| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08053131B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining deterioration of a fuel cell and method for preventing deterioration of the same
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining deterioration of a fuel cell, the method including measuring in real time fluoride ion concentration or pH value of outflow water from a fuel cell stack during operation in a fuel cell vehicle, calculating a fluoride emission rate from the measured value and, if the calculated fluoride emission rate is out of a predetermined normal range, determining deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell stack. |
| US08053122B2 |
System and method of starting a fuel cell system
A system and method for starting up a fuel cell system are disclosed. Briefly described, an embodiment for starting an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant during a start-up process includes a fuel cell stack operable to output a nominal voltage during a normal operating condition and operable to output a reduced start-up voltage during the start-up process, and includes at least one balance of plant (BOP) device that supports operation of the fuel cell stack, operable at a nominal output when sourced by the fuel cell stack at the nominal voltage, and operable at a reduced output when sourced by the fuel cell stack at the reduced start-up voltage. |
| US08053119B2 |
Reformer and fuel cell system having the same
There is provided a fuel cell system comprising: a stack for generating electric energy through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; a reformer for generating hydrogen from fuel through a catalytic reaction of the fuel using thermal energy and for supplying the generated hydrogen to the stack; a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer; and an oxygen supply unit for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the stack. The reformer comprises: a tubular reactor body; a heat source section which is formed in the inner space of the tubular reactor body and which generates thermal energy in a predetermined temperature range through an oxidation reaction of fuel; a reforming reaction section which is formed successive to the heat source section and which generates hydrogen from the fuel through a reforming reaction using the thermal energy; and a heat delivery unit which is provided in contact with the tubular reactor body and which delivers the thermal energy to the fuel supplied to the reforming reaction section. |
| US08053117B2 |
FCPM freeze start heater
A fuel cell system that employs a start-up heater. The heater is coupled to a cold plate that warms a stack coolant during system start-up. A heater circuit measures the voltage at the output of the fuel cell stack and across the heater and the current through the fuel cell stack and through the heater. The heater circuit controls the amount heat that the heater generates by the measured voltage and current and the available power at the output of the fuel cell stack. In one embodiment, the heater includes field effect transistors (FETs) and planar resistors directly mounted to the cold plate. The FETs operate in their linear mode, allowing only the amount of current, which is required at a given voltage, to produce the power needed from the stack. |
| US08053115B2 |
Active material for lithium ion battery having Mg-containing lithium titanate and lithium ion battery
It is an object of the present invention to provide an active material for lithium ion battery having an excellent discharge capacity in the potential flat part and a high-performance and long-life lithium ion battery, and particularly to provide a technology of improving voltage flatness. The present invention provides an active material for lithium ion battery represented by a composition formula: Li[Li(1-2x)/3MgxTi(5-x)/3]O4 (0 |
| US08053114B2 |
Hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode, alkaline storage battery, and method of manufacturing the alkaline storage battery
Low temperature discharge capability and high rate discharge capability are improved in an alkaline storage battery that uses as its negative electrode a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode employing hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles containing at least nickel and a rare-earth element. An alkaline storage battery uses as the negative electrode a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode employing hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles containing at least nickel and a rare-earth element. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy particles have a surface layer and an interior portion, the surface layer having a nickel content greater than that of the interior portion, and nickel particles having a particle size within a range of from 10 nm to 50 nm are present in the surface layer. |
| US08053110B2 |
Surface treated anode and lithium battery using the same
A surface treated anode and a lithium battery using the same are provided. The surface treated anode includes a current collector, and an anode active material layer formed on the current collector. The anode active material layer is treated with an amine group containing compound. |
| US08053108B2 |
Organic electrolytic solution and lithium battery employing the same
An organic electrolytic solution comprising a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt, wherein the organic electrolytic solution comprises a compound of Formula 1 and at least one selected from compounds of Formulas 2 through 5: wherein R1 a C1˜C10 alkoxy group, wherein R2 and R3 are independently unsubstituted C1˜C5 alkyl group or C1˜C5 alkyl group substituted with halogen atom, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 6. |
| US08053107B1 |
Feedthrough assembly with compression collar
The feedthrough assembly includes an insulating sleeve positioned between a ferrule and a pin such that the ferrule is electrically insulated from the pin. The feedthrough assembly also includes a compression collar compressing the ferrule and insulating sleeve against the pin. The compression can be sufficient to form a seal between the ferrule and the insulating sleeve and/or between the insulating sleeve and the pin. |
| US08053106B1 |
Battery with improved insulator
The battery includes a cover assembly on a battery case. The cover assembly includes a battery cover coupled with an electrically insulating flap of material. The battery can include a first electrical connector that provides electrical communication between a terminal in the cover and one or more first electrodes in the battery. The first connector is at least partially positioned between a first region of the flap and a second region of the flap. The battery can also includes a second electrical connector that provides electrical communication between the cover and one or more second electrodes in the battery. The second connector passes between the flap and the case such that a portion of the flap is between the first connector and the second connector. |
| US08053103B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack including: a bare cell; a holder disposed at an end of the bare cell, having a connection groove on a side surface thereof; a protection circuit board seated in the holder; and an outer case disposed upon a side of the bare cell, having a connection protrusion mated with the connection groove, to secure the holder. Another battery pack includes: a bare cell including an electrode assembly and an cell case to accommodate the electrode assembly, including an outer casing and a inner casing, the cell case having a connection protrusion disposed at an edge of at least one of the outer and inner casings; a holder disposed at an end of the bare cell, having a connection groove to mate with the connection protrusion and thereby secure the holder; and a protection circuit board seated in the holder. |
| US08053102B2 |
Electric separator, method for the production and use thereof
The present invention relates to electrical separators and to a process for making them. An electrical separator is a separator used in batteries and other arrangements in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity for example. The separator is preferably a thin porous insulating material possessing high ion permeability, good mechanical strength and long-term stability to the chemicals and solvents used in the system, for example in the electrolyte of the battery. In batteries, the separator should fully electrically insulate the cathode from the anode. Moreover, the separator has to be permanently elastic and to follow movements in the system, for example in the electrode pack in the course of charging and discharging. This object is achieved by an electrical separator according to the invention, comprising a sheetlike flexible substrate having a multiplicity of openings and having a coating on and in said substrate, said substrate being a polymeric nonwoven and said coating being a porous electrically insulting ceramic coating, said separator being characterized by a thickness of less than 80 μm. |
| US08053096B2 |
Nickel based alloy layer for perpendicular recording media
The invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a seed layer comprising a Ni alloy. |
| US08053093B2 |
Organometallic complex, method of preparing the same and organic light emitting device comprising the same
An organometallic complex for an organic light emitting device represented by formula 1, a method of preparing the same and an organic light emitting device including the same: where R1 through R16 are a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a halogen atom, a C1-C20 alkyl group, a C1-C20 alkoxy group, a C6-C20 aryl group, a C7-C20 arylalkyl group, a C2-C20 alkylalkoxy group, a C7-C20 arylalkoxy group, a C6-C20 arylamino group, a C1-C20 alkylamino group, a C6-C20 heteroarylamino group, and a C2-C20 hetero-ring group; and M is a bivalent metal such as Be, Mg, Zn, Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The compound represented by Formula 1 can be effectively used in an electron transport layer or an electron injection layer. An organic light emitting device including the compound represented by Formula 1 can thus have long lifetime. |
| US08053086B2 |
Encapsulating material for solar cell
An encapsulating material for solar cell containing a laminated adhesive and heat resistant layer (A) and a buffering layer (B), wherein a difference in flexural modulus between the heat resistant layer (A) and the buffering layer (B) is at least 30 MPa or more, is provided. The adhesive and heat resistant layer (A) is preferably an olefin polymer (a) having a melting point (according to JIS K7121) of 75° C. or higher and having a storage elastic modulus at 150° C. of 103 Pa or more and the buffering layer (B) is preferably an olefin polymer (d) having a stiffness of 100 MPa or less. The encapsulating material for solar cell can provide superior transparency, flexibility, heat resistance and adhesiveness and can remarkably improve production efficiency of a solar cell module even when no organic peroxide is used. The encapsulating material can also exhibit a performance capable of corresponding to the thickness reduction of the solar cell element even when an organic peroxide is used. A solar cell module containing the encapsulating material is also provided. |
| US08053085B2 |
Heat-shrinkable film
A multilayer heat-shrinkable film having an uncommon but valuable combination of properties is disclosed. The film comprises a core layer of HDPE. Each skin layer comprises linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or mixtures thereof. The core layer comprises greater than 80% by weight of a HDPE having an ER greater than 3.0, a MI2 from 0.1 to 1.0 dg/min., and a density from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cm3. The film has good shrink in the transverse direction, good appearance, and excellent stiffness. |
| US08053083B2 |
Layered structure and its manufacturing method
This invention is intended to provide a layered structure in which Al alloy is directly connected to transparent oxide conducting layer without increasing electrical contact resistance between the two, with wiring resistance held low and galvanic corrosion being less likely to occur in developing solution or other electrolyte fluids, and the manufacturing method of such layered structure. The manufacturing method intended to provide such layered structure composed of the Al alloy and the transparent oxide conducting layer directly connected to each other, includes a first process to form the above transparent oxide conducting layer on a substrate, a second process to form, on the transparent oxide conducting layer, an Al alloy layer containing alloy components having less ionization tendency than aluminum, and a third process to heat the above Al alloy layer at a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which interchemical compound between aluminum and the above alloy components can be separated out. |
| US08053081B2 |
Cutting tool
A cutting tool having a cutting edge with a layer of an organophosphorus compound is disclosed. |
| US08053080B2 |
Modification process of synthetic silica powder and its quartz glass product
A modification process of the synthetic quartz powder, which can make a quartz glass product hardly having bubbles at the time of fusing, is provided, along with a modification process of the synthetic quartz powder and a glass product using said modified quartz powder are provided, wherein the synthetic quartz powder is kept in helium atmosphere at least in the temperature falling process, when the amorphous synthetic quartz powder produced by the sol-gel method is carried out by heat treatment in a vacuum furnace at more than the degas temperature and less than the baking temperature, wherein the highest temperature in the helium atmosphere is preferably set to from more than 700° C. to less than 1400° C., and the helium atmosphere is kept to less than 400° C. |
| US08053075B2 |
Crystalline ion-conducting nanomaterial and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a crystalline ion-conducting material made of LiMPO4 nanoparticles, wherein M is selected from Cr, Mn, Co, Fe and Ni, in addition to mixtures thereof and the nanoparticles have an essentially flat prismatic shape. The invention also relates to a method for producing said type of crystalline ion-conducting material which consists of the following steps: a precursor component is produced in a solution front a lithium compound of a component containing metal ions M and a phosphate compound, the precursor compound is subsequently precipitated from the solution and, optionally, a suspension of the precursor compound is formed, the precursor compound and/or the suspension is dispersed and/or ground, and the precursor compound and/or the suspension is converted under hydrothermal conditions and subsequently, the crystalline material is extracted. |
| US08053065B2 |
Flexible layer composite comprising a support and a layer of curable surface coating composition applied thereto
In a flexible layer composite comprising a support and at least one curable surface coating composition applied to the support, the layer of curable surface coating composition comprises a binder which contains double bonds and has a double bond density in the range from 3 mol/kg to 6 mol/kg, a transition glass temperature Tg in the range from −15° C. to 20° C. and a solids content in the range from 40% to 100%, if appropriate at least one surface coating auxiliary, preferably a surface coating auxiliary combination, if appropriate solvents and if appropriate pigments and/or fillers and is not sticky after thermal drying. At least one removable protective layer, preferably a removable protective film, has preferably been applied to the layer of curable surface coating composition. |
| US08053064B2 |
Coated cutting tool insert for milling
The present invention relates to a coated cemented carbide insert (cutting tool), particularly useful for wet or dry milling of steels at high cutting speeds, milling of hardened steels, and high feed copy milling of tool steels. The cutting tool insert is characterised by a cemented carbide body comprising WC, NbC, and TaC, a W-alloyed Co binder phase, and a coating comprising an innermost layer of TiCxNyOz with equiaxed grains, a layer of TiCxNyOz with columnar grains and a layer of α-Al2O3. |
| US08053062B2 |
Biaxially drawn multilayer laminated film and method for producing the same
A film composed of a number of layers having different refractive indices and alternately laminated one upon another has characteristic optical properties by light interference. Conventional films having such structure have problems of poor interlaminar adhesivity and low tear strength. The problems are solved by a film having the following constitution. A biaxially drawn multilayer laminated film is composed of alternately laminated 1st layers and 2nd layers at a total layer number of 11 or more. Each layer has a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 μm. The 1st layer is made of a crystalline thermoplastic resin and the 2nd layer is made of a crystalline thermoplastic resin having a composition different from that of the resin constituting the 1st layer. The maximum light reflectance of the film within the wavelength range of 350 to 2,000 nm is higher than the base line reflectance obtained from a light reflectance curve within the wavelength range of 350 to 2,000 nm by 20% or more. |
| US08053060B2 |
Base material for artificial leathers and method of producing the same
A substrate for artificial leathers which is composed of a nonwoven fabric made of fiber bundles of microfine fibers having an average single fiber fineness of 0.5 dtex or less and an elastic polymer impregnated into the nonwoven fabric. The substrate for artificial leathers satisfies the following requirements 1 and 2: (1) the number of fiber bundles which are oriented to a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric is 75 to 300 per 1 cm of width which is perpendicular to the thickness direction, when measured on a cross section parallel to the thickness direction; and (2) the number of cross sections of the fiber bundles which are oriented to the thickness direction is 30 to 800 per 1 mm2, when measured on a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction. The substrate for artificial leathers is suitable for the production of a grain-finished artificial leather which combines a non-repulsive softness and firm hand resembling natural sheep leathers and has fine buckling wrinkles, and a suede-finished or nubuck artificial leather having a surface touch with fine texture and a grace writing effect each being hitherto not obtained. |
| US08053059B2 |
Substrate for patterning and method for forming a pattern of nanocrystals using the same
Provided is a substrate for forming a pattern comprising an inorganic layer having a modified surface, wherein the modified surface is formed by coating a surface of the inorganic layer with a bifunctional molecule comprising a functional group having an affinity for a nanocrystal at one end of the molecule and a functional group having an affinity for the inorganic layer at the other end of the molecule. A method for forming a pattern of nanocrystals is also provided. |
| US08053057B2 |
Material with improved adhesion surface
An apparatus for improving and increasing sustainable shear force capabilities at an interfacing surface between a rigid material and a flexible material is disclosed. The interface includes at least two superimposed components having different surface roughnesses. A coarse surface roughness component has a surface roughness about 3 orders of magnitude greater than that of a fine surface roughness component. The interface is useful for all types of devices with a rigid-to-flexible interface that needs to resist shear, tension, torsion, compression, or any disturbing steady-state or variable force or forces. |
| US08053055B2 |
Stretch film
A stretch film comprising a base film made of a stretchable plastic film material, a multiplicity of holes in the base film arranged in several columns along a main direction, at least one reinforcement strip made of a stretchable plastic film material. The reinforcement strip is arranged and fixed on the base film in an area between two adjacent columns of holes. The thickness of the base film is greater than or equal to the thickness of the reinforcement strip and the width (w) of the reinforcement strip is as great as possible, but is such that the reinforcement strip does not contact or overlap the holes in the adjacent columns of holes. The reinforcement strip may be fixed to the base film so as to be inseparable and indistinguishable from the base film. |
| US08053053B1 |
Flexible shell inlay strips and method of manufacturing the same
A shell purfling strip has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components such that the perfling components can be installed as a unit. |
| US08053051B2 |
Oxygen-absorbing barrier resin composition, film comprising the same, multilayer structure, and packing container
To provide an oxygen-absorbing barrier resin composition which has excellent oxygen-barrier properties even under high-humidity conditions and can give a multilayer structure having excellent peel strength; an oxygen-absorbing barrier film comprising the oxygen-absorbing barrier resin composition; a multilayer structure including a layer comprising the oxygen-absorbing barrier film; and a packing container comprising the multilayer structure. The oxygen-absorbing barrier resin composition comprises a resin (A) having an oxygen permeability of at most 100 cc/m2-day-atm and a resin (B) having an oxygen absorption rate of at least 0.001 cc/cm2·day, wherein the resin (B) is dispersed in the matrix of the resin (A) and the resin (B) is in the form of rods in which the average of the maximum diameters of cross sections perpendicular to the lengthwise direction is at most 1.0 μm. The resin (B) preferably is a product of cyclization of a conjugated diene polymer, the cyclization product having an unsaturated bond reduction ratio of at least 10%. |
| US08053047B2 |
Packaging method that causes and maintains the preferred red color of fresh meat
Heat shrinkable, oxygen barrier, packaging films, methods of packaging and packages are provided having a myoglobin blooming agent to provide, promote, enhance or maintain a desirable coloration on the surface of a myoglobin-containing meat product. |
| US08053042B1 |
Artificial tree apparatus
An artificial tree apparatus having a plurality of tree trunk segments that couple together to provide electrical power to receptacles on each of the segments. An electrical line is connected to a first trunk segment electrical connector, such that when the first trunk segment is brought into juxtaposition with the second trunk segment, a detent on the first trunk segment can be brought into alignment with and slidably engage with a guide slot on the second trunk segment to permit connection of the first trunk segment electrical connector (socket) with the second trunk segment electrical connector (plug). The recessed location of the plug on the second segment protects the plug prongs, and connection with the corresponding socket on the first segment is only possible when the detent on the first segment has been aligned with the guide slot on the second segment. |
| US08053041B2 |
Overcoat film composition, color filter substrate, and liquid crystal display element
There has been a need for an overcoat film composition that functions as an overcoat film in terms of high transparency and flatness, and that also functions as an aligning film in terms of liquid crystal molecular alignment. There has also been a need to lower the cost of manufacturing a liquid crystal display element. There is provided an overcoat film composition comprising one or more compounds selected from the group of polyester-polyamic acids (A1) obtained using at least a polyhydric hydroxy compound (a1), a diamine (a2), and a compound having two or more acid anhydride groups (a3), and polyester-polyimides (A2) that are imidization products thereof, and a polyamic acid (B). |
| US08053038B2 |
Method for making titanium-based compound film of poly silicon solar cell
A method is disclosed for making a titanium-based compound film of a poly-silicon solar cell. In the method, a ceramic substrate is made of aluminum oxide. The ceramic substrate is coated with a titanium film in an e-gun evaporation system. Dichlorosilane is provided on the titanium film by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition. A titanium-based compound film is formed on the ceramic substrate. |
| US08053035B2 |
Electrode assembly and method of making same
An assembly and associated method of manufacture are provided in which electrostatic deposition is used to directly apply and/or apply without solvents an electrode to one of an ion-conducting member, a member adapted to hold an ion-conducting member and a gas diffusion layer of the assembly. |
| US08053031B2 |
Two-part epoxy composition
A two-part epoxy composition is provided that comprises a first part having a mixture of an epoxy resin and an anhydride, and a second part having a curing agent. Also provided is a method for making a substantially bis-∝-glycol free epoxy resin for two-part epoxy compositions, and a method for applying a two-part epoxy composition to a system of water piping. |
| US08053029B2 |
Method for fabricating CuInS2 thin film by metal organic chemical vapor deposition, CuInS2 thin film fabricated by the same and method for fabricating In2S3 thin film therefrom
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a CuInS2 thin film by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The method comprises fabricating a copper thin film by depositing an asymmetric copper precursor on a substrate by MOCVD and fabricating a CuInS2 thin film by depositing an indium-sulfur-containing precursor on the copper thin film by MOCVD. The method enables fabrication of a CuInS2 thin film with a constant composition even under vacuum as well as an argon (Ar) atmosphere. Disclosed is further a CuInS2 thin film fabricated by the method. Disclosed is further a method for fabricating an In2S3 thin film for a window of a solar cell via deposition of an indium-sulfur-containing precursor on the CuInS2 thin film by MOCVD. Disclosed further is an In2S3 thin film fabricated by the method. The In2S3 thin film is useful for a substitute for CdS conventionally used for windows of solar cells and contributes to simplification in fabrication process of solar cells. |
| US08053028B2 |
Conductive polymer film and polarizing plate using the same
A conductive polymer film having an antistatic function and an electromagnetic wave shielding function, and also having excellent optical properties such as transparency even if the film is arranged in the interior of LCD. The conductive polymer film comprises a polymer film and a conductive polymer adhered to the surface thereof, wherein the conductive polymer comprises polythiophene or polythiophene derivatives, the polymer film comprises an acetyl cellulose material or a norbornene material, a layer of the conductive polymer has a thickness of 3 μm or less, and the conductive polymer film has a visible light transmission of 78% or more and a surface resistivity of 103-1012 Ω/square. |
| US08053025B2 |
Mixed-typed heterojunction thin-film solar cell structure and method for fabricating the same
The present invention discloses a mixed-type heterojunction thin-film solar cell structure and a method for fabricating the same. Firstly, a conductive substrate and a template are provided, and the template has a substrate and an inorganic wire array formed on the substrate. Next, a conjugate polymer layer is formed on the conductive substrate. Next, the inorganic wire array is embedded into the conjugate polymer layer. Next, the substrate is separated from the inorganic wire array. Then, an electrode layer is formed over the inorganic wire array and the conjugate polymer layer. The solar cell structure of the present invention has advantages of flexibility, high energy conversion efficiency and low fabrication cost. |
| US08053019B2 |
Thermal treatment of a drug eluting implantable medical device
A coating and a method of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The method includes subjecting the coating to a thermal condition such as a temperature above the glass transition temperature of a polymer included in the coating. |
| US08053017B2 |
Method for manufacturing formed lumps of shellfish meat
A formed lump of shellfish meat is manufactured by placing cooked shellfish meat into a mold, placing raw shellfish meat into a mold, compressing the shellfish meat, and cooking the compressed shellfish meat to make a formed lump of shellfish meat. The shellfish meat may be crab, scallops, shrimp, or lobster. |
| US08053013B2 |
Flavour modulating substances
The present invention in a first aspect relates to novel flavour modulating substances according to formula (I) or formula (II) or edible salts thereof or both: R1—CR2(OR3)—CO—NR4—CHR5R6 (I). It was found that substances represented by formula (I) or formula (II) can advantageously be used to impart desirable flavour, especially taste attributes to foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products they are incorporated in. In addition these substances are capable of modulating and complementing the sensory impact of other, flavour imparting, substances. Thus, the present flavour modulating substances are advantageously applied in flavour compositions, foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics and oral care products. Typical examples of flavour modulating substances according to the present invention include N-lactoyl glucosamine, N-lactoyl glucosaminic acid, N-gluconyl glucosamine, N-gluconyl glucosaminic acid, hemiacetals or lactones thereof, edible salts thereof and mixtures thereof. |
| US08053010B2 |
Bran and bran containing products of improved flavor and methods of preparation
Bran treatment methods are described, comprising acidifying bran with a acid to pH's ranging from 4-6 forming acidified bran and thereafter treating with low levels of ozone to oxidize native bitter constituent, ferulic acid, preferably to vanillin to provide better flavored bran. The treated bran is useful as an ingredient for use in products such as flour based food products such as flours, pastas, dry mixes, refrigerated uncooked doughs, pet foods, ready-to-eat cereals, breads, tortilla, and grain based snacks. |
| US08053009B2 |
One peice squeezable container
The present invention concerns a one piece squeezable container for chilled or frozen products comprising a body formed by a wall and closing means, said body having in his greater section a dimension d1 and a neck with an internal diameter d2, a wall thickness comprised between 30 and 500 pm, being made from a semicrystalline PET and wherein the ratio volume of the body of the container per gram of PET of the body is comprised between 20 and 100. |
| US08053008B2 |
Method of manufacturing flavor pouches
A method of manufacturing a flavor pouch containing flavorant selected from one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, exotic flavors, and the like includes feeding a strip of fabric along a feed path, placing preselected amounts of flavorant material at spaced apart locations along the strip, forming flavor pouches by sealing portions of the strip together to enclose each preselected amount of flavorant material, and separating the flavor pouches from the strip. The pouches can have various shapes including crescent and oval shapes. |
| US08053007B2 |
Compositions and methods for fortifying a base food to contain the complete nutritional value of a standard equivalent unit of the nutritional value of one serving of fruits and vegetables (“SFV”) for human consumption
The described invention provides a method to determine a standard equivalent unit of nutrition in one serving of a weighted composition comprising a basket of fruits and vegetables representing at least 85% of all fruits and vegetables consumed in a defined geographical area; a method to fortify a base food so that the base food contains a standard equivalent unit of nutrition present in at least one serving comprising (i) at least one fruit; (ii) at least one vegetable, or (iii) at least one fruit and at least one vegetable; and a nutritional supplement or food additive comprising a set of nutritive components wherein the set of nutritive components provides at least one standard equivalent unit of nutrition present in one serving of a composition comprising at least one fruit and at least one vegetable. |
| US08053000B2 |
Compositions for drug delivery
Substantially non-porous polymeric microparticles comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a plasticizer, and containing therein a bioactive or bioinactive agent. |
| US08052998B2 |
Particulate vectors for improving oral absorption of active principles
The invention concerns particulate vectors designed to improve oral absorption of active principles, characterized in that they consist of a polymeric matrix comprising at least a biodegradable polymer associated with at least a polycationic polymer. |
| US08052994B2 |
3′-[(2Z)-[1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene] hydrazino]-2′-hydroxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid bis-(monoethanolamine)
Disclosed are novel pharmaceutical compositions containing 3′-[(2Z)-[1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene]hydrazino]-2′-hydroxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid bis-(monoethanolamine) (eltrombopag olamine) and processes for preparing the same. |
| US08052987B2 |
Method of administering bisphosphonates
The invention relates to bisphosphonates, in particular more potent N-bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid and derivatives, and to methods of treatment using bisphosphonates. These bisphosphonates are used with satisfactory results for prolonged inhibition of bone resorption in conditions of abnormally increased bone turnover, e.g. osteoporosis, by intermittent administration, the periods between bisphosphonate administrations are longer than was previously considered appropriate, e.g. a dosing interval of at least about 6 months or less frequently. |
| US08052985B2 |
Storage-stable compositions containing hydrogen cyanamide and propionic acid
An aqueous storage-stable composition comprises from about 10 to about 35% by weight hydrogen cyanamide, from about 3 to about 25% by weight propionic acid, potassium propionate or ammonium propionate, and water, and has a pH of from about 2.5 to about 4, wherein the concentration of hydrogen cyanamide is greater than the concentration of propionic acid. |
| US08052982B2 |
Bioimplant formulation comprising lecithin and stearin
Pharmaceutical and/or veterinary formulation containing about 2-30% (w/w) (on an active basis) of at least one active agent, about 0.5-20.0% (w/w) of a pore-forming agent comprising lecithin and an organic salt, and the balance stearin. |
| US08052981B2 |
Mono- and disaccharide derivatives
The present invention includes a formulation comprising a physiological salt solution, or an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water immiscible solid phase, and an adjuvant comprising one or more disaccharide derivatives derived from cellobiose, gentiobiose, lactose, lactulose, maltose, melibiose, sucrose or turanose, wherein at least four of the free hydroxyl groups of the disaccharide molecule have been modified such that the disaccharide derivative has: (i) at least 3, but not more than N-1, fatty acid ester groups, wherein each of the fatty acid ester groups is represented by a general formula of —O—C(═O)—(CH2)xCH3 wherein x is between 6 and 14, and (ii) at least one, but no more than N-1 anionic groups, wherein N is the number of hydroxyl groups of the disaccharide from which the derivative is derived and wherein the combined number of fatty acid esters and anionic groups does not exceed N. |
| US08052980B2 |
Use of the neurotoxic component of a botulinum toxin for treating arthritis
A method for treating a patient suffering from arthritis and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxic component of neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of Botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G. |
| US08052970B2 |
Lysosomal phospholipase A2 (LPLA2) activity as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for identifying and treating systemic lupus erythematosis
The present invention is directed to methods for diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. More specifically, the specification describes methods using a lysosomal phospholipase A2 in methods for the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. |
| US08052966B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating metastatic cancer
Methods and compositions for producing targeted delivery vectors are provided. Such vectors are useful for treating neoplastic disorders. Also provided are protocols for administering targeted delivery vectors in a clinical setting such that a therapeutic effect is achieved. |
| US08052964B2 |
Interferon-β mutants with increased anti-proliferative activity
Protease resistant modified interferon-beta polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment by administering the compositions are provided. The modified interferon-beta polypeptides are orally available; hence pharmaceutical compositions formulated for oral administration also are provided. |
| US08052962B2 |
Oral soap composition for cleaning teeth
Provided herein is an oral soap composition comprising an orally-acceptable soap base effective to clean teeth that includes one or more natural oils, a saponifying agent and distilled water. The oral soap composition may be liquid or solid. Also provided are oral soap compositions comprising an essential oil for flavoring. |
| US08052957B2 |
Method of manufacturing flake aluminum oxide using microwave
The present disclosure suggests a method of manufacturing flake aluminum oxide using a microwave including: performing a pre-treatment on a starting material by grinding the starting material such as alumina hydrate, aluminum salt or the like and classifying particles with an appropriate size; manufacturing transition alumina by performing a heat treatment by means of heating the pre-treated starting material; mixing the transition alumina with molten salt and an additive and then dispersing and grinding the mixed compounds; melting and synthesizing flake aluminum oxide by heating the dispersed and grinded mixture with a microwave as a heating source; separating the molten salt and the additive from the synthesized aluminum oxide; and performing a post-treatment on the flake aluminum oxide by removing a foreign substance such as an additive residue stuck to a surface of a crystal particle of the separated flake aluminum oxide. |
| US08052956B2 |
Tungstic acid powder consisting of spherical tungsten particles and method for producing same
Process for the production of a powdered spherical tungstic acid by acidification of an aqueous alkaline tungstate solution with mineral acid at elevated temperature, preferably in a continuous stirred tank or a cascade of at least 2 continuous stirred tanks, and tungstic acid obtainable in this way, which is characterized by a high bulk density and spherical morphology. |
| US08052955B2 |
Lithium-based materials and methods of forming the same
Lithium-based materials and methods of forming the same. In at least one embodiment of a method of forming a lithium-based material of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of combining a first quantity of a first lithium-based component and a second quantity of a second lithium-based component with a titanium-based component to form a mixture, the first lithium-based component having a first melting point and the second lithium-based component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point of the first lithium-based component, and heating the mixture to a first temperature above the first melting point but below the second melting point for a period of time to form a resultant end product. |
| US08052953B2 |
Method for recovering sulfuric acid from concentrated acid hydrolysate of plant cellulose material
A method for recovering sulfuric acid from concentrated acid hydrolysate of plant cellulose material is disclosed. In some of the examples, the concentrated acid hydrolysate is mixed with a liquid organic precipitant, with the sugars in the hydrolysate being precipitated and separated out. The remainder is sulfuric acid and an organic solvent solution. The organic solvent is then separated by distillation or extraction, thereby obtaining the pure sulfuric acid solution. This precipitation method can recover above 90% sugars and acids with a small amount of organic precipitant, which greatly reduces the recovery cost. |
| US08052947B2 |
Method for selective separation of trivalent and tetravalent actinoids from trivalent lanthanoids using hybrid donor type extractant having functional group carrying active oxygen and nitrogen atoms
A method for separating and recovering trivalent and tetravalent actinoids in a simple and less costly manner without using an organophosphorus compound is provided. This method selectively separates and recovers the tetravalent actinoid plutonium Pu (IV) and the trivalent actinoids americium Am (III) and curium Cm (III) from trivalent lanthanoids Ln (III), etc. with the use of an extractant having a functional group with neutral multidentate ligand activity which is a hybrid donor type organic compound having both of donor atoms, i.e., an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom. |
| US08052944B2 |
Penetrable cap
A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals. |
| US08052941B2 |
Packages, biochip kits and methods of packaging
A package having an improved yield is provided. The package includes a support on which a plurality of biochips are disposed, and a cover bonded to the support and defining a reaction space for each of the plurality of biochips together with the support, the cover including at least one inlet/outlet. |
| US08052939B2 |
Micro channel reactor system
The present invention discloses to a channel reactor system having a first channel plate assembly in which an exothermic reaction is performed and a second channel plate assembly provided for heat-exchanging and constituted integrally with the first channel plate assembly so as to remove effectively heat, the channel reactor system comprising at least two channel units into which reaction gas and cooling fluid are separately introduced, each channel unit comprising a reaction channel plate assembly into which reaction gas is introduced and a heat-exchanging channel plate assembly into which cooling fluid is introduced; and at least one intermediate plate disposed between the upper and lower channel units, the intermediate plate supplying reaction gas and cooling fluid inflowed from the upper channel unit with new reactant and cooling fluid and supplying reaction gas and cooling fluid to the reaction channel plate assembly and the heat-exchanging channel plate assembly of the lower channel unit, respectively. |
| US08052937B2 |
Soot oxidation catalyst and method of making
A catalyst composition for facilitating the oxidation of soot from diesel engine exhaust is provided. The catalyst composition includes a catalytic metal selected from Pt, Pd, Pt—Pd, Ag, or combinations thereof, an active metal oxide component containing Cu and La, and a support selected from alumina, silica, zirconia, or combinations thereof. The platinum group metal loading of the composition is less than about 20 g/ft3. The catalyst composition may be provided on a diesel particulate filter by impregnating the filter with an alumina, silica or zirconia sol solution modified with glycerol and/or saccharose, impregnating the filter with a stabilizing solution, and impregnating the filter with a solution containing the active metal oxide precursor(s) and the catalytic metal precursor(s). The resulting catalyst coated diesel particulate filter provides effective soot oxidation, exhibits good thermal stability, has a high BET surface area, and exhibits minimal backpressure. |
| US08052936B2 |
Catalyst-supported particulate filter
In a particulate filter, a catalyst layer containing Pt-carried activated alumina particles, CeZr-based mixed oxide particles and ZrNd-based mixed oxide particles is formed, the proportion of the total amount of the CeZr-based mixed oxide particles and the ZrNd-based mixed oxide particles in the total amount of the Pt-carried activated alumina particles, the CeZr-based mixed oxide particles and the ZrNd-based mixed oxide particles is 10% to 60% by mass, both inclusive, and the mass ratio of the CeZr-based mixed oxide particles to the ZrNd-based mixed oxide particles is 20/80 to 80/20, both inclusive. This configuration enhances the particulate burning property and the low-temperature exhaust gas conversion efficiency. |
| US08052932B2 |
Polymer nanofiber-based electronic nose
