最新美国发明专利第2011-12-27期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08083906B2	Processing biomass Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08083905B2	Carbon nanotubes for fuel cells, method for manufacturing the same, and fuel cell using the same The internal and external walls of the carbon nanotubes are doped with nano-sized metallic catalyst particles uniformly to a degree of 0.3-5 mg /cm2. The carbon nanotubes are grown over a carbon substrate using chemical vapor deposition or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Since the carbon nanotubes have a large specific surface area, and metallic catalyst particles are uniformly distributed over the internal and external walls thereof, the reaction efficiency in an electrode becomes maximal when the carbon nanotubes are used for the electrode of a fuel cell. The carbon nanotubes fabricated using the method can be applied to form a large electrode. The carbon nanotubes grown over the carbon substrate can be readily applied to an electrode of a fuel cell, providing economical advantages and simplifying the overall electrode manufacturing process. A fuel cell using as the carbon nanotubes for its electrode provides improved performance.
US08083901B2	De-entrainment tray for high capacity operation A de-entrainment device separates entrained liquid from vapor in a fluid stream that flows through a chimney tray in a distillation tower. The separated liquid is collected and shielded from the fluid stream to prevent re-entrainment of the liquid in the vapor flowing upward into the tower. The chimney tray includes risers with hats that have gutters to guide liquid toward the tray deck, channels to collect and drain liquid from the top of the hats to the tray deck, and baffles extending from the risers to shield the liquid collected on the tray deck from the vapor flow.
US08083900B2	Removal of water from bio-oil A process and system for separating water from bio-oil by using a partial condenser. The process comprises partially condensing vapor conversion products from a biomass conversion reaction to produce a water-rich overhead stream and a water-depleted stream comprising condensed bio-oil. The partial condenser removes a substantial portion of the water from the bio-oil, while providing an effective and flexible process for producing bio-oil.
US08083896B2	Pressure equalizing baffle and coanda air clamp An air stabilization system employing two parallel, opposite-facing Coanda nozzles, with each nozzle exhausting gas at opposite directions, subjects a moving flexible web to opposing forces effective to create local tension within the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is perpendicular to the path of the moving web. The nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the web. The operative surface with the nozzles can exhibit a flush surface. The nozzles can be formed on elevated structures on the operative surface. The operative surface can be covered with a transparent substrate to minimize shape distortions on the moving web and to prevent debris from collecting around the sensor. An internal baffle is employed to channel air flow within each nozzle. The baffle equalizes the gas pressure across the nozzle and directs air flow towards it. By modulating the velocities of gases exiting the nozzles, the shape of the web can be manipulated to present a planar contour. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a caliper scanner.
US08083895B2	Sheet stabilization with dual opposing cross direction air clamps An air stabilization system employing two parallel, opposite facing Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at opposite directions, subjects the moving web to opposing forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is parallel to the path of the moving web. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the flow, pressure and other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products.
US08083893B2	Embossing process including discrete and linear embossing elements A method for producing a deep-nested embossed product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an embossing apparatus having mating first and second embossing members; b) providing the first embossing member with a plurality of discrete embossing elements in a non-random pattern; c) providing the second embossing member with at least one linear embossing element; d) coordinating the at least one linear embossing element with the non-random pattern of first embossing elements; e) aligning the first embossing member and the second embossing member so that the non-random pattern of first embossing elements nest with the at least one linear embossing element to an engagement depth of greater than about 0.01 mm; f) providing one or more plies of material to the embossing apparatus; and, g) passing the one or more plies of the material between the first and second embossing members to produce the deep-nested embossed product.
US08083891B2	Plasma processing apparatus and the upper electrode unit In a plasma processing apparatus that executes plasma processing on a semiconductor wafer placed inside a processing chamber by generating plasma with a processing gas supplied through a gas supply hole at an upper electrode (shower head) disposed inside the processing chamber, an interchangeable insert member is inserted at a gas passing hole at a gas supply unit to prevent entry of charged particles in the plasma generated in the processing chamber into the gas supply unit. This structure makes it possible to fully prevent the entry of charged particles in the plasma generated inside the processing chamber into the gas supply unit.
US08083890B2	Gas modulation to control edge exclusion in a bevel edge etching plasma chamber The various embodiments provide apparatus and methods of removal of unwanted deposits near the bevel edge of substrates to improve process yield. The embodiments provide apparatus and methods with center and edge gas feeds as additional process knobs for selecting a most suitable bevel edge etching processes to push the edge exclusion zone further outward towards the edge of substrates. Further the embodiments provide apparatus and methods with tuning gas(es) to change the etching profile at the bevel edge and using a combination of center and edge gas feeds to flow process and tuning gases into the chamber. Both the usage of tuning gas and location of gas feed(s) affect the etching characteristics at bevel edge. Total gas flow, gap distance between the gas delivery plate and substrate surface, pressure, and types of process gas(es) are also found to affect bevel edge etching profiles.
