| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08042590B2 |
Protection mechanism for dry film laminator
A protection mechanism for dry film laminator includes a lower member, and an upper member located above the lower member. The upper member moves downwardly/upwardly relative to the lower member. The upper member has a plurality of through holes defined therein and extending therethrough. An air supply device communicates with the through holes for feeding air into the through holes. A film guide device is disposed above the upper member and includes a supply spool and a take-up spool disposed thereon. A continuous release film movably connected to the film guide device. The continuous release film which is wound on the supply spool is routed from the supply spool to flatly pass between the upper member and the lower member, and is sequentially collected by the take-up spool. |
| US08042589B2 |
Cleaning unit and printer
An apparatus for efficiently cleaning a platen roller of a printer. A cleaning unit is attached to a main unit in place of a removal unit for an intermediate transfer sheet. A cam is turned by means of turning an arm UP/DOWN lever, and the arm is turned from an UP position to a DOWN position by means of the cam, to thus bring a cleaning pad on a leading end of the arm into contact with a platen roller and perform cleaning operation. When an operation mode is set to a cleaning mode and when attachment of the cleaning unit UC is detected, the platen roller is rotated, thereby allowing cleaning operation. |
| US08042588B2 |
Multi time and index heat press
A press is described having an upper platen. The press includes a support arm adapted to selectively move the upper platen between an open position, a partially open position and a closed position with respect to a lower platen. An electromagnet is disposed proximate the support arm and configured to selectively secure the upper platen in the closed position. Another electromagnet, which may be disposed proximate a base member, is configured selectively to secure the upper platen in a partially open position. |
| US08042586B2 |
Self-inflating tire assembly
A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim. |
| US08042584B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread having radial grooves and shutoff walls
A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion (2) with a circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction and having a pair of oppositely opposed groove walls (6). The circumferential groove (3, 3b, 3c) is provided in at least one of the groove walls (6) with radial grooves (9) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the circumferential groove (3). The radially outer end (9o) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a1) of from 0 to 20% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radially inner end (9i) of the radial groove (9) is positioned in a range (a2) of from 80 to 100% of the depth (GDt) of the circumferential groove. The radial groove has an opening width (g) of not less than 1.0 mm, but not more than 6.0 mm. |
| US08042583B2 |
Pneumatic tire for off-road traveling with tread including blocks having recess portions
A pneumatic tire having an improved off-road traveling performance, which has a block pattern that a plurality of blocks 7 are provided in a tread portion, in which each of the blocks 7 includes a tread surface 9 facing radially outward and a wall surface 10 extending radially inwardly from the edge “e” of the tread surface 9, and at least one of the blocks 7 is provided with at least one recess portion 11 which extends on the wall surface 10 in the radial direction, and whose radially outer end opens at the tread surface 9 and whose length L along the wall surface 10 is from 10 to 70% of the height BL of the blocks 7. |
| US08042579B2 |
Paint replenishing system for cartridge
A quantitation setup mechanism (58) is composed of a piston (62) which is incorporated into a quantitation tank (61) to define therein a metering chamber (63), a quantitation setup portion (65) for presetting a quantity of paint replenishment, and a sensor (66) adapted to detect a displacement of the piston (62) preset by the quantitation setup portion (65). In this instance, paint is replenished into a paint chamber (19) of a cartridge (16) by means of a paint feed mechanism (32). In the course of the paint replenishment, an equivalent amount of an extruding liquid is displaced and discharged from an extruding liquid chamber (20). The displaced extruding liquid is introduced into the metering chamber (63) of the quantitation setup mechanism (58), detecting a quantity of displacement of the extruding liquid by replenished paint by the sensor (66) through the piston (62) to exactly quantitate the paint replenishment. |
| US08042577B2 |
Seam press fabric
A press fabric includes a substantially flat inner sleeve having first and second ends; and an outer sleeve around the inner sleeve and comprising at least one machine direction yarn wound around the inner sleeve and defining first and second seam loops at the first and second ends of the inner sleeve. A method for making the fabric is also disclosed. |
| US08042576B2 |
Mechanical clean-out test plug
The present invention provides a test plug for use with a clean-out that extends at an angle from a pipe section of a pipe system. In general, the test plug includes a sealing assembly that is actuated by an actuating member extending at an angle from the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first plate, a second plate, a valve that is configured to draw the first and second plates together, and a ring-shaped sealing member located between the first and second plates. In various embodiments, the actuating member is configured to move the valve between an open position, in which test media may be communicated through at least one opening in the first plate and through at least one opening in the second plate, and a closed position, in which the valve seals the opening of the first plate and in which the sealing member extends outwardly to seal against an internal surface of the pipe section. |
| US08042575B2 |
Spring energized plug
A self-contained cartridge sealing plug that does not require any torque settings. The sealing plug includes a cylindrical-shaped plug body that carries an O-ring seal. The bottom of the plug body has a hole where a spring is inserted and retained by a spring retainer that locates the spring and/or functions as a backstop for the spring that preloads the plug body against a retaining member. The spring-loaded action allows the plug body to be inserted into a-non-threaded cavity and depressed past a groove in the cavity. Once the shoulder on the plug body passes the groove, a wire ring retainer including one or more arcuate segments can be inserted into the cavity. The spring energy is then released against the ring retainer, retaining the plug body in the cavity. |
| US08042574B2 |
Plug with expandable packer element
The present invention relates to an arrangement for use with a plug (1) for sealing against an inner wall of a pipeline (30), comprising a main body and sealing means, which sealing means comprises an annular packer element (7), arranged between two relative movable body elements (5,6) of the main body actuated by actuation means, where the movable elements form surfaces (500,600) in abutment against the packer element (7). The packer element (7) comprises a radially inner section (705) which is mainly incompressible in a direction transverse to a circumferential direction and where sections of the two surfaces (500,600) in abutment against the inner section (705) of the packer element (7) in a retracted position, forms different angles in relation to an axis in radial direction in relation to a longitudinal axis of the plug. |
| US08042573B2 |
Fluid control device
A fluid control device that can be miniaturized without reducing a bolt diameter and a path diameter is provided.A fluid controller 31 having an inlet port 31a and an outlet port 31b aligned in a line direction and a line-to-line connection port 31c positioned in the middle of the above ports in the line direction is supported by a pair of joint members 7, a stepped part 7a is formed at each upper surface of opposed parts of the joint members 7, and line-to-line connection path forming members 9 and 10 having line-to-line paths 13 and 18 each communicating with the line-to-line connection port 31c of the fluid controller 31, respectively and constituting line-to-line connecting means 8 are supported by the stepped parts 7a of the joint members 7. |
| US08042568B2 |
Fluid controller and a method of detecting an error in a fluid controller
The invention provides a fluid controller for controlling a machine, e.g. for steering a vehicle. The controller comprises a housing defining an inlet port connected to the source and an outlet port connected to the pressure operated device. The flow rate is controlled by movement of a valve member within the housing, and a processor provides a reference which is indicative of a desired position of the valve member relative to the housing. The fluid controller comprises a fault detection system based on an observer. The observer calculates a theoretically correct position of the valve member relative to the housing for a given reference, and compares this position to an obtained position of the valve member relative to the housing. The difference between the positions is compared with a threshold value. In order to dynamically change the sensitivity of the system, the threshold value is scaled based on a gradient of the reference. |
| US08042566B2 |
Ex-situ component recovery
Disclosed herein are devices, methods and systems for ex-situ component recovery. The ex-situ recovery can be performed by desorbing or outgassing components of a processing system in a recovery system, rather than in the processing system itself. The recovery system can include a docking station and/or a heated vacuum chamber. The heated vacuum chamber can be used to desorb or outgas components that will be located inside the processing system, while the docking station can be used to desorb or outgas components that will be connected to the processing system. The processing system components can be placed under pressure by the recovery system to desorb or outgas contaminants and remove virtual leaks. The recovery system pressure can include a vacuum roughing pump, a turbomolecular pump, and/or a cryogenic pump to apply a pressure necessary to desorb or outgas the components. |
| US08042563B2 |
Cassette system integrated apparatus
A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. |
| US08042559B2 |
Dishwasher having rack with shelf holder
A dishwasher is disclosed which includes a rack arranged inside of a washing cabinet, a plurality of shelves arranged on the rack, and a shelf holder installed on the rack. The shelf holder may include a plurality of shelf fixing parts that fix the shelves together. The dishwasher so configured is capable of minimizing the number of shelf holders needed to fix a plurality of shelves to a rack and, therefore, simplifies the assembly process. |
| US08042557B2 |
Multitank conveyor-type dishwasher and an operating method for it