A chemical sensor and a system and method for sensing a chemical species. The chemical sensor includes a plurality of nanofibers whose electrical impedance varies upon exposure to the chemical species, a substrate supporting and electrically isolating the fibers, and a set of electrodes connected to the plurality of fibers at spatially separated points to permit the electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers to be measured. The system includes the chemical sensor, an impedance measuring device coupled to the electrodes and configured to determine an electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers, and an analyzer configured to identify the chemical species based on a change in the electrical impedance. The method measures at least one change in an electrical impedance between spatially separated electrodes connected to a plurality of fibers upon exposure of the fibers to the chemical species, and identifies the chemical species based on the measured change in the electrical impedance. |
| US08052928B2 |
Tissue infiltration apparatus
A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5). comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). A liquid having a definable property is introducible into a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that with it, at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) and/or movable away from a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) of the tissue infiltration apparatus (1) is definable. To enable accelerated or preferred processing of a transport basket (4) with the tissue infiltration apparatus (1), but without using an additional liquid container provided only for that purpose, at least one means (8) is provided with which the order of two transport baskets (4) is definably modifiable. |
| US08052924B2 |
High strength steel plate with high manganese having excellent burring workability
There is provided a high strength steel plate with high manganese having excellent burring workability, which is used for structural members, bumper reinforcing materials and impact absorbing materials of automobiles, etc. The high strength steel plate includes, by weight: C: 0.2 to 1.0%, Mn: 10 to 25%, Al: 0.3 to 3.0%, S: 0.05% or less, P: 0.05% or less, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the chemical elements satisfactorily have a grain size of 18 μm or more. The high strength steel plate can be useful to facilitate formation of automobile parts since it has excellent physical properties such as elongation and hole expansibility as well as strength. |
| US08052923B2 |
Method of producing products of amorphous metal
A method of producing three-dimensional bodies which wholly or for selected parts consist of amorphous metal. A metal powder layer (4) is applied to a heat-conducting base (1, 13), and a limited area of the layer is melted by a radiation gun (5) and the area is cooled so that the melted area solidifies into amorphous metal. The melting process is successively repeated on new limited areas of the powder layer until a continuous layer of amorphous metal is formed. A new powder layer is applied and the method is repeated, the new layer being fused to underlying amorphous metal for successive construction of the three-dimensional body. The heat-conducting base can be a worktable or a body of amorphous metal or crystalline metal to which amorphous metal is added. |
| US08052919B2 |
High frequency induction heating treatment equipment and method and induction heated and thus treated product
To provide a heat treatment providing a product with quality as desired, high frequency induction heating treatment equipment capable of temperature control to provide such heat treatment includes temperature controlling means for adjusting in temperature an object to be treated, and quenching means for determining when the object heated should be cooled. The temperature controlling means includes heating means, temperature measuring means involved in temperature control, and temperature adjusting means. The quenching means includes temperature measuring means involved in quenching, and heat treatment adjusting means. |
| US08052916B2 |
Drawing-blowing method and device for molding thermoplastic material containers, in particular bottles, with petaloid bottoms
The invention relates to manufacturing thermoplastic material containers (2) with a petaloid bottom (4) by drawing-blowing hot preforms (16) in a blowing mold that has a petaloid mold bottom (1) including radiating ridges (13) alternating with cavities (11) that are adapted to form the valleys (7) and the feet (5), respectively, of the container bottom; during drawing, heat losses are reduced in longitudinal zones (19) of the end part (20) of the preforms, extending over the bottom (18) and over an axial portion of their body (21), distributed over the periphery of the ends of the preforms facing respective cavities (11) of the mold bottom (1). |
| US08052914B2 |
Modified plug for arteriotomy closure
The disclosure provides a modified arteriotomy closure plug, the modification consisting of subjecting a bioabsorbable foam closure plug to radial compression and/or axial bending until at least some struts of the foam have been torn or elongated within at least one axially disposed region. |
| US08052913B2 |
Process for fabricating polymeric articles
Process for the production of a polymeric article by: (a) forming a ply having successive layers, namely (i) a first layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material; (ii) a second layer of a polymeric material; (iii) a third layer made up of strands of an oriented polymeric material, wherein the second layer has a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the first layer, to melt the second layer entirely, and to melt a proportion of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply. The resultant articles have good mechanical properties yet may be made at lower compaction temperatures than articles not employing the second layer, leading to a more controllable manufacturing process. |
| US08052911B2 |
Method for manufacturing plugged honeycomb structure
Using a slurry filler having a container having an opening top and storing plugging slurry and a cover attached to the opening top of the container and having a flat upper face and through-holes communicating the inside and the outside of the container and being disposed to correspond to cells to be plugged on an end face of the honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure is set on the cover by positioning so that opening ends of cells to be plugged of the honeycomb structure match positions of through-holes of the cover, and the plugging slurry stored in the container is filled inside opening ends of cells to be plugged through the through-holes to form the plugged portions. According to this manufacturing method, a plugged honeycomb structure having no defects can be manufactured at low costs for a short time without restriction on operation circumstances with less industrial waste. |
| US08052910B2 |
Continuous molding method of composite material having stepwise sectional thickness
There is provided a continuous molding method capable of varying a thickness of a prepreg molded article.A molding material 10 is prepared such that three plies, for example, of prepreg 31, 32, 33 are laminated with different end face positions on each face of a prepreg laminate 20 of a carbon fibre or the like, and prepreg peel plies 41, 42, 43 are arranged continuously to the respective plies of the prepreg 31, 32, 33. This molding material 10 is transformed into a sheet and continuously sent out to a hot press for molding, which is then heated in a post-curing oven for a prescribed period of time for thermosetting. After the molding, the prepreg peel ply 40 is peeled and removed so that a product whose sectional thickness varies can be obtained. |
| US08052907B2 |
Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns
A woven panel is formed from at least one first polymer yarn and at least one second polymer yarn wherein the second polymer yarn has a core. The core yarns provide mechanical strength for the woven material in supporting the coreless yarns when used in load bearing articles such as the seat or back portions of an article of furniture. |
| US08052903B2 |
Vitreous carbon material and process for making the same
A defect-free vitreous carbon material having a three-dimensional (x,y,z) size in which each of the x, y and z dimensions exceeds twelve millimeters. A process of making such vitreous carbon material employs a three-dimensional fiber mesh that vaporizes at elevated temperature, in which the mesh is impregnated with a polymerizable resin and thereafter the resin is cured. During the initial stage(s) of pyrolysis, the mesh volatilizes to yield a residual network of passages in the cured resin body that thereafter allows gases to escape during pyrolysis of the cured resin material to form the vitreous carbon product. As a result, it is possible to form defect-free vitreous carbon material of large size, suitable for use in structural composites, and product articles such as sealing members, brake linings, electric motor brushes, and bearing members. |
| US08052902B2 |
Method of fabricating polarizing plate
A method of fabricating a polarizing plate includes: providing a polarizing roll film having transmission axes; and cutting the polarizing roll film with a knife having a plurality of openings each having a rectangular shape to form a plurality of polarizing plates, the plurality of openings parallel to the transmission axes. |
| US08052901B2 |
Light guide plate mold and method for manufacturing light guide plate using same
A light guide plate mold is configured for manufacturing a light guide plate having a number of microstructures. The light guide plate mold includes a substrate and a number of heating members. The substrate defines a number of grooves therein. The heating members are respectively received in the grooves. Each heating member has a height less than a depth of the corresponding groove. The grooves and the heating members cooperatively define a number of receiving spaces for forming the microstructures of the light guide plate. |
| US08052899B2 |
Heptarylene-and octarylenetetracarboximides and preparation thereof
The present invention relates to heptarylene- and octarylenetetracarboximides of the general formula (I) to precursors thereof or mixtures thereof, and to processes for their preparation and to their use. |
| US08052898B2 |
Hydrogen gas detecting material and the coating method
A hydrogen gas detecting material, which changes in light absorption characteristics when exposed to an atmosphere containing hydrogen, and the coating method are characterized in that (1) the principal component of the hydrogen gas detecting material is tungsten oxide, (2) palladium is deposited on the surface of the tungsten oxide, (3) the tungsten oxide is coated on a substrate by a sputtering method involving a controlled oxygen pressure, and (4) the temperature of the substrate during coating with the tungsten oxide is room temperature (20° C.). |
| US08052897B2 |
Composite compound with mixed crystalline structure
A composite lithium compound having a mixed crystalline structure is provided. Such compound can be formed by heating lithium, iron, phosphorous and carbon sources with a lithium metal compound. The resulting mixed metal crystal can exhibit superior electrical property and is a better cathode material for lithium secondary batteries. |
| US08052896B2 |
Nanocarbon film and producing method thereof
A nanocarbon film that is produced in such a manner that, after a nanocarbon dispersion containing nanocarbon and a dispersant is used to form a film containing the nanocarbon and the dispersant, an external stimulus is applied to the film to at least partially decompose the dispersant contained in the film. Light irradiation is preferably applied as the external stimulus. |
| US08052895B2 |
Semiconducting ink formulation
A semiconducting ink formulation comprises a semiconducting material; a first solvent; and a second solvent which is miscible with the first solvent, has a surface tension equal to or greater than the surface tension of the first solvent, and in which the semiconducting material has a solubility of less than 0.1 wt % at room temperature The surface tension of the ink formulation can be controlled, allowing the formation of semiconducting layers in organic thin film transistors, including top-gate transistors. |
| US08052894B2 |
Salicylate substituted conjugated polymers and devices
A compound having a structural unit of Formula: (I). A polymer having a structural unit of Formula: (II). A conjugated polymer having one or more side groups of the following Formula: (III). Additionally, compositions, polymer blends, films, coatings, and electronic devices prepared from such polymers. |
| US08052890B2 |
Compositions for dust suppression and methods
The present invention relates to compositions useful for the suppression of fugitive dust emissions and methods of suppressing dust emissions by application of an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, wetting agent and an acrylic copolymer. The compositions of the invention are effective in wetting, penetrating and improving particle cohesion and reducing water evaporation. They can also be used as a knockdown agent for airborne dust and for minimizing soil and dust erosion, blowing and loss from roads and bulk solids, mineral flotation processes, waste management applications and as a binding agent. |
| US08052887B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
When plasma processing is finished, a gate valve 13a is closed and cleaning gas is ejected from holes 121a of a shower plate 121, and at the same time, a microwave is generated from a microwave generator 101. Further, at this time, the inside of a process chamber 110 is exhausted through a second exhaust port 106. Since the exhaust is conducted through a second exhaust port 106 positioned lower than a wafer stage 104 in a lowered state when the inside of the process chamber 110 is cleaned, it is possible to more effectively remove gas and reaction products deposited especially in a lower portion of the process chamber 110. |
| US08052885B2 |
Structural modification using electron beam activated chemical etch
Structural modification using electron beam activated chemical etch (EBACE) is disclosed. A target or portion thereof may be exposed to a gas composition of a type that etches the target when the gas composition and/or target are exposed to an electron beam. By directing an electron beam toward the target in the vicinity of the gas composition, an interaction between the electron beam and the gas composition etches a portion of the target exposed to both the gas composition and the electron beam. Structural modifications of the target may be conducted by means of etching due to interaction between the electron beam and gas composition. |
| US08052883B2 |
Method for forming periodic structure
A method for forming a periodic structure is disclosed. A structural layer and an optical modulation element are provided. A light is emitted to pass through the optical modulation element to irradiate interference strips on the structural layer. A photoelectrochemical etching (PEC) is performed to form the periodic structure according the interference strips irradiated on the structural layer. |
| US08052879B2 |
Apparatus and method for increasing filter capacity using ultrasonic regeneration
A filter system and associated methods of filtering utilize a combination of ultrasonically enhanced backwashing and a modified filter media configurations for increasing the specific loading on a portion of the filter media, thereby tending to increase the total particulate holding capacity of the improved filter. Depending on factors such as the filter configuration, the particulate size distribution and the differential pressure that can be maintained across the filter, it is expected that the particulate holding capacity can be more than doubled relative to a conventional filter having similarly configured filter media. |
| US08052878B2 |
Filter element with coating for surface filtration
A method for filtering out foreign particles from a cooling lubricant used in a process of machining a workpiece includes providing an inherently stable, flow-porous filter element. The filter element comprises a porous main body made of joined plastics particles and having an afflux surface and a porous coating on the afflux surface for surface filtration. The porous coating first component particles and/or fibres, second component anti-adhesion particles to mitigate the adhesion of filtered out material to the porous coating and to facilitate cleaning of the filter element, with the first component particles and/or fibres and the second component particles being mixed in the porous coating, a solidified inorganic binder, and a set adhesive. The solidified inorganic binder and the set adhesive bind the first component particles and/or fibres and the second component particles to each other and to the porous main body. The cooling lubricant is first passed through the porous coating and thereafter through the porous main body of the filter element. |
| US08052877B2 |
Chemical process
A process for the removal of azide ions from aqueous liquids at alkaline pH by alkali-soluble metals and catalyst or by hydrogen and catalyst. |
| US08052875B2 |
Apparatus and method for continuous separation of magnetic particles from non-magnetic fluids
An apparatus and method for continuous separation of magnetic particles from non-magnetic fluids including particular rods, magnetic fields and flow arrangements. |
| US08052872B2 |
Methods and device for enhancement of anaerobic digestion
Methods of enhancing anaerobic digestion of wastewater are provided. The methods comprise pressure oxidation of digester material to remove sulfide and/or regenerate iron. Also provided are a pressure oxidizer device and a wastewater treatment system having one or more of such devices. The methods, device, and system have application in treatment of municipal wastewater, wastewater of agricultural and livestock operations, and in biofuels production. |
| US08052871B2 |
Underdrain system
An underdrain system for a filter having filter media. The underdrain system preferably includes a bottom formed of concrete having a plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions formed therein. Fluid flows through the plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions during filtration and washing. The underdrain system further includes a fluid distributor operably associated with at least one of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The fluid distributor preferably has a plurality of elongated slots for distributing the flow of fluid passing into and out of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The slots are sized to prevent filter media supported by the fluid distributor from passing therethrough. An optional insert may be provided to ensure even distribution of fluid through the fluid distributor. |
| US08052863B2 |
Gas sensor control apparatus designed to ensure accuracy of measurement in gas sensor
The gas sensor control apparatus develops a first voltage based on a first reference voltage at a negative terminal of a gas sensor device through a resistor and a second voltage based on a second reference voltage at a positive terminal of the gas sensor device. A controller samples through the resistor a sensor current, as created upon the development of the first and second voltage for measuring the concentration of gas. When the impedance of the gas sensor device is measured, the controller alternates the first voltage across the first reference voltage. The value (i.e., a zero-point) of the voltage applied to the gas sensor device when the sensor current is zero (i.e., 0 mA) depends upon the first and second reference voltages. The zero-point is corrected by regulating the second reference voltage to match an applying voltage characteristic to the gas sensor device correctly. |
| US08052862B2 |
Limiting current type oxygen sensor and method of sensing and measuring oxygen concentrations using the same
A limiting current type oxygen sensor having a gas diffusion mechanism comprising a gas diffusion bore and an internal space communicating with the gas diffusion bore for supplying a diffusion-rate-determined gas. The gas diffusion mechanism may be configured such that an oxygen concentration gradient within the internal space satisfies the expression: 1/Ilim=(1/4 FDCo2){(l/S)+(lin/Sin)} based on the Faraday constant (F); a diffusion coefficient (D); an oxygen concentration (Co2); a bore area (S) of the gas diffusion bore; a bore length (l) in the axial direction of the gas diffusion bore; a distance (lin) in the internal space between the first electrode and the inner surface opposed thereto; an effective cross section (Sin) of the internal space; and an output current value (Ilim). This makes it possible to accurately sense and measure the oxygen concentration, even at low oxygen concentrations, and achieve easy producibility and cost reducibility. |
| US08052860B1 |
Electrochemical and mechanical polishing and shaping method and system
A method and system are provided for the shaping and polishing of the surface of a material selected from the group consisting of electrically semi-conductive materials and conductive materials. An electrically non-conductive polishing lap incorporates a conductive electrode such that, when the polishing lap is placed on the material's surface, the electrode is placed in spaced-apart juxtaposition with respect to the material's surface. A liquid electrolyte is disposed between the material's surface and the electrode. The electrolyte has an electrochemical stability constant such that cathodic material deposition on the electrode is not supported when a current flows through the electrode, the electrolyte and the material. As the polishing lap and the material surface experience relative movement, current flows through the electrode based on (i) adherence to Faraday's Law, and (ii) a pre-processing profile of the surface and a desired post-processing profile of the surface. |
| US08052858B2 |
Pretreatment method for electroless plating material and method for producing member having plated coating
A resin material is brought into contact with a first solution containing ozone, and at the same time, ultraviolet rays are irradiated. The activation due to the treatment with ozone water and the activation due to the treatment with ultraviolet rays are synergistically operated to enable the formation of a plated coating having excellent adhesive strength by a short treatment. In addition, even by a long treatment, the adhesive strength can be restrained from lowering. Consequently, a plated coating having excellent adhesion can be formed without roughening the surface of the resin material by a short pretreatment. |
| US08052854B1 |
Carbon dioxide gas sensors and method of manufacturing and using same
A gas sensor includes a substrate and a pair of interdigitated metal electrodes selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ir, Ag, Ru, Rh, In, and Os. The electrodes each include an upper surface. A first solid electrolyte resides between the interdigitated electrodes and partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes. The first solid electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of NASICON, LISICON, KSICON, and β″-Alumina (beta prime-prime alumina in which when prepared as an electrolyte is complexed with a mobile ion selected from the group consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+). A second electrolyte partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes and engages the first solid electrolyte in at least one point. The second electrolyte is selected from the group of compounds consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+ ions or combinations thereof. |
| US08052853B2 |
Sputtering apparatus and method of preventing damage thereof
A sputtering apparatus includes a container; a plate for supporting the container; a first attachment for attaching the container to the plate; and a second attachment for less tightly attaching the container to the plate than through the first attachment. |
| US08052850B2 |
Sputtering apparatus, method of operating the same, and method of manufacturing substrate using the same
A sputtering apparatus includes a susceptor for receiving a substrate, and a first target device disposed to be opposite to a center region of a substrate and at least second and third target devices disposed to be opposite to peripheral regions of the substrate, wherein the second and third target devices are rotatable. |
| US08052844B2 |
Blade, structural components of a blade, and method for manufacturing a blade and the structural components of a blade
The invention concerns a method for manufacturing a blade (10), in which at least the composite base structure (15) of the blade (10) is manufactured in a pultrusion process (20) by pulling fibers (11) through at least an impregnation stage (12) and a curing stage (14), the base structure (15) is equipped with at least one wear area (16.1, 16.2), and the said blade (10) is detached from a blade blank (22) formed of a base structure (15) and a wear area (16.1, 16.2). The wear area of the blade (10) is formed of an edge-structure part (16.1, 16.2) protruding out side the edge of the base structure (15). In addition, the invention also concerns a corresponding blade and part components for manufacturing a blade according to the invention. |
| US08052841B2 |
Process for manufacturing of paper
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing paper, in which a filler is pretreated and suspended to form an aqueous slurry, the aqueous slurry obtained is combined with an aqueous suspension containing cellulose fibers to form a stock, the stock obtained is treated at least with a cationic retention agent and the treated stock is filtered to form paper. Retention and optical properties are improved by the filler being pre-treated with inorganic colloidal particles having an average size less than 100 nm. |
| US08052840B2 |
Pulping additives for a reduction of resin from Kraft pulp
Compositions and methods for the removal of resin from wood chips processed in a Kraft pulping process are disclosed. The method is particularly useful for removing triterpene and triterpenoid resin. |
| US08052839B2 |
Apparatus and method for washing pulps
An apparatus for treating pulp including: at least one liquid-permeable surface rotating around a shaft, onto which surface a pulp layer is formed; a feeder to feed pulp to the apparatus for treatment on the liquid-permeable surface; an internal barrier defining a first pulp treatment section and a second pulp treatment section; the first treatment section receiving from the feeder a first type of pulp and the second treatment section receiving from the feeder a second type of pulp, wherein the first type of pulp is supplied to the feeder from a first pulp treatment stage in a pulping system and the second type of pulp is supplied to the feeder from a second pulp treatment stage in the pulping system, and a pulp discharge to discharge treated pulp from the apparatus, wherein the pulp discharge discharges the first type of pulp after treatment separately from discharging the second type of pulp after treatment, and a filtrate discharge to discharge filtrate flowing through the liquid-permeable from the apparatus. |
| US08052836B2 |
Laser-based methods of stripping fiber optic cables
Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed. |
| US08052835B2 |
System and method for removing incorrect labels from a web of labels
An incorrect label removal system is disclosed for removing unwanted labels from a web of labels in a labeling machine. The incorrect label removal system includes a label peel assembly positioned between two fixed points along the direction of travel of the web of labels. The label peel assembly provides a first orientation in which labels remain on the web as the web passes the label peel assembly, and selectively provides a second orientation in which labels are removed from the web. The label peel assembly provides that a length of the web between the two fixed points is substantially the same when the label peel assembly is in each of the first orientation and the second orientation. |
| US08052833B2 |
Chemical treatment apparatus
A chemical treatment apparatus includes an outer bath; an inner bath, located inside the outer bath; a circulation system, connecting the outer bath to the inner bath; and a draining system, having a first draining pipe and a connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe connects the first draining pipe to the circulation system. The suction force generated by a pump of the circulation system is thereby transferred to the first draining pipe. Therefore when the chemical solution is to be drained out from the inner bath, the draining of the chemical solution into the first draining pipe can be quickly done with the aid of the suction force. |
| US08052831B2 |
Low temperature, vacuum cure fabrication process for large, honeycomb core stiffened composite structures
A method for making a honeycomb composite structure wherein the method allows for fluid flow from cells of a honeycomb core during a cure process. More specifically, the method involves forming one or more vents in a skin of the structure, which are preferably filled with venting wicks, to allow for fluid flow before being sealed by the polymer matrix during a skin bonding process. Additionally, the structure preferably comprises a scrim that allows for fluid flow between multiple cells of the honeycomb core. The honeycomb composite structure produced according to this process comprises, among other things, a sealed venting region that comprises a polymer matrix and fibers that are transverse to the skin. |
| US08052823B2 |
Stiffener tool positioning apparatus
Stiffener tool positioning apparatus and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base, a first flipper member and second flipper member. The first flipper member is slide-ably attached to the base. The first flipper member is also configured to selectively attach a first mandrel thereon and to rotate the first mandrel. The second flipper member is also slide-ably attached to the base. The first and second flipper members are slide-ably positioned select distances from each other on the base in embodiments. The second mandrel is further configured to attach a second mandrel thereon and to rotate the second mandrel. |
| US08052818B2 |
Method and system for applying an encircling seal to a closure of an opening, in particular of a door, of a motor vehicle
A method and a system for applying a seal to the closure of an opening, in particular to a door of a motor vehicle, is provided. The application takes place in two stages. In a first stage, a seal, which is cut off from a continuous seal strip is placed with a stationary roll-on head on placing and pressing elements of a tensioning plate, which are moved past the roll-on head. In a second stage, the tensioning plate with the seal placed on the placing and pressing elements is guided to the closure of the opening and pressed here by means of the pressing elements on the bonding face of the closure of the opening. In general, this type of application takes place exclusively by mechanical means. |
| US08052817B2 |
Manufacturing method of pneumatic tire
First, a first belt ply is wound around an outer peripheral surface of a belt drum having a curvature so as to be formed as a tubular shape, and a rubber layer protruding to an outer side than an end portion in a width direction of a belt reinforcing layer is arranged in an outer periphery of an end portion in a width direction of the first belt ply. Further, a second belt ply which is narrower than the first belt ply is wound around an outer periphery of the second belt ply so as to be formed as a tubular shape, and a belt layer is formed in such a manner that the first belt ply and the second belt ply are laminated. The belt reinforcing layer is formed by spirally winding a rubber-coated reinforcing cord around an outer peripheral side of the formed belt layer, and an end portion in a width direction of the belt reinforcing layer is arranged in an outer side than the first belt ply. |
| US08052815B2 |
Method and combined set comprising a device and a film material for manufacturing foam cushions
Method and combined set comprising a device and a film material for manufacturing foam cushions, for packaging purposes in particular, a film feed station (2) comprising feeding a film material (9) to a foam feed station (3), the said film material having a first and a second sidewall (9-1, 9-2) which are each connected to a common first edge (16-1), the first and second sidewalls being arranged such that they demarcate an inner space which is accessible via an opening made in a second edge (16-2), the said foam feed station having first guiding devices (8) for guiding the second edge, the foam feed station also having a delivery device (12) to enter the said opening and inject a foaming substance into the inner space, a first welding device (5) which is equipped to make a seam weld in the film material, the film material being equipped with a series of characters (60) applied on the outside of each at a preset distance from one another, the method involving reading the said characters and generating a read pulse, a control device to receive the read pulses and to control a conveyor device as a function of those values. |
| US08052813B2 |
Ignition composition and applications
An ignition composition and its applications, the ignition composition including at least (a) an explosive fraction that includes at least one primary explosive, (b) an oxidation-reduction system and (c) an agglomerate. In the ignition composition the explosive fraction represents 9 to 35% by weight of the composition, the primary explosive at least is tetrazene, and tetrazene represents at least 95% by weight of said explosive fraction. |
| US08052810B2 |
Metal structure and fabrication method thereof
A metal structure according to the present invention is unlikely to become brittle and has excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that annealing has been applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. This metal structure includes at least two kinds of metal material, and annealing can be applied at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger. For example, the present invention is advantageous in the manner of a microstructure for a contact probe. A fabricating method according to the present invention is a method of fabricating a metal structure unlikely to become brittle and having excellent hardness and creep resistance, characterized in that the step of applying annealing at a temperature not more than the temperature at which crystals of the metal material start to become larger is included. |
| US08052807B2 |
Steel sheet excellent in workability
The present invention provides a steel sheet excellent in workability, which may be used for components of an automobile or the like, and a method for producing the same. More specifically, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steel sheet excellent in workability, including in mass, 0.08 to 0.25% C, 0.001 to 1.5% Si, 0.01 to 2.0% Mn, 0.001 to 0.06% P, at most 0.05% S, 0.001 to 0.007% N, 0.008 to 0.2% Al, at least 0.01% Fe. The steel sheet having an average r-value of at least 1.2, an r-value in the rolling direction of at least 1.3, an r-value in the direction of 45 degrees to the rolling direction of at least 0.9, and an r-value in the direction of a right angle to the rolling direction of at least 1.2. |
| US08052806B2 |
Soft magnetic powder
A powder magnetic core is provided for operating at high frequencies that is obtained by pressure forming an iron-based magnetic powder covered with an insulation film, which has a specific resistance more than 1000, preferably more than 2000, and most preferably more than 3000 μΩm, and a saturation magnetic flux density B above 1.5, preferably above 1.7, and most preferably above 1.9 (T). A method for the preparation of such cores as well as a powder which is suitable for the preparation also are provided. |
| US08052804B2 |
Dishwasher with regulatable heat recovery
The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher having at least one washing zone (3, 4), at least one rinsing zone (5, 6), a suction-extraction location (23) and/or a heat-recovery device (11). The dishwasher also comprises at least one drying zone (7). The flow direction (30) of the exhaust air within the dishwasher runs from the outlet (8) to the inlet (1), counter to the transporting direction (9) of the wash ware (10) through the dishwasher, the suction-extraction location (23) being arranged in the region of the inlet (1) of the dishwasher, and volumes of air (28, 33) which are withdrawn from the drying zone (7) being dependent on positions (34, 35) of exit nozzles (26) for hot air within the drying zone (7). |
| US08052794B2 |
Directed reagents to improve material uniformity
A method for locally controlling the stoichiometry of an epitaxially deposited layer on a semiconductor substrate is provided. The method includes directing a first reactant gas and a doping gas across a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and directing a drive gas and a second reactant gas against the substrate separately from the first reactant gas in a manner that rotates the substrate while introducing the second reactant gas at an edge of the substrate to control each reactant separately, thereby compensating and controlling depletion effects and improving doping uniformity in resulting epitaxial layers on the substrate. |
| US08052793B2 |
Method for producing silicon carbide single crystal
A method for producing a silicon carbide single crystal, which comprises bringing a silicon carbide single crystal substrate into contact with a melt prepared by melting a raw material containing Si and C, and growing a silicon carbide single crystal on the substrate, the method including performing a cycle comprising the following steps (a) and (b): a) a step of bringing the seed crystal substrate into contact with the surface of the melt, growing a single crystal, and separating the seed crystal substrate from the surface of the melt thereby interrupting the growth of the single crystal, and b) a step of bringing the seed crystal substrate into contact with the surface of the melt and growing a single crystal, at least one time, wherein the seed crystal is a 6H-silicon carbide single crystal or a 15R-silicon carbide single crystal and the resulting single crystal is a 4H-silicon carbide single crystal. |
| US08052788B2 |
Method of producing silica sols with controllable broad size distribution and minimum particle size
Colloidal silica having a controllable broad particle size distribution and a controllable minimum particle size is disclosed and claimed. Particles below a predetermined size are excluded from the product colloidal silica of the invention. A method for continuously producing the desired colloidal composition is disclosed comprising the steps of providing preformed silica particles having a surface area which controls the particle size of the colloidal silica product, adding a feed silica comprising an alkaline solution and silicate at a feed rate which is less than a nucleation rate. |
| US08052786B2 |
Amphoteric pigment dispersion containing ink formulations, methods of using ink formulations, and systems using ink formulations
Ink-jet ink sets, pigment-based ink formulations, methods of printing, and methods of enhancing print quality, are disclosed. One exemplary ink-jet ink set, among others, includes a pigment-based ink formulation at a first pH, including: a pigment-based ink, and an amphoteric dispersant having an isoelectric point; and a second ink formulation at a second pH, wherein the first pH and the second pH are each selected from an acidic pH and a basic pH, wherein the first pH and the second pH are not the same, and wherein the amphoteric dispersant has a higher isoelectric point than the first pH when the dispersant is acidic, and a lower isoelectric point than the first pH when the dispersant is basic. |
| US08052785B2 |
Indaniline dye, thermal transfer recording ink sheet, thermal transfer recording method, color toner, inkjet ink, and color filter
An indaniline dye represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent an unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R3 represents an unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; provided that the total number of the carbon atoms of R1, R2 and R3 is 6 or 7. |
| US08052780B2 |
Air cleaner assembly
In at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to an air cleaner having a housing portion, and a low profile rain cover having an opening on an underside of the cover to allow unfiltered air to enter into the air cleaner. Also, in at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to an air cleaner including a housing and an additional component by which the air cleaner is capable of being directly coupled to a carburetor inlet. In some such embodiments, one or more protrusions can be provided within a channel formed by the housing/additional component to influence air flow. Further, in at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to an air cleaner having a shaped wall formed on a housing portion, where the shaped wall includes both an interior surface and an exterior surface by which air flowing within the air cleaner is imparted with helical motion. |
| US08052779B2 |
Device and method for cleaning a centrifugal separator
A centrifugal separator device for concurrent separation of solid and/or liquid particles suspended in a gaseous media includes a rotor having a multiplicity of sedimentation members and which is mounted rotatably in a surrounding housing. An intake is provided for the gaseous medium to be cleaned, which leads to a central inlet shaft of the rotor. The housing has an outlet for cleaned gas, which has been freed of solid and/or liquid particles on passage through the sedimentation members in the rotor, and an outlet for the solid and/or liquid particles, which have been deposited on the sedimentation members and then transferred to a side wall of the housing by a centrifugal force. A nozzle is arranged upstream of the sedimentation members in order to supply a liquid to the sedimentation members. |
| US08052778B2 |
Advanced wetted wall aerosol sampling cyclone system and methods
A wetted wall cyclone system for sampling an aerosol. In an embodiment, the system comprises a cyclone body including an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner flow passage extending therebetween. In addition, the system comprises a cyclone inlet tangentially coupled to the cyclone body proximal the inlet end. The cyclone inlet includes an inlet flow channel in fluid communication with the inner flow passage of the cyclone body. Further, the system comprises a skimmer coaxially coupled to the outlet end of the cyclone body. The skimmer comprises a separation end extending into the outlet end of the cyclone body, a free end distal the outlet end of the cyclone body, and an inner exhaust channel in fluid communication with the inner flow passage of the cyclone body. Still further, the system comprises means for reducing the temperature of at least a portion of the cyclone body. |
| US08052775B2 |
Process for the preparation of a two-layer metal palladium or palladium alloy composite membrane
Process for preparing a two layer metal palladium or palladium alloy composite membrane consisting of a porous substrate support and a palladium or palladium alloy membrane by rinsing/washing and drying the porous substrate support, treating the porous substrate support with a pore filler in order to decorate the pores of the support and the disfigurements of the substrate surface, sensitizing and activating with a palladium solution the decorated substrate support, and plating the resulting support with a palladium solution to form the two layer composite membrane, drying. The resulting composite membrane is subjected to a post-processing where the pore fillers residing in the pore-channels of the porous substrate are partly removed or reduced in volume through heating. |
| US08052773B2 |
Manufacturing method of metal nanowire
An object of this invention is to provide a manufacturing method of metal nanowire in which a length and a diameter can be uniformly controlled, metal nanowire having excellent form uniformity, and a transparent electric conductor exhibiting excellent conductivity and transparency by employing metal nanowire having excellent conductivity and transparency. A manufacturing method of metal nanowire which reduces a metal ion in a solution to form metal particles having a wire-form, wherein a nucleus forming process and a particle growth process after said nucleus forming process are provided, and said nucleus forming process reduces a metal ion to form reduced metal, which is directly precipitated on the surface of said particles formed in the said nucleus forming process or on the surface of particles having grown from said nucleus particles during a growth process, whereby metal particles are formed. |
| US08052769B2 |
Filter bag and method for the production thereof
A filter bag for a vacuum cleaner includes a tubular bag made of a casing which has at least one nonwoven layer. The casing has a first end region which is sealed at least partially and a second sealed end region situated opposite the first end region. The first end region is folded and forms a base. |
| US08052768B2 |
Air filtration apparatus