US08083886B2	Method of producing optical film laminates An object of the present invention is to simplify the production steps and achieve efficient use of optical film webs in a case of producing an optical film laminate having three or more layers of optical films laminated together. A method of producing optical film laminates by cutting a laminate into a desired shape includes: cutting a first optical film web into first cut pieces along first cut lines; laminating the first cut pieces onto a second optical film web to form a laminate film; cutting the laminate film into second cut pieces along second cut lines; and laminating the second cut pieces onto a third optical film web. An angle of the first cut lines is determined to have the first cut lines crossing the optical axis of the first optical film web at a predetermined angle, and an interval of the first cut lines is determined to have the width of the second optical film web substantially equal to the width of the first cut pieces. An angle of the second cut lines relative to the second optical film web is determined to have the second cut lines crossing the optical axis of the second optical film web at a predetermined angle, and an interval of the second cut lines is determined to have the width of the third optical film web substantially equal to the width of the second cut pieces.
US08083885B2	Manufacturing method and manufacturing system for optical display device The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing an optical display device comprising an optical film including a polarizing plate and a rectangular optical display unit having a surface to which the optical film is bonded, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a material roll which is a roll of a long sheet material obtained by lengthwise slitting a long material comprising an optical film into a width corresponding to a short or long side of the optical display unit, wherein the optical film includes a polarizing plate having a longitudinal direction parallel to its absorption axis; and unwinding the long sheet material from the material roll, cutting at least the optical film of the long sheet material to form an optical film having a length corresponding to a long or short side of the optical display unit, and then bonding the optical film to a surface of the optical display unit.
US08083883B2	Method for making laminated, paper cards Laminated, paper cards are manufactured by adhering a first side of a calendared paper to a first side of a fiber board stock using a biodegradable adhesive to thereby create a sheet of material. A card construct is then formed by adhering a second side of the fiber board stock of a first sheet of material to a second side of the fiber board stock of a second sheet of material using a biodegradable adhesive. A second side of at least one of calendared papers of the card construct is then printed and the printed card construct is then subjected to a heat and pressure treatment in a hydraulic press. The treated, printed, card construct may then be die punched to provide one or more of the laminated, paper cards.
US08083880B2	Method of manufacturing boxer-type article A wearing article 4(A to D) includes a main body 5(A to D) having a front part P, a back part Q and a crotch part R coupling the front part P and the back part Q. The main body 5(A to D) includes a pair of waist edges T opposed to each other and a pair of leg edges S opposed to each other. A shirring 15 is so formed in a substantially widthwise middle portion of the crotch part R of the main body 5(A to D) as to shorten a space between the front part P and the back part Q. A ratio of the length L1 of the crotch part R along the forward and backward direction X to a length L2 between the pair of waist edges T is 1:15 to 1:2.
US08083874B2	Method for producing low thermal expansion Ni-base superalloy A method for producing a low thermal expansion Ni-base superalloy including the steps of subjecting the alloy to a solution heat treatment under the condition of at a temperature of 1000 to 1200° C. and subjecting the alloy to either a carbide stabilizing treatment for making aggregated carbides on grain boundaries and stabilizing the carbides under the conditions of at a temperature of not less than 850° C. and less than 1000° C. and for 1 to 50 hours, or a carbide stabilizing treatment for making aggregated carbides on grain boundaries and stabilizing the carbides by cooling from the temperature in the solution heat treatment to 850° C. at a cooling rate of 100° C. or less per hour. The method also including the steps of subjecting the alloy to a first aging treatment for precipitating y′ phase under the conditions of at a temperature of 720 to 900° C. and for 1 to 50 hours, and subjecting the alloy to a second aging treatment for precipitating A2B phase under the conditions of at a temperature of 550 to 700° C. and for 5 to 100 hours.
US08083871B2	High crashworthiness Al-Si-Mg alloy and methods for producing automotive casting The present invention provides a casting having increased crashworthiness including an aluminum alloy of about 6.0 wt % to about 8.0 wt % Si; about 0.12 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.35 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 4.0 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.6 wt % Mn; and less than or equal to about 0.15 wt % Fe, wherein the cast body is treated to a T5 or T6 temper and has a tensile strength ranging from 100 MPa to 180 MPa and has a critical fracture strain greater than 10%. The present invention further provides a method of forming a casting having increased crashworthiness.
US08083869B2	Ferrous seal sliding parts and producing method thereof A ferrous seal sliding part excellent in heat crack resistance, seizure resistance and abrasion resistance is provided. The ferrous seal sliding part has a seal sliding surface, wherein the seal sliding surface has a quench hardened layer having a structure in which a martensite parent phase forms a solid solution with carbon of 0.15 to 0.6 wt % and contains cementite dispersed therein in a content of 3 to 50% by volume.
US08083868B2	Rolling bearing A rolling bearing comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and rolling elements rotatably disposed between the outer and inner rings. At least a member selected from the outer ring, inner ring and rolling elements has C content of 0.2 or more and 0.6 or less wt %, Cr content of 2.5 or more and 7.0 or less wt %, Mn content of 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less wt %, Si content of 0.1 wt % or more and 1.5 or less wt %, and Mo content of 0.5 or more and 3.0 or less wt %. Further, a carburizing or carbo-nitriding treatment, a quenching treatment and a tempering treatment are applied to the selected member. Furthermore, retained austenite on a surface thereof is 15% or more and 45% or less vol. %, and the surface hardness thereof is HRC60 or more.
