in the first region, second transistors on the semiconductor pattern, a second protective layer covering the second transistors, the second protective layer having a thickness greater than that of the first protective layer, and a second insulation layer on the second protective layer and the first insulation layer of the second region. |
| US08034666B2 |
Multi-layer thick-film RF package
A method for producing a multi-layer thick-film RF package includes forming conductive layer(s) including one or more source portions, one or more gate portions, and/or one or more drain portions on a ceramic substrate. The conductive layer(s) and the ceramic substrate are fired or otherwise heated in a furnace until sintered. Thereafter, a dielectric pattern is formed on the conductive layer(s) and fired or otherwise heated in the furnace until sintered. Then, a conductive bridge is formed on the dielectric pattern, over the one or more drain portions and between the one or more source portions, which is then fired until sintered in the furnace. As a result, a monolithic, single-piece, sintered, high-frequency RF power transistor package having circuit features including a highly conductive and low capacitive bridge is produced. |
| US08034665B2 |
Microelectronic package with thermal access
A method of forming a microelectronic package including the steps of providing a three-layer metal plate, having a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A plurality of conductive elements is formed from the first layer of the metal plate. A dielectric sheet is attached to the first layer of the metal plate, such that the dielectric sheet is remote from the third layer. A plurality of conductive features is then formed from the third layer of the metal plate which are also remote from the dielectric sheet. A microelectronic element is next electrically conducted to the conductive elements and a heat spreader is thermally connected the microelectronic element. |
| US08034662B2 |
Thermal interface material with support structure
Various semiconductor chip thermal interface material methods and apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of establishing thermal contact between a first semiconductor chip and a heat spreader is provided. The method includes placing a thermal interface material layer containing a support structure on the first semiconductor chip. The heat spreader is positioned proximate the thermal interface material layer. The thermal interface material layer is reflowed to establish thermal contact with both the first semiconductor chip and the heat spreader. |
| US08034660B2 |
PoP precursor with interposer for top package bond pad pitch compensation
An electronic assembly adapted for forming package on package (PoP) devices includes a package substrate having a molded IC die thereon that defines a mold cap height and substrate contact pads lateral to the molded IC die. An interposer including an interposer substrate has bottom metal land pads and top metal land pads, interposer vias, and an open receptacle region formed through the interposer substrate. The substrate top surface is positioned relative to the interposer so that the molded IC die is within the open receptacle region to align the bottom metal land pads and substrate contact pads. An underfill layer is between the substrate top surface and the bottom side of the interposer substrate. A step height from the mold cap height minus a height of the top metal land pads is generally from 0 to 0.2 mm. |
| US08034659B2 |
Production method of semiconductor device and bonding film
To provide a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices, the method being capable of efficiently obtaining a singulated semiconductor chip upon which an adhesive is adhered and also capable of excellently bonding a semiconductor chip to a wiring substrate, and provide an adhesive film. A layered product 60 in which a dicing tape 9, an adhesive layer 3, and a semiconductor wafer 6 are stacked in this order so that a circuit surface 6a of the semiconductor wafer 6 may face the dicing tape 9 side. A cutting position is recognized by recognizing a circuit pattern P in the circuit surface 6a from a rear surface 6b of the semiconductor wafer 6. At least the semiconductor wafer 6 and the adhesive layer 3 are cut in the thickness direction of the layered product 60. The dicing tape 9 is cured to peel off the dicing tape 9 and the adhesive layer 3. A projection electrode 4 of a semiconductor chip 26 is aligned with a wiring 12 of a wiring substrate 40. The wiring substrate 40 and the semiconductor chip 26 are bonded via an adhesive layer 23 so that the wiring 12 and the projection electrode 4 may be electrically connected to each other. |
| US08034655B2 |
Non-volatile resistive oxide memory cells, non-volatile resistive oxide memory arrays, and methods of forming non-volatile resistive oxide memory cells and memory arrays
A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Insulative material is deposited over the first electrode. An opening is formed into the insulative material over the first electrode. The opening includes sidewalls and a base. The opening sidewalls and base are lined with a multi-resistive state layer comprising multi-resistive state metal oxide-comprising material which less than fills the opening. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell is formed within the opening laterally inward of the multi-resistive state layer lining the sidewalls and elevationally over the multi-resistive state layer lining the base. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated. |
| US08034653B2 |
Method and apparatus for breaking semiconductor substrate, method for breaking solar cell and method for fabrication of solar cell module
A method and apparatus for breaking a semiconductor substrate along a predetermined area over which a split groove is formed. The breaking apparatus includes a table for placing a portion of the semiconductor substrate inside the predetermined area and a breaking blade being operable to move downward from a position above the semiconductor substrate placed on the table to thereby compress a portion of the semiconductor substrate outside the predetermined area so that the semiconductor substrate is broken along the split groove. The predetermined area of the semiconductor substrate has at least a neighboring pair of sides intersecting at an angle of less than 180 degrees, and the breaking blade has a projection which, when the semiconductor substrate is broken, compresses a portion of the semiconductor substrate outside the one side so that the one side is compressed ahead of the other side. |
| US08034651B2 |
Light receiving device and method of manufacturing light receiving device
A light receiving device 1 includes a support substrate 12 provided thereon with a photodetector 11 including a photodetecting portion 111 and a base substrate 112 on which the photodetecting portion 111 is placed; and a transparent substrate 13 disposed so as to oppose the face of the support substrate 12 on which the photodetector 11 is provided. Between the support substrate 12 and the transparent substrate 13, a frame portion 14 is provided so as to surround the photodetector 11. The frame portion 14 is a photo-curing adhesive, and directly adhered to the transparent substrate 13 and the support substrate 12. Such structure provides a light receiving device capable of exhibiting the desired performance, and a method of manufacturing such light receiving device can also be provided. |
| US08034650B2 |
Fabrication method for a room temperature hydrogen sensor
A sensor for selectively determining the presence and measuring the amount of hydrogen in the vicinity of the sensor. The sensor comprises a MEMS device coated with a nanostructured thin film of indium oxide doped tin oxide with an over layer of nanostructured barium cerate with platinum catalyst nanoparticles. Initial exposure to a UV light source, at room temperature, causes burning of organic residues present on the sensor surface and provides a clean surface for sensing hydrogen at room temperature. A giant room temperature hydrogen sensitivity is observed after making the UV source off. The hydrogen sensor of the invention can be usefully employed for the detection of hydrogen in an environment susceptible to the incursion or generation of hydrogen and may be conveniently used at room temperature. |
| US08034649B2 |
Solid state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and imaging apparatus
A solid state imaging device having a light sensing section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light includes: an insulating layer formed on a light receiving surface of the light sensing section; a layer having negative electric charges formed on the insulating layer; and a hole accumulation layer formed on the light receiving surface of the light sensing section. |
| US08034648B1 |
Epitaxial regrowth in a distributed feedback laser
Optimizing the regrowth over epitaxial layers during manufacture of a distributed feedback laser. In one example embodiment, a method for depositing an InP regrowth layer on an epitaxial base portion of a distributed feedback laser includes growing a first portion of the regrowth layer at an initial substrate temperature of approximately 580 degrees Celsius to a thickness between approximately 300 Angstroms and approximately 900 Angstroms, increasing the substrate temperature from the initial substrate temperature to an increased substrate temperature of approximately 660 degrees Celsius, growing a second portion of the regrowth layer at the increased substrate temperature, doping a first part of an uppermost layer of the regrowth layer at a concentration of approximately 8.00*10^17/cm3 at the increased substrate temperature, and doping a second part of the uppermost layer of the regrowth layer at a concentration between approximately 1.90*10^18/cm3 and approximately 2.00*10^18/cm3 at the increased substrate temperature. |
| US08034647B2 |
LED with substrate modifications for enhanced light extraction and method of making same
The surface morphology of an LED light emitting surface is changed by applying processes, such as a reactive ion etch (RIE) process to the light emitting surface. In one embodiment, the changed surface morphology takes the form of a moth-eye surface. The surface morphology created by the RIE process may be emulated using different combinations of non-RIE processes such as grit sanding and deposition of a roughened layer of material or particles followed by dry etching. |
| US08034646B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting device and semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device, in particular, a light emitting element which can be easily manufactured with a wet method. One feature of the invention is a light emitting device including a transistor and a light emitting element. In the light emitting element, an organic layer, a light emitting layer, and a second electrode are sequentially formed over a first electrode, and the transistor is electrically connected to the light emitting element through a wiring. Here, the wiring contains aluminum, carbon, and titanium. The organic layer is formed by a wet method. The first electrode which is in contact with the organic layer is formed from indium tin oxide containing titanium oxide. |
| US08034644B2 |
Light emitting device
Methods of making a light emitter are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a method comprises fabricating a line of first leads, the line of first leads comprising a plurality connected individual first leads; fabricating a line of second leads, the line of second leads comprising a plurality of connected individual second leads; physically connecting the line of first leads to the line of second leads, wherein a first individual first lead is adjacent a first individual second lead; attaching a light emitting device to the first individual first lead; electrically connecting the light emitting device to the first individual second lead; encapsulating a portion of the individual first lead and a portion of the individual second lead as a single unit; and separating the encapsulated first individual lead and the second individual lead from the first line of leads and the second line of leads. |
| US08034642B2 |
Method for pretreating electrochemical capacitor negative electrode, method for manufacturing the electrochemical capacitor negative electrode, and method for manufacturing electrochemical capacitor using the method for manufacturing the electrochemical capacitor negative electrode
A negative electrode of an electrochemical capacitor includes an electrode layer using a material capable of reversibly absorbing and releasing a lithium ion. A method for pretreating the negative electrode includes forming a lithium layer on a substrate by a gas phase method or a liquid phase method, and transferring the lithium layer onto a surface of the electrode layer of the negative electrode. |
| US08034641B2 |
Method for inspection of defects on a substrate
A method for inspection of defects on a substrate includes positioning a probe of a scanning probe microscopy (SPM) over and spaced apart from a substrate, includes scanning the substrate by changing a relative position of the probe with respect to the substrate on a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the substrate, and includes measuring a value of an induced current generated via the probe in at least two different regions of the substrate. The value of the induced current is variable according to at least a shape and a material of the substrate. The method further includes determining whether a defect exists by comparing the values of the induced currents measured in the at least two different regions of the substrate. |
| US08034640B2 |
Apparatus and method to inspect defect of semiconductor device
An apparatus and method to inspect a defect of a semiconductor device. The amount of secondary electrons generated due to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) may depend on the topology of a pattern of a semiconductor substrate. The amount of secondary electrons emitted from a recess of an under layer is far smaller than that of secondary electrons emitted from a projection of a top layer. Since the recess is darker than the projection, a ratio of a value of a secondary electron signal of the under layer to a value of a secondary electron signal of the top layer may be increased in order to improve a pattern image used to inspect a defect in the under layer. To do this, a plurality of conditions under which electron beams (e-beams) are irradiated may be set, at least two may be selected out of the set conditions, and the pattern may be scanned under the selected conditions. Thus, secondary electron signals may be generated according to the respective conditions and converted into image data so that various pattern images may be displayed on a monitor. Scan information on the pattern images may be automatically stored in a computer storage along with positional information on a predetermined portion of the semiconductor substrate. When calculation conditions are input to a computer, each of scan information on the pattern images may be calculated to generate a new integrated pattern image. |
| US08034637B2 |
Techniques for coupling in semiconductor devices
Techniques for exchange coupling of magnetic layers in semiconductor devices are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device is provided. The device comprises at least two magnetic layers, and a spacer layer formed between the magnetic layers, the spacer layer being configured to provide ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the layers, the magnetic layers experiencing anti-ferromagnetic dipole coupling, such that a net coupling of the magnetic layers is anti-ferromagnetic in a zero applied magnetic field. The semiconductor device may comprise magnetic random access memory (MRAM). In another aspect, a method for coupling magnetic layers in a semiconductor device comprising at least two magnetic layers and a spacer layer therebetween, the method comprises the following step. Ferromagnetic exchange coupling is provided of the magnetic layers, the magnetic layers experiencing anti-ferromagnetic dipole coupling, such that a net coupling of the magnetic layers is anti-ferromagnetic in a zero applied magnetic field. |
| US08034634B2 |
Ultra-sensitive magnetoreduction measurement system and ultra-sensitive, wash-free assay using the same
An ultra-sensitive, wash-free method for quantitatively determining the concentration of biomolecules in a sample solution is provided. The sensitivity of the method is 1 ppt or below. The method includes providing a reagent containing magnetic nanoparticles and measuring the ac magnetic susceptibility of the reagent. Then, a sample solution containing either multiple-active epitope biomolecules or single-active-epitope biomolecules is mixed with the reagent. The ac magnetic susceptibility of the reagent after the association with the biomolecules is measured. Thereafter, the difference in the ac magnetic susceptibility of the reagent before and after the association with the biomolecules is measured and the concentration of biomolecules in the sample solution is determined. |
| US08034628B2 |
Apparatus and method for trapping bead based reagents within microfluidic analysis systems
An on-chip packed reactor bed design is disclosed that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. Also disclosed is a method of treating a sample within a microfluidic analysis system, comprising; providing a main channel having a trapping zone; providing a slurry of a reagent treated packing material; inducing a flow of said packing material into said trapping zone through a flow channel connected to said trapping zone to load said trapping zone and form a packed bed of said packing material; and flowing a sample containing analytes through said packed bed, said reagent treating the sample. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors. |
| US08034627B2 |
Methods for detecting dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydrorxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay. |
| US08034626B2 |
Labels, their production process and their uses
The present invention relates to labels capable of forming a covalent or non-covalent bond with a target molecule, consisting of a dye to which there is bonded in a covalent manner by one or more carbons of its chemical structure: one or more [FUNC] group(s), and optionally one or more [SOL] group(s), said label having the general formula: [DYE] representing the dye; [FUNC] each independently representing an —X-A-Z group, in which: X is chosen from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an NR1R2 group, R1 and R2 each being independently of each other a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C1-C30, preferably C1-C18 and more preferentially C1-C5 alkyl group; A is chosen from the group consisting of an alkylene group or an alkylene-arylene group; Z is a reactive chemical function; [SOL] each independently representing an —X′-A′-Z′ group, in which: X′ is chosen from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an NR1R2 group, R1 and R2 each being independently of each other a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched C1-C30, preferably C1-C18 and more preferentially C1-C5 alkyl group; A′ is chosen from the group consisting of an alkylene group or an alkylene-arylene group; Z′ is a polar or apolar group. |
| US08034625B2 |
Animal cell colony picking apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies is described. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit. |
| US08034623B2 |
Method for free radical initiated peptide sequencing
The present invention relates to a free radical initiator and a method for peptide sequencing using the same. Compared with diazo or peroxy functionalized precursors, the precursors using the present compounds are chemically more robust and can generate radical species by homolytic cleavage upon thermal activation, enabling sequencing of a wider variety of peptides. In addition, the present invention makes it feasible to sequence peptides carrying disulfide bonds. |
| US08034622B2 |
Selective detection of Hg2+ by calix[4]arenes
Provided herein are compounds, methods of making the compounds and methods for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ with the compounds, which are calix[4]arenes. In particular, compounds of Formula I, wherein the variables have the values described herein, may be added to a sample to be tested for Hg2+. The compound of Formula (I) fluoresces strongly in the absence of Hg2+ but is quenched upon binding of Hg2+ to form a complex. The decrease in fluorescence may be used to detect and quantify the amount of Hg2+ present in a sample. The disclosed compounds may also be used to selectively detect Hg2+ in samples containing other mono- or divalent metals. |
| US08034617B2 |
Cell culture in culture media free of components of animal origin
The present invention relates to a process for animal, preferably human, diploid anchorage-dependent cell culture, in the absence of exogenous components of primary animal origin, and to a cell culture medium substantially free of exogenous components of primary animal origin suitable for carrying out said process. In particular the invention concerns a cell culture medium which comprises at least one, more preferably several, exogenous animal-free growth factors. The present invention also relates to a process for cultivating animal, preferably human diploid anchorage-dependent cells in a medium according to the invention, involving the use of a trypsin substitute of non-animal origin for passaging cells. The invention further relates to a process for producing viruses, viral vaccines and the like. |
| US08034611B1 |
Sensor wand, and composting apparatus including same
A sensor wand is disclosed for use in a composting apparatus. The sensor wand includes an elongated body having two opposed ends and a central axis, multiple gas inlets positioned along the body for collecting gas samples, and multiple temperature sensors positioned along the body for measuring temperatures. One of the ends of the body is positioned on one side of the central axis, and the other end is positioned on an opposite side of the central axis. A described composting apparatus includes the sensor wand. |
| US08034608B2 |
Systems and methods of promoting endothelialization of a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft in a mammal
Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop subsystem is capable of adjusting at least two dynamic conditions in the specimen holder or a diameter of a specimen in the specimen holder. Embodiments of methods can promote endothelialization of a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft by placing the hybrid hemodialysis access graft or the hybrid femoral artery bypass graft in a system embodiment according to the invention under conditions effective to promote stem cells to form a confluent monolayer on the hybrid graft. |
| US08034605B2 |
Microbial materials for degradation of oils and toxic chemicals
Provided is microbial materials for degradation of oils and toxic chemicals. The microbial material comprises (a) a microorganism and culture filtrate capable of degrading oil and toxic chemicals being at least one selected from the group consisting of Trichosporon loubieri Y1-A of deposit No. KCTC 10876BP, Trichosporon cutaneum, and white-rot fungi living upon the surface of wood, (b) rapeseed oils for producing more sophorolipid in surface of the said microorganism, (c) lipophilic powder being at least one selected from the group consisting of natural wax, synthetic wax, beeswax and waste candle, and (d) a microbial nutrient. This invention further comprises (e) the Bacillus subtilis of Deposit No. KCCM 10639 and the Bacillus subtilis of Deposit No. KCCM 10640. The microbial material can efficiently, rapidly degrade contaminants that are unreadily degradable, by increasing a contact area with the microorganism capable of degrading the unreadily degradable contaminants. |
| US08034604B2 |
High viscosity xanthan polymer preparations
Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes. |
| US08034603B2 |
Nucleic acid molecule
The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism. |
| US08034600B2 |
Polypeptides having alpha-amylase and granular starch hydrolyzing activity
The present invention relates to a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity obtained from a strain of Aspergillus niger. |
| US08034595B2 |
Nitrilases and methods for making and using them
The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure α-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, α-amino acids and α-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid. |
| US08034593B2 |
Multimeric oxidoreductases
The present invention concerns multimeric oxidoreductase complexes which function in the enzymatic conversion of a carbon substrate, said complexes having a dehydrogenase subunit and a cytochrome C subunit. The invention further relates to polynucleotides coding for the multimeric complexes and methods of use thereof. |
| US08034588B2 |
Species-specific, genus-specific and universal DNA probes and amplification primers to rapidly detect and identify common bacterial and fungal pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes from clinical specimens for diagnosis in microbiology laboratories
Provided herein are methods and kits for the specific and ubiquitous detection of Streptococcus agalactiae. |
| US08034586B2 |
Method for making soluble arabinoxylans as co-product of fermentation of whole-grain cereals
The present invention provides a method for producing preparations comprising soluble arabinoxylans as co-products of ethanol production through fermentation of whole-grain cereals. The method results in preparations that are highly enriched in soluble arabinoxylans, which can be used as a food, beverage, or feed ingredients. |
| US08034585B2 |
Superagonistic anti-CD28 antibodies
The present invention relates to one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding a binding molecule specifically binding to a human CD28 molecule, comprising (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a VH region and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a VL region comprising CDRs in a human immunoglobulin framework, wherein (i) the CDRs of the VH region (CDR-H) comprise the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 2 or 18 (CDR-H3), 4 or 20 (CDR-H2) and 6 or 22 (CDR-H1) or are encoded by the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1 or 17 (CDR-H3), 3 or 19 (CDR-H2) and 5 or 21 (CDR-H1); and (ii) the CDRs of the VL region (CDR-L) comprise the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 8 or 24 (CDR-L3), 10 or 26 (CDR-L2) and 12 or 28 (CDR-L1) or are encoded by the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 7 or 23 (CDR-L3), 9 or 25 (CDR-L2) and 11 or 27 (CDR-L1); and (b) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the constant region of a human IgG1 or IgG4 antibody. |
| US08034578B2 |
PKP3 oncogene as a prognostic indicator for lung cancer
The present invention provides the method of predicting an non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis. |
| US08034576B2 |
Xanthurenic acid derivative pharmaceutical compositions and methods related thereto
The present invention relates to diuretic pharmaceutical compositions and methods and in particular to certain derivatives of the formula I: or a prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US08034569B2 |
Methods for molecular detection
This invention relates to methods for molecular detection, particularly to methods utilizing target-specific molecular probes. In exemplary embodiments, target-specific molecular probes include single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers. In general, the molecular probe may bind with relatively high specificity to a given target. In one aspect, a method for molecular detection comprises a molecular probe paired to a reporter molecule wherein the molecular probe impairs the amplification of the reporter molecule in the absence of the target molecule. |
| US08034568B2 |
Isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods and compositions
Methods and compositions are provided related to the amplification of target polynucleotide sequences as well as total RNA and total DNA amplification. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions also allow for the immobilization and capture of target polynucleotides with defined 3′ and or 5′ sequences to solid surfaces. The polynucleotides attached to the solid surfaces can be amplified or eluted for downstream processing. In some cases, nucleotides attached to solid surfaces can be used for high throughput sequencing of nucleotide sequences related to target DNA or target RNA. |
| US08034562B2 |
Method for obtaining plasmid-DNA by means of an aqueous biphasic system
The invention relates to a process for isolation of plasmid DNA from biomass by means of an aqueous 2-phase system having a polymer component and a salt component, characterized in that the resuspension of the biomass employed, the alkaline lysis of the biomass, the neutralization of the alkaline lysis batch and the separation of the plasmid DNA from the contaminants are carried out in a single reaction vessel (one-pot process) rendered possible in that the neutralization of the alkaline lysis batch is carried out in one and the same container by addition of potassium phosphate and one component of the aqueous 2-phase system is therefore already present. The second component of the aqueous 2-phase system is a PEG having a molecular weight of the mathematical average of about 600 g/mol to 1,000 g/mol. |
| US08034561B2 |
HIN-1, a tumor suppressor gene
The invention encompasses isolated DNAs encoding HIN-1 polypeptides, vectors containing such DNAs, cells containing the vectors, and isolated HIN-1 polypeptides. The invention also features methods of making and using HIN-1 polypeptides. |
| US08034560B2 |
MicroRNA-based methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-AML agents. |
| US08034558B2 |
Acridone derivatives as labels for fluorescence detection of target materials
Disclosed are new acridone dye derivatives having characteristic fluorescence lifetimes. Also disclosed are methods for labelling target biological materials employing the acridone dyes and use of the labelled materials in biological assays. The acridone derivatives have the following structure: in which Z1 and Z2 represent the atoms necessary to complete one ring, two fused ring, or three fused ring aromatic or heteroaromatic systems, each ring having five or six atoms selected from carbon atoms and optionally no more than two atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are selected from hydrogen, halogen, amide, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, mono- or di-nitro-substituted benzyl, amino, mono- or di-C1-C4 alkyl-substituted amino, sulphydryl, carbonyl, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, acrylate, vinyl, styryl, aryl, heteroaryl, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl, sulphonate, sulphonic acid, quaternary ammonium, the group -E-F and the group —(CH2—)nY; R1 is selected from hydrogen, mono- or di-nitro-substituted benzyl, C1-C20 alkyl, aralkyl, the group -E-F and the group —(CH2—)nY; where E is a spacer group, F is a target bonding group; Y is selected from sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate, phosphate, quaternary ammonium and carboxyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6. The invention also relates to a set of different fluorescent acridone dye derivatives, each dye having a different fluorescence lifetime, the set of dyes being particularly useful for multiparameter analysis. |
| US08034552B2 |
Virulent phages to detect Listeria monocytogenes in foodstuffs and in food processing plants
The present invention relates to virulent (lytic) Listeria monocytogenes phage from the Myoviridae family, preferably P100, alone or in combination with other virulent phages. P100 and the endolysin from P100 can be administered to food products, to the components that will be added to food products, and/or to the infrastructure of the food processing plants within which such food products are processed, or the containers or wraps in which such foods are stored and/or shipped, in order to reduce Listeria monocytogenes contamination. P100 can also be used in the present invention to identify Listeria monocytogenes bacteria present on (or within) foodstuffs, as well as those Listeria monocytogenes bacteria present in the equipment or the general environment of the food processing plants in which the foodstuffs are being processed and in animals infected with Listeria monocytogenes. The phage and the endolysin of the present invention can also be used to treat animals infected with Listeria monocytogenes. P100 will kill the bacteria that are within its host range with great efficiency and will propagate to high titer thereon. P100 can be combined with other lytic phage, and/or with other antimicrobial agents to reduce or eliminate Listeria. |
| US08034549B2 |
Detection of cancer by elevated levels of BCL-2
The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of cancer, such as early or late stage ovarian cancer, in a subject by detecting Bcl-2 in a biological sample from the subject, preferably a urine or blood sample. Bcl-2 may be measured using an agent that detects or binds to Bcl-2 protein or an agent that detects or binds to encoding nucleic acids, such as antibodies specifically reactive with Bcl-2 protein or a portion thereof. The invention further relates to kits for carrying out the methods of the invention. The invention further relates to a device for the rapid detection of Bcl-2 in a bodily fluid and methods for rapidly measuring Bcl-2 in a bodily fluid. |
| US08034548B2 |
Methods and materials for assessing prostate cancer therapies
Using microarray-based profiling of isogenic prostate cancer xenograft models, we found that a modest (2-5 fold) increase in androgen receptor (AR) mRNA was the only expression change consistently associated with developing resistance to antiandrogen therapy. Increased levels of AR confer resistance to anti-androgens by amplifying signal output from low levels of residual ligand and altering the normal response to antagonists. This invention provides cell based assays for use in the examination of new therapeutic modalities and provides insight toward the design of novel antiandrogens. |
| US08034546B2 |
Use of methanofullerne derivatives as resist materials and method for forming a resist layer
The use as a resist material of a methanofullerene derivative having a plurality of open-ended addends, and to a method for forming a patterned resist layer on a substrate using the methanofullerene derivatives. The methanofullerene derivatives can be represented by the formal C2x(CR1R2)m where x is at least 10, m is at least 2, each addend represented by CR1R2 is the same or different, and wherein each R1 and R2 is each a monovalent organic group, or a divalent organic group which forms a ring structure by being joined to the fullerene shell, or where both R1 and R2 of an addend are divalent groups, they may be mutually joined to form a ring structure, save that at least two of R1 or two of R2 are monovalent, or a mixture of such derivatives. The use of any methanofullerene derivative which has been chemically amplified for formation of a patterned resist layer. The essential step of the method is forming a coating layer comprising the methanofullerene derivative on the substrate surface, the methanofullerene derivative being chemically amplified by including in the coating layer at least one additional component which increases the sensitivity of the exposed layer to actinic radiation which is subsequently used to pattern the layer. |
| US08034541B2 |
Process for producing a non-transparent microvoided self-supporting film
A process for producing a non-transparent microvoided self-supporting film comprising the steps of: i) mixing at least one linear polyester having together monomer units consisting essentially of terephthalate, isophthalate and aliphatic dimethylene with the molar ratio of isophthalate monomer units to terephthalate monomer units being at least 0.02 to provide a linear polyester matrix; at least one amorphous high polymer with a higher glass transition temperature than the glass transition temperature of said linear polyester matrix and/or at least one crystalline high polymer having a higher melting point than the glass transition temperature of said linear polyester matrix; and optionally at least one ingredient from the group of ingredients consisting of inorganic opacifying pigments, whitening agents, UV-absorbers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, flame retardants and colorants in a kneader or an extruder; ii) forming the mixture produced in step i) in a thick film followed by quenching; iii) longitudinally stretching the thick film at a stretching force of >4 N/mm2 to at least twice the initial length; and iv) transversely stretching the longitudinally stretched film from step (iii) to at least twice the initial width; the use of the non-transparent microvoided axially stretched film produced according to the above-described process as a synthetic paper; and the use of the non-transparent microvoided axially stretched film produced according to the above-described process image recording elements. |
| US08034540B2 |
System and method employing secondary back exposure of flexographic plate
A method of making a relief image on a flexographic print plate including imagewise exposing a mask including an imageable material disposed on a mask substrate to form an imaged mask having a mask image in the imageable material disposed on the mask substrate, the mask image including mask image areas each having a highlight value. The method further includes laminating the imaged mask to a front surface of a flexographic printing plate precursor, and exposing selected areas of the flexographic printing plate precursor to an imagewise addressable curing radiation via a back surface of the flexographic printing plate precursor based on the highlight values of corresponding mask image areas of the mask image. |
| US08034539B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method for producing device
An exposure system includes an exposure section for irradiating a formed resist film with exposing light through a mask with an immersion liquid provided on the resist film, and a drying section for drying a surface of the resist film after irradiation. |
| US08034538B2 |
Negative-working imageable elements
Negative-working imageable element can be used to prepared lithographic printing plates. These elements include a water-soluble contrast dye having a λmax in the range of from about 450 to about 750 nm and having an absorption that is lower than 10% with respect to the absorption of the radiation absorbing compound in the element at the wavelength used for exposure. The contrast dye is present in sufficient H-aggregation such that less than 40% of the entire absorption spectrum from the contrast dye is contributed by it in non-H-aggregated form. |
| US08034529B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition and photosensitive element
A photosensitive resin composition comprising (a) a compound obtained by reacting a polybasic acid anhydride with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of a novolac-type phenol resin, and (b) a 1,2-quinonediazide compound. The photosensitive resin composition, which comprises component (b) composed of a 1,2-quinonediazide compound in combination with a component (a) obtained by reacting a polybasic acid anhydride with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of a novolac-type phenol resin, exhibits sufficiently high photosensitivity, image contrast, resolution and adhesiveness. |
| US08034527B2 |
Core-shell polymer nanoparticles and method for making emulsion aggregation particles using same
The method of making nano-sized particles for use in making emulsion aggregation toner particles, the nano-sized particles having a core portion and a shell portion, wherein the core portion of the nano-sized particles includes crystalline resin and the shell portion includes amorphous resin and is substantially to completely free of the crystalline resin. |
| US08034525B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming method is disclosed, which includes steps of cleaning toner remaining on a photoreceptor surface by a cleaning blade which is arranged on counter direction to rotation direction of the photoreceptor, supplying a fatty acid metal salt onto the photoreceptor surface after the cleaning, spreading the supplied fatty acid metal salt on the photoreceptor surface by using a spreading blade which is arranged on trail direction to rotation direction of the photoreceptor, charging the photoreceptor by a charging member, exposing the photoreceptor to form a latent image, developing the latent image by a developer to form a toner image on the photoreceptor, and transferring the toner image onto an image receiving member by a transfer roller facing to the photoreceptor through the image receiving material, in which the toner comprises a binder resin and a colorant, in which the toner has a glass transition point of from 20 to 45° C. and the binder resin contains 50% or more of vinyl polymer resin by weight based on the whole weight of the binder resin. |
| US08034523B2 |
Full color toner, and its use in electrophotography methods and apparatus
A full color toner containing a binder resin, a release agent and a colorant is provided, wherein the binder resin contains a polyester resin containing a hybrid resin containing one or more vinyl group polymer units and one or more polyester units, and wherein the content A of the hybrid resin and the content B of the release agent satisfy the following relationship: B/2≦A≦3B. |
| US08034522B2 |
Polyester toner resin compositions
Provided herein are polyester toner resins that may reduce or eliminate the use of Bis A, a common polyester toner resin material that may pose environmental and/or toxicity risks. In addition, the polyester toner resins according to some embodiments of the present invention may have desirable toner resin properties, such as hot offset resistance. |
| US08034520B2 |
Magenta toner for developing electrostatic image
Disclosed is a magenta toner, which contains magenta colorants composed of compound A represented by Formulas (1), (2) or (3) in an amount of mA and compound B selected from a group consisting of a mono-azo pigment, a naphthol pigment and rhodamine chelate pigment in an amount of mA, and a ratio of amount mA:mB is 90:10 to 55:45. are described in the specification. |
| US08034518B2 |
Photoreceptor
An electrophotographic imaging member includes a substrate, a photo generating layer, and an optional overcoating layer, wherein the photo generating layer includes a cyclic triphenylamine derivative material. |
| US08034514B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for volume phase hologram recording and optical information recording medium using the same