An air filter assembly is provided for an evaporative emissions control canister used with an internal combustion engine fuel system. The air filter assembly includes: a housing having an air inlet formed in an upper portion of the housing and an air outlet; and a plurality of vertically extending baffles disposed within the housing between the upper portion of the housing and a bottom portion of the housing. The baffles form a plurality of vertically extending channels interconnected horizontally through horizontally interconnecting channels disposed adjacent the upper portion of the housing and an opposing bottom portion of the housing. A first one of the vertically extending channels receives air entering the housing from the air inlet. The air then passes laterally outwards in the housing from the first one of the vertically extending channels successively to other ones of the vertically extending channels in a serpentine flow successively upwards and downwardly and through the horizontally interconnecting channels and then finally exiting the housing through the air outlet. A filter is disposed in one of the plurality of vertically extending channels in a path of the serpentine flow of the air passing through such one of the vertically extending channels. |
| US08052765B2 |
Contoured PCD and PCBN for twist drill tips and end mills and methods of forming the same
Contoured solid polycrystalline superabrasive material such as twist drill tips and endmill flank segments can be formed by preparing a precursor mold having a plurality of shaped openings each corresponding to a predetermined shape. A specially prepared charge feed can be placed into the shaped openings to form a charged precursor. The charge feed can include a substantially homogeneous mixture of superabrasive source particulates, sintering binder, and optional inorganic bonding medium. A loaded reaction cup-assembly including the charged precursor can be subjected to a pressure, temperature and time sufficient for sintering and formation of the contoured polycrystalline superabrasive material. Reduced finishing steps and increased tailorability of grade and quality of final polycrystalline products can be readily achieved. |
| US08052764B2 |
System and method for manufacturing a thermal battery
A method of manufacturing thermal batteries is disclosed. In the method according to the present invention, pellets used in the manufacture of thermal batteries are grouped together based on certain material characteristics such as weight, thickness, and density. Pellets with different material characteristics can be grouped together in a single thermal battery to produce a thermal battery with characteristics that are the average of the characteristics of the pellets used to manufacture the thermal battery. |
| US08052763B2 |
Method for removing dissolved solids from aqueous waste streams
A method for removing dissolved solids from a waste stream, such as that produced in flue gas scrubbing, through an evaporation-crystallization process operated at relatively low temperature. A waste stream is directed into an evaporator and heated at a temperature of less than 60° C. at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. The waste stream is concentrated through the evaporation process and forms a slurry stream having crystallized solids. At the low temperature of evaporation, the solids crystallize at substantially lower temperature and the solution has a substantially lower boiling point elevation than at atmospheric pressure. The slurry stream is directed to a solid-liquid separator where the crystallized solids in the slurry stream are separated, producing a solid cake and mother liquor. |
| US08052761B2 |
Prosthetic split hook terminal device with adjustable pinch force, functional grasping contours and illumination
A voluntary opening prosthetic split hook terminal device is provided with an adjustable pinch force, functional grasping contours and illumination capabilities. Embodiments of the present invention include a tensioning mechanism that permits adjustment of the tension of a spring member to increase or decrease the pinching force of the device. The tensioning mechanism may be repositioned among multiple positions to vary the tension in a spring member. Movement of the tensioning mechanism utilizes principles of mechanical leverage in a way such that the force applied by the spring member does not need to be directly opposed in order to reposition the tensioning mechanism and the tensioning device will automatically lock into a selected position. Additional embodiments include digits with dual internal edges and logarithmic spiral contours for enhanced grasping of objects. Still further embodiments include illumination for functional and aesthetic purposes. |
| US08052757B1 |
Combined total wrist and total distal radioulnar joint prosthesis
A total wrist and distal radioulnar joint replacement prosthesis includes a radial brace member to be secured to the radius bone, an ulna brace member to be secured to the ulna bone, and an articular member to be secured to the carpal bones. The articular member is slidably received in a socket in the radial brace member and is supported by the ulna bone. |
| US08052755B2 |
Ulnar head prosthesis system
An ulnar prosthesis assembly comprising a head formed with a curved surface extending between opposed ends and a stem. One of the ends of the head has an attachment bore defined therein. The attachment bore generally has a first diameter and includes an attachment groove thereabout with a second diameter greater than the first diameter to define at least one attachment shoulder. The stem has a stem body extending between a proximal end configured for implantation in a target bone and a distal end configured to be received in the attachment bore. The distal end has a locking flange extending radially therefrom. The locking flange defines a locking shoulder having a diameter greater than the first diameter such that upon receipt in the attachment bore, the locking shoulder engages the attachment shoulder. |
| US08052754B2 |
Intervertebral endoprosthesis
An intervertebral endoprosthesis for insertion into the intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae is provided that includes first and second base members, each having a first surface configured to engage one of the vertebrae and a second opposite surface and a resilient insert disposed between the base members. The insert includes an outer shell defining an interior chamber and is disposed in contacting engagement with the second surface of each of the base members. The resilient insert further includes a core disposed within the chamber and connected to the outer shell. The intervertebral endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling members, each of the coupling members extending between the core of the resilient insert and one of the base members. The first and second coupling members independently couple the first and second base members to the resilient insert, wherein the first and second base members are movable independently of one another and the adjacent vertebrae are movable independently of one another when the intervertebral endoprosthesis is inserted into the disc space. |
| US08052753B2 |
Prosthetic anchor and method of making same
The present invention is directed towards a prosthetic anchor (36) including a central layer (1) through which embedded fibers (2), such as artificial tendons, pass in defined pathways (4), a ‘deep’ surface membrane (7) which interfaces with a hard structure, whether that is a prosthesis, a bone, or other hard tissue, and a ‘superficial’ surface membrane (8) which interfaces adjacent tissue and may be configured to adhere or not to adhere to that tissue. The central layer (1) is positioned intermediate the surface membranes (7, 8) which are mechanically and/or adherently attached thereto. Also, non-limiting examples of methods of fabrication and of affixing the anchor (36) to a relatively rigid structure, natural or prosthetic, in a human or animal body with improved stress distribution in the fixed tension member end are taught. |
| US08052752B2 |
Capsular intraocular lens implant having a refractive liquid therein
An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors. |
| US08052751B2 |
Annuloplasty rings for repairing cardiac valves
Implantable devices and methods for the repair of a defective cardiac valve are provided. The implantable devices include an annuloplasty ring and a restraining and/or a remodeling structure or mechanism. The annuloplasty ring functions to reestablish the normal size and shape of the annulus bringing the leaflet in proximity to each other. A device having a remodeling structure further facilitates remodeling of the valve but allows the use of a flexible ring. The restraining structure functions to restrain the abnormal motion of at least a portion of the valve being repaired. The restraining and remodeling structures may include at least one strut across the interior of the circumference of the ring. |
| US08052749B2 |
Methods and apparatus for endovascular heart valve replacement comprising tissue grasping elements
The present invention provides an apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an expandable anchor supporting a replacement valve, the anchor and replacement valve being adapted for percutaneous delivery and deployment to replace the patient's heart valve, the anchor having a braid having atraumatic grasping elements adapted to grasp tissue in a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. |
| US08052746B2 |
Balloon expandable stent
The present invention relates to a balloon expandable stent mounted on a balloon catheter, the entire assembly being overcoated with a coherent polymer coating, which is preferably substantially continuous over the circumference and, more preferably, axial length of the stem on the balloon. The polymer coating improves retention of the stent on the balloon during delivery and does not adversely effect the deployment characteristics, nor the balloon failure characteristics. The product is made by mounting the stent on the balloon and coating the assembly with a liquid coating composition containing a suitable polymer followed by curing of the coating. The polymer is biocompatible and preferably crosslinkable in the coating composition, and crosslinked in the final product. A suitable polymer is formed from monomers including a zwitterionic, preferably a phosphoryl choline, group, and monomers including a trialkoxysilyl group. Preferably the coated product is contacted with ethylene oxide to provide simultaneous sterilization and additional curing. |
| US08052740B2 |
Stent including a marker fitted to a frame portion
A stent includes a plurality of annular units each made of a linear portion which extends circumferentially while folding in a zigzag manner and which is connected annularly, and connection portions which connect axially adjacent ones of the annular units with each other. Predetermined annular units have radiopaque markers each fixedly attached midway between one folded portion and a next folded portion in the linear portion located in a predetermined circumferential position. |
| US08052737B2 |
Implantable temporary flow restrictor device
An implantable flow restrictor plug is disclosed that is disposed within a deployed endoluminal prosthesis to initially restrict, then gradually restore blood flow through the prosthesis after an angioplasty procedure. Upon initial deployment, the plug has a tubular biodegradable body defining a blood flow lumen therethrough that is sized to effectively reduce the amount of blood flow exiting the prosthesis. An inner surface of the body erodes or biodegrades in vivo to enlarge the plug lumen, thereby gradually restoring blood flow through the prosthesis until blood flow is unimpeded through the prosthesis, i.e., blood flow through the vessel is fully restored. The flow restrictor plug may be attached to the endoluminal prosthesis to be delivered and deployed therewith, or may be formed within a previously deployed prosthesis. |
| US08052736B2 |
Universal modular stent graft assembly to accommodate flow to collateral branches
Universal modular stented graft assemblies are assembled, on site, and often in a patient's parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The first and second components each include a window, or fenestration. The second component couples with the first component by fitting at least partially in the first component to form the universal modular stent graft assembly with an adjustable collateral opening. As the first and second components are assembled, the first and second components are adjusted relative to each other so that the first and second component windows overlap to form a collateral opening whose size is selectable, depending on the overlap, with the desired position and dimensions in the universal modular stent graft assembly. |
| US08052733B2 |
Single operator stenting system
Embodiments of a stent system include a catheter is made with only one lumen leading to a balloon. An arrangement is provided to easily lock a short wire in place at the distal end of the balloon. Multiple wires of different properties can be included in a package containing the stent and the delivery catheter, such that the physician will be able to choose the right wire tip according to the lesion and vessel treated and attach it at the distal tip of the balloon before beginning the stenting procedure. |
| US08052732B2 |
Delivery system for stent-graft with anchoring pins
A delivery system for an endoprosthesis includes a spindle having a spindle body and spindle pins extending radially outward from the spindle body. The delivery system further comprises a tip comprising a sleeve, the spindle pins extending from the spindle body toward the sleeve. The endoprosthesis includes a proximal anchor stent ring having spindle pin catches and anchor pins. The spindle pins of the spindle extend into the spindle pin catches and the sleeve radially constrains the anchor pins. |
| US08052728B2 |
Method for stabilizing a facet joint
The present invention relates to methods and spinal implant devices for stabilizing a facet joint. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a hole through a facet joint and respective overlapping superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebra which, respectively, include superior articular process and inferior articular process openings. A spinal implant device, such as elongated member, is inserted lengthwise into the hole. The first end portion of the elongated member defines a closed end and the second end portion defines an open end permitting entry into an interior of the member. The interior of the elongated member is filled with a desired material to expand the first and second end portions of the member beyond respective superior articular process and inferior articular process openings of the hole to greater than a desired size of the superior articular process and inferior articular process openings to stabilize the facet joint. |
| US08052724B2 |
Upload shank swivel head bone screw spinal implant
A polyaxial bone screw having a bone implantable shank, a head and a retaining ring. The retaining ring includes an outer partial hemispherical surface and an inner bore with radially extending channels and partial capture recesses. The shank includes a bone implantable body with an external helical wound thread and an upwardly extending capture structure. The capture structure includes at least one spline which extends radially outward and has a wedged surface that faces radially outward therefrom. The capture structure operably passes through a central bore of the retaining ring while the spline passes through a suitably shaped channel so that the spline becomes positioned above the head at which time the shank is rotated appropriately and the shank is drawn back downwardly so that the spline engages and seats in the capture recess. The head includes an internal cavity having a spherical shaped surface that mates with the ring surface and has a lower restrictive neck that prevents passage of the ring once the ring is seated in the cavity. |
| US08052722B2 |
Dual deflection rod system for a dynamic stabilization and motion preservation spinal implantation system and method
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient. |
| US08052719B2 |
Suture anchoring assemblies and methods of use
A suture anchor assembly and methods of use will now are disclosed for the repair of human or animal tissue defects. The suture anchor assembly is capable of being inserted into a tissue or bone while also being able to create an expanded profile when subjected to a retrograde force. This expanded profile anchors the assembly into the tissue or bone by a changing of position of elements of the assembly relative to other assembly elements. Embodiments of the suture anchor assembly and methods are capable of precisely positioning assembly elements in the tissue or bone to effectively repair the defects. |
| US08052718B2 |
Method and apparatus for the detection and occlusion of blood vessels
A non-invasive blood vessel occlusion device includes a pair of pressure-applying members with opposed tissue-contacting surfaces, a supporting shaft configured to adjust the distance between tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one sensor for locating a blood vessel disposed on at least one pressure-applying member. Blood vessels may be occluded by indirectly compressing the artery by compressing tissue near to an artery. The occlusion device finds use in, for example, treating uterine disorders and conditions which may be treated by occlusion of the uterine arteries. A uterine artery may be accessed via a body cavity, such as a patient's vagina, and may be occluded by compressing a portion of the vaginal wall around a portion of a uterine artery. |
| US08052717B2 |
Embolic protection device
The invention provides an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for preparing said filter for retrieval. |
| US08052715B2 |
Method and apparatus for recapturing an implant from the left atrial appendage
A system and method for retrieving an implantable device includes a delivery catheter, a recapture section, and a sheath. The delivery catheter has a proximal end and a distal end. The recapture section is axially extendable from the distal end of the delivery catheter. The sheath has a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen sized to receive the delivery catheter. A portion of the lumen of the sheath is actuatable from an enlarged inside diameter to a reduced inside diameter to apply an inwardly directed force to the recapture section. The delivery catheter can be actuated with respect to the sheath to extend or retract the recapture section with respect to the delivery catheter. |
| US08052714B2 |
Radiopaque fibers and filtration matrices
Medical devices with radiopaque three dimensional filtration matrices provide for improved visualization of the device within a vessel. In some embodiments, the three dimensional filtration matrix comprises fibers, such as surface capillary fibers. Visualization of the three dimensional filtration matrix provides for an evaluation of the proper deployment of the three dimensional filtration matrix. Radiopaque surface capillary fibers can be advantageously incorporated into other medical devices. Radiopaque surface capillary fibers can be formed by extrusion of a radiopaque polymer or polymer composite. |
| US08052712B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for deploying a filter from a filter device
A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device. |
| US08052709B2 |
Device for piercing and positioning of body jewellery having a bent bar
The invention concerns a device for piercing and positioning a piece of body jewelry with a bent bar in a skin portion. The device comprises an inner boundary surface which defines a cavity for holding a bent bar, the bar being movable out of the cavity to the surroundings through an opening defined by the boundary surface. The device also has a cam which is formed in the boundary surface and along which the bar is movable for such guiding of the bar that, during each incremental step of pressing-out, the bar has a cross-section exiting the opening, seen perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, which cross-section somewhere along a distance between the opening and an exit hole intended for piercing is perpendicular to an aiming line for piercing. |
| US08052704B2 |
High capacity debulking catheter with distal driven cutting wheel
An atherectomy catheter includes a rotary cutting knife that is driven from the distal (nose) or side (circumference) direction. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber mounted in between the rotary cutting knife and the main catheter tubing. In contrast to prior art designs, which utilized nose mounted plaque collection chambers, the present design is able to store a substantially larger volume of removed plaque, thus increasing the length of time and amount of plaque removal that can be accomplished before the catheter must be removed from the body and cleaned. This decreases medical procedure time, allows for more complete and careful plaque removal, and reduces the burden on the patient and physician. |
| US08052703B2 |
Medical devices with cutting elements
Medical devices having one or more cutting elements are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an elongated catheter configured to be inserted into a body, and a cutting element carried by the catheter. The cutting element has an alloy including from about 12% to about 16% by weight of chromium, from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of molybdenum, and iron. The alloy has a martensitic phase. |
| US08052700B2 |
Tissue clamp
The present invention relates to a tissue clamp, a tool for grasping the clamp and a method of using the clamp for surgical procedures. The clamp has a fixture or fixtures positioned on the proximal end of the arms of the clamp so that a tool can be used by the surgeon to securely grasp the clamp during placement thereof on the vasculature or other tissue of the patient. The fixture can have a plurality of channels so that the user can select the angular orientation of the tool relative to the damp. |
| US08052698B2 |
Surgical instrument
A surgical instrument for applying a fastener to tissue. The instrument includes a shaft having a working end and a grip end, a first jaw pivotally mounted on the working end including a receiver for releasably holding a male component and a second jaw statically mounted on the working end including a receiver for releasably holding a female component. The first jaw is pivotally moveable between an open position in which the first jaw is sufficiently spaced from the second jaw so tissue can be received between a male component and a female component, and a closed position in which a protrusion of the male component is aligned with and received in a recess of the female component. The instrument includes a mechanism operatively connected to the first jaw for moving the first jaw between the open position and the closed position. |
| US08052693B2 |
System and method for the simultaneous automated bilateral delivery of pressure equalization tubes
Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and actuating the first device in response to the signal so as to drive a penetrator of the device through the tympanic membrane. |
| US08052691B2 |
Spring loaded fixation element insertion device
The invention relates to a device for attaching fixation elements to bone, having a longitudinal member with a channel extending therein adapted for receiving at least one fixation element. A shaft extends within the channel and is positioned coaxially within at least a portion of the longitudinal member and at least a portion of the shaft is retained within the longitudinal member and a distal end of the shaft is configured and adapted to contact at least a portion of the fixation element received within the longitudinal member. A spring is positioned adjacent the shaft for resiliently biasing the shaft in an axial direction and the shaft is moveable with respect to the longitudinal member to drive the fixation element into bone. |
| US08052688B2 |
Electromagnetic apparatus and method for nerve localization during spinal surgery
An electromagnetic pedicle awl utilizes a tightly focused time-varying magnetic flux to create a localized electromotive force (EMF) near the tip of a pedicle awl. The localized EMF creates localized eddy currents in nearby nerves which in turn excite ionic nerve channels, the excitation being detected by an electromyographic recording device. In comparison to the electrically stimulated pedicle awl of the prior art, the electromagnetic pedicle awl only excites nerves directly in front of and directly to the side of the tip. The electromagnetic pedicle awl is comprised of a tapered awl or drill tip in combination with a solid core surrounded by a solenoid. A pulsed electric current source drives the solenoid to create a time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of the tapered tip. The awl or drill tip may be stationary with respect to the solenoid or it may rotate. The electromagnetic pedicle awl in combination with an EMG detector connected to a patient is very sensitive to the pedicle hole position with respect to adjacent nerves and reduces false placement failure. |
| US08052685B2 |
Intramedullary device and method of use
An intramedullary rod and system for introducing it into a longitudinally extending bore in the bone of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a guide tube, a cutter assembly and the intramedullary rod. The guide tube has a central passageway and a plurality of longitudinally extending slots and is arranged to be located within the bore in the bone. The cutter assembly includes a body member having a plurality of blades extending outward therefrom and is arranged to be moved along the central passageway of the guide tube so that the blades extend outward through the slots to produce a respective grooves in the bore of the bone of the patient. The intramedullary rod is an elongated linear member having a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs projecting outward therefrom and is arranged to be disposed within the central passageway in the guide tube whereupon its ribs extend through respective ones of the slots in the guide tube for disposition within respective ones of the longitudinal grooves in the bore of the bone of the patient to thereby fix the intramedullary rod therein. |
| US08052682B2 |
High-frequency incision instrument for endoscope
A high-frequency incision instrument for an endoscope is provided with a flexible sheath, and a rod electrode remotely operated to protrude from/retract into the distal end portion of the sheath. A stationary stopper provided at the distal end portion of the sheath and a movable stopper provided at the proximal end portion of the rod electrode, the movable stopper contacting the stationary stopper to define a maximum protruding amount of the rod electrode from the distal end of the sheath. A proximal end portion of the rod electrode is screw-engaged with a member to which the movable stopper is formed, and the rod electrode is rotatable so that screw-engaged amount of the proximal end portion of the rod electrode with respect to the member is changed, thereby a distance between the tip end of the rod electrode and the movable stopper being adjustable. |
| US08052681B2 |
High-frequency incision instrument for endoscope
A high-frequency incision instrument for an endoscope configured to project forward and retreat, through a forward end portion of a flexible over tube, a rod electrode disposed close thereto by remote operation from an operating unit connected to a proximal end portion of the over tube. The high-frequency incision instrument includes a fixed stopper and a movable stopper located close to a forward end portion of the over tube and to a proximal end portion of the rod electrode respectively, to be butted to each other to define a maximum projection length of the rod electrode from the forward end portion of the over tube. The movable stopper is axially movable with respect to the rod electrode, and the operating unit includes a stopper position adjuster that adjusts by remote operation a distance between a farthest end portion of the rod electrode and the movable stopper. |
| US08052678B2 |
Energy based devices and methods for treatment of patent foramen ovale
Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include an elongate catheter body, at least one tissue apposition member at or near the distal end for bringing the tissues together, and at least one energy transmission member at or near the distal end for applying energy to the tissues. In some embodiments, the tissue apposition member(s) also act as the energy transmission member(s). Applied energy may be monoploar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. |
| US08052677B2 |
Transseptal left atrial access and septal closure
Methods, systems, and devices for transseptal access into the left atrium of a heart. In one embodiment an apparatus for transseptal left atrial access comprised of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel and one or more RF devices adapted to be extendable from the distal end of said catheter and configured for the penetration or sealing of septal tissue. |
| US08052676B2 |
Surgical methods and apparatus for stimulating tissue
Surgical systems, devices and methods including one or more tissue stimulation elements that, in some instances, may also be used for sensing purposes. Some of the surgical devices also include a tissue coagulation element. |
| US08052675B2 |
Electrosurgical power control
A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue. |
| US08052668B2 |
Neurotoxic agents and devices to treat atrial fibrillation
Devices and methods to treat atrial fibrillation via inhibition of nerves which innervate the pulmonary vein are provided. |
| US08052667B2 |
Apparatus for prolonging survival of platelets
The present invention provides modified platelets having a reduced platelet clearance and methods for reducing platelet clearance. Also provided are compositions for the preservation of platelets. The invention also provides methods for making a pharmaceutical composition containing the modified platelets and for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a mammal to mediate hemostasis. |
| US08052665B2 |
Absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate
A pant type absorbent article such as a pant diaper, a sanitary pant or incontinence pant, the article having a core region including an absorbent core and a chassis region surrounding the core region. The article at least in part of the chassis region has an outer coversheet in the form of an elastic laminate having a Softness (S) according to Kawabata of at least 20. The laminate includes first and second layers of fibrous material and an elastic film layer located between the first and second fibrous layers. |
| US08052660B2 |
Liquid applicator for endoscope
A liquid applicator for an endoscope configured to apply liquid to in vivo tissue includes a flexible tube to be inserted into and extracted from a treatment tool insertion channel of the endoscope, a brush member provided at a distal end of the flexible tube, and a fluid channel formed in the flexible tube to supply the liquid to the brush member. |
| US08052659B2 |
Catheter device
A catheter device has an elongate body and a chamber positioned within the elongate body. The chamber has a chamber opening, and a barrier, such as a gate, moves over the chamber opening. The barrier moves between an uncovered position uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position covering the chamber opening. The catheter has at least one cutting edge by the chamber opening. In particular, the at least one cutting edge may be on the barrier, where the at least one cutting edge is guided over the chamber opening with movement of the barrier between the uncovered position and the covered position. The cutting edge cuts away a fibrin sheath blocking the chamber opening. The catheter may have multiple chambers connected by channels that allow the chambers to be flushed to prevent microbial colonization. |
| US08052658B2 |
Drug-eluting tissue marker
A drug-eluting tissue marker for marking a site in a tissue mass comprises a drug-eluting portion having a drug for timed release to the site and a material that can be imaged using an imaging technique. |
| US08052657B2 |
Method and devices for self-dosing a liquid medicament and for controlling the dosage of the same
The invention lies in the domain of medical technology and relates to a method and devices, which permit a patient to control and dose the administration of a liquid medicament from a container via a tube (4) and a catheter into the vascular system, by regulating the rate of flow of the medicament by means of a variable clamping of the tube ranging from a total block to a complete release and/or by regulating specific flow periods. To achieve this, a dosing element, preferably in the form of a mechanical rocker control switch (3), comprising a rocker (10) is put onto the tube (4), whereby the rocker (10) pivots about the rocker axis (13) pressing against the tube with its longitudinal end, by means of an adjusting coil spring (9), the flow cross-section of the tube (4) is regulated by an adjusting screw (8) on the adjusting coil spring (9) and the medicament flow through the tube (4) can also be regulated by a manually operated trigger switch (11). An electronically controlled, electrically driven radial motor (16) can be used as the dosing element in place of the rocker switch (3), said motor acting on the tube (4) and regulating the flow cross-section of the latter by means of a clamping lever (19) comprising a nose-shaped clamp (20). The method and devices for carrying out said method are illustrated by the accompanying figures. |
| US08052645B2 |
System and method for an injection using a syringe needle
An auto-injector for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient from a pre-filled syringe requires a disposable cassette that is selectively engageable with the reusable injector. The syringe is latched onto the cassette, and the cassette is then engaged with the injector. Activation of the injector causes a first motor to move the syringe so its needle is extended from a concealed position inside the cassette for injection of the medicament. A second motor on the injector is then activated to expel fluid medicament from the syringe. Then, the first motor is again activated to withdraw the syringe into the cassette for disposal of the cassette/syringe after an injection. |
| US08052644B2 |
Surgical irrigation system
This invention relates to a surgical irrigation system having an improved reusable, motorized console and a separable/attachable irrigation pump cassette, including, at least in one embodiment improved mechanical and electrical inner-connection structure therebetween, and at least in one embodiment improved pump priming structure and methods. |
| US08052641B2 |
Indwelling needle with wings
There is provided a winged indwelling needle for reducing the possibility of damaging a blood vessel or the like by a cannula, including a movable unit 1 having the cannula and a hub, a tube 2 connected to the rear portion of the hub, a holder 3, and a fixing wing 4, in which the movable unit 1 is provided on the holder 3 so as to be capable of sliding in the axial direction, is capable of changing in position between a position in use and a stored position which is behind the position in use, and the movable unit 1 is fixed to the position in use so as to be releasable. The holder 3 includes a protecting cylinder 26 which stores only the front portion including a blade point 6A of the cannula 6 in the interior thereof when the movable unit is positioned at the stored position and is provided with the fixing wing 4, and a guide member 27 exposed upward for guiding the sliding movement of the movable unit 1. |
| US08052639B2 |
Clampless anastomotic device
Described is a medical device and method for allowing fenestration of the aortic wall while maintaining distal perfusion and preventing external bleeding. The device isolates a segment of the aortic wall from the flowing column of blood using a balloon mounted on a metal alloy strut assembly. The strut assembly expands radially from a collapsed, low-profile configuration when uncovered by a constraining outer sheath. Aortic blood flow is allowed through the flow passage thus contained by the strut assembly within the center of the balloon. The balloon is inflated to contact the aortic wall. The balloon contains a pocket shaped to allow aortic fenestration. The balloon contains radiopaque markers to facilitate orientation and positioning of the pocket within the aorta. Other embodiments using spaced balloons are also disclosed. |
| US08052638B2 |
Robust multi-layer balloon
A multilayer balloon catheter is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the outer layer is adapted to resist shredding and premature rupture. The outer layer is formed of a material having a glass transition temperature that is lower than the transition or melting temperature of the inner layer. By forming the balloon on a mold at a temperature between the glass transition temperature of the outer layer and the glass transition or melting temperature of the inner layer, the outer layer will undergo a thermal relaxation that will alleviate some of the axial orientation of the polymer chains that develop during the formation of the multilayer balloon. This relaxation leads to a resistance to shredding when the balloon is expanded during operation. |
| US08052637B2 |
Medical device balloon
The present invention relates to medical devices that can be placed in bodily conduits. The invention particularly relates to balloons and catheters using such balloons for administering treatments to widen constricted passages, deliver therapeutic agents, deliver endoprosthesis' or perform other medical procedures. The balloon catheter can include an expandable balloon disposed adjacent a distal end of an elongated catheter shaft. The balloon can be constructed of a novel absorbable biomaterial. |
| US08052633B2 |
Delivery device
A device for delivery of material or stimulus to targets within a body to produce a desired response, the targets being at least one of cells of interest, cell organelles of interest and cell nuclei of interest. The device includes a number of projections for penetrating a body surface, with the number of projections being selected to produce a desired response, and the number being at least 500. A spacing between projections is also at least partially determined based on an arrangement of the targets within the body. |
| US08052629B2 |
Multi-fit orthotic and mobility assistance apparatus
A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes. |
| US08052627B2 |
Spray nozzle and dental cleaning system
A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet. |
| US08052622B2 |
Methods for characterizing vaginal tissue elasticity
Methods for characterizing elasticity of vaginal tissue are provided. A transvaginal probe is used to deform vaginal tissue during examination. The probe is equipped with pressure sensors and a motion tracking sensor. Stress and strain data is recorded during examination. Elasticity of vaginal tissue is then characterized by calculating a stress gradient defined as a ratio of stress over strain for each point of measurement. Vaginal tactile image may also be compiled to include a family of surfaces representing locations of measurement points at predefined constant levels of stress. Pelvic organ abnormality condition may be detected if the stress gradient is below either a predetermined threshold or a normal stress gradient obtained from clinical data. |
| US08052617B2 |
Portable sampling or testing device and method for pharmacokinetics and physiology studies
A portable sampling or testing device for pharmacokinetics and physiology studies and a method for using the device in conducting tests on stationary or moving animals, or human test subjects, is disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for conducting a test on a freely moving subject, or a device which may be moved by a technician to be positioned over an immobile subject, such as a premature infant or unconscious human subject in an intensive care ward. The device is designed and sized to be mobile. In one embodiment, the device comprises a wheeled cart which may be moved by a human test subject operably connected to it. In another embodiment, the device comprises a wheeled carriage positioned above an animal which wears a sling connected to the device. The device may include an uninterruptible power supply. The method provides for sampling bodily fluids or acquiring physiological readings from the test subject. The method provides for removal of body fluids with or without reintroduction of the withdrawn bodily fluids back into the freely moving subject. |
| US08052609B2 |
Connectorized probe with serial engagement mechanism
A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section. |
| US08052604B2 |
Methods and apparatus for engagement and coupling of an intracavitory imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound probe
A combined imaging/HIFU probe includes an imaging scan head, a HIFU transducer, and an outlet port that delivers a flow of fluid across the HIFU transducer. At least a portion of the body cavity is filled with fluid in which the probe is immersed. The fluid provides a coupling for transmission of ultrasound energy between the probe and the patient. A flow of fluid may also be used to flush obstructions from an area of tissue near the HIFU transducer. Further described herein is a cuff to help retain fluid in the body cavity, a regulator to regulate fluid flow with respect to the body cavity according to a desired fluid pressure, and a cover for the HIFU transducer that has at least one perforation defined therethrough to allow fluid to flow through the cover. Further disclosed herein are methods of deploying a combined imaging/HIFU probe in a body cavity. |
| US08052594B2 |
Prosthetic device with protrusions for girth
A prosthetic device comprises a column formed of resilient material. The column comprises external protrusions that vary a girth of the column. The protrusions are separated by valleys that reduce bulk. |
| US08052591B2 |
Trajectory-based deep-brain stereotactic transcranial magnetic stimulation
The present invention provides for Stereotactic Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS) at predetermined locations with the brain or spinal cord and incorporates an array of electromagnets arranged in a specified configuration where selected coils in the array are pulsed simultaneously. Activation of foci demonstrated by functional MRI or other imaging techniques can be used to locate the neural region affected. Imaging techniques can also be utilized to determine the location of the designated targets. |
| US08052584B2 |
System and method for determining a resistance level for training a muscle group for maximum power generation
An apparatus and method evaluate the power of a muscle group of a user by measuring velocities of an engagement assembly coupled to a resistance element and moved by the user at a highest achievable velocity through a selected number of exercise strokes at each of two resistance levels. A first velocity is determined at a first resistance level. A second velocity is determined at a second resistance level. The first and second velocities are used in combination with the two resistance levels to determine a relationship between the velocity and the resistance level for a particular user. The resistance level where the resistance level and the velocity correspond to an overall maximum power is determined and is displayed for the user so that the user may use the optimum resistance level for training for maximum power generation. |
| US08052581B1 |
Dual actuation mechanism for braking and stopping rotation of a rotating member
A dual actuation mechanism for controlling resistance applied to a rotating member includes a lever, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator and second actuator are both operably coupled to the lever, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator move the lever independent of the other. For example, the lever may have a first slot for receiving the first actuator and a second slot for receiving the second actuator, wherein the first slot and second slot are sized such that when one actuator moves the lever, the other actuator is undisturbed because the respective slot moves with respect to the non-moving actuator. The dual actuation mechanism may be incorporated in an exercise cycle in which one of the actuators controls a level of resistance applied to a flywheel, and the other of the actuators selectively applies a stopping force to the flywheel. |
| US08052579B2 |
Method for checking the plausibility of the position of the clutch actuator of a clutch, method for determining the touch point of a clutch, and device for carrying out the method