Multitank conveyor-type dishwasher (2) for washing items (10) to be washed, comprising at least two wash zones (6, 8) which are arranged in succession in the conveying direction (4); a liquid forward-flow apparatus (26) between in each case two successive wash zones (6, 8) for transferring liquid between these wash zones (6, 8) in a forward-flow direction (28) counter to the conveying direction (4); characterized in that a liquid recirculation apparatus (60) is provided for transferring sprayed liquid of a front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), into a rear wash zone (6) which is arranged downstream of the front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), counter to the forward-flow direction (28). |
| US08042556B2 |
Oral hygiene apparatuses
A dental hygiene apparatus for enabling a flossing of teeth. The apparatus can include a dispensing member and an accumulating member. The dispensing and accumulating members can each comprise a ring with an aperture for receiving a finger. Activating switches can selectively enable a dispensing of dental floss from the dispensing member and a retraction of dental floss relative to the accumulating member. A bobbin within the accumulating member can be rotated by a coil spring that can be rewound. The apertures in the rings can be varied. A floss retaining member can alternatively be retained by a ring, an opposed hook arrangement, or any other arrangement coupled to the dispensing member. Dental floss can be dispensed from a distal end of a post. The dental hygiene apparatus can further include as part of a unified system a finger shield arrangement, which can comprise first and second tubular members. |
| US08042553B2 |
Medical hair prosthesis system
A medical hair prosthesis for use by a wearer that has had a pronounced loss of hair, where the foundation of the medical hair prosthesis is made of lace that has gone through a cryogenic treatment process to increase durability and comfort. The medical hair prosthesis is formed by a process of harvesting the wearer's own hair to incorporate into the front hairline of the hair prosthesis. |
| US08042550B2 |
Smoke-simulating pipe
The invention is directed at the full simulation of a smoking process when a smoker uses the inventive pipe. Said smoking-simulating pipe comprises a shank (1) and a bowl (2) which are embodied in one piece, and a stem (4) which is detachable from the shank (1) and is provided with a bit, wherein a cavity (5), which is used for placing a sealed capsule (6) provided with a nicotine-containing or flavoring agent, is embodied in a smoking channel (14), and an electric heater (7) connected to a power supply (8), which is arranged in the walls of the bowl (2), is located before the capsule (6) in the smoking channel (14). |
| US08042545B2 |
Endotracheal intubation and fluid delivery device
A device for facilitating fluid delivery to the trachea of a patient which comprises, a tubular housing adapted to be sealably mounted on an elongate element of an endoscope for examining the trachea of the patient and configured to mount an adapter for an endotracheal tube for intubating the patient over and around the elongate element, the housing having at least one inlet into a cavity inside the housing for supplying at least a first fluid and an outlet for delivering the first fluid between the elongate element and an inside wall of the endotracheal tube mounted on the adapter. |
| US08042541B2 |
Mask brace and mask assembly
A patient mask assembly for positive pressure ventilation includes a brace (12) which clips to the mask and provides attachment locations (17) for headgear straps (14) in alternative positions to those attachment locations (17) which may be provided by the mask. The brace may also provide a mask stabilizing portion (20). |
| US08042540B2 |
Patient oxygen delivery mask
A mask for delivery of oxygen to a patient is disclosed, including a body having a peripheral portion, a central portion, and bridge portions extending between the central portion and the peripheral portion. The central portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface to be oriented towards the patient's face when the mask is in position, the inner surface of the central portion being provided with a wall circumscribing a base. The wall and base circumscribe a centrally positioned oxygen delivery aperture or oxygen diffuser to direct the flow of oxygen generally towards the patient's nose and mouth when the mask is in use. An element associated with the aperture and the central portion releasably receives and secures in position an oxygen delivery tube. |
| US08042535B2 |
Breathable gas apparatus with humidifier
Apparatus for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes a CPAP device and a detachable humidifier. The humidifier includes a tank that is removably insertable into a humidifier base. A sealed air flow path from the CPAP device and through the water tank is established when the water tank is placed in the humidifier base. |
| US08042534B2 |
Solar servo control tracking device
A solar servo control tracking device is disclosed. The device includes: an integrated control device having a solar cell sensor unit detecting luminance at a solar azimuth, and an integrated control panel transmitting a control signal at a maximal solar azimuth, calculated by comparing a solar azimuth from the luminance at a solar azimuth; and solar tracking devices, respectively having a tracking device controller receiving the control signal via a wireless link, a high torque driving unit with an AC single phase inductor to generate driving torque by the control signal from the tracking device controller, solar module assemblies driven by the high torque driving unit to track the solar azimuth in accordance with the control signal, and an operating angle sensor unit installed to the high torque driving unit to detect operating angles of the solar module assemblies that track the sun by the control signal. |
| US08042529B2 |
Device for eliminating oil particles from the crankcase ventilation gas in an internal combustion engine
A device for eliminating oil particles from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine. The device is located in the flow duct of the gas that runs from the crankcase to an induction tract of the engine. The device includes an oil separator in the form of an outlet for the gas with a deflection of the flow, causing the oil particles to be deposited on a baffle surface and thus to be eliminated from the crankcase ventilation gas flow. The device has an infeed cross-section, which lies upstream of the baffle surface when viewed from the flow direction of the crankcase ventilation gas, and which is sub-divided into several infeed sub-sections. The baffle surface is a solid surface that is devoid of perforations. The baffle surface is configured on a valve body, which lies downstream of the infeed sub-sections when viewed in the flow direction of the gas, and which is pre-tensioned by a force. The valve body can be displaced in the opening direction in opposition to the pre-tension, as a result of the differential pressure in the gas between the crankcase and the induction tract. |
| US08042528B2 |
Adaptive EGR control for internal combustion engines
A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an EGR valve determine a base valve position to deliver a target flow using a stored map and adjust the base position in response to differential pressure across an orifice in the EGR flow to move the valve to a position different from the base position to provide the target flow. |
| US08042524B2 |
Emission control devices for air induction systems of internal combustion engines
An emission control device for an air induction system of an internal combustion engine having high adsorption capacity, yet low flow resistance is disclosed. The AIS emission control device comprises a first case including an outlet-opening connected to an intake manifold of the engine; a second case including an inlet-opening for the intake air; and an adsorbent element positioned in a plane across the intake airflow, wherein the adsorbent element has an opening area such that the control device has a pressure drop of less than about 1 inch H2O at the air flow rate of about 300 cfm and % reduction in vapor emission of at least about 75% after one day of the vapor generation rate of about 220 mg/day. |
| US08042523B2 |
Fuel supply system for vehicle
A fuel supply system for a vehicle may include a fuel tank including a mounting portion protruding downwards from an upper inner surface of the fuel tank, a fuel limit vent valve and a rollover valve that is connected with the fuel limit vent valve within the fuel tank, and a mounting plate connecting the fuel limit vent valve and the rollover valve and configured to be mounted onto the mounting portion of the fuel tank. |
| US08042521B2 |
Engine unit and vehicle provided with the same
An engine unit with a decreased height dimension and longitudinal length comprises an engine and a throttle body assembly. The throttle body assembly includes front and rear throttle bodies formed with front and rear air cylinders and throttle valves. A fuel supply pipe is arranged between central axes of the air cylinders in a longitudinal direction to extend widthwise in a lower position than upper ends of the throttle bodies. A motor for driving throttle valves is arranged between the central axes of the air cylinders in the longitudinal direction. An axis of a rotating shaft of the motor is positioned forwardly or rearwardly of a central axis of the fuel supply pipe. |
| US08042517B2 |
Fuel property detector for internal combustion engine
A fuel property detector for an internal combustion engine determines a cetane number with high accuracy even when a high-cetane fuel is used.The fuel property detector includes a cylinder pressure detection device; ignition delay time calculating device for calculating ignition delay time in accordance with the cylinder pressure; a high-cetane fuel judgment device for judging based on the ignition delay time whether the cetane number of an employed fuel is high; an ignition delay time extension device that increases the ignition delay time by correcting a control parameter for the internal combustion engine; an ignition delay time recalculation device for recalculating the ignition delay time based on cylinder pressure after the ignition delay time is increased by the ignition delay time extension device; and a cetane number calculation device for calculating the cetane number of the employed fuel based on the recalculated ignition delay time. |
| US08042513B2 |
Internal combustion engine camshaft scheduling strategy for maximum pumping loss reduction
A method of camshaft scheduling is disclosed which includes measuring a driver input; calculating a driver requested torque based on a measured driver input; and scheduling the camshaft based upon the driver requested torque. In one example, the driver input is an accelerator pedal position, which is related to a percentage of driver torque requested. The cam position is selected based on the driver requested torque and the cam position is adjusted to provide one of a best fuel economy cam position and a best torque output cam position based upon the percentage of driver torque requested. |
| US08042511B2 |
Method and device for priming a fuel metering device