The present invention relates to a volume phase hologram recording material excellent in transparency, sensitivity, low curing shrinkage, and transparency, a volume phase hologram recording medium, and a volume phase hologram. A photosensitive resin composition for volume phase hologram recording contains a low-molecular-weight solvent-soluble aromatic copolymer (A) having a structural unit of a divinyl aromatic compound and a structural unit of a monovinyl aromatic compound, a photoradical polymerizable compound (B) which is copolymerizable with the soluble aromatic copolymer (A), and a photopolymerization initiator (C) as essential components. The photosensitive resin composition further contains, one kind or more of a polymer binder (D) and a plasticizer (E), and the soluble aromatic copolymer (A) is incorporated in an amount of 5 to 60% by weight. |
| US08034510B2 |
Gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell
A fuel cell includes a gas channel-forming member that forms a channel for supplying a reactant gas to a plane of an electrode. A basic structure of the gas channel-forming member is a corrugated plate portion in which ridge portions and trough portions continuously alternate with each other. In the gas channel-forming member, a plurality of corrugated plate portions are interconnected. Specifically, two adjacent corrugated plate portions are interconnected so that the trough portions of one of the two connect to the ridge portions of the other corrugated plate portion. The gas channel-forming member is disposed so that the direction of alignment of the connection planes S formed by the interconnection between the trough portions and the ridge portions is parallel to the plane of the electrode. This structure improves the diffusion efficiency of the reactant gas in the gas channel. |
| US08034507B2 |
Direct-methanol fuel cell
According to one embodiment, a direct-methanol fuel cell includes an anode into which an aqueous methanol solution is introduced as fuel, a cathode into which an oxidizing agent is introduced, an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, an anode separator which is disposed on the anode side and includes a fuel passage formed on a surface facing the anode, and a cathode separator which is disposed in the cathode side and includes an oxidizing gas passage formed on a surface facing the cathode. At least the cathode separator is provided with a coating film including a macromolecular polymer having a water-repellent functional group and an ionic functional group, the coating film being formed on at least an inside surface of the oxidizing gas passage. |
| US08034506B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern. |
| US08034501B2 |
Passive cooling system for fuel cell stack
A passive cooling system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The passive cooling system includes a plurality of cooling plates, each installed between every few unit cells, each having flow channels for flowing a primary coolant on at least one surface, and each comprising an inlet hole through which the primary coolant enters and an outlet hole through which the primary coolant that has passed the flow channels leaves; and a heat exchanger installed on a primary coolant flow line connected from the outlet holes to the inlet holes of the cooling plates to change a vapor state primary coolant to a liquid state primary coolant by cooling the primary coolant, wherein a path through which the primary coolant passes is a closed circuit, and the flow of the primary coolant is achieved by natural convection caused by vaporization of the primary coolant. |
| US08034489B2 |
Silane compound, organic electrolyte solution using the silane compound, and lithium battery using the organic electrolyte solution
Organic electrolyte solutions and lithium batteries using the same are provided. The organic electrolyte solutions use a silane compound that prevents crack formation caused by volumetric changes in the anode active material during battery charging/discharging. This improves charge/discharge characteristics, thereby also improving stability, reliability, and charge/discharge efficiency of the battery. |
| US08034488B2 |
Battery grid
A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends. |
| US08034485B2 |
Metal oxide negative electrodes for lithium-ion electrochemical cells and batteries
Provided are negative electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include metal oxides and polymeric binders. Also provided are electrochemical cells and battery packs that include electrodes made with these compositions. |
| US08034484B2 |
Electrochemical device and electrode active material for electrochemical device
An electrochemical device of the present invention comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a compound having a structure represented by the general formula (1): It is thereby possible to obtain a lightweight and high energy-density electrochemical device having an excellent cycle characteristic. |
| US08034483B2 |
Anode and lithium-ion secondary battery
An anode for lithium-ion secondary battery is provided as one capable of ensuring sufficient safety (suppression of dendrites) while achieving a higher capacity (higher density of the electrode), and permitting formation of a lithium-ion secondary battery with excellent high-rate discharge performance. An anode for lithium-ion secondary battery has a current collector, and an active material-containing layer formed on the current collector, the active material-containing layer is comprised of an outermost layer disposed on the farthest side from the current collector, and a lower layer composed of at least one layer disposed between the outermost layer and the current collector, and a degree of flexion of the outermost layer is smaller than that of the lower layer. |
| US08034480B2 |
High rate capability design of lithium ion secondary battery
A lithium ion secondary battery includes LiFePO4 as a major component of the positive electrode active material. In order to implement the high rate capability with 10 C/1 C rate larger than 80%, the invention designs a positive electrode on a current collector with a ratio (A/t) of coating area to coating thickness greater than 1.2×106 (mm) and uses more than one tab on the current collector. The design of the invention can be applied to other active materials with low conductivity as the positive electrode for lithium ion battery. |
| US08034477B2 |
Chip battery
A chip battery includes an element body including a solid electrolyte layer, a positive electrode layer, and a negative electrode layer. Current collectors are provided on the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, respectively, of the element body using a conductive material, such as Pt. In addition, protective films are provided on both end surfaces of the element body and on the current collectors so that the current collectors are exposed near the respective ends in the longitudinal direction of the element body. Further, protective films are provided on the side surfaces of the element body to define a base body. Further, terminal electrodes are provided on the base body so as to be brought into surface contact with the exposed surfaces of the current collectors on both end sides in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lamination direction of the element body. |
| US08034476B2 |
Battery module, and middle or large-sized battery pack containing the same
Disclosed herein are a battery module constructed in a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped secondary battery cells (‘battery cells’), which can be charged and discharged, are sequentially stacked on a lower plate, and an upper plate is coupled to the uppermost battery cell, wherein the plates are provided at the top and bottom and/or the right and left sides thereof with a sliding coupling structure, and the battery module is provided at the front thereof with grips, and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of battery modules. |
| US08034469B1 |
Two-level layer system with pyrochlore phase and oxides
There is described a two-Level Layer System with Pyrochlore Phase and Oxides. Besides a good thermal insulation property, thermal insulation layer systems must also have a long lifetime of the thermal insulation layer. The layer system has a layer sequence of a metallic bonding layer, an inner ceramic layer and an outer ceramic layer, which are specially matched to one another. |
| US08034466B2 |
Light-emitting element and light-emitting device using the same
The present invention provides a light-emitting element that includes a pair of electrodes, and an organic compound that has a glass-transition temperature of 150° C. or more, preferably 160° C. or more and 300° C. or less, and a metal oxide that are provided between the pair of electrodes, or includes a pair of electrodes, and a compound having a spiro ring and a triphenylamine skeleton and a metal oxide that are provided between the pair of electrodes. It is a feature that the compound has a spiro ring and a triphenylamine skeleton is a benzidine derivative represented by a general formula (1) In the formula, R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. |
| US08034458B2 |
Multilayer film structure for increasing transmittance and method for manufacturing the same
A multilayer film structure for increasing transmittance includes a transparent substrate and a multifunctional film module. The multifunctional film module is formed on a front surface of the transparent substrate and composed of a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of metal layers. The dielectric layers and the metal layers are alternately stacked onto each other, and each metal layer is formed by mixing at least two metals. Each dielectric layer is a silicon carbide compound layer that is SiC, and each metal layer is formed by mixing Ag and Cu. |
| US08034457B2 |
Seal structure and associated method
A seal structure is provided for an energy storage device. The seal structure includes a sealing glass joining an ion-conducting first ceramic to an electrically insulating second ceramic. The sealing glass has a composition that includes about 48 weight percent silica, about 20 weight percent to about 25 weight percent boria, about 20 weight percent to about 24 weight percent alumina, and about 8 weight percent to about 12 weight percent sodium oxide based on the total weight of the sealing glass composition. A method for making the seal structure is provided. An article comprising the seal structure is also provided. |
| US08034456B2 |
Surface-treated metal material and metal surface treatment agent
The present invention provides a surface-treated metal material having a film formed on at least a portion of a surface of a metal material, the film containing at least polyurethane resin and silicon oxide, and a metal surface treatment agent used to obtain the surface-treated metal material. The polyurethane resin contains one or more of siloxane bond, dehydration-condensation bond of silanol group and different functional group, and silanol moiety, and urea bond. The sum of the siloxane bond, the dehydration-condensation bond of silanol group and different functional group, total amount of the silanol moiety, and the silicon oxide falls within a range of equal to or more than 1.6 wt % to equal to or less than 25 wt % for solids of the film. The ratio of the total amount of urea bond and urethane bond to the total amount of resin components falls within a range of equal to or more than 0.1 wt % to equal to or less than 10 wt %. |
| US08034452B2 |
Moisture barrier coatings
A barrier assembly having a flexible or rigid substrate overcoated with an all polymer multilayer stack. A multilayer on the substrate includes alternating diamond-like glass or carbon layers with polymer layers. Another multilayer includes alternating polymer layers using different types of polymers. The barrier layers can be used to mount, cover, encapsulate or form composite assemblies for protection of moisture or oxygen sensitive articles. |
| US08034449B1 |
Engineered plant biomass feedstock particles
A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers. The L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top surfaces characterized by some surface checking between longitudinally arrayed fibers. The feedstock particles are manufactured from a variety of plant biomass materials including wood, crop residues, plantation grasses, hemp, bagasse, and bamboo. |
| US08034444B2 |
Porous membranes and recording media comprising same
The present invention relates to a porous membrane obtainable by polymerizing at least one type of curable epoxyacrylate monomer that is soluble in a solvent wherein at least 50 wt % of said solvent is water. The invention further relates to image recording materials, in which these porous membranes are used. |
| US08034443B2 |
Plastic composite material and method for manufacturing said material
Plastic composite material made up of a polymer matrix with a concentration of a nanofiber material and with a concentration of graphite-based particles. The matrix additionally contains at least one inorganic filler in the form of silicate-based particles or in the form of glass particles. |
| US08034442B2 |
Fiber-reinforced prepreg and composite material obtained from the same
The present invention provides a prepreg made by impregnating a resin composition into a fiber reinforcing material, the resin composition comprising 50 to 60 parts by weight of an aromatic bismaleimide (A), 30 to 40 parts by weight of an alkenylphenol ether compound (B) expressed by a specific general formula, 5 to 15 parts by weight of an alkenyl aromatic comonomer (C), and 1 to 10% by weight of a thermoplastic resin (D) soluble in (B) or (C) based on the total amount of (A), (B) and (C), the aromatic bismaleimide (A) including 90% by weight or more of bismaleimide diphenylmethane, and a composite material having a glass transition temperature of 260 to 350° C. obtained by heat-curing the prepreg. The invention also provides a prepreg for obtaining a fiber-reinforced composite material excellent in solvent resistance, thermal oxidation resistance and the like while maintaining thermal resistance inherent in an aromatic bismaleimide resin used as a matrix resin and a fiber-reinforced composite material obtained from the prepreg. |
| US08034440B2 |
Elastomeric film and laminates thereof
An elastomeric film includes a first layer co-extruded with a second layer. The first layer includes a single-site catalyzed ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer having a density of about 0.860 to about 0.900 grams per centimeter. The second layer includes a styrene copolymer selected from styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, or styrene-(ethylene/propylene)-styrene-(ethylene/propylene). The first layer may optionally include filler particles. An extensible laminate including the elastomeric film is also disclosed. |
| US08034428B2 |
Reinforced sandwich structure
The present invention relates to a reinforced sandwich structure (10) comprising stacked in height direction thereof, at least one top layer (2) and at least one bottom layer (3) comprising a fibrous reinforcing material, which top and bottom layer sandwich between them at least one core (1) of a foamed material, the sandwich structure being impregnated with a resin material. The at least one core material comprises at least one insert (9) which extends in height direction of the reinforced sandwich structure (10) over at least part of the height thereof and in at least one of the longitudinal and transversal direction thereof. The at least one top layer (2), the at least one bottom layer (3) and the at least one core material which comprise the at least one insert are connected to each other by means of reinforcing fibers, at least part of which extend in height direction of the sandwich structure. |
| US08034427B2 |
Friction material composition and friction material produced therewith
Disclosed is a friction material composition, comprising a fiber matrix, a binder, an organic filler, and an inorganic filler, wherein the fiber matrix contains at least two types of mineral fibers different in average fiber length from each other, and the difference between the minimum value and the maximum value among the average fiber lengths of the mineral fibers is 50 μm or more. Also disclosed is a friction material produced by pressure-molding the friction material composition while heating. Further disclosed is a friction material having an underlayer material interposed between a friction surface and a back metal, while the underlayer material is produced by pressure-molding the friction material composition while heating. |
| US08034423B2 |
Recording medium, method for manufacturing same, and inkjet recording method
A recording medium in which a base paper, a first layer including a binder, and a second layer including kaolin and at least one pigment selected from calcined kaolin, delaminated kaolin, and amorphous silica are laminated in that order. A total content of at least one pigment selected from the group of pigments is 10% or more of the total amount of pigments in the second layer. A Cobb water absorption degree within a contact time of 120 sec in a water absorption test at a surface of the first layer of the base paper provided with the first layer is than 2.0 g/m2 or less, and a water absorption amount within a contact time of 0.5 sec determined by a Bristow test at a surface of the second layer is from 2 mL/m2 to 8 mL/m2. |
| US08034420B2 |
Benzotriazole compound-containing composition and light-emitting device using the composition
Disclosed is a composition containing a compound having a benzotriazole ring structure and a phosphorescent compound. |
| US08034418B2 |
Method for forming thin film and apparatus therefor
A plurality of antenna elements, each of which has first and second linear conductors whose first ends are electrically interconnected are formed. The antenna elements are arranged in plane in such a way that the first and second linear conductors are alternated and separated from one another at regular intervals, thereby forming one or more array antennas which are disposed in a chamber. The second ends of the first linear conductors are connected to a high-frequency power supply, and the second ends of the second linear conductors are connected to ground. A plurality of substrates are parallel placed on both sides of the array antennas at distances approximate to the distances between the linear conductors. A film is formed by introducing an ingredient gas into the chamber. |
| US08034413B2 |
Method for manufacturing magnetic recording media
A method for manufacturing discrete track media and patterned media is disclosed which enables a magnetic recording layer having excellent magnetic characteristics to be obtained without imparting damage to a crystal orientation control layer which is at the surface when forming the magnetic recording layer. The method for manufacturing magnetic recording media comprises a process of forming a soft magnetic layer on a substrate; a process of forming a first crystal orientation control layer on the soft magnetic layer; a process of providing a depression in at least a portion of the first crystal orientation control layer; a process of performing heat treatment of the first crystal orientation control layer; and a process of forming a magnetic recording layer on the first crystal orientation control layer. |
| US08034410B2 |
Protective inserts to line holes in parts for semiconductor process equipment
Inserts are used to line openings in parts that form a semiconductor processing reactor. In some embodiments, the reactor parts delimit a reaction chamber. The reactor parts may be formed of graphite. A layer of silicon carbide is deposited on surfaces of the openings in the reactor parts and the inserts are placed in the openings. The inserts are provided with a hole, which can accept another reactor part such as a thermocouple. The insert protects the walls of the opening from abrasion caused by insertion of the other reactor part into the opening. |
| US08034409B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for fabricating three dimensional integrated circuits
The present invention pertains to methods, apparatuses, and systems for fabricating three-dimensional integrated circuits. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a wafer or other substrate having a plurality of through holes. In addition, the method includes supporting the wafer or other substrate with a wafer or other substrate holder mounted in a process chamber. The method further includes generating a pressure differential between the front side of the wafer or other substrate and the back side of the wafer or other substrate while the wafer or other substrate is supported on the wafer or other substrate holder so that the pressure differential causes fluid flow through the through holes. Also, the method includes establishing process conditions in the process chamber for at least one process to fabricate integrated circuits. Embodiments of a system and embodiments of an apparatus according to the present invention are also presented. |
| US08034408B2 |
One-dimensional metal and metal oxide nanostructures
Metal powder (such as tin, titanium, or tungsten powder) is heated in a flowing stream of an inert gas, such as argon, containing a small abundance of oxygen at a temperature to produce metal vapor. The metal reacts with the oxygen to form and deposit one-dimensional nanostructures of oxygen-containing metal on the metal powder (in the case of Ti and W) or on a suitable nearby substrate in the case of the lower melting tin. The metal oxides are not necessarily stoichiometric compounds. Water may be introduced into the flowing inert gas to increase or control the oxygen content. Sulfur vapor or a carbon source may be introduced to dope the nanostructures with sulfur or carbon. Reaction conditions may be modified to vary the shapes of the one-dimensional nanostructures. |
| US08034405B2 |
Method for coating a substrate with a solvent-free yield point fluid
The invention relates to a method for coating a substrate with a fluid. This method comprises the steps: (i) of supply of a substrate and of a yield point fluid; and (ii) of shearing of the fluid and of application of the fluid to the substrate, the fluid supplied comprising a solvent-free reactive polyurethane mixture. |
| US08034401B2 |
Pattern forming method and pattern forming apparatus
A plurality of conductive patterns are formed so as to be arranged in a scanning direction of a recording head. A state of each of the conductive patterns and a state between the adjacent conductive patterns are electrically checked to detect a wire break and a short circuit in the conductive patterns. |
| US08034400B2 |
Soft-lift off of organic nanofibers
The invention relates to a method of releasing an ensemble of nanofibers from a dielectric substrate as well as to applications of the method. The organic nanofibers are grown on the substrate and can be released by first providing a polar liquid to a surface of the substrate and subsequently supplying energy to the combined system of nanofibers and liquid. The release may preferably be followed by transferring the released nanofibers to another substrate for application of the nanofibers, including alignment and/or structuring of the nanofibers. The applications includes light emitting, guiding and sensing applications. |
| US08034399B2 |
Method of manufacturing ink jet head and apparatus using sealants
An ink jet head has a head substrate including discharge elements for discharging ink, with an electric wiring board being electrically connected to the head substrate, in which the periphery of the head substrate is sealed with a first sealant, and an electric splice between the head substrate and the electric wiring board is sealed with a second sealant. The first and second sealants contain the same base resin and curing agent, and the second sealant shows higher hardness than the first sealant after curing. This ink jet head is free from problems such as cavities and fissures at the boundary of the two sealants caused by a difference in linear expansion coefficients. |
| US08034398B2 |
Secure tag coding
A secure tag coding method and device. The method comprises: providing a first type of secure tag having a first luminescence profile to indicate a first level code; providing a second type of secure tag having a second luminescence profile different from the first luminescence profile to indicate a second level code; mixing secure tags of the first type with secure tags of the second type in a predetermined ratio so that excitation of the mixed secure tags produces a composite of the first luminescence profile and the second luminescence profile, from which composite a multi-level code can be ascertained; and applying the mixture of first and second types of secure tags to a substrate. The substrate carrying this secure tag coding arrangement provides multi-level codes. The device for selecting and applying the secure tag coding arrangement to the substrate is also described. |
| US08034394B2 |
Hydroalcoholic fat emulsion and emulsifier for use therein
A hydroalcoholic fat emulsion having at least 1% alcohol by volume and at least 1% fat by weight and an emulsifier is shown. The invention also relates to an emulsifier suitable for use in a hydroalcoholic fat emulsion, wherein the emulsion has at least 1% alcohol by volume and at least 1% fat by weight. The emulsifier is a glycoprotein which has at least one protein and at least one carbohydrate covalently bonded and the invention further relates to the use of the glycoprotein as an emulsifier in a hydroalcoholic fat emulsion. |
| US08034392B2 |
Oil-in-water type emulsion
The present invention provides an oil-in-water type emulsion for light-exposing food having photodegradation-resistance, which has good taste and flavor with less deterioration such as off-taste and off-flavor even when irradiating light from a fluorescent lamp, etc. The first embodiment thereof is an oil-in-water type emulsion for light-exposing food containing fat and nonfat milk solids, wherein the fat is non-milk fat, or non-milk fat and milk fat, and the non-milk fat has such a constituent fatty acid composition that the total amount of lauric acid and palmitic acid is not less than 40%, the total amount of oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid is not more than 50% and the total amount of linoleic acid and linolenic acid is not more than 5%; and the ratio of milk fat/total fat is not more than 0.95. The second embodiment thereof is a nonfat milk solid-containing oil-in-water type emulsion for light-exposing food, which is the same as the emulsion of the first embodiment and the fat is non-milk fat having the above constituent fatty acid composition. |
| US08034387B2 |
Formulation of a mixture of free-B-ring flavonoids and flavans for use in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline and age-related memory impairments
The present invention provides a novel method for preventing and treating memory and cognitive impairment resulting from oxidative stress, inflammation and the process of aging, as well as, neurodegenerative conditions. The method is comprised of administering a composition comprising a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans synthesized and/or isolated from a single plant or multiple plants to a host in need thereof. The present also includes a novel method for simultaneously inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, preventing ROS generation and augmenting anti-oxidant defenses. The activity of this composition is conducive to ultimately preserving cognitive function and providing a level of neuroprotection. |
| US08034385B2 |
Anti-ageing skin cosmetic
The invention relates to a cosmetic based on various natural raw materials, which can be used to counter ageing processes of the human skin. The inventive cosmetic contains 0.1-5% by weight of an extract from a mixture of fig leaves and fruits, 0.1-3% by weight of an extract from pomegranate fruits, 0.001-0.5% by weight of a ground dry mixture of rosemary stems and leaves, 0.01-3% by weight of liposomes containing an extract from peeled musk melons, 0.1-5% by weight of liposomes containing a plankton extract containing the photolyase enzyme, 0.1-5% by weight of liposomes containing 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, in relation to the liposome weight, of a micrococcus lysate containing the UV-endonuclease enzyme; and up to 100% by weight, other active substances, carrier substances, adjuvants or mixtures thereof. |
| US08034378B2 |
Immunogenic compositions containing phospholipid
Immunogenic compositions containing phospholipid adjuvants, including microparticle and emulsion compositions. According to one aspect of the invention, an immunogenic microparticle composition is provided that comprises: water; a polymer microparticle comprising a biodegradable polymer, e.g., a polymer selected from a poly(α-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and a polycyanoacrylate; an antigen adsorbed to the microparticle; and a phospholipid compound, e.g., a synthetic phospholipid compound comprising: (i) one or more phosphoryl groups independently selected from a phosphate group and a phosphodiester group; (ii) a plurality of linear alkane groups. According to another aspect of the invention an immunogenic emulsion composition is provided that comprises: water; a metabolizable oil; an emulsifying agent; an antigen; and a phospholipid compound, e.g., a synthetic phospholipid compound like that above. The emulsion composition is an oil-in-water emulsion having oil and aqueous phases, in which the oil phase is in the form of oil droplets, substantially all of which are less than 1 micron in diameter. |
| US08034375B2 |
Combinations and modes of administration of therapeutic agents and combination therapy
The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime. |
| US08034373B2 |
Methods and compositions for reducing oxidative stress in an animal
Methods for the reduction or prevention of oxidative stress in an animal comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising astaxanthin and/or Vitamin E are described. Also described are compositions comprising astaxanthin and/or Vitamin E, the compositions being effective for the reduction or prevention of oxidative stress in an animal. |
| US08034371B2 |
Intranasal compositions
The present invention provides compositions for the intranasal administration of zolpidem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferred compositions of the invention are in the form of aqueous solutions. Optionally the compositions of the invention comprise a cyclodextrin and/or chitosan, a salt or derivative thereof or a salt of a derivative of chitosan. The compositions can be used for the treatment or prevention insomnia or the treatment of neurological disorders such as those arising from brain trauma, stroke and spinocerebellar ataxia or in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. |
| US08034367B2 |
Tissue adhering compositions
A method mixes a first component, a second component, and a buffer material. The first component includes an electrophilic polymer material comprising poly(ethylene glycol) having a functionality of at least three. The second component includes a nucleophilic material comprising a natural or synthetic protein at a concentration of about 25% or less that, when mixed with the first component within a reaction pH range, cross-links with the first component to form a non-liquid, three-dimensional barrier. The buffer material includes tris-hydroxymethylaminomethane having a pH within the reaction pH range. The method applies the mixture to adhere to a tissue region. |
| US08034353B2 |
Peptide vaccine for inducing the production of anti-amyloid β-peptide antibody
An object of the present invention is to provide a peptide vaccine for preventing and/or treating diseases caused by amyloid β-peptide, such as Alzheimer's disease. The present invention solves the above object by providing a peptide vaccine constructed by inserting a peptide having an amino acid sequence of a cell attachment motif of a cell adhesive molecule to a peptide which consists of a peptide having an amino acid sequence of multiagretope type T-cell epitope, which has been generated immunological memory, or a peptide including the same; an linker peptide; and a peptide having an amino acid sequence of a B cell epitope which is a specific region of amyloid β-peptide or a peptide including the same. |
| US08034352B2 |
Tetrameric cytokines with improved biological activity
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming cytokine-antibody complexes using dock-and-lock technology. In preferred embodiments, the cytokine-MAb DNL complex comprises an IgG antibody attached to two AD (anchor domain) moieties and four cytokines, each attached to a DDD (docking and dimerization domain) moiety. The DDD moieties form dimers that bind to the AD moieties, resulting in a 2:1 ratio of DDD to AD. The cytokine-MAb complex exhibits improved pharmacokinetics, with a significantly longer serum half-life than either naked cytokine or PEGylated cytokine. The cytokine-MAb complex also exhibits significantly improved in vitro and in vivo efficacy compared to cytokine alone, antibody alone, unconjugated cytokine plus antibody or cytokine-MAb DNL complexes incorporating an irrelevant antibody. In more preferred embodiment the cytokine is G-CSF, erythropoietin or INF-α2b. |
| US08034351B2 |
Mucin fusion polypeptide vaccines, compositions and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods for augmenting vaccine immunogenicity using mucin-immunoglobulin fusion proteins. |
| US08034350B2 |
Methylated tat polypeptides and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides isolated methylated Tat peptides; and compositions comprising the peptides. The present invention further provides isolated antibodies specific for a Lys-51-methylated Tat polypeptide. Also provided are methods of identifying agents that inhibit Lys-51 methylation of a Tat polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of treating an immunodeficiency virus infection in a mammalian subject. |
| US08034348B2 |
Prevention and treatment of amyloidogenic disease
The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in the brain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that induce a beneficial immunogenic response against the amyloid deposit. The methods are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Preferred agents including N-terminal fragments of Aβ and antibodies binding to the same. |
| US08034347B2 |
Method for inhibiting apoptosis through the p75 neurotrophin receptor
The present invention provides an isolated protein comprising a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin, methods for producing the protein, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the isolated protein. The invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes the protein and a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further provides a method for cleaving a proneurotrophin protein to a mature neurotrophin. In addition, the invention relates to methods for inducing apoptosis in a cell of a mammal expressing p75 surface receptors or p75 and trk receptors. The methods include causing the p75 receptor to bind a pharmaceutical composition containing a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin or administering to the mammal an effective amount of a cleavage-resistant proneurotrophin and an inhibitor of trk activation. The invention also relates to a method for inhibiting apoptosis of a cell in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a molecule which inhibits binding of a proneurotrophin to a p75 receptor. Also provided, are kits and methods for screening a human for a condition associated with undesired apoptosis. |
| US08034345B2 |
Anti-PCI antibody for regulating liver regeneration/repair
The present invention relates to uses of PCI, which inhibits HGFa activity, and to uses of anti-PCI antibodies, which neutralize HGFa inhibition; and to agents for regulating and controlling tissue regeneration and/or repair, with PCI as an active ingredient; and to agents for enhancing tissue regeneration and/or repair, with anti-PCI antibodies as active ingredients (particularly, anti-PCI antibodies with the action of neutralizing PCI (anti-PCI neutralizing antibodies)). |
| US08034340B2 |
Method for treating an immune disorder by decreasing NIK-SIVA complex formation
Methods and agents for immune modulation and methods for identifying putative immune modulators are provided. |
| US08034338B2 |
Immunogenic recombinant antibody
The invention refers to an immunogenic recombinant antibody designed for immunization of primates comprising at least a part of a murine IgG2a subtype amino acid sequence and a mammalian glycosylation. |
| US08034337B2 |
Interleukin-1α antibodies
Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors. |
| US08034329B2 |
Repair and regeneration of renal tissue using human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells
Methods for treating a patient having a disease or damage to at least one kidney are provided. The methods comprise administering cells obtained from human umbilical cord tissue, or administering pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cells or prepared from such cells. When administered, the cells promote and support the repair and regeneration of the diseased or damaged kidney tissue in the patient. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the inventive methods, as well as kits for practicing the methods are also provided. |
| US08034326B2 |
IL-21 variants
IL-21 variant are provided wherein amino acids have been deleted and/or substituted in the region consisting of amino acid No. 65-96. |
| US08034325B2 |
Powder formed of particles of biliquid foam entrapped within polymeric matrix
A discrete powder which includes particles in which a biliquid foam has been entrapped within a matrix of a polymeric material. A process for the preparation of these discrete powders includes the steps of: i) preparing a biliquid foam, ii) forming a dispersion of the biliquid foam in an aqueous solution, suspension or dispersion of a polymeric material, and iii) subjecting the dispersion to drying under conditions such that a discrete powder is formed. |
| US08034324B2 |
Hair treatment compositions
A hair treatment composition comprising a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive emulsion in which the emulsion comprises a disperse organic solvent phase in a continuous water phase. |
| US08034323B2 |
Cosmetic compositions having in-situ silicone condensation cross-linking
Compositions and methods for the in situ formation of cross-linked organosiloxane films are disclosed. The disclosed films are long-lasting, flexible, transfer-resistant, water-resistant and oil-resistant. The film-forming compositions generally comprise alkoxy-terminated organosiloxane polymers and a catalyst and are useful for formulating cosmetics and personal care products. |
| US08034315B2 |
Methods of forming devices comprising carbon nanotubes
Some embodiments include devices that contain bundles of CNTs. An undulating topography extends over the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is directly over the CNTs, with the material being a plurality of particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. Some embodiments include methods in which a plurality of crossed carbon nanotubes are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The CNTs form an undulating upper topography extending across the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is deposited over the CNTs, with the material being deposited as particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. |
| US08034313B2 |
Recovery method of silicon slurry
In slicing a crystal bar into silicon wafers, an average about 40% of silicon would be loss due to the widths of slicing wires themselves. The fact that the silicon slurry is discarded as sludge or discarded after recovering silicon carbide particles causes a large waste of cost. If the silicon slurry (40% of silicon) could be recovered as the raw material for growing silicon crystal bars, the production cost would be lowered. The recovery method of silicon slurry according to the present invention could effectively obtain silicon raw material after removing impurities, which could recover the raw material used in solar crystals, further capable of increasing the silicon crystal production and lowering the cost. |
| US08034312B2 |
Purification of phosphoric acid rich streams
The invention relates to a method for the purification or recovery of orthophosphoric acid rich streams by suspension-based melt crystallization. The orthophosphoric acid is crystallized as the hemi-hydrate form and subsequent separation of such crystals in a wash-column produce a high purity acid/water solution that has been depleted of most of the metals and impurities other than water, thereby separating an orthophosphoric acid rich feed liquor into an ultra-pure orthophosphoric acid hemi-hydrate and a mother liquor containing almost all impurities originally present in the feed. The orthophosphoric acid rich feed liquor typically contains no more than 15 wt % water and 1 wt % other impurities. Individual metal ion composition in the purified orthophosphoric acid product is in the range of 100 to 1000 ppb (parts per billion= 1/1000 ppm) of each metal ion. The metal ion composition of the resulting purified product is thus typically below the detection limit of typical analysis equipment. |
| US08034311B2 |
Oxidation catalyst and exhaust-gas purification system using the same
An oxidation catalyst that efficiently promotes oxidation of NO to NO2 even in a low temperature range, and an exhaust-gas purification system and method that efficiently removes exhaust-gas components even in a low temperature range are provided. This invention provides an oxidation catalyst comprising platinum and palladium as catalytically active components, which promotes oxidation of nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide, wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises 1 to 55 parts by weight of the palladium relative to 100 parts by weight of the platinum. |
| US08034310B2 |
High-efficiency catalytic converters for treating exhaust gases
Several embodiments of high-efficiency catalytic converters and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a catalytic converter for treating a flow of exhaust gas comprising a reaction chamber, a heating enclosure enclosing at least a portion of the reaction chamber, and an optional coolant channel encasing the heating enclosure. The reaction chamber can have a first end section through which the exhaust gas flows into the reaction chamber and a second end section from which the exhaust gas exits the reaction chamber. The heating enclosure is configured to contain heated gas along the exterior of the reaction chamber, and the optional coolant channel is configured to contain a flow of coolant around the heating enclosure. The catalytic converter can further include a catalytic element in the reaction chamber. |
| US08034307B2 |
Filter for automated slide preparation system
A vessel for collecting biological particulate matter suspended in fluid includes a body having first and second ends and a fluid passageway there between. A filter member is disposed at one of the first and second ends of the body, the filter member having a porosity that permits passage of fluid but retains at least a portion of the biological particular matter. The exterior surface of the body portion includes at least one agitation member. The agitation member may be formed, for instance, as a blade, fin, projection, helical ring, or other protuberance. |