US08083861B2	Apparatus and method for cleaning pipelines, tubing and membranes using two-phase flow An apparatus and method for cleaning passageways and the like with a two-phase mixture of gas under pressure and an aqueous cleaning solution. The two-phase cleaning mixture is generated in a module and is passed out of the module at a predetermined rate that determines droplet size, velocity and droplet density at the pipeline surface to be cleaned. The droplets impact the walls of the passageway to be cleaned, thereby fragmenting, eroding and removing contaminants in said passageway. These are then flushed out of the passageway by the two-phase flow. The flow of cleaning solution can be steady or pulsed. The apparatus and process include a clean-in-place system that is useful in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and similar process industries.
US08083857B2	Substrate cleaning method and substrate cleaning apparatus The present invention provides a substrate cleaning method capable of reducing non-uniformity of a removal efficiency of particles between lots with a simple procedure. The substrate cleaning method comprises: a step of supplying a gas into a cleaning tank, while an irradiation of ultrasonic waves to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is being stopped, so as to increase a dissolved gas concentration of the gas dissolved in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank to a saturated concentration; and a step of irradiating ultrasonic waves to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank so as to clean a substrate immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. In the step of increasing the dissolved gas concentration to the saturated concentration, the gas is supplied to the cleaning tank so as to increase the dissolved gas concentration of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank to the saturated concentration. In addition, in the step of increasing the dissolved gas concentration to the saturated concentration, the irradiation of the ultrasonic waves to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is stopped.
US08083856B2	Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and ultrasonic cleaning method An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus having at least a cleaning tank; an ultrasonic wave transmitting tank; a vibrating plate placed at a bottom portion of the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank, the vibrating plate superposing the ultrasonic waves on the transmitting water with a transducer; and a holding jig for holding the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank, the apparatus in which the object to be cleaned is ultrasonically cleaned by immersing the object to be cleaned held with the holding jig in the cleaning liquid accommodated in the cleaning tank, putting the cleaning tank into the transmitting water accommodated in the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank, and transmitting the ultrasonic waves superposed with the vibrating plate to the cleaning tank through the transmitting water, the apparatus comprising a transmitting tank oscillating mechanism for oscillating the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank in a horizontal plane.
US08083852B2	Single crystal growth method and single crystal pulling apparatus A silicon single crystal growth method of pulling up and growing a single crystal from a melt of a silicon raw material melted in a quartz crucible based on a Czochralski method, the method comprising the steps of: applying a direct current voltage in such a manner that an outer wall of the quartz crucible acts as a positive electrode and an electrode immersed into the melt of the silicon raw material acts as a negative electrode, the immersed electrode being placed separately from a pulling member for pulling the single crystal; and growing the single crystal with the pulling member while passing an electric current through the electrode, and a pulling apparatus thereof.
US08083848B2	Compositions comprising fine sedimentary kaolin and methods for preparing same Disclosed herein are kaolin compositions, such as beneficiated fine sedimentary kaolin compositions. The beneficiated fine sedimentary kaolins may be obtained from the upper bed of the Rio Capim Kaolin deposit. The compositions may have at least one property chosen from a low iron content and low Hinckley crystallinity index, such as Fe2O3 in an amount less than about 0.8% by weight relative to the total weight of the solids content and wherein the Hinckley crystallinity index of the kaolin is less than about 0.5. Also disclosed are products obtained therefrom, such as paint and paper coating compositions.
US08083847B2	Fine particle dispersion of infrared-shielding material, infrared-shielding body, and production method of fine particles of infrared-shielding material and fine particles of infrared-shielding material To provide an infrared-shielding body sufficiently transmitting visible rays, having no half-mirror shaped appearance, requiring no large-scale apparatus when forming a film on a substrate, efficiently shutting invisible near-infrared rays with wavelength range of 780 nm or more, while eliminating a heat treatment at high temperature after film formation, and having a spectral characteristic such as transparency with no change of color tone. The starting material, which is a mixture containing a predetermined amount of a tungsten compound, is heated at 550° C. in a reductive atmosphere for 1 hour, then cooled to room temperature once in an argon atmosphere, thus producing powder of W18O49. Then, the powder, the solvent, and the dispersant are mixed, then subjected to dispersion treatment to obtain a dispersion solution. The dispersion solution and a UV-curable hardcoat resin are mixed to obtain a solution of fine particle dispersion of infrared-shielding material. The solution of the fine particle dispersion of infrared-shielding material is applied on a PET resin film to form a film, which is then cured, and an infrared-shielding film having a transmission profile shown in the figure is thereby obtained.
US08083844B2	Chemically-curing type glass ionomer cement This invention provides quality and safe chemically-curing type GIC that solves all the disadvantages of light-curing type GIC, and has mechanical strength not lower but higher than that of light-curing type GIC and, in addition to this, the original features and advantages of GIC. The chemically-curing type glass ionomer cement according to the present invention includes porous and particulate hydroxy apatite that has a means diameter of not less than 0.6 μm and less than 100 μm and a large specific surface, and is added and mixed into the glass ionomer cement.