In a method for priming a fuel metering device for an internal combustion engine with a piston arranged in a combustion chamber and driving a crankshaft that is rotatably supported in a crankcase, with a fuel pump that conveys fuel from a fuel tank to a metering valve that opens into a metering chamber at alternating operating pressure, and with a control unit that calculates and controls timing for the metering valve for metering a fuel quantity corresponding to a load situation of the internal combustion engine, the metering valve is kept open, independent of the calculated timing for the metering valve, for a priming duration in a starting phase of the internal combustion engine when the alternating operating pressure of the metering chamber at the mouth of the metering valve is negative and when a fuel system pressure in the fuel metering device is below a target pressure. |
| US08042507B2 |
Non-circular rotary component
A rotary component with a rotor having a plurality of teeth arranged around the perimeter of the rotor. Each tooth has a crown and each pair of adjacent teeth has a valley therebetween. The crowns of the teeth lie on a curved envelope forming the perimeter of the rotor. The perimeter of the rotor has a non-circular profile with at least two protruding portions alternating with receding portions, in which the distance between the midpoints of the crowns of each pair of adjacent teeth is substantially the same, the profile of the valley between each pair of adjacent teeth is substantially the same, and the distance between the midpoint of each crown and the axis of the rotor varies around the perimeter to produce the said non-circular profile. |
| US08042506B2 |
Cylinder head
A cylinder head has a cylinder head body, a camshaft housing mounted on the cylinder head body, and cam caps mounted on the camshaft housing. The camshaft housing has through holes into which bolts are inserted to secure the camshaft housing and the cam caps together to the cylinder head body when assembling the engine. Internal threads are formed on the inner surfaces of the through hole, respectively. When rounding the cam holes before assembling the engine, second bolts are temporarily tightened to the internal threads of the through holes to secure the cam caps to the cam housing. |
| US08042504B2 |
Adjusting valve timing to deactivate engine cylinders for variable displacement operation
An internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks and adjustable camshaft timing is disclosed in which the camshafts in one cylinder bank are adjusted so that there is no net flow from the cylinders to effectively disable the cylinder bank. In particular, exhaust valve timing is advanced so that the maximum valve lift occurs approximately at bottom center between expansion and exhaust strokes and intake valve timing is advanced so that maximum valve lift occurs approximately at bottom center between intake and compression strokes. Also disclosed is an engine in which an intake and an exhaust camshaft on a single bank are coaxial with valve timings adjusted by rotating the inner of the two camshafts with respect to the outer of the two camshafts. |
| US08042495B2 |
Device for preventing initial hot water supplying in concentric tube type heat exchanger and its control method
A device for preventing initial hot water from being discharged from a double pipe heat exchanger and a method of controlling the same, which can temporarily mix cold water with hot water so as to decrease the temperature of the discharged hot water when the high temperature water is initially discharged from the double pipe heat exchanger. |
| US08042492B2 |
Pet grooming comb capable of adjusting combing angle
A pet grooming comb includes a grip having a plurality of first coupling portions circularly arranged around a longitudinal axis thereof and a comb head having a plurality of teeth and a second coupling portion selectively coupled to one of the first coupling portions. Thus, a user can adjust a setting angle of the comb head relative to the grip by means of the engagement of one of the first coupling portions of the grip with the second coupling portion of the comb head, thereby enhancing convenience of use. |
| US08042488B2 |
Electrostatic coating apparatus
A current sensor for detecting a full return current is connected to a high voltage generator. A leakage current detector including current sensors for detecting a leakage current is provided at the surface of the cover of a coating machine, air passages and a paint passage. Based on current detection values obtained by the current sensors, a high voltage control unit controls a power supply voltage control unit and a high voltage to be output from the high voltage generator can be raised or dropped. By employing the current detection values, the high voltage control unit can identify and provide notification of a location where the leakage current is increased and the insulation is deteriorated, and can request an operator to perform maintenance for the pertinent location. Further, upon occurrence of the insulation being deteriorated, the high voltage control unit can stop the high voltage supply. |
| US08042486B2 |
Stent spin coating apparatus
A system or device for spin coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The device includes a coating table to support the stent, the stent being positioned on top of the coating table and supported on the table by a support fixture. The coating table has an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the table can intersect a center of the mass of the stent. A driving means can be provided for rotating the stent about the longitudinal axis of the stent and for rotating the coating table about the axis of rotation. |
| US08042474B2 |
Device for suspending and moving an object or person
The present invention concerns a device for the suspension and displacement of an object or a person, this device including at least two unaligned cables, a profile borne by the cables and a trolley mobile over the length of this profile, characterized in that the profile links said cables together, in that the profile located between the two unaligned cables defines a curved zone, in that the profile includes at least one rectilinear zone in which the cable is kept in the profile and in that the cable is located outside of the profile in the curved zone and close to this curved zone. This device can be used as a Tyrolean traverse. |
| US08042470B2 |
Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition
A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a press-fitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile. |
| US08042466B2 |
Printing press with adjustable bearer rings
A printing press and a method for controlling a printing press include rotatably mounted cylinders. At least two adjacent cylinders roll on one another through bearer rings. At least one of the adjacent cylinders can be rotated actively relative to at least one of the bearer rings by a setting device. |
| US08042464B2 |
Rotary press
A rotary press including a plurality of printing groups each with a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder arranged in the machine frame such that respectively two blanket cylinders are configured to be leaned against each other and, in this way, a paper web that is guidable between the blanket cylinders is printable on both sides. Furthermore, the press includes inking units for inking the printing groups and damping units for applying a damping medium. The inking units are configured such that, with at least some of the inking units, two plate cylinders and thus two blanket cylinders at a time are able to be inked up. In this way, a compact, space-saving and economical design of the press is achieved. |
| US08042459B2 |
Grill
A grill with a removable smoker unit comprises a pan, a body, a pan cover, a smoker unit and a socket unit, wherein the smoker unit comprises a smoker box and a heating tube member with two plug terminals. The smoker unit is removably mounted on one side of the body, wherein there is a hole in the pan where the smoker unit inserts into the body, and a removable insulation lid mounted on the hole. The socket unit is mounted in the body, and provides electrical connection. The socket unit has holes for receiving the plug terminals. The grill with these structures not only has the conventional functions, but also provides an optional smoking function. |
| US08042458B2 |
Heating cooker and tray therefor
A heating cooker has a side wall of a heating chamber (20) formed with an outlet (22) for discharging a heating fluid and an engagement portion (3a). A tray (4) has an edge portion (4a), a side wall portion (4b) having a thorough hole (4f), a flat surface portion (4c), an inner wall portion (4d), and a bottom portion (4e). When the tray is engaged with the engagement portion with its front surface side facing up, the through hole faces the outlet. A part of the discharged heating fluid is fed to the rear surface side of the tray through the through hole, and the remaining fluid is fed to the front surface side. When the tray is engaged with the engagement portion with its rear surface side facing up, an opening in a groove portion (4i) defined between the side wall portion and the inner wall portion faces upward. |
| US08042456B2 |
Milk frother
Methods and device for frothing milk. The device includes a main body forming a container for the milk, a cover fitting onto the main body, agitation means and drive means for driving the agitation means. The drive means are received at least partially in the cover. The device further includes a base plate provided with a first electric contact. The main body is provided with a second electric contact, which makes electrical contact with the first electric contact when the main body is placed on the base plate. The drive means are provided with a third electric contact. The main body is provided with a fourth electric contact, which makes electrical contact with the third electric contact when the cover is placed on the main body. The main body is provided with an electric conductor which forms an electrical connection between the second electric contact and the fourth electric contact. |
| US08042452B2 |
Lifting ram for lifting platforms
The invention relates to a lifting ram for lifting platforms, in particular for underfloor lifting platforms, comprising an inner tubular body and an outer body which is at least partially tubular and which at least partially surrounds the inner tubular body, wherein the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body are connected to one another at least in a force-fitting manner via connecting elements. The lifting ram is an extruded element at least in some sections. |
| US08042443B2 |
Disk-shaped tool with vibration reduction
A disc-shaped tool includes a plurality of virtual regions formed such that it is surrounded by two radius lines extending from a rotation center of a disc-shaped base metal and two concentric circles on the base metal disposed around the rotation center. A central angle formed by the two radius lines is equal to or less than 90°, and the number of the virtual regions is 4 to 24. The concentric circle located in a center of an interval of the two concentric circles forming the virtual region is in a range of 0.6 r to 0.8 r with respect to the rotation center of the base metal when a maximum gullet bottom radius of the base metal is r. An overlapping of the virtual regions continuously adjoining each other is in a range of 0° to 12°. A minimum neighborhood distance between the adjoining slits is equal to or more than 0.05 r. A ratio of a length of an arc of the central concentric circle in each virtual region with respect to the interval of the two concentric circles in the virtual region is 3 to 6. |
| US08042441B2 |
Method for cutting protective tape of semiconductor wafer and apparatus for cutting the protective tape