| US08034299B2 |
Catalyst carrier and exhaust gas treatment apparatus
A catalyst carrier including a ceramic block having two open faces, an outer peripheral surface, and multiple cells divided by a cell wall and extending between the open faces. The ceramic block has multiple honeycomb units combined by interposing an adhesive layer, where the honeycomb units include an outer-peripheral-side honeycomb unit and a center-side honeycomb unit combined to form the outer peripheral part and the center part, respectively, of the block. The outer-peripheral-side honeycomb unit has an outer peripheral cell wall forming the outer peripheral surface of the outer-peripheral-side honeycomb unit. The outer peripheral cell wall includes an outermost peripheral cell wall forming part of the outer peripheral surface of the block. A cell of the outer-peripheral-side honeycomb unit in contact with the outermost peripheral cell wall thereof has a corner part having a curved surface, where the corner part is on the side contacting the outermost peripheral cell wall. |
| US08034297B2 |
Transfer pipe between loop reactors
The present invention discloses a transfer system between the first and second reactors in a double loop reactor that is equipped to reduce clogging in the transfer lines by providing a regulation mechanism arranged to insure equivalent flushing in each transfer line. |
| US08034296B2 |
Microfluidic card for RBC analysis
A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample. |
| US08034292B2 |
Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples
An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation. |
| US08034290B1 |
Reigniting flame in volatile organic compound device
Reigniting a flame in a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector in the event that the flame has gone out. In one implementation, a signal is received at a handheld personal computer indicating that a flame in the VOC detector has gone out. The flame in the VOC detector may then be reignited using the handheld personal computer and a Bluetooth enabled device facilitating communication between the handheld personal computer and the VOC detector. |
| US08034288B2 |
Method and apparatus for cleaning of viable donor soft tissue
A process for cleaning donor soft tissue by removing contaminants by extraction using a fluid at supercritical temperature and pressures while preserving the integrity of the tissue. |
| US08034287B2 |
Radiation sterilization of medical devices
Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed. |
| US08034281B2 |
Dual container system
A container system is adapted to withstand impacts and features a first container having a first container body and a second container having a second container body. The second container defines a second body height and a second body wall thickness. A body recess is formed in the second container body for releasably engaging the first container body of the first container. A body recess defines at least one recess top and bottom corner and recess vertical edge having a recess top and bottom corner and vertical edge wall thickness, respectively, and which are intentionally thinned so as to have a thickness that is less than the second body wall thickness. The recess top and bottom corners and vertical edges are specifically configured to be deformable in response to an impact imposed thereagainst such that at least a portion of the impact shock is absorbed by the deformation in order to avoid rupture of the second container. |
| US08034279B2 |
Method and device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successively solidifying layers of a building material at positions in the respective layer corresponding to the cross-section of the object is provided, wherein at least a partial region of a layer is solidified such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S), and at least a partial region of a subsequent layer is exposed such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S) that are rotated with respect to the solidification lines of the pattern of the previous layer by an angle (α) that differs from 180°, 90° and 45°. |
| US08034274B1 |
Method for fabricating an anti-fatigue mat employing multiple durometer layers
A method is disclosed for fabricating an anti-fatigue mat that employs a layer of resilient gel material that exhibits a first durometer. The method employs a frame assembly that receives a flexible support sheet. The frame assembly includes an aperture that receives a layer of heated liquid gel which cools to form the layer of resilient gel material exhibiting the first durometer. In one embodiment, a barrier layer exhibiting a second durometer is situated on the gel layer that exhibits the first durometer. In one embodiment, the barrier layer prevents the flow of oils from the gel layer to a flexible base sheet disposed on the barrier layer. In another embodiment, the flexible base sheet may exhibit a second durometer. In either embodiment, the layers exhibiting the first and second durometer cooperate to influence the feel of the mat to the user. |
| US08034264B2 |
Process for the preparation of colored blanks and dental shaped parts
The invention relates to compositions based on ZrO2, and single- and multi-colored blanks made from oxide ceramics, and a process for their preparation, in which oxide ceramic powder is coated with a coloring substance, the coated powders are preferably graded and at least one colored powder is filled into a compression mould, the colored powder or powders are compressed to produce a shaped body, and the compressed shaped body is sintered to produce a blank, and to the use of these blanks for the preparation of dental restorations. |
| US08034262B2 |
Optical element for stabilizing refractive index profiles using polymer mixtures
An optical element comprising: a first monomer polymerized while in the presence of a second monomer to form a first polymer intermixed with the second monomer, the first polymer having a spatially varying degree of cure that provides a predetermined refractive index profile; and the second monomer polymerized in the presence of the first polymer to form a second polymer intermixed with the first polymer, the second polymer stabilizing the refractive index profile. |
| US08034261B2 |
Anisotropic conductive film composition, anisotropic conductive film including the same, and associated methods
An anisotropic conductive film composition includes a polymer resin, a first epoxy resin including at least one of a bisphenol epoxy resin, a novolac epoxy resin, a glycidyl epoxy resin, an aliphatic epoxy resin, and an alicyclic epoxy resin, a second epoxy resin including an acetal epoxy resin, an epoxy resin curing agent, and conductive particles. |
| US08034259B2 |
Inorganic particle conjugates
The ionic conjugates include an inorganic particle electrostatically associated with a macromolecule which can interact specifically with predetermined chemical species or biological targets. |
| US08034258B2 |
Dense high-speed scintillator material of low afterglow
The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu(2-y)Y(y-z-x) CexMzSi(1-v)M′vO5, in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M′ represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high. |
| US08034256B2 |
Naphthalene derivative, material for organic electroluminescence device, and organic electroluminescence device using the same
A naphthalene derivative represented by the following formula (1) is provided. In the formula (1), Ar1 and Ar2 each represent an aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms forming a ring. The aromatic hydrocarbon cyclic group has none of anthracene skeleton, pyrene skeleton, aceanthrylene skeleton and naphthacene skeleton. Ar3 represents a benzene skeleton or a naphthalene skeleton. R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, a cyano group, a silyl group or a halogen atom. a and b each represent an integer in a range of 0 to 4. m and n each represent an integer in a range of 1 to 4. |
| US08034254B2 |
Optical adhesive for liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes first and second opposing substrates having first and second opposing surfaces, respectively, at least one of the surfaces having a metal disposed thereon, the substrates bonded together with an adhesive in contact with the metal, the adhesive comprising a blend of: a pressure sensitive adhesive component comprising at least one polymer having acid or base functionality, a high Tg polymer having a weight average molecular weight greater than 100,000 and having an acid or base functionality, and a crosslinker, wherein the functionality of the pressure sensitive adhesive component and the functionality of the high Tg polymer form an acid-base interaction when mixed. |
| US08034253B2 |
Decontaminant
Method and composition for decomposing and detoxifying chemical warfare agents, organic toxic compounds (e.g., pesticides), and for removal of contaminants in materials including fuels. The method and composition are based on ferrate (VI). The ferrate is typically applied to a contaminated surface or volume with a phase transfer catalyst and/or with a carrier. |
| US08034247B2 |
Manufacturing method of silicon nozzle plate and manufacturing method of inkjet head
A manufacturing method of a silicon nozzle plate, having; a film forming process to provide the film representing an etching mask for etching the silicon substrate on a surface of the silicon substrate; a pattern film forming to form a pattern film by partially removing the film based on a nozzle hole forming pattern and an outer shape forming pattern; a silicon substrate etching process to form nozzle holes based on the nozzle hole forming pattern representing the etching mask, and to form a half etching portion at least in a part of the silicon substrate based on the outer shape forming pattern; and a silicon substrate separating process to separate the silicon substrate by splitting along the half etching portion. |
| US08034245B1 |
Method of driving liquid flow at or near the free surface using magnetic microparticles
The present invention provides a method of driving liquid flow at or near a free surface using self-assembled structures composed of magnetic particles subjected to an external AC magnetic field. A plurality of magnetic particles are supported at or near a free surface of liquid by surface tension or buoyancy force. An AC magnetic field traverses the free surface and dipole-dipole interaction between particles produces in self-assembled snake structures which oscillate at the frequency of the traverse AC magnetic field. The snake structures independently move across the free surface and may merge with other snake structures or break up and coalesce into additional snake structures experiencing independent movement across the liquid surface. During this process, the snake structures produce asymmetric flow vortices across substantially the entirety of the free surface, effectuating liquid flow across the free surface. |
| US08034242B2 |
Dialysis device
This invention discloses dialysis devices, related housings, related membranes, related kits, and related methods. |
| US08034240B2 |
Coalescing element
A filter element includes a cylindrical housing enclosing a ring-shaped filter media assembly. The media assembly includes inner and outer media rings, moveably supported relative to one another, to remove particulate matter and water from a fluid stream. The outer ring surrounds the inner ring and is sealed by a first seal to the housing. An end cap assembly at the upper end of the element includes an annular end cap piece attached to an upper end of the inner ring, a flat plate, and a threaded flange portion bounding the periphery of the plate. A second seal is provided between the upper end cap of the inner ring, and an upper end cap of the outer ring. The housing is secured to the media assembly by forming an open end of the housing around the flange portion. |
| US08034235B2 |
Dialysis system including supplemental power source
A dialysis system includes: a water purification unit; a dialysate generation unit configured to use water purified by the water purification unit; a dialysate delivery unit configured to deliver dialysate prepared by the dialysate generation unit; a supplemental power source; a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect a branch power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit; and a second electrical connection configured to electrically connect the supplemental power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit. |
| US08034233B2 |
Process for desulphurizing olefinic gasolines to limit the mercaptans content
The invention concerns a process for hydrodesulphurizing a gasoline containing less than 0.1% by weight of sulphur derived from a catalytic cracking unit or other conversion units, said process comprising at least one hydrodesulphurization reactor using a bimetallic catalyst operating at a HSV in the range 0.1 h−1 to 20 h−1, a temperature in the range 220° C. to 350° C. and a pressure in the range 0.1 MPa to 5 MPa, and comprising recycling a fraction of the desulphurized gasoline to the inlet to the hydrodesulphurization reactor with a recycle ratio in the range 0.1 to 3 times the flow rate of the gasoline to be desulphurized. |
| US08034230B2 |
Non asphaltenic oil
A reconstituted non-asphaltenic oil Pa comprising at least 28% by weight of naphtha N, having a ratio R of 1.5 or more and a gasoline potential, POTg, in the range 47 to 70, in which: R=(0.9 N+0.5 VGO+)/(MD+0.1 VGO+), POTg=0.9N+0.5 VGO+, with in % by weight: N=naphtha: [30° C./170° C.]; MD=middle distillates: ]170° C./360° C.] and VGO+=fraction boiling above 360° C.R indicates the relative gasoline potential of a non residual oil over middle distillates during its subsequent refining. |
| US08034226B2 |
Device for dielectrophoretic separation of particles contained in a fluid
A device for dielectrophoretic separation of particles contained in a fluid, includes two sets of electrodes, each of the two sets of electrodes being brought to a different potential, so as to generate an electric field inside said fluid. The two sets of electrodes are positioned inside a chamber, itself provided with a particle collecting surface. Each of the two sets of electrodes is immersed in the fluid inside the chamber and is located in a plane different from the plane of the particle collecting surface. The two sets of electrodes are supplied with electrical current in phase opposition. The potential of each of the two sets of electrodes have a gradient based on the distance along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the particle collecting surface. |
| US08034224B2 |
Electrophoresis gel and method of making same
An electrophoresis gel has a colored or pigmented loading area at one edge having a plurality of sample wells for receiving samples, the loading area extending beyond the ends of the wells so that the wells can be visually differentiated from the surrounding colored material in the loading area. The remainder of the gel is transparent or substantially transparent. |
| US08034221B2 |
Electrode for hydrogen generation and process for preparation thereof
An electrode for hydrogen generation can maintain a low hydrogen overvoltage for a long period of time even when electrolysis is conducted there not only with a low current density but also with a high current density. The electrode for hydrogen generation has a coating layer formed on a conductive base member by applying a material not containing any chlorine atom prepared by dissolving lanthanum carboxylate in a nitric acid solution of ruthenium nitrate and thermally decomposing the material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. |
| US08034220B2 |
Electrochemical thermodynamo
Electrochemical cells modules made up of couples of catalytic multilayer porous electrodes forming the anodes and the cathodes and delimitating external gaseous areas and internal areas containing the electrolyte wherein the pressure modulators, generating two pressure cycles independently synchronized but of opposite phase, act at the inlet and at the outlet of the electrolyte and the multilayer porous electrodes are weeping on the gas side. According to a preferred embodiment the multilayer porous electrodes are hydrophobic and conductive on the gas side, the conductive and catalytic middle layers are hydrophobic and hydrophilic, the non-conductive and non-catalytic layer on the electrolyte side is hydrophilic. Furthermore, the present invention provides the electrochemical process using the above described electrochemical cell according to which the gas is maintained at a pressure P up to 200 bar, the electrolyte pressure is varied stepwise between P+dP and P+dp by generating on the electrolyte positive pressure waves of amplitude dP and dp at the frequency f. |
| US08034218B2 |
Low temperature growth of oriented carbon nanotubes
The invention concerns a method for growing oriented carbon nanotubes on a sample using a target of carbon or a variety of carbon in a deposition chamber where a plasma predominates. The sample (16) is arranged in contact with the target (15), in such a way that the target has a free surface and that the sample offers a free surface, the plasma causing the growth of carbon nanotubes on the free surface of the sample. |
| US08034212B2 |
Magnetron plasma processing apparatus
A magnetron plasma processing apparatus has a baffle plate interposed between a processing space and a gas exhaust port so as to confine a plasma in the processing space in a processing chamber. The baffle plate has through holes allowing the processing space and the gas exhaust port to communicate with each other. The baffle plate is provided along lines of magnetic force of a magnetic field at a position where the plate is located. |
| US08034209B2 |
Electro-optic displays, and materials and methods for production thereof
An electro-optic display is produced using a sub-assembly comprising a front sheet, an electro-optic medium; and an adhesive layer. An aperture is formed through the adhesive layer where the adhesive layer is not covered by the electro-optic medium, and the sub-assembly is adhered to a backplane having a co-operating member with the aperture engaged with a co-operating member, thus locating the sub-assembly relative to the backplane. In another form of electro-optic display, a chip extends through an aperture in the electro-optic medium and adhesive layer. In a third form, the aforementioned sub-assembly is secured to a backplane and then a cut is made through both backplane and sub-assembly to provide an aligned edge. |
| US08034208B2 |
Deformation moderation method
A method of transferring a layer of a first material onto a second substrate of a second material includes, a step of forming a first embrittlement plane in a first substrate in first material, by a first ion and/or atom implantation through a first face of said substrate, a step of forming a second embrittlement plane in said first substrate, by a first ion and/or atom implantation through a second face of said substrate, in order to reduce a curvature of this first substrate, a step of assembling the first and second substrates, and a step of separating a layer from the first substrate at the level of the first embrittlement plane, without separation at the level of the second embrittlement plane. |
| US08034202B1 |
Hypergolic fuels
Provided is a hypergolic bipropellant formed by combining a IL fuel having a dicyanamide anion and a nitrogen-containing, heterocyclic-based cation with an oxidizer for such fuel. |
| US08034199B2 |
Case-hardening steel excellent in cold forgeability and low carburization distortion property
This invention provides a case-hardening steel excellent in cold forgeability and low carburization distortion property that exhibits low deformation resistance and high limit compressibility when cold, namely, a case-hardening steel excellent in cold forgeability and low carburization distortion property comprising, in mass %, C: 0.07% to 0.3%, Si: 0.01% to 0.15%, Mn: 0.1% to 0.7%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.002% to 0.10%, Al: 0.01% to 0.08%, Cr: 0.7% to 1.5%, Ti: 0.01% to 0.15%, B: 0.0005% to 0.005%, N: 0.008% or less, and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and having a metallographic structure comprising 65% or greater of ferrite and 15% or less of bainite. |
| US08034197B2 |
Ultra-high strength stainless steels
An ultra-high strength stainless steel alloy with enhanced toughness includes in % by weight: 0 to 0.06% carbon (C); 12.0 to 18% chromium (Cr); 16.5 to 31.0% cobalt (Co); 0 to 8% molybdenum (Mo); 0.5 to 5.0% nickel (Ni); 0 to 0.5% titanium (Ti); 0 to 1.0% niobium (Nb); 0 to 0.5% vanadium (V); 0 to 16% tungsten (W); balance iron (Fe) and incidental deoxidizers and impurities. The heat treating method includes the steps of austenitizing at least once followed by quenching, tempering and sub-zero cooling to obtain no more than about 6-8% retained austenite in the finished alloy. |
| US08034196B2 |
Low core loss grain-oriented electrical steel plate and method of manufacturing the same
A grain-oriented electrical steel plate is characterized in that grooves having a width of 10 μm to 200 μm and a depth of 10 μm to 30 μm exist in at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of a steel plate at intervals of 1 mm to 10 mm, an angle between a direction in which the grooves extend and a rolling direction of the steel plate is 60 degrees to 120 degrees, and tensile stresses having a maximum value of 20 MPa to 300 MPa act in the rolling direction within ranges of 10 μm to 300 μm from side surfaces of the grooves. |
| US08034195B2 |
Material and method of manufacturing of a solder joint with high thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity
A solder composition for forming a solder joint. The composition includes a powder material including a solid metal matrix material and a filler material. The solid metal matrix material includes one or more of tin-silver-copper (Sn—Ag—Cu), tin-copper (Sn—Cu), tin-copper-nickel (Sn—Cu—Ni), tin-silver (Sn—Ag), tin-silver-bismuth (Sn—Ag—Bi), tin-bismuth-indium (Sn—Bi—In), tin-gold (Au—Sn), tin-zinc (Sn—Zn), tin-zinc-bismuth (Sn—Zn—Bi), tin-bismuth-silver (Sn—Bi—Ag), tin (Sn), tin-indium (Sn—In), indium (In), indium-silver (In—Ag), and tin-lead (Sn—Pb). The filler material includes one or more of copper (Cu), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), nickel-gold (Ni—Au), carbon, silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) or nickel-gold (Ni—Au) coated carbon, the platinum group metals (PGM's), and their alloys. |
| US08034191B2 |
Cleaning plant
In order to produce a cleaning plant for cleaning work pieces which comprises at least one cleaning station in which the workpiece is subjected to a cleaning process in such a manner that the cleaning process can be organized in a flexible manner and easily adapted to changes in the workpiece, it is proposed that the cleaning plant should comprise at least one manipulating device which picks up a workpiece prior to treatment in a treatment area of the cleaning station, supplies the workpiece to the treatment process within the treatment area of the cleaning station and passes on the workpiece after the treatment in the treatment area of the cleaning station. |
| US08034187B2 |
Sink drain adapter for drain cleaning device
The present invention is a drain adapter for adapting a flushing device to a drainpipe. The adapter has a main body including an indent portion for retaining the flushing device during operation. The main body also includes an enlarged portion. The enlarged portion corresponds to a sink recess and expands under pressure to retain the adapter within the drainpipe. |
| US08034185B2 |
High efficiency and high throughput cascade scrub wash machine for rigid magnetic recording media
A disk cleaning scrub module comprising a scrub lane and a plurality of brushes that rotates and scrub washes a plurality of disks having a diameter D in the scrub lane, wherein a disk-to-disk center distance for scrub wash of the plurality of the disks is S and a ratio of S/D is greater than 1 and less than 1.6 is disclosed. |
| US08034180B2 |
Method of cooling a wafer support at a uniform temperature in a capacitively coupled plasma reactor
A method of controlling the temperature of a workpiece on a workpiece support in a plasma reactor includes placing coolant in a flow channel thermally coupled to the workpiece support, supporting a thermally conductive gas between the workpiece and the workpiece support to establish a backside gas pressure, providing sensors to measure the temperature of the workpiece support and the workpiece, and determining whether the rate of change in workpiece temperature is less or more than a rate limited by a thermal mass of the workpiece support. If the rate is less or equal, the thermal conditions of the coolant in the flow channel are changed to reduce a difference between the measured workpiece support temperature and a target workpiece support temperature. If the rate is more, the pressure of the thermally conductive gas is changed to reduce a difference between the measured workpiece temperature and a target workpiece temperature. |
| US08034178B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display
An apparatus for manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display having an alignment chamber for aligning a mask having openings corresponding to a predetermined pattern with a substrate on which a first electrode layer is formed and detachably attaching the mask and the substrate. The apparatus further including a number of vacuum processing chambers for sequentially forming a number of organic material layers on the substrate attached with the mask. The apparatus also including a transfer robot for transferring the attached mask and substrate to one of the number of vacuum processing chambers and sequentially transferring it between the number of the vacuum processing chambers. |
| US08034177B2 |
Inner electrode for barrier film formation and apparatus for film formation
An inner electrode for barrier film formation is an inner electrode for barrier film formation that is inserted inside a plastic container having an opening, supplies a medium gas to the inside of the plastic container, and supplies high frequency power to an outer electrode arranged outside the plastic container, thereby generating discharge plasma on the inner surface of the plastic container to form a barrier film on the inner surface of the plastic container, and that is provided with a gas supply pipe (101) having a gas flow path (101a) to supply a medium gas (G) and an insulating member (103) screwed into an end portion of the gas supply pipe (101) to be flush therewith and having a gas outlet (102) communicated with the gas flow path (101a). |
| US08034175B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises providing a semiconductor layer deposited on a substrate with heat treatment by using a flame of a gas burner fueled by a hydrogen-and-oxygen mixed gas as a heat source. |
| US08034173B2 |
Processing compositions and method of forming the same
A method for processing compositions, compositions obtained by such a process and methods of use are disclosed for forming a detachable and renewable protective coating which is substantially transparent. The inventive process compositions are produced by making a highly concentrated dispersion of hydrophobically modified silica particles in the presence of an optional, yet preferable, disilazane derivative under high shear conditions. These process compositions are intended to be further diluted to final treatment compositions, optionally while adding other functional ingredients. |
| US08034172B2 |
Asphalt compositions and products comprising tall oil derived materials, and methods for making and using same
Asphalt compositions and products in which the binder comprises tall oil materials possibly previously subjected to distillation, and/or oxidation, and/or combined with a polymer, the tall oil materials having a softening point in the range of 75 F to 400 F, a Needle Penetration value (0.1 mm) at 25 C of at least 1, a Rotational Viscosity at 275 F in the range of 650 cps to 8,000 cps, and a water solubility of less than 10 percent. |
| US08034171B2 |
Water base ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording apparatus
A water base ink for ink-jet recording contains a coloring agent, water, a penetrant, and a surfactant, wherein the penetrant includes diethylene glycol n-hexyl ether (A), the surfactant includes an acetylene glycol-based surfactant (B1) and sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate (B2), and (A), (B1), and (B2) are blended at ratios respectively to fulfill a predetermined condition. Accordingly, the water base ink for ink-jet recording is provided, which is excellent in the permeability, the vaporization characteristic, and the water repellence and which does not deteriorate any resin material forming a casing or the like of an ink jet recording apparatus. |
| US08034170B2 |
Air filter monitoring system
A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of a condenser air temperature input sensor, a condenser air temperature output sensor, and a condenser air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an ambient air sensor and an ambient humidity sensor. |
| US08034168B2 |
Combustion systems and power plants incorporating parallel carbon dioxide capture and sweep-based membrane separation units to remove carbon dioxide from combustion gases
Disclosed herein are combustion systems and power plants that incorporate sweep-based membrane separation units to remove carbon dioxide from combustion gases. In its most basic embodiment, the invention is a combustion system that includes three discrete units: a combustion unit, a carbon dioxide capture unit, and a sweep-based membrane separation unit. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a power plant including a combustion unit, a power generation system, a carbon dioxide capture unit, and a sweep-based membrane separation unit. In both of these embodiments, the carbon dioxide capture unit and the sweep-based membrane separation unit are configured to be operated in parallel, by which we mean that each unit is adapted to receive exhaust gases from the combustion unit without such gases first passing through the other unit. |
| US08034163B1 |
Apparatus and process for preparing sorbents for mercury control at the point of use
A system for treating a contaminated gas stream is provided that includes a comminution device 204 operable to effect size reduction of a plurality of sorbent particles and form a plurality of comminuted particles, a plurality of nozzles 224 distributed through the gas stream and operable to introduce the plurality of comminuted particles into the gas stream, and a particle removal device 104 operable to remove at least most of the introduced comminuted particles and form a treated gas stream. The comminution device is in direct fluid communication with the nozzles. |
| US08034159B2 |
Method for removing hydrocarbons from a vapour-gas mixture and a device for carrying out said method
A method for cleaning hydrocarbons from a gas-vapor medium ejected to the atmosphere, formed while storing oil or gasoline or filling a container therewith is provided. The medium is pumped out and compressed in a gas-liquid jet apparatus due to energy of oil or gasoline supplied by a pump. The formed mixture is separated in a separator, where a pressure of 0.7 to 2.5 MPa is maintained, and gas from the separator is compressed in a jet apparatus by oil or gasoline supplied by a pump. The gas medium cleaned from the hydrocarbons is outputted and the saturated absorbent is directed to a desorber where a pressure is generated to be lower than the pressure in the separator. The liquid medium is removed from the separators and to a container or to a storage tank from which oil or gasoline is simultaneously supplied to pump inlets or to the separators. |
| US08034155B2 |
Nanosilver porous material particles and fabricating method thereof
Nanosilver porous material particles and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The nanosilver porous material particles include nanosilver particles distributed on the surface thereof. First, a nanosilver precursor is dissolved in water and a proper quantity of a fixation agent is added to form a solution. Next, a proper quantity of the porous material particles is added into the solution and that is mixed well to form a suspension. Next, the suspension is allowed to stand for a predetermined period of time, and then the suspension is filtered to separate the porous material particles from the solution. Finally, the resulting porous material particles are baked and dried. |
| US08034154B2 |
Method for repairing cracks in components and solder material for soldering components
The invention relates to a method for repairing components that consist of a superalloy. The method comprises the following steps: a solder material is applied to the repair site; the repair site with the applied solder material is heated until the latter melts; and the melted solder material is left to solidify. A powder blend, whose average composition corresponds to the component alloy constitutes the solder material, the blend comprising at least one elementary powder of the component alloy as one powder type and/or a pre-alloy of the component alloy. |
| US08034150B2 |
Process and system for material reclamation and recycling
A system and process for reclaiming nickel and cadmium from a feed source such as Ni—Cd batteries. The feed source is shredded to produce feed particles, screened to size the particles, magnetically separated to remove non-metallic materials, and induction heated to generate nickel and cadmium products. |
| US08034148B2 |
Methods and compositions for soil amendments and organic waste management
The present invention relates to agriculture and waste management. In particular, compositions and methods relating to soil amendments and organic waste management are provided. In certain aspects, soil amendments, and methods of making soil amendments, and methods for improving crop yields are provided. |
| US08034145B2 |
Air filter arrangement; assembly; and, methods
An air filter media construction or arrangement is disclosed. The air filter media construction or arrangement includes strips of media comprising corrugated sheets secured to facing sheets and forming inlet and outlet flutes secured to one another in a stack. Blocked stacked arrangements and slanted stacked arrangements are shown. Such stacked media is provided with molded end pieces to secure and seal opposite side edges of the media strips. Also described are serviceable filter cartridges and air cleaners including the filter cartridges. |
| US08034144B2 |
Filter arrangement; sealing system; and methods
A filter pack includes a filter construction and a sealing system for sealing the construction within a duct or housing. The filter construction has first and second opposite flow faces and is configured for a straight-through flow. The sealing system includes a frame construction and a compressible seal member. The compressible seal member is molded around a portion of the frame construction. The compressible seal member is sufficiently compressible to form a radial seal between and against the frame construction and a surface of a housing when the filter pack is inserted within the housing. |
| US08034143B2 |
Cyclone
A cyclone includes a cylindrical housing and has an inner diameter D. An inlet is near a first end of the housing. A deflection member can be positioned within the first end or the second end of the housing, depending on whether the cyclone is uniflow or reverse flow. An outlet tube is positioned within and extends from a second end or the first end of the housing (depending on whether uniflow or reverse flow). A bunker is formed between the outlet tube and an inner wall of the housing in a uniflow design and between the deflection member and the housing in a reverse flow design, and collects particles separated from an inlet gas stream. A gap between the deflection member and the outlet tube has a length in the range of approximately 0.4*D to 0.8*D. The length of the bunker is approximately greater than or equal to 1.5*D. |
| US08034141B2 |
Dynamic barrier isolation chamber
The invention concerns an isolation chamber for isolating substances from the ambient while simultaneously maintaining aseptic conditions within the isolation chamber and protecting the operator from potent compounds. The isolation chamber comprises a first container surrounding and defining an isolation space of holding the substances and a second container surrounding the first container. Preferably, the pressure of the isolation space is lower than the pressure of the barrier space. |
| US08034131B2 |
Method of inhibiting deposit formation in a jet fuel at high temperatures
A method of inhibiting deposit formation in a jet fuel at temperatures above 150° C., whilst not substantially adversely affecting the water separability of the jet fuel. The method includes the step of adding at least one copolymer, terpolymer or polymer of an ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or a derivative thereof to the jet fuel; wherein the copolymer, terpolymer or polymer of an ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or derivative thereof is copolymerized with a nitrogen-containing, amine-containing or amide-containing monomer; or the copolymer, terpolymer or polymer of an ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or derivative thereof includes nitrogen-containing, amine-containing or amide-containing branches. |
| US08034130B2 |
Process for the production of biodiesel
The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkyl esters of carboxylic acids for use as biodiesel starting from the reaction of transesterification of triglycerides originating from oils and fats of vegetable or animal origin, which can be used individually or in mixtures with one another in any proportions, employing heterogeneous catalysis by means of protonated lamellar titanate catalysts in nanostructured form, and said forms can comprise, among in other forms, nanotubes, nanofibres or nanosheets. |
| US08034127B2 |
Thickened hair colourant and bleaching compositions
The present invention relates to hair coloring and hair bleaching compositions comprising at least one oxidizing agent, a specified gel network thickener system comprising a specified tertiary system, a cationic polymer and a mica and or titanium oxide. The compositions surprisingly provide improved hair colorant and bleaching compositions which deliver lift, lightening and color, whilst minimizing damage which are easy to manufacture and which improve adhesion of the composition to the hair roots. |
| US08034126B2 |
Henna and vegetable dye based compositions for coloring of human hair
New, effective and non-toxic compounded henna based hair dyes that are non-toxic, natural and hypoallergenic that provide an alternative to conventional hair color. The products are made using 100% Green Chemistry and do not utilize encapsulation. |
| US08034125B2 |
Dye composition comprising at least one colorless disulfide/thiol precursor, and dyeing process using the composition
The present invention relates to the dyeing of keratin materials using two colorless dye precursors, at least one of which contains a disulfide/thiol unit, said precursors reacting together chemically to form the color in situ. The process according to the invention makes it possible in the context of certain variants to solve the problems caused by the color generated during the process, while at the same time not degrading the efficacy of the coloration, and especially of the lightening effect. The colorations obtained are moreover powerful, chromatic, sparingly selective, and fast with respect to external agents such as sunlight, perspiration and especially shampoo. |
| US08034119B2 |
Delivering an agent to a patient's body
A medical stent provides an active agent to a patient's body while simultaneously maintaining an open passageway within the body of the patient. The stent includes a first segment, a second segment, a connecting segment disposed between the first and second segments, and the active agent. The active agent may be a hemostatic agent that stops or controls bleeding by coagulation, or any other medical drug, such as, for example an antibiotic or an anticoagulant. When the stent is properly positioned within the patient's urinary system, the first segment is located on one side of the external sphincter and the second segment is located on the other side. The connecting segment is sized to extend through the external sphincter to couple the first and second segments together while not interfering with the normal operation of the external sphincter. |
| US08034115B2 |
Ankle replacement system
A total ankle replacement system, novel surgical method for total ankle replacement, and novel surgical tools for performing the surgical method are described. The total ankle replacement system includes the calcaneus in fixation of a lower prosthesis body, thereby significantly increasing the amount of bone available for fixation of the lower prosthesis body and allowing the lower prosthesis body to be anchored with screws. The total ankle replacement system further includes a long tibial stem which can also be anchored into the tibia with, for example, screws, nails, anchors, or some other means of attachment. The novel surgical arthroscopic method allows introduction of ankle prostheses into the ankle joint through an exposure in the tibial tubercle. Various novel surgical instruments, such as a telescoping articulating reamer and a talo-calcaneal jig, which facilitate the novel surgical method, are also described. |
| US08034114B2 |
Systems and methods for installing ankle replacement prostheses
An ankle implant for use in ankle arthroplasty in total ankle replacement is provided. The implant includes an upper prosthesis anchored to the tibia and a lower prosthesis anchored to the talus. The lower prosthesis is operable associated with the upper prosthesis. The implant also includes a stem which is rigidly removably connected to the second member. The stem includes a portion for attachment to the calcaneous. The stem is be adapted to be in a first position in the calcaneous when the stem is in a first relative position with respect to the lower prosthesis, and to provide for a second position in the calcaneous when the stem is in a second relative position with respect to the lower prosthesis. |
| US08034113B2 |
Joint prosthesis and method of implanting same
A novel and improved canine elbow prosthesis and method of implanting same including a unique bi-compartmental prosthesis having bone receiving members and transverse pegs which may be implanted with a minimally invasive surgical technique. |
| US08034112B2 |
Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and spinal disc annulus stent
A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. |
| US08034109B2 |
Linked slideable and interlockable rotatable components