A method for checking the plausibility of an actuation position of a clutch of a double-clutch transmission operated by an actuator, including the following steps: disengaging the clutch assigned to the currently active old subtransmission and simultaneously engaging the clutch assigned to the other subtransmission to shift from the gear selected in the old subtransmission to a gear selected in the other, new subtransmission; deselecting the gear selected in the old subtransmission still during the overlapping operation of the clutches or immediately thereafter; detecting the difference between the speed of rotation of a drive shaft of the double-clutch transmission driven by a drive motor and the speed of rotation of the input shaft of the old subtransmission; and evaluating the state of the clutch assigned to the old subtransmission as disengaged when the difference in speeds of rotation exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time after deselection of the gear. |
| US08052575B2 |
Active fuel management mode torque converter clutch control
A system comprises a slip module and a gas temperature module. The slip module adjusts slipping of a clutch of a torque converter based on a first slip value before a cylinder of an engine is deactivated. The gas temperature module determines a temperature of a gas within the cylinder after the cylinder is deactivated. The slip module determines a second slip value based on the temperature of the gas and adjusts the slipping of the clutch based on the second slip value, wherein the second slip value is less than the first slip value. |
| US08052570B2 |
Control device for vehicular power transmitting apparatus
The present invention provides, in a vehicular power transmitting apparatus including a differential portion electrically controlled, a control device which can quickly decrease the engine rotation speed, even if the operational state of an electric motor is limited. An engine-stop controlling means (112) includes limiting means for limiting the differential state of a differential portion (11) by a switching brake (B0) and a switching clutch (C0) when the operational state of a first electric motor (M1) is limited. Therefore, a torque in a direction for decreasing a rotation speed (NE) of an engine (8) is applied by limiting the differential state of the differential portion (11), for example, in a vehicle stopped state. As a result, the rotation speed (NE) of the engine (8) is quickly decreased to pass through a resonance point in a short time, whereby occurrence of resonance phenomena can be prevented. |
| US08052565B2 |
Eight speed automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes. |
| US08052563B2 |
Electro-hydraulic control system for transmission with dual-area piston for torque-transmitting mechanism
An electro-hydraulic control system is provided for a transmission with a torque-transmitting mechanism that has a dual area piston. When pressurized fluid is provided to a first of the two piston areas, the position of a spring-biased shift valve controls whether pressurized fluid communicates with the second piston area. A solenoid valve in fluid communication with the shift valve is energizable to direct pressurized fluid to the shift valve to urge the shift valve to the unstroked position to which the spring also urges. The shift valve may also be urged by pressurized fluid to the stroked position, but only when the solenoid valve is not energized. The spring maintains the shift valve in the unstroked position when pressurized fluid is directed to the shift valve to act both against and with the spring. |
| US08052555B2 |
Conical pulley with integrated torque sensor for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission
A conical pulley assembly with integrated torque sensor. A torque-dependent force is transmitted through a transmitting component to a sensing piston whose position determines the pressure in a sensing chamber. The transmitting member is connected to the movable disk, and is formed in such a way that it transmits the torque-dependent force to the sensing piston in a manner that is dependent on the position of an axially movable disk of the conical pulley. |
| US08052551B2 |
Sports apparatus shaft and blade with added impact protection and method of making same
The invention pertains to sports shafts to other sports equipment subjected to impact thereon. The longitudinal edges of the sports shaft are replaced with elastomeric material so as to create a series of bumpers along the longitudinal edges providing increased protection and longevity to the stick. The invention also pertains to the blade, as in hockey stick blade, wherein the top surface of the blade is provided with an elastomeric material so as to create a bumper on the top surface. The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating said sports shaft. |
| US08052548B1 |
Tennis teaching device
Training device to improve tennis skills. The training device includes an umbilical having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to a wristband for encircling the wrist of a user and the second end is attached to a tennis racquet. The umbilical is under constant tension during use to encourage the movement of a user's hands in unison in carrying out the tennis stroke. |
| US08052545B1 |
Sports training device
A sports training device which is suitable for developing skills in sports in which attempts are made by players of opposing teams to maneuver a ball, puck or other object into a goal of the opposing team includes a target support frame, a device attachment assembly carried by the target support frame for attaching the device to the goal, a device anchor assembly carried by the target support frame for anchoring the device in the ground or other surface and at least one target carried by the target support frame between the device attachment assembly and the device anchor assembly. |
| US08052542B1 |
Golf ball retriever
A ball retriever for use on golf balls by being selectively positioned on the head of a golf club iron. The ball retriever defines an open cup having contoured side walls with a cutaway area where for visibility during use. A powerful magnet is secured within the base of the cup providing magnetic attraction and selective positioning and removal attachment on to any ferrous metal club head face. |
| US08052540B2 |
Putting trainer
A putting trainer has a long strip mounted to the head along a length of the putter head. The long strip has a pair of ends, namely a close end toward the player and a far end away from a player. The putting trainer has a ball path having a pair of columns of sensors, namely a column of right sensors and a column of left sensors. The pair of columns of sensors detect the motion of the long strip over the pair of columns of sensors. An audio output from a speaker provides feedback to the player. A golf trainer also includes a golf putter having a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, a hosel connected to the shaft and a putter head connected to the hosel. |
| US08052536B2 |
Boot for universal joint
To prevent inverting of a mountain portion of a bellows member when a rotating shaft is angularly displaced, the boot includes a bellows member with large and small diameter mounting members. A first mountain portion nearest the large diameter mounting member rises from the large diameter mounting member. A length (L1) between a top of the first mountain portion and a bottom at the large diameter mounting member side is not more than a length (L2) between the inner peripheral position of the bottom and an end portion of an outer ring at the rotating shaft side. A first valley portion adjacent to the first mountain portion is positioned at the rotating shaft side from the end part. |
| US08052533B2 |
Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium
A game machine which can improve an interest of selection of an action type of a player character is provided. A line output controlling unit (82) sequentially outputs a plurality of line strings corresponding to line identification information selected by a line selection unit (76) in a given order and at a given timing. A player character action type selection receiving unit (84) receives selection of an action type of a player character in at least a period after the line output controlling unit (82) outputs. A parameter value updating unit (80) changes, according to a combination of a selected action type of the player character and an action type of the enemy character corresponding to the selected line identification information, a parameter value indicating a state of an enemy character by an amount based on a time of selection of the action type of the player character. |
| US08052530B2 |
Network game system, game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium
To provide a network game system for switching a server-client machine without deteriorating the excitement of a game. A network game system (10) causes each of a plurality of game machines (12) to operate as a client and at least one of the plurality of game machines (12) to also operate as a server, thereby providing a game to be played by the players of the plurality of game machines (12). A game play evaluation value calculation unit (40) calculates a play evaluation value corresponding to each of the plurality of game machines (12) during a game. In the case where a predetermined switching determination time arrives during the game, a server switching unit (52) switches the game machine (12) operating as the server from the game machine (12) currently operating as the server to another game machine (12) of the plurality of game machines (12), based on the evaluation value calculated by the play evaluation value calculation unit (40). |
| US08052528B2 |
Game program and game device
A game device regularly transmits communication status information to communication partners thereof, the communication status information indicating whether or not communication between the game device and each of the communication partners is possible. If, when the game device receives from each of the communication partners the communication status information about said each of the communication partners, the communication status information about any of the communication partners indicates a particular game device as being unable to perform communication, the game device updates the communication status information about the game device such that the communication status information about the game device indicates the particular game device as being unable to perform communication. When the communication status information about all of the communication partners indicate a particular game device as being unable to perform communication, the game device ceases communicating with the game device. |
| US08052524B2 |
Gaming system having a plurality of gaming machines linked by network and control method thereof
A gaming system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of gaming machines; and a control device including a memory device and a processor; wherein the memory device is capable of storing a plurality of types of winning-machine determination programs for determining the gaming machine to which payout of a game medium is conducted, out of the plurality of gaming machines, the winning-machine determination programs respectively determining the gaming machine by methods different from each other, and the processor is programmed to execute processing of determining the gaming machine to which the payout of the game medium is conducted, by executing the winning-machine determination program of the type specified based on the counted number of the gaming machines joining the game and paying out a predetermined number of game media to the determined gaming machine. |
| US08052517B2 |
Method for implementing play at gaming machine networks using player rating
A method for customizing play of a gaming device to a particular player level or group, where the gaming device is connected by a network to a host computer, includes creating a player account accessible by the host computer. The player account is associated with a player and has stored therein one of a plurality of player levels. The player is allowed to play on the gaming device and the gaming device is operated responsive to the player level. That is, the step of operating the gaming device includes adjusting a bonus triggering threshold and/or quantitative amount awarded based on the player level. In this way, high rated players such as those that gamble frequently and in high amounts, have gaming and bonusing events and award amounts tailored to their style of play and preferences to encourage continued play. |
| US08052511B2 |
Game system capable of evaluating the correlation of user operation on a game machine with displayed operational information and user operation on another game machine
In a game played by a plurality of game machines through teamwork, an evaluation is performed according to the correlation among operation information obtained through communications with each of the game machines. A plurality of game machines communicate with one another to establish timing synchronization. After the game, input timings at which buttons are operated during the game are collected and then evaluated so as to determine an absolute and relative timing coincidence in a predetermined period (unison part). A predetermined number of points are added to its game score based on the evaluation. |
| US08052510B2 |
Horse race gaming machine
In a horse race gaming machine 1, when a regular denomination process of S201 is executed, a regular BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “1”, is displayed on a sub monitor 113 of a station 101. In the meantime, when a high denomination process of S208 is executed, a high BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “2”, is displayed instead of the regular BET image, on the sub monitor 113 of the station 101. For executing the high denomination process of S208, for example, a player has to insert an IC card 119 into a reader/writer 118 (S203: YES), and further, the player has to touch a high button in the regular BET image of the sub monitor 113 (S207: YES). |
| US08052509B2 |
Horse race gaming machine
In a horse race gaming machine 1, a performance point is calculated on each of the player's racehorses, based on the results of respective racing games (S501). The number of wins, the number of races, a winning percentage, best time, etc. by the racehorses are taken into consideration when calculating the performance point. If the performance point satisfies a predetermined condition (S505: YES), a part or all of a jackpot prize amount is awarded to the player (S506). However, a side bet must be made for this racing game in order that a part or all of the jackpot prize amount is awarded to the player (S502: YES). Incidentally, to have a player's racehorse run in this racing game, there may be a case that the player is required to pay an entry point given to the player in accordance with BET amount specified by the player. |
| US08052505B2 |
Wafer processing method for processing wafer having bumps formed thereon
A wafer processing method for processing a wafer (20) having bumps (B) formed on a front surface (21) comprises the steps of: holding on a table (51), a bump region-conforming member (40) that has an outer shape conforming only to a bump region (25) where said bumps are formed in the wafer; forming a resin layer (29) by applying resin around the bump region-conforming member up to a thickness equal to or greater than that of the bump region-conforming member; grinding the bump region-conforming member along with the resin layer to a predetermined thickness; removing the bump region-conforming member from the table to form a concave part (45) in the resin layer; applying a film (11) on the front surface of the wafer; and disposing the wafer in the concave part of the resin layer and holding the wafer on the table so that a back surface (22) of said wafer faces upward. After that, the back surface of the wafer can also be ground. As a result, a change in the size of the bumps can be easily accommodated without creating clearance. |
| US08052501B1 |
Water toy device
A water toy device utilizing elongated body having first and second surfaces and first and second ends. A pair of wings extend from the elongated body and are bendable to determine the path of travel of the device in a body of water. An elongated fin projects from the first surface from the elongated body to stabilize the movement of the device. |
| US08052496B2 |
Full color organic electroluminescent device and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to a full color organic electroluminescent device and a method for fabricating the same and provides a full color organic electroluminescent device. The invention reduces misalignment errors caused by fine patterning of the emitting layer by reducing the steps of the fine patterning process. In particular, the blue emitting layer functions as a hole inhibition layer which results in superior color purity and improved stability for the color organic electroluminescent device. The use of such a blue emitting layer also reduces the manufacturing steps. The device comprises a substrate; a first electrode pattern formed on the substrate; a red emitting layer formed by patterning a red emitting material on a red pixel region of the first electrode pattern and a green emitting layer formed by patterning a green emitting material on a green pixel region of the first electrode pattern. A blue emitting layer is applied over the entire substrate, over the upper parts of the red and green emitting layers and a second electrode is formed on an upper part of the blue emitting layer. |
| US08052495B2 |
Method for producing spark plug by projection welding and spark plug thereof
A spark plug (100) including a center electrode (130) and a ground electrode (140), which is formed by joining a ground electrode chip (143) to a ground electrode base material (141) via an intermediate member (142). A method for producing the spark plug (100) includes providing a projecting portion (142p) on the intermediate member (142), and projection-welding the intermediate member (142) to the ground electrode base material (141) by means of the projecting portion (142p), to thereby join the intermediate member 142 to the ground electrode base material (141). Further, the intermediate member (142) of the spark plug (100) includes a cylindrical columnar portion (142e) which is joined to the ground electrode chip (143), and a flange portion (142d) which is joined to the ground electrode base material (141) and which flange portion (142d) has a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical columnar portion (142e). |
| US08052492B2 |
Multi-level electrical terminal crimp
A cable assembly includes a terminal crimped to a conductor. The terminal has a plurality of crimps spaced from one another and a transition crimp disposed therebetween. A method includes deforming the terminal about the conductor to define the plurality of crimps having different crimp heights, and deforming the terminal about the conductor to define the transition crimp between each of the plurality of crimps. The transition crimp has a crimp height different than each of the plurality of crimps. |
| US08052489B2 |
Connector
A connector is provided with a pair of female and male housings (10, 40) connectable with each other. The female housing (10) includes a block-shaped housing main body (11) and the male housing (40) includes a receptacle (42) having an inner surface shape conforming to outer surfaces of the housing main body (11). Corners on the outer surface of the housing main body diagonal to each other are bevels (14, 15) with different shapes. The bevels (14, 15) include moderately inclined portions (14) located at the opposite ends of the upper surface of the housing main body (11) and inclined at a relatively large angle with respect to a height direction and steeply inclined portions (15) located at the opposite ends of the lower surface of the housing main body (11) and inclined at a relatively small angle with respect to the height direction. |
| US08052486B2 |
Electrical power outlet device and module thereof
The present invention relates to an electrical power outlet device and a module thereof. The electrical power outlet device includes an electrical power outlet section and a main body section. The electrical power outlet section has an electrical power outlet unit with a plurality of sockets, and an electric plug is inserted into the sockets and is remained firmly in an electrical power outlet. The main body section is connected with the electrical power outlet section and has a circuit device and an output unit, wherein the circuit device is connected with the corresponding plurality of sockets of the electrical power outlet unit to receive a power signal and converts the power signal to produce a converted signal, and the output unit is connected to the circuit device to send out a converted signal. |
| US08052475B2 |
Memory card socket
A memory card socket is disclosed. The memory card socket has a body for receiving a memory card, many pins to electrically connect to the memory card, two elastic members for holding the memory card, and a blocking member for restraining one of the two elastic members. In accordance with the format of the memory card, the blocking member can restrain or release the elastic member for holding the memory card. |
| US08052469B2 |
Electrical connector with a metallic shell with a mating opening divided into two different interfaces
Provided is an electrical connector including an insulative housing having a main body and a pair of tongue plates perpendicular extending from said main body along a mating direction. Said tongue plates are parallel to each other and each defines a plurality of terminal grooves thereon. A plurality of terminals are received in the terminal grooves. A metallic shell is retained on the main body of the insulative housing and encloses said pair of tongue plates thereby defining a mating opening therein. The mating opening defines a first and a second different interfaces in communication with each other. At least a partition portion protrudes toward the mating opening from said main body and defines a bottom surface to act as a top wall of the second interface. |
| US08052468B2 |
Audio plug with cosmetic hard shell
Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials. |
| US08052466B2 |
Outer conductor terminal
An outer conductor terminal by which productivity of the outer conductor terminal having crimping portions provided with reticulated knurling grooves on the inner surfaces can be improved. An outer conductor terminal of a shielded connector is provided with a pair of shielded conductor crimping portions to be crimped onto a shielded conductor which is exposed by stripping a sheath at an end of a shielded cable. The shielded conductor crimping portions are crimped such that the shielded conductor crimping portion overlaps the shielded conductor crimping portion. Reticulated knurling grooves are formed on the inner surfaces of the shielded conductor crimping portions, but they are not formed on an overlapping portion of the inner surface of the shielded conductor crimping portion which is placed on the shielded conductor crimping portion. |
| US08052463B2 |
Harness-routing protector
An object is to provide a harness-routing protector with a simple configuration that can be readily fabricated at low cost and can be readily attached to a harness so that the harness, which has a difficulty in maintaining a bent shape, can be readily routed without interfering with other components within a limited space. In a harness-routing protector (30) that routes a harness (10) while maintaining it in a predetermined bent shape so as to prevent it from interfering with other components, a cross-sectionally U-shaped semicylindrical body (34) has a predetermined bent shape and includes an inner guide surface (31) and an outer guide surface (32) that are separated from each other by a gap in which the harness (10) is fittable and a side surface (33) that joins one edge of the inner guide surface (31) and one edge of the outer guide surface (32) to each other, and both end surfaces and the other side surface thereof are open. |
| US08052461B2 |
Bayonet type electronic connector
A bayonet type electronic connector (1) comprises metal contacts arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the connector (1). Metal contacts all are U-shaped bayonets (2). The U-shaped bayonet's terminal forms a right angle. The adjacent U-shaped bayonets (2) on each surface are staggered fore and aft in two rows. Enough functional space is arranged between the two rows. |
| US08052459B2 |
Dual directional connector
A connector is provided that permits locking between a pin and a housing a canted coil spring yet permit separation by allowing turning of the canted coil spring so that the canted coil spring can compress along the minor axis. In one example, the connector incorporates two grooves on the pin to allow the rotation. In another example, the connector incorporates two grooves in the bore of the housing to allow the rotation. The connector may be used in a number of applications or industries, such as for aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries, to name a few. |
| US08052458B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a base and contact towers extending forward from the base. The base has an outer perimeter defined between a front and a rear of the base, and the base has a latch extending forward from the base generally parallel to and spaced apart from the towers such that a gap is defined between a bottom of the latch and a top of the towers. Flanges extend upward from the top of the towers and at least partially block the gap. Contacts are held by the housing, where the contacts extend into the contact towers for mating with mating contacts of a mating connector. |
| US08052455B1 |
Mounting apparatus for flash drive
A mounting apparatus is used to fix a flash drive mounted on a circuit board with a connector. The mounting apparatus is mounted on the circuit board and receives the flash drive and connector therein. The mounting apparatus includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other. An elastic piece and a resilient portion extend toward each other respectively from the first and second sidewall, to resist against opposite sides of the flash drive in response to the flash drive engaging with the connector. |
| US08052451B2 |
Load plate of land grid array socket connector and method of manufacturing the same
A socket connector (1), used for receiving a CPU (central processing unit), includes an insulative housing (40), a plurality of electrical contacts received insulative housing, a metallic reinforcing plate (20) receiving the insulative housing, a load plate (10) pivotally mounted to the reinforcing plate, and a lever (30) pivotally rotatable to lock with the reinforcing plate and to position the load plate in a closed position relative to the insulative housing. The load plate is produced by the steps of providing a piece of metal sheet; drawing the metal sheet to have a rectangular base portion (A1) with side walls (106) extending upwardly therefrom wherein the side walls integrally interconnects to each other without a slit; hammering a center portion (B1) of the base portion in such a manner that a thickness of the center portion is thinner than that of the rest portions (101) therearound; and excavating the center portion to be a cutout (11). |
| US08052450B2 |
Card edge connector with improved retainer
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing, a plurality of contacts retained to the housing, and a retainer located at one end of the housing along an elongated direction of the housing. The housing has a pair of side walls and a central slot between the side walls. The retainer has a resilient retention arm and a rigid stop arm diverging from the retention arm along a transverse direction perpendicular to the elongated direction. The retention arm has a locking section extending along the elongated direction to lock a daughter board and an operating section obliquely extending from the locking section along a third direction different from both elongated direction and transverse direction. The stop arm has an abutting section behind the operating section along a fourth direction perpendicular to the operating section to limit a deflection of the operating section. |
| US08052449B2 |
Card edge connector with floating pad thereon
A card edge connector includes an insulative housing defining a central slot expanding along a transverse direction with a plurality of contacts disposed therein. A pair of side arms are disposed at opposite ends thereof and extending along a mating direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. A key is disposed in the central slot adjacent to one of the side arms. A pair of floating pads, each is floatably assembly onto a holding section formed adjacent to the corresponding side arm. And a pair of metal plates, each respectively attached to the corresponding side arm and forming a blocking portion projecting toward the floating pad for avoiding the floating pad releasing from the holding section. |
| US08052444B1 |
Latching release system for a connector assembly
In certain embodiments, a connection system includes a secondary latching release mechanism coupled to a lanyard release connector and a lanyard. The lanyard release connector has a primary latching release mechanism adapted to hold a complementary connector of a payload. The secondary latching release mechanism includes a mechanical forcing device that applies a force for actuating a primary latching release mechanism of the latching release connector when the mechanical forcing device is actuated by the lanyard such that the payload may be jettisoned from a vehicle. |
| US08052443B2 |
Connector mounting structure
A bracket (30) includes a mounting piece (33) loosely movably supporting a connector (10) in a direction parallel with a plane intersecting a Z axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector (10). The bracket (30) has restricting pieces (32) at opposite sides of the mounting piece (33). Locks (35) are formed at opposite sides of each restricting piece (32) and a projection (34) is formed on the outer surface of each restricting piece (32). The connector (10) includes a side wall (26A) at an inner side of each restricting piece (32), a deflecting piece (11B) for sandwiching the restricting piece (32) together with the side wall (26A). Auxiliary projections (20) are formed on the outer surface of each side wall (26A) and can contact the locks (35) from below. A restricting hole (11C) is formed in each deflecting piece (11B) for engaging the projection (34). |
| US08052440B2 |
Communication with a multi-contact pad having a USB application
Apparatus for making an electrical connection in a system requiring four electrical connections, including an electrical connection pad having an array of four types of electrically conductive contacts, all conductive contacts of a given type being electrically connected to all other conductive contacts of the same type; and an arrangement for providing electrical connections to conductive contacts on the pads, the arrangement having electrically conductive pins for making contact with the conductive contacts, wherein the types of electrically conductive contacts include two contacts for power and two separate contacts for signals. The pins may be arranged at corners of a first square and a second square, with the first square being rotated by forty-five degrees with respect to the second square, and a pin located at a common center of both squares. A method of operation of the apparatus, and various applications and configurations for its use. |
| US08052439B2 |
Electrical connector assembly having pick-up cap
A pick-up cap includes a main portion with a planar top surface and having a first end and a second end opposite to each other. At least two latches extend downwardly from the first and the second ends of the main portion, respectively. Each latch has a hook extending laterally from the latch, and the latch on the second end has a supporting portion extending downwardly and connecting with the hook for facilitative assembling and disassembling the pick-up cap from an insulative housing. |
| US08052433B2 |
Electrical connector having retention means arranged adjacent to passageway for holding fusible member thereto
An electrical connector used for connecting a circuit processing unit (CPU) with pins with a print circuit board (PCB) includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing and a plurality of fusible members mechanically fixed into the housing. The housing includes a plurality of passageways and receiving cavities communicating with each other. Each of the terminals received in the corresponding passageway has a soldering portion. Each fusible member mechanically fixed into the corresponding receiving cavity has a through hole for receiving the soldering portion of the terminal. A gap is formed between the soldering portion and the fusible member when the soldering portion received in the through hole. |
| US08052431B1 |
Electrical connector having improved insulative housing
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a base portion and a tongue potion extending forwardly from the base portion. The base portion has a mounting surface for being mounted to a printed circuit board upwardly, and a lower surface opposite to the mounting surface. The tongue portion has an upper side face, and a lower side face opposite to the upper side face. The mounting surface and the upper side face essentially are lied in a planar surface. A plurality of contacts are received the insulative housing and have contact portions exposed upon the upper side face of the tongue portion. |
| US08052423B2 |
Tunneling method for dental block grafting
The tunneling method for dental block grafting is surgical method for increasing the thickness of the soft tissue of the mouth prior to performing block grafting procedures for dental implants. The method includes cutting a pair of incisions in the mucosa. A tunnel is formed through the mucosa which extends between, and connects, the pair of incisions. The tunnel is then extended coronally to undermine tissue covering the recipient site. An acellular dermal matrix is then sutured to an exposed end of a dental implement pulled through the tunnel to position the acellular dermal matrix within the tunnel. The acellular dermal matrix is then positioned over the recipient site using a periosteal elevator, and the acellular dermal matrix is fixed coronally by suspension sutures. The pair of incisions are closed with interrupted sutures, and a block graft is fixed to the recipient site by a pair of titanium screws. |
| US08052418B2 |
Oil burning system
The present disclosure is directed to an oil burning system, capable of burning various waste oils with high efficiency burn, reduced emissions, and without producing sludge within the system. Generally, the system operates by pressurizing liquid fuel to a high pressure and delivering the fuel through a two-stage filtration system, pre-heating the fuel, dispensing the fuel through a nozzle and igniting the fuel. |
| US08052414B2 |
Mold structure used to produce discrete track medium, imprinting method, method for producing discrete track medium, and discrete track medium
To provide a mold structure used to produce a discrete track medium, including in a surface of the mold structure: a plurality of line pattern forming concave portions which are positioned so as to be adjacent and substantially parallel to each other; and a communicating concave portion which is positioned so as to intersect the line pattern forming concave portions and connects the line pattern forming concave portions. |
| US08052410B2 |
Plastic injection mold
A plastic injection mold for molding a plastic article includes an upper insert and a lower insert. The upper insert and the lower insert match with each other to define an annular mold cavity in between. An annular gate communicates with the mold cavity to allow molten plastic material to flow into the mold cavity to mold the article. An annular runner is connected with the annular gate for injecting molten plastic material to the annular gate. Molten plastic material will evenly flow into the mold cavity of the plastic injection mold through the annular gate to mold the plastic article, which prevents the plastic article from being disfigured, decreasing the number of defective products and improving the product quality. |
| US08052408B2 |
Two-way pre-stress system and bending device therefor
Disclosed is a two-way pre-stress system for applying pre-stress to a member of a structure by a pre-tendon method, the system comprising: a mold for forming the member, the mold having a concrete pouring space; a supporter installed outside the mold; at least one horizontal tendon installed in the mold in a horizontal direction; a horizontal tendon settling device installed at the supporter, for settling the horizontal tendon in the mold; at least one vertical tendon installed in the mold in a vertical direction; a vertical tendon settling device installed at the supporter, for settling the vertical tendons in the mold; and a bending device installed at the supporter and combined with at least one of the vertical tendon, for forming a bent portion in at least one vertical tendon in a deep portion of the member. |
| US08052404B2 |
High pressure pump having plunger
A high pressure pump draws fluid from a fluid inlet into a compression chamber through an inlet chamber. The high pressure pump has a fluid chamber that communicates with the fluid inlet via the inlet chamber. The high pressure pump includes a plunger and a cylinder. The plunger draws fluid from the inlet chamber into the compression chamber when the plunger moves in a drawing direction. The plunger is capable of pressurizing fluid in the compression chamber when the plunger moves in a pressurizing direction. The cylinder movably supports the plunger therein. When the plunger moves in the drawing direction, fluid in the inlet chamber is drawn into the compression chamber, so that fluid flows from the fluid chamber into the inlet chamber. |
| US08052403B1 |
Peristaltic pump
A peristaltic pump includes a support section and a rotor mounted for rotation on the support section. There are a pair of spaced apart cam elements attached to and extending from the rotor. A drive mechanism rotatably operates the rotor such that the cam elements are turned together with the rotor. There are first and second mounting sheaves connected to the support section. Each mounting sheave has a groove formed peripherally therein. An elongate, resilient tube conducts liquid therethrough. The tube includes leading and trailing tube segments and an intermediate tube segment formed longitudinally therebetween. The leading segment is retainably inserted in the groove of the first sheave and the trailing segment is retainably inserted in the groove of the second sheave to hold the intermediate segment of the tube for being operatively engaged by the cam elements as the rotor is operated. This causes liquid to be pumped peristaltically through the intermediate segment of the tube from the trailing segment to the leading segment. |
| US08052400B2 |
Air supply apparatus
An air supply apparatus (A) includes an air pump capable of supplying compressed air to an air chamber (a tire air chamber (Ra) of a wheel (B)) on the basis of rotation of the wheel (B); a change valve provided outside a pump chamber (Ro) of the air pump and adapted to restrict the supply of compressed air from the pump chamber (Ro) to the air chamber when the pressure of compressed air supplied from the pump chamber (Ro) to the air chamber reaches a first set value; and an adjustor capable of adjusting the first set value. |
| US08052392B1 |
Process for cooling a turbine blade trailing edge
A turbine airfoil with a trailing edge cooling circuit that includes a row of pressure side bleed channels connected to a metering and impingement cooling circuit that discharges a layer of film cooling air out through a row of exit slots that open onto a pressure side wall of the trailing edge to provide cooling for the trailing edge region of the airfoil. Formed within the trailing edge tip is a vortex flow chamber extending the length of the airfoil and connected to the bleed channels by a row of inlet holes to draw a portion of the film cooling air into the vortex chamber to provide cooling for the trailing edge tip and to prevent the film cooling layer from breaking off from the pressure side wall. The vortex chamber is connected to a row of exit holes offset from the inlet holes to form the vortex flow and to discharge the vortex flowing cooling air out the trailing edge in a direction parallel to the suction side wall. |
| US08052391B1 |
High temperature turbine rotor blade
A turbine rotor blade made from the spar and shell construction in which the shell is a thin wall shell made from a high temperature resistant material that is formed by a wire EDM process, and where the shell is secured to the spar using a retainer that is poured into retainer occupying spaces formed in the shell and the spar, and then hardened to form a rigid retainer to secure the shell to the spar. The spar and the shell both have grooves facing each other to form a retainer groove. A retaining material, such as a liquid or a powdered metal, is poured into the grooves and hardened to form a retainer to secure the shell to the spar. The retaining material also forms a seal on the top of the spar and between the spar and shell. |
| US08052390B1 |
Turbine airfoil with showerhead cooling
A turbine airfoil, such as a turbine blade, having a showerhead for cooling the leading edge region. A plurality of rows of exit film slots are arranged along the leading edge in the spanwise direction and staggered from each other. The exit slots are connected to narrow cooling air passages formed within the airfoil wall in which a plurality of rows of micro pin fins extend across the passage to form serpentine flow paths for the cooling air. Cooling air from a cooling air supply channel is metered into an impingement cavity to produce backside impingement cooling of the leading edge wall. The cooling air is diffused and then passed into the plurality of narrow cooling air passages to be metered again and serpentine flow through the narrow passages, and then diffused into the exit film slots. The cooling air is then ejected from the diffusion slots as a film layer of cooling air onto the leading edge airfoil surface. The narrows cooling air passages with the micro pin fins can also be arranged on the pressure side or the suction side walls of the airfoil to provide improved impingement and diffusion and film cooling for the airfoil surface. |
| US08052386B1 |
Mixed flow roof exhaust fan
A mixed flow fan wheel has a convex hub, an axially-spaced away concave annular shroud, and a plurality of angularly distributed blades extending between and interconnecting the hub and shroud, all which cooperatively define a plurality of inter-blade flow channels. Each has a pressure surface and spaced suction surface extending not only between spaced inlet and discharge edges but also, crosswise thereto, spaced hub-side and shroud-side edges. Each discharge edge is convex relative a center of geometry of the blade therefor. Each inter-blade flow channel originates in a generally rectangular shape between flanking inlet edges and terminates in another generally rectangular shape between flanking discharge edges, with a procession of gradations of generally rectangular shapes forming a progressive transition therebetween. Moreover, each inter-blade flow channel twists or corkscrews from inlet thereof to the discharge. |
| US08052383B2 |
Wind turbine, a method for controlling the temperature of fluid flowing in a first temperature control system of a wind turbine and use thereof
A wind turbine includes a first temperature control system including fluid transporting heat to or from one or more components of the wind turbine. The wind turbine further includes a mechanism for exchanging heat between the first temperature control system and at least one further temperature control system of the wind turbine, wherein a temperature controlled mechanism enables the heat exchange between the first temperature control system and the at least one further temperature control system. A method for controlling or regulating the temperature of fluid flowing in a first temperature control system of a wind turbine and a use hereof is also contemplated. |
| US08052382B2 |
Turbo machine and gas turbine
A gas turbine (1) includes a rotor (2) which has two rotor blade rows (5) with a plurality of rotor blades (6), and also a rotor heat shield (7), which is arranged between them, with a plurality of heat shield elements (12), and with a stator (3) which has a stator blade row (8), with a plurality of stator blades (9), which is arranged axially between the two adjacent rotor blade rows (5). The stator blades (9) have a stator sealing structure (10) radially on the inside. The heat shield elements (12) have a rotor sealing structure (13) radially on the outside which interacts with the stator sealing structure (10) for forming an axial seal (14). Furthermore, a blade radial seal (15) is formed between two adjacent rotor blades (6), and also a heat shield radial seal (16) is formed between two adjacent heat shield elements (12), and in each case separates a gas path (17) from the rotor (2). For increasing efficiency, the heat shield elements (12) and the rotor blades (6) are matched to each other so that the heat shield radial seal (16) merges without interruption into the blade radial seals (15) of the two axially adjacent rotor blades (6) in such a way that a continuous radial seal (21) is formed from the one rotor blade (6), via the heat shield element (12), to the other rotor blade (6). |