A cutter blade movably in a radial direction of a wafer is pressed for biasing to an outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer. Simultaneously, the pushing biasing force of the cutter blade is controlled constant with automatic regulation corresponding to a traveling speed variation of the cutter blade, so that effect of a centrifugal force that works at the time of rotating travel of the cutter blade may not vary a pushing biasing force of the cutter blade. As a result, a contact pressure of the cutter blade to the outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer is maintained stable. |
| US08042436B2 |
Method for preparing NC machining program and apparatus for preparing NC machining program
A preparing apparatus of an NC machining program prepares an NC machining program including a position instruction of a cutting portion of a rotary tool on the basis of a two-dimensional workpiece coordinate system having a Z-axis and an X-axis as coordinate axes. An operator inputs a lead clearance α and a radial clearance β to the preparing apparatus via an input operation section. A processing section converts the NC machining program prepared on the basis of the two-dimensional workpiece coordinate system into an NC machining program including a position instruction of a three-dimensional workpiece coordinate system having the X-axis, a Y-axis and the Z-axis as the coordinate axes, on the basis of the lead clearance α and the radial clearance β. |
| US08042431B2 |
Driving force transmitting apparatus
A driving force transmitting apparatus is provided with a breather chamber. The breather chamber is defined by a first partition wall, a second partition wall, a third partition wall, an outer wall of a first division casing member and an outer wall of an second division casing. The first partition wall is integrally formed on the first division casing member and extending in a matching direction of the first and the second division casing members. The second partition wall is integrally formed on the second division casing member and extending in the matching direction. The third partition wall crosses the first partition wall and is apart from a common plane of first and second coupling surfaces in the matching direction. |
| US08042413B2 |
Transverse force measurement
A piezoelectric sensor for bending moment measurements has measuring elements separating at their axes and electrically connecting both halves with their opposing directions of polarization. Such a sensor, mounted with its axis on the neutral bending axis of a machine structure, thus measures concurrently both tension and compression of the machine on both sides of the axis thereof. |
| US08042412B2 |
Turbomachinery system fiberoptic multi-parameter sensing system and method
A fiberoptic multi-parameter sensing system for monitoring turbomachinery system shaft static and dynamic torques, vibration modes and associated operation status includes a multi-furcated fiber bundle based optical splitter configured to transmit light to a surface of at least one turbomachinery system shaft through a plurality of optical fiber bundles disposed at a plurality of locations in proximity to the surface of the at least one shaft, in which the plurality of locations together are arranged in a substantially axial direction between the ends of the at least one shaft. The system further includes an array of high-temperature bifurcated fiber bundle based reflectance probes to receive reflectance signals from the shaft surface and send to an array of photosensitive detectors, configured to detect dynamic light reflected from the at least one turbomachinery system shaft surface in response to the transmitted light during rotation of at least one turbomachinery system shaft and generate dynamic reflected light signals there from. A sensing mechanism is configured to determine a torque or vibration on at least one turbomachinery system shaft in response to the dynamic reflected light signal signatures based on time-domain and frequency-domain signal processes. |
| US08042409B2 |
Method for measuring mass flow of a multi-component gas
This invention relates to a method of measuring mass flow of a first gas component in a gas consisting of one or more known gas components. Typically such methods assume that certain parameters were constant, such as the gas composition, pressure and/or temperature, and likewise the heat capacity, density, etc., of the gas were presumed to be such that they could be determined to have a constant value. However, it has been found that the determination of the mass flow is associated with a comparatively high degree of measurement uncertainty, when it is assumed that the parameters are constant. The core of the invention relies on this discovery and on a method wherein all of the gas parameters that are used in the determination of the mass flow of the first gas component and that may vary considerably as a function of the gas composition, pressure and/or temperature are determined continually. |
| US08042407B2 |
Tension monitoring arrangement and method
Tension monitoring is described using a sensor which may exhibit an offset for which compensation may be provided to produce a zero voltage amplified output or to increase dynamic range. An arrangement determines whether a power reset is responsive to a battery bounce such that an initially-measured system start-up parameter can be retained. The start-up parameter is automatically saved at start-up if the power reset is responsive to a start-up from a shut-down condition. The start-up parameter may be a zero tension amplified output responsive to the sensor offset at zero tension. Protection of a tension data set is provided such that no opportunity for altering the data set is presented prior to transfer of the data set. A housing configuration forms part of an electrical power circuit for providing electrical power to an electronics package from a battery. |
| US08042406B2 |
Method of determining overspeed reliability
A method and system for determining the reliability of a rotating component compares a normalized stress curve with a normalized strength curve. The resulting overlap corresponds with the reliability of the rotating component. |
| US08042405B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterizing microscale formability of thin sheet materials
A method of predicting sheet formability at a microscale level includes the steps of providing a grid pattern on a test sheet, bulging the test sheet to a hemispherical shape until a crack is initiated on the surface of the test sheet, detecting the initiation of the crack, acquiring two images of the surface adjacent to the crack and calculating surface strains on the test sheet. |
| US08042404B2 |
Stress detection circuit and semiconductor chip including same
A stress detection circuit includes a function block and a detection signal generation circuit. The function block outputs a first voltage such that the first voltage is varied depending on an extent that the function block is stressed. The detection signal generation circuit generates a stress detection signal based on the first voltage and a second voltage during a test mode. The stress detection signal represents integration of the function block, and a level of the second voltage corresponds to a level of the first voltage before the function block is stressed. |
| US08042402B2 |
Modular sensor assembly
A modular sensor assembly for performing measurement or calibration is disclosed, comprising a sensing module comprising a threaded spigot, a first slip ring conductive track, and a second slip ring conductive track; a base module comprising a threaded receptacle, a first conductor, and a second conductor; wherein the sensing module is detachably mounted to the base module by rotating the threaded spigot into the threaded receptacle thereby forming a first electrical connection between the first slip ring conductive track and the first conductor, and a second electrical connection between the second slip ring conductive track and the second conductor. |
| US08042398B2 |
Ultrasonic receiver
An ultrasonic receiver according to the present invention includes: a wave propagating portion 6, which defines a first opening 63 and a waveguide 60 that makes an ultrasonic wave, coming through the first opening 63, propagate in a predetermined direction; and a propagation medium portion 3, which has a transmissive interface 61 and which is arranged with respect to the waveguide 60 such that the transmissive interface 61 defines one surface of the waveguide 60 in the direction in which the ultrasonic wave propagates. The interface 61 is designed and arranged with respect to the waveguide 60 such that as the ultrasonic wave propagates along the waveguide 60, each portion of the ultrasonic wave is transmitted into the propagation medium portion 3 through the interface 61 and then converged toward a predetermined convergence point. The receiver further includes a sensor portion 2, which is arranged at the convergence point 33 to detect the ultrasonic wave converged. The propagation medium portion includes a propagation medium that fills a space between the interface and the convergence point. The waveguide is filled with an environmental fluid and acoustic velocities Cn and Ca of the ultrasonic wave propagating through the propagation medium portion 3 and the environmental fluid 4, respectively, satisfy Cn/Ca<1. If a distance from the first opening of the waveguide to a point P, which is set at an arbitrary location on the transmissive interface, is La as measured in the ultrasonic wave propagating direction and if a distance from the point P to the convergence point is Ln, then La/Ca+Ln/Cn is always constant irrespective of where the point P is located. |
| US08042396B2 |
Microelectromechanical sensor with improved mechanical decoupling of sensing and driving modes
A driving mass of an integrated microelectromechanical structure is moved with a rotary motion about an axis of rotation, and a sensing mass is connected to the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to perform a detection movement in the presence of an external stress. The driving mass is anchored to a first anchorage arranged along the axis of rotation by first elastic anchorage elements. The driving mass is also coupled to a pair of further anchorages positioned externally thereof and coupled to opposite sides with respect to the first anchorage by further elastic anchorage elements; the elastic supporting elements and the first and further elastic anchorage elements render the driving mass fixed to the first sensing mass in the rotary motion, and substantially decoupled from the sensing mass in the detection movement, the detection movement being a rotation about an axis lying in a plane. |
| US08042390B2 |
Inertial device with pedometer function and portable electric appliance incorporating said inertial device
An inertial device that is integratable in a portable electronic device includes: an inertial sensor for generating at least one raw acceleration signal in response to accelerations caused by movements of walking and running of a user of the pedometer; and a processing unit, associated to the inertial sensor for counting a number of steps of the user of the pedometer on the basis of the raw acceleration signal. The inertial sensor and the processing unit are both encapsulated within a single package for integrated circuits, which can be coupled to a circuit board of an electronic device and is provided with at least one connection terminal for making the number of steps available to the outside world. |