Medical devices having one or more rotatable linkable components or segments, delivered in a first orientation relative to a component guide into a tissue cavity, such as the interbody vertebral space. After delivery, each segment may be rotated to a second, different orientation relative to the component guide, such as into a permanent vertical standing position. The segments achieve maximum distraction of the cavity space such as adjacent vertebra end plates, while using a minimal invasive surgical (MIS) approach. When the segments are tightened in place, the device provides long-term stability. The device can be used as a distraction instrument and/or permanent implant that can be used for interbody fusion, nuclear replacement, or anywhere in the body where a stable distraction of tissue and/or the implantation of material such as a device with an MIS approach is desired. |
| US08034104B2 |
Anatomically approximate prosthetic mitral valve
An anatomically approximate prosthetic heart valve includes dissimilar flexible leaflets, dissimilar commissures and/or a non-circular flow orifice. The heart valve may be implanted in the mitral position and have one larger leaflet oriented along the anterior aspect so as to mimic the natural anterior leaflet. Two other smaller leaflets extend around the posterior aspect of the valve. A basic structure providing peripheral support for the leaflets includes two taller commissures on both sides of the larger leaflet, with a third, smaller commissure between the other two leaflets. The larger leaflet may be thicker and/or stronger than the other two leaflets. The base structure defines a flow orifice intended to simulate the shape of the mitral annulus during the systolic phase. For example, the flow orifice may be elliptical. A relatively wide sewing ring has a contoured inflow end and is attached to the base structure in such a way that the valve can be implanted in an intra-atrial position and the taller commissures do not extend too far into the left ventricle, therefore avoiding injury to the ventricle. |
| US08034098B1 |
Valve annulus constriction apparatus and method
An apparatus is described for supporting and/or constricting a surface of a valve annulus. The apparatus includes a tubular member of dimensions suitable for insertion into a body vessel. The tubular member includes at least two first segments attachable to an interior wall of the body vessel. The tubular member further includes at least one second segment which is capable of decreasing its axial length to draw one of the first segments towards the other first segment. |
| US08034096B2 |
Stent-graft with graft to graft attachment
A stent-graft assembly is provided for a variety of medical treatments. The stent-graft assembly includes a stent disposed between an inner layer of graft material and an outer layer of graft material. The graft layers are effectively secured to the stent by attaching the graft layers together through openings in the structure of the stent. Relative movement between the graft layers and the stent is made possible by providing unattached margins between the attached areas of the graft layers and the edges of the stent openings. |
| US08034092B2 |
Wound and therapy compress and dressing
A method of providing moisture therapy to a subject by applying a moist therapy compress against a treated body portion. The moist therapy compress includes a fluid-permeable shell, a flexible backing fastened to the shell to define an enclosure, and silver-retaining hydrophilic zeolite fill granules loosely contained within the enclosure. The therapy compress is exposed to a source of moisture to cause absorption of water into the silver-retaining hydrophilic zeolite, and the moisture is delivered from the silver-retaining hydrophilic zeolite through the fluid permeable shell to the treated body portion. |
| US08034089B2 |
Bone anchoring device
A bone anchoring device has an anchoring element, a receiving portion, and a pressure element. The anchoring element includes a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra and a head, the head having an exterior surface with a spherical segment-shaped portion. The shank and the head are separate parts. The receiving portion includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a longitudinal axis passing through the two ends, a bore coaxial with the longitudinal axis, and a first region adjacent to the second end for receiving a spherical segment-shaped section of the head. The pressure element exerts pressure on the head to lock the head in the receiving portion. The head has a hollow inner portion to receive a free end portion of the shank and wherein the head and the end portion are formed such that the end portion can be elastically clamped by the head. |
| US08034087B2 |
Polyaxial bone screw
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper capture structure, a head, a retaining ring and a nut. The external capture structure surface includes a threaded portion and a smooth portion; the smooth portion for slidably mating with the retaining ring and the threaded portion for rotatable attachment to the nut within a cavity of the head. The nut fixes the retaining ring to the shank and also provides a tool engagement formation for driving the shank body into bone. |
| US08034081B2 |
Interspinous dynamic stabilization implant and method of implanting
Devices and methods for treating spinal disorders and associated discomfort therefrom. In one embodiment, an interspinous implant device is configured for distracting an adjacent pair of spinous processes while permitting relative flexion, lateral bending and side rotation motions between the vertebrae joined to the adjacent pair of spinous processes. A method of treating spinal disorders and associated discomfort therefrom, includes inserting an interspinous device between a pair of adjacent spinous processes such that a superior portion of the device contacts an inferior surface of the relatively superior spinous process of the pair, and an inferior portion of the of the device contacts a superior surface of the relatively inferior spinous process of the pair; and distracting the superior and inferior portions, relative to one another, thereby distracting the spinous processes, whereby vertebrae integral with the spinous processes retain capability of flexion, lateral bending and side rotation motions, relative to one another, after the distraction has been performed. |
| US08034078B2 |
System and method for replacement of spinal motion segment
A system for flexibly stabilizing a vertebral motion segment of the facet joint by connecting a first vertebra and a second vertebra is disclosed. The system includes an elongate connection element with end portions interconnected by a flexible coupling member. The system includes first and second attachment portions for connecting the connection element to the vertebrae. A first resilient member is positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion, and a second resilient member is positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The system is designed such that the second resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions move towards each other, and the first resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions extend away from each other and a part of the first and second attachment portions extend towards each other on opposing walls of the elongate connection element. |
| US08034077B2 |
Method for surgical stapling and cutting device with dual actuating control knob
A method for operating a surgical end effector, including providing a control shaft having a longitudinal axis with a distal end effector assembly at least partially actuated by a displacement of an actuating part along the longitudinal axis and providing the control shaft with a proximal handle connector having a rotating link operable to connect the control shaft to a control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. An end effector two-function control device is fixed rotationally to at least part of the control shaft to couple rotation of the two-function control device, the control shaft, and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally to the actuating part to couple longitudinal movement of the two-function control device and the actuating part with respect to the control shaft. |
| US08034076B2 |
Absorbable fastener and applying apparatus
A surgical fastener apparatus, for securing a surgical mesh material to body tissue including a pair of anchors each having a retaining structure formed on an outer surface thereof; and a suture tether interconnecting the pair of anchors to one another. The pair of anchors have a substantially cylindrical body having a conically tapered distal end and a planar proximal end. The retaining structure includes a series of semi-circular angled projections having a planar proximal surface and a tapered distal end, wherein a center of each of the angled projections is spaced a distance from a longitudinal central axis of the body portion. The surgical fastener is made from a bioabsorbable material which reabsorbs into said body tissue at an appropriate rate, such as for example, polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid. |
| US08034074B2 |
Intravascular filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip
A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter can be advanced along the filter wire to a point distal a lesion to collect debris dislodged during a medical procedure. Disposable in part within the distal sheath is an actuatable dilator tip adapted to retrieve the filter at least in part within the distal sheath. Actuation of the dilator tip may be accomplished by any number of means, including a resilient member such as a spring coil, or by a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the distal sheath adapted to engage a plurality of recessed surfaces disposed on the dilator tip. |
| US08034072B2 |
Expandable percutaneous sheath
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures. |
| US08034071B2 |
Systems and methods for forming a cavity in cancellous bone
A cavity creating device having a cavity creating axis is introduced through a percutaneous access path into a cancellous bone volume, e.g., within a vertebral body. The cavity creating device is manipulated to form a cavity in the cancellous bone volume. The manipulation includes deflecting the cavity creating device along the cavity creating axis relative to the axis of the access path. A material, such as bone cement, can be conveyed into the cavity. |
| US08034070B2 |
Varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus
A varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a dissector extending from the first end of the handle and a hook extending from the second end of the handle, and a blade positioned within the dissector for movement between a use position and a storage position. The apparatus is used by creating an initial incision in skin over a varicose vein to be removed, advancing the dissector into the incision and dissecting around the varicose vein to be removed, pushing the dissector against an inner surface of the skin a predetermined distance from the initial incision, exposing the blade by moving it from its storage position to its use position and creating a second incision in the skin letting the dissector protrude out of the skin, and grasping the vein with the hook and removing the vein. |
| US08034069B2 |
Single use lancet assembly
A single use lancet device having a housing, with an open interior and an access opening defined therein, a lancet, with a body and a piercing tip, and disposed in the open interior of the housing so as to move between a cocked orientation and a piercing orientation, a driving assembly structured to move the lancet into the piercing orientation, and a restrictor assembly having a shoulder element and a restrictor panel operatively associated with the lancet and the housing and structured to pass over the restrictor panel upon the lancet moving from its cocked orientation to its piercing orientation, and to abut the restrictor panel upon attempted movement of the lancet back into its cocked orientation after movement into the piercing orientation, thereby preventing the lancet from moving back into the cocked orientation and preventing re-use of a contaminated piercing tip. |
| US08034067B2 |
Vacuum sense control for phaco pulse shaping
A method and apparatus for precisely controlling particle movement relative to a phacoemulsification needle tip is provided. The design monitors actual vacuum present and calculates a pulse shape amplitude waveform proportional to the amount of measured vacuum. An increase in vacuum indicates that the handpiece/needle is becoming occluded by a large particle. The present design determines whether additional power is required to bump or move a large particle away from the needle tip. The present design may employ a control loop that senses and continuously monitors vacuum. The design may dynamically vary the amount of ultrasonic energy delivered to the surgical area in response to the observed actual vacuum, and can actively vary the amount of power delivered to the surgical area based on the size of the particle and the resultant vacuum realized. |
| US08034061B2 |
Percutaneous catheter directed intravascular occlusion devices
The present invention provides an improved vascular occlusion device having improved flexibility and retention of the type fabricated from braided tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and shaped to create an occlusion of an abnormal opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained. The device further including at least one disk portion adjacent a body cylindrical portion formed from the fabric and having a transition diameter between the disk and cylindrical portion, significantly smaller than the diameter of the disk and the diameter of the cylindrical portion. |
| US08034060B2 |
Suture device with first and second needle giudes attached to a shaft and respectively holding first and second needles
A suture insertion device (120) includes a shaft (124), which is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity (154). First and second needles (160) hold respective first and second ends of a suture thread (122). First and second needle guides (130) are attached to the shaft and respectively hold the first and second needles. The needle guides have a first operative configuration in which the needle guides are held parallel to the axis of the shaft for insertion of the shaft into the body cavity and a second operative configuration in which the needle guides are deployed outward from the shaft within the body cavity so as to point the needles in a proximal direction. An ejector (164) is operative to eject the needles from the needle guides in the second operative configuration so as to cause the needles to penetrate tissue (156) adjoining the body cavity. |
| US08034054B2 |
Intramedullary bone device
An intramedullary bone device comprises a distal outer member, a proximal outer member for positioning in substantial axial alignment with the distal outer member, the distal and proximal outer members each having at least one opening in a wall thereof. The distal outer member and the proximal outer member each have a passage therein. The device also has a distal inner member sized to be slideably received within the passage of the distal outer member and a proximal inner member sized to be slideably received within the passage of the proximal outer member. An extender/retractor is able to selectively extend or retract to selectively lengthen or shorten, respectively, the device. The device has pins movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the pins extend through the at least one opening in the distal and proximal outer members to fix the device to a bone during use. |
| US08034052B2 |
Apparatus and method for electrode thermosurgery
An instrument for tissue ablation includes an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member defines an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. The instrument includes one or more electrically conductive segments on the electrode and configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member. An insulation layer is disposed upon the electrode and defines an exposed portion of the electrode at the distal end. The instrument also includes at least one sensor that detects a temperature during ablation and a semiconductive material coated on the rigid tubular member that forms one or more resistive layers that connects the rigid tubular member with a corresponding electrically conductive segment. |
| US08034051B2 |
Ablation device with sensor
An electrosurgical device having a distal tip for creating a lesion on tissue includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are parallel for the delivery of RF energy to tissue. A sensor electrode is provided parallel to and spaced away from the first electrode a different distance than the second electrode. When the sensor electrode and at least one of the first and second electrodes are in contact with tissue, The electrosurgical device can perform at least one of the following: ablating tissue, and sensing at least one selected from the group of voltage, tissue impedance, electrical conduction, conduction time, conduction velocity, and signal phase angle. |
| US08034038B2 |
Closed wound drainage system
A portable closed wound drainage system that uses a pouch shaped dressing which is inserted into a wound. At least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch 1 is porous to allow exudates to enter. Exudates are removed from the pouch by flexible tubing which is secured inside the pouch at one end, and secured at the other end to a portable drain/suction unit. The pouch contains porous material, and may optionally contain beads and fillers which are antibacterial in nature. The tubing can have a single or multi-lumen structure with perforations in the side walls of the end of the tube that is inserted in the pouch to allow body fluids to enter laterally. The portable drain/suction unit is preferably a portable battery powered device. The pouch and the tube are sealed by a flexible sealing material which is applied to the outer surface of the skin around the periphery of the pouch and the tubing as it exits the pouch. This sealing material is preferably a hydro-colloid, a silicone, or a lyogel, such as a hydrogel, which are easily deformable. A cosmetic cover sheet is attached to the patient's skin over the closed wound drainage system. |
| US08034035B2 |
Pressure activated safety valve with high flow slit
A pressure actuated valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a medical device, the valve comprises a housing including a lumen extending therethrough and a flow control membrane extending across the lumen to control the flow of fluid through the lumen. The membrane includes a plurality of slits extending therethrough so that, when the membrane is acted upon by a pressure of at least a threshold magnitude, the slits open to permit flow through the lumen and, when not acted upon by a pressure of at least the predetermined magnitude, the slits are maintained closed by a biasing force applied thereto by the membrane to prevent flow through the lumen. Each of the slits extends between end portions thereof along a curve wherein a distance between a first end portion of a first one of the slits and a first end portion of a second one of the slits is a minimum distance between the first and second slits. |
| US08034034B2 |
Syringe and method of use
A syringe and a method of using the syringe are disclosed. The syringe includes a longitudinal body having proximal and distal ends and including an aperture between the proximal and distal ends. An injectable material, such as an adhesive bone cement, may be loaded into the body of the syringe through the aperture. After the injectable material is inserted, the aperture may be closed by covering the aperture with an aperture cover. The aperture cover may be configured to slide into a position covering the aperture, or the aperture cover may be placed in a position covering the aperture, such as by pivoting about a hinge. After the aperture is closed, the injectable material may be dispensed from the distal end of the syringe body by depressing a plunger. Depressing the plunger may initiate the closing of the aperture, or the aperture may be closed independently of plunger movement. |
| US08034033B2 |
Hypodermic syringe with vial attachment
A medical syringe apparatus includes a syringe unit, a hypodermic needle attached to the syringe unit and at least one interfacing member for mating a labeled medication container to the syringe unit. The medication label is visible. The container remains mated to the syringe when the syringe is in use. Risk of mislabeling the syringe may therefore be substantially reduced or eliminated and patient safety may accordingly be improved. |
| US08034031B2 |
Sheath
A sheath shaped and dimensioned for reducing trauma and easing insertion thereof includes an inner sheath member, the inner sheath member including an inner sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface. The sheath also includes an outer sheath member shaped and dimensioned to fit around the inner sheath member in a manner permitting relative movement. The outer sheath member includes an outer sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface. |
| US08034030B2 |
Multi-reservoir implantable pump with variable flow rate capabilities
A multiple reservoir or chambered implantable pumps is disclosed. The pump according to the present invention is particularly useful in allowing for multiple constant flow rates to be provided from an otherwise constant flow implantable pump. The pump is also useful in allowing for housing of multiple active substances. A multiple reservoir implantable pump is also disclosed, which has at least one chamber capable of providing a constant flow rate and at least one chamber capable of being utilized for patient controlled injections. |
| US08034020B2 |
Optical flow sensor
An optical flow sensor is provided, including a heater configured to heat an aliquot of fluid in an adjacent fluid-delivery channel and a sensor disposed adjacent to the fluid-delivery channel downstream from the heater. The sensor is configured to illuminate fluid in the fluid-delivery channel, to collect reflected light from the illuminated fluid, and to determine when the heated aliquot passes the sensor based upon an amount of the reflected light. A method for determining a flow rate of a fluid is also provided. The method includes heating an aliquot of the fluid at a first position of a fluid-delivery channel, illuminating fluid in the fluid-delivery channel at a second position downstream from the first position, measuring an amount of light reflected from the illuminated fluid to determine a change in the amount corresponding to the heated aliquot passing the second position, and calculating the flow rate of the fluid based upon a distance between the first position and the second position and a time between the heating the aliquot and the heated aliquot passing the second position. |
| US08034019B2 |
Dual microcontroller-based liquid infusion system
A highly reliable and robust functioning liquid infusion system for use in biomedical applications comprises a dual microcontroller system where the first microcontroller is configured to administer the liquid and the second microcontroller is configured to monitor the accurate functioning of the system and various performance parameters such as flow rate of liquid, presence of leaks or blocks in the liquid passage, level of drug in the cartridge and battery condition. The liquid injection portion comprises a cylindrical airtight liquid holder or drug cartridge with a movable internal piston that is in contact with a movable stem, and a micromotor, which controls the drug delivery. The system is programmable with a dosing system stored into the driver/monitor microcontrollers. A low power LCD module is used to display the operating parameters with multiple language interface and alarm conditions, if any. The system is also equipped with a system of sensors that trigger an alarm to indicate abnormal conditions. |
| US08034015B2 |
Anti-clotting apparatus and methods for fluid handling system
A method for maintaining clear passageways in an extracorporeal blood flow system. The method comprises intermittently providing one or more anti-clotting agents to a passageway of the extracorporeal blood flow system. Also disclosed is an extracorporeal blood flow system. The system comprises a passageway, and a device operatively connected to provide one or more anti-clotting agents to a least a portion of said passageway. |
| US08034013B2 |
Compression garment
A compression garment comprises a plurality of longitudinal yarns arranged to form a fabric having a length and generally parallel to the length, and a plurality of transverse elastomeric yarns connecting adjacent longitudinal yarns and equally spaced about a length of the longitudinal yarns. In a stretched state, the longitudinal yarns are spaced from one another and remain generally parallel to the length. |
| US08034011B2 |
Thoracic stabilizer
A thoracic stabilizer for limiting anterior chest wall collapse includes a platform supporting a patient and a pair of lateral supports contacting opposite sides of the patient's chest wall and applying force to limit collapse of the chest wall. The force applied by the lateral supports is varied depending on the force applied to the platform by the patient. The stabilizer includes a retractometer measuring the collapse of the chest wall. According to one embodiment, the stabilizer includes a controller that varies the force applied to the chest wall in closed-loop fashion based on the chest wall collapse measured by the retractometer using an algorithm of the controller. According to one embodiment, the stabilizer includes motors moving the lateral supports. According to another embodiment, the stabilizer includes a hydraulic system and the lateral supports include expandable fluid-filled members. |
| US08034010B1 |
Progressive resistance knee pad
A progressive resistance knee pad coupled to the inner surfaces of a knee brace to prevent metal components of an orthotic support from contacting clothing, tissue or skin surface of the wearer of the orthotic support appliance. The knee pad has a cushion layer having a contoured contact surface and a support surface. A middle layer has a mating surface and a middle layer base surface. A base layer has a top surface and a mounting surface. An imbedded mounting plate has uniform thickness and is imbedded in the base layer. The middle layer support surface is formed to shape the cushion layer contact surface to conform with a contoured surface. The thickness of the middle layer is controlled and adjusted to provide a substantially planar middle layer base surface. The base layer imbedded mounting plate is characterized to receive fastening means for coupling the progressive resistance knee pad to the appliance. |
| US08034009B2 |
Device and method for compressing wounds
A dressing for applying compression to a wound in a patient includes a bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane. The dressing may include a flexible web having an adhesive layer on one side thereof for securing the dressing to the patient so as to hold the bladder against the patient's skin. Upon inflation, the deformable membrane projects towards the patient's skin and exerts pressure on the wound to reduce the flow of blood from the wound. |
| US08034007B2 |
Compression device with structural support features
A compression sleeve includes an inner layer, an outer cover and first and second bladder layers. The layers define adjacent, generally flexible sleeve sections, where each section includes an inflatable bladder. A rigid structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends between the flexible sleeve sections to prevent the sleeve from buckling and moving downward on the wearer's limb. The inner layer, outer cover and first and second bladder layers are joined together at a plurality of discrete spot welds within an outer perimeter of the inflatable bladder to provide further structural integrity to the sleeve. |
| US08034006B2 |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation sensor
The present invention provides a CPR sensor that includes a thin and substantially flat flexible substrate having one or more sensor arrays, a power source, an output interface and a processor or analog circuit, all of which are disposed on the substantially flat flexible substrate. The substrate can be any shape (e.g., rectangular, circular, a polygon, an irregular shape that is decorative) and made from a polymer, metal film or other suitable material. Note that the substrate can be rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible. A protective layer may cover the sensor array, the power source, and the processor or analog circuit. Alternatively, a protective covering can be used to encapsulate the device. The one or more sensor arrays measure one or more of the following compressions characteristics: compression depth, compression force, compression frequency and compression acceleration. |
| US08034005B2 |
Motion assist device
A motion assist device for assisting a periodical motion of a creature such as a human by applying a force with appropriate strength to the creature so as to match a motion scale with a desired motion scale thereof regardless of a motion rhythm of the periodical motion. According to the motion assist device (1), a second model is corrected so as to approximate a value of a motion variable (ξ) to a desired value (ξ0). A second oscillator (ξ2) is generated according to the corrected second model. A periodical force (torque) (T) applied to the human (P) is controlled according to the second oscillator (ξ2). |
| US08034004B2 |
Medical device for the treatment of biological tissue
Disclosed is a medical instrument for treating biological tissue, comprising a device generating extracorporeal pressure waves and a transmission element (2) coupling said pressure waves into the body of living beings. The pressure wave is generated by a stroking member (10) impacting on a transmission element (2) and is transmitted inside the transmission element. Said transmission element comprises a boundary surface at the outlet thereof, which is curved towards the inside and is configured such that the pressure waves can be coupled into the biological tissue and can be focused therein. |
| US08034002B2 |
Apparatus and method for intelligent electronic peak flow meters
An enhanced electronic peak flow meter is provided that combines some of the enhanced electronic features found in other electronic peak flow meters with software for executing a stochastic process control and evaluating the digital respiratory data collected by the meter. The programmed stochastic process control is capable of selecting and calculating any one of a number of pulmonary function parameters including at least one statistical process control variable to determine a pulmonary threshold. Information systems linking doctor's offices and patient's meters are further provided to transmit warning data in cases where the pulmonary threshold is exceeded. |
| US08034000B2 |
Ischemia detection using a heart sound sensor
A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) includes an implantable heart sound sensor to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound. The heart sound is associated with mechanical activity of a patient's heart. Additionally, the IMD includes a heart sound sensor interface circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal, and a signal analyzer circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor interface circuit. The signal analyzer circuit measures a baseline heart sound signal, and deems that an ischemic event has occurred using, among other things, a measured subsequent change in the heart sound signal from the established baseline heart sound signal. |
| US08033992B2 |
Electronic endoscope apparatus
An electronic endoscope apparatus comprises: an intermediate member attached to a first cable of an electronic endoscope; a connector connected to a light source portion or to a processor portion; a second cable extending from the intermediate member and connecting to the connector; and a flexible outer-sheath for the second cable, the flexible outer-sheath comprising a flexible spiral tube and a resin outer skin provided on an exterior of the flexible spiral tube, wherein the flexible spiral tube is formed by spirally winding a strip body having engaging-projections respectively provided on its both side portions, so as to make the engaging-projections be engaged with each other and form a movable space which allows one of the engaging-projections to move with respect to the other one of the engaging-projections, and wherein an entirety of the flexible spiral tube is bendable with expansion and contraction of a space between the engaging-projections within the movable space. |
| US08033981B2 |
Radioactive member and method of making
A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a molded elongate, bioabsorbable carrier material with spaced radioactive sources disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer. |
| US08033976B2 |
Apparatus and method for centrifugal separation utilizing a movable collection assembly
The invention provides an apparatus for separating a multiphase mixture into discrete density phases, comprising a circular bowl rotatable about a central axis and having an opening through which the mixture is introduced into the bowl, whereby the rotation of the bowl separates the mixture to form annular columns of the discrete density phases; a delivery conduit inserted into the bowl through the opening for introducing the mixture into the bowl; and a collection assembly for removing the separated discrete density phases, comprising a collection conduit for collecting the annular columns, a waste collecting conduit, and a cleaning conduit. The collection assembly is movable as a single unit with respect to the bowl such that it can be positioned within the bowl to sequentially, selectively and individually remove the annular columns from the bowl while the bowl is rotating substantially without disturbing the remaining annular columns within the bowl. |
| US08033973B1 |
Pin wheel roller assembly
A pin wheel roller assembly for a bacon slicer. The roller assembly is formed with a number of individual spacer segments and an end cap. The pin wheel assembly is formed with a pin wheel sandwiched between adjacent cylindrical segments and the end cap. |
| US08033964B1 |
Dumbbell assembly
A dumbbell assembly includes a tube, a rod rotatably received in the tube, and two rotary units respectively connected to two ends of the rod. Each rotary unit has a wing to which multiple weight members are connected. The rod is rotated relative to the tube and the wings together with the weight members are rotated to generate centrifugal forces which apply to the user's muscles. |
| US08033961B2 |
Athletic apparatus with non-linear sliding track
An athletic apparatus includes two rotary wheels installed on a frame, a pair of tracks disposed on the frame and tilted relative to the frame, a pair of pedal mechanisms slidably attached to the tracks and each having a pedal, a pair of rocker arm mechanisms having upper ends attached to the axle rod and lower ends coupled to the pedal mechanisms, a pulley attached to the frame and a steel rope engaged with the pulley and coupled to the pedal mechanisms, two linking belts coupling the lower ends of the rocker arms to an elastic belt which is engaged with the rotary wheels, a belt wheel and two gear wheels installed on a shaft rod of the frame, and the tracks are curved and tilted or inclined relative to the frame. |
| US08033955B2 |
Methods and systems for regulating hill descent speed of an electric vehicle
A method for regulating the speed at which an electric vehicle descends a hill includes determining a position of a shift lever and determining if the vehicle accelerator and/or the vehicle brake are depressed. If the vehicle is in either drive or reverse and neither the vehicle accelerator nor the vehicle brake is depressed, a change in the motor speed is determined based on the current motor speed and a reference motor speed. The current braking assist is then adjusted based on the change in the motor speed such that the motor speed, and therefore the speed of the electric vehicle, remains constant as the vehicle descends the hill. |
| US08033949B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with a member of the planetary gear sets. The output member is continuously interconnected with another member of the planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are produced by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms. |
| US08033947B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets each having a first, a second, and a third members, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with at least one other of the first members, second members, third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary member. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. |
| US08033946B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are clutches. |
| US08033944B2 |
Differential gear
The invention relates to a differential gear having a differential housing in which two conical compensating gears are rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation and two conical output gears meshing with the compensating gears are rotatably supported about a second axis of rotation oriented at right angles to the first axis of rotation, wherein a spring device is arranged between the differential housing and at least one of the output and/or compensating gears to load it with a spring force. |
| US08033941B2 |
Lubricating oil feeding device for automatic transmission
A lubricating oil feeding device includes a carrier and a carrier cover that are attached to both ends of the pinion shaft of the planetary gear and that are arranged in an axial direction of an input shaft of the automatic transmission; an oil sump groove that opens in a peripheral direction and the axial direction of the input shaft, the oil sump groove is structured by a wall portion of the carrier cover formed radiating from a center of the input shaft, a base portion of the carrier cover that extends in an axial direction of the pinion shaft, and an end portion on an inner peripheral surface of a clutch hub that is connected with the base portion; and an oil passage that feeds lubricating oil from the oil sump groove to the pinion shaft, and provides the lubricating oil for the planetary gear. |
| US08033939B2 |
Control apparatus of vehicle drive apparatus
In one embodiment, when a switching clutch or a switching brake is engaged and thus a differential of a differential unit is limited, the gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission unit is adjusted. On the other hand, when the switching clutch and the switching brake are both released and thus the differential of the differential unit is not limited, an overall gear ratio obtained from the gear ratio of the differential unit and the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission unit is adjusted. |
| US08033938B2 |
Hydraulic tensioner
In a hydraulic tensioner, at least a part of a bar is located within a coil spring that biases a plunger in the protruding direction. The bar reduces the volume of the high pressure oil chamber of the tensioner. |
| US08033934B1 |
Baseball hitting apparatus
A collapsible and portable baseball hitting apparatus including vertical members connected to an adjustable horizontal member having a tether and baseball suspended therefrom. In another configuration, the horizontal member can fold toward the vertical members, exposing a ball tee from which a user can place a ball for hitting. |
| US08033932B2 |
Golf club head
A golf head club has a high moment of inertia and thus produces a pleasing hitting sound. A metallic golf club head 1 having a hollow space therein includes a face member 30 provided with a face part 31, and a body member 10 provided with a sole part 11, a crown part 12, a side part 13, and ribs 20. The hollow space is defined by the inner surfaces of the face part 31, the sole part 11, the crown part 12, and the side part 13, and the wall surfaces of the ribs. The ribs 20 extend from the inner surface of the sole part 11 to the inner surface of the crown part 12, and the body member 10 is molded integrally by casting. |
| US08033929B2 |
Golf club head
The present invention provides a golf club head that can hit a ball with a sufficiently large amount of backspin. The golf club head according to the present invention is an iron type golf club head made of a metal and including a flat face. A plurality of traces are formed by milling on the face. The pitch of the traces is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. |
| US08033928B2 |
Method and apparatus for an assistive energy type golf club
The present invention relates to method and apparatus adapted for use with an assistive energy type golf club which is safe to use, inconspicuous, and able to release sufficient assistive energy at the optimum time during a golf swing to add prescribed incremental velocity to a golf ball. |
| US08033925B2 |
Golf putting and swing aid apparatus
A pressure sensing and notification system to be worn by a golfer to facilitate proper putting and swing techniques. The system indicates to the golfer via a physically-detectable signal that is transmitted to the golfer instantly in response to the golfer handling a club with excessive pressure. |
| US08033922B1 |
Manually pushed swing
The manually pushed swing involves a vertical pole that is anchored into the ground via a concrete base, wherein a swing top mounts atop said pole and enables a plurality of swings seats and push handles to be connected thereon. The push handles enable a non-occupant to propel the plurality of swing seats around the pole via a bearing. The manually pushed swing is ideally suited for outdoor use. |
| US08033919B2 |
Elastic shaft coupling having non-identical rubber bodies
An elastic shaft coupling has a drive-side interface and an output-side mechanical interface. Both interfaces are intended in each case for connecting the shaft coupling to an adjacent machine element. The shaft coupling has at least two elastic rubber elements which are connected behind one another between the drive-side and the output-side interfaces and the axial material thickness of which increases in each case at a growing radial spacing from the center axis of the shaft coupling. To reduce the amount of rubber of the shaft coupling with retention of its elastic properties, the respective rubber elements are of non-uniform configuration with regard to their torsional rigidity and to be precise are so non-uniform that the torsional rigidity of one of the two rubber elements is always at least one and a half times as great as the torsional rigidity of the other rubber element. |
| US08033917B2 |
Drive shaft assembly for a downhole motor
A drive shaft assembly for a downhole motor includes a drive shaft formed with convexly spherical bearing surfaces on each end, and end housings with concavely spherical bearing surfaces for mating contact with the spherical bearing surfaces of the drive shaft, thereby facilitating omni-directional articulation between the drive shaft and the end housings while transferring axial thrust loads between the drive shaft and end housings across the interface of the mating spherical bearing surfaces. Torque is transferred between the drive shaft and end housings through two or alternatively four swivelling drive keys mounted to each end of the drive shaft and engageable with complementary drive key slots in the end housings. Full and constant torque-transferring contact is thus provided between the swivelling drive keys and the end housings irrespective of any angular offset between the drive shaft and the end housings, resulting from omni-directional articulation of the drive shaft relative to the end housing. The omni-directional center of rotation at each end of the drive shaft coincides with the geometric centerpoint of the corresponding convexly spherical bearing surface, which corresponds to the intersection of the drive shaft's rotational axis, the end housing's rotational axis, and the drive key swivel axis. |