US08083838B2	Direct stripping cyclone Systems and methods for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension are provided. An apparatus for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension can include an enclosed vessel having two or more sections disposed coaxially along a common longitudinal centerline, wherein a first section has a first cross sectional area, and a second section has a second cross sectional area. A plurality of apertures can be disposed about the second section. The apparatus can have a cylindrical surface, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus, disposed within the first section. A fluid distribution channel having a plurality of apertures can be disposed either about an exterior surface or an interior of the apparatus. A plurality of fluid conduits can provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution channel and the plurality of apertures distributed about the second section.
US08083837B2	Biological process for purifying air in confined rooms and apparatus thereof A deputation process and corresponding apparatus for purification of the air of a closed environment characterized by indoor pollution, in which, in order to reduce the pollution, a water tank is provided that contains a multiplicity of active biomasses designed to absorb and metabolize the pollutant substances that are contained in the water and come from the air of the closed environment, and elements of water-air contact, designed precisely to transfer the pollutant substances from the closed environment into the water within the tank.
US08083836B2	Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
US08083830B2	Slag for electroslag remelting for copper alloy and method for producing copper alloy material An object of the invention is to make it possible to produce a copper alloy in which the S content is reduced with no contamination with Al, which has a good casting surface and good internal properties and in which eutectic compounds are refined. The invention relates to a slag for electroslag remelting for copper alloy, including CaF2: 20 to 45% by mass, CaO: 10 to 30% by mass, SiO2: 10 to 30% by mass, LiF: 10 to 20% by mass, and ZrO2: 5 to 15% by mass with other impurities: at most 1% by mass, and satisfying a formula: 17.0(LiF content+ZrO2 content)−556≦CaF2 content≦4.1(LiF content+ZrO2 content)−80.9, and the invention relates to a method for producing a copper alloy with the slag.
US08083827B2	Low density mist collector pad A wire mesh mist collector pad having multiple density zones, the zones being arranged other than to provide a constantly increasing density gradient, provides a reduced pressure drop and increased capacity. For example, the pad can include at least three zones with the zones arranged so that the density gradient in the direction of gas flow through the pad varies from low to high to low or from high to low to high.
US08083826B2	Honeycomb filter and method for producing the honeycomb filter A honeycomb filter includes cell walls and cells. The cell walls extend along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb filter to define the cells between the cell walls. The cells have first cells and second cells each having a substantially square shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first cells are sealed and the second cells are open at one end face of the honeycomb filter. The substantially square shape of the first cells includes a first side whose extended line intersects a second side except for corner portions of the substantially square shape of the second cells. The second side and the extended line of the first side are substantially perpendicular.
US08083821B2	System for modifying the atmosphere within an enclosed space and incubator system including the same System for modifying the chemical composition of atmosphere within an enclosed space and incubator system including such a system. The concentration of oxygen within the enclosed space may be either increased or decreased using an electrochemical device. The concentration of carbon dioxide within the enclosed space may be increased using an electrochemical or chemical device. As necessary, purging of the system with ambient air can be a part of the process of controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere. The present invention obviates the need to use pressurized gas cylinders to supply atmospheric gases to the enclosed space.
US08083820B2	Structured fixed abrasive articles including surface treated nano-ceria filler, and method for making and using the same Structured fixed abrasive articles including a multiplicity of three-dimensional abrasive composites fixed to the abrasive article, the abrasive composites further including a multiplicity of ceria abrasive particles having a volume mean diameter from 100 to 500 nanometers (nm) in a matrix material, the matrix material further including a polymeric binder and a multiplicity of surface treated ceria filler particles having a volume mean diameter less than 100 nm. Also provided are methods of making and using structured fixed abrasive articles according to the disclosure.
US08083818B2	Method and system for producing synthesis gas Method and system for producing synthesis gas by partial oxidation of a carbonaceous stream, wherein the partial oxidation is controlled using an oxygen to carbon ratio (O/C ratio). A carbonaceous stream and an oxygen containing stream is fed into a gasification reactor at a selected O/C ratio, where it is at least partially oxidized. A gaseous product stream is thereby obtained, which at least contains synthesis gas, CO2 and possibly CH4. The content of CO2 in the product stream is determined, and compared with a pre-determined content thereby possibly obtaining a difference value between the determined content and the pre-determined content. The O/C ratio in step is adjusted based on the difference value.
US08083816B1	Production of hydrogen by means of a mechanical scraper on aluminum in an aqueous medium An apparatus, method, and system for producing hydrogen gas by mechanical scraping of a surface of an aluminum-containing material, in the presence of an aqueous medium, the apparatus including: (a) a reaction chamber having a discharge port, and adapted to sealably contain the aqueous medium; (b) an aluminum-containing workpiece having a working surface; (c) a scraping mechanism having a brush adapted to contact the working surface, the workpiece and the scraping element disposed within the chamber, the surface and the scraping element adapted to move in a relative motion, whereby, in an operating condition, the scraping element scrapes against the working surface to effect a liberation of aluminum-containing particles from the workpiece, the chamber adapted to be substantially sealed with respect to an ambient environment, up to a superatmospheric pressure threshold, and further adapted whereby, during contacting of the aqueous medium and the particles within the chamber, the hydrogen gas is evolved and selectively discharged through the discharge port, when a pressure in the chamber exceeds the threshold.