| US08042389B2 |
Adjustable hydrometer
A hydrometer, hydrometer kit, and method of measuring the salinity/density or the salinity/specific gravity of a liquid are provided. The hydrometer may include a box structure comprising side walls and a bottom. At least a portion of one of the side walls may be substantially transparent. A buoyant indicator member may be pivotably disposed about an axis within the box structure. The indicator member may pivot about the axis when the box structure is filled with a liquid. A salinity/density scale or salinity/specific gravity scale may be disposed on a surface of the box structure or a dial member. At least one adhesive member may be removably adhered to the indicator member by a user so that the hydrometer can be calibrated based on a reference solution having a predetermined salinity. The at least one adhesive member may increase or decrease the buoyancy of the indicator member. The kit may include the hydrometer and a container of the reference solution having a predetermined salinity. |
| US08042388B2 |
Multi-joint fuel level sender gage assembly
A fuel level measuring system for a liquid fuel tank may utilize a primary sender gage assembly employing at least a primary sender gage, a primary sender arm, and a primary sender float. The system may further utilize a secondary sender gage assembly employing at least a secondary sender gage, a secondary sender arm, and a secondary sender float. A dash indicator may display a fuel level of fuel within the fuel tank based upon resistances from the sender gages. The primary sender float and the secondary sender gage are contained within a single unit that is buoyant in liquid fuel. The fuel tank may have a top dome portion and a bottom dome portion that the secondary sender float is capable of occupying while the sender gages transmit a signal corresponding to fuel levels in the tank. |
| US08042386B2 |
Test section for wind-tunnel testing apparatus and wind tunnel test apparatus employing the same
A test section for a wind-tunnel testing apparatus has a mounting section that mounts an automobile along the internal floor surface of a wind tunnel. Tests are conducted by applying an airflow blown in the wind tunnel to the automobile mounted on the mounting section. The test section includes a slit that is disposed on the floor surface located on the upstream side of the mounting section with respect to the airflow direction so as to extend in the intersecting direction intersecting the airflow direction and that sucks in a portion of the airflow near the floor surface, and lateral suction portions, disposed at both sides of the mounting section, that suck in the incoming airflows R flowing in from the sides of the mounting section. |
| US08042378B2 |
Gas amount measurement device
A gas amount measuring device including a vacuum container, a first pipe, an air release valve being attached to the first pipe, a second pipe, a calibration gas generator being attached to the first pipe, a third pipe, a vacuum gauge, a first valve, a leak valve, a second valve, a turbomolecular pump, a third valve, and a roughing pump being attached to the third pipe in order from a vacuum container side, a first bypass pipe connecting the third pipe between the vacuum container and the first valve to the third pipe between the leak valve and the second valve, a fourth valve being attached to the first bypass pipe, and a second bypass pipe connecting the third pipe between the leak valve and the second valve to the third pipe between the third valve and the roughing pump, a fifth valve being attached to the second bypass pipe. |
| US08042375B2 |
Press die cushion controller
A die-cushion controlling device includes: a position-command-signal outputting section for outputting a position command signal of a die-cushion pad; a position detecting means for detecting a position of the die-cushion pad; a position comparing section for outputting a position deviation signal corresponding to a deviation between the target position value based on the position command signal and a position detection value based on a position detection signal; a position controlling section for outputting a position-speed command signal based on the position deviation signal; a speed controlling section for outputting a motor-current command signal based on the position-speed command signal from the position controlling section; a servo amplifier for generating a current corresponding to the motor-current command signal; and an output switching section that, based on a press signal output when a slide has reached a bottom dead center, switches the position detection signal from the position detection means to the position command signal from the position command signal outputting section. |
| US08042374B2 |
Multi-tool technology
A multi-tool having a plurality of tool-receipt openings adapted to receive respective tools. The multi-tool can be used on turret presses, single-station presses, other industrial presses, or other fabrication equipment. |
| US08042373B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing a stent
A medical device crimping system comprises a crimper and a plurality of protective strips. The crimper defines a crimping iris, which has an open state and a closed state. In the open state the cross-sectional area of the crimping iris is greater than in the closed state. The plurality of protective strips extend longitudinally through the crimping iris. Each of the strips is radially offset from one another. The strips protect the stent from direct contact with the crimping blades of the crimper. |
| US08042371B2 |
Device for rotationally locking the supporting roll balanced architecture of roll stands
In a rolling stand (1), especially a plate rolling stand, with a right housing column (2), a left housing column (3), an upper column crosshead (4) that connects them, at least one pair of work rolls and one pair of backup rolls and associated chocks, a balancing device with brackets (5, 6) and a piston rod (7) that extends upward through the column crosshead (4) beyond the upper surface (8) of the column crosshead (4), the piston rod (7) has a yoke (10) at its outer end (9), which yoke (10) is oriented in the rolling direction and engages the brackets (5, 6) of the balancing device, and a rotating sleeve (11), which encloses the piston rod (7), is arranged between the upper edge (12) of the balancing cylinder (22) and the lower edge (13) of the yoke (10), is supported on the column crosshead (4), and has at least one open slot (14) into which the yoke (10) can drop. |
| US08042370B2 |
Flow formed gear
A method of forming a ring gear from a ring blank includes providing a mandrel having a central axis and an outer annular forming surface. The outer annular forming surface defines a plurality of forming elements having a forming element axis offset from the central axis of the mandrel. The ring blank has a ring axis and is placed over the mandrel generally aligning the central axis of the mandrel with the ring axis of the ring blank. A roll is provided having a roll axis that is generally parallel with the element axis. The roll is forced radially inwardly while circumscribing the central axis. The roll pivots around the roll axis deforming the ring blank radially inwardly forming teeth on an inner surface of the ring blank that coaxial with the element axis and offset from the mandrel axis. |
| US08042367B2 |
Tumbler-type key verification system
A tumbler-type key verification system including a tumbler-type key and a lock apparatus. The lock apparatus includes a support member, a movable member movable relative to the support member, tumblers which are biased by tumbler springs and are arranged to engage with the support member and the movable member, and a lock mechanism that reinforces the locking strength of the tumblers. The lock mechanism having a two-piece structure including a first piece movably accommodated in the movable member and a second piece movably accommodated in the support member. The lock mechanism reinforces the locking strength of the tumblers by having the first piece or the second piece engage both the movable member and the support member before the tumbler-type key is inserted into the lock apparatus or when the tumbler-type key is being inserted into the lock apparatus. |
| US08042366B2 |
Security apparatus including attachment device
A security apparatus is disclosed. The security apparatus comprises an attachment device comprising a base. A locking head can be configured to secure to the base. The attachment device can be small and strong. The locking head can have a securing element and a locking component, associated with a housing. The locking head may be in a secured configuration upon a single motion or movement of the locking head. The locking head may contain one or more gate structures for securing to the attachment device. |
| US08042365B2 |
Compact security device for systems and peripherals
A security device includes a cable securing member defining a slot between an open first end and a closed second end. A channel is provided in the slot and a rib adjacent the channel protrudes into the slot. The open first end includes a tab receiver and a lock receiver. The tab receiver engages a tab attached to a chassis. A cable extending through the channel is not removable due to a lock inserted into the lock receiver and blocking the open first end. |
| US08042364B2 |
Washing machine with improved waterway system
The present invention has disclosed a washing machine with improved waterway system, said waterway system is comprising softening-electrolysis waterway, modifier-liquid waterway and ion-exchange-resin regeneration waterway, when this washing machine is at work, modifier-liquid combined with alkaline-electrolysis water could replace detergent for washing; meantime, said ion-exchange-resin regeneration waterway could greatly prolong the service life of softening-electrolysis system, and avoid the refluence of wastewater to cause pollution in the washing machine in prior art. |
| US08042358B2 |
Lithium silicate materials
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength. |
| US08042352B2 |
Control method and device for an air conditioning economizer system
In an air conditioning economizer system outdoor air intake is reduced automatically by a control device based on a shut-off control setting for a measured outdoor air quality. A geographical location associated with the air conditioning economizer system is received (S2) in the control device. The control device defines automatically (S3) the shut-off control setting based on the geographical location. Thus, the air conditioning economizer system is adapted specifically for a geographic location and its climate zone, without the requirement for installing or operating personnel to determine a shut-off control setting for a specific climate zone and/or select a corresponding operating range. |
| US08042351B2 |
Systems and methods for providing air conditioning to an electronic component in a satellite antenna installation
An air conditioning system provides air to an enclosure associated with a satellite antenna that houses an amplifier or other electronic component. The air conditioning system supplies conditioned air to the bottom of the enclosure and receives return air from the top of the enclosure for improved airflow. Various implementations may also provide redundancy through the use of common supply and return plenums, or other features. In some embodiments, the air conditioning system may be conveniently retrofit onto existing satellite antenna installations to provide improved efficiency and redundancy. |