| US08052381B2 |
Turbomachine module provided with a device to improve radial clearances
The invention relates to a turbomachine module comprising a device to improve radial clearances, comprising an outer casing (22), an inner casing (21) and at least one shock absorbing ring (5) connecting the casings, the module also comprising an annular cavity (43) on the downstream side of the ring (5), with a passage (42) formed in it through which an airflow (4) is drawn off from the primary flow (Fp). According to the invention, the device to improve radial clearances comprises a thermal inertia control device for the shock absorbing ring mounted on the shock absorbing ring (5), downstream from it, this device comprising at least one coat of thermal insulation (8), and at least partly delimiting the annular cavity (43) on the downstream side of it (43). |
| US08052380B2 |
Thermally-activated clearance reduction for a steam turbine
A thermally-activated flow clearance reduction for a steam turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment a gap closure component is located about a rotary component and a stationary component of the steam turbine. A temperature differential activates the gap closure component to seal or reduce the radial clearance of the steam flow path between the rotary component and the stationary component. |
| US08052379B2 |
Fan assembly
A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position. |
| US08052377B2 |
Cowling arrangement
A gas turbine engine including a bypass duct defined by radially outer and inner walls, the radially inner wall defined by acoustic panels. The acoustic panels define the outer wall of a heated fire zone. In conventional engines an insulating blanket is attached to the panels, however, this is heavy and costly. Cooling film means are configured to pass bypass air through and over an internal surface of the panel. |
| US08052371B2 |
Bag supply apparatus
A bag supply apparatus for supplying bags onto a conveyer for transporting a bag bundle stacked such that an upper level bag is shifted forward, including a bag lifting device, which is provided with a pair of bag support members disposed facing one another on the left and right sides near the rear edge of a belt conveyor, and a rotation mechanism, which imparts translational motion of rotation in symmetric in a vertical plane with respect to the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor. The bag supporting portions of the bag support members contact the bag bundle from below to lift up the rear edge portion of the bag bundle and then separated from the bag bundle outwardly. While the bag supporting portions thus lifting the bag bundle, a new bag is fed into the space between the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor and the bag bundle. |
| US08052368B2 |
Catwalk for a drilling rig
A pipe handling catwalk comprising: a deck including an upper surface, a first end, an opposite end and a tubular support surface on the upper surface, the tubular support surface being elongate and extending between the first end and the opposite end; a deck guide including a wall extending up from the deck upper surface and drivable along tubular support surface of the deck; a ramp mounted on the deck adjacent its first end and positionable extending at an angle from the deck; a carrier connected to the ramp to remain on the ramp and being moveable such that an end thereof can be lifted away from the ramp to reduce the inclination of the carrier relative to the angle of the ramp, the carrier including an upper surface and a tubular retaining surface thereon extending along the carrier substantially in line with the tubular support surface of the deck; and a carrier guide including an upstanding tubular engaging surface extending up from the carrier upper surface and drivable along tubular retaining surface of the carrier. |
| US08052367B2 |
Angled sealing surface for container end panel
End panel (36) has its periphery (38) affixed to a flange portion (34) of container ring member (30) disposed in a planar position, and the flange portion (34) is then displaced from the plane for forming an angle (A) therewith. The method results in placing the interface between the end panel (36) and the flange portion (34) in sheer, rather than in peel, during retorting or unintentional impact loading. |
| US08052366B2 |
Attachment for fastener driven by powder charge setting tool
A connector of frangible material for mounting on the piercing end of a nail-like fastener, connects the fastener to a bracket or clamp. The bracket has a conical frustrum-shaped aperture. The connector has a conical frustrum-shaped leading end that fits into the conical frustrum-shaped aperture in the bracket. The trailing end of the connector grips the fastener. The connector locks to the bracket by passing its trailing end through the leading opening of the conical frustrum-shaped aperture and snugging the conical frustrum leading end of the connector into the conical frustrum-shaped aperture in the bracket. |
| US08052363B2 |
Self-tapping screw
A self-tapping screw having a boring part and a threaded shaft for fixing a panel-type object to a preferably metallic substructure is provided. The screw is configured in such a way that it produces a through hole in the panel type object, said hole accommodating the shaft with a degree of play and so that it produces a bore in the substructure into which the thread on the shaft cuts a counter-thread. The boring part includes a boring tip that is located eccentrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the screw. The tip centers the screw during the positioning operation in such a way that the boring part executes a circular displacement about the boring tip, which expands the through hole to the desired size, whereas the bore in the substructure is produced with the diameter of the boring part. The screw replaces self-tapping screws provided with boring flights and is preferably for use with a substructure consisting of thin sheet metal through which the boring flights of conventional screws can inadvertently penetrate. |
| US08052361B2 |
Drill bit for drilling holes in carboresin laminates
A drill bit having features rendering it particularly effective in cutting holes in carboresin laminates of the type used in the aircraft industry. A pair of diametrically opposite lands slope radially inward at the working end of the bit to a pair of cutting edges disposed at an obtuse angle to one another and forming an efficient cutting tip. Notches with sloping ramps adjacent the cutting edges efficiently convey cut material to adjacent flutes. The lands curve radially inward between their full diameter portion and their cutting tips and the junction of the curved portion and the constant diameter portion of the lands is machined to provide a more gradual transition. |
| US08052359B2 |
Countersink assembly
A countersink assembly including a countersink sleeve body with a distal cutting edge, a longitudinal bore to receive and secured to a drill bit, and a flute extending from the distal cutting edge. A depth stop collar having a longitudinal bore is disposed on and secured to the countersink sleeve body. In an example embodiment, the longitudinal bore of the depth stop collar includes at least one passage for chip egress. In addition or in the alternative, the flute includes a flat surface and a part cylindrical surface extending from the distal cutting edge along the length of the flute at an angle to the longitudinal bore of the countersink sleeve body so as to present a slight down-cut spiral. |
| US08052357B2 |
Device for removing by suction drill dust when drilling holes into walls
A device for removing drill dust when drilling a hole into a wall has a base member and at least one vacuum chamber provided in the base member. At least one suction site is provided. A connector is connected to the base member and adapted to connect a vacuum unit that removes by suction at the suction site the drill dust produced by drilling. The at least one suction site and the at least one vacuum chamber are spatially separated from one another. |
| US08052354B2 |
Method and device to prevent contamination of a transport device by freshly glued fibers
The invention relates to a method and a device (1) to prevent contamination on a wall inner side (53, 54, 55, 56, 67) of a transport device (10) for fibers (60) which are designated for the production of fiberboards and which after wetting with glue in a dry-gluing unit (2) are transported by the transport device to a further processing unit (13) by means of transport air. By returning dried material (50), which has been acquired during the course of further processing of the glued fibers and no longer has any cold-sticky glue, into the flow (7) of fibers (60), which still comprise cold-sticky glue, in the transport device, the said contamination is prevented in an effective and inexpensive manner. |
| US08052352B2 |
Mine support having a linearly moveable and/or pivoting end plate
A mine support yieldable prop includes a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in an end of the prop to move into and out of the prop end to move a bearing plate toward or away from a mine roof, and/or a bearing plate pivotally mounted to the end of the prop to level the prop with uneven mine roofs. |
| US08052351B2 |
Apparatus for connecting a connector pipe to a pipeline
A method is disclosed that comprises the steps of preassembling the connector pipe in a support; coupling a frame to the pipeline at or towards an end thereof such that the location of at least one part of the frame is known with reference to the throughbore and the end of the pipeline; engaging the support with a portion of the frame; substantially aligning the connector pipe with the end of the pipeline; and connecting the connector pipe to the end of the pipeline. A cutting tool is also disclosed that can be coupled to a portion of a guide means and used to cut the pipeline at a predetermined distance from the guide means such that the end of the pipeline is created. A remotely operable vehicle can be used to remotely actuate and control the connection of the pipe and the pipeline. |
| US08052345B2 |
Ball joint for a model vehicle
A ball joint for a model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a support member, at least a portion of the support member forming a spherically-shaped surface, a fastener for securing the support member to a suspension member, a housing containing at least a portion of the support member and having an opening for accessing at least a portion of the support member, a seal covering the housing opening, the seal having a self-healing port, the self-healing port of the seal having a first position allowing introduction of material through the seal and a second position substantially preventing the passage of debris into the housing, the seal being in the first position in response to a force applied normal to at least a portion of the surface of the self-healing port and the seal being in the second position in response to the substantial absence of a force applied normal to the surface of the self-healing port. |
| US08052338B2 |
On-board camera
An on-board camera is disposed, behind a neighboring member that is located above a steering column, on the steering column that can move forward at the time of a collision of a vehicle in which the on-board camera is installed. The on-board camera includes: a camera portion; and a support mechanism. The support mechanism supports the camera portion in such a manner that the camera portion can move in a direction away from the neighboring member when the neighboring member and the camera portion are brought into contact with each other because of a forward movement of the steering column at the time of the collision. |
| US08052336B2 |
Optical module
In an optical module including a module main body 10, an optical device housed in the module main body 10, and an optical fiber 21 having an end placed in the module main body 10 and optically coupled to the optical device, the end of the optical fiber 21 is held between a semi-cylindrical part 31d of a shield cover 31 that covers the module main body 10 and a semi-cylindrical part 32c of a presser plate 32. |
| US08052333B2 |
Reversible fiber optic connector
A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough. The cam further includes a first camming profile that actuates a field fiber clamp and a second camming profile that actuates a buffer clamp. The connector may further include alignment flats and features for preventing rotation and axial movement of various components. Because the cam is unexposed when mated, inadvertent de-activation is prevented. |
| US08052331B2 |
Bearing fixing device and bearing unit
A rolling bearing fixing device includes at least one bearing having mutually rotatable inner and outer rings, a housing having at least one fitting hole into which the bearing is fitted and a bolt insertion hole, a pair of fixing plates having at least one large-diameter hole and a bolt insertion hole; and a bolt inserted from one axial end into the bolt insertion hole of one fixing plate, the bolt insertion hole of the housing, and the bolt insertion hole of the other fixing plate, and connects the housing with the pair of fixing plates. Both axial end parts of the outer ring are held by the pair of fixing plates in the axial direction, the inner ring is positioned further inwardly of the large-diameter hole of the fixing plates in the radial direction and the inner ring is rotatable with respect to the fixing plates. |
| US08052330B2 |
Rolling apparatus
In order to omit jostling caused between the adjacent rolling elements, a clearance is formed therebetween in a load region. A transfer path has a region that allows the rolling elements to contact only one of the transfer grooves of the transfer path, or a region that has a friction force acting between one of the transfer grooves of the transfer path and the rolling elements being greater than the friction force acting between another one of the transfer grooves of the transfer path and the rolling elements. The one of the transfer grooves in the region has a cross sectional shape taken in a direction perpendicular to the direction, in which the rolling elements are transferred, which cross sectional shape allowing two point contact with the rolling elements; and the rolling apparatus further has a contact-angle changing path that has a contact angle with the rolling elements that is greater than the contact angle of the other portion of the transfer path. Thus, the orbital motion speed of the rolling elements is changed. |
| US08052325B2 |
X-ray fluoroscope table and X-ray fluoroscope system
An X-ray fluoroscope table and an X-ray fluoroscope system using this fluoroscope table with simple structure and easily ensuring an area where a person stands near the top board.An X-ray fluoroscope table (1) comprises a stand unit (10), a support arm unit (20), a support frame (30), a top board (40), an X-ray generator (60), a column unit (50), and an X-ray detector (FPD 70).The end of the column unit (50) on the support frame side (30) and the end on the X-ray generator (60) side are displaced from each other in the length direction of the support frame (30).With this constitution, the area where an operator (OP3) stands can be ensured near the column unit (50).An X-ray fluoroscope system is constituted of this fluoroscope table (1), a high-voltage generator for supplying electric power to the fluoroscope table (1), and a remote control console for integrally controlling them. |
| US08052324B2 |
Thin film ceramic thermocouples
A thin film ceramic thermocouple (10) having two ceramic thermocouple (12, 14) that are in contact with each other in at least on point to form a junction, and wherein each element was prepared in a different oxygen/nitrogen/argon plasma. Since each element is prepared under different plasma conditions, they have different electrical conductivity and different charge carrier concentration. The thin film thermocouple (10) can be transparent. A versatile ceramic sensor system having an RTD heat flux sensor can be combined with a thermocouple and a strain sensor to yield a multifunctional ceramic sensor array. The transparent ceramic temperature sensor that could ultimately be used for calibration of optical sensors. |
| US08052319B2 |
Diffusion plate and display apparatus having the same
Disclosed are a diffusion plate and a display apparatus having the same. The diffusion plate includes a base and a plurality of convex portions. The base includes a front surface and a rear surface. Each convex portion has a crescent of an ellipse formed on a front surface of the base while extending in one direction. The display apparatus includes a display panel, a light source, and the diffusion plate. |
| US08052318B2 |
Light guide member and keypad assembly using the same
Disclosed are a light guide member and a keypad assembly including the same. The light guide member includes a light guide plate for guiding light propagated inside, and at least one recess formed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of guidance of light coupled to the inside of the light guide plate so that light guided by the light guide plate is reflected to the light guide plate. The keypad assembly includes a keypad having at least one key button and an elastic sheet fixing the key button, a light guide member positioned beneath the keypad, the light guide member having a light guide plate for guiding light coupled to an inside and at least one recess for reflecting light guided by the light guide plate to the light guide plate, and a switch pad positioned beneath the light guide member so as to establish an electric contact when the key button is pressed. |
| US08052310B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes an outer assembly, a light emitting device, and a contact. The outer assembly extends between a base end and a light emitting end. The outer assembly includes a contact carrier sub-assembly that extends from the base end to an outer end disposed proximate to the light emitting end. The light emitting device is disposed proximate to the light emitting end of the outer assembly. The contact is held in the contact carrier sub-assembly and extends from the base end of the outer assembly to the outer end of the contact carrier subassembly. The contact is electrically coupled with the light emitting device to provide a continuous electrically conductive path from the base end of the outer assembly to the outer end of the contact carrier sub-assembly. The contact is configured to supply electric current to the light emitting device. |
| US08052309B2 |
Lighting system with reflector that moves in a periodic manner
The present invention concerns lighting systems and particularly active lighting systems which are capable of providing automated changing lighting effects. The lighting system comprises a light source (50), a deflector (10) positioned within the path of light emitted by the light source, and a reflector (20) wherein at least one of the reflector and defector is moveable relative to the other of the reflector and the defector. |
| US08052305B2 |
Sound-activated light source system
An exemplary sound-activated light source system includes a light source device and a sound-activated controlling device. The sound-activated controlling device includes an acoustoelectric transforming member and a controlling circuit. The acoustoelectric transforming member includes electroactive polymer artificial muscle for converting an acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The controlling circuit is electrically coupled to the acoustoelectric transforming member and the light source device, and is configured for controlling at least one of brightness and color of light emitting from the light source device based on the electrical signal received from the acoustoelectric transforming member. |
| US08052304B2 |
LED lamp assembly
An LED lamp assembly includes a fixing holder adapted for positioning the LED lamp assembly at a desired position and a plurality of LED lamp modules superposed one by one on the fixing holder and spaced from each other. The LED lamp modules gradually increase in dimension along a superposing direction of the LED lamp modules. Each of the LED lamp modules includes a heat sink and an LED module attached to the heat sink. The heat sinks of the LED lamp modules gradually increase in dimension along the superposing direction of the LED lamp modules. The LED lamp modules are connected by a rod between the heat sinks of adjacent ones of the LED lamp modules. |
| US08052303B2 |
Integrally formed single piece light emitting diode light wire and uses thereof
An integrally formed single piece light emitting diode (LED) light wire that provides a smooth, uniform lighting effect from all directions of the LED light wire. The integrally formed single piece LED light wire includes a support substrate, a conductive base formed on the support substrate, the conductive bus comprising a plurality of conductive bus elements, at least one conductive segment arranged between the plurality of conductive bus elements, the at least one conductive segment comprising at least one LED. The integrally formed single piece LED light wire may include built-in sensors/detectors and/or a plurality of LED modules with individually controlled LEDs via microprocessors. The integrally formed single piece LED light wire may also include an interlocking alignment system which permits the coupling of at least two LED light wires. Further, a plurality of the integrally formed single piece LED light wires may create a lighting panel. |
| US08052299B2 |
Light source module and light source module array having same
A light source module includes a base, a supporter, and a light source fixed by the supporter. The base includes a top surface, a first side surface connected with the top surface, a second side surface connected with the top surface, a protrusion projecting from the first side surface, and a recess defined in the second side surface. The protrusion is for inserting into a recess of another light source module. The recess is configured for coupling with a protrusion of still another light source module. The supporter is mounted on the top surface of the base. |
| US08052297B2 |
Multimode flashlight having light emitting diodes
A flashlight with light emitting diode (LED) sources that produce at least two different colors and at least two other activatable components. The colored LEDs and activatable components cycle on and off using two separate switches. One switch cycles preferably white LEDs on and off. Another switch preferably cycles between a non-white LEDs and two other activatable components and combinations thereof. The activatable components include strobes, sirens, GPS tracking, emergency calling, radio, weather notification, laser light, and light not visible to humans. |
| US08052296B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device having the same
A backlight assembly includes a receiving container, a light-generating unit and a reflective sheet. The receiving container includes a bottom plate and a sidewall. The sidewall extends upwardly from an edge portion of the bottom plate to form a receiving space. The light-generating unit includes a light-emitting substrate disposed in the receiving space, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a driving circuit. The light-emitting substrate includes a light-emitting region and a peripheral region. The LEDs are disposed in the light-emitting region. The driving circuit disposed in the peripheral region controls the LEDs. The reflective sheet includes a center portion and a cover portion. The center portion is disposed on the light-emitting region. The cover portion is disposed on the peripheral region to cover the driving circuit. |
| US08052294B2 |
Direct type back light unit for liquid crystal display device
A back light unit for a liquid crystal display device for improving uniformity of the light and dispensing with optical sheets. The back light unit includes a light source having a holographic pattern formed on a surface thereof opposite the display device which is to display a picture, and a reflective plate under the light source. |
| US08052286B2 |
System and method for utilizing a scanning beam to display an image
A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams. |
| US08052284B2 |
Projector with reduced size and higher contrast
A projector with reduced size and higher contrast includes a prism assembly, a light system, and a Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD). Only In the “ON” state of DMD, the light from the light system reflects to a projection screen through the prism assembly and the DMD. The prism assembly includes two prisms and a medium layer. The prism assembly is appropriately designed so as to disable the light in the “OFF” state from reflecting to the projection screen by two-time total internal reflection in the prism assembly, and also to reduce the size of the projector. |
| US08052277B2 |
Inkjet image forming apparatus having array type print head
An inkjet image forming apparatus having an array type print head to stably deliver a printing medium through a printing zone. The inkjet image forming apparatus includes an array type print head including a nozzle part to discharge ink to a printing zone, a first rolling unit having a first nip portion to nip the printing medium, wherein the first nip portion is disposed before the printing zone to deliver the printing medium to the printing zone, and a second rolling unit having a second nip portion to nip the printing medium, wherein the second nip portion is disposed downstream of the first rolling unit in a delivery direction of the printing medium. A distance between the first nip portion and the second nip portion is less than or equal to 3 inches. |
| US08052276B2 |
Image forming apparatus and belt conveying device
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming member and a belt conveying device. The image forming member is configured to form an image on a sheet. The belt conveying device is configured to convey the sheet. The belt conveying device includes first and second rollers, a conveying belt, a platen guide, a support, and an adjuster. The conveying belt has an endless belt-like shape and is looped over at least the first and second rollers. The platen guide is provided between the first and second rollers in a sheet conveyance direction and is configured to guide the conveying belt in a manner that the conveying belt forms a flat plane surface. The support is configured to support at least one end of the second roller in an axial direction of the second roller. The adjuster is configured to adjust a position of the support. |
| US08052275B2 |
Printer incorporating a printhead and removable cartridge at a common end
A printer includes a body defining an internal cartridge docking space. A static pagewidth printhead extends across an end of the body and is configured to print upon print media. A removable printer cartridge stores a stack of print media and defines an ink supply reservoir. The printer cartridge is configured to be removed from and inserted into the docking space at the end of the body so that the printhead can be engaged in fluid communication with the ink supply reservoir. A feed mechanism is configured to feed print media from the stack and in line with the printhead during printing. |
| US08052270B2 |
Ink-jet ink and ink-jet recording method
An ink-jet ink including water, a pigment dispersion, a water-soluble polymerizing or cross-linking substance having an ethylenic unsaturated group, and a water-soluble photo-initiator, wherein the pigment dispersion is anionic, and the photo-initiator is anionic and a cleaving-type photo-initiator having an anionic group pendanted on a mother nucleus selected from a benzylketal type mother nucleus, a benzoine type mother nucleus, an a-hydroxyacetophenone type mother nucleus, and an oxime ester type mother nucleus. |
| US08052266B2 |
Liquid detection device, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method of detecting liquid
A liquid detection device that drives a liquid detecting portion includes a driving portion, a signal detecting portion, a high-pass filter portion, a first switch, and a control portion. The driving portion supplies a driving signal or a preliminary charging voltage to the liquid detecting portion. The signal detecting portion receives a detection signal from the liquid detecting portion. The high-pass filter portion has a capacitor portion and is arranged between the liquid detecting portion and the signal detecting portion. The first switch is arranged between the liquid detecting portion and the high-pass filter portion, and electrically connects or interrupts a line between the liquid detecting portion and the high-pass filter portion. The control portion controls the driving portion and the first switch to execute detection of liquid. |
| US08052265B2 |
System and method for verifying position of an object before identifying the object
A solid ink stick loader verifies position and orientation of an ink stick prior to an ink stick identification operation. The solid ink stick loader includes an identification code detector located proximate an ink stick insertion area, the identification code detector being oriented to obtain an identification code positioned on the ink stick in a predetermined location, a first displaceable member located proximate the ink stick insertion area, the first displaceable member being movable between a first position and a second position, a second displaceable member located proximate the ink stick insertion area, the second displaceable member being movable between a third position and a fourth position, and a sensor coupled to at least one of the first displaceable member and the second displaceable member to generate a verification signal in response to the ink stick being in a position and orientation in the ink stick insertion area that enables the identification code detector to obtain the identification code from the ink stick, the sensor being coupled to the identification code detector to provide the verification signal to the identification code detector and enable the identification code detector to obtain the identification code from the ink stick. |
| US08052263B2 |
Printing device fluid reservoir with alignment features
Various embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir with alignment features and various embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir chassis with alignment features are disclosed. According to some aspects of these embodiments, the alignment features are grouped together near an ultimate connection point between a fluid reservoir and a chassis to increase design freedom on other regions of the fluid reservoir/chassis. Other aspects of these embodiments include specially designed and located alignment features of a fluid reservoir that engage specially designed and located alignment features of a chassis in sequence throughout the process of inserting the fluid reservoir into the chassis in order to facilitate simple and effective engagement. |
| US08052261B2 |
Ink cartridge determination systems and ink cartridges
An ink cartridge determination system includes a cartridge mounting portion, an optical sensor positioned at the cartridge mounting portion, at least one ink cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and a determiner. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The optical sensor is configured to selectively output a first signal and a second signal based on an intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element. The at least one ink cartridge includes a first light altering portion, a second light altering portion, and a light passing portion, which are configured to sequentially intersect a optical path of the optical sensor when the at least one ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to determine a type of the at least one ink cartridge based on a time profile of a signal outputted from the optical sensor. |
| US08052256B2 |
Liquid discharge device
A liquid discharge device may be provided with a transferring device, a discharge head, a tank, a liquid replenishment device, and a member. The transferring device transfers a recording medium along a feeding path. The discharge head is capable of moving along a movement path. The movement path is disposed above the feeding path. The discharge head comprises a nozzle for discharging liquid toward the recording medium transferred by the transferring device. The tank is capable of moving along the movement path with the discharge head. The tank comprises a liquid inlet hole and a liquid outlet hole. The tank is capable of storing liquid replenished from the liquid inlet hole. The liquid within the tank is to be supplied to the discharge head via the liquid outlet hole. The liquid replenishment device is capable of being connected to and disconnected from the tank. The liquid is supplied to the tank when the liquid replenishment device is in a connected state with the tank. The member is disposed between the feeding path and the movement path along a vertical direction. The member is configured to receive liquid falling from the liquid inlet hole of the tank. |
| US08052252B2 |
Droplet deposition apparatus
A component for a printhead is created by forming a PZT wafer forming a region of SU8 photoresist material on one side of the PZT wafer; sawing in a second side of said planar body, opposite said first side, actuator channels to a depth sufficient to expose an area of the photoresist material; forming a nozzle through the layer of photo-resist material in the exposed area such that then nozzle is in communication with the actuator channels. The region of photoresist material may be used to form a nozzle plate using photolithography. |
| US08052228B2 |
Movable axle guard for a compactor wheel
A compactor wheel is mountable on an axle of a compaction machine. The compactor wheel may comprise a hub mountable to an axle of a compaction machine; a rim mounted to the hub, the rim having a face; a plurality of compaction cleats mounted to the face of the rim; an axle guard movable relative to the rim during rotation of the compactor wheel; and structure for coupling the axle guard to at least one of the hub and the rim. |
| US08052227B2 |
Brake apparatus for vehicle
A brake apparatus for a vehicle has a master cylinder (11) having a front pressure chamber (R1) and a rear pressure chamber (R2) defined by a drive piston (13) in a cylinder (12). The brake apparatus also has a pressure control valve (44) which can output a control pressure obtained by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from an accumulator (42) to the rear pressure chamber (R2) and wheel cylinders (21RR and 21RL) by coupling wheel cylinders (21FR and 21FL) to the front pressure chamber (R1) and moving a drive valve (56) by an electromagnetic force based on a target control pressure, and which can output a control pressure obtained by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from the accumulator (42) by moving the drive valve (56) by an external piston (58) that is moved by an external pressure from the front pressure chamber (R1), to the rear pressure chamber (R2) and wheel cylinders (21RR and 21RL). |
| US08052226B2 |
Electronic control brake system having simulation function
Disclosed is an electronic control brake system capable of ensuing pedal force upon regenerative braking or brake-by-wire control. The electronic control brake system having a simulation function includes a master cylinder for forming oil pressure corresponding to displacement of a brake pedal, an oil tank for providing oil to the master cylinder, a cut-off valve installed on a hydraulic supply pipe that connects an inlet of the master cylinder with an inlet valve of a hydraulic brake, an oil return pipe for connecting an outlet valve of the hydraulic brake with an inlet of the oil tank, and a simulation valve installed on a differential adjusting pipe, which connects the hydraulic supply pipe with the oil return pipe, to generate pedal force. |
| US08052220B2 |
Seat belt tongue
A seat belt system for use in a vehicle, which includes a seat belt webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle, wherein the webbing includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the webbing is attached to a retractor for either retracting the webbing or permitting withdrawal of the webbing, and wherein the second end of the webbing is connected to an anchor; a tongue mechanism connected to the webbing and positioned to separate the webbing into a lap portion and a shoulder portion; and a buckle mechanism configured to detachably couple with the tongue mechanism. The tongue mechanism is configured so that the tongue mechanism is slideably coupled to the webbing when the tension in the webbing is less than a cinching load, and when the tension in the webbing is equal to or greater than the cinching load the tongue mechanism applies a cinching force on the webbing to prevent the webbing from changing position relative to the tongue mechanism. The tongue mechanism is further configured so that when the tension in the webbing is less than the cinching load there is no cinching force applied to the webbing. |
| US08052215B2 |
Seat reclining apparatus for vehicle
A seat reclining apparatus includes first and second angle adjusting mechanisms, a connecting shaft being eccentric to a center of a rotating shaft of the first and second angle adjusting mechanisms, a first actuating mechanism including a first transmitting device, a second actuating mechanism including a second transmitting device, an electric drive source supplying a drive force to the first actuating mechanism, the connecting shaft transmitting the drive force from the first actuating mechanism to the second actuating mechanism, a first housing accommodating the first actuating mechanism and a second housing accommodating the second actuating mechanism. |
| US08052203B2 |
Side panel for a vehicle
The invention relates to a modular, replaceable side panel (1) for a vehicle, in particular for an omnibus. The side panel comprises in this case a pivotable cover plate (10) which is connected to a vehicle chassis (3) by an upper fastening and a lower fastening (2, 18). In this case a frame of the CO-BOLT® system is suitable, in particular, as a vehicle chassis (3). The upper fastening (2) comprises in this case a joint (7), in particular a film hinge (7). A securing device of the joint (7) is also present and the lower fastening (18) comprises a releasable locking device, the cover plate (10) being held in a closed position by the upper fastening and the lower fastening. The securing device comprises a lever (13) attached to the cover plate (10) with a spring clip (16) articulated thereto, the lever (13) and clip (16) together forming a toggle joint. A spring catch (17) is also present such that the toggle joint, with the cover plate (10) pivoted at a predetermined angle, is located behind a dead center position and at the same time the spring clip (16) is engaged in the spring catch (17) so that the cover plate (10) is secured at a predetermined angle. |
| US08052201B2 |
Floor structure of cabin
Provided is a floor structure 11 disposed on a chassis frame and equipped with a bed 23 behind a driver's seat 21. The floor structure includes a floor panel 12 and a reinforcement member 13. The floor panel 12 includes: a front-side floor portion 16 that extends rearwards from a bottom portion of a front edge of a cabin 3 and includes a seat-attachment portion 22 supporting the seat 21 from below; a rising portion 17 that is bent at the rear edge of the front-side floor portion 16 and extends upwards; and a rear-side floor portion 18 that is bent at the upper edge of the rising portion 17 and extends rearwards, and that includes a bed-attachment portion 24 on which the bed 23 is mountable. The reinforcement member 13 is opposed to the bottom surface of the rear-side floor portion 18, and is joined to the bottom surface of the rear-side floor portion 18 and at least any one of the bottom surface of the front-side floor portion 16 and the rear surface of the rising portion 17 so that the reinforcement member 13 can define and form a structure having a closed cross-section together with the rear-side floor portion 18. |
| US08052189B2 |
Trim ring having reinforced snap posts
A snap post for use in conjunction with a snap lid to attach a trim ring to an opening of a headliner of an automotive vehicle is provided. The snap post includes an elongated leg extending outwardly from the trim ring. The elongated leg has a barb for engaging with the snap lid disposed on a distal end thereof. A support structure provides the elongated leg with sufficient reinforcement to withstand the stress imposed during the installation of the headliner, yet provides sufficient flexibility for the quick and easy attachment of the trim ring to the opening of the headliner. |
| US08052184B2 |
Crashbox and damping arrangement with crashbox
A base-plate-less crashbox is provided for absorbing impact energy, which is suitable for insertion into a corresponding support frame, in particular, a motor vehicle support frame, and has a deformable profile. The base-plate-less crashbox includes, but is not limited to at least one first chamber and a second chamber formed adjacent thereto which are each surrounded by a wall of the profile. One of the chambers is formed such as to be shorter in the direction of insertion so that the other chamber has a protruding portion which is adapted to be inserted into the corresponding support frame in order to realize a coupling between the crashbox and the support frame. The protruding portion has at least one first connecting means for connecting the protruding portion to the support frame. |
| US08052183B2 |
Bumper structure for an automatic moving device
The present invention provides a bumper structure for an automatic moving device which directs the moving device to change directions when bumping into an obstacle. The bumper structure of the present invention comprises a base, an elastic housing and a conductive terminal. A plurality of conductive sheets is formed over the base, wherein the conductive sheets are coupled to the control circuit of a moving device via the base. The elastic housing is formed over the base, with a protruding actuator section formed within the elastic housing, and the actuator section is parallel to the conductive sheets. The conductive terminal is formed at the bottom of the actuator section but is not in contact with the conductive sheets. The elastic housing may provide buffer when bumping into an obstacle, and the force generated by the impact presses the actuator section downwards, allowing conductive terminal of the actuator section to couple with the plurality of conductive sheets, thereby connects the plurality of conductive sheets and sends a signal to the control circuit of the moving device, directing the moving device to change directions. |
| US08052182B1 |
Handle and housing assembly with skirted seal
A handle and housing assembly has a graspable handle turnable about a principal axis relative to a housing, structure extending from the handle along the principal axis through an opening defined by the housing, and a seal that turns with the handle and defines a thin annular skirt of resilient material extending about the principal axis and pressed substantially flatly into engagement with an annular portion of the housing extending substantially concentrically about the opening. In some embodiments, the structure includes a shaft that extends from the handle through a spacer that is encircled by the skirted seal; in some embodiments, an O-ring is interposed between the handle and the spacer; and, in some embodiments, a rear part of the spacer extends into the housing opening to facilitate smooth turning of the handle and the spacer about the principal axis. |
| US08052179B2 |
Unlocking device for a control device
An unlocking device for a control device (10) includes an actuating magnet (12) in a coil base (14) and/or in housing elements of the actuating magnet. An actuating element (16) can be displaced along a first axis (20) and releases, in an actuation position, a swivel path (22) for a control unit (24) arranged to swivel about a second axis (26). The control unit (24) has a locking element (30) which, when unlocked by the actuating element (16) via the control element (24), releases the trajectory (32) for the control device (10) to be actuated. The unlocking device also has a swiveling lever (34) guided in a housing part (28) to swivel. The second axis (26) is parallel to the first axis (20). The swiveling lever (34), at its free end and when the actuating magnet (12) is not actuated, contacts the actuating element (16). The locking element (30) is disposed on the other end of the swiveling lever (34) and maintains the control device (10) in the locked position. |
| US08052177B2 |
Pipe coupling