US08083815B2	Process to prepare methanol and/or dimethylether A process to prepare methanol and/or dimethylether from a solid carbonaceous feedstock comprising the steps of (a) feeding an oxygen-comprising gas and the carbonaceous feedstock to a burner firing into a reactor vessel, (b) performing a partial oxidation of the carbonaceous feedstock in said burner to obtain a stream of hot synthesis gas and a liquid slag whereby both the hot synthesis gas and the liquid slag flow downwardly relative to the burner, (c) cooling the hot synthesis gas by direct contact with a liquid water-containing cooling medium, (d) performing a water shift reaction on at least part of the synthesis gas, to obtain a synthesis gas effluent, (e) performing an oxygenate synthesis using the synthesis gas effluent of step (d), to obtain a methanol and/or dimethylether containing oxygenate effluent and a first liquid water-rich by-product, wherein at least part of the first liquid water-rich by-product is used in step (c), forming at least part of the liquid water-containing cooling medium.
US08083813B2	Methods of producing transportation fuel Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one method for producing transportation fuel is described herein. The method for producing transportation fuel may include providing formation fluid having a boiling range distribution between −5° C. and 350° C. from a subsurface in situ heat treatment process to a subsurface treatment facility. A liquid stream may be separated from the formation fluid. The separated liquid stream may be hydrotreated and then distilled to produce a distilled stream having a boiling range distribution between 150° C. and 350° C. The distilled liquid stream may be combined with one or more additives to produce transportation fuel.
US08083809B2	Azomethine direct dyes or reduced precursors of these dyes obtained from 2-chloro-3-amino-6-methylphenol, and hair dyeing method starting from these dyes and precursors The invention relates to the dyeing of keratinous fibres using azomethine direct dyes of formula (I) or reduced precursors of azomethine direct dyes of formula (II) obtained from 2-chloro-3-amino-6-methylphenol. A subject-matter of the invention is a dyeing composition comprising at least one chlorinated azomethine direct dye or one reduced precursor of a chlorinated azomethine direct dye, a method for dyeing keratinous fibres which employs the said composition and their uses in the dyeing of keratinous fibres. This composition makes it possible to obtain a particularly stable and consistent colouring.
US08083807B2	Method for adjusting a leg prosthesis and verifying the adjustment, and apparatus for the measurement of forces or moments in a leg prosthesis A method is provided for verifying the adjustment of a leg prosthesis. The leg prosthesis includes a prosthetic knee joint pivotally connected to an upper connection and a lower leg shaft. The upper connection fixes the leg prosthesis on a user of the leg prosthesis and the lower leg shaft fastens to a prosthetic foot. The upper connection is displaceable in relation to a joint axis of the prosthetic knee joint. The method includes measuring a knee moment and an axial force by means of sensors when leg prosthesis is being used; calculating a resultant force vector using the knee moment and the axial force; calculating a normal distance relative to the joint axis and the position of the resultant force vector in relation to the joint axis; and verifying a position of the resultant force vector relative to the joint axis in the sagittal plane.
US08083805B2	Absorbable endo-urological devices and applications therefor This invention deals with an absorbable/disintegratable endo-urological stent and applicators for introduction into biological conduits, including such as urethras and ureters, with said stent comprising a fiber-reinforced, multicomponent tube made of polyesters having a range of physicochemical properties.
US08083804B2	Method and apparatus for anastomosis including annular joining member Apparatus method for performing surgical anastomotic procedures are disclosed herein. The apparatus for performing the surgical anastomotic procedure includes a tubular sleeve defining an axial lumen therethrough, a positioning tube defining an axial lumen therethrough, an expansion assembly having a tubular body and an expandable tip operatively coupled to a distal end thereof, and an anchoring assembly. The positioning tube is preferably configured and adapted to be slidably received within the axial lumen of the tubular sleeve.
US08083799B2	Spinal implant A spinal implant for insertion in the intervertebral space is formed as a hollow cage, wedge shaped in profile, with a lesser height leading end for a low profile entry. The cage has two open sides with a plurality of angled teeth along opposite longitudinal edges for engaging the end plates of adjacent vertebrae when the cage is rotated into position. One portion of the angled teeth is angled toward an end of the cage and another portion of the angled teeth is angled away from that end to provide a lock preventing the cage from migrating ventrally or dorsally from the spine. Upon rotation, the leading end has a greater height than the trailing end. Opposing side walls of the cage include recesses to facilitate rotation of the cage and minimize stress on adjacent vertebrae.