| US08042348B2 |
Cooling system, control device, and control program
A cooling system is provided in which an integrated controller 10 controls the compressor for compressing a refrigerant and at least one constituent device which is a separate device from the compressor and that constitutes a refrigerant circulation circuit together with the compressor. The integrated controller 10 has a control data generation unit 16 that controls the compressor using a compressor sensor for detecting a first physical value, which is a physical value of the refrigerant at the time of normal operations, and an abnormality detection unit 13 for detecting an abnormality of the compressor sensor. The control data generation unit 16 controls the compressor using a constituent device sensor for detecting a second physical value that is a physical value having a close correlation with the first physical value in place of the compressor sensor when the abnormality was detected by the abnormality detection unit 13. |
| US08042343B2 |
Cooling of avionics using a fuel tank and refrigerant source
An avionics cooling system including an avionics cooling circuit operating with a liquid coolant; a fuel circuit; and a vapor cooling cycle operating with a refrigerant. The avionics cooling circuit transfers heat withdrawn from avionics to the fuel circuit, whereby the heat is dumped into fuel, and the vapor cooling cycle transfers heat that cannot be dumped into the fuel from the fuel circuit to ram air. |
| US08042338B2 |
Atmospheric temperature difference power generator
This invention consists of a process for utilizing the atmospheric temperature variation with height to produce useful energy. It is accomplished by the use of a lighter than air condensable fluid or mixture of fluids circulating between heat exchangers at different altitudes, with a two phase flow return. |
| US08042334B2 |
Vertical fluid container with endless chain
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated methods for generating energy by capturing and taking benefit of the energy generated by any quantity of air surfacing inside water. The apparatus includes a frame structure to which is rotatably mounted an upper drive wheel, a lower wheel, and a vertical fluid column container. An endless chain of gas capsule elements is mounted on the upper and lower wheels. This endless chain passes vertically up into and through the fluid column container through a seal port in the bottom of the container. As the endless chain of gas capsule elements passes vertically through the fluid in the container, fluid pressure on the elements due to the height of the column of fluid in the container produces a net buoyant force upward on the elements, causing them to rise, generating kinetic energy that turns the wheels. |
| US08042331B2 |
On-demand hydraulic pump for a transmission and method of operation
A fixed displacement binary pump is provided for a powertrain on a vehicle. A hydraulic system is operatively connected with first and second discharge ports of the pump and is operable to alternately permit fluid flow through both discharge ports (i.e., full displacement or volumetric output of the pump) or permit flow through only the first discharge port (i.e., partial displacement or volumetric output of the pump). The pump may be packaged in a front support of the transmission. An auxiliary pump may be provided that is operable to supplement the output of the binary pump or to be used when the binary pump is off. A method of operating the binary pump and auxiliary pump is provided. |
| US08042324B2 |
Apparatus and method for winding a roving onto a bobbin
The invention relates to an apparatus for winding a roving provided with a protective twist onto a roving bobbin, containing a bobbin mounting for the rotatable mounting of a roving bobbin and a traversing device for traversing in the bobbin axial direction the roving to be wound. The traversing device comprises a driven pair of winding delivery rollers arranged directly in front of the roving bobbin and having a nip line through which the roving to be wound is guided. |
| US08042319B2 |
Vacuum packaging system
A vacuum packaging system includes a vacuum room, a delivery apparatus, a discharge device, a second heating apparatus. The delivery apparatus transport the pre-packaged container into the vacuum room. The discharge device discharges a sealing material to seal an exhaust through hole of the pre-packaged container. The discharge device includes a vessel configured for containing sealing material, a transport pipeline, a first heating, and a controlling element. The first heating apparatus softens the sealing material into viscous liquid. The second heating apparatus is mounted on the inner wall of the vacuum room between the second hatch and the transport pipeline. |
| US08042316B2 |
Fireproof door
The present invention relates to a fireproof door, which comprises a fire-protection glass and a support means for supporting the fire-protection glass, and the support means comprising an elastic member in contact with both surfaces of an edge portion of the fire-protection glass, a reinforcing frame for supporting the elastic member, and a fixing plate fixed to a support and corresponding to both surfaces of the reinforcing frame. The fireproof door of the present invention has a grade A fireproof performance. |
| US08042315B2 |
Reinforced composite panel
A reinforced panel, made of a composite material, includes a single base layer. A first plurality of mutually parallel ridges is affixed to the surface of the base layer. A second plurality of mutually parallel ridges is also affixed to the surface of the base layer, but oriented transverse to the first plurality. Structurally, the ridges and the base layer are co-cured to create an integral, continuous structure that provides stiffness and rigidity to the panel. |
| US08042312B2 |
Three-dimensional cellular light structures directly woven by continuous wires and the manufacturing method of the same
Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional cellular light structure formed of continuous wire groups. In the cellular light structure, six orientational-wire groups are intercrossed each other at 60 degrees or 120 degrees of angles in a three-dimensional space to thereby construct the structure similar to the ideal Octet or Kagome truss and having a good mechanical property such as strength, rigidity or the like. A method of mass-producing the structure in a cost-effective manner is also disclosed. The three-dimensional cellular light structure has a similar form to the ideal Octet or Kagome truss. When required, the intersection points of the wires are bonded by means of welding, brazing, soldering, or a liquid- or spray-form adhesive to provide a structural material having a light weight and a good mechanical strength and rigidity. It can be made into a fiber-reinforced type composite material by filling part of or entire internal empty space of the structure. |
| US08042311B2 |
Mechanical locking system for panels and method of installing same
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove, which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically. |
| US08042309B2 |
Panelized veneer with backer-to-backer locators
A cast veneer wall panel includes a backing panel having a rear face and a front face. The front face includes a boundary wall and a continuous abutment extending around a perimeter of a casting field. The cast veneer wall panel further includes a facing panel formed from a cast material that is received and held within the casting field. The facing panel includes at least one design element. |
| US08042308B2 |
Wall panel system
A system for releasably attaching a panel to a wall. The panel is provided with a front surface intended to be visible to an observer once the panel has been installed upon the wall at a rear surface opposite the front surface supporting a plurality of magnets. A corresponding plurality of brackets are attached to the wall and positioned such that when the panel is properly positioned upon the wall, the panel is releasably secured thereto by causing the plurality of magnets to be secured to the plurality of brackets. The panels can abut one another to create a variety of useful surfaces such as pegboard, corkboard, chalkboard, fabric and magnetic bulletin boards. The brackets can be oriented to obscure them from a viewer and can also be reoriented to provide a releasable attachment means for a frame to surround the panels for a more finished, aesthetic appearance. |
| US08042303B2 |
Seal having an electroactive actuator a for sliding glass window
A seal for a sliding glass window includes a sliding glass guide and an elastomeric channel member that is at least partially disposed within the sliding glass guide. Located between the elastomeric channel member and the sliding glass guide is an electroactive actuator that is operable to change its shape from a first shape to a second shape, or vice versa, when a voltage is applied thereto. The first shape of the electroactive actuator pushes the elastomeric channel member towards the sliding glass window and the second shape pulls the elastomeric channel member away from the sliding glass window. |
| US08042302B2 |
Window pane for a motor vehicle
A window pane for a motor vehicle including plastic for closing a pane opening of a motor vehicle and which is moveable with a window lifter out of the pane opening includes a pane element enclosed by an outer edge and a device provided on the pane element for coupling the window pane to an adjusting mechanism of the window lifter. For coupling the window pane to the adjusting mechanism of the window lifter, a guide region is formed on a surface of the pane element via which the window pane is engageable with a guide device of the adjusting mechanism, displaceable in a direction of adjustment. The guide region forms at least one stop, which counteracts a pivoting of the window pane about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane of the window pane. |
| US08042300B2 |
Methods of managing timberland
A method of managing timberland generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in first and second rows, wherein the tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows. The method further includes planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop. The method further includes periodically harvesting the energy crop for a predetermined number of harvests. |
| US08042299B1 |
Mole trap
The mole trap includes a base assembly and an upper movable frame. Two vertical guide rods are attached to the base assembly and pass through the bores through the upper movable frame. Springs urge the movable frame away from the base. Two U-shaped rods are attached to the movable frame and extend under the base. An upper horizontal pin is fixed to the movable frame. A lower horizontal pin is fixed to the base. A tension link connected to the upper pin. A recess in the link receives the lower pin and holds both springs in loaded condition. A bracket with a tension link recess is pivotally mounted on the lower pin. A tension link release surface on the bracket releases the tension link when a mole sensor pivots the bracket. |
| US08042298B1 |
Fishing lure