A pipe coupling (1) comprising a tubular body (2) having at least one open end (3,4,5), a stop component (14) disposed within the tubular body distal to the open end to stop a pipe when it is inserted a predetermined distance into the tubular body. A sealing component (15) is intermediate the stop and the open end and a pipe engaging component (17) is disposed intermediate the sealing component and the open end having a variable diameter to clamp and release an inserted pipe as a result of the diameter of the pipe engaging component reducing and increasing respectively. A pipe release component (21) is disposed intermediate the pipe engaging component and the open end, the pipe release component being movably mounted on the open end and having a pipe clamping position. |
| US08052173B2 |
Threaded connections with high and low friction coatings
A threaded metallic joint has the thread surface of pin (100) and box (200) covered with a coating comprising a first layer (24) laid on the overall surface of the pin member (100), and a second layer (25) laid on part of the surfaces of either one of the pin or box members. In a first aspect, the coating comprises a first layer with high friction and anti-seize properties laid on the overall surface of the pin member (100), and a second layer (25) with low friction properties laid on specific parts of the surfaces of either one of the pin or box members. Preferably the specific surfaces are those which are in reciprocal radial contact during make-up until pin and box reach the point where shoulders (9, 10) abut. The second layer may contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In a second aspect the first layer with a high friction and anti-seize properties laid on the overall surface of the box member (200). |
| US08052172B1 |
Glad hand locking device
A glad hand locking device featuring a mounting bracket mountable atop the glad hand mating plate of a base glad hand via bolts; a pivot arm pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, the pivot arm can pivot between an up position and a down position wherein the second end of the pivot arm is pushed downwardly past the mounting bracket, the pivot arm is biased in the up position caused by a tension spring extending from the first end of the pivot arm to the first end of the mounting bracket; and a latch disposed on the second end of the pivot arm, wherein when the mating glad hand is mated atop the base glad hand, the pivot arm can be pushed to the down position such that the latch can snugly engage the tab of the mating glad hand. |
| US08052170B2 |
Locking height adjuster for a seat belt
A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash. |
| US08052168B2 |
Multi-chambered side airbag
A multi-chambered airbag is sewn in a flat or 2-D state. The airbag includes a first fabric panel, a second fabric panel of a shape similar to the first fabric panel and coupled to at least a portion of a periphery of the first fabric panel, and a separator panel coupled to the first and second fabric panels. The separator panel forms two or more interior chambers in the airbag. The separator panel includes a venting mechanism to temporarily block the flow of inflation gases into one or more chambers in the airbag or to the outside. |
| US08052160B2 |
Vehicular suspension device
A suspension apparatus is disclosed for which vehicle handling stability can be obtained. An upper arm (14), a damper unit (16), and a stabilizer (17) are connected in this order to a knuckle (13) from outside of the vehicle body in a width direction of the vehicle body. The reaction force of the stabilizer is used as a moment in the camber direction, and causes interference in the camber direction. As a result, a camber change during a reverse phase stroke is increased over a camber change during a same-phase stroke, and turning performance of the vehicle is improved. |
| US08052159B2 |
Motorcycle side kickstand dolly
A motorcycle side kickstand dolly used with one or two conventional wheel dollies that allows a medium to large motorcycle to be mounted easily on the dollies and moved easily to any desired position on a horizontal surface. The motorcycle side kickstand dolly in accordance with the present invention comprises an H-frame support panel, a side kickstand brace and four wheels. The H-frame support panel comprises a low-slung panel and four protrusions. The low-slung panel has four corners. The protrusions are formed respectively on the corners and protrude up and out from the corners. The side kickstand brace is mounted on the low-slung panel between two adjacent protrusions and has an upper edge, a recess and a strengthening lip. The recess is formed downward from the upper edge. The strengthening lip is formed on and protrudes transversely from the upper edge. The wheels are mounted rotatably respectively under the protrusions. |
| US08052154B2 |
Metal laminate gasket
A metal laminate gasket for an engine fitting a cylinder liner into a cylinder block is formed by laminating multiple metal plates, and includes a first laminate portion clamped between the cylinder block and the head block; a second laminate portion clamped between the cylinder liner and the head block; a connecting portion formed between the first and second laminate portions and made thinner than the first and second laminate portions; and a damper bead formed in the connecting portion for allowing the second laminate portion to follow the movements of the cylinder liner. Thus, the metal laminate gasket for the engine with the cylinder liner can follow the intricate movements of the cylinder liner accompanied by a high-powered engine. |
| US08052152B2 |
Dynamic shaft seal and method of installation thereof
A shaft seal for forming a dynamic seal along an axially extending annular running surface and method of installation thereof is provided. The shaft seal has a mounting portion configured to be connected to a stationary housing and a seal lip having an annular sealing surface extending between an oil side end and an air side end of the seal lip. The sealing surface is configured to extend axially along a shaft running surface. An annular bridge portion connects the seal lip to the mounting portion. A plurality of webs extend generally radially between the bridge portion and the mounting portion to prevent the seal lip from being inadvertently unfolded during installation or while in use. An annulus can be used to install the shaft seal into a housing and about a shaft without the need for secondary operations. |
| US08052149B2 |
Interactive chocolate board game
The present invention relates to an interactive board game comprising a playing surface having a series of tabs, wherein each opened tab reveals clues or directions to the next tab to be opened. In one embodiment, the board game comprises individual cells containing a prize, such as a chocolate, located under each tab, which are accessible upon opening the tabs. |
| US08052148B1 |
Wheel indicator and progressive bonus means
A game system including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. In an exemplary embodiment, the progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive an award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel. |
| US08052147B2 |
Inserter system divert gate actuated by pre-fold accumulator drive shaft
An inserter system includes a pre-fold accumulator subsystem in which plural sheets are collected before folding and insertion into an envelope. A divert gate is at the upstream side of the pre-fold accumulator to selectively downwardly divert sheets fed in a reverse direction from the pre-fold accumulator. Positioning of the divert gate is controlled by a mechanism that couples the divert gate and a drive shaft that drives a sheet drive belt component of the pre-fold accumulator. |
| US08052145B2 |
Document handling apparatus
A document handling apparatus is disclosed which is particularly well adapted for counting documents of value, such as banknotes. The document handling apparatus comprises an input module for receiving a stack of documents and feeding them one by one into the apparatus, a detector box which houses a series of detectors for detecting characteristics of the documents, a transport system for conveying documents within the apparatus, a doubles detector for sensing the passage of each document therethrough and a stacker module for stacking the output documents and presenting them to the user. The apparatus is based on a metal framework in a plastics housing. |
| US08052143B2 |
Paper inverting device
When a sheet of paper is inverted and the direction is changed, members such as a roller do not come into contact with the printed surface of the sheet and it is possible to prevent smudges by eliminating an ink stain on a surface of the sheet. |
| US08052140B2 |
Adjustable feeder/delivery board for printing press
A feeder/delivery board (81) includes a generally planar platform (83) made of a flexible material, and a plurality of legs (84) attached to the platform and extending downwardly for supporting the board on a printing press table (80a). A jack mechanism (88) is mounted in at least one of the legs (84) for selectively raising an area of the platform (83) relative to a remainder of the platform. The jack mechanism (88) includes a rack (89), a pinion (90) engaging the rack and a key (91) or thumbwheel (71) for rotating said pinion. The board (81) can include one of the jack mechanisms (88) mounted in each of the legs (84). |
| US08052138B2 |
Paper tray of printer
A paper tray of printer is provided, which includes a paper tray body, a slide shaft, a first pick arm, a second pick arm and a paper width guide. The first pick arm is fixed on the slide shaft, and the second pick arm is slidely disposed on the slide shaft. The paper width guide is disposed on the paper tray body and is connected to the second pick arm through a linkage device to drive the second pick arm, so that a position of the second pick arm varies along with a position of the paper width guide. Accordingly, an interval between the first pick arm and the second pick arm can be varied along with a size of a paper, so as to avoid paper skew when the paper is fed. |
| US08052136B2 |
Sheet conveyance relay unit and image forming system using the same unit
A sheet conveyance relay unit, including: a convergence unit, including: a convergence section, in which a plurality of sheet receiving sections are respectively connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, to receive recording sheets, wherein the convergence section makes the recording sheets, conveyed from the plurality of the sheet receiving sections, to merge into a single sheet conveyance path; and a first common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets from the convergence section to a sheet feeding outlet, and a divergence unit, including: a second common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets, conveyed from the convergence unit; a plurality of sheet feed-out sections, which are combined to a plurality of post-finishing apparatuses; and a divergence section, which sorts the recording sheets, conveyed by the second common sheet-conveyance section, onto the plurality of the sheet feed-out sections. |
| US08052135B2 |
Book binding apparatus for perfect book binding
While a book block (P) is nipped between a pair of clamping plates (1a, 1b) and passes through processing units (B to D) in succession, perfect book bind processing is carried out. Two or more of the processing units (B to D) have pairs of members (2b, 2c; 3c, 3d; 4a, 4b) which engage or come into contact with both sides of a back surface of the book block A thickness of the book block is measured by a measuring unit (6) before the book binding processing is started. When a thickness of next book block is measured by a measuring unit during the book bind processing of a previous book block, a control section (7) stores a measured value of the thickness of the next book block in a memory (8). When the previous book block reaches a predetermined position on a conveying path, a gap between the pair of members of the processing unit located upstream of a position of the previous book block is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory. Thereafter, a gap between the pair of members of the processing unit located downstream of the predetermined position is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory when the previous book block passes through the processing unit. After the book bind processing of the previous book block is completed, a gap between the pair of clamping plates is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory. |
| US08052132B2 |
Method and arrangement for producing an adhesive-bound printed item composed of several printed products
An arrangement and method for producing an adhesive-bound, printed item composed of a number of printed products. A circulating conveyor includes a conveying track and a plurality of space-apart conveying units driven along the conveying track, wherein along a first conveying section of the circulating conveying printed products are gathered into loose book blocks in the conveying units which are positioned transverse to the conveying direction and in a reclined position that is inclined counter to the conveying direction. The circulating conveyor includes an additional conveying section to which the book blocks are supplied from the first conveying section for being conveyed to an adhesive binder. The additional conveying section is operative to accelerate the conveying units so that a divisional spacing between the book blocks is increased, and to pivot the conveying units so that the book blocks are moved to an upright position. |
| US08052129B2 |
Steel spring damper
A damper is shown for damping the movements of a spring. The spring is housed within the damper. The side walls of the damper have inverted T-shaped cutouts and hinge members resulting in flexure of the side walls when the spring is compressed or released. A steel band can be housed on the outside surface of the side walls providing biasing of the inside of the side walls against the outside of the spring thereby damping movement of the spring. |
| US08052128B2 |
Self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut
A self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut with internal leveling control, particularly for motor vehicles, has an outer tube having an oil-filled high-pressure work space in the work cylinder, which high-pressure work space is under pressure by at least one gas cushion which is arranged in a high-pressure chamber and acts as a spring, a second work space on the piston rod side, and a piston which is supported by a hollow piston rod and which is axially displaceable in the work cylinder in a sealed manner, a piston pump which is driven by the spring movement of the vehicle and pumps oil out of a low-pressure chamber into the work space connected to the high-pressure chamber and which comprises a pump rod and a pump cylinder which is formed by the hollow piston rod, and the high-pressure chamber can be connected to the atmosphere by a flow connection which is arranged in the piston rod guide and has a closing element. The piston rod is sealed in the piston rod guide by means of at least two seals which are arranged one behind the other axially. A flow connection extends from between two adjacent seals into the low-pressure chamber. The flow connection is acted upon by a check valve which passes damping medium only in direction of the low-pressure chamber. |
| US08052124B2 |
Elevator brake with composite brake hub
An elevator brake (20) rotor for use in an elevator machine (10) includes a non-metallic elevator brake hub (36) and a metal flange (34), both of which have an opening with a splined portion for guiding axial movement of the rotor along a rotable shaft (14). This arrangement reduces metal-to-metal contact between the rotor and shaft and reduces noise. |
| US08052122B2 |
Parallelogram lift for motor vehicles
Parallelogram lift for motor vehicles, comprising a pair of base longitudinal members (2), a pair of runways (12) and at least two pairs of arms (14, 14′) hinged to the longitudinal members (2) and to the runways (12) and associated with members (30) for varying the inclination of said arms (14, 143 to the longitudinal members (2) and to the runways (12), wherein each longitudinal member (2) comprises a fixed base (4, 6) anchored to the floor, and a counter-base (8) slidable axially relative to the fixed base and carrying the arms (14, 143) hinged thereto, and also comprises for each longitudinal member (2) an auxiliary arm (22) hinged at its lower end to a support (26) fixed to the floor in alignment with the longitudinal member and pivoted at its upper end to the central point (20) of the adjacent main arm (14), the length of the auxiliary arm (22) between its pivotal axes (24, 20) being equal to one half the length of the main arms (14, 14′). |
| US08052118B2 |
Passage control device
A passage intake control device includes a passage member, a valve disposed in the passage member and a shaft passing through a through hole of a valve shaft part of the valve. The valve shaft part includes a fitting hole portion as a part of the through hole. The fitting hole portion is provided by at least a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The shaft includes a fitting part having a polygonal shape including at least a first shaft surface a second shaft surface, a third shaft surface and a fourth shaft surface. The fitting part is fitted in the fitting hole portion such that the first to fourth shaft surfaces are opposed to the first to fourth walls of the fitting hole portion, respectively. The first and second walls have protruded ribs. The third and fourth walls include flat portions. |
| US08052116B2 |
Quiet fluid supply valve
A fluid power system includes a hydraulic machine. A pilot-controlled supply valve controls high-pressure fluid to the machine. The valve is coupled between the hydraulic machine and a high-pressure fluid source, and includes a control port for an actuation signal. The supply valve allows passage of fluid from the machine to the fluid source, but blocks passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while closed, or permits passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while open. The supply valve biases toward closed or open according to an actuation signal at the control port. A pressurization valve is also coupled between the hydraulic machine and the high-pressure fluid source. The pressurization valve blocks passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while in a first position, and allows a restricted passage of fluid between its input and output ports while in a second position, to allow pressure to equalize on either side of the supply valve before the supply valve opens. |
| US08052114B2 |
Ramp system
A ramp system may include a pallet configured to support a product, a ramp configured to secure the product to the pallet when the ramp is in a first position and to connect to the pallet when the ramp is in a second position and a bracket configured to be removeably connected to a top surface of the pallet. |
| US08052112B2 |
Fore-aft position adjuster utilizing active material actuation
A fore-aft positioning adjuster adapted for use with an object, such as a seat, includes a locking mechanism, and an actuator employing an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, and configured to selectively cause the mechanism to release, so that the object can be repositioned, as a result of the change. |
| US08052111B2 |
Seat track assembly
This invention relates to a vehicle seat track assembly. The assembly comprises a first track member having an upwardly facing bearing surface and a second track member for attachment to a vehicle seat, the second track member having a downwardly facing bearing surface. A cage is disposed between the first track member and the second track member. The cage carries a rolling element that is in rolling engagement with the upper and lower bearing surfaces to provide longitudinal movement of the first track member relative to the second track member. The cage is provided with at least one pad section for engaging at least one of the upwardly and downwardly facing bearing surfaces. In an unloaded state, the at least one pad section separates the upwardly and downwardly facing bearing surfaces from each other by a distance which is greater than the diameter of the rolling element. |
| US08052109B2 |
Cooling stand
A cooling stand includes a base and a top plate made of a crystal glass material. At least one support member is provided on an upper face of the base for supporting the top plate above the base. One face of the top plate facing away from the base is an inclined supporting face, and the top plate and the base together define a rearward expanded space between them. A heat-producing article can be positioned on the inclined supporting face of the top plate, allowing a user to operate the heat-producing article in a position meeting the ergonomics. Meanwhile, heat produced by the heat-producing article can be highly efficiently absorbed by and then dissipated from the crystal glass material of the top plate through air convection at the rearward expanded space. |
| US08052107B2 |
Satellite receiver
The present invention provides a satellite receiver comprising a base, a rotation stand, an adjusting mechanism, and a positioning device. The base has an axis aperture and a first slot. The rotation stand is rotatably attached to the base through the axis aperture. The adjusting mechanism has a connection end and an adjusting end. The connection end is coupled with the rotation stand and is movable together with the upper stand to generate displacement relative to the base. The positioning device is coupled with the adjusting end and passes through the first slot. When the upper stand rotates relatively to the base, the adjusting mechanism drives the positioning device to move along the first slot. The first slot limits the angular rotation of the rotation stand and the positioning device and selectively constrains the relative displacement between the connecting unit and the base. |
| US08052102B2 |
Foldable supporting stand with stoppers in two directions
A foldable supporting stand with stoppers in two directions includes a base, a support, a sliding body, a positioning means, a first swinging piece and a second swinging piece. The support is rotatably connected to the base. The sliding body is slidably provided on the support and is further connected to a screen. The first swinging piece and the second swinging piece are swingably connected to the positioning means. The positioning means is connected on the support. When the support is folded on the base, the first swinging piece and the second swinging piece are subjected to their gravitational forces to swing toward the sliding body and thus lock the sliding body. The locked sliding body is restricted from sliding on the support in two directions. |
| US08052100B2 |
Adjustable tilt solar panel support system
An adjustable tilt solar panel support system including a support post, a U-shaped pivot bracket attached to the support post in a generally upright orientation and having a pivot pin hole for accommodating a pivot pin, and further having at least one adjustment opening; a rotational support cradle having a pivot pin hole in alignment with the pivot pin hole of the pivot bracket, such that the support cradle is pivotally attached to the pivot bracket, the support cradle further including at least one adjustment opening which aligns with the adjustment opening of the pivot bracket. An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. |
| US08052099B2 |
Sway brace fitting
A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive. |
| US08052098B1 |
Cable, cord, hose, and rope holding device
The present invention is a device that can be used to hold cables, cords, hoses, ropes, and similar objects that are used during work on a roof top. The cable holding device is comprised of a body for holding the cables, a mounting bracket for mounting the invention to a roof, and an arm that serves to extend the body beyond the terminal edge of a roof. The body and the mounting bracket are respectively attached to the arm by any conventional means. The mounting bracket cooperates with the arm to extend the body a suitable distance beyond the terminal edge of a roof top, allowing cables held within the body to drape over the edge of a building without touching the terminal edge of the roof. |
| US08052095B2 |
Autodrag function for glide slope control
Systems and methods for providing supplemental drag to an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting changes in at least one throttle resolver angle (TRA). Deflections are determined for one or more flight control surfaces based on the changes in TRA, and accordingly, the one or more flight control surfaces are deflected automatically to generate supplemental drag. The one or more flight control surfaces include at least one at least one of an aileron, a spoiler, and an elevator. Additionally, in one instance, the deflections of the one or more flight control surfaces is implemented as a rated limited time lag function of the changes in TRA. |
| US08052092B2 |
Method and apparatus for satellite orbital change using space debris
An apparatus for orbital change of a satellite incorporates a capture mechanism for space debris and a tether connecting the capture mechanism to a satellite. The tether is extendable to position the capture mechanism relative to the space debris. A controller is employed for timed release of the space debris by the capture mechanism for orbital change by the satellite. |
| US08052088B2 |
Injection-molded window panel and related methods
A window panel adapted for installation relative to a structure. The panel includes a single piece of generally transparent injection-molded material configured to span one or more openings in the structure. The panel has panel attachment inserts for attaching the panel relative to the structure. The inserts are embedded in the material alongside at least one edge of the panel. The panel has a curvature that essentially continues a curvature of the structure surrounding the opening(s) when the panel is installed relative to the structure. This panel can be single-pane and can provide an essentially continuous window along an aircraft fuselage. |
| US08052086B2 |
Thrust reverser door
A thrust reverser door is provided, in one configuration, with a plurality of peripherally-disposed frames circumferentially spaced apart from one another and projecting radially inwardly on an interior side of the door to thereby provide a channel for redirecting thrust. |
| US08052083B1 |
Bird deflector and air replacement system technical field
A bird deflector and air replacement system for a jet engine, the bird deflector being conical or arcuate in shape as formed by suitable longitudinal and lateral interconnected bars, and the air replacement apparatus being one of a frustum or a selectively perforated tube or a modified cowl with cooperating external spaced-apart channels or openings formed therearound for directing additional air into the mainstream of the jet engine inlet. The system may be manufactured as an aftermarket add-on, or it may be manufactured as original cowl equipment for respective jet engine models. |
| US08052079B2 |
Coiler and method for manufacturing a coil
A swivel machine for wire processing includes a coiler arranged between a cutting-off/insulation-stripping unit and a second swivel arm. The cut length of wire whose leading wire-end has been processed is coiled by means of a coiling disk of the coiler. After the leading wire-end of the cut length of wire has been processed, it is grasped by the coiler. A belt drive then advances the wire by the desired length of the cut length of wire, and simultaneously the coiler coils the advancing wire into a coil. After the coiling operation, a linearly movable stacker unit grasps the coil, and the coiling disk releases the coil. After the trailing wire-end has been processed, the placement unit moves further in the wire advance direction to the deposit. While the trailing wire-end is being processed, and while traveling to the deposit, the coil is provided with a bind. |
| US08052078B2 |
Wire dispensing device
A wire dispensing device for containing a roll of wire having a free end. The device includes a plurality of enclosure walls connected to each other and forming an enclosure, where at least one of the walls is operable between an open position, thereby providing access to an internal area of the enclosure, and a closed position, thereby substantially enclosing the roll of wire positioned therein. At least one dispensing orifice extends through at least one surface of the enclosure and permits passage of the free end of the wire therethrough for use in dispensing the wire from the device. A method of dispensing wire from a roll of wire, and a method of manufacturing a dispensing device are also provided. |
| US08052075B2 |
Method for purification of semiconducting single wall nanotubes
A process of forming a semiconductive carbon nanotube structure includes imposing energy on a mixture that contains metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes under conditions to cause the metallic carbon nanotubes to be digested or to decompose so that they may be separated away from the semiconductive carbon nanotubes. |
| US08052061B2 |
Permanent RFID luggage tag with security features
An integral, one-piece, resiliently flexible, planar, reusable, programmable radio frequency identification (RFID) luggage tag has a planar flexible sheet core of at least first and second microporous polymer material strips fixedly and permanently joined together completely surrounding first and second RFID transponder assemblies operating at different frequencies. The tag further includes a programmable electronic flexible sheet display in a visibly accessible position on the tag. The tag is further includes a cell phone number and/or email address of an ultimate designated recipient/user of the tag and instructions to contact the recipient via the number or address. The number and/or address are printed on the tag in a 2D bar code format and/or encoded into a programmable memory portion of at least one of the RFID assemblies to be outputted when polled. |
| US08052056B2 |
Apparatus and method of entering an authorization code into a card terminal
An authorization code is entered into a card terminal reader from a security card. The authorization code is first entered into a card and stored in a secret memory location or stored into or onto the card with a alternate element. A characteristic physical state of an element on the card is temporarily changed from a first state to a second state. When the card is inserted into a card reader terminal within a pre-defined period of time, the authorization code is transmitted to the card reader terminal and the state is reset from the second state to the first state. |
| US08052051B1 |
Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transactions for authorized machine users responsive to user data read from data bearing records. The user data comprises card data and/or biometric data which corresponds to a financial account. A user fascia has openings for the card reader and the user display. The user fascia is removably mounted to a moveable support that is mounted to the machine housing, enabling the user fascia to be moved away from and toward the machine housing. The card reader is accessible by a machine servicer when the user fascia moved away from the machine housing. The machine also includes a duct assembly extending between housing vents and processor case vents. |
| US08052049B1 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read card data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser and the machine carries out transaction functions for consumers including dispensing cash. The automated banking machine may generate an operating system account password from separate portions of the password acquired from a portable storage device and a local data store. |
| US08052046B1 |
Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
A card actuated automated banking machine system and method accepts checks and dispenses cash to users. The banking machine is operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash is dispensed to the user from the banking machine in exchange for the deposited check. |
| US08052041B2 |
Method of operation of card activated automated banking machine
A system controlled by a data bearing record includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including identifying data and to authorize operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The automated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine. |
| US08052039B2 |
Insulated cup
An improved cup comprising a top portion and a base sleeve connected to the sidewall of the top portion. The base sleeve is at least partially formed of an insulating material. The base sleeve is formed of a one piece material that eliminates a seam at the bottom of the cup. |
| US08052037B2 |
Paper products for dunnage and packaging and method of making same
A paper product may be made as a crumpled paper strip provided with a layer of coadhesive on one side to adhere opposed portions of the strip together in a strong manner to form a dunnage material. The paper product may also be made as a packaging wrap of two-ply construction with the corrugations of a corrugated ply adhered to a flat ply via a coadhesive on both plies. The paper product may also be made as small discrete elements. The apparatus for making the packaging wrap employs a pair of rolls with interengaging projections to form corrugations in a sheet of material coated with a coadhesive and guides for adhering the corrugated sheet to a flat sheet of material. |
| US08052033B2 |
Friction stir welding method
A friction stir welding method includes providing a joining tool including a friction surface; providing a first workpiece and a second workpiece; arranging the first workpiece and second workpiece in position with a first joining surface abutting a second joining surface, a friction surface of a joining tool resisting at least one of the first treating surface and the second treating surface; positioning, rotating and moving the joining tool to rub and stir at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, thus plasticizing at least part of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to join the first workpiece and the second workpiece. |
| US08052032B2 |
Composite material and producing method thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a composite material that can prevent a powdered additive to be mixed from scattering and control a quantity of the additive dispersed in the composite material.A method for producing a composite material in which an additional material different from a base material is dispersed into a part of the base material comprises the steps of providing a wire rod formed by applying a metallic film to the additional material to be dispersed or by stuffing a metallic tube with the additional material to be dispersed, fixing the wire rod on a surface or into an inside of the base material, and applying stirring along the fixed wire rod with a tool for friction stirring to disperse the additional material into the part of the base material. |
| US08052030B2 |
Apparatus for friction stir welding using spindle-in-spindle
A spindle head for performing friction stir welding includes concentric spindle shafts driven by stacked, coaxial motors contained within a spindle housing. The coaxial arrangement of the motors results in a more compact package. Each of the motors is concentrically arranged around one of the spindles by directly connecting a rotor of the motor to a spindle shaft. The stators of the motors are mounted on the housing and are concentrically arranged around the concentric spindle shafts. |
| US08052029B1 |
Method of calibrating a friction stir spot welding system
A method of performing a plurality of friction stir spot welds with a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) system includes measuring a length of a pin of a weld tool of the FSSW system. The length is compared to a first limit to determine if the length is above or below the first limit. Debris is removed off of a tip of the pin when the length is determined to be above the first limit. The length is also compared to a second limit to determine if the length is above or below the second limit. At least one friction stir spot weld is performed on a workpiece when the length is determined to be less than the first limit and above the second limit. |
| US08052028B2 |
Device for use with a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) apparatus
A device for use with a welding apparatus, such as a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) apparatus, that maintains work pieces in a generally flat or flush orientation during a welding operation. The device can be mounted to the operable end of an FSSW apparatus so that it exerts a stabilizing force against an upper work piece. The stabilizing force exerted by the device prevents the upper work piece from deflecting when the rotating tool of the FSSW apparatus passes through the upper work piece and penetrates into the lower work piece. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a housing component that slidably receives a movable component under the force of a biasing component. |
| US08052027B2 |
Apparatus for forming a metallic container
An apparatus for attaching the lid and body portions of a metallic container includes a base to support the body, a support assembly to support a flange of the body, and a sonotrode for contacting a flange of the lid, wherein the flanges of the lid and body are held together between the support assembly and the sonotrode. A motor reciprocally rotates the sonotrode relative to the support assembly, thereby moving the flanges relative one another to generate frictional heat and create a friction weld therebetween. |
| US08052026B2 |
Ultrasonic horn
An ultrasonic horn used in, for instance, a wire bonding apparatus and formed with mounting flanges, including a slit and a cross-sectional shape varying portion; the slit being on the central axis in the horn's longitudinal direction and extending fore and aft relative to the center of the mounting flanges, the length of the slit(s) being equal to or greater than the width direction of a flange region that is between the opposing flanges, and at least a part of the cross-sectional shape varying portion being on the outer surface of the horn at a slit region in which the slit is formed. The stress center point in the cross-section of the ultrasonic horn at the flange region is positioned more to the inside than a straight line joining the stress center points in the cross-sections of the ultrasonic horn at the front and rear end portions of the slit. |
| US08052023B2 |
Light weight hand-operated stapler
A light weight hand-operated stapler which comprises a pressing cap, a plastic head, a metal drive plate, a base and a plastic magazine which is connected to the base via a hanger and connected to the plastic head via a pin, a metal guide head disposed at a front end of the plastic magazine and substantially covering the front wall of the plastic magazine, a first elastic mechanism for pushing the staples down the plastic magazine to reload the stapler, a second elastic member disposed between the pressing cap and the plastic head for pushing the pressing cap up to its original position after stapling, and a third elastic member disposed between the base and the plastic magazine for pushing the plastic magazine up to its original position after stapling. |
| US08052017B2 |
Pin moor
A moor or anchor (10) for pins (12), needles, or other sewing implements, comprising a moor or anchor having a first end and a second end, the first (14) and the second end (16) are connected by a central portion (30) which may be curved (18), whereby the moor or anchor (10) can be positioned on a surface (20) and receive a pin (12), needle, or other sewing implement to anchor apiece of fabric (19) to the surface. The surface (20) may be fabric, cloth, vinyl, plastic, or any other flexible material. The moor or anchor (10) may be configured in various shapes and include curved portions (18) and planar surfaces (26). A method for using the moor to secure and position pins and other sewing implements to surfaces such as fabric or other flexible material is also disclosed. |
| US08052015B2 |
Holder apparatus adapted for gripping and operating a sprayer
A holder apparatus includes a handhold formed on an end thereof for holding and a barrel section extending from another end thereof. A clamping section is formed from the front end of the barrel section opposite to the handhold and includes two jaw portions joined together, two limited grooves respectively formed in and extending along the two jaw portions, two inner rim portions respectively defined against the two limited grooves and two clamping edges respectively formed on the inner wall of the two jaw portions related to the two limited grooves. The clamping edges grip a neck of a sprayer and support the bottom of a rim of a sprayer. A trigger element is pivotally connected to the barrel section. A C-shaped spring is disposed in the two limited grooves and grips the inner rim portions related to the two clamping edges. |
| US08052013B2 |
Liquid crystal dispensing apparatus having integrated needle sheet
A liquid crystal dispensing apparatus includes a needle sheet formed as a unitary piece for dispensing liquid crystal material contained within a liquid crystal container through a nozzle by selectively contacting a needle. The needle sheet includes a needle contacting portion for contacting the needle and a coupling portion for coupling the liquid crystal container to the nozzle. Therefore liquid crystal material is prevented from remaining within the needle sheet and the needle sheet can be easily cleaned. |
| US08052011B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing bags
A device and method for dispensing a bag from a stack of bags, the device including a plate having a frame, a rotatable shaft coupled to the frame, at least one roller non-rotatably affixed to the shaft and arranged to engage a bag of the stack of bags, means for rotating the shaft, and means for automatically stopping rotation of the shaft after a single bag has been dispensed, wherein the stack of bags is held against one side of the plate, and the single bag is dispensed to an opposite side of the plate. |
| US08052010B2 |
Helical coil dispenser for vending machines and vending machine comprising such dispenser
The present invention relates to a helical coil dispenser (4) for vending machines, which dispenser comprises a frame (5), a plurality of helical coils (6) mounted on the frame (5) and a plurality of motors (15), each connected to a respective helical coil (6), to determine rotation of the helical coil (6) about a longitudinal axis (X) and moving forward of the goods (P) supported by the helical coil (6). The dispenser (4) further comprises adjusting means (18) interposed between each motor (15) and the frame (5), said adjusting means (18) enabling shifting of the motors (15) along a rear side (12) of the frame (5) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X) and locking of said motors (15) onto the frame (5), to allow installation of a different number of motors (15) and helical coils (6) and/or installation of helical coils (6) of different sizes. |
| US08052001B2 |
Case assembly structure of electronic device
The present invention relates to a case assembly structure. The case assembly structure includes a first case and a second case. The first case has a first connection portion including a first protrusion, a first trench and a second protrusion from an external side to an internal side thereof. The second case has a second connection portion including a third protrusion and a second trench from an external side to an internal side thereof. The first trench and the second protrusion of the first connection portion of the first case are corresponding to the third protrusion and the second trench of the second connection portion of the second case, and an inner wall of the first protrusion of the first connection portion of the first case is in contact with the external side of the second connection portion of the second case such that the first case and the second case are combined together. |
| US08051998B1 |
Product container with integral selective membrane
In embodiment, the present invention relates to a cap and container assembly comprising at least one selective gas permeable membrane, wherein the assembly is manufactured so that the membrane is an integral part of the assembly and wherein the membrane is composed of a material for controlling conditions of gas concentration in an internal portion of the assembly when the cap is closed. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a cap and container assembly comprising at least one selective gas permeable membrane that is integral with the assembly comprising: cutting the membrane to a pre-selected form, wherein the membrane is composed of a material for controlling conditions of gas concentration in an internal portion of the assembly when the cap is closed; placing the membrane into a mold by robotic means; and overmolding the assembly about the membrane to form an assembly wherein the membrane is an integral part of the assembly. |
| US08051997B2 |
Daily water bottle consumption system