| US08033912B2 |
Method and apparatus for competitive bonus games based upon strategy or skill
The present invention relates to gaming systems and methods where enablement for play of a bonus game is linked to play of a primary game. A player may qualify for the bonus game by preselected criteria associated with play of the primary game. The qualified players may participate in the bonus game and compete against one another in one or more rounds to achieve a final winning outcome based on the individual player's skill, strategy, or knowledge. The player who achieves the final winning outcome at the end of a plurality of rounds of the bonus game is awarded a bonus pool funded by a portion of wagers accumulated during play of the primary game. |
| US08033911B2 |
Methods and systems for conducting pari-mutuel wagers
The present invention provides methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment, an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants. |
| US08033906B2 |
Wagering game with invitation for playing a wagering game at a subsequent gaming session
A gaming terminal and method of playing a wagering game. The terminal including a wagering game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The wagering game provides the player with an option to accept an invitation immediately redeemable for playing the wagering game or an invitation to a wagering game opportunity redeemable at a subsequent gaming session. |
| US08033904B2 |
Chip-based gaming
Chip-Based Gaming includes methods for playing electronic games of chance or skill that provide players with a greater number of options and greater wagering flexibility than previous methods have afforded them. In the present Chip-Based gaming model, players may select virtual betting chips from an onscreen palette and apply those chips to various wagering opportunities throughout a game. Using this model, players are able to make individual bets on each of a slot machine's paylines or wager on making specific hands in Video Poker. Players are also able to buy and/or wager on symbol “nudges” and to buy symbol “re-spins” within a multi-line slot machine, options which provide the player with a much richer, more flexible gaming experience than he or she had heretofore enjoyed. |
| US08033902B2 |
Wide screen gaming apparatus
A gaming apparatus comprising a display unit capable of generating video images is described. The display unit can be a flat panel display with aspect ratio having a magnitude greater than or equal to 16/10. A wager-based game can be provided on the display unit. |
| US08033897B2 |
Method for collecting useful portions of fish heads and device for collecting useful portions of fish head
Useful portions in the fish heads W are collected from a number of fish heads W of the same kind of fish and of roughly same shape, pituitaries M. A useful portion line is preliminarily determined which passes pituitaries M as useful portions of the number of fish heads W having different sizes when the fish heads W are rested in a specific posture, and each of fish heads W to be processed is rested in the specific posture, and the rested fish head W is cut in the vicinity of the preliminarily determined useful portion line substantially along the useful portion line to expose an useful portion, and a brain as an untargeted portion which is present in a cut surface F is removed to expose the pituitary M, and the exposed pituitary M is collected. |
| US08033891B2 |
Hoop-type amusement device and counter
The present invention provides an improved hoop-type amusement device adapted with a counter for counting the number of revolutions achieved by the user. The counter is preferably adapted for attachment to any of a variety of hoop type devices, including the HULA HOOP, as well as specially configured hoop type devices, such as the type that may be formed from a plurality of variously sized and shaped connectable components that are selectively interconnected by the user to form a simple or complex hoop configuration of a particular desired size and shape. The counter functions to count the number of revolutions achieved by the user thereby allowing the user to monitor and gage performance. |
| US08033884B2 |
Methods of forming plasma-generating structures; methods of plasma-assisted etching, and methods of plasma-assisted deposition
Some embodiments include methods of forming plasma-generating microstructures. Aluminum may be anodized to form an aluminum oxide body having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Conductive liners may be formed within the openings, and circuitry may be formed to control current flow through the conductive liners. The conductive liners form a plurality of hollow cathodes, and the current flow is configured to generate and maintain plasmas within the hollow cathodes. The plasmas within various hollow cathodes, or sets of hollow cathodes, may be independently controlled. Such independently controlled plasmas may be utilized to create a pattern in a display, or on a substrate. In some embodiments, the plasmas may be utilized for plasma-assisted etching and/or plasma-assisted deposition. Some embodiments include constructions and assemblies containing multiple plasma-generating structures. |
| US08033883B2 |
Process for forming an organic electronic device
An organic electronic device includes a first electrode layer, an organic resistive layer coupled to the first electrode layer wherein the organic resistive layer defines at least three regions, an organic active layer coupled to the organic resistive layer, and a second electrode layer coupled to the organic active layer. Each of the at least three regions is characterized by one of the plurality of resistances and the plurality of resistances includes at least three discrete resistances that are different from one another. The regions can be fabricated by selectively exposing portions of the organic resistive layer to a chemical, selectively removing portions of the organic resistive layer, or depositing a plurality of blends. |
| US08033882B2 |
Light-emitting device or display device, and method for producing them
A light-emitting device or a display device comprising a resin film or a resin layer, a glass substrate, a light-emitting element laminate or a display element laminate, and a gas-barrier film in that order. The device is thin and hardly broken. |
| US08033878B2 |
Vessel speed control system for small planing boat and small planing boat utilizing the same
A speed control system for a small planing boat can comprise a speed sensor to detect a vessel speed of a boat body, a speed information storing unit on which data of a previously set maximum speed limit of the boat body is stored, and a speed control device for controlling the cruising speed of the boat body not to exceed the maximum speed limit based on a result of a correlation between the cruising speed and the maximum speed limit. The speed control device can comprise a revolution speed sensor, a revolution speed acquiring unit and a revolution speed control unit. The speed control device can also work in conjunction with an intake air mass amount control device which can include an electronically-controlled throttle valve, an air mass amount acquiring unit and a throttle opening degree control unit. |
| US08033876B2 |
Connector pin and method
An electrical connector and method includes a connector and a conforming element proximate to or in contact with the mating end of the connector so as to prevent distortion of a matable end. The matable end of the connector may be of a female or male type and may be of a post, tube, blade, pin, or other configuration. An element made of conforming material, for example, an elastomer, epoxy or rubber type material, is configured and positioned in contact with the matable end of the connector, providing support during assembly to prevent distortion of the matable end. The conforming element may be rectangular, wedge, cylindrical, conical, annular, or of another configuration as required to provide support to the connector pin. The conforming element may be fastened with an adhesive to the matable end to further prevent distortion. |
| US08033875B1 |
Battery terminal with an opening coaxial with openings in a U-shaped terminal clamp
A battery terminal connector including a pair of U-shaped terminal clamps and an intermediate portion connecting the terminal clamps. Each of the terminal clamps includes a pair of clamp portions between which an associated battery terminal is received. Furthermore, each of the clamp portions defines an opening to receive a fastener. The fastener secures the battery terminal connector to the associated battery terminal. |
| US08033871B2 |
Multiple function RJ connector with split internal housing opening cavity
A multi-purpose modular RJ connector includes a female receptacle having an opening in which a printed circuit board having contact pads on opposite surfaces thereof is positioned. A male plug has a cavity operative for receiving the printed circuit board therein when the male plug is inserted in the opening of the female receptacle. The male plug includes contact pins on opposite sides of the cavity for contacting the contact pads disposed on opposite surfaces of the printed circuit board when the male plug is inserted into the opening of the female receptacle. |
| US08033861B2 |
Electrical connector with improved board lock having elastic portion abutting against optical drive disk
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of conductive terminals secured in the housing and a pair of board locks. The insulative housing includes an elongated main body having a horizontal mounting surface and a top surface opposite to the mounting surface. The main body defines a pair of boardlock-receiving cavities. Each board lock comprises a body portion received in respective cavity, a connection portion to be connected to a printed circuit board, and an elastic portion extending upwardly beyond the top surface of the body. |
| US08033858B1 |
Lamp holder with a fixing element fixed to a contact plate on one side of an insulating base and to a wiring element on other side of the base
A lamp holder includes a contact plate having an end in a curved shape, and the other end fixed onto a side of an insulating base by an end of a first fixing element, such that a predetermined distance is formed between the end of the contact plate and the insulating base. The first fixing element is passed through the insulating base, and the other end thereof is outside the other side of the insulating base for coupling an anode wiring element. A thread is formed inside a contact socket, and an extended portion is extended from the bottom side of the contact socket and fixed onto the insulating base by a second fixing element, and the second fixing element is passed through the insulating base, and the other end thereof is outside the other side of the insulating base for coupling a cathode wiring element. |
| US08033855B2 |
Burn-in socket connector
A socket connector (100) includes a base (1) defining a receiving room, an insulative housing (2) received in the receiving room, a number of contacts (6) retained in the insulative housing, a floating plate (3) secured to the base and attached to an upper face of the insulative housing, and a number of springs (7). The insulative housing includes a first block portion (22), a second block portion (21) located upon the first block portion, and a side shoulder (23). The floating plate includes a rectangular main portion (30) and a plurality of fixing legs (31) extending from corners of the main portion towards the base. The springs have a first group of springs sandwiched between the edges of the main portion and the base, and a second group of springs sandwiched between the fixing legs and the side shoulder of the insulative housing. |
| US08033853B2 |
Electronic device having USB interface capable of extraction proof
An electronic device, which has a USB interface capable of extraction proof, includes a main body and a USB metallic plug. One side of the main body has a USB metallic plug, on a face of which at least one fastening component is arranged. When the fastening component is buckled into the groove of a USB connector of an electronic product, it can prevent the electronic from being stolen by a thief. |
| US08033850B2 |
Joint-pack integrated spacers
A joint pack includes one or more phase members that utilize integrated standoff spacers that protrude and come into contact with opposing conductor plates to maintain a phase space between the phase members. The spacers are located along the insulating plates of the phase members away from the phase member's axial sleeves and protrude through apertures in the conductor plates disposed on the phase members, in which the standoff spacers also provide a barrier that prevents phase-conductors from being inserted too far within the phase space. The phase members include axial sleeves that fit within one another during assembly to form a nesting arrangement, thereby reducing the overall size of the joint pack while satisfying standards. The axial sleeves can be distinctively designed such that the phase members must be assembled in a predetermined order, with no components being omitted, to form the joint pack. |
| US08033849B2 |
Central vacuum system mounting flange and hose cuff for use with standard electrical outlets
A mounting plate having an orienting portion facilitates orienting the vacuum connection opening of the mounting plate with respect to an anticipated orientation of a receptacle and electrical box. The orienting portion is optionally releasably attachable to the main body of the mounting plate which main body comprises the vacuum connection opening. The mounting plate is mounted prior to installation of the electrical receptacle in the electrical box. The orienting portion of the mounting plate facilitates orienting the vacuum connection opening in a known orientation with respect to an anticipated orientation of the electrical receptacle when inserted in the electrical box. After installation of the inlet valve and the electrical receptacle, a hose cuff having standard electrical terminals oriented with respect to the vacuum connection of the hose cuff may be simultaneously inserted into the electrical receptacle and the vacuum connection opening. The electrical terminals in the hose cuff are oriented with respect to the vacuum connection in a second known orientation corresponding to the first known orientation such that the electrical terminals mate with the electrical receptacle which has been installed in the electrical box when the vacuum connection opening receives the vacuum connection. In this manner, a hose cuff utilizing standard electrical terminals may be mated with an electrical terminal without interfering with the electrical box. Furthermore, because the orienting portion is releasably attached to the main body, the orienting portion can be removed to avoid interference with other trades. |
| US08033848B2 |
High density coaxial switching jack
A coaxial switching jack with a pair of coaxial assemblies mounted within a housing having a pair of front openings. The coaxial assemblies each include a center conductor and a shell conductor. The center conductors are connected by a first spring and the shell conductors are connected by a second spring. Insertion of a coaxial cable connector within one of the front openings deflects the springs from the corresponding coaxial assembly and disconnects the center and shell conductors of the two assemblies. The jack may also be configured to provide an electrical connection between the center and shell conductors of the second coaxial assembly if a coaxial cable connector is inserted within the first coaxial assembly. The connection between the center and shell conductors of the second coaxial assembly may allow for selection of a desired electrical impedance. |
| US08033847B1 |
Power adapter having a replaceable and positionable plug
A power adapter having a replaceable and positionable plug has a body and a plug. The body has two conducting terminals and a ground terminal mounted on a top of the body. The plug has a ground hole and multiple arced holes mounted through a bottom thereof, an intermediate ground assembly and two intermediate conducting clip assemblies mounted in the plug and respectively corresponding to the ground hole and the arced holes, and a ground pin and two conducting pins mounted on a top thereof and respectively and electrically connected with the intermediate ground assembly and the intermediate conducting clip assemblies. When the plug is assembled with the body, the ground terminal and the conducting terminals are electrically connected with the ground pin and the conducting pins respectively inserted into the ground hole and selectively into the corresponding arced holes. With the structure, the plug is replaceable and positionable. |
| US08033846B2 |
Electrical charger locking assembly
There is provided an electrical charger including a charger assembly and a locking assembly. The charger assembly includes a base unit configured for being electrically coupled to an electronic device, and an adaptor unit configured for being electrically coupled to a power supply. The locking assembly includes at least one operative detent member. There is provided a locked state, wherein the base unit is disposed in an electrical coupling relationship with the adaptor unit and movement of the base unit relative to the adaptor unit, such that the base unit becomes disposed in an electrically uncoupled relationship with the adaptor unit, is resisted. There is also provided an unlocked state wherein the base unit is moveable relative to the adaptor unit. In the locked state, each one of the at least one operative detent member is biased into an interference relationship with the charger assembly so as to resist the relative movement between the base unit and the adaptor unit which would effect the electrical uncoupling of the base unit from the adaptor unit. In the unlocked state, the locking assembly co-operates with the charger assembly such that the base unit is moveable relative to the adaptor unit. Application of a respective minimum predetermined force is required to effect a change in state from one of the locked state and the unlocked state to the other one of the locked state and the unlocked state. |
| US08033845B2 |
Rotary connector device
There are provided the body supported to the side of the combination switch and having the circular wall, the rotor connected rotatably to the body and coaxial with the wall section, the free motion spacer formed circularly between the body and the rotor and capable of freely turning with rotation of the rotor, the first guide section and the roller constituting the second guide section which are provided in the free motion spacer, the first flat cable arranged along in the circumferential direction of the outer and inner peripheral sides of the free motion spacer in such a manner that both ends of the first flat cable are fixed to the body and the rotor respectively and the first flat cable is reversed by always making the convex side of the reversing section in the first flat cable contact the first guide section, and the second flat cable arranged along the circumferential direction of the outer and inner peripheral sides of the free motion spacer in such a manner that both ends of the second flat cable are fixed to the body and the rotor respectively and the second flat cable is reversed by always making the concave side of the reversing section of the second flat cable contact the roller. |
| US08033843B2 |
Lever type connector
A pivoting lever has tongue-like movable pieces formed in a squared U-shape on both side faces of a cover member, and locking claws at intermediate parts of the movable piece. A pivoting lever is pivotally supported on a support pin of the cover member. Circular arc-shaped cam grooves are formed in a lever body part, and locking holes engaging locking claws are formed in the lever body part. When a mating housing is pressed into a housing and the lever is pivoted, the cam grooves drive a driven pin and pull the mating housing toward the housing. The lever contacts the locking claws, and pivots the locking claws while pushing them down. When the housings are joined, the locking claws returned to the original positions fitted into the locking holes, setting the lever to a locked state, thereby disabling further rotation and reverse rotation of the lever. |
| US08033840B2 |
Electrical connector with improved contacts arrangement
An electrical connector (100) for being mounted onto a printed circuit board (200) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing and a metal shell (3) covering the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a base (11) and a tongue plate (12) protruding from the base. The contacts have contacting portions (26) retained in the tongue plate and arranged in one row along a transverse direction, and tail portions (28) arranged in two rows along a front-to-back direction for being mounted onto the printed circuit board. The contacts consist of a first type of a plurality of grounding contacts (25) and a second type of a plurality of pairs of differential contacts (21, 22, 23, 24) under condition that each two adjacent pairs of differential contacts have at least one grounding contact located therebetween. At the tail portions, each pair of differential contacts include a first tail portion (281) arranged in one of the two rows and a second tail portion (282) arranged in the other row. |
| US08033838B2 |
Microelectronic contact structure
Spring contact elements are fabricated by depositing at least one layer of metallic material into openings defined on a sacrificial substrate. The openings may be within the surface of the substrate, or in one or more layers deposited on the surface of the sacrificial substrate. Each spring contact element has a base end portion, a contact end portion, and a central body portion. The contact end portion is offset in the z-axis (at a different height) than the central body portion. The base end portion is preferably offset in an opposite direction along the z-axis from the central body portion. In this manner, a plurality of spring contact elements are fabricated in a prescribed spatial relationship with one another on the sacrificial substrate. The spring contact elements are suitably mounted by their base end portions to corresponding terminals on an electronic component, such as a space transformer or a semiconductor device, whereupon the sacrificial substrate is removed so that the contact ends of the spring contact elements extend above the surface of the electronic component. In an exemplary use, the spring contact elements are thereby disposed on a space transformer component of a probe card assembly so that their contact ends effect pressure connections to corresponding terminals on another electronic component, for the purpose of probing the electronic component. |
| US08033837B2 |
Electrical connector with an improved spacer
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a base portion (11), and a pair of extending portions (114) extending backwardly from the base portion and spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction to form a receiving space (1143) therebetween, each extending portion defining a first slot (1142) communicating with the receiving space and a first block (1144) located at an inner side of the first slot; a plurality of electrical contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing and passing through the receiving space; and a spacer (6) attached to the insulative housing for retaining the electrical contacts, the spacer having a pair of second slots (65) for receiving the first blocks and a pair of second blocks (66) located at outer sides of the corresponding second slots (65) for being retained in the first slots (1142). |
| US08033834B2 |
Electrical connector terminal with twisted arm
An electrical connector terminal (1) includes a base portion (12) having a lower end (122) for connecting to a circuit board and an upper end, a twist portion (14) extending upwardly from the upper end of the base portion, and a contact portion (16) extending upwardly from the twist portion. The contact portion defines an upwardly facing contacting face. |
| US08033831B2 |
System and method for programmatically evaluating and aiding a person learning a new language
Speech data from the operation of a speech recognition application is recorded over the course of one or more language learning sessions. The operation of the speech recognition application during each language learning sessions corresponds to a user speaking, and the speech recognition application generating text data. The text data may correspond to a recognition of what the user spoke. The speech data may comprise the text data, and confidence values that are an indication of an accuracy of the recognition. The speech data from each language learning session may be analyzed to determine an overall performance level of the user. |
| US08033830B2 |
Vehicle simulation system
A vehicle simulation system equipped to display information on the rear side of a driver (rider). The simulation system includes a dummy bicycle operated by the rider, a monitor on the front side for displaying a scene based on the operations of the dummy bicycle, and a lamp unit connected to the dummy bicycle and provided on the rear side relative to the seated position of the rider. The lamp unit has a red lamp, a yellow lamp and a green lamp, and is controlledly turned ON under the action of a main control unit. An input device is provided on a steering handle of the dummy bicycle. The input device has a switch for red, a switch for yellow, and a switch for green. The rider checks behind, and operates the input device according to the ON/OFF conditions of the lamp unit. |
| US08033829B2 |
Tooth preparation solution and method
A method of preparing teeth for the adhesion of a component includes applying to at least one tooth a solution of liquid phosphoric acid and an abrasive such as pumice, removing the solution, and applying an adhesive for placing a component on the teeth. |
| US08033828B2 |
Custom impression coping and methods of manufacture and use thereof
A device for retracting gingival tissue away from a tooth or plurality of teeth prepared to receive a dental prosthesis comprising a retraction/impression material associated with a custom impression coping to be packed into a sulcus associated with the prepared tooth, and coincidentally obtaining an impression of said tooth or teeth. The device is preferably compressible, deformably rigid, extensile and non-elastic and will not stick to the gingiva or tooth structure thereby allowing for atraumatic removal. A method of use is also disclosed. |
| US08033827B2 |
Implant and a method for using same
A novel dental implant for coupling an artificial tooth to a jawbone of a patient is provided and a method for using same. The implant comprises an elongated body having an apical end threaded bone-engaging portion for engaging the dental implant with said jawbone and preferably a coronal end that serves as a post or prothetic platform. The implant further comprises a skirt shaped semi-permeable membrane attached to the elongated body and is capable of being positioned in a first upwardly raised position and in a second downwardly spread position to provide a cover for a site surrounding the location at which said artificial tooth is to be implanted. |
| US08033823B2 |
Heat processing apparatus
The present invention is a heat processing apparatus comprising: a processing vessel that receives a plurality of objects to be processed in a tier-like manner to subject the objects to be processed to a predetermined heating process; a tubular heater disposed to surround the processing vessel, the tubular heater being capable of heating the objects to be processed; an exhaust heat system for discharging an atmosphere in a space between the heater and the processing vessel; and a cooling unit that blows out a cooling fluid into the space to cool the processing vessel. The heater has a tubular heat insulating member, and a heating resistor arranged on an inner circumference of the heat insulating member. The cooling unit has a plurality of blowing nozzles embedded in the heat insulating member. Each of the blowing nozzles is formed in such a manner that an inlet orifice of the blowing nozzle and an outlet orifice thereof are not linearly aligned to each other. |
| US08033821B2 |
Premix burner for a gas turbine
A premix burner is provided, with a swirl generator and a downstream mixer tube for combusting gaseous and liquid fuel which during entry of combustion air is introduced into the burner interior space of the swirl generator and/or is introduced into the burner interior of the swirl generator on a burner axis, and also with a fuel lance which is arranged on the burner axis. The premix burner, in the transition section from the swirl generator to the mixer tube, includes at least one additional feed for introducing gaseous and/or liquid premix fuel from the wall region into the burner interior space of the mixer tube. |
| US08033820B2 |
Hot runner system for injection molding machine
A hot runner system for an injection molding machine capable of increasing durability of the nozzle includes a manifold having a resin injecting hole extending therethrough in its inner portion, a nozzle having a piston guide bushing formed at its upper end inserted into the nozzle seated groove of the manifold, a manifold guide bushing for surrounding and threadedly engaging with an upper portion of the piston guide bushing of the nozzle, and a fastening bushing for receiving an outer surface of the manifold guide bushing and threadedly engaging with an inner circumferential surface defining the nozzle seated groove of the manifold so that the manifold guide bushing is fastened by the fastening bushing to the inner circumferential surface defining the nozzle seated groove of the manifold. |
| US08033814B2 |
Device for holding a template for use in imprint lithography
An imprint lithography template may be used to form an imprinted layer in a light curable liquid disposed on a substrate. During use, the template may be disposed within a template holder. The template holder may include a body with an opening configured to receive the template, a support plate, and an actuator system coupled to the body. The actuator system may be configured to alter a physical dimension of the template during use. |
| US08033808B2 |
Pressure compensating molding system
A pressure compensating molding system with die faces of thin sheets. A thin die sheet separates a mold cavity from a heating/cooling cavity. A heating system causes a heated fluid to flow through the heating/cooling cavity, thereby preheating the thin sheet. The injection material is forced through a sprue into the mold cavity. Pressure sensors monitor the pressure of the injection material in the mold cavity and in the heating/cooling cavity. A controller varies the pressure in the heating/cooling cavity to equalize a pressure differential across the thin die sheet. A cooling system causes a cooling fluid to flow through the heating/cooling cavity to cool the molded component. |
| US08033803B2 |
Compressor having improved sealing assembly
A compressor may include a shell, a bearing housing assembly located within and secured to the shell, a compression mechanism supported on the bearing housing assembly, a partition extending over the compression mechanism, and an annular seal assembly. The partition may be fixed to the shell and may abut an axial end surface of the bearing housing assembly to control a maximum axial distance between the partition and the compression mechanism. The annular seal may be sealingly engaged with the compression mechanism and the bearing housing assembly and may have a generally L-shaped cross-section including a first leg extending generally laterally between the compression mechanism and the partition. The first leg may have an axial thickness that is greater than the maximum axial distance. |
| US08033801B2 |
Liquid chemical supply system and liquid chemical supply control device
The occurrence of fluctuations in liquid chemical during the discharge and intake thereof in a device that employs a liquid chemical supply pump 10 that discharges liquid chemical taken in by means of a change in volume inside a pump chamber 16 that accompanies the displacement of a bellows type partition 14. The amount of fluctuation in the bellows type partition member 14 that accompanies the operation of a discharge side valve 32 will be detected by a displacement sensor 58. The amount of fluctuation is a parameter that indicates a correlation with the abrupt flow of liquid chemical that accompanies the opening of the discharge side valve 32. Thus, the amount of fluctuation will be reduced, and the pressure inside a pump chamber 16 prior to the opening of the discharge side valve 32 will be controlled. |
| US08033798B2 |
Compressor vibration damper
A vibration damper includes a first damping member coupled to a compressor, a second damping member coupled to the first damping member, and a dispersion member between the first and second damping members to disperse torsional vibration forces from the compressor. The dispersion member may also serve to disperse axial and torsional vibration forces received from the compressor through the first damping member. |
| US08033795B2 |
Linear motor, a linear compressor, a method of controlling a linear compressor, a cooling system, and a linear compressor controlling a system
A linear motor (10), a linear compressor (100), a method of controlling a linear compressor (100), a cooling system (20) and a system of controlling a linear compressor (100) to operate a linear compressor (100) in resonance in it's the greatest possible efficiency throughout its operation are described. One of the ways of achieving these objectives is by means of a linear compressor (100) applicable to a cooling system (20), the linear compressor (100) comprising a piston (1) driven by a linear motor (10), the piston (1) having displacement range controlled by means of a controlled voltage (VM), the controlled voltage (VM) having a voltage frequency (φP) applied to the linear motor (10) and adjusted by a processing unit (22), the range of piston (1) displacement being dynamically controlled in function of a variable demand of the cooling system (20), the linear compressor (100) having a resonance frequency, the processing unit (22) adjusting the range of piston (1) displacement, so that the linear compressor (100) will be dynamically kept on resonance throughout the variations in demand of the cooling system (20). |
| US08033792B1 |
High flow/high efficiency centrifugal pump having a turbine impeller for liquid applications including molten metal
A centrifugal pump having a turbine impeller having a plurality of curved vanes. The vanes curve from the inlet end to the outlet end in the direction of pumping rotation of the impeller, such that the leading wall of each vane re-directs a portion of the radial velocity of the fluid flowing through the passage to increase the total tangential velocity provided by the impeller. Each vane includes a cavity which entrains fluid which slides back from a spinward passage and redirects the entrained fluid back in the direction of rotation. |
| US08033791B1 |
Blade end portion protecting bag and a rotor installing method for a wind turbine
The subject of the present invention is to provide a blade end portion protecting bag which is fit onto an end portion of a plurality of blades for protecting the blade end portion from damage when the plurality of the blades are hoisted with a rotor head to the position of an upper nacelle in assembling a wind turbine, the protecting bag having such structure that a rope joint for connecting a control rope is hard to break and therefore the durability of the rope joint portion is improved; and a rotor installing method for installing the rotor to the nacelle with the protecting bag fit onto the blade. A blade end portion protecting bag which is fit onto an end portion of a plurality of blades in installing the blades 8 to the nacelle supported on the top of a tower 2, the protecting bag comprising an end bag 10 fit onto the end portion of at least one of a plurality of the blades 8 to cover the same in a predetermined length from the end of the blade, at least two belt-like members 11a to 11e disposed to radiate from a center portion P and fixed to the outer surface of the end bag 10 in its circumference, wherein the belt-like members are bunched up at the center portion, and a control rope is connected to the belt-like members at center portion P. |
| US08033787B1 |
Canopy cover for a ceiling fan
A ceiling fan (12) is suspended from a mounting bracket (40) by a down rod (32) and a canopy (42) is provided for concealing the mounting bracket (40). The canopy (42) has a lower end (52) with apertures (56, 58) for mounting the ceiling fan (12) directly to the canopy (42) in alternative mounting configurations. A cover (44) is provided for concealing the apertures (56, 58) in the canopy (42). The cover (44) has a collar (102) which extends through a down rod opening (54) in the canopy (42), and has a plurality of protuberances (104) which secure the cover (44) to the lower end (52) of the canopy (42) in a snap engagement. A lip portion (100) upwardly extends from the cover (44) to provide a spacer for locating the protuberances (104) adjacent to an upper side of the lower end (52) of the canopy (42). |
| US08033785B2 |
Features to properly orient inlet guide vanes
Several physical features on an inlet guide vane (IGV) ensure proper orientation of the IGV within a compressor during assembly. A gear with several teeth removed results in a flat surface on the gear which inhibits the gear from rotating on the rack of the compressor inlet casing. An orientation pin is located in the internal bore of the gear. The cylindrical IGV spindle has a portion formed as a flat surface and the orientation pin engages this flat surface. These features are applicable to both a one-piece IGV where the jackshaft is integrated with the IGV stem and a two-piece IGV in which the jackshaft is separate from the IGV stem. A feature applicable to a two-piece IGV is a shaped boss on the IGV stem that allows the jackshaft to be located on the IGV stem in only one orientation. |
| US08033775B2 |
Truck mounted bulk material transfer unit
A material transfer unit is described that includes a truck, a hopper configured for mounting proximate a rear of the truck, and a conveyor comprising a catch section, a head section and a conveyor belt extending therebetween. The catch section is configured for placement under the hopper and the head section is configured for placement proximate a front of the truck. The head section is further configured for movement with respect to the truck for placement of transferred material. |
| US08033772B2 |
Transfer chamber for vacuum processing system
A transfer chamber for a substrate processing tool includes a main body having side walls adapted to couple to at least one processing chamber and at least one load lock chamber. The main body houses at least a portion of a robot adapted to transport a substrate between the processing chamber and the load lock chamber. A lid couples to and seals a top of the main body of the transfer chamber. The transfer chamber also has a domed bottom adapted to couple to and to seal a bottom portion of the main body of the transfer chamber. |
| US08033766B2 |
Tool holder with ball clamping mechanism
A tool holder includes a body, a cutting head having a cutting end portion and a tapered end portion, a retention knob located at the tapered end portion of the cutting head, and a ball clamping mechanism received in an aperture of the body. The ball clamping mechanism includes an upper clamp, a lower clamp, and a double-ended clamp screw threaded onto the upper and lower clamps. Rotation of the clamp screw in a one direction causes the upper clamp and the lower clamp to move toward each other and engage the retention knob to place the tool holder in a locked position, and rotation of the clamp screw in an opposite direction causes the upper clamp and the lower clamp to move away from each other such that the upper and lower clamps no longer engage the retention knob to place the tool holder in a unlocked position. |
| US08033763B2 |
Metal cutting system for effective coolant delivery
A metal cutting system with a tool holder, a shim, an insert with a top depression, a top piece and a clamp. A rake face cooling channel for fluid delivery is formed between the top piece and the depression in the insert. A primary discharge slot at the end of the rake face cooling channel delivers fluid from below the cutting edge of the insert. A second cooling channel for delivery of fluid to the flank face is formed between the insert and the shim or is formed between the shim and the tool holder with a portion of the cooling channel passing through the shim. |
| US08033762B2 |
Pneumatic conveyor
A pneumatic conveyor having upstream (1) and downstream (2) tubular transport channels which are interconnected by a switch device (3) and a support infrastructure (4). The switch device (3) takes the form of a transport and guiding device which is flexible in relation to the longitudinal axis thereof and which is a flexible blade. The flexible blade supports a device (10) for propelling products (6) to be transported, which includes individual rigid parallelepiped elements (18). One end (3′) of the flexible transport and guiding structure is fixed to the support infrastructure (4) or to an upstream (1) or downstream (2) transport case, such that the guide part thereof corresponds to that of a downstream (2) or upstream (1) transport case, while the other end (3) of the flexible transport and guiding structure is guided with possible angular displacement on the support infrastructure (4) or on an upstream (1) or downstream (2) transport case and is connected to a reciprocating displacement means (5). The pneumatic conveyor is used the transport of loads typically using overhead pneumatic conveyors. |
| US08033761B2 |
Method and device for transporting a molded object
A method for transporting a molded object, in particular an ophthalmic lens, specifically a contact lens (CL), in which a molded object is lifted up from a supporting surface (1) and transported to a destination, such that the molded object is acted upon by a fluid so that it is lifted up from the supporting surface (1) and transported to the destination through a transport line (2). |
| US08033756B2 |
Deep water pile driver