The present invention includes improvements for fishing lures. In some embodiments, a blade of a fishing lure includes a louvered hole. The louvered hole increases the blade turning action as water moves through the hole making the lure more enticing to fish resulting in more bites/strikes. The size, shape, type, color, texture and other characteristics of the blade and the overall lure are all changeable. In a second embodiment, a lure includes one or more elongated tails. In some embodiments, the elongated tails float, spin, slow down the lure and/or generate an appearance similar to a living creature. Again, the other characteristics of the lure with elongated tails are all changeable. |
| US08042296B1 |
Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm
Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, containing a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear; a breech body which is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position which closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case; characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position, such that the magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, which acts as an opposing bearing during the firing of a projectile. |
| US08042290B2 |
Trencher with auto-plunge and boom depth control
A system and process for controlling and actuating an excavation implement during excavation between an above-ground position and an operator specified below-ground position and for maintaining the specified below-ground position once achieved. The actuation of the excavation implement is regulated by use of an operator modifiable relationship between an engine operating speed and an actuator speed. The actuation of the excavation implement is further regulated by use of an operator modifiable relationship between an attachment drive speed and the actuator speed. A computer network controls the actuation of the excavation implement in response to inputs from the operator and feedback from the engine speed, the attachment drive speed, and an actuator position sensor as the excavation implement progresses through the earth. This results in the system maintaining the engine speed and the attachment drive speed at a desired output level when the excavation implement is subject to variations in loading while moving between the above-ground and below-ground positions. |
| US08042288B2 |
Article of footwear having a textile upper
An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. |
| US08042286B2 |
Footwear with a sole structure incorporating a lobed fluid-filled chamber
A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure. |
| US08042284B2 |
Heating system, drying machine having the heating system, and method of controlling the heating system
A heating system and a method of controlling the heating system are provided. When a heating unit and a switch are turned on and off repeatedly by the predetermined number of times or more, only some of heaters of the heating unit are turned on, thereby increasing service life of the heating unit and the switch. |
| US08042282B2 |
Drum for clothes dryer
A drum for a clothes dryer in which an internal structure, especially, a baffle structure, of the drum is improved to prevent target items from being entangled and damaged during a drying operation to thereby improve the drying efficiency of the clothes dryer. Rotatable balls are inserted in the baffles mounted on an internal surface of the drum, the mounting arrangement of the baffles is changed, or the baffles are modified to thus improve the drying operation. In addition, an absorbent is filled in the baffles to thus increase the drying efficiency. |
| US08042281B1 |
Hyperbaric centrifuge system
A centrifugal bowl separator, including a bowl, a source of pressurized gas in selective flow communication with the bowl and operable to selectively supply pressurized gas to an interior portion of the bowl, and first and second pressure seals selectively established to provide a zone within a portion of the bowl such that when the pressurized gas is introduced, pressure within the portion of the bowl increases for enhanced removal of moisture and drying of solids within the portion of the bowl. |
| US08042280B2 |
Lens shape measurement device
An arithmetic control circuit (52) is configured to bring the measuring element (38) for a lens into contact with at least two points (measurement points P1, P2) of one of two refracting surfaces of the lens Lm held in the lens holder by controlling the measuring element shifter (driving motor 6), obtain the coordinates of the two points according to the detection signal from the position detector (linear scales 24, 40), and obtain a curve value Cv of one refracting surface of the lens from the difference of the coordinates of the two points. |
| US08042274B2 |
Multifunction scissor
A multifunction scissor configured for cutting and scraping for use in, for example, eating shellfish. The multifunction scissor can include an extension that function as a scraper. The multifunction scissor also can be configured such that the blade tips form a fork. |
| US08042271B2 |
Roller for transferring labels and related method
An aspirating roller (1) for transferring labels, comprising at least a pair of pads (20;21) projecting relative to a lateral surface (1a) of the roller (1). The roller (1) is characterised in that at least a portion of the lateral surface (1a) of the roller (1) present between the pads (20;21) is elastically deformable. A method for removing/mounting an elastically deformable plate-like element (6), of the type present between a pair of pads (20;21) and defining a lateral surface (1a) of a roller (1) for transferring labels. |
| US08042266B2 |
Mounting apparatus and method to control mounting apparatus
A mounting apparatus to mount electronic components on a board includes at least one component feeder in which electronic components of different types are disposed in series, and a mounting information supplier which supplies mounting information. The component feeder is configured to mount the electronic components on the board based on the mounting information from the mounting information supplier. |
| US08042265B2 |
Method for manufacturing multilayer flexible printed circuit board
A method for manufacturing a multilayer FPCB includes the steps of: providing a first substrate, a second substrate and a binder layer; defining an opening on the binder layer; defining a first slit in the dielectric layer of the first substrate; laminating the first substrate, the binder layer and the second substrate; forming a second slit in the conductive layer of the first substrate, the second slit is configured to be aligned with the first slit, cutting the first substrate, the binder layer and the second substrate thereby forming a multilayer flexible printed circuit board having different numbers of layers in different areas. |
| US08042260B2 |
Methods of forming inductors on integrated circuits
The claimed invention pertains to methods of forming one or more inductors on a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, a method of forming an array of inductor core elements on a semiconductor substrate that includes integrated circuits is disclosed. A first set of spaced apart metallic core elements are formed over the substrate. Isolation sidewalls are then formed on side surfaces of the core elements. Afterward, a second set of metallic core elements are formed over the substrate. The first and second sets of core elements are substantially co-planar and interleaved such that only the isolation sidewalls separate adjacent core elements. Particular embodiments involve other processing operations, such as the selective electroplating of different types of metal to form core elements and/or the deposition and etching away of an isolation layer to form isolation sidewalls on the core elements. |
| US08042250B2 |
Method for subsequent reinforcement of injection-molded transport means
A method subsequently reinforces injection-molded transporters such as plastic pallets, which have support feet disposed on their underside, at least at the corners, and a groove for inserting a reinforcement profile between two support feet that stand diagonally opposite one another, and the two ends of the groove are formed by pockets shaped to correspond to the profile cross-section, disposed in the region of the support foot assigned to the groove end, in each instance. After completion of the pallet, the distance between the two pockets is increased via elastic deformation of the pallet. Afterwards, the reinforcement profile is laid into the groove, and one end of the profile is laid into one of the pockets. Thereafter, the deformation is canceled out and the pallet returns to the relaxed original state, and in this connection the other end of the reinforcement profile also dips into the corresponding pocket. |
| US08042248B2 |
Low cost window production for hermetically sealed optical packages
Disclosed embodiments demonstrate batch processing methods for producing optical windows for micro-devices. The windows protect the active elements of the micro-device from contaminants, while allowing light to pass into and out of the hermetically sealed micro-device package. Windows may be batch produced, reducing the cost of production, by fusing multiple metal frames to a single sheet of glass. In order to allow windows to be welded atop packages, disclosed embodiments keep a lip of metal without any glass after the metal frames are fused to the sheet of glass. Several techniques may accomplish this goal, including grinding grooves in the glass to provide a gap that prevents fusion of the glass to the metal frames along the outside edges in order to form a lip. The disclosed batch processing techniques may allow for more efficient window production, taking advantage of the economy of scale. |
| US08042246B1 |
Tool and method of repair for removing bulges in stained glass windows
A tool and method of repair for removing a bulge in a stained glass window by providing at least one aperture in the metal earning of the stained glass window; positioning at least one threaded rod member through at least one of such aperture(s); further positioning two tool members one on each side of the stained glass window, each tool member having at least one aperture defined therein and a flat surface with the flat surface of one tool member being positioned against the bulge in the stained glass window and the other positioned behind the bulge, each of such tool members receiving such rod member(s), respectively, in such tool member aperture(s). Tightening means are positioned on the ends of such rod member(s) which tightening means are manually adjusted to urge such tool members toward one another to compress the bulge in the stained glass window to bring it into alignment with the original plane of the stained glass window while the stained glass window is within its frame including when the window is still in a wall or other location without the need for disassembling and reassembling the stained glass pieces. |
| US08042245B2 |
Repair kit for vehicular brake slack adjuster
A repair kit for a vehicle brake slack adjuster provides C-shaped reinforcement plates that may be clamped on opposite sides of a damaged stabilizer anchor tab to repair the same without removal of the slack adjuster. |
| US08042244B2 |
Bearing adjuster