A daily water bottle consumption system that includes a bottle with a threaded neck and a top opening. Attached to the neck is an intermediate cap with internal threads that selectively connect to the external threads on the bottle's neck. Formed on the intermediate cap is a threaded spout to which a removable lid is attached. The lid includes a cylindrical shaped lid body with a first recessed cavity in which a rotating turn dial is disposed. Disposed between the first recessed cavity and the turn dial is a snap ring that enables the turn dial to be manually turned and click into one of a plurality of coded positions. Formed on the turn dial is a handle which the user grasps and rotates to indicate the number of times the bottle has been filled with a desired liquid in a 24 hour period. |
| US08051992B2 |
Water transfer device employing a water buffer to increase water flux
A water transfer device can include first and second flow paths separated by a water transfer membrane and a hydrophilic diffusion medium. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is disposed between the water transfer membrane and the first flow path. Water content of a first fluid stream flowing through the first flow path is transferred through the diffusion medium and water transfer membrane and into a second fluid stream flowing through the second flow path. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is operable to absorb liquid water in the first fluid stream and hold the absorbed liquid water in contact with the water transfer membrane. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is also operable to diffuse water vapor in the first fluid stream and transport the water vapor to the water transfer membrane. The water transfer membrane transfers the water in contact therewith to the second fluid stream flowing through second flow path. |
| US08051991B2 |
Plasma separation membrane
A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fiber spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a center fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fiber spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 55 to 75 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 3 to 9 wt-% water the centre fluid contains 70 to 90 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 10 to 30 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 0 to 20 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 80 to 100 wt-% water. |
| US08051990B2 |
Oil canning of mesh screen for filter
A method of reducing if not eliminating the possibility of tearing or ripping of a mesh screen of a filter during the manufacturing process includes the step of intentionally deforming the mesh screen. With this technique, as the plastic material that forms the frame of the filter begins to expand or change shape, as a result of the heating and squeezing steps involved with the molding process, the deformed mesh screen will be able to accommodate the relative changes in shape without tearing or ripping of the mesh screen. With the invention, numerous shapes and configurations of tools may be used to provide the intentional deformation of the mesh screen during the manufacturing process as well as to provide for control over the amount and degree of mesh screen deformation. Also, the resulting filter will have a mesh screen that has improved retention capabilities which will enhance the performance of the filter. |
| US08051989B1 |
Support structure for a filter
A support structure of a filter element for supporting a filter material that is adapted to filter a fluid includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The first frame portion has a plurality of radially-extending fingers that are longitudinally spaced from one another. The first frame portion is disposed entirely on an unfiltered side of the filter material. A second frame portion has a pair of longitudinally-extending support surfaces that are disposed in a spaced, facing relationship with respect to one another. The second frame portion is disposed entirely on a filtered side of the filter material. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion and each of the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion support the filter material to define a first radial channel. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion space the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion apart from one another. |
| US08051985B2 |
Method of removing unburned carbon from coal ash
A method comprising; a step in which unburned carbon contained in coal ash is mechanically separated with a classifier; a step in which the coal ash from which part of the unburned carbon has been removed with the classifier is pulverized or disaggregated with a pulverizer; a step in which water is added to the coal ash pulverized or disaggregated with the pulverizer to obtain a slurry; a step in which a scavenger is added to the slurried coal ash; a step in which a shear force is applied to the slurry containing the scavenger to cause the scavenger to selectively adhere to the unburned carbon contained in the coal ash; a step in which a foaming agent is added to the slurry in which the scavenger has adhered to the unburned carbon; and a step in which the unburned carbon is floated on the slurry containing the foaming agent together with bubbles and is separated. |
| US08051980B2 |
Protective sleeve for portable electronic devices
The present invention relates to a protective sleeve for a portable electronic device includes a sleeve frame, a cover, two connecting members, and a locking member. The sleeve frame includes four connecting sidewalls cooperatively defining a space for receiving the portable electronic device. The cover is covering the space of the sleeve frame. The connecting members are configured for pivotally/rotably attaching an end of the cover to the frame. The locking member is configured for latching and releasing, and thereby opening and closing the cover to the frame at another end of the cover. The protective sleeve for portable electronic device is convenient for use, and can fully protect the portable electronic device. |
| US08051979B2 |
Innovative packaging for consumer product
A package for containing an oral sensorial product includes a packet having a shaped front sheet having a raised inner portion and a resealable back sheet. The raised inner portion has at least one recess adapted to receive a product. The resealable back sheet peels away from the shaped front sheet without damaging either the shaped front sheet or the back sheet. |
| US08051976B2 |
Track frame assembly in conveyor system
A track frame assembly is provided having a frame member formed from an elongated channel, a pair of track rail members each fixed in place on a predetermined surface of the frame member, and a plurality of rail fixtures with which the pair of track rail members can removably be fixed to the frame member. Each of the track rail members includes a retaining projection having a retaining recess, the retaining recesses of the track rail members are opposite each other and each chain element of the conveyor chain has a pair of engaging projections which are formed to slide in contact in the respective retaining recesses in the track rail members so that the conveyor chain can be move smoothly. Thus, the track frame assembly can be formed from a reduced number of parts and designed lightweight because of its structural simplicity. |
| US08051975B2 |
Workpiece transfer apparatus and electronic component transfer apparatus
A workpiece conveying apparatus for conveying a workpiece disposed in a through hole in a conveying table allows the workpiece to be reliably dismounted from the through hole using compressed gas, suppresses the workpiece from unintentionally jumping out because of residual pressure of the compressed air, and increases the conveying efficiency. In an electronic-component conveying apparatus, a conveying table is arranged to face a conveying surface of a conveying stage, with an electronic component disposed in a through hole in the conveying table. When the conveying table is rotated, the electronic component is conveyed. The conveying surface has an exhaust hole at a position where the electronic component is to be dismounted. The total area of the opening of the exhaust hole in the conveying table is larger than the area of the surface of the electronic component facing the conveying surface of the conveying stage. |
| US08051974B2 |
Linear vibratory conveyor
Linear vibratory conveyor including a utility weight and a counterweight that can be vibratingly moved in opposing directions via a drive unit, the utility weight and the counterweight being connected via a non-rigid connector that represents or includes a vibration amplifying means for the vibration produced by the drive unit. |
| US08051973B2 |
Device for transferring an object from a printing machine chuck to a support and distancing pin
A device for transferring objects from a printing machine chuck to a support and distancing pin, the chuck and the pin being moved on two independent paths, at a point of which paths they are parallel to one another and at a predetermined reciprocal distance, the device comprising a carriage which is mobile in a parallel direction to the chuck and to the pin, between a distant position from the chuck and the pin to a close position to the chuck and the pin, means for gripping and releasing the objects being provided on the carriage, which means for gripping and releasing are mobile along a trajectory in a perpendicular plane to the carriage in order to be placed alternatively in front of the chuck and the pin, the trajectory including at least a tract in which it is parallel to the path of the pins. |
| US08051968B2 |
Clutch unit including a wet clutch
A clutch unit for use in the drive train of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission including at least one transmission input shaft. The clutch unit includes at least one wet clutch device that is provided with a plurality of clutch elements, in particular clutch discs, that are at least partially wetted by a coolant such as oil. The coolant carries away frictional heat that is generated by slippage between adjacent clutch discs during certain vehicle operating conditions. The heat absorbed by the clutch coolant is cooled by heat transfer from the coolant to a cooler that surrounds the clutch unit. |
| US08051967B2 |
Step-by-step mechanism, in particular for a seat adjustment
The seat adjustment mechanism has a housing with an outer ring and an inner ring. The rings are arranged concentrically. Clamping bodies interact with double clamping ramps on the rings and are arranged in an annular space between the rings. Spring supports pivot in relation to each other, interact with a stop on the housing, are arranged concentrically with the rings, and engage in each case both in the annular space and in an inner space arranged radially within the inner ring. The spring supports are braced in relation to each other by a spring, which is arranged in the inner space to secure the clamping bodies in the center of the double clamping ramps. Stop surfaces of the spring supports are acted upon by a force in the direction in which they are minimally spaced apart. |
| US08051962B2 |
Steering damper
A steering damper comprises two oil chambers (R1, R2) delimited in a housing (1, 7) by a partitioning member (2, 8), and a damping valve (2a, 2b) which imposes a drag on a flow of working oil between the two oil chambers (R1, R2). By further comprising an oil passage (5) connecting the two oil chambers (R1, R2), a pair of check valves (5a, 5b) which prevents oil flow from each of the two oil chambers (R1, R2) into the oil passage (5), and a bypass passage (6) connected to the oil passage (5) between the pair of check valves (5a, 5b) and having an opening that opens onto the interior of the housing (1) in the vicinity of the neutral position of the movable partitioning member (2, 8), the steering damper enables the movable partitioning member (2, 8) to return quickly towards the neutral position. |
| US08051957B2 |
Ball screw for a motor vehicle brake and a motor vehicle brake
The invention relates to a ball screw for a motor vehicle brake, in particular for an electromechanically actuable motor vehicle brake, comprising a rotatable spindle, a nut that is axially movable relative to the spindle in accordance with the rotation thereof and rolling body arrangement that is disposed between, and displaceable relative to, the spindle and the nut. In this ball screw it is provided that the rolling body arrangement is preloaded into a predetermined normal position by means of at least one spring element. The invention further relates to a vehicle brake having such a ball screw. |
| US08051955B2 |
Elevator alert for fluid overflow into elevator pit
The elevator alert includes an elevator pit can (10) and a float switch (240) disposed therein. The float switch (240) produces an alarm-activating signal when the pit can (10) is nearly full and overflow of oil into the pit is imminent. An alarm control unit (200) takes alarm-activating signals from one or more float switch-equipped pit cans (10) to operate a relay (405a, 405b) to drive various kinds of alarms and/or elevator controls. A loudspeaker (210) on the pit can (10) emits an audible alarm when the float switch (240) is closed. Optionally, a remote alarm (300) is provided, the remote alarm (300) being activated when the remote alarm float switch (250) is closed. Users of the elevator, such as passenger or building occupants, would hear the audible alarm and call maintenance to thereby prevent an oil spill. The device can be retrofit to existing elevator pit cans. |
| US08051952B2 |
Deoiling device and turbomachine comprising this device
The invention relates to a deoiling device. It comprises a tube (46), a first bearing (16) and a second bearing (18), the first and second bearings being placed in an oil chamber (20) in which an oil fog is maintained by rotation of the bearings. A deoiler (30) is provided in one wall of the oil chamber. The deoiler centrifuges oil in suspension in air and allows a deoiled air flow to pass inside the tube. The tube (46) comprises a closing cap (48) fitted with one or several outlet orifices (50) in its upper part designed to evacuate air, and an oil drain orifice (52) in its lower part. |
| US08051951B2 |
Retractable access platform
An apparatus for providing access to vehicles and containers on a pair of railways or thoroughfares. The apparatus is comprised of a raised walkway between the pair of thoroughfares having a tracking platform movable thereon. Pivotally attached to and carried by the tracking platform is a turret. Carried on the turret and hinged thereto is a bridge that is rotatable in a vertical plane. At the end of the bridge is a cage pivotally attached to the bridge so that the cage remains horizontal when the bridge is rotated vertically on the turret. The bridge and cage are dimensioned so that, when the turret is rotated such that the bridge is directed between and parallel to the thoroughfares and the bridge and cage are raised, the apparatus is entirely out of the clearance envelopes of the thoroughfares. |
| US08051945B2 |
Electric power steering system, controller, and method of operation
An electric power steering system for a vehicle includes a motor for providing assistance in turning the wheels of the vehicle. The motor is electrically connected to a controller. The controller includes a power device, such as a power transistor, electrically connected to the motor to variably provide electric power to the motor as needed. The controller also includes a gate drive device electrically connected to the power device for regulating operation the power device. A shutdown mechanism is electrically connected between the gate drive device and a power input. In the event of a fault, the shutdown mechanism isolates electrical power from the gate drive device. This prevents the power device from providing electric power to the power steering motor. |
| US08051944B2 |
Steering apparatus
In a steering apparatus, a differential lock mechanism has a lock holder in which a plurality of groove portions are formed on an outer periphery thereof, and selectively allows and prohibits to generate a difference of steering amount in the rotational direction between an input shaft and an output shaft by selectively engaging and disengaging an engaging portion with respect to the groove portions. A rotation sensor detects the position in the rotational direction of the lock holder during one rotation of the lock holder and repeatedly detects the same sensor pattern being output a plurality of times. A variable transfer ratio unit ECU detects which groove portion, from among the plurality of groove portions, the engaging portion is engaged with using the sensor pattern output by the rotation sensor when a side portion of one of the groove portions is pressing against a side portion of the engaging portion. |
| US08051942B2 |
Steering system
The present invention improves response characteristics in turning traveling of a vehicle while traveling stability at the time of turning is kept. The present invention provides a system in which toe angles of left and right rear wheels are controlled based on a steering angular velocity, not a steering angle of a steering. In a steering system in which toe angles of left and right rear wheels are controlled independently, a steering angular velocity is calculated from a steering angle, and toe angle changers are controlled to tilt the toe angle of the right rear wheel to the left when the steering angular velocity is on the left side, and is controlled to tilt the toe angle of the left rear wheel to the left when the steering angular velocity is on the right side. |
| US08051937B2 |
Thermal assistance for bicycle
A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission so that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratio, wherein the assistance device comprises a torque limiter (6; 106; 206), placed on the kinematics of the reducing gear of the heat engine between said heat engine and the mechanical coupling. |
| US08051933B2 |
Sliding apparatus of cooling module for vehicles
A sliding apparatus of a cooling module for a vehicle, constructed so that the cooling module slides in a rearward direction of the vehicle when a front impact force acts on the cooling module mounted to a front end module, may include a slide slot formed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a bushing unit slidably coupled to the slide slot, and a rotary arm supporting at a first end portion thereof a back portion of the bushing unit wherein the rotary arm supports the bushing unit in a forward direction of the vehicle while the bushing unit moves along the slide slot in the rearward direction of the vehicle by the front impact force when the front impact force exceeding a coupling force applied to a second end portion of the rotary arm is transmitted from the bushing unit to the rotary arm. |
| US08051930B1 |
Vehicle for positioning transportable and relocatable heavy equipment
A vehicle for positioning a transportable and relocatable equipment having at least four walking assemblies attached to a frame, each walking assembly having a walking pad, a roller tread, a lift assembly connected to a central collar, a rotatable motion gear assembly disposed around the lift assembly, a motor for actuating the rotatable motion gear assembly, a pivoting collar disposed around the rod operated by a controlling means with a processor, a push pull traveling system for receiving fluid and extending a specified distance causing movement of the vehicle in a first direction, and enabling the walking assemblies to raise, reorient, lower, and travel in a second direction. |
| US08051928B2 |
Downhole assembly and cutter assembly
This invention relates to a downhole assembly and to a cutter assembly, and in particular to a downhole assembly including an apparatus for breaking up large-scale material which is present behind a drill bit, and to a cutter assembly for use in such a downhole assembly. The downhole assembly is suitably for use in a drillstring, the downhole assembly comprising a drill bit, a sensitive component, and at least one rotatable set of cutter blades located between the drill bit and the sensitive component. |
| US08051926B2 |
Control device
The present invention relates to a control device for an impulse-generating device for inducing a shock wave in a tool, in which said impulse-generating device comprises an impact element for transmitting said shock wave to said tool, a counter pressure chamber acting against the impact element and a device for reducing a pressure in the counter-pressure chamber. The control device comprises control means for regulating the reduction of the pressure in said computer-pressure chamber. The invention also relates to an impulse-generating device. |
| US08051923B2 |
Rotary drill bits with gage pads having improved steerability and reduced wear
A rotary drill bit having blades with gage pads disposed on exterior portions thereof to improve steerability of the rotary drill bit during formation of a directional wellbore without sacrifice of lateral stability. One or more of the gage pads may include radially tapered exterior portions and/or cut out portions to assist with reducing wear of the associated gage pad. For some applications, a rotary drill bit may be formed having blades with gage pads having a relatively uniform exterior surface. Hard facing material and/or buttons may be disposed on exterior portions of the gage pad to form a radially tapered portion to improve steerability, reduce wear of the gage pad and/or improve ability of the rotary drill to form a wellbore having a generally uniform inside diameter, particularly during directional drilling of the wellbore. |
| US08051918B2 |
Method and apparatus for weed removal
A method and apparatus for weed removal, wherein using a depilatory method (new use) with an extension spring having an arcuate axis and being driven in a rotational sliding motion relative to the soil-bearing weed to be removed. For this purpose the apparatus is equipped with a spring (10), having an arcuate axis that is bent at 180 degrees and the spring is made in the shape of a spring of variable rate, so that the spring has a large diameter in its middle zone and conically reduced cylindrical ends of smaller diameter. |
| US08051915B2 |
Field convertible valve and sprinkler system
A fire suppression sprinkler system convertible between a wet and a dry mode of operation is disclosed. The system features a field convertible valve having a bypass loop with a bypass valve for selectively configuring the valve for wet or dry mode operation. For dry mode operation, the bypass valve is open. The field convertible valve also has a system actuator, a gas control valve and a water supply shut-off valve which are open in the dry mode. In the wet mode of operation, the bypass valve is open and the gas control and water supply shut-off valves are closed. The field convertible valve operates in a latch mode controlled by the system actuator in the dry mode, and as a flapper valve in the wet mode of operation. A method of converting the mode of operation of the sprinkler system is also disclosed. |
| US08051913B2 |
Downhole gap sealing element and method
A downhole sealing element includes, a malleable member having at least one closed wall cavity therein positionable downhole in a gap defined between downhole members, and a chemical disposed within the at least one closed wall cavity. The malleable member is deformable to fill variations in a dimension of the gap and the chemical is reactive to form a nonflowable element. |
| US08051912B2 |
Armored flat cable signalling and instrument power acquisition
Measurement and/or control units located within a borehole are inductively coupled to a flat three phase power cable segment without piercing the armor around the cable. For drawing power from the cable, C-shaped, L-shaped or straight core(s) with winding(s) around at least a portion thereof are positioned proximate to one or both end conductors, outside the armor, with significantly overlapping the center conductor. For impressing or detecting signals on the cable, straight core(s) with winding(s) around at least a portion thereof are disposed on one or both sides of the cable, outside the armor, across all three conductors with the core oriented transverse to the cable conductors. |
| US08051907B2 |
Downhole separator
The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications. |
| US08051906B2 |
Secondary loop-integral heater core and cooler
The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds. |
| US08051905B2 |
Cooling systems employing fluidic jets, methods for their use and methods for cooling
In one embodiment, a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises: a cooling channel for receiving a cooling media, a substrate disposed near the cooling channel, and a fluidic jet disposed within the substrate and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channel is for thermal communication with a component to be cooled. The cooling channel has a height of less than or equal to about 3 mm and a width of less than or equal to 2 mm. The fluidic jet comprises a cavity defined by a well and a membrane. In one embodiment, a method of cooling an electrical component comprises: passing a cooling media through a cooling channel, drawing the cooling media into one or more of the fluidic jets, expelling the cooling media from the one or more fluidic jets into the cooling channel, and removing thermal energy from the electrical component. |
| US08051904B1 |
Vehicular temperature control device
The vehicular temperature control device includes an external housing, a pair of internal compartments and a mechanism in each compartment that allows the device to either cool off or warm up an interior area within a vehicle. One of the internal compartments includes a belt, a rotating fan attached to the belt, and a volume of water for evaporative cooling. This chamber will help cool down surrounding air. The other internal compartment also includes a belt and a rotating fan attached to the belt and, furthermore, a heating coil. This second compartment is designed to assist an individual in heating up the surrounding air. |
| US08051901B2 |
Mass transfer or heat-exchange column with mass transfer or heat-exchange areas, such as tube bundles, that are arranged above one another
The invention relates to a mass transfer or heat-exchange column, a tube bundle heat exchanger, with a first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, a first tube bundle (2), and a second mass transfer or heat-exchange area, in particular a second tube bundle (8), that is arranged spatially above the first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, which are surrounded by a cover (10′). In a tube bundle heat exchanger according to the invention, a lower end section (40) of the second, smaller tube bundle (8) projects into a cover part (13′) of the first, larger tube bundle (2), by which an intermediate space (41) is formed between the lower section (40) of the second tube bundle (8) and the cover part (13′). In the area of this intermediate space (41), an inlet (26) for injecting a medium into the column and optionally a manhole (36) are arranged on the cover part (13′). |
| US08051899B2 |
Heat dissipating module and heat sink thereof
A heat dissipating module includes a fan and a heat sink. The heat sink comprises a body and at least one movable member. The body comprises a plurality of fins, at least one first slot and at least one second slot. The first and second slots are integrally formed on the body as a single piece. The movable member, rotatably or movably coupled to the first slot, comprises a pivoting portion, an operating portion, a jointing portion and at least one fixing portion. The pivoting portion is rotatably or movably received in the first slot. A first end of the operating portion connects to the pivoting portion, rotating or moving the pivoting portion. The jointing portion, at a second end of the operating portion, selectively connects to or separates from the second slot. The fixing portion protrudes from the pivoting portion, abutting and securing the fan to the heat sink. |
| US08051897B2 |
Redundant assembly for a liquid and air cooled module
A redundant assembly for an air and liquid cooled module is provided. The redundant cooling assembly comprises an air and liquid cooled module having a cold plate in thermal communication with a side attached auxiliary drawer. The auxiliary drawer houses a heat exchanger, a liquid pump with piping such that the heat exchanger, the liquid pump with piping and the cold plate form a closed liquid cooling loop. The auxillary drawer also housing an air moving device such that air can readily pass through the air moving device and the heat exchanger in order to provide air cooling. In one embodiment of the invention, fins are disposed on the cold plate to provide cooling in case the pump or the air moving device or both encounter a failure. In alternate embodiments, multiple pumps and/or multiple air moving devices can be used with or without the cold plate fins to provide redundancies. |
| US08051895B2 |
Operating method for twin-roll casting machine, and side weir supporting device
An operation to acquire a strip with less thickness even if arcuate worn steps are formed on side weirs is disclosed. During an operation of a twin-roll casting machine with arcuate worn steps developing on side weirs due to rotational sliding contact of chilled rolls, the thickness of a steel strip from a nip is reduced, and the center-to-center distance between the rolls is increased with the side weirs in contact with ends of the rolls being displaced upward. This prevents interference of outer peripheries of the rolls with boundary surfaces adjacent to the arcuate worn steps of the side weirs. |
| US08051892B2 |
Method of manufacturing metal-carbon nanocomposite material
A method of manufacturing a metal-carbon nanocomposite material in which aluminum is used as the matrix is disclosed. The manufacturing method comprises mixing a Si-coated carbon nanomaterial (30) and a powdered Mg material (33), heating the mixture to a melting point of the Mg material or higher, and thereafter cooling the mixture to obtain an Mg-carbon nanomaterial (34). A metal-carbon nanomaterial in which Al is used as the matrix is provided by cooling the Mg-carbon nanomaterial and molten Al (40) in a mixed state. |
| US08051891B2 |
Bracket member and a coupling member for supporting a screening device in a window or door frame, a window or door and a screening device
A bracket member (9) of a supporting means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces (5, 6), said supporting means comprising a pair of bracket members (9, 9′) provided for mounting on a respective frame piece (5, 6) of said pair of opposed frame pieces and a pair of coupling members (30) positioned at either of two opposing ends of the screening device. The bracket member (9) comprises a base (10) for abutment on the frame piece (5), a main face (11) opposite the base (10) and at least one bracket member engagement side (12) for engaging a coupling member of the screening device. A part of the main face (11) is provided by a releasable cover member (15), below which an electrical contact point is provided. The coupling member comprises a recess having at least one coupling member engagement side for engaging a bracket member (9) and an electrical terminal in the recess. |
| US08051889B2 |
Apparatus for tyre-changing machines
An apparatus for tire-changing machines includes a base having a face turned upward, a supporting and locking platform for wheels, mounted rotating on such face around a rotation axis and defining a supporting and locking table, support means of tools extending upward from the base, the support means being movable along the base in a direction of movement perpendicular to the rotation axis, so as to move closer or away from the rotation axis. |
| US08051888B2 |
Seed crystal fixing device
Provided is a seed crystal fixing device 1 for fixing a seed crystal 9 to a seed crystal placing part 3 of a reaction vessel with an adhesive interposed in between. The seed crystal fixing device 1 includes: a chamber 10 capable of installing the seed crystal placing part 3 in the inside thereof; and a flexible pouched body 16 placed on an upper surface of the chamber 10. The flexible pouched body 16 is inflated with a delivery of gas and is deflated with an exhaust of the gas. The flexible pouched body 16 is configured to come into contact with a surface of the seed crystal 9 when inflated, and thereby applies pressure uniformly across the entire surface of the seed crystal 9. The upper surface of the chamber 10 forms convex shape towards the seed crystal placing part 3, and thereby uniform press-bonding of the seed crystal 9 to the seed crystal placing part 3 is accomplished. |
| US08051885B2 |
Operation device for quick and accurate control of working device of tenoner
An operation device includes a connecting member mounted on and moved with a working device of a tenoner. A positioning mechanism is mounted on and moved with the connecting member and includes a tube mounted on the connecting member and adapted to be fixed at various positions, an elastic member and a shaft retained in a hollow of the tube. The shaft includes an end extended outside of the tube and a roller mounted on the end and engaged with a guiding member. The elastic member is disposed between the tube and the shaft and selectively depressed such that the elastic member enables the shaft to movably engage with an undulated edge of the guiding member in a quick and accurate manner. |
| US08051884B2 |
Device for combining components by means of negative pressure under sterile conditions
The invention relates to a device for combining two components. A first container accommodates the first component, which is liquid, and a second container accommodates a second, solid or liquid component under negative pressure. A body is provided with a first holder for the first container, in the region of the closure of the latter, and with a second holder for the second container, in the region of the closure of the latter. Displaceable means for piercing the closures are provided within the body. In the case of such a device, the invention provides that the body has two slides mounted in a displaceable manner in it, wherein each slide accommodates a cannula for piercing the respective closure, the cannulas are connected, in the region of their ends directed away from the closure, to an element which connects the cannulas in a liquid-tight manner, and actuating means are provided for moving the slides in the direction of the closures for the purpose of piercing the closures. |
| US08051879B2 |
Open ended industrial pipe cap
An open ended cap for a pipe is provided comprising a flexible tubular body wherein one end has an inwardly-extending radial rim extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body of the end cap. The tubular body may include a finger grip member extending inwardly from an inner periphery of the rim and connected to a tear strip extending across the rim and downwardly along at least a portion of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the tubular body has an interior wall surface having multiple compressible longitudinal fit beads extending from the interior wall surface and spaced about the circumference of the interior wall surface and which are configured to provide contact with the external surface of a pipe upon being inserted into the end cap. Both a tear strip and longitudinal fit beads may also be provided in combination. |
| US08051875B2 |
Pipeline protection system
A protection apparatus detects and reduces overpressure in a fluid pipeline. First and second pipeline valves are connected in series along the pipeline and are independently switchable between open and closed positions. A pressure transducer determines the fluid pressure in the pipeline at a point intermediate the first and second pipeline valves. A bypass line has a first end connected to the pipeline between the input end and the first pipeline valve and a second end connected to the pipeline between the first and second pipeline valves. A bypass valve is connected along the bypass line. A vent line is connected to the bypass line between the bypass valve and the second end of the bypass line. A vent valve is connected along the vent line. |
| US08051873B2 |
Wet well pumping system and method of installing and servicing the system
A wet well pumping system and a method of installing and servicing the same in a wet well include mounting a pair of bent elbows having pump inlets and riser outlets on an alignment platform having a centerline, configuring the riser outlets to extend along longitudinal axes generally parallel to, and located at substantially equal distances from, the centerline of the platform, overlying the wet well with an alignment cover having a centerline and a pair of riser clearance holes, configuring the riser clearance holes to extend through the cover at the substantially equal distances from the centerline of the cover, passing a pair of upright risers through the riser clearance holes along longitudinal axes generally parallel to the centerline of the cover, aligning the longitudinal axes of the risers with the longitudinal axes of the riser outlets, connecting the risers to the aligned riser outlets, securing the platform to a floor of the well after the risers are connected to the aligned riser outlets, connecting a pair of submersible pumps inside the well to the pump inlets of the bent elbows, and pumping waste water from the well though the bent elbows and the risers to outside the well. |
| US08051872B2 |
Subsea equipment
A subsea equipment (1) used for natural gas or crude oil production, such as a subsea actuator (2) for a valve, a restrictor or the like, a control module or other means, comprises at least an oil-filled first component (3) and a compensator unit (4) which is associated with said first component and which is in fluid communication therewith for pressure compensation. To improve such a subsea equipment in a structurally simple manner in such a way that it is capable of functioning and that pressure compensation is still possible, even if the associated compensator unit is damaged or fails to operate, a second compensator unit (5) is in fluid communication with said first component (3) or said first compensator unit (4) for pressure compensation. |
| US08051868B2 |
Tent rafter end cap and tent incorporating same
A tent including a structural member and an end cap insertable into the structural member and a method of forming a tent are provided. The structural member is preferably a rafter. The rafter has C-channels aligned with support troughs of the end cap. The C-channels and support troughs receive edge portions of a fabric panel therein to secure the fabric panel to the rafter. The end cap supports the weight of the fabric panel during assembly to reduce or avoid engagement of the fabric panel with corners of the C-channel or burs formed in the end of the C-channel of the rafter as the fabric panel is fed through the C-channel. The end cap may also include an optional tension push down bar assembly for providing additional tensioning of the fabric panel. |
| US08051866B2 |
Covering system
The present application relates to a covering apparatus for covering an outdoor area comprising a screen (1) that can be operated between a retracted and an extended configuration, the screen having a leading portion (2) and a trailing portion (4), the trailing portion (4) being connected to a first support (5, 6), the apparatus further comprising a plurality of longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) extending from the first support (5, 6) to respective second supports (9, 10), and the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) being supported by the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) as the screen (1) is operated from the retracted to the extended configuration, wherein the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) is moveably mounted to the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) such that the leading portion (2) moves with respect to the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) during operation between retracted and extended positions, and wherein at least one clamping system is provided on the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) for releasably clamping the leading portion (2) to at least one of the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12). |
| US08051862B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus and liquid processing method
A liquid treatment device having a rotatable substrate holding section (2) for horizontally holding a wafer (W), an annular-shaped rotation cup (4) which surrounds the wafer (W) which rotates with the wafer (W), a rotation mechanism (3) for integrally rotating the rotation cup (4) and the substrate holding section (2), a nozzle (5) for supplying a treatment liquid for the wafer (W) at a treatment position and a cleaning liquid for the rotation cup (4) at its external surface, a liquid supply section (85) for the nozzle (5), and a nozzle movement mechanism for moving the nozzle (5) between the wafer treatment position and the external portion of the rotation cup (4). |
| US08051861B2 |
Cleaning system utilizing purified water
A cleaning system includes a supply of purified water, a supply of cleaning agent, a mixing junction, and a distributor. The mixing junction is configured to combine a flow of the purified water and a flow of the cleaning agent and output a flow of cleaning liquid comprising the flows of the purified water and the cleaning agent. The distributor includes an output through which the cleaning liquid can be discharged. In a method of cleaning a surface, flows of purified water and cleaning agent are provided. The flow of purified water and the flow of cleaning agent are mixed to form a flow of cleaning liquid. The flow of cleaning liquid is then discharged to the surface. |
| US08051855B2 |
Respiratory mask
A respiratory mask including a base plate adapted for connection to a gas source and a bladder secured to the base plate to form a generally fluid tight seal with the base plate, and defining at least one internal chamber with the base plate for receiving a fluidizing medium to fill the bladder and form a resilient cushion. |
| US08051854B2 |
Continuous high-frequency oscillation breathing treatment apparatus
A continuous high-frequency oscillation breathing device delivers therapy during both inhalation and exhalation in order to assist in clearing secretions from the lungs. A venturi patient interface circuit is combined with medicated aerosol to deliver continuous high-frequency oscillation therapy. Fixed open apertures in the patient interface circuit allow ingress and egress of flow, and are calibrated to allow exhalation and prevent stacking of successive breaths. |
| US08051851B2 |
Inhaler for the administration of powdered pharmaceuticals, and a powder cartridge system for use with this inhaler
In order to improve the security and reliability of administration of powdered pharmaceuticals through dry powder inhalers, the invention proposes an inhaler (1) for powdered medicaments, comprising an activating device (4) for manual engagement by the patient for repeatedly metering a dose of medicament to be administered to the patient, and further comprising an advancing mechanism (25) for advancing a counter or indexing means (8) each time the activating device (4) has been engaged by the patient so that a dose of medicament has been released for administration to the patient, wherein the counter or indexing means (8) comprises an index (9), the index (9) being detectable by a detection means (10) of the inhaler, and the detection means (10) being coupled to a locking mechanism (12), the locking mechanism (12) blocking the activating device (4) and/or any transportation mechanism (5) of the inhaler (1) delayed by a predetermined number of metering cycles since detection of the index (9), and a cartridge (3). |
| US08051839B2 |
Injection control system
A method of operating a fuel injector including a piezoelectric actuator having a stack of piezoelectric elements, and wherein in use the injector communicates with a fuel rail, the method comprises: applying a discharge current to the actuator for a discharge period so as to discharge the stack from a first differential voltage level across the stack to a second differential voltage level across the stack; maintaining the second differential voltage level for a period of time; and applying a charge current to the actuator for a charge period so as to charge the stack from the second differential voltage level to a third differential voltage level; wherein the third differential voltage level is selected in dependence on at least two engine parameters, the at least two engine parameters selected from: rail pressure; the electric pulse time; and the piezoelectric stack temperature. |
| US08051838B2 |
Fuel injection control device