A pile driver is provided for use in deep water with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a working ship for setting piles, pin piles and well conductors in subsea soil and for soil sampling in deep water and can be used for shallow water and land-based applications. A ram mass or hammer is received in an open frame and hydraulically reciprocated while in contact with water. A piston rod received in a piston cylinder is secured at one end to the hammer through a coupling mechanism, and an external source of hydraulic power is used with an on-board hydraulic circuit. Gas is compressed during an up-stroke to store energy, which is released during a down-stroke to push the hammer downwardly. The coupling mechanism provides a connection between the piston rod and the hammer that can move between an essentially rigid lift connection, an essentially rigid downward-push connection and an essentially non-rigid impact connection for preventing buckling of the piston rod when the hammer strikes at its lowermost point. One embodiment of the coupling mechanism includes a hollow body having opposing longitudinal slots, a rod slideably received in the hollow body that is pinned slideably at one end in the opposing slots and pinned fixedly at the other end to the hammer, with a spring in the hollow body providing a bias to push the rod toward the hammer. |
| US08033754B2 |
Method of installing pre-insulated piping
An installation technique is shown for use with a pre-insulated steam piping system having an inner steel carrier pipe surrounded by a layer of foam insulation and then by an outer protective jacket. An expansion loop is used to create an artificial low point in the overall pipeline which allows the pipeline to avoid a buried obstruction without the necessity of increasing the depth of the remaining portion of the pipeline on either side of the loop. The expansion loop has a pair of oppositely arranged side legs which are joined by a cross-leg portion of the loop, the cross-leg portion of the loop being angled downwardly at a predetermined angle, to thereby provide a change in elevation which avoids the buried obstruction in the pathway of the pipeline. |
| US08033753B2 |
Automatic flooding protection for underground ventilation ducts
Embodiments are described for preventing downward flow of substantial surface water into an underground ventilation duct communicating upwardly to a ground surface opening. The embodiments comprise a support having a top opening and an opening in a lower portion above a floor. The opening in the lower portion is for venting communication with a proximate portion of the ventilation duct. The support supports at least one seat and paired buoyant gate set. The seat is mounted perpendicularly relative to the gate and a portion of a passageway under the seat for fluidly communicating beyond such portion to the top opening of the support and to the proximate portion of the ventilation duct. The buoyant gate is positioned lower than the seat and the passageway, is of sufficient size to block the passageway, and is responsive to water rising in the support by floatingly pivoting upwardly until engaging the seat, thereby blocking the passageway. In an embodiment, the seat of at least one set is mounted under the top opening spaced from one of the opposing sides a horizontal distance nominally equal to a fraction applied to a length for the particular opening, the fraction having the numerator 1 and a denominator which is the sum of 1 plus the number of seat and gate sets, and the buoyant gate has a seat engagement height nominally equal to the same fraction applied to the same opening length. |
| US08033751B2 |
Gyro compensated inclinometer for cross slope control of concrete screed
A control system for controlling movement of individual hydraulically moveable ends of a screed head carried by a boom of a machine so as to maintain a selected elevation position between each end of the screed head and a reference in a concrete paving application as the screed head is moved toward the machine, includes elevation receivers mounted on the ends of the screed head, and a first sensor for sensing the orientation of the screed head along its length from the first end to the second end of the screed head. A second sensor senses rotational movement of the machine which will induce an error in the output of the first sensor, and providing an output indicating such rotational movement. A control circuit is responsive to the elevation receivers and to the first and second sensors for controlling the hydraulically moveable ends of the screed head using the signals from the elevation receivers when they are not blocked, and for controlling the hydraulically movable ends of the screed head using the signals from the first and second sensors, and one of the elevation receivers when the other of the elevation receivers is blocked. |
| US08033750B2 |
Method and composition for modifying soil and dust control
A composition for chemical improvement of soil and road base materials including an aqueous solution of a water repellant and an aqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant is herein disclosed. |
| US08033749B2 |
Crash impact attenuator systems and methods
A reusable energy-absorbing crash attenuator comprises a base, a rail disposed on and extending along a length of the base, and a plurality of energy absorbing modules slidably disposed on the rail. Each of the energy absorbing modules comprises a first module portion and a second module portion which are attached together. Each of the module portions comprise plastic, preferably high density polyethylene (HDPE), and have a combination of concave and convex curvature. A plurality of fender panels are disposed in adjoining end-to-end fashion along each side of the length of the crash attenuator. The fender panels are arranged to slide together in telescoping fashion upon impact of the crash attenuator by a vehicle. |
| US08033746B2 |
Electrically-driven power cosmetics application device
An electrically driven powder cosmetics application device is controlled by high speed operation of a motor together with an eccentric weight block to induce vibration for facilitating uniform dispensing of powder cosmetics. The device includes a plastic container having an end forming a powder dispensing port containing therein a filter. Provided outside the dispensing port is a hollow collar fit over a dispensing device including a brush and a brush hair confiner tube with a powder outlet passage arranged therein. An opposite end of the container has a bottom receiving therein a vibration device including a rotation motor and an eccentric weight and a battery set for supplying electrical power and controlled by a switch to turn on/off vibration operation. With the vibration device turned on, the container is provided with assistance for dispensing cosmetics thereby ensuring uniform and smooth dispensing of the powder cosmetics contained in the container. |
| US08033743B2 |
Sliding mechanism of lens barrier, lens barrier, and camera
A sliding mechanism of a lens barrier, a lens barrier, and a camera have a simplified structure and can be readily downsized. An imaging apparatus has an imaging lens which focuses light to form an image. The lens barrier serves to cover the imaging lens from outside and is mounted on a main body of the imaging apparatus. The sliding mechanism of the lens barrier includes plural cam grooves and plural engaging members. The plural cam grooves are formed on a surface, which faces the main body of the imaging apparatus, of the lens barrier. The plural cam grooves have substantially parallel trajectories. The plural engaging members are arranged in the main body of the imaging apparatus and contact with the bottom portions of the plural cam grooves at least at three positions. The plural engaging members guide the lens barrier along the sliding direction. The lens barrier further includes an inner barrier and an outer barrier. The inner barrier is attached to the main body of the imaging apparatus and is slidable along a predetermined direction. The outer barrier is detachably attached to a surface, which is different from the surface attached to the main body of the imaging apparatus, of the inner barrier. The outer barrier has a surface area at least larger than the imaging lens. |
| US08033736B2 |
Swashplate bearing assembly with enhanced alloys
An improved swashplate assembly of the main rotor of an AH-64 Apache helicopter includes a stationary swashplate and a rotating swashplate and a ball bearing between the swashplates, the ball bearing having an outer ring, an inner ring, two sets of balls between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a wire loop cage between the inner ring and the outer ring. The improvement includes that the inner ring, the outer ring and the balls are formed from an M50 alloy. |
| US08033735B2 |
Axle bearing assembly
An axle bearing assembly includes a flange, on which a wheel is mounted; a hub shaft constructed of a cylindrical portion provided on an inboard side of the flange; a bearing having an inner ring; an outer ring; and rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a first sealing member fixed to an inboard side between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a removable second sealing member is fitted to the inboard side of the first sealing member. The inner ring of the bearing portion is fixed to the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft. |
| US08033729B2 |
Movement guiding device for vacuum environment
A movement guiding device for a vacuum environment is provided so that the device is able to suppress a base oil vaporized in the vacuum environment from leaking to the outside. The movement guiding device for a vacuum environment according to the present invention comprises a track member (1) having a rolling-element rolling part (1a), a moving member (2) having a rolling-element circulation passage containing a loaded rolling-element rolling part (2a) facing the rolling-element rolling part (1a) and being movable relatively to the track member (1), a plurality of rolling elements (3) arranged in the rolling-element circulation passage, clearance seals (5, 6) arranged with the moving member (2) and sealing a clearance formed between the track member (1) and the moving member (2) without coming in contact with the track member (1). |
| US08033726B2 |
Bulk bag handling assembly
A bulk bag handling assembly, includes a bulk bag having a bottom and opposed pairs of peripheral side walls. A pair of outer lifting tine receiving channels are provided along the bottom in parallel spaced relation to one of the opposed pairs of peripheral side walls. A pair of inner lifting tine receiving channels positioned between the outer lifting tine receiving channels. The bulk bag handling assembly described can be used with a wide variety of lifting equipment. |
| US08033723B2 |
Securing structure of sensor element having lead and securing unit thereof
A securing structure for securing a measuring member having a sensor element and a lead elongated from the sensor element to a subject to be measured, the securing structure includes the measuring member including a measuring section having a covered portion in which a part of the lead elongated from the sensor element and having a predetermined length is covered by a material having a rigidity larger than that of the lead, the covered portion being folded toward the side of the lead elongated from the covered portion to produce a folded end portion; and the subject to be measured having an insertion section through which the measuring section is inserted from the side of the folded end portion, a container section which contains the measuring section inserted through the insertion section, and a contact section with which the head portion of the covered portion comes into contact and by which the measuring section is prevented from falling out, when the lead is pulled. |
| US08033722B2 |
Thermocouple for gas turbine environments
A thin-film thermocouple (12) is disclosed for use with a gas turbine component. The thermocouple may be formed on a non-planar substrate (22) having formed thereon an electrically insulating layer (34) capable of maintaining its insulating properties at gas turbine operating temperatures. A first thermocouple leg (26) made of pure platinum is then deposited on the dielectric layer (34). A second thermocouple leg (28) made of another pure metal or a transparent ceramic oxide is also formed on the dielectric layer (34) wherein the first and second thermocouple legs make ohmic contact at a first end of each leg to form a hot junction (30) for conversion of heat into an electrical signal. The thermocouple may be deposited on a surface of a thermal barrier coating or between a thermal barrier coating and an underlying metal substrate. |
| US08033713B2 |
Whisk, in particular for culinary use
A whisk, in particular for culinary use, having a handle and an active part with a predominately pear-shaped general shape and that is mounted on the handle. The whisk also includes an attachment clip mounted on the handle and that has a spatula-shaped end part at its free end. The attachment clip rests on the active part of the whisk and has an angled shape with a concavity that is turned towards the inside of the whisk. |
| US08033712B2 |
Immersion mixer
The invention concerns an immersion mixer with an electric motor, a drive shaft, a tube, a bell-shaped housing and a rotary tool. To ease the assembly or disassembly of such a mixer, a cartridge is assembled in the bell-shaped housing so as to be removable. This cartridge includes a shaft guide body, an attaching mechanism, a sealed bearing assembly for receiving the shaft and a sleeve. The cartridge is made in such a way that it is simply necessary to insert or release it through the top of the bell-shaped housing without any action by a specialist in the field being needed. |
| US08033710B2 |
Light guide plate for surface light source
A plurality of mirror surfaces (5), which extend in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to a light incident surface (2a), are formed side by side in a longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the light incident surface (2a) on a light distribution control surface (4a) of both surfaces (4a, 4b) of a light guide plate (1) in a thickness direction (Z-axis direction) thereof, and a plurality of prisms (7) extending in the Y-axis direction are formed side by side in the X-axis direction in areas other than the mirror surfaces (5). The mirror surfaces 5 are formed in such a way that Y-axis direction widths thereof vary in the X-axis direction. This enables the setting of the light distribution characteristics and luminance distribution of emitted light, which are viewed in two directions, namely a longitudinal direction of the light incident surface of the light guide plate and the direction perpendicular to the light incident surface, to target light distribution characteristics and luminance distribution. |
| US08033709B2 |
Light guide plate, and backlight module and liquid crystal display incorporating same
A light guide plate for a liquid crystal display is disclosed. The light guide plate is adapted for use in a side-light emission type of backlight module. The light guide plate comprises a light incidence face that has at least one surface having at least one annular protrusion or recess, thereby enhancing the capability of light diffusion, uniformity of the light distribution, as well as promoting brightness. |
| US08033708B2 |
Illumination device, method of assembling illumination device, and liquid crystal display device
There is provided an illumination device equipped with a light guide plate, a light source unit having a plurality of point like light sources for supplying light to the light guide plate and a light source holding member for holding the point like light sources, the light source unit being disposed to oppose an edge face of the light guide plate, and a housing for holding the light guide plate and the light source unit. The light source unit is constituted so as to be inserted in and extracted from the housing by a slide mechanism that can be slid along the edge face of the light guide plate, and the light source unit is equipped with a spacer for assuring a gap between the edge face of the light guide plate and the light sources at a slide insertion side end of the light source unit with respect to the housing when the light source unit is slidingly inserted in the housing. |
| US08033705B2 |
Backlight assembly with thin film light pipe
A backlight assembly is provided. The backlight assembly includes a light pipe assembly having a thickness of about 90 microns, a light source and a coupler that receives light from the light source and diffuses the received light from the light source into the first end of the light pipe assembly. |
| US08033702B2 |
System and method for heat dissipation from an automotive lighting assembly having a liquid cooling circuit
An automotive headlamp assembly having a closed-loop cooling circuit. The headlamp assembly includes a housing cooperating with a transparent lens cover to define a chamber. At least one light source is located within the chamber. The cooling circuit has at least one cold plate thermally coupled to the light source. A radiator is fluidly coupled to the cold plate by a plurality of tubes. The tubes are oriented at least partially upwardly and configured to circulate a fluid through the cooling circuit as a result of heating and cooling of the fluid therein. |
| US08033701B2 |
Head lamp leveling device for vehicle
A vehicle headlamp of the present invention is provided with a lamp housing and a leveling device. The lamp housing has: a mount portion in which a circular through hole is provided; and an abutment protrusive portion which is provided at the mount portion. The leveling device has: a housing for providing a cylinder portion which is inserted into the circular through hole, and is mounted at a rim of the circular through hole; and an abutment face protrusive portion which is provided partly of the housing and allows the abutment protrusive portion to be in abutment against. As a result, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention allows the abutment protrusive portion to be in abutment against the abutment face protrusive portion, making it possible to ensure a stable distance between the lamp housing and the leveling device. |
| US08033700B2 |
Travel limiting headlamp adjuster
A headlamp adjuster includes an adjustment gear for axially positioning an output shaft relative to a housing of the adjuster. A driving engagement of the adjustment gear and output shaft runs out at either axial extreme position to which the output shaft can be adjusted, and rotation of the adjustment gear can continue without further movement of the output shaft and without damage to the adjuster or a headlamp assembly in which the adjuster is installed. Biasing assemblies urge the output shaft toward re-engagement with the adjustment gear when the drive direction is reversed. |
| US08033698B2 |
Indicator display assembly for a vehicle rearview mirror
An integrated light-emitting diode (LED) indicator display assembly having a carrier plate including a plurality of LED mounting steps. Electrical contact leads for LEDs carried on the mounting steps extend through openings in the mounting steps and out the bottom side of the carrier plate for engaging a metal fret to power the LED array. Preferably, a vibration dampening member is positioned between the LED and the LED mounting step, and a protective covering is applied over the metal fret along the bottom side of the carrier plate to enclose the metal fret and secures the metal fret in place. |
| US08033693B2 |
Lighting structure with multiple reflective surfaces
A system and method for lighting structure designs, for example LED packaging, reflector designs and optics in lighting fixture, has been illustrated. In one embodiment, the lighting structure has multiple reflective surfaces such that a first reflective surface and a second surface form a first angle less than 90 degree while the second surface and a third reflective surface forms a second angle of less than 270 degree. The method can be applied in both LEDs package designs and second level optical application designs of a light module. |
| US08033692B2 |
Lighting device
A first lighting device comprises at least one plural cavity element and a plurality of solid state light emitters. A second lighting device comprises at least one plural cavity element, a plurality of solid state light emitters and at least one encapsulant region, at least a portion of the plural cavity element being surrounded by the encapsulant region. Each plural cavity element has at least two optical cavities. Each optical cavity comprises a concave region in the plural cavity element. At least one solid state light emitter is present in each of at least two of the optical cavities. |
| US08033687B2 |
Waterproof assembly of LED lamp cup
A LED lamp cup includes a heat-conducting substrate, a LED unit, a casing and a light-transmitting lamp cover. The casing can be detachably assembled with the heat-conducting substrate or the light-transmitting lamp cover easily. Further, the casing or the light-transmitting lamp cover is configured that it can be retained from outside toward inside, so that the casing may not rotated reversely after being assembled with the heat-conducting substrate or the light-transmitting lamp cover. Thus, the biasing force exerted on the first and second waterproof gaskets may not be reduced to enlarge the gap. Thus, the penetration of moisture can be prevented to achieve a good waterproof effect. |
| US08033684B2 |
Starry sky lighting panels
A lighting panel capable of producing a “Starry Sky” lighting effect and which is easily retrofitted into existing aircraft includes a first substrate, a plurality of microminiature light sources, such as LEDs, mounted on an upper surface of the first substrate, a plurality of electrically conductive traces written on the upper surface of the first substrate so as to make electrical interconnections with respective leads of the light sources, a clear filler material surrounding each light source and tapering down to the upper surface of the first substrate so as to planarize it, and a flexible decorative film laminated over the upper surface of the first substrate and light sources, the decorative film containing a plurality of apertures therethrough, each corresponding in location to a respective light source. |
| US08033682B2 |
Replacement illumination device for an incandescent lamp
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing a light emitting diode and driving circuitry integrated into a component module that will retrofit common incandescent lightbulb applications. The disclosed embodiments will perform with high efficiency at a wide operating voltage range with a very small size allowing for the incorporation within the envelope and form of existing lightbulb bases. Therefore, a single universal LED light bulb module can be used to replace the dozens of conventional LED and incandescent lights currently being used. The electronic circuitries used to drive the LEDs are extremely compact and consequently can be incorporated in nearly any standard bulb base. |
| US08033681B2 |
LED work light
A light comprising an LED whose light intensity decreases as the angle from an axis of the LED increases, and a convex lens associated with the LED such that a beam width of the LED is concentrated by the lens into a narrower beam width, wherein the convex lens includes both a convex surface and a concave surface, and the concave surface is curved more sharply towards its edge than towards its center such that light is more evenly spread across the beam width of the lens. |
| US08033677B1 |
Deep submersible light with pressure compensation
A deep submersible light includes a body defining a hollow interior and a solid state light source such as a plurality of high brightness LEDs mounted in the interior of the body. A transparent window is mounted over the LEDs. The space between the transparent window and the LEDs is filled with an optically transparent fluid, gel, or grease, which allows light to pass through and ambient water pressure to pass in, thus pressure compensating the LEDs by allowing them to see ambient water pressure. The transparent window is mounted in the body for reciprocation in both a forward direction and a rearward direction to accommodate volumetric changes in the compensating fluid, gel, or grease caused by changes in temperature and water pressure as the manned or remotely piloted submarine travels from the sea surface to deep ocean depths. |
| US08033674B1 |
Optical components and light emitting devices comprising asymmetric scattering domains
The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel. The NPDASL and the PDALS form a multiple reflection cavity that will increase the spatial luminance while improving the light recycling of the appropriate polarization state. In a further embodiment the light homogenizer includes at least one of a light collimating region and a light re-directing region. |
| US08033671B1 |
Retroreflective structures having a helical geometry
Retroreflective structures and methods of forming the same comprise a body of material extending along a helical path about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of retroreflective optical elements positioned along the helical path of the body of material, and constructed and arranged to retroreflect electromagnetic energy directed from a range of angular orientations about the longitudinal axis. |
| US08033664B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining sphere and cylinder components of subjective refraction using objective wavefront measurement
An apparatus for determining spherical and cylinder components of subjective refraction of a patient's vision includes a wavefront measurement device that can produce a measure of quality of vision in a return beam from the patient's eye viewing a target through a corrective test lens in the apparatus. The corrective lenses may be varied and a plurality of measurements of quality of vision may be obtained and analyzed to determine the spherical and cylinder components. Accordingly, the eye examiner may conduct a refraction examination without a subjective response from the patient. |
| US08033662B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for preventing image deterioration due to speed variation in an imtermediate transfer body
The image forming apparatus has: a head which has a liquid ejection surface and performs liquid ejection in which liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection surface; an intermediate transfer body moving in a movement direction with respect to the head and having an image forming surface opposing the liquid ejection surface of the head and a rear surface which is reverse to the image forming surface and on which a line pattern constituted by pattern elements is formed, the image forming surface having an image forming region in which an image is formed by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection surface of the head, the pattern elements being arranged equidistantly in the movement direction; a transfer device which transfers the image formed in the image forming region of the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium; a reading device which is provided on an upstream side of the head in terms of the movement direction of the intermediate transfer body and reads light reflected by the line pattern; and an ejection control device which determines a movement speed and a movement distance of the intermediate transfer body from result obtained by reading the light by means of the reading device, generates an ejection control signal for the head according to the determined movement speed and the determined movement distance of the intermediate transfer body, and controls the liquid ejection of the head according to the ejection control signal. |
| US08033658B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid restoration method
The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection device which ejects liquid; a liquid supply device which supplies the liquid to the liquid ejection device; a saturated dissolved gas amount determination device which determines a saturated dissolved gas amount of the liquid in the liquid ejection device; a dissolved gas amount determination device which determines a dissolved gas amount of the liquid in the liquid ejection device; a liquid restoration device which carries out a liquid restoration processing to reduce the dissolved gas amount of the liquid inside the liquid ejection device; and a liquid restoration control device which controls whether or not the liquid restoration device carries out the liquid restoration processing, according to a differential between the saturated dissolved gas amount determined by the saturated dissolved gas amount determination device and the dissolved gas amount determined by the dissolved gas amount determination device. |
| US08033656B2 |
Liquid feeding device and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid feeding device includes: a flexible tube to be arranged so as to be curved at the midsection thereof for feeding liquid to a liquid ejecting head for ejecting the liquid toward a target; a resilient longitudinally extending member to be arranged so as to extend along the tube; and a binding member for binding the longitudinally extending member with the tube at a distance from each other. The binding member is fixed to the tube and slidably supports the longitudinally extending member. |
| US08033651B2 |
Liquid ejection head and printing apparatus
A reliable print head with improved reliability is less likely to be damaged by possible cavitation in ink inside a bubbling chamber. A plurality of ink supply paths through which the ink is supplied to the bubbling chamber are connected to the bubbling chamber. Communication positions where the plurality of ink supply paths communicate with the energy acting chamber are formed such that distances from a heater formation surface of the communication positions are different from each other along a direction orthogonal to the heater formation surface. |
| US08033649B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and platen unit
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head that has a conductive nozzle plate and discharges liquid from openings of the nozzle plate to recording material; an absorbing member that is arranged opposite the nozzle plate in a direction in which the liquid is discharged and has electrical conductivity to absorb liquid not attached to the recording material; an electrode member that is adjacent to a rear face of a face facing the nozzle plate in the absorbing member; and a potential difference generating means that generates a potential difference between the nozzle plate and the electrode member to electrically attract the liquid toward the electrode member. |
| US08033648B2 |
Pattern forming apparatus and pattern forming method
A pattern forming apparatus which forms a pattern of an electroconductive liquid on a printing medium includes a pattern forming substrate having an insulating substrate, a plurality of electrodes arranged on the insulating substrate, and an insulating layer which covers the electrodes, an electric potential controller which selectively applies an electric potential to the electrodes, and a transferring mechanism which transfers the pattern by bringing the electroconductive liquid formed as a predetermined pattern on the insulating layer, in contact with the printing medium. Accordingly, it is possible to form a fine pattern at a low cost. |
| US08033647B2 |
Liquid drop dispenser with movable deflector
A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. |
| US08033641B2 |
Method and a device for moving a jet member
A device for moving a jet member (6) having a nozzle has a carriage (4) movable in a substantially rectilinear path and provided with a base portion to which the jet member is pivotably connected. A first drive member (9) is arranged for moving the carriage for moving the nozzle of the jet member in the rectilinear path over a layer to be treated by the jet, and a second drive member (10) is arranged for pivoting the jet member with respect to the base portion for changing the attack angle of the jet upon the layer. A control arrangement (21) is situated to coordinate the control of the first and second drive members for moving the impact point of the jet on the layer with a substantially constant speed over the layer. |
| US08033640B2 |
Fluid discharging apparatus
A fluid discharging apparatus includes: nozzles configured to discharge fluid to a medium; a rotating member having a holding area configured to hold the medium and a non-holding area formed with an opening on a peripheral surface thereof and configured to rotate with the peripheral surface opposed to the nozzles; and a collecting mechanism configured to collect the fluid which does not adhere to the medium, the collecting mechanism including a suction unit configured to suck the fluid through the opening into the rotating member and a storage unit configured to store the fluid sucked into the rotating member. |
| US08033639B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus, method of cleaning a recording head, and a computer readable medium encoding the method
An inkjet recording apparatus, method and computer readable medium are provided. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head comprising a nozzle formation surface having a plurality of ink discharging nozzles formed thereon; a wiper which has elasticity and wipes the nozzle formation surface by pressingly contacting against the nozzle formation surface of the recording head; and a moving unit which moves at least one of the recording head and the wiper to wipe the nozzle formation surface at a first relative speed and moves the at least one of the recording head and the wiper to separate from each other at a second relative speed, which is less than the first relative speed. The method includes moving at least one of the inkjet recording head and the wiper relative to each other so that the wiper wipes the nozzle formation surface at a first relative speed; and separating the wiper from the inkjet recording head at a second relative speed, which is less than the first relative speed. |
| US08033635B2 |
Printer with ink pressure regulator
An inkjet printer includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to print media; an ink supply reservoir for storing ink; an ink supply line defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC; a valve in the ink supply line proximate the printhead IC selectively closing the flow path to the printhead IC; an ink purge actuator for forcing a volume of ink out of the printhead under pressure; a printhead maintenance system having a collection roller for rotating such that the collection roller surface collects ink purged from the printhead and draws the ink away; and a pressure regulator provided in the ink supply reservoir downstream from the ink supply reservoir. The pressure regulator is normally biased shut, and operable to open upon a threshold pressure difference between ink upstream of the pressure regulator and ink downstream of the pressure regulator. |
| US08033633B2 |
Inkjet printer and ink cartridge
An inkjet printer is provided. The inkjet printer includes: a holder configured to mount thereon an ink cartridge for storing ink; and an imaging unit which obtains an image of a surface of the ink in the ink cartridge mounted on the holder. |
| US08033631B2 |
Recording head and test apparatus for recording head
A recording head in which a plurality of recording elements is arranged in an order is provided. The recording head includes a plurality of driving circuits that generate signals for driving transistors, each of the plurality of driving circuits being provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of recording elements. The recording head further includes a plurality of temperature acquisition circuits that acquire temperatures of the recording elements and a signal generation circuit that generates signals for sequentially driving the recording elements. The temperature acquisition circuit corresponding to the first recording element performs acquisition of a temperature based on a signal that is generated by the driving circuit corresponding to the second recording element and a signal that is generated by the driving circuit corresponding to the third recording element. |
| US08033630B2 |
Liquid ejecting method and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting method includes detecting a faulty nozzle in which an ejection fault occurs when a liquid should be ejected, calculating corrected tone values by correcting tone values of pixels adjacent to pixels at which the liquid should be ejected from the faulty nozzle based on a correction amount, and a liquid ejecting apparatus ejecting the liquid to the adjacent pixels based on the corrected tone values. |
| US08033629B2 |
Liquid jetting apparatus and control method for the same
A liquid jetting apparatus to which a liquid container is attached, the container containing a liquid and having a first device, includes a processor, a first line, a second line, a controller and a connecting module. The processor executes a prescribed process in relation to the liquid container. The first line is for electrical connection to the first device. The second line is for electrical connection to the processor. The controller, in a first instance, accesses the first device via at least the first line and that, in a second instance, accesses the processor via the second line to have the processor execute the prescribed process. The connecting module, in the second instance, electrically sets the first line to a fixed voltage. |
| US08033626B2 |
Ink jet printhead module and ink jet printer
An ink jet printhead module adapted for use in a printing apparatus, the ink jet printhead module being capable of receiving address signals and chip selection signals from a printhead drive unit of the printing apparatus. The printhead module includes chip control circuits, each being capable of receiving the address signals and receiving a corresponding one of the chip selection signals. Each chip control circuit includes switching circuits and an ink jetting circuit set. Each switching circuit is capable of receiving a corresponding one of the address signals and the corresponding one of chip selection signals and outputting a switching signal. An ink jetting circuit set includes ink jetting circuits, each being capable of receiving the switching signal from the corresponding switching circuit electrically coupled to the ink jetting circuit and determining whether or not to jet out ink based on the received switching signal. |
| US08033625B2 |
Apparatus and method of filling ink tank
An apparatus and method of filling a tank with a fluid are provided. The method includes providing the tank including a porous media positioned therein, the tank having a length dimension and a width dimension; providing a plurality of needles, each needle having a first end connectable in fluid communication with a fluid source and a second end including a fluid outlet port, the fluid outlet port having an axis; orienting each needle such that the axis of the fluid outlet port is substantially parallel with a preferred direction, the preferred direction being along one of the length dimension and the width dimension of the tank; inserting each needle into the porous media positioned within the tank; and filling the tank with fluid from the fluid source. |
| US08033622B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a body having a compartment in the body and a door for opening and closing the compartment, an electrical device movable with respect to the body along a first direction, a conductor electrically connecting the electrical device with the body, and a winding device to apply a tension to the conductor in the first direction toward the compartment. |
| US08033616B2 |
Braze thickness control
A degradation tool or assembly comprises an inverted conical face formed in a top end of a tool body, which top face tapers towards a central axis of the tool body. A base end of a carbide bolster is adapted to be brazed to the inverted conical top face. At least one protrusion is formed in the top face and is adapted to control a braze thickness between the top face of the tool body and the base end of the carbide bolster. |
| US08033614B2 |
Transporter vehicle
Detection signals from lever sensor (29), sit-down sensor (30) and vehicle speed sensor (31) are read into a controller (32). A control signal is produced by the controller (32) to switch a directional control valve (20) of a control valve unit (16) instantly from a floating position (c) to a neutral position (a) and to switch another directional control valve (21) from a neutral position (a) to a lowering position (d) when a dump truck (1) is in travel with the directional control valve (20) of the control valve unit (16) is switched in the floating position (c). Whereupon, a hoist cylinder (10) is contracted by a hydraulic pressure force to hold a vessel (3) in a sit-down position on a vehicle body (2), thereby preventing the vessel (3) from shaking movements like floating up while the dump truck (1) is in travel. |
| US08033612B2 |
Comfortable mesh folding chair
A folding mesh chair includes a seat and a backrest carried between opposite frame sides. The chair has an unfolded seating position in which the seat pivots to extend from the frame sides and bottoms of front and rear legs move apart, and a folded position in which the seat pivots toward the frame sides and the front and rear legs move together. One or both of the seat and the backrest have a continuous sheet of flexible and elastic mesh or patterned open texture plastic held across and substantially covering an opening in an all-plastic hoop fixed between the frame sides. |
| US08033611B2 |
Bench
A bench includes at least two feet, a plurality of seat plates, a back plate, and an armrest. A back portion is extended from an upper edge of each foot, and a cushion portion is formed at a bottom of the back portion. The seat plates and the back plates are fixed to the cushion portions and the back portions of the feet by bolts, and the armrests are fixed to the back plate and two lateral sides of the seat plate by bolts so as to form a strong and fine bench. |
| US08033609B2 |
Head restraint
A head restraint assembly for use with a vehicle seat, the head restraint assembly having a head restraint armature that is adapted to be attached to a seat back, including two spaced apart support posts, a cushion surrounding the head restraint armature and a strap that is affixed to the head restraint armature, the strap extending between the two spaced apart support posts. The strap is surrounded by the cushion. |
| US08033607B2 |
Seat reclining device for vehicle
A seat reclining device for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a lock mechanism and a memory mechanism. The seat reclining device is arranged between a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame, and includes a control shaft associated with operation of an unlock operation lever. The lock mechanism includes a rotating body, which is secured to the seat back frame and is supported to be freely rotatable with respect to the base body. The memory mechanism includes a plate portion having an engaging portion, a holding bracket, which is freely rotatable about a rotational axis that is the same as the control shaft, a memory pole, a restricting portion, which restores the holding bracket to a predetermined initial position, a lever member, which is rotated in accordance with operation of the memory operation lever, and an engagement holding portion, which disengages the memory pole from the plate portion as the holding bracket is restored to the initial position. |