US08083793B2	Two piece heart valves including multiple lobe valves and methods for implanting them A heart valve assembly including an annular prosthesis implantable within a biological annulus, a prosthetic valve including a multiple lobular shape for implantation above the biological annulus, and one or more connectors for securing the prosthetic valve to the annular prosthesis. A flexible sewing cuff extends radially from the annular prosthesis that is resiliently flexible for conforming to the multiple lobular shape of the prosthetic valve to enhance a seal between the prosthetic valve and the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may include a core resiliently conformable with anatomy surrounding the biological annulus and fabric covering at least a portion of the core.
US08083785B2	Multi-probe laser device A hand-held laser device that can simultaneously provide multiple types of low level laser therapy treatments to multiple areas of a patient's body simultaneously. The device enables laser light of different pulse repetition rate, different beam shapes and spot sizes to be applied to a patient's body. The device includes multiple laser sources. In the preferred embodiment, two semiconductor diode laser sources simultaneously provide two separate laser beams from separate probes, one laser beam producing laser light at a first pulse repetition rate and the other producing laser light at a second pulse repetition rate.
US08083783B2	Surgical fixation pin A surgical fixation pin for use in fractures of bones in arms or other body parts to achieve support of the bone while the fracture heals. The pin is formed of a spring material and includes at opposite ends an angled, rounded front section and a double bent, extracortical section equipped with a fixation eye for receiving a fixation screw for securing the pin to a bone at a fracture site.
US08083781B2	Bone plate system providing dynamic compression An orthopedic bone plate, suitable for internally fixating and stabilizing fractured bones, includes: an elongated structure, capable of contraction in a longitudinal direction and having at least two ends, the structure having at least two fixation points adapted to be fixated to a fractured bone with the fixation points on opposing sides of a fracture. An elastic, polymer cable is longitudinally stretched and coupled in tension to the elongated structure, capable of causing the structure to contract in the longitudinal direction.
US08083780B2	Spinal fixation mechanism A mechanism for fixing a spinal support to vertebrae includes a support member and a pedicle screw component. The support member comprises an elongated end comprising a longitudinal axis. A hook connects to the elongated end and receives the vertebrae. The hook is angled in three different planes with respect to the longitudinal axis. A connector section connects the elongated end to the hook and is angled with respect to the elongated end and comprises a thickness less than a thickness of the elongated end. The pedicle screw component comprises a fixation component anchored in the vertebrae. The fixation component comprises a socket; a screw head comprising a bulbous end that fits into the socket; and a channel that receives the elongated end. A pin causes outward expansion of the bulbous end; and a blocking mechanism is attached to the screw head and adjacent to the elongated end.
US08083777B2	System and method for polyaxially adjustable bone anchorage An implantable bone anchor assembly for fixing an elongated member such as a spinal rod may include a bone anchor, a coupling head configured to receive the bone anchor and the elongated member, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may provide compressive force to simultaneously fix the position of the elongated member and lock out polyaxial rotation of the bone anchor relative to the coupling head. The locking mechanism may include an engagement member with an oblique surface configured to slide along an oblique surface of the coupling head into engagement with the elongated member. The bone anchor may comprise a head portion and a threaded portion which may be coupled with the coupling head and joined together during manufacture. The assembly may further include a pin and/or a collar to retain the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be side-loaded into the coupling head.
US08083765B2	Surgical instrument A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool, a proximal motion member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the handle, actuation means extending between the distal and proximal motion members for coupling motion of the proximal motion member to the distal motion member for controlling the positioning of the tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position and having locked and unlocked states.
US08083763B2	Apparatus and method for estimating leakage in a surgical tourniquet system Apparatus for estimating a magnitude of leakage from a surgical tourniquet system while pressure in a cuff of the system is regulated near a reference pressure.
US08083760B2	Lancet system with a sterile protector The present invention provides a lancet system having a lancet tip, a lancet body, and an outer body or housing which surrounds the lancet tip and in which the lancet tip is movable. The outer body or housing comprises deformable material which can be pierced by the lancet tip during a puncture operation to produce an outlet opening. The outlet opening can be widened during the puncture operation by a thickened or widened portion of the lancet body that at least partially protrudes through the opening. Other embodiments of the present invention include a pricking aid and/or lancet system provided as a magazine for holding a plurality of lancets.
US08083758B2	Methods and devices for treating obesity and GERD by intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue Described here are devices and methods for intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue. Typically the intussusception is created at a position near, but distal to the gastroesophageal junction, and a pouch capable of storing a volume (from about 0 cc up to about 100 cc) is created proximal the intussuscepted tissue. In this way, the amount of food that may be ingested is reduced, helping to ameliorate GERD symptoms, and aiding in weight loss efforts. Some of the devices described here include an expandable member and at least one suction inlet. In these devices, the expandable member is expanded to create a proximal cavity into which the stomach tissue is pulled (e.g., using suction), thereby creating the intussusception.
US08083757B2	Methods and devices for maintaining a space occupying device in a relatively fixed location within a stomach Methods and devices for maintaining a space-occupying device in a fixed relationship relative to a patient's stomach by manipulation of the stomach. In one variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are brought into approximation with one another and secured together in a manner that secures a space-occupying device within the stomach of the patient. In another variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are wrapped around a space-occupying device to maintain the position of the space-occupying device relative to the stomach wall. In another variation, a system having a space-occupying member and a locking member capable holding the space-occupying member against the inner wall of the stomach are provided. In a further variation, a pouch is created within the stomach that receives and retains a space-occupying device.
US08083756B2	Methods and devices for maintaining a space occupying device in a relatively fixed location within a stomach Methods and devices for maintaining a space-occupying device in a fixed relationship relative to a patient's stomach by manipulation of the stomach. In one variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are brought into approximation with one another and secured together in a manner that secures a space-occupying device within the stomach of the patient. In another variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are wrapped around a space-occupying device to maintain the position of the space-occupying device relative to the stomach wall. In another variation, a system having a space-occupying member and a locking member capable holding the space-occupying member against the inner wall of the stomach are provided. In a further variation, a pouch is created within the stomach that receives and retains a space-occupying device.
US08083752B2	Endovascular aneurysm repair systems and methods Systems and methods introduce a tissue fastener applier to apply tissue-piercing fasteners to a prosthesis sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the prosthesis.
US08083751B2	Scleral depressor A remotely controllable system and method for positioning and operating a scleral depressor. A track is positioned to encircle at least a portion of the eye. One or more independent thrusters, or actuators, are radially positionable about the eye. An actuator is selectively deployable and selectively retractable by remote control. Thrusters may be mechanically operated and include pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, chemical or other power supply forces. Remote control is provided by hand-operated controls, foot-operated switches or voice-operated control. A light source is positioned about at least a portion of the eye to provide transcleral illumination.
US08083750B2	Systems and methods for compressing and distracting vertebrae of the spinal column Spinal surgical systems include a compressor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The compressor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to compress the first and second vertebrae. The systems further include a distractor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The distractor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to distract the first and second vertebrae.
US08083749B2	Method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, low femoral osteotomy Apparatus for performing an open wedge, low femoral osteotomy, the apparatus comprising an osteotomy guide, a hinge pin and an osteotomy implant, the osteotomy guide comprising: anterior and posterior tissue shields having (i) openings for receiving the hinge pin and defining the hinge pin axis, and (ii) profiles configured to enable fluoroscopic alignment of the hinge pin axis parallel to the sagittal plane of the patient, a cutting guide comprising a cutting slot for defining a cutting plane extending parallel to, and through, the hinge pin axis, and a drill guide comprising a hole for forming a guide hole in the femur which extends substantially perpendicular to the cutting plane, the hinge pin comprising an elongated body, and the osteotomy implant for positioning in a wedge-shaped opening formed about the cutting plane and for receiving a screw extending through the guide hole.
US08083742B2	Intramedullary nail The intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis (5), a near end (1) with means (8) for coupling to an insertion device and a far end (2) with a tip (7) for insertion into the intramedullary canal of a long bone. The far end (2) is provided with at least two traversing through holes (3) with axes (6), all of said through holes (3) being grouped in said far end (2) within a distance x measured from said tip (7) to the axis (6) of the most distant hole (3). The nail is provided with at least a third through hole (3) with axis (6) in said far end (2) which contains the first and second holes (3) and the projection of the hole axis (6) of said through holes (3) in a plane orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (5) is such that at least two of said projected hole axis (6) are at an angle α greater than zero and less than 90° with respect to each other.
US08083729B2	Apparatus and method for sterile docking of male medical line connectors A docking station for male medical line connectors, including a base housing securable to a stationary surface and having a plurality of docking bays, each of which is dimensioned and contoured for respectively receiving and temporarily retaining ampules containing sterilization fluid. Each of the ampules has a chamber therein containing the sterilization fluid and an access mouth exteriorly exposed when the ampule is secured in one of the bays, and each mouth has a female medical line connection dimensioned and contoured for temporarily receiving and securing a male medical line connector thereto with the tubular tip of the male connector immersed in sterilization fluid during the period of time that the infusion tubing is disconnected from the patient.
US08083727B2	Endovascular devices and methods for exploiting intramural space Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.
US08083717B2	Two part fluid dispenser with twin reservoir A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes first, second and third stand-alone, inter-connectable assemblies. The first of these assemblies comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control assembly that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoirs of the first and second assemblies of the invention toward the patient via a plurality of fluid flow control passageways. The second and third stand-alone reservoir defining components, which are interconnected with the fluid and delivery control component, each include an integrally formed, hermetically sealed collapsible container and a spring for controllably collapsing the container.
US08083714B2	Catheter balloon A catheter balloon is configured to improve its fold-in or collapsing behavior. The catheter balloon has a balloon body portion, a first tapered end portion and a second tapered end portion. The balloon body portion has a substantially cylindrical shape in an expanded state. The first tapered end portion is formed at a first end of the balloon body portion. The first tapered end portion includes a first predetermined embossment. The second tapered end portion is formed at a second end of the balloon body portion. The second tapered end portion includes a second predetermined embossment. The balloon body portion is formed free of a predetermined embossment. In other words, the balloon body portion is formed without folds so that there is only predetermined folding on the conical end portions for inducing the folding of the balloon body portion in a predetermined direction upon collapsing.