A high-pressure pump section pumps fuel in a fuel tank into a delivery pipe. An injector injects the fuel in the delivery pipe directly into a combustion chamber of an engine. An ECU calculates fuel injection quantity based on an operation state of the engine and calculates fuel injection time based on the fuel injection quantity and pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe. The ECU calculates fuel injection start timing based on the operation state of the engine. The ECU sets the fuel injection time and the fuel injection start timing as a base injection period. When a fuel inflow period, in which the high-pressure fuel flows into the delivery pipe with the fuel pumping by the high-pressure pump section, overlaps with the base injection period, the ECU changes the base injection period to eliminate or reduce the overlap. |
| US08051837B2 |
Intake manifold for vehicle and intake system including the same
An intake system of an engine for a vehicle, may include a surge tank including a first flange, and an intake manifold including a second flange connected with the first flange of the surge tank, wherein the intake manifold may include a main body including a fuel rail and intake ports corresponding to cylinders, and a guide member provided on the main body to guide the surge tank coupled with the main body in a direction where the surge tank becomes separated and more distant from the fuel rail of the intake manifold when a vehicle collision occurs. |
| US08051836B2 |
Control apparatus of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with an in-cylinder pressure sensor (15) for detecting an in-cylinder pressure in a combustion chamber (3) and an ECU (20). The ECU 20 calculates a heat release quantity parameter showing a combustion state based upon a detected in-cylinder pressure, calculates a combustion delay based upon the detected in-cylinder pressure, and determines fuel property based upon a comparison between a calculated heat release quantity parameter and the calculated combustion delay; and a heat release quantity parameter and a combustion delay corresponding to reference fuel. |
| US08051834B2 |
Method for controlling the EGR and the throttle valves in an internal combustion engine
A method and system are provided for controlling a throttle valve and an EGR valve in internal combustion engine. The method includes, the steps of measuring an actual fresh mass air flow value entering the engine, determining an exhaust oxygen concentration set point indicative of the oxygen concentration in the exhaust manifold, calculating an air reference value as a function of the exhaust oxygen concentration set point ([O2]spEM) and determining an oxygen concentration feedback value representative of the oxygen concentration in the engine. The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of obtaining a position information for the throttle valve by comparing the actual fresh mass air flow value and air reference value and obtaining a position information for the EGR valve by comparing the oxygen concentration feedback value and oxygen concentration set point. The method also includes the steps of controlling the throttle valve and the EGR valve according to the position information. |
| US08051833B2 |
Throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine
The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine having at least a first cylinder group (B1) and a second cylinder group (B2). A first throttle valve (S1) is arranged in an intake passage (31) of the first cylinder group and a second throttle valve (S2) is arranged in an intake passage (32) of the second cylinder group. The throttle valve control apparatus includes a controller that, when there is a demand to switch a combustion air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine without changing engine output, first changes an opening amount of the first throttle valve, and then changes an opening amount of the second throttle valve. |
| US08051831B2 |
Control device for variable valve timing apparatus
A control device for a variable valve timing apparatus that changes valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine includes an actual valve timing computing unit and a valve timing controlling unit. The actual valve timing computing unit computes actual valve timing. The valve timing controlling unit controls the variable valve timing apparatus to maintain present valve timing during starting of the internal combustion engine before the actual valve timing computing unit becomes capable of computing the actual valve timing. The valve timing controlling unit controls the variable valve timing apparatus such that the actual valve timing becomes target valve timing during the starting of the internal combustion engine after the actual valve timing computing unit becomes capable of computing the actual valve timing. |
| US08051827B1 |
Applying the law of conservation of energy to the analysis and design of internal combustion engines
A method for designing internal combustion engines can include selecting a compression ratio that produces a compression temperature just below the autoignition temperature of a fuel/air mixture, selecting a fuel equivalence ratio that produces a combustion temperature below the threshold temperature at which NOx formation or autoignition of the mixture occurs, and selecting an expansion ratio greater than the compression ratio. |
| US08051822B2 |
Spark plug and cylinder head assembly ensuring reliable ignition of air/fuel mixture
A spark plug and cylinder head assembly includes a spark plug and a cylinder head of an engine. The cylinder head has a bore and a surface which faces a combustion chamber of the engine and on which the bore opens. The spark plug is fit in the bore of the cylinder head, and includes a metal shell, an insulator retained in the metal shell, a center electrode secured in the insulator, and a ground electrode facing the center electrode through a spark gap. An end surface of the metal shell has an outer edge and an inner edge, and tapers from the outer edge to the inner edge in a direction toward the inside of an air pocket formed between the metal shell and the insulator. The outer edge of the end surface of the metal shell protrudes from the surface of the cylinder head into the combustion chamber. |
| US08051819B2 |
Crankcase structure for an overhead-camshaft internal combustion engine, and engine incorporating same
An overhead-camshaft internal combustion engine having an outer wall of a crankcase provided adjacent a crankshaft, with a spiral-surfaced opening through which the crankshaft is passed. The outer crankcase wall is integrally provided with a loop guide engaging recess formed thereon. The loop guide engaging recess supports a base end portion of a loop guide for guiding an endless chain. A loop-retaining member for preventing the timing endless chain from dropping is arranged at a position on the lower side of a loop drive sprocket integrally formed at an end portion of the crankshaft. |
| US08051812B2 |
Variable valve actuator with a pneumatic booster
Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent valve control with a large initial or opening force. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuator includes a driver further including a housing defining a longitudinal axis and first and second directions, an actuation mechanism capable of generating actuation force at least in the first direction, and a rod with one end operably connected with at least one part of the actuation mechanism and with the other end available for an operable connection with a load such as an engine valve; at least one return spring operably connected with the rod through a spring retainer assembly and biasing the rod in the second direction; and a pneumatic booster further including a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic piston operably connected with the rod through the spring retainer assembly and biasing the rod in the first direction, a charge mechanism providing a controlled fluid communication between the pneumatic cylinder and a high-pressure gas source, and a bleed mechanism providing a controlled fluid communication between the pneumatic cylinder to a low-pressure gas sink. |
| US08051810B2 |
Coolant passage within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine
A cylinder head having a coolant passage therein includes a coolant inlet, an exhaust valve seat portion, intake valve seat portion, and a spark plug mounting portion formed centrally in the cylinder head, wherein a guide rib is formed close to the coolant inlet for coolant to flow near the spark plug mounting portion along the exhaust valve seat portion and a coolant outlet is disposed near to a corner of the intake valve seat portion. |
| US08051806B2 |
Animal behavioral control apparatus
An animal behavioral control apparatus includes a cartridge, a housing, a head, and an extension assembly. The cartridge contains pressurized gas. The housing surrounds a part or more of the cartridge. The head is connected to the housing and includes an actuator and a valve. The valve engages the cartridge when the actuator is actuated in order to release gas out of the cartridge. The extension assembly is connected to the head to receive gas from the head. Upon actuation of the head, gas flows through the extension assembly and the animal behavioral control apparatus ejects a blast of gas which can be directed at an animal. |
| US08051803B2 |
Top-fill hummingbird feeder with vertically operative base sealing mechanism
A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a generally upstanding reservoir bottle or liquid container with a large opening at its top end that is closed and sealed by a removable top or cap. The bottom of the bottle or container has a lower bottom opening which can be screw-threaded into a central collar of a feeding basin that has a plurality of feeding ports. A tubular insert is received within the central collar and is configured to be vertically movable between a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the liquid container to the basin, and a second position in which fluid flow from the container to the basin is prevented. Movement of the insert between the two positions is effected by pushing the liquid container toward the basin (the closed position) and by pulling the liquid container away from the basin (the open position). Each movement of the insert has an associated “snap” or gives positive physical feedback which the user can feel that assures the user that the desired fluid flow or fluid sealed position has been achieved. |
| US08051800B2 |
Nanomaterial immobilization method and immobilization apparatus
In an immobilization process of electrostatically spraying a nanomaterial dispersion liquid 13 from an electrostatic spray nozzle 20 and immobilizing a nanomaterial on a sample 10, a voltage is applied between the dispersion liquid 13 and the sample 10 to electrostatically spray the dispersion liquid 13 onto the sample 10 from a spray outlet 22 of the nozzle 20 under a condition where one or zero particles of the nanomaterial 18 are contained in each individual droplet 16 sprayed and electrostatically deposit the nanomaterial 18 onto a surface of the sample 10 after drying a solvent 17, contained in each individual droplet 16, in an atmosphere to immobilize the nanomaterial 18 on the sample 10. Aggregation of the nanomaterial in each droplet is thereby prevented and the nanomaterial can be immobilized favorably on the sample. |
| US08051799B2 |
Object-processing apparatus controlling production of particles in electric field or magnetic field
An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber in which an electric field is generated, and an internal member provided in the chamber. At least one part of the internal member is formed of a dielectric material. A process is executed in the chamber so that a dielectric deposit is formed on the at least one part of the internal member. An m1(d∈1/dm1) value of the dielectric material and an m2(d∈2/dm2) value of the dielectric deposit are set so that production of particles from the deposit is properly controlled. The term m1 is a mass density of the dielectric material, ∈1 is a permittivity of the dielectric material, m2 is a mass density of the dielectric deposit, and ∈2 is a permittivity of the dielectric deposit. |
| US08051792B2 |
Boat body and boat including the same
A boat body for a boat includes a projecting portion arranged to support one or more outboard motors at a position spaced upward and rearward from a transom. The projecting portion extends from a rear portion of the transom of the boat body, and the projecting portion supports the outboard motors at locations upward and further rearward than in a case where the outboard motors are directly installed on the transom. The projecting portion includes a projecting member that is bilaterally symmetrical and that decreases in width in a rearward direction and in an upward direction. The projecting portion includes a side thruster passing through the projecting portion in a horizontal direction. When viewed from the side, a lower edge portion of the projecting portion includes a slanting portion that is generally linear and that extends rearward and upward from a lower portion of the transom. When viewed from the rear, the lower edge portion of the projecting portion has a generally V-shape. |
| US08051791B2 |
Helicopter landing platform having motion stabilizer for compensating ship roll and/or pitch
A motion compensation system for a helipad on a vessel includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to at least one or pitch and roll of the vessel. The system includes a first actuator functionally coupled to the helipad to move the helipad translationally with respect to the vessel in response to the measured at least one of pitch and roll of the vessel. |
| US08051789B1 |
Mooring device
A mooring device is disclosed for securing a floating structure to a layer of soil. A body of water is displaced by the vessel. The floating structure supports an individual having a first hand and a second hand. The mooring device comprises a shaft extending between a first end and a second end. A point is secured to the first end of the shaft for permitting the shaft to transverse the layer of soil. A handle is secured to the second end of the shaft for receiving a descending vertical force or an ascending vertical force. The handle includes a concave upper surface extending between a primary end and a secondary end for receiving the first hand and/or the second hand of the individual during the descending vertical force. The handle includes a first convex surface and a second convex surface. |
| US08051786B2 |
Stoker grates for circulating combustible material
A stoker grate for circulating a combustible material includes a stationary grate sheet support and a moveable grate sheet support fitting with prop rolls on the stationary grate sheet support. The moveable grate sheet support includes a pair of moveable grate sheet supports opposed to each other and another pair of arc-shaped moveable grate sheet supports opposed to each other to form a long annular-shaped assembled support, stationary grate sheets fitting with mounting transverse beams of the stationary grate sheet support, moveable grate sheets fitting with mounting transverse beams of the moveable grate sheet support, the moveable grate sheets and the stationary grate sheets being disposed alternatingly, and a transmission unit. The driving moveable grate sheet support is hinged to the adjacent driven moveable grate sheet support and the driven moveable grate sheet supports are hinged to each other. |
| US08051782B2 |
Desk and display stand with height and depth adjustment
An ergonomic desk includes an adjustable display stand supported on a table or other support platform of the desk. The display stand is adapted to support one or more display monitors thereon and to provide depth and height adjustment for the display monitors via electronic controls. The height and tilt of the table may also be adjusted using electronic controls. |
| US08051778B2 |
Chair for a chair lift and chair lift
A chair for a chair lift has seats with a seat surface and a safety bar that extends transversely over the seats and can be pivoted from an open position into a closed position. Securing parts, in particular protective panels, are arranged on the safety bar and, in the closed position of the safety bar, extend in the direction toward the center of the front edge of the respective seat surface. The securing parts have a first section which is adjacent to the safety bar and is oriented toward the front edge, and a second end section which is oriented at an angle of less than 180° to the first section. |
| US08051777B2 |
Switch for a powered pallet conveyor
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch for a powered pallet conveyor is provided. The switch comprising (a) a turntable and (b) rail portions which are arranged upon the turntable and define at least a first travel pathway and a second travel pathway, whereby the first travel pathway is defined by straight rail portions and a second travel pathway is defined by curved rail portions, so that the central line of the first travel pathway and the departure lines of the second travel pathway respectively pass through the fulcrum of the turntable. |
| US08051776B1 |
Self-cleaning cartridge actuated and propellant actuated devices
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes driving a piston by mechanically harnessing an explosion of energetic material contained in a cartridge. The method further includes releasing cleanser contained in the cartridge in response to the explosion of the energetic material. |
| US08051774B2 |
Printing plate module, printing press, and method of mounting plates
A printing plate module is disclosed. The module comprises a printing plate support member (3) having means (5) to locate printing plates (4) in a predetermined position thereon and, engagement means (8) on the plate support member for the releasab a engagement of the printing plate support member (3) with a printing press during a plate loading operation to locate printing plates (4) located on the plate support member (3) in a predetermined position relative to a plate cylinder (7) of the press. The invention also discloses a printing apparatus and, a method of loading printing plates onto a plate cylinder of a printing unit. |
| US08051772B2 |
Support system and method for a screen printing unit
A support system and method for supporting a printing screen unit in a screen printing machine. The support system includes a support assembly comprising a support unit for supporting a printing screen unit comprising a printing screen including printing apertures through which printing medium is printed onto a workpiece; and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the printing screen in a screen printing operation, wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the printing screen to a first tension in a printing phase in printing printing medium onto a workpiece and a second tension, which is lower than the first tension, in a separation phase in separating the printing screen unit and the workpiece. Other aspects also are disclosed. |
| US08051770B2 |
Robot binding apparatus for coil packaging
A robot binding apparatus for coil packaging includes: a grip unit that grips a band used for packaging a coil; a grip robot that supports the grip unit, rotates the grip unit seizing the band at the periphery of the coil to make the band wound on the coil, and moves the band to a fastening position; a head unit that provides the band to the grip unit and fastens the band at the band fastening position; and a head robot that supports the head unit and moves the head unit to the band fastening position. |
| US08051768B2 |
Retractable rotisserie motor
A retractable rotisserie driver which is used in connection with a barbecue grill is described and shown herein. In one embodiment, a retractable motor support apparatus is pivotably connected to a side shelf assembly of a barbecue grill, and is movable between a storage position, where the rotisserie motor is substantially enclosed by the side shelf assembly, and a usage position, where the motor is generally aligned for engagement with a rotisserie spit. The support apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall which are adjacent and generally transverse to one another. The first wall is configured to be aligned generally flush with an upper surface of the side shelf assembly when the support apparatus is moved to the storage position to increase the usable work area on the shelf. The second wall is provided with a power cord holder for compactly holding the motor's power cord when the apparatus is moved to the storage position. The side shelf assembly and support apparatus are also provided with corresponding latch mechanisms which are adapted to engage when the support apparatus is moved to the usage position. |
| US08051765B2 |
Distributor of powdered product with removable reservoir
A distributor of powdered product, the distributor having a case, a reservoir removably installable in a housing formed in the case, the reservoir having a distribution orifice and being adapted to contain the powdered product and to be installed in the housing by a vertical translation movement, and elements for locking the reservoir in an intended position in the housing, with associated elements for confirming that the reservoir is correctly positioned inside the housing, elements for confirming including a switch that is responsive to the position of the reservoir in the housing and that forms part of an operating control of a machine associated with the distributor. |
| US08051764B2 |
Fluid control system having selective recruitable actuators
A fluid control or actuation system providing selective recruiting of actuators antagonistic to one another to provide variable output power, such as that used to drive a load. The actuators are intended to comprise different sizes, and to be operable with one or more pressure control valves capable of providing displacement of a non-recruited actuator without requiring active input to cause such displacement. Being able to selectively recruit different sized actuators to drive the load, and being able to displace non-recruited without active input, effectively incorporates a gearing function into the fluid control system. |
| US08051763B2 |
Hydraulic apparatus
In a hydraulic apparatus, a first rotating member and a second rotating member are provided so as to be relatively rotatable with a same central axis, a cam is provided on the first rotating member, pistons are arranged on the second rotating member so as to be opposed to the cam, the pistons are pressed against the cam to contact by compression coil springs, oil chambers of which volumes are expanded and contracted according to movements of the pistons are provided on the second rotating member, first and second fluid paths through which oil flows into and out from the oil chambers are provided, and a path switching device for switching an inflow direction and an outflow direction of the oil in the first and second fluid paths according to difference in pressure between the first and second fluid paths is provided. |
| US08051759B2 |
Motion detecting system for use in a safety system for power equipment
A method of controlling a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool. The method monitors a signal for a change indicative of a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, senses movement of the cutting tool, and performs an action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the signal change and movement of the cutting tool are both detected. A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine and then to perform some action to mitigate the dangerous condition is also disclosed. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving. |
| US08051758B2 |
Injury mitigation system for power tools
A power tool comprises a detection system for detecting a situation where an operator using a power tool of the type which has an exposed rotating component contacts the rotating component, and a protection system for minimizing the possibility of an operator being injured by contacting the rotating component. |
| US08051757B2 |
Method for cutting paper and other graphic supports on a roll at the same time along two perpendicular axes with automatic correction of errors
A method of cutting, simultaneously on two axes (X, Y) perpendicular to each other, of a sheet or web of paper and other graphic or photographic substrates (10) with series of images, comprising the steps of feeding forward the substrate sheet or web (10) to a direction (F), detecting the speed of sheet or web (10) feed and the speed at which the distance is varying between image reference marks (11) and the ideal feed direction, determining a correct cutting line (TX) in a transverse direction to the feed direction (F) of the sheet or web by data processing according to trigonometric relations through a microprocessor to obtain the angle of parallelism defect of the image with respect to the ideal feed forward direction, aligning suitable mobile means (4) of transverse cutting with the desired cutting line (TX) by means (5) for shifting the transverse cutting means. |
| US08051754B2 |
Lathe, computer program for lathe control, and machining method by lathe
With the use of a tool (41), first cutting is applied to a work (W), and then second cutting is applied to the work (W) while the tool (41) is transferred in an X-axis direction. Then, an amount of deviation dy between the cutting edge height of the tool (41) and the center line of the work (W) is calculated based on a first diameter value (D1) and second diameter value (D2) measured after the first cutting and second cutting are applied, and the travel distance of the tool (41) between the first cutting and the second cutting. Machining to the work (W) is resumed after the amount of deviation is corrected. |
| US08051749B2 |
Positive pivot centers for adjustable tools
There is disclosed herein an improved adjustable tool, such as a pair of pliers, having a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions being pivotably connected to one another by a pivot pin attached in any manner to one of the jaw portions and fitted within a channel defined within the other of the jaw portions. Preferably, the channel is formed by a plurality of pivot centers, including two non-adjacent terminal centers and at least one intermediate center, each center being connected to at least one other center by a slot to form a single pathway such that travel of the pivot pin between non-adjacent pivot centers requires travel through at least one intermediate pivot center, and the pivot pin has a positive tactile indication when properly seated in each pivot center. |
| US08051748B2 |
Small but effective toolkit
A toolkit includes a handle and at least one bit set. The handle is in the form of a plate including a first cavity defined in a middle portion and a second cavity defined in a terminal portion. The bit set includes a bit and a cap non-rotationally provided on the bit. The cap is non-rotationally inserted through the first cavity where only a mild torque is needed. The cap is non-rotationally inserted through the second cavity where a large torque is needed. |
| US08051741B2 |
Managing structure for umbilical member of industrial robot
A managing structure for an umbilical member includes a flexible conduit for leading an umbilical member inserted therein from a front arm of a robot to a working tool mounted on a wrist of the robot, a first conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to the front arm, and a second conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to a point where the umbilical member is connected to the working tool. One end of the conduit is attached to the first conduit mounting portion, while the other end of the conduit is attached to the second conduit mounting portion. The conduit is laid so that a section thereof between the first conduit mounting portion and the second conduit mounting portion does not contact the body of the robot. |
| US08051739B2 |
Vehicle-use transmission manipulating device
A vehicle-use transmission manipulating device for substantially preventing a rider's foot from interfering with a rod thereof. In a vehicle-use transmission manipulating device having a pair of pivot support members for supporting a pivot shaft of a swing arm provided at left and right sides of a main pipe behind a transmission. A driver step and a support shaft of a change pedal are provided behind the pivot support member with the change pedal and a transmission shaft being connected with each other by way of a rod. A bell crank is arranged below the driver step. The rod includes a first rod for connecting the change pedal and the bell crank and a second rod for connecting the bell crank and the transmission shaft side. The second rod is arranged in front of the change pedal. |
| US08051738B2 |
Rotor gear for a generator
A rotor gear includes a rotor gear body having involute teeth that each have an involute surface that extends between a tooth tip and a tooth base. The involute surface includes at least reference points A-D, with reference point A near the base, reference point D near the tip, reference point B between reference points A and D, and reference point C between reference points B and D. The reference points A-D have associated respective roll angles, εA-D, between a corresponding first line that is perpendicular to the involute surface at the given reference point A-D and a second line that is tangent at a reference point that lies on a terminal end of the involute surface at the tooth base to a reference base circle having a center origin at the center axis. |
| US08051736B2 |
Deflecting device for ball screw device
A ball screw device includes a screw engaged into a nut member for forming an endless ball guiding passage between the nut member and the screw and for receiving a number of ball bearing members, the nut member includes two orifices aligned with the helical grooves of the nut member and an axial ball return channel communicating with the orifices of the nut member, a deflecting device includes two deflecting members engaged into the orifices of the nut member and each having a ball deflecting channel communicating with the helical grooves and the axial ball return channel of the nut member for increasing the strength and the working life of the deflecting device. |
| US08051735B2 |
Automated shift transmission
In an automated split path transmission with at least six forward speeds and three characteristic transmission steps (sI, sII, sIII), which decrease with the height of the forward speed, one of the forward speeds is a direct gear and the power of a further forward speed passing through two constant gearsets of the split path group. |
| US08051732B2 |
Dual clutch group transmission shifttable under load
In a load shiftable group transmission with a high number of gears, particularly suitable for utility vehicles, the transmission includes a dual clutch a split unit, a direct gear, a main group and a hollow shaft on a countershaft in an arrangement, wherein the various gear stages can be established by a change of the input constants within the split unit without a change in the transmission stage in the main transmission without an interruption in tractive force during shifting between two adjacent gears within the main group. |
| US08051727B1 |
Pore-water profiler
A pore-water profiler and method for sampling pore water. The pore-water profiler includes a sample intake probe that receives the fluid to be sampled. A clog-resistant first filter filters the fluid as it enters the sample intake probe. A second filter, which has a pore size less than the pore size of the first filter, filters the fluid a second time before the fluid enters a sample container. A sample triggering system connected to the sample container initiates sampling by causing the fluid to be drawn into the sample intake probe. The profiler provides high-resolution (centimeter-scale) vertical pore-water profiles. The sequential filtration of the pore water avoids the problem of sample-circuit clogging, even in sediments dominated by fine or organic-rich particles. The profiler has all non-metallic, acid-washable components that contact the fluid sample, making the profiler suitable for trace-inorganic studies. |
| US08051725B2 |
Method and apparatus for soil sampling
A soil collection device can be used to collect soil samples from a harvester that excavates soil while harvesting a ground crop. The soil collection device can include a collection area for collecting soil that is excavated from the ground by the harvester and discarded from the harvester. A storage device can receive and store at least a portion of the discarded soil in individual containers. A location marking device can being configured to mark the individual containers of discarded soil with information concerning the location of the soil collection device at or about the time the discarded soil was received in the individual containers. |
| US08051720B2 |
Method and device for measuring the local mechanical resistance of a porous body
Method and device for determining the local mechanical resistance inside of a porous body having a variable density and/or porosity, in particular inside of a porous bone structure comprising the following steps: selecting a site of said porous body destined to receive a fixation element, in particular a screw or a bone implant; drilling a hole into said porous body; and measuring a mechanical parameter of the porous structure surrounding said drilled hole by inserting a suitable tool (1) into said drill hole. |
| US08051715B2 |
Resonant inspection using reconfigurable nest
The present disclosure provides a device and method for non-destructive testing of an object using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, wherein the device is provided with a reconfigurable nest for placement of objects of various shapes and sizes on the device. The reconfigurable nest includes a plurality of transducers that are held in place using a rheological fluid. As each transducer is arranged, for example, using a robotic tool, an electric or magnetic field is applied to the rheological fluid in contact with said transducer, thereby holding the transducer in place. This device and method thus provide a nest for a resonant inspection device that may be reconfigured in much less time and with much less effort when compared to existing solutions. |
| US08051709B2 |
Method and apparatus for pre-spinning rotor forgings
A method and system for relieving forging induced residual stresses in a rotor forging balances a pre-spin machine with the forging mounted thereon at a first rotational speed and then pre-spins the forging with it mounted on the machine at a substantially greater second rotational speed. A one per rev sensor is used for determining a weight placement angle and a vibration sensor is used for determining an amount of weight to add to a spinning assembly including the forging during the balancing. High-density non-metallic balance weights adhesively attached on an inside surface of the forging or spinning assembly may be used. The rotational inertia of the spinning assembly may be checked during a spin up period by determining a rate of rotational acceleration vs. torque applied to the spinning assembly and used to stop the pre-spinning if it is to great. |
| US08051705B2 |
Tire equipped with a sensor and a method of measuring strain amount of the tire
This invention provides a tire (10) equipped with a sensor (14), attached to a rubber member (15) in the surface of the tire (10), for detecting deformation of the tire (10). The sensor (14) is adhered to the rubber member (15) with the aid of an elastic adhesive formed of a room-temperature moisture cure adhesive agent composed mainly of an acryl modified silicone resin or the like. The adhesive between the sensor (14) and the rubber member (15) is cured to form an elastic adhesive layer (16). According to the above constitution, the deformation of the rubber member (15) in the tire surface can be transmitted to the sensor (14) with high accuracy, and, at the same time, the durability of the sensor (14) can be improved. |
| US08051702B2 |
Vibration monitor
A system comprising an amplifier for amplifying signals of frequencies less than one kilohertz generated by a vibration sensor and using the amplified signal to amplitude modulate a carrier signal at a frequency in excess of one kilohertz and applying the amplitude modulated carrier signal to a sensor interface circuit. |
| US08051700B2 |
Exhaust gas sensor and method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents
An exhaust gas sensor and a method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents are provided. The exhaust gas sensor includes a NO2 Nernst cell that generates a first voltage indicative of a NO2 concentration in the exhaust gases communicating with the NO2 sensing electrode. The exhaust gas sensor further includes a NOx Nernst cell that generates a second voltage indicative of a NOx concentration in the exhaust gases communicating with the NOx sensing electrode. The exhaust gas sensor further includes a NH3 Nernst cell that generates a third voltage indicative of a NH3 concentration in the exhaust gases communicating with the NH3 sensing electrode. |
| US08051699B2 |
Abrasive wear testing machine with cycle programmability and variable force application
An abrasive wear testing machine exhibiting a support surface upon which is dynamically supported a tray to which a wear piece is secured. A tool bit is supported by a vertically displaceable and weight supporting bracket in a fixed and downward load applied fashion against the wear piece, such that the tray is reciprocated a selected number of cycles to determine a wear profile exerted upon the wear piece by the tool bit. The bracket is configured so that end located receiving channels are each seatingly engaged upon upwardly extending hydraulic lifts secured to the support surface, with a plurality of free weights arranged upon the hydraulic lifts. |
| US08051696B2 |
Press forming method for aluminum alloy sheet and pressing device
The invention provides a press forming method of an aluminum alloy sheet and a press device capable of forming a large panel which is an automobile body outer panel such as a luggage outer panel and the like and is of a shape difficult in forming. In a method of press forming of the aluminum alloy sheet 30 into a formed product panel having non-contact outer peripheral parts 5, 6 not contacting the punch for forming the center part of the panel until the vicinity of the bottom dead point, the first punch forming the center part 2 of the panel and the second punch 15 capable of shifting independently with respect to the first punch are provided, and these punches are interlocked with each other so that the second punch 15 is made contact the non-contact outer peripheral parts 35, 36 of the sheet with the relative position of the second punch 15 with respect to the first punch 11 being shifted to the dice 22 side. |
| US08051691B2 |
Apparatus and method for vending securely stored products to consumers
A lock mechanism is disclosed, the lock mechanism having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane and the rotary latch is retained in the locked position after it has been rotated into the locked position from the unlocked position, the rotary latch being spring biased into the unlocked position by a biasing member; and a first lock mechanism for releasing the rotary latch from the locked position after actuation of the first lock mechanism, the biasing member rotating the rotary latch into the unlocked position, the rotary latch being capable of being manipulated back into the locked position from the unlocked position after release by the first locking mechanism and the first locking mechanism must be reset in order to once again release the rotary latch. |
| US08051690B2 |
Anti-theft threaded cap
An anti-theft device is provided for inhibiting access to a fastener, and more specifically to a fastener head. The anti-theft device can include a base member with an opening for receiving the fastener and a lid member releasably coupled to the base member. The lid member can include a specialized tool recess adapted for receiving a specialized tool, such that only the specialized tool can be used to open and close the lid member. |
| US08051688B2 |
Lock device
A lock device includes a main body, a lock that locks and unlocks a lid member, an operating button, an engagement member, a rotor that rotates by locking and unlocking the lock, a coupling member, and an arm disposed on the rotor and coupled to one end of the coupling member. The coupling member interlocks the operation button and the engagement member with unlocking the lock and releases an interlock between the operation button and the engagement member with locking the lock. The engagement member slides through the coupling member to disengage the engagement member from the main body by operating the operating button. |
| US08051687B2 |
Traction steer detection and compensation
A system, method, and computer program product for detecting and compensating for a traction steer event is provided. A first wheel speed of a first driven wheel is compared with a second wheel speed of a second driven wheel to determine whether a wheel slip condition has occurred. If a wheel slip condition is determined to have occurred, a current operating state of a vehicle is compared to an expected operating state of the vehicle to determine if a traction steer event has occurred. If a traction steer event is determined to have occurred, brake pressure is selectively applied to the first or second driven wheel to compensate for the traction steer event. |
| US08051681B2 |
Constant force scoring device and method for using same
A scoring device is described herein that applies a constant force while scoring a piece of material so that there is a consistent score quality (or vent depth) within the scored piece of material. In one embodiment, the piece of material is a bowed shaped glass sheet that is supported by a conformable nosing device which has been configured to have a bowed shape that substantially matches the bowed shape of the glass sheet. |
| US08051678B2 |
Press molding method for manufacturing of glass substrate
The present invention relates to a glass substrate of which the outer periphery portion is unprocessed. The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a glass substrate of which the outer periphery portion is unprocessed, characterized in that a first lapping process, a second lapping process, a polishing process and a washing process are carried out after a press molding process is carried out so as to compress glass between an upper mold and a lower mold without regulating the edge surface of the outer periphery portion of the glass and, then, a crystallization process or an annealing process is carried out. |
| US08051674B2 |
Method and system for use with a consumable beverage
A system for use with a consumable beverage includes a container having a mouth. A lid is detachably engaged with the container. A collar is adapted to be seated in the mouth of the container. The collar defines an opening therein. A thermal energy storing member is detachably engagable with the opening in the collar and/or the lid. A collar for supporting an end of a thermal energy storing member; a lid for a container adapted to engage a thermal energy storing member; and method of providing a chilled consumable beverage are each separately detailed herein. |
| US08051673B2 |
Circulating air refrigerating appliance and assembly method therefor
A circulating air refrigerating appliance surrounds at least one storage region and an evaporation chamber containing an evaporator. The evaporator engages with projections extending from an inner wall of the housing defining the evaporation chamber. A separating wall between the storage region and the evaporation chamber is mounted adjacently to the evaporator in the housing. |
| US08051672B2 |
Fluid cooled cabinet for electronic equipment
An electronic equipment cabinet is provided, which includes an enclosure defining an interior space. A support is disposed with the interior space and is configured to receive electronic equipment. The bottom portion defines a base plenum configured for at least one heat exchanger, which is in fluid communication with a low temperature fluid supply and a high temperature fluid return. A closed loop gas flow distribution pathway includes a first plenum communicating with the base plenum and configured to direct a low temperature gas to the support, and a second plenum configured to receive a high temperature gas flow from the support and direct the high temperature gas flow to the base plenum. A temperature sensor is disposed with the enclosure to sense the temperature of the high temperature gas flow within the enclosure. |
| US08051670B2 |
HVAC management system for a vehicle
A vehicle that includes a frame, a prime mover, an alternator, a cabin, a HVAC system, and a power source. The prime mover is operable in a first mode that is configured for driving the vehicle and a second mode that is configured for standby operation of the vehicle. The cabin includes walls that define a space and that have insulation to insulate the space. The HVAC system is in communication with the cabin to condition the space, and includes a cooling system, a heating system, and a sorption system that dehumidifies air provided to the space. The power source has a battery that is in electrical communication with the alternator and the HVAC system to supply power to the HVAC system from the battery when the prime mover is in the first mode and when the prime mover is in the second mode. |