| US08033605B2 |
Vehicle seats
A vehicle seat may include a seat main body having a seat cushion, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body with respect to a vehicle floor, a vertically moving mechanism that is arranged and constructed to vertically move the seat main body while moving the seat main body between vehicle interior and vehicle exterior, and a seat support that is capable of attaching the seat main body to the vertically moving mechanism. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is composed of a pair of longitudinal side frame elements, an anchor frame positioned between the side frame elements and anchor members attached to the anchor frame. The anchor frame is connected to the seat support via reinforcement members. |
| US08033600B2 |
Seat system with shock- and vibration-reducing bladders
A seat system has separate air bladders in the seat bottom and seat back. The seat bottom bladder is in fluid communication with the seat back bladder through a plurality of rigid interconnecting tubes, and valves in the tubes or orifice size can control flow rate of air exchange between the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. A panel of resilient, compressible open cell foam extends in each of the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. Through-holes in the foam panel permit accelerated air evacuation to the other bladder when the seat withstands a significant shock event. The vibration and shock attenuation characteristics of the seat are jointly provided by the panel spring force and the bladder air pressure. |
| US08033599B2 |
Infant carrier handle
The invention of this application relates to an infant carrier with carry handle wherein the carry handle is adapted to facilitate easier, more comfortable carrying in the crook of one's elbow and wherein the carry handle is adapted to removably display a printed image or other indicia, such as safety or identification indicia. |
| US08033586B2 |
Multiple use vehicle accessory
A multiple use vehicle accessory is provided that is configured for attachment to a vehicle. The accessory includes a first end on a frame. The first end defines a front side wall that has a pair of ears and a first cut-out section. A tire is configured for being disposed within the first cut-out section so that a center portion of the front side wall is configured for engaging a crown of the tire. The ears are located vertically above the center portion of the front side wall when the tire engages the center portion of the front side wall. A second end is located at an end of the frame opposite from the first end and is configured differently from the first end. |
| US08033585B1 |
Paint can holder
A paint can holder comprising a base and an upright member coupled to the base. There are a pair of connecting straps, with each strap being coupled to each of the upright members. There is a handle coupled to the upright member. The handle has a first end and a second end. There is at least one ring. The ring is located around the handle. |
| US08033578B2 |
Coupling between two bodies
A coupling between a first body with a hole and a cylindrical end zone of a second body to be inserted therein, in which hole extend elastically deformable tongues, the free end edges of which tongues lie on a circle, the diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the end zone, which tongues bend in the insertion direction when the end zone is inserted and scrape over the surface thereof with their free edges such that after inserting the end zone over some distance the movement in a backward direction is blocked. The end edges of the tongues have an inclining position corresponding to a part of a helix, so that during a relative rotation of the two bodies, the form of the helix is followed whereby an axial relative movement also occurs and the end zone can be removed from the hole. |
| US08033568B2 |
Head-protecting airbag
A head-protecting airbag adapted to be mounted on an upper periphery of a window of a vehicle for deployment downward to cover the window includes a primary inflatable portion that includes a protection portion for receiving an occupant's head and a secondary inflatable portion that admits inflation gas of the primary inflatable portion and is inflatable secondarily for preventing a pressure increase of the primary inflatable portion. The primary inflatable portion and the secondary inflatable portion are communicated with a tubular conduit. The protection portion includes an inlet-side inflatable portion located proximate an inlet port of the conduit and a lower inflatable portion located below the conduit. The lower inflatable portion is communicated with part of the inlet-side inflatable portion and has an opening dimension in a vertical direction that is greater than that of the conduit over an entire area below the conduit. |
| US08033566B2 |
Impact absorbing airbag inflator
An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis. |
| US08033562B2 |
Vehicle tow hitch with coupling guide
A trailer hitch guide device may include a guide ramp, a guide ramp release, a hitch guide base, and a bottom metal layer. The trailer hitch guide device may enable a person to couple a trailer and a towing vehicle with ease. |
| US08033557B2 |
Vehicle suspension system and method
A vehicle suspension mounting structure and method can include a control arm connected to a bushing via a fastener rod and the method of connecting the same. The bushing can be attached to a portion of the vehicle frame. The fastener rod can be inserted into a cavity in the control arm such that the fastener rod extends away from the control arm and is prevented from being removed from the cavity in the control arm by a lip provided at a proximal end (relative to the control arm) of the fastener rod. The mounting structure and method can provide a safer and stronger connection between the control arm and bushing. In addition, serviceability can be improved and cost savings can be realized in some cases. |
| US08033553B1 |
Carrying device
A transportation device consisting of an elongate central member with a handle at one end, and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the other end. A first cross member is oriented generally perpendicular to the central member between the first two ends thereof and has a connector attached thereto for removably retaining an object to the first cross member. A yoke is moveably attached to the elongate member near the pair of wheels and a second cross member also having a connector thereon for removably retaining an object thereto is attached to the second cross member. |
| US08033552B1 |
Universal attachment device for sulkies
A universal attachment device for attaching lawn care equipment including but not limited to leaf catchers, plug-core aerators, utility carts, and fertilizer spreaders to the sulky of a commercial walk-behind mower, the attachment device features a mounting shaft; a vertical pivot mount disposed on the first end of the mounting shaft for engaging a mounting plate disposed on the sulky; and a vertically oriented mounting channel disposed on the second end of the mounting shaft, the mounting channel functions to a base attachment shaft disposed on the piece of lawn care equipment or the lawn care equipment directly. |
| US08033551B2 |
Ice skating blade
A skate blade has a front curved section having a front balance point, a rear curved section having a rear balance point, and a middle section having a center balance point. Each balance point is a point on the skate blade over which a skater's center of gravity lies depending on the skater's position. The skate blade is shaped such that the middle section is substantially flat. Additionally, the blade is shaped such that more of the blade extends away from a blade holder at the rear balance point than at the front balance point. |
| US08033549B2 |
Mechanical seal
A rotating assembly of a mechanical seal includes a retainer, a pair of compression rings, a shaft sleeve, a first rotating seal ring and a second rotating seal ring. The retainer includes a plurality of spring members and a plurality of slide legs longitudinally extended in opposite directions to define limiting spaces where the compression rings are correspondingly restricted. The compression rings are located at opposite sides of the retainer between which the spring members are arranged. In assembling, the retainer, the compression rings, the first rotating seal ring and the second rotating seal ring are assembled on the shaft sleeve. Spring forces of the spring members can actuate the compression rings to push the first rotating seal ring and the second rotating seal ring in the opposite directions. |
| US08033545B2 |
Method and control arrangement for transporting printing material
An object of the present invention is to improve the process sequence in a printing machine. Another object of the present invention is to increase the operational life of the printing machine. A method has been provided for transporting printing material (9) through a printing machine in which, in case of an occurrence of paper jam in the transport path (2), a flap (5) in the transport path (2) is actuated and a sheet of printing material (9) is transported along the flap (5) out of the transport path (2). Furthermore, a transport arrangement (1) for transporting printing material (9) along a transport path (2) in a printing machine is provided, comprising at least one transport path flap (5) actuated by a control arrangement (20) for opening and closing, and comprising an associated container (8) for receiving waste printing material when said flap (5) is open. |
| US08033544B2 |
Edge sensor calibration for printmaking devices
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a printmaking device, a method, and a system for calibrating sensors. The printmaking device includes a calibration system with a media path, a registration device, and at least one edge sensor. The registration device having a pair of nips connected by a lateral carriage and a calibration member disposed traversely and affixed to the lateral carriage. The lateral carriage is configured to move laterally relative to the media path. The at least one edge sensor may be configured to determine an extent of movement of a first portion of the calibration member. The registration device calibrates the at least one edge sensor by: moving the lateral carriage a predetermined distance; determining the extent of movement of the first portion of the calibration member; and comparing the predetermined distance and the extent of movement so as to determine the calibration factor. |
| US08033543B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a sheet stacking apparatus including a tray on which sheets are stacked, and an aligning member aligning the sheets stacked on the tray. The aligning member aligns sheets stacked, on a sheet previously stacked on the tray, with a displacement in an aligning direction of the aligning member with respect to the sheet previously stacked. An aligning operation of the aligning member is changed on the basis of whether or not the number of the sheets stacked on the sheets previously stacked is a predetermined number or less. |
| US08033538B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing printed products including wire-stitched booklets having reshaped spines
A method for producing a printed product that includes supplying a wire-stitched booklet to a spine processing device such that the booklet includes signatures and a spine. The method includes reshaping the spine in the spine processing device. Following the reshaping, the method further includes supplying a cover to the booklet, applying adhesive to the cover or to the reshaped spine, and combining the cover with the booklet to form the printed product. The method includes discharging the printed product from the spine processing device. |
| US08033529B2 |
Ratcheted lift mechanism
The present invention is related generally to hoists, and more particularly to a hoist system for safely raising, storing, and lowering loads. |
| US08033527B2 |
Adjustable lifting and stabilization rescue strut system
A lifting strut and stabilization system includes a lower outer tubular member in slidable engagement with an upper extendable inner tubular member, a mechanism for receiving and supporting a jack on the outer tubular member, a pin for optionally restraining the upper tubular member from further engagement into the lower tubular member, while allowing unrestrained extension of the upper tubular member from within the lower tubular member, and a removably attached jack having a bracket at its upper end incorporating a saddle or half-hole for engaging a strut lift pin located in a corresponding saddle, half-hole or flat bearing surface located on the upper end of the lower tubular member, the lift pin extending through the saddle holes in the upper tubular member, such that upon actuation of the jack, the upper jack bracket engages the lift pin and extends the upper tubular member from within the lower tubular member. |
| US08033525B2 |
Valve trim adjustor for a poppet control valve
A control valve having an external valve trim adjustor is provided. The control valve comprises a valve shaft comprising a contact member extending in a direction transverse to the valve shaft, a stationary valve cap adapted to receive the valve shaft, an adjustment member coupled to the valve cap, and a stop plate coupled to the contact member and threadedly coupled to the adjustment member, the stop plate positioned at least partially between the adjustment member and the contact member and adapted to position the contact member away from the valve cap in response to manipulation of the adjustment member. |
| US08033524B2 |
Female connector element and connector incorporating such an element
This female connector element (A) is able to receive a male element (B) by fitment and comprises a seal (25), housed inside a body (21) of the element and able to interact in a sealed manner with a peripheral surface (13) of a male element (B). The female element (A) also comprises an interface member (27), housed inside the body (21) and able to move in translation parallel to the axis of fitment (X-X′). The interface member (27) is able to be moved axially by a male element (B) during fitment into the female element, from a first position, in which it is inserted radially between the seal (25) and the peripheral surface (13) of the male element, to a second position, in which it is offset axially relative to the seal (25) and the seal (25) rests in a sealed manner on the peripheral surface (13) of the male element. |
| US08033518B2 |
Beverage holder device
An attachment (A) coupled to a belt clip (B) including a rigid beverage holder frame, and a catch and catch release belt or appliance clip device. The beverage holder comprising a free swinging, rigid, cylindrical frame to perpendicularly harbor a beverage container (C) contained within or not an insulated drink container sleeve (E) attaching to belt clip device (B), providing the wearer convenient mobile storage while minimizing tipping spills and further providing the user freedom of either or both hands for other activities or tasks. |
| US08033516B2 |
Device suitable for tiltably mounting a display screen on a wall, as well as such a method
A device suitable for tiltably mounting a display screen on a wall. The device comprises a wall member to be mounted on a wall, as well as a support member, to which the display screen is to be connected. The support member is connected to the wall member, being tiltable about a tilt axis. The device further comprises a pivotable connecting arm, which connects the wall member and the support member at a point spaced from the tilt axis. The connecting arm can be connected to one of a number of angle setting recesses for setting a desired angle of tilt between the support member and the wall member. The device comprises a slide which is movable relative to the wall member and the support member, which slide is provided with a number of recesses. The slide is movable with respect to the angle setting recesses from a first position, in which the recesses and the angle setting recesses are aligned, to a second position, in which the slide prevents the connecting arm being connected to the angle setting recesses, and vice versa. |
| US08033515B2 |
System for mounting devices to a display
In certain embodiments, there is provided a system including a display, a mounting groove disposed along a portion of the first display, and a mount position along the mounting groove. In these embodiments, the mount position includes an alignment structure disposed in the mounting groove and a fastener disposed in the mounting groove. |
| US08033514B2 |
Motorcycle stand
A motorcycle stand includes first and second legs pivotable relative to one another between a maximum spread configuration, an intermediate spread configuration, and a storage configuration; the legs being generally parallel to one another when at the storage configuration. The motorcycle stand includes a biased plunger operatively coupled to the first leg and a pin operatively extending from at least one of the first and second legs. The second leg includes a first cavity configured to receive the plunger when the first and second legs are at the intermediate spread configuration. The first and second legs are maintained at the intermediate spread configuration when the plunger is received in the first cavity. The pin includes a distal segment for insertion in a motorcycle axle, the distal segment being neither parallel nor perpendicular to the first and second legs. |
| US08033513B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed. A display device includes a connecting block (40) rotatably fastened to an end of a stand assembly (20); a head mount (43) vertically movable with respect to the connecting block (40); and a locking unit that selectively locks the motion of the head mount (43) as the connecting block (40) rotates. |
| US08033512B2 |
Self-secure mount for tubular object
A self-secure mount for a tubular object includes an outer holder and an inner holder. The outer holder includes two spaced apart holding panels and an arc-shaped cornering panel extended between the two holding panels for applying an elastic clipping force between the holding panels. The inner holder includes two spaced apart clipping panels overlapping with each other to define a clipping channel therebetween, wherein two inner edges of the clipping panels are extended towards a closed end of the clipping channel. The two inner edges of the clipping panels are adapted for pressing against an outer surface of the tubular object to retain the tubular object in position, such that when the holding panels are pressed to minimize a distance therebetween, the clipping force of the outer holder is substantially increased towards the inner edges of the clipping panels to hold the tubular object within the cornering panel. |
| US08033510B2 |
Lift augmentation system and associated method
A system and method for generating lift provided by a multi-element aircraft wing are provided. The system includes a main wing element, a slat interconnected to the main wing element, and a flap interconnected to the main wing element. The system also includes at least one port defined in at least one of the slat, main wing element, and flap. In addition, the system includes at least one fluidic device operable to regulate fluid flow into and out of the at least one port to control boundary layer flow over at least one of the slat, main wing element, and flap. |
| US08033508B2 |
Space shuttle with a device for docking to a satellite
In a space shuttle with a device for docking to a satellite, especially a communication or navigation satellite, at least two spreading elements in the form of lever spreaders are pivotally disposed at a retaining part of the docking device, which is concentric to a linkage. The lever spreaders have their proximal ends—relative to the space shuttle—provided with inward projections projecting inward towards the linkage, which inward projections engage in a recess formed in the linkage when the lever spreaders, spread apart to a defined opening angle by the cone of the linkage. When the linkage is retracted further, a pressure spring is compressed. At the same time, the lever spreader caught in the recess are retracted so far that the ends of the lever spreaders, spread apart in a defined manner, positively abut the inner wall of the nozzle neck. |
| US08033501B2 |
Method and apparatus for attaching electrically powered seat track cover to through hole seat track design
A system for communicating electrical signals between two spaced apart seat assemblies on a mobile platform, for example an aircraft. The seat assemblies are secured to seat tracks mounted on a floor of the aircraft cabin. The seat tracks have a plurality of spaced apart holes that enable seat assembly mounting. A seat track cover is snap-fit onto one or more seat track mount devices. Each of the seat track mount devices includes one or more cleats or knobs that can be snap fit into the openings in the seat track to quickly and easily secure the seat track cover to the seat track. The seat track cover and mount devices enable a simple, planar seat track having spaced apart holes to be employed, rather than a C-shaped seat mounting track. |
| US08033500B1 |
Actuator load path monitoring system
An actuator load path monitoring system for an aircraft having an aircraft structure, a control surface, and, an actuator connected between the aircraft structure and the control surface to support and position the control surface as desired relative to the aircraft structure. The actuator is of a type including a) an upper actuator assembly securely connected to the aircraft structure, including a motor assembly and gear assembly; b) a ball screw assembly operatively connected to the gear assembly; c) a tie-rod assembly positioned within the ball screw assembly; and, d) a lower actuator assembly securely connected to the control surface, wherein actuation of the ball screw provides selected positioning of the control surface. The actuator load path monitoring system includes an upper load sensing assembly positioned in an upper load path between the upper actuator assembly and the aircraft structure. The upper load sensing assembly provides upper indications of the applied forces in the upper load path when the upper load path is disconnected. A lower load sensing assembly is positioned in a lower load path between the lower actuator assembly and the control surface. The lower load sensing assembly provides upper indications of the applied forces in the lower load path when the lower load path is disconnected. A computer system receives the upper and lower indications of applied forces and analyzes the upper and lower indications, thereby monitoring the structural integrity and safety of the upper and lower load paths by annunciating the detection of a failed portion thereof. |
| US08033491B2 |
Top service gyratory crusher
The apparatus is a gyratory crusher in which all the wear parts can be removed and replaced from the top of the crusher, thus eliminating the need to remove large, heavy parts from below the crusher. This is accomplished by constructing the crusher so that the eccentric and the piston assembly can be lifted up and out sequentially. The piston assembly then includes all the wear parts within the lowest assembly, the hydraulic support, so that those parts can be replaced without access to the underside of the crusher. If necessary, the hydraulic support within which the piston assembly is held can also be removed from above the crusher. |
| US08033490B1 |
Hammer
A hammer for use in a rotatable hammermill assembly comprising a first end for securement within a hammermill assembly, wherein a rod hole is formed in the second end, wherein the rod hole is centered in the first end for engagement with and attachment to the hammermill assembly is disclosed. The hammer also has a second end for contact and delivery of momentum to material to be comminuted, wherein the second end includes at least two blades. A neck connects the first end to the second end. In some embodiments the thickness of the neck may be less than the thickness of the first end or of any of the blades. In some embodiments the rod hole is surrounded by one or more rod hole shoulders. In other embodiments a notch is positioned in the rod hole along the longitudinal axis thereof. |
| US08033489B2 |
Impact crusher
An impact crusher includes a crushing chamber, a rotor mounted in the crushing chamber, and an apron having an impact surface, said apron being movably positioned within the chamber. The apron is pre-loaded to oppose forces generated within the crushing chamber. The apron is free to move away from the rotor in the event that the forces generated within the chamber exceed a predetermined threshold. During normal use, the apron is suspended within the chamber against a mechanical stop, and the apron is free to return to its initial suspended position after the removal of uncrushable material from the chamber. |
| US08033487B2 |
Crusher
When the rocking side wall is to be opened, the rocking side wall is rotated about a shaft body and a cutout surface comes into contact with a side surface on the upper side of a connection plate When the rocking side wall is further opened with the cutout surface in contact with the side surface on the upper side of the connection plate, the rocking side wall is rotated about the shaft body in operative association with the connection plate. In the middle of the opening motion of the rocking side wall, a rocking axis of the rocking side wall moves from the shaft body to the shaft body. When the rocking side wall is rotated about the shaft body placed closer to the outside than the shaft body, the rocking side wall is opened while being further away from rough crush blades and the crush blades, and this widen the opening between the rocking side walls. |
| US08033485B2 |
Electrostatic atomizer and coolant-circulating equipment including same
An electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode to which a high voltage is applied to atomize water held on the atomizing electrode so as to generate charged water particles; and a cooling unit for producing water, to be supplied to the atomizing electrode, through condensation. The cooling unit is made using a cooling part of a cooling cycle which circulates a coolant between a heat-radiating part and the cooling part. A coolant-circulating equipment incorporating the electrostatic atomizer therein includes a condensation space in which the atomizing electrode is disposed to produce condensate water; a cooling space in which the cooling section of the cooling cycle is disposed to produce cold air; and a partition wall for separating the condensation space from the cooling space. |
| US08033483B2 |
Silicone spray tip
An applicator assembly for mixing at least a first and a second component is provided. The applicator assembly includes a manifold configured for operable engagement with first and second source of component, the manifold including first and second component channels therethrough, an elongated shaft extending distally from the manifold, the elongated shaft including first and second component lumens extending the length thereof, the first and second component channels in fluid communication with the first and second component lumens, a tip assembly defining a first chamber, an intermediate chamber and a final chamber, wherein the first chamber is configured to receive a distal end of the elongated shaft, the second chamber is configured to receive an insert, and the final chamber is configured to receive the first and second components prior to the mixture being ejected from an outlet defined in the distal end of the tip assembly. |
| US08033479B2 |
Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones. |
| US08033476B2 |
Identification document with three dimensional image of bearer
An identification document includes a lens system and a specially prepared photo of a document bearer. The lens system and the specially prepared photo cooperate to create a three dimensional photo effect. The document includes two or more document layers. There is a lens structure in one of the document layers, and it includes lens elements. A photo is printed on one or more of the document layers. The photo depicts the document bearer, and includes two or more separate images of the bearer from different perspectives. Parts of the separate images are interleaved together into sets, and the sets are positioned relative to corresponding lens elements of the lens structure. These sets include parts of the separate images such that when viewed through the lens structure, the parts are viewed simultaneously making the subject appear three-dimensional to a viewer. |
| US08033470B2 |
Information recognition processing apparatus and information recognition processing method
An information recognition processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a storage unit configured to store statistical information indicating results of identification information recognition processing in which an image of a first object to be read is read to acquire a plurality of first read images of different image brightness levels, and recognition of identification information included in the first read image of each brightness level is tried, an image reading unit configured to read an image of a second object to be read to acquire a plurality of second read images of different image brightness levels, and a recognition unit configured to preferentially execute a recognition process of identification information included in the second read image of a predetermined brightness level of the plurality of second read images of the different image brightness levels, based on the statistical information. |
| US08033467B2 |
Portable optical card readers
A device for reading optical data cards. This device includes a shuttle mounted on shuttle tracks within the device housing. The shuttle is configured to move back and forth on the shuttle tracks driven by the shuttle motor. A card loader allows optical data cards to be positioned onto the shuttle. A CD optical read head mounted on optical read head tracks and driven by a optical head motor reads modified to read a single track of optical card data reads the optical card. A controller receives data from the read head and controls the movement of the shuttle and the optical head. |
| US08033463B2 |
System and method for machine-assisted election auditing
A method for auditing ballots cast in an election, wherein each ballot is associated with a group. A subset of groups from which sample ballots will be chosen is identified. An identifier is printed on each ballot in the subset. Each ballot has a different identifier than every other ballot in its group. A check is performed to determine whether the identifiers were printed correctly on the ballots. If so, a machine re-count of ballots in each group in the subset is performed and the results are compared to the initial tally of ballots associated with the group. If there is a mismatch, a further investigation is triggered. If there is a match, manual verification is performed on sample ballots from each group. The audit may begin prior to completion of voting from all precincts by estimating the number of samples that will be necessary. |
| US08033461B2 |
Item checkout device and weigh plate with improved electromagnetic field performance
A item checkout device and weigh plate with improved electromagnetic field performance. The item checkout device includes a housing, an electromagnetic field generator in the housing, a barcode reader in the housing, a scale assembly in the housing, and the weigh plate. The weigh plate is supported by the scale assembly and includes a non-metallic planar section located over the electromagnetic field generator and having a top surface resistant to damage and substantially transparent to an electromagnetic field from the electromagnetic field generator, and a window coplanar with the non-metallic planar section and located over the barcode reader. |
| US08033458B2 |
Data storage and access systems
Data storage and access systems enable downloading and paying for data such as audio and video data, text, software, games and other types of data. A portable data carrier has an interface for sending and receiving data, data memory for storing received content data, and payment validation memory for providing payment validation data to an external device. The carrier may also store a record of access made to the stored content, and content use rules for controlling access to the stored content. Embodiments store further access control data and supplementary data such as hot links to web sites and/or advertising data. A complementary data access terminal, data supply computer system, and data access device are also described. The combination of payment data and stored content data and use rule data helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access to data such as compressed music and video data, especially over the Internet. |
| US08033455B2 |
Automated banking machine currency presenter arrangement
A banking system includes an automated banking machine controlled by data bearing records. The machine compares indicia from a bearer record with computer information regarding the bearer. The machine operates to reallocate credit among various accounts responsive to computer determined correspondence among stored user identification data, read card data, and read biometric data. The machine also includes a note presenter and a currency cassette. A gate of the presenter is located at a note dispensing outlet of the machine. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The currency cassette includes a one-piece polymer body attached to a one-piece polymer lid. A one-piece tambour door is movable along guide tracks integrally formed with body side walls. |
| US08033447B2 |
Container storage box for deformable container containing fine particles for image formation
A container storage box containing and storing a deformable container includes a plurality of rigid sidewall faces that contain and store the deformable container while preventing random deformation of the deformable container and large and small end faces of both top and bottom ends of the plurality of rigid sidewall faces. The rigid sidewall faces regulate a configuration of the deformable container in a configuration accommodated in the container loading part while maintaining at least one of direction and/or position of content outlet of the deformable container when the deformable container is placed in the image forming apparatus. At least one of the sidewall faces includes at least two fold lines not parallel with one another and at least one end face of both top and bottom end faces except the plurality of sidewall faces has a closing mechanism that is openable, closable and capable of being assembled and disassembled. |
| US08033442B2 |
Tool assembly for a surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device including an independently rotatable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge assembly which are movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions. |
| US08033440B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot avis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly. |
| US08033439B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile. |
| US08033438B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device is provided for sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue. The surgical stapling device includes an elongated body which is adapted to receive a single use loading unit (“SULU”) or a disposable loading unit (“DLU”) having staples in linear rows whose length can be between about 30 mm and 60 mm. Each DLU includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The proximal body portion has a proximal end having one or more lugs which are dimensioned to be received within one or more channels formed in the distal end of the elongated body. The distal end of the walls defining the channels can be chamfered or angled such that if the DLU is not properly aligned with the elongated body when the proximal end of the DLU is inserted into the distal end of the elongated body, the chamfered or angled distal ends of the walls defining the channels will cam the lugs to properly align the DLU with the elongated body. |
| US08033435B1 |
Mobile plan holder
The invention is a mobile blueprint holder wherein a box mounts along an interior side of a pickup truck bed. The box opens to allow the blueprint table to fold out where the blueprint table rests at an angle. When not in use the blueprints and the blueprint table fold away for safe storage. The blueprint table folds along the middle and contains a plurality of clips for holding a blueprint in place. |
| US08033434B2 |
Pants hanger
A hanger includes a standard hook having a contoured shoulder section extending downward therefrom. A first, continuous and fixed shoulder terminates proximate to a flexible lower bar. The second shoulder terminates at a fixed, upper portion, but it remains connected to its lower portion by means of a tension arm therebetween. The lower portion of the second shoulder is continuous with and formed with the flexible lower bar such that a conventional hanger shape is formed. The tension arm, however, provides a means for the lower portion of the second shoulder to push upwards and away from the static portion so that an article of clothing can be secured between the lower bar and a horizontal, static arm that extends below it. A spring formed between the first shoulder and an egress in the lower bar closes the lower bar on the extension arm. The egress is gripped to press the lower bar against the first shoulder, wherein a gripping of the lower bar pushes the bottom portion of the second shoulder upwards so that clearance is formed between the lower bar and the arm so that pants can be slid therebetween. |
| US08033430B2 |
Pot-type heated fluid dispenser
The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a flowable product at or above a preset elevated temperature through a dispensing outlet. Such an apparatus includes a pot in which to house the product. The dispensing apparatus also includes a pump coupled between the pot and the dispensing outlet to pump the flowable product from the pot to the dispensing outlet. A rope heater configured to heat the pot may also be included in the dispensing apparatus. The pot may have a movable lid, which may vacuum seal the product against the exterior environment. The lid is designed to scrape any food product residue off the vertical walls of the pot, while also maintaining the vacuum as it moves into the pot. The pot may have a check valve to prevent product spilling when the pot is lifted out of the housing. |
| US08033423B2 |
Fork based transport storage system for pharmaceutical unit of use dispenser
A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves. |
| US08033420B2 |
Anti-splash device for a beverage container
An anti-splash device for use in a cup or other container can help prevent or minimize sloshing, splashing and other undesirable movement of fluids. In some embodiments, the device includes a main body portion having a plurality of openings. The device can also include one or more features that are configured to engage an interior wall of the cup or other container. In other embodiments, the anti-splash device can attach to the brim of a cup or to a lid. In other embodiments, an anti-splash device, a cup lid or any other components related to a beverage or food container comprises one or more finger guides that provide targeted points of contact when manipulating such a device. |
| US08033416B2 |
Pressure tank having plural access openings
A pressure tank includes a metallic vessel, a plastic liner received in the metallic vessel, a flexible diaphragm, two metallic joints, two anti-leak assemblies and a nozzle coupled to the metallic joints respectively. The metallic vessel includes upper and lower shells. The upper shell defines a first planar area on a side thereof and a second planar area on a top thereof. The lower shell defines a third planar area therebottom. The flexible diaphragm divides said metallic vessel into a storage space and a pneumatic room. The metallic joints are mounted on the side and top of the upper shell respectively and are in communication with the storage space. The two anti-leak assemblies provide leakproof connection between the metallic joints and the plastic liner. Additionally, the nozzle is mounted on the third planar area to be in communication with the pneumatic room. |
| US08033414B2 |
Odor containment
An odor-containment system for use with a flexible bag and a receptacle for holding waste items includes a body configured to be connected to the receptacle for holding waste items, the body providing a passageway through the body, and a plurality of sealing members attached, directly or indirectly, to the body and disposed across the passageway, the sealing members being disposed adjacent to each other in a static, closed position of the system such that a flexible bag inserted between the sealing members will be forced closed, where the body is configured to cover an opening of the receptacle for receiving the waste items, where the sealing members are attached to the body such that the sealing members can separate from each other to permit one of the waste items to be inserted between the sealing members, and where the sealing members are biased toward the static, closed position with the sealing members adjacent to each other such that when a waste moves out from between the sealing members, the sealing members will return to their static positions adjacent to each other. |
| US08033408B2 |
Enclosure with a lead-through and a grommet
An enclosure which has a lead-through for passing a rod-like element through a wall of the enclosure, and a grommet for sealing a rod-like element to a wall of an enclosure, the grommet having a passage for passing the rod-like element therealong through the grommet and the passage having its walls adapted to fit around the rod-like element. The grommet includes a first recess adapted to match at least a rim of a cutout in the enclosure; a second recess, adapted to receive a clamping element which is adapted to secure and seal the rod-like element to the grommet by applying a radial compression to the rod-like element; one split face, which establishes an openable route between the exterior of the grommet and the passage, the split face being provided with sealing elements for an axially directed and radially directed alignment and sealing of the split face. |
| US08033407B2 |
System for providing an insulated bottle having a location to secure a protective nipple top when not located to protect the nipple
A thermal bottle including an outer body wall defining a shape of the thermal bottle having a top opening and a bottom end, an inner body wall having an inner volume for a storage area disposed within the inner body and selectively connected to the outer body wall wherein the storage area is accessible through the top opening, a thermal area defined therebetween the outer body wall and the inner body wall, a cover configured to be attachable to at least one of the top opening that prevents removal of a material placed within the storage area, and a securing element located at the bottom end of the outer body wall which is configured to hold the cover when the cover is detached from the top opening. |