US08083713B2	Catheter with controllable stiffness and method for operating a selective stiffening catheter A method and device for treating a Chronic Total Occlusion provides a controllable stiffness catheter with a shaft having a stiffness sheath and an access lumen. The device has a stiffness device in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the temperature, a temperature-changing device in thermal contact with the stiffness device, the temperature-changing device changing a temperature of the stiffness device below and above the temperature, and a power controller electrically connected to the stiffness device and selectively supplying power to the temperature-changing device to change a stiffness of the stiffness device between the stiff and soft states. A guidewire is moved to a treatment site and the catheter moves along the guidewire up to CTO in its soft state. The catheter stiffens without straightening and, in the stiff state, the catheter or the guidewire is projecting through the CTO.
US08083710B2	Acoustically controlled substance delivery device Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled substance delivery device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a delivery device or related device may be placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. The concentration of a substance in the fluid to be delivered may be modified by a remote control signal. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.
US08083709B2	Dialysis method having supply container autoconnection A method for connecting a plurality of solution line connectors to a plurality of supply line connectors of a dialysis system includes: translating a tip protector remover in a first direction towards the plurality of supply line connectors to remove a plurality of solution line tip protectors from the plurality of solution line connectors; locking the tip protector remover to each of a plurality of supply line tip protectors connected to the plurality of supply line connectors; translating the tip protector remover in a second direction towards the plurality of solution line connectors to remove the plurality of supply line tip protectors from the supply line connectors; translating the tip protector remover in a third direction different from the first and second directions; translating one of the plurality of solution line connectors and the plurality of supply line connectors the other of the solution line connectors and the supply line connectors to connect each of the solution line connectors to one of the supply line connectors.
US08083703B2	Clubfoot orthotics Disclosed is an orthotic for treating at least one component of talipes equinovarus. The orthotic includes an orthotic shell having a plantar support surface configured to support a portion of a foot disposed in the orthotic. The plantar support surface includes a cutout extending laterally through at least a portion of a midfoot portion, and a posterior cuboid supporting surface having a medial boundary, at least a portion of the medial boundary being defined by at least a portion of the cutout.
US08083701B2	Multi-centric orthopedic hinge joint A multi-centric orthopedic joint having inner and outer guide plates and upper and lower arms rotatably connected to the guide plates for pivotal movement therebetween. The plates each include upper and lower pairs of curved bean shaped slots, tilted relative to one another. The arms include a proximal end, the proximal end further including pins positioned and proportioned for complimental sliding movement within the upper and lower slots of the guide plates. Set screws are positioned between the inner and outer guide plate against a locking surface of the proximal end of each arm. When the set screws are loosened the upper and lower arms may be moved relative to one another, permitting the guide pins to slide within the slots but in opposite directions relative to one another. Flat-screws secure the inner and outer guide plates and co-act with the set screws as a locking mechanism of proximal ends of said arms at a desired angulation between them.
US08083700B2	Chair type massager A chair type massager includes a seat part on which a person to be treated sits on, a backrest part with a reclining mechanism to perform a raising/tilting operation, and right and left armrest parts in which the arms are inserted. The massager further includes air bags provided at the armrest parts, the air bags holding the arms placed in the armrest part by being swelled by air supplied from an air supply pump; a control part for controlling the raising/tilting operation of the backrest part and the air supply to the air bags; and a manipulation part for giving instructions to the control part. When controlling the reclining mechanism to tilt the backrest part in response to the instructions from the manipulation part to perform the arm stretch, the control part controls the air supply pump to supply air into the air bags intermittently.
US08083699B2	Electromechanical adjusting instrument A chiropractic adjusting instrument comprising a housing; a thrust nose piece and an impact head to contact a body; a preload switch plunger; a dampening spring; a solenoid having a core; a preload spring; a recoil spring; an electronic pulse system operatively connected to a power source to provide alternating current for energizing the solenoid to impart impulse energy from the core to the thrust nose piece which is reproducible and independent of the power source; and a trigger system for triggering the electronic pulse system comprising an switch activated by the preload switch plunger. Preferably, the chiropractic adjusting instrument includes one or more of the following: an intelligent universal AC power converter; optimized force-time waveform; pulse mode operation; a sensing device having an sense output and a suite of electromechanical components designed to promote reproducible dynamic force impulses and safe operation.
US08083697B2	Massage device with a threaded bolt transmission mechanism The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly having a threaded bolt transmission mechanism for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly includes a pair of massage members. Each massage member has a driving member having an eccentric wheel and an eccentric block, a massage bracket engaged with the driving member and a plurality of massage heads attached to the massage bracket.
US08083693B1	Monitoring posture In order to monitor an individual's posture, a cable is incorporated within a garment that is configured to be worn on an individual's upper body such that at least a portion of the cable spans an upper back region of the garment. A sensor is configured to monitor tension in the cable and to generate an alert when the tension in the cable exceeds a threshold level.
US08083681B2	Ultrasonic probe An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes an inserting portion to be inserted into