A bearing adjuster includes a grip. A rotatable wheel is mounted with the grip. The rotatable wheel has a through hole centrally defined therein. The rotatable wheel has multiple arc grooves spirally and concentrically defined in a bottom thereof. An adjusting member has spindle extending from a top thereof. The spindle is connected to grip via the through hole in the rotatable wheel. The adjusting member has multiple grooves radially defined therein for corresponding to the multiple arc grooves. Each groove has a movable member movably received therein. Each movable member has a stub extended form a top thereof to be received in a corresponding one arc groove in the rotatable wheel. |
| US08042232B2 |
Systems and methods for securing portions of a cord
Systems and methods are operable to secure a coiled portion of an electrical cord, a cable, or a rope. An exemplary embodiment has a coil securing portion with an interior surface, a collapsing portion joined with the coil securing portion, and a means for securing the coil retainer in a collapsed position. The coil securing portion and the collapsing portion cooperatively define a substantially tubular interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region is configured to receive a coil portion inserted through the opening when the coil retainer is in an open position. The coiled portion is frictionally secured by the interior surface of the coil securing portion when the coil retainer is secured in the collapsed position. |
| US08042226B2 |
Caster with weight transferring tab
The invention consists of a caster comprises a yoke having a weight transferring tab and a wheel with groove for receiving the tab. Preferably, the yoke and wheel are made out of plastic, and in some embodiments two different types of plastic. A tab and groove helps transfer the weight of the load on the castor away from the arms of the yoke and onto the wheel. In a preferred embodiment the plastic wheel is molded so as to include a shaft on either side that snap into receiving holes in the yoke, thus avoiding the need for separate axel and rivets. |
| US08042225B2 |
Grommet
The present invention relates to a grommet for sealing a conduit to be passed through an opening against said opening. The grommet comprises a sealing body defining an opening therethrough for receiving the conduit as well as at least one sealing collar radially surrounding said sealing body in an unfolded state. The grommet further comprises a retaining means, which is configured for fixing said sealing collar in a folded state. |
| US08042224B2 |
Cleaning appliance
A cleaning appliance includes a main body, a handle assembly and a hose. The handle assembly includes a tube and a gripping portion fixedly attached thereto. The hose has one end attached to the main body. The tube is movable relative to the main body between a stored position in which at least a part of the tube lies within the hose and an extended position in which the gripping portion can be used to manipulate the cleaning appliance in use. By providing such an arrangement, the handle assembly and the hose can be stored compactly. When the user wishes to store the cleaning appliance, the tube can be retracted inside the hose for storage. When the tube is extended, the gripping portion is at a convenient height to be manipulated by a user. |
| US08042223B2 |
Air-powered rotary rake
The air-powered rotary rake is an attachment for a leaf blower or the like, providing the user with air-powered rotary blades to dislodge or agitate debris which, ordinarily, could not be moved easily with air blowing alone. The air-powered rotary rake includes a housing defining an open interior region and having opposed open front and rear ends. The rear end is adapted for releasable attachment to the leaf blower. An internal wall is mounted within a front portion of the housing and divides the housing into an upper passage and a lower passage. A spindle is rotatably mounted within the upper passage and a plurality of vanes are mounted on the spindle. When the pressurized air is diverted into the upper passage, the pressurized air impinges upon the vanes mounted on the spindle, causing the spindle to rotate and driving rotation of a plurality of blades also annularly mounted thereto. |
| US08042222B2 |
Vacuum attachment for a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum attachment for a vacuum cleaner including a housing having a vacuum channel. A roller is rotatably and displaceably disposed in a region of the vacuum channel and driveable during a vacuuming operation. The roller includes at least one of bristles and baffle walls configured to be in partial contact with a floor covering during the vacuuming operation. At least one roller magnet is disposed on the roller at least one end thereof. At least one housing magnet is non-rotatably disposed on the housing axially adjacent to the at least one roller magnet and configured to interact with the at least one roller magnet so as to alternately at least one of attract and repel the roller so that the roller performs an oscillatory motion as it rotates. |
| US08042220B2 |
Implement
An implement comprising a first handle, on which are disposed control elements for the implement. A versatile use of an implement to which is secured a first handle can be provided if the first handle is secured to a tubular section of the implement via a clamp, whereby a handle is detachably mounted on the clamp and the clamp is mounted on the tubular section. |
| US08042218B2 |
Wiper assembly having side-saddle coupler
A wiper assembly for use in connection with a wiper arm attachment member having a transversely extending pin and bent tab. The wiper assembly includes a wiping element and a superstructure having first and second longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly further includes first and second airfoils attached to the superstructure between an intermediate position and the longitudinal ends. The wiper assembly further includes a coupler attached to the superstructure and disposed between the first and second airfoils. The coupler includes first and second sidewalls, a deck that extends from the first sidewall and a rail that extends from the deck. The deck and rail of the wiper assembly cooperate to define a side-saddle that facilitates low-profile attachment to a wiper arm attachment member for reducing the likelihood of wind lift and lateral movement between the wiper arm attachment member and the wiper assembly. |
| US08042213B2 |
Device and method for preventing rusting of cable for supporting bridge
A suspension bridge is supported by a cable having one or more cable bands. An anti-rusting device is comprised of one or more covers, each of the covers including an inner peripheral surface and covering the cable so as to leave a gap between the inner peripheral surface and an outer periphery of the cable, the gap being capable of conveying a gas along the outer periphery of the cable; and a ventilator configured to dry and feed the gas into the gap, the ventilator air-tightly communicating with the gap. |
| US08042209B2 |
Techniques for compensating movement of a treatment target in a patient
Techniques for improving treatment delivered to a target site in a patient include delivering a treatment from a treatment delivery device to a target site in a patient supported by a patient support structure. During the delivery of treatment, a state of the patient is measured to produce real-time measurement data. Measuring the state is non-invasive; and the measured state is a correlated surrogate for position of the target site. Compensating movement data is determined based on the real-time measurement data to cause the target site to maintain a particular spatial relationship with the treatment delivery device. Either the treatment delivery device, or the support structure, or both, are moved based on the compensating movement data. When the delivery device alone is moved, the correlation between measured state and target site is based on partial least squares applied to pre-treatment measurements of both. |
| US08042208B2 |
Rotational operating table
An operating table has first bed platforms, each which can rotate. In an operating configuration, the patient lies on one of the bed platforms in a prone or supine position with the bed platform centered over the base. When the patient needs to be turned, the other table extends outwardly, and both tables are rotated to position the patient for turning. Once the patient is turned, the table on which the patient lies is returned to its operating position over the base and the other table is returned to its storage position. |
| US08042203B2 |
Faucet body
A faucet body includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe enclosed around the inner pipe. The inner pipe is formed by a plastic injection molding process and has an inside formed with a water guide channel. Preferably, the outer pipe is directly enclosed around the outside of the inner pipe after the inner pipe is formed and is formed by a plastic injection molding process so that the inner pipe and the outer pipe are combined together. Thus, the outer pipe is enclosed around the inner pipe to form the faucet body, and the outer pipe and the inner pipe are formed by a plastic injection molding process, so that the faucet body is made and worked easily and quickly. |
| US08042200B2 |
Wave generating apparatus
The wave-generating apparatus in accordance with the invention has a pool (11) having a deeper area (12) surrounding a substantially central area (13); a pool edge (15) bounding the pool; a body (16) having a wave-generating shaped surface (22) located within the pool adjacent the pool edge and moveable along the pool edge relative thereto to generate a wave (17) in the water in the pool, and impeller means (18) generating a current in the water in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the body. |
| US08042199B2 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles are provided which have a frame unit, buckle units and a head strap assembled on the buckle units. The frame unit includes a left frame and a right frame respectively around a user's eyes, a connecting member detachably connecting the left frame and the right frame, and lenses assembled on the left frame and the right frame. First connecting portions are provided on sides of the left frame and the right frame. Each buckle unit includes at least a base, and a second connecting portion for engaging to or disengaging from the first connecting portion. The base defines directing holes therein for guiding the head strap. The connecting member, the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions are able to be assembled and disassembled such that the connecting member and the buckle units are assembled to or disassembled from the left frame and the right frame. |
| US08042194B2 |
Garment liner
Special articles are fashioned as undergarments of a very brief nature. Brevity, with regard to undergarments, has advantages including: comfort and ease of use, improved cooperation with outerwear and protection against soiling. Thin sheets are prepared and arranged to be applied to the crotch area of the interior surface of pants or other similar garments via an adhesive bonding agent. So applied, the article provides underwear function and is intended to be an underwear substitute without bunching, chafing, or forming visible panty lines. The underwear substitute provides comfort to the user without forming visible panty lines while protecting the outer garment against soiling. These underwear substitutes may be formed of materials suitable for disposal after single use and they may be arranged as a kit suitable for retail sale. |