| US08033405B2 |
Closet organizer
A closet organizer includes a shelf that has horizontal partition panels fixedly connected between two vertical side panels thereof to divide the internal space of the shelf into multiple vertically spaced receiving spaces, and -shaped, -shaped and L-shaped partition members selectively mounted in the receiving spaces to divide each receiving space into multiple compartments, and hook and loop materials respectively provided at the top and bottom sides of the horizontal partition panels and the -shaped, -shaped and L-shaped partition members for enabling the -shaped, -shaped and L-shaped partition members to be detachably secured to the two vertical side panels horizontal partition panels of the shelf. |
| US08033396B2 |
Method and apparatus for arranging, transporting, and/or serving food
A method and apparatus for arranging, transporting, and/or serving food is provided to improve various aspects of food catering. A food handling apparatus includes a base platter having a predefined pattern of food location indicators thereon. Food elements are arranged on the base platter according to the predefined pattern. The apparatus includes food cell members configured to cover the food elements, maintain a separation of the food elements one from another, and protect the food elements from damage. The apparatus includes a lid positioned over the food cell members and attached to the base platter. At a serving location, the food cell members are uncovered from the food cell members, thereby revealing the food elements in the predefined pattern without additional handling of the food elements. The food elements can therefore be efficiently transferred through a food catering logistics chain while maintaining quality and appearance, and reducing contamination and illness. |
| US08033394B2 |
Connected fastener assembly
A connected fastener assembly is formed by fitting a shaft guide on a shaft section of each fastener, by connecting the fasteners using two connecting sheets made of a synthetic resin and disposed on upper and lower sides of the shaft guides. Since the connecting sheets have through holes through which the fasteners pass and connecting sections formed so as to be easy to bend or difficult to bend in the width direction, the connected fastener assembly can be formed into a straight type or a coil type.In a connected fastener assembly, shaft sections of a plurality of fasteners are connected by a connecting band formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic resin. Ring-shaped retaining sections for retaining the shaft sections are formed at constant intervals in the connecting bands. The ring-shaped retaining sections are disposed so as to be overlaid on shaft guides made of soft materials and fitted on the shaft sections. Each of the shaft guides is formed into a cylindrical shape. An outside diameter of each of the ring-shaped retaining sections of the connecting band is larger than an outside diameter of the each of the shaft guides. |
| US08033391B1 |
Moisture-absorbant padding for use in combination with a pizza box and associated method
A moisture-absorbent padding used in combination with and for lining a food product container, such as a pizza box, includes parallelepiped strips each having a cavity therein and a moisture-absorbent material within the cavity. The strips further have vertically oriented monolithic orifices disposed within a front wall of each strip. The orifices open into the cavity and absorb moisture released from a food product stored within the container. The apparatus may also include a laterally flanging parallelepiped reservoir downwardly and angularly disposed on each side of each orifice which collects moisture seeping away from the moisture-absorbent material. An adhesive material on the rear wall attaches each strip to an inside edge of an outer wall of the food container. |
| US08033390B2 |
Wear resistant, heat resistant conveyor chain
A wear resistant, heat resistant conveyor chain comprising a series of links, each having a heat resistant roller rotatably fitted onto a bush between inner plates. The links are interconnected in the longitudinal direction of the chain by outer plates, and connecting pins rotatably inserted into the bush. A wear resistant, heat resistant sleeve-shaped spacer protrudes beyond the end surfaces of the heat resistant rollers toward the right and left inner plates to eliminate any sliding contact between the end surface of the heat resistant roller and the inner side surface of the inner plate. |
| US08033387B2 |
Conveyor belt or treadmill belt
A conveyor belt or treadmill belt comprises a cloth layer woven by at least one warp and woof and having an outer surface and an inner surface in response to each other, a clearance passing through the inner and the outer surfaces and being formed between the warp and the woof of the cloth layer; a pattern layer in response to the outer surface of the cloth layer including patterns formed thereon; a laminating layer melted to couple between the outer surface of the cloth layer and the pattern layer, such that the laminating layer merges into the clearance between the warp and the woof so that the laminating layer is integrally formed a rough connecting surface, the connecting surface engaging with the clearance of the cloth layer, hence another surface of the laminating layer is in connection with the pattern layer. |
| US08033385B2 |
Steep angle pipe conveyor
A angle pipe conveyor comprises a conveyor belt or roller belt. The conveyor belt includes a first conveyor belt section and a second conveyor belt section to define a cylinder structure having an overlap thickness based on plural sections of the roller belt with an overlap structure having an oval-shaped cross section. Support elements support the conveyor belt as rollers located on the support elements guide the cylinder structure. |
| US08033384B2 |
Steerable wheel for an agricultural conveyor
An agricultural conveyor is supported on a pair of steerable wheels such that the steerable wheels are pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes. A hydraulically actuated steering mechanism is arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame. A hydraulic connector is arranged to connect the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle. |
| US08033382B2 |
Workpiece transfer apparatus and electronic component transfer apparatus
An electronic-component conveying apparatus that conveys an electronic component by holding the electronic component in a through hole provided in a conveying table of the apparatus, in which the electronic component can be quickly and reliably dismounted from the through hole by using compressed gas, and undesired popout of the electronic component due to a residual pressure infrequently occurs, whereby the efficiency in the conveying process can be increased. A workpiece conveying apparatus includes a blowhole opening in a conveying surface of a conveying stage and configured such that an electronic component held in a through hole is dismounted by using compressed gas at a position where the through hole overlaps the blowhole while a conveying table is driven, a vacuum groove communicating with the blowhole and provided in a first surface of the conveying table, and an auxiliary blowhole connected to a compressed-gas supply device and opening in the conveying surface such as to be accessible to the vacuum groove. |
| US08033380B2 |
Assembly stand, assembly method, and process display device for article
Rather than simply changing a component or module to be installed, a conveyance speed of a conveyance means for conveying a workpiece is modified in response to the specifications of a product when a product with specifications modified in part from common specifications of mass produced products is added to the mass produced products. Furthermore, a condition wherein the speed of the conveyance means is modified in accordance with specifications is displayed in real time such that a worker can identify the condition. |
| US08033379B2 |
Cross belt sorter and method for transporting and sorting piece goods
Disclosed is a method and a cross belt sorter for transporting and sorting piece goods, having a plurality of carriages either coupled on a continuous conveyor track to form a train or moved individually, where piece goods are transported in a resting position and loaded and/or unloaded at fixed loading and/or unloading locations, a cross belt which circulates continuously around a plurality of deflection rollers and is driven transversely with respect to the direction of transportation of the carriages, wherein the cross belt drives the carriages, where a deflection roller of the cross belt corresponding to a drive whose drive force is derived from the longitudinal movement of the cross belt sorter, and a shiftable transmission arranged between the drive of the cross belt and the deflection roller, where a drive shaft of the transmission is continuously engaged with the drive and the transmission connecting the deflection roller to the drive is engageable and disengageable. |
| US08033378B2 |
Buffer system for adjusting first-in first-out
Provided is a buffer system for adjusting first-in first-out, more particularly, a buffer system that temporarily stores a plurality of substrates and is capable of adjusting first-in first-out. The buffer system includes one or more buffer layers having shafts and rollers fitted and fixed to the shafts so as to temporarily store or transfer substrates, a vertically moving unit moving the buffer layers up or down such that a buffer layer having thereon a substrate to be transferred is connected to a driving unit, and the driving unit rotating the shafts of the buffer layer having thereon the substrate to be transferred to transfer the substrate. |
| US08033374B2 |
Drive arrangement
A drive arrangement for a shaft has a module carried by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel and a drive wheel. The motor, gearbox and drive wheel are carried on a slider plate which can slide transverse to the axis of the shaft. A front plate is fixed transverse to the axis of the shaft. A Bowden cable has its sheath attached to the front plate, and its inner cable attached to the slider plate, so that manipulation of the Bowden cable at a remote location allows force to be applied between the plates either tightening the belt to apply drive from the motor to the shaft, or releasing tension in the belt, to disengage the drive. |
| US08033373B2 |
Force transmission system, in particular for a drive system of an adjusting element of a motor vehicle
In a force transmission system with a wrapping spring-type wraparound element and with a frictional surface assigned to the wraparound element, a switching device is provided for switching the wraparound element between two switching states is provided. In the first switching state, the wraparound element is operatively connected in a force-transmitting manner to the frictional surface. In the second switching state, it is operatively connected thereto in a non-force-transmitting manner. In the second switching state, the wraparound element is fully lifted off the frictional surface. The force transmission system is suitable in particular for a drive system of an adjusting element of a motor vehicle. |
| US08033371B2 |
Single component one-way clutch
A one-way clutch including a race disposed about an axis for the clutch and a wedge plate with a plurality of finger elements extending toward the race and in contact with the race. One of the plate or race is arranged for rotational connection to a torque transmitting element in an automotive device and is arranged to rotate independently of the other of the plate or race for rotation, with respect to the other of the plate or race, in a first rotational direction. The plurality of fingers are arranged to grip the race, to rotationally lock the plate and race, for relative rotation of the plate or race in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction. |
| US08033365B2 |
Magnetic rail brake device with asymmetric excitation coils and/or with multi-part coils
A magnetic rail brake device includes a brake magnet with a solenoid former supporting a solenoid. A horseshoe-shaped magnet core is disposed adjacent to the solenoid former. The horseshoe-shaped magnet core includes a yoke having cheeks that project away from the yoke. Pole shoes are formed at ends of the cheeks. The solenoid includes an upper part, with an upper height and an upper width, and a lower part, with a lower height and a lower width. The solenoid is disposed between the cheeks and engages vertically around the yoke. The upper height is less than the lower height, and the upper width is greater than the lower width. The upper and lower heights are measured parallel to a vertical center axis of the brake magnet, and the upper and lower widths are measured transversely with respect to the vertical center axis. |
| US08033359B2 |
Intake sound adjusting device
An intake sound adjusting device includes an intake passage, a tubular branch passage branched from the intake passage, and an oscillating member disposed within the branch passage, in which the oscillating member has an oscillating portion disposed so as to close an interior of the branch passage and a controlling portion extending from the oscillating portion in a direction along an extending direction of the branch passage. |
| US08033358B2 |
Noise controlled turbine engine with aircraft engine adaptive noise control tubes
An aircraft turbine engine with a takeoff fan speed and a landing fan speed, the aircraft engine includes a fan duct with a HQ (Herschel-Quincke) acoustic control noise reduction tube. The acoustic control noise reduction tube contains a movable frequency tuner obstruction. The movable frequency tuner obstruction is movable within the acoustic control noise reduction tube, with the movable frequency tuner obstruction movable along a fixed tube path length between a first takeoff frequency obstruction tube path location, and a second landing frequency obstruction tube path location, with the frequency tuner obstruction positioned at the first takeoff frequency location with the takeoff speed, and the frequency tuner obstruction positioned at the second landing frequency location with the landing speed to reduce noise. |
| US08033356B2 |
External airbag system of vehicle
An external airbag system of a vehicle may include an airbag housing that is disposed behind a bumper of the vehicle and is allowed to slide straight in a forward direction, an airbag cushion that is disposed inside the airbag housing, a sliding device that moves the airbag housing in a forward direction, and an airbag controller that controls the airbag cushion and the sliding device according to information of sensing device. |
| US08033348B1 |
Self-propelled child stroller
A self-propelled stroller apparatus comprising a motor, a drive train, a braking mechanism, and a set of hand controls, is herein disclosed. Two (2) rear wheels of the stroller are driven by a battery-powered motor utilizing a chain-driven drive train. The motor is controlled by a handlebar-mounted control lever, which when pushed motivates the stroller in a forward direction. During times when the motor and drive train are deactivated, the stroller may be pushed in a normal manner. The apparatus is additionally provided with an emergency braking system to stop or securely park the stroller. The battery is recharged by a normal household outlet and an electrical cord when the stroller is not in use. |
| US08033346B2 |
Bumper car
A bumper car for driving on a floor of a game arena including a chassis, first and second casters mounted to the chassis, first and second drive wheels mounted to the chassis, wherein the first caster is spring-loaded and the second caster is fixed, and a footwell for receiving feet of a driver of the bumper car, wherein a first distance is defined between a bottom surface of the footwell and the floor, wherein a second distance is defined between a mounting plate of the first caster, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. |
| US08033344B2 |
Power supply module for an electric power tool
A power supply module for interchangeable attachment to an electric tool has a module housing, which receives a battery and an introduction dome, formed integrally onto the module housing, for guiding the tool, on which dome there is an electrical interface with the electric power tool and at least one form-locking element for making a form lock with the tool housing is located. |
| US08033343B2 |
Water powered impulsive unit
An impulsive unit for a jack hammer or rock drill is adapted to be powered by water, and comprises a piston slidable within a cylinder, and carrying a striker portion thereon. At least a portion of the piston and/or cylinder is coated with ceramic. The ceramic is most suitably an aluminum oxide-titanium dioxide composite, which enables the clearance between the internal diameter of the cylinder and the external diameter of the piston to be reduced to between 8 and 10 micro-meters. |
| US08033336B2 |
Undersea well product transport
An apparatus and corresponding method of use extracts, cools, and transports effluents from subterranean, sub-sea oil formations to distant shore based processing facilities. The effluents, mostly crude oil, are conveyed rapidly to a cold flow generator near the oil wellhead on the sea bottom using the cold seawater to chill the effluents to a dispersed mixture including generated solids. The mixture is transported close to sea bottom temperatures, slowly, with small pressure drops, in low-cost submerged bare pipes over long distances to on or near shore processing facilities that can produce useful hydrocarbon products more cost effectively than at sea processing facilities. The apparatus eliminates or minimizes the need for heated or insulated pipe, the need for large floating processing structures, the need for sub-sea processing equipment, and/or the need for chemical additions to production flow. |
| US08033332B2 |
Apparatus and method for perforating and fracturing a subterranean formation
A device for perforating and fracturing a formation in a single trip includes shaped charges and a volume of a gas generator. When activated by detonation of the shaped charges, the gas generator forms a high-pressure gas, which includes steam, that expands to stress and fracture the formation. Suitable gas generating materials include hydrates and hydroxides. Other materials that can be employed with the gas generator include oxidizers and material such as metals that increase the available heat for the activation of the gas generator. |
| US08033331B2 |
Cement diffuser for annulus cementing
A cement diffuser and method for allowing a ported tubular to be cemented in place, while keeping an annulus about a port of the ported tubular generally free of set cement. The cement diffuser includes a collection of fibers secured over the port and extending out from an outer surface of the tubular. |
| US08033330B2 |
Tool string threads
A downhole tool string component that includes a tubular body with an inner surface, an outer surface and a shoulder extending from the outer surface at one end of the tubular body, a sleeve disposed about the outer surface having an end face in contact with the shoulder. The downhole tool string component further includes a loading member disposed about the outer surface near the other end of the tubular body and which is adapted for loading the sleeve against the shoulder. The loading member includes an internal threadform that is adapted to threadingly engage an external threadform formed into the outer surface of the tubular body. At least one of the external threadform and the internal threadform includes a plurality of threads with a distal thread having a first thread height and a proximal thread has a second thread height, with the first thread height being greater than the second thread height and a plurality of the threads heights between the first and second thread heights continuously tapering from the first height to the second height. |
| US08033326B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a stack assembly with a plurality of plates and a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction. The stack assembly also includes a plurality of foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames. A first and second fluid flow path extend through the stack assembly, with the first fluid flow path in thermal contact with the second fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the second fluid flow path. |
| US08033322B1 |
Split heat recovery system
A space has inlet and outlet registers and outside and exhaust air ducts. The outside air duct is located adjacent to the inlet register. The exhaust air duct is located adjacent to the outlet register. The space has an outside air passageway through the outside air duct adjacent to the inlet register. The space has an exhaust air passageway through the exhaust air duct adjacent to the outlet register. A thermosyphon run around heat pipe assembly includes outside air coils and exhaust air coils. Vapor lines and liquid lines couple the coils. The outside air coils are positioned adjacent to the air inlet duct. The exhaust air coils are located adjacent to the air outlet duct. A control device, in the form of a modulating return damper, is located between the air ducts. An air filter is provided upstream of and adjacent to the outside air coils. |
| US08033321B2 |
Heat exchanger and method of manufacturing
A heat exchanger comprising at least one pipe (1) and at least one lamina (2), for exchanging heat between a first coolant that flows through the pipe (1) and a second coolant that wets the heat exchanger under the influence of centrifugal forces in order to be cooled and to be available to further cool a rotating machine element (3) that is situated in a housing (4). The heat exchanger is of approximately ring-shaped design, essentially surrounds the rotating machine element (3) and is integrated into the housing (4). |
| US08033319B2 |
Method for continuous casting of steel and electromagnetic stirrer to be used therefor
Disclosed is a continuous casting in which an electromagnetic stirrer is installed upstream, in the casting direction, of the reduction rolling position of a slab, and in which a slab with a liquid core is reduced in thickness, wherein by imparting a collision flow forming-type stirring and a uni-directional alternating flow forming-type stirring, molten steel with concentrated segregation elements is stirred and diffused in a width-wise direction of slab, whereby a slab stabilized in center segregation qualities can be produced over long-time casting operation. Since the stirring flowing pattern is selectively imparted by means of the same electromagnetic stirrer, it is effective to decrease facility and equipment costs, improve maintainability, and extensively cope with various casting conditions. The continuous casting method stably ensures excellent center segregation qualities over a long time in casting of high-strength steel with high crack susceptibility or steel grade for extremely thick plate product. |
| US08033318B2 |
Plant for producing metal strip
Plant for the continuous casting of thick slabs, blooms or other similar steel products comprising an ingot mold and a series of containment and guiding rollers placed in the area below the ingot mold on both sides of the cast product, i.e. on the intrados and extrados, respectively. The rollers are arranged on at least three longitudinal rows and all have an axial length shorter that the width of the cast product. The rollers of a central longitudinal row are advantageously staggered with respect to the lateral longitudinal row rollers in such a way as to reduce the surface of the bulges created due to the ferrostatic pressure existing in the liquid core of the product at ingot mold outlet. Furthermore, the pitch between the adjacent rollers is advantageously always of different values so as to not cause the buckling of the bulges with a single frequency. |
| US08033317B2 |
Flask unit and cope-and-drag molding machine and line
A flask unit for producing a cope and a drag that are stacked, comprising at least two uprightly disposed connecting rods (4), a cope flask slidably fitted on the connecting rods and formed with a molding sand blowing-in port in one of its sides, and a drag flask slidably fitted on the connecting rods so that it is located under the cope flask to mate it, the drag flask being formed with a molding sand blowing-in port in one of the sides thereof. |
| US08033302B2 |
Polymer matrix reinforced stiffening element
A bend stiffener, and a method of producing the same, comprising an elongated cylinder of a polymer material, having a termination interface (4) on at least one end. An internal reinforcement matrix is provided comprising a first layer of a cylindrically arranged woven material (2). The material of the first layer is unwoven at the termination end, the unwoven fibers engage the termination member (3) and pass back over the first layer. The returning fibers of the second layer may be cut at a plurality of lengths to provide zones (10, 11, 12) of decreasing fiber density from the termination end. |
| US08033300B2 |
Fluid pressure reduction devices
An example fluid pressure reduction device includes a plurality of nested cylinders forming a hollow structure comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The device also includes a plurality of passageways extending between the inner and outer surfaces through the nested cylinders. At least one of the cylinders includes first apertures substantially differently shaped from second apertures in a second one of the cylinders. At least one of the first apertures has a first wetted perimeter that is greater than a second wetted perimeter of another aperture having the same area as the at least one of the first apertures. |
| US08033299B2 |
Utility valve access and performance evalutation method
A vacuum container having a vacuum producing means, mounted on a vehicle, a trailer, or skid mounted, with options chosen from an articulating boom, a water jetter system, a liquid pressure dissipating means, a valve actuator, and a drive motor for the valve actuator being either hydraulic, air, or electric powered, a global positioning system to determine and log the position of work, service or hardware, controls and measuring devices and de-chlorinator. |
| US08033297B2 |
Solenoid valve manifold
Attaching/detaching workability of a fitting block to/from an solenoid valve assembly is improved, and a fixing strength of the fitting block to the solenoid valve assembly is enhanced. The fitting block 41 is intended to be detachably mounted to the solenoid valve assembly 12, and the fitting block 41 is provided with port connecting tubes 42 and 43 detachably fitted in output ports A and B, and tube fittings 44 and 45 to which tubes 46 are connected. The fitting block 41 is further provided with an engagement projection 52 which is engaged with a concave portion 51 formed in the solenoid valve assembly 12, and the fitting block 41 is fixed to the solenoid valve assembly 12 via a portion of the engagement projection 52 by a clip 53 engaged with an engagement groove 57 formed in the engagement projection 52. |
| US08033296B2 |
Control module for multi-nozzle shower
A control module for a multi-nozzle shower has a body, a control panel and a controlling assembly. The body is mounted securely in the shower and defines at least one chamber having valve seats, at least one inlet and multiple outlets respectively communicating with the nozzles. The control panel is mounted securely on the body and seals the at least one chamber. The controlling assembly is mounted in the control panel and has multiple valve disks and buttons. The valve disks selectively block the valve seats to stop water flow. The buttons connected to the valve disks and are arranged on the control panel and selectively actuate the valve disks to block the valve seats. Thereby, people can conveniently control water discharged from different nozzles or showerheads of the shower. |
| US08033293B2 |
Fluid regulator
A fluid regulator includes a valve block having an inlet arranged for connection to a gas supply and an outlet arranged for connection to an item of gas equipment and defining a flow path. The valve block may include one or more of a pressure regulator, a metering valve, and an on-off switch disposed in the flow path. A rotatable pinion operatively is coupled to the metering valve, and a hand control is coupled to the valve block and rotatable about an axis and includes a toothed rack movable with the hand control. A spring biases the toothed rack toward pinion to provide improved precision and/or less play between internal components. The fluid regulator they also include a balanced gear assembly for rotating a control rod of the valve, and further may be adapted to provide various visual indicators of the on-off the state of the device. |
| US08033291B2 |
Magnetically activated cut-off valve assembly
A cut-off valve assembly for use with a toilet tank, includes a float within the toilet tank, a water retaining float guide within the toilet tank which allows the vertical travel of the float, the water retaining float guide having weep holes below the lowest travel of the float. The weep holes slowly release the retained water when the water in the tank is below the weep holes, a magnet within the toilet tank, affixed to the bottom of the float, and a magnetically activated cut-off valve for cutting off the water flow to the toilet tank when activated by the magnet. The magnet will activate the magnetically activated cut-off valve when the float is at the lowest travel. A preferred form of the cut-off valve assembly also includes a stem affixed to the float and extending downward from the float. The magnet is affixed to the bottom of the stem, and the magnet is affixed to the float through the stem. In a preferred form, a magnet housing is affixed to the bottom of the stem. The magnet is secured within the magnet housing, and the stem is affixed to the magnet through the magnet housing. In such an arrangement, a guide shaft is located within the water retaining float guide, for guiding the vertical movement of the magnet housing. |
| US08033288B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus
A substrate treatment apparatus includes a container holder which holds a container for containing multiple substrates vertically stacked in horizontal postures, a substrate treatment section which collectively applies treatment to multiple substrates horizontally stacked in vertical postures, a main conveyance mechanism which conveys multiple substrates horizontally stacked in vertical postures between a substrate delivery position and the substrate treatment section, a carrying in/out mechanism which carries in/out the multiple substrates with respect to the container and changes postures of the multiple substrates between the horizontal postures and the vertical postures, and a sub conveyance mechanism which receives and delivers multiple substrates in vertical postures from and to the carrying in/out mechanism at a transfer position, receives and delivers multiple substrates in vertical postures from and to the main conveyance mechanism at the substrate delivery position, and conveys multiple substrates in vertical postures between the transfer and substrate delivery positions. |
| US08033278B2 |
Segmented grinding wheel and manufacturing method therefor
A plurality of segmented chips are reinforced by applying an adhesive to the circumferentially opposite end portions thereof, and the adjoining segmented chips adjoining in the circumferential direction are adhered to the circumferential surface of a disc-like core with the adhesives at the circumferentially opposite end portions being not jointed with each other. Thus, the segmented chips can be prevented from being loaded with an unnatural force even when the disc-like core with the segmented chips adhered thereto expands and contracts radially due to thermal expansion and thermal contract. Thereby, expansion and contraction of the disc-like core do not impose a compression stress or the like on adhesives situated between adjoining segmented chips. |
| US08033277B2 |
Bowstring vibration dampener and mounting
An archery bow comprises an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips, a bowstring extending between the limb tips along a bowstring axis, and an elongate member extending from the bow body, the elongate member having a length and a proximal end arranged adjacent the bowstring. The archery bow further comprises a dampening element made of a vibration dampening material mounted to the proximal end of the elongate member between the proximal end and the bowstring. The elongate member extends from the bow body along a first axis non-perpendicular to the bowstring axis. Additionally, the elongate member may be curved along at least a portion of its length. In certain embodiments, the archery bow body defines a nested mounting area configured as an open channel to receive a distal end of the elongate member. |
| US08033274B2 |
Spear gun with an adjustable grip
A spear gun for scuba diving that comprises a frame with a body that is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis of the gun, and a grip at one end of and extending from the elongated body. The grip includes a stationary part attached to, and integrally with, the body and a movable part adjustably mounted to the stationary part. A device is also provided for securing or locking the movable part to the stationary part when a desired grip configuration has been achieved. |
| US08033272B2 |
Method of diagnosing electrically driven supercharger
There is provided a method of controlling an engine system having an internal combustion engine, a supercharger arranged in an intake air passage of said internal combustion engine and a motor capable of driving the supercharger. The method comprises, driving the motor to operate the supercharger to boost airflow inducted into the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is in operation. The method further comprises driving the motor to determine a state of the supercharger when the internal combustion engine is stopped and indicating the determined state of the supercharger. According to the method, by driving the motor of the supercharger to detect a state of the supercharger when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the state of the supercharger can be more accurately detected because the condition is most stable. |
| US08033271B2 |
Diagnostic device and diagnostic method for fuel vapor treatment system of vehicle
A diagnostic device for a fuel vapor treatment system having: a canister that captures fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank; a purge passage for purging fuel vapor from the canister to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine; a purge valve provided in the purge passage to adjust a flow rate of fuel vapor; a processing device that depressurize an fuel vapor path extending from the fuel tank to the purge valve via the canister by a pump and performs a diagnostic processing for diagnosing a leak of fuel vapor from the fuel vapor path based on a change in pressure in the fuel vapor path during depressurization; and an angle detection device that detects an angle of inclination of the vehicle. The processing device determines, based on an inclination angle of the vehicle detected by the angle detection device, whether the diagnostic processing can be performed. |
| US08033266B2 |
Throttle valve controller for internal combustion engine
A throttle valve controller for an internal combustion engine has a throttle valve driven by a motor. The target opening of the throttle valve is determined based on the operating state of the vehicle or internal combustion engine. A first lower limit is determined beforehand as the minimum target opening, and a second lower limit is set which is smaller than the first lower limit if the determined target opening is smaller than a predetermined opening and/or if the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is lower than a predetermined speed. |
| US08033264B2 |
Rotary engine
A lightweight rotary engine is provided that comprises a structurally efficient, lightweight rotor housing. Disposed in the wall of the rotor housing is a combustion zone thermal barrier insert. The thermal barrier insert is comprised of a material with low thermal conductivity. The use of the insert allows the rotor housing to be constructed from higher strength material such as steel or titanium. |
| US08033263B2 |
Cylinder head gasket
A cylinder head gasket is installed in an open-deck engine. The cylinder head gasket includes a first metal plate, a second metal plate having an inner portion disposed on a folded portion of the first metal plate and an outer portion outside the folded portion, an annular bead plate, and an intermediate plate provided between the outer portion of the second metal plate and a base portion of the first metal plate and having a half bead extending from an inner periphery of the inner end portion toward the base portion of the first metal plate. A cylindrical portion of the open-deck engine has a thickness partly changing between inner and outer peripheries thereof. The inner periphery of the intermediate plate is located on the cylinder portion along the outer periphery, a distance of the outer periphery from the inner periphery changing according to the thickness of the cylindrical portion. |
| US08033260B2 |
Valve lever assembly having a switchable valve actuating mechanism
A valve lever assembly having a switchable valve actuating mechanism comprises a first follower surface for following a first cam, at least one second follower surface for following a second cam and a valve lever, which is supported on an engine-affixed component and on the to-be-actuated valve, wherein the second follower surface is rotatable relative to the first follower surface by a lockable eccentric device borne on the valve lever and the eccentric device comprises an eccentric opening, which penetrates transversely through the valve lever and is fixed relative to the valve lever to as to rotate therewith, and an eccentric shaft rotatably borne in the eccentric opening, the eccentric shaft defining the position of the second follower surface. |
| US08033258B2 |
Oil circuit for continuous variable valve timing device
An oil circuit for a continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) device includes a main oil passage from a cylinder block toward a cylinder head to feed oil from a main gallery to a cam shaft, and a control oil passage branching off from the main oil passage on a side of the cylinder block and formed so as to feed the oil from the main oil passage to the continuous variable valve timing devices via an intake-side oil control valve and an exhaust-side oil control valve. The oil is fed to the cam shaft, the intake-side CVVT device, the exhaust-side CVVT device and a timing chain tensioner at one time. Thereby, the hydraulic pressure the hydraulic pressure applied to two cam shafts can be equally maintained, and the tension of a belt or a chain can be simultaneously regulated so as to improve the driving force of a crank. |
| US08033257B2 |
Vane-type cam phaser having staged locking pins to assist intermediate position locking
A vane-type camshaft phaser including a bias spring to urge the rotor toward an intermediate locking position from any rotational position retarded of the locking position. The rotor comprises non-coaxially acting primary and secondary locking pins for mating with primary and secondary locking pin seats in the phaser stator. The primary seat is elongated and is readily located by the primary locking pin to provide a first limit to the rotor phase angle authority in the retard direction. Camshaft torque reversals cause the rotor phase angle to dither. With each torque reversal the secondary locking pin passes over its seat, allowing multiple opportunities for re-engagement. The clearance of the secondary locking pin to its seat defines the rotary lash in the phaser. |
| US08033255B2 |
Engine system
An engine system comprising an engine, hydrogen medium capable of repeating chemically storing and discharging hydrogen, an exhaust gas pipe from said engine; and a reactor unit bearing a catalyst; wherein the hydrogen generated using the heat of the exhaust gas in said reactor unit or the mixture of the hydrogen and said hydrogen medium being supplied to said engine; wherein said reactor unit includes at least first reactor and second reactor in said exhaust gas pipe and each of said reactors comprises a partition wall disposed between an exhaust gas passage and a hydrogen medium passage; and wherein the thermal resistance of said partition wall of said first reactor positioned on the upstream side is larger than that of said second reactor positioned on the downstream side, and said hydrogen medium is supplied from said first reactor to said second reactor. |
| US08033253B2 |
Buoyant retrievable dog toy
A game method and apparatus reduces the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a buoyant toy with a sealed channel extending completely through the toy. A soft, flexible, water absorbent member extends through the sealed channel and is used to throw the toy and to facilitate retrieval of the toy. |
| US08033247B2 |
Automatic dairy animal milker unit backflusher and teat dip applicator system and method
A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit. |
| US08033246B2 |
Arc suppression
An arc suppression arrangement suppresses arcs in a gas discharge device that is operated with an alternating voltage from a power supply. The arc suppression arrangement includes an arc suppression device and an arc identification device that controls the arc suppression device. The arc suppression device includes at least one controllable resistor that is connected in series in an electrical line that extends from an alternating voltage source to an electrode of the gas discharge device. An arc can thereby be prevented from being provided with energy. |
| US08033240B2 |
Apparatus for ejecting liquid droplet, work to be applied thereto, method of manufacturing electro-optic device, electro-optic device, and electronic equipment
An apparatus for ejecting liquid droplets for drawing a pattern on a workpiece having drawing areas in a longitudinal direction includes: a suction table disposed in a drawing space for holding the workpiece by suction; a delivering unit that intermittently delivers the workpiece onto the suction table in a sagged state; a drawing unit that draws a pattern on the workpiece held by suction by driving the functional liquid droplet ejection head to eject liquid droplets; a workpiece receiving unit that receives the drawn-on workpiece in a sagged state from the suction table; and a flushing unit on a feeding path of the work and including a flushing box provided between a lower surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head and a sagged portion at least at one of the sagged portions of the workpiece for receiving ejected liquid droplets from the functional liquid droplet ejection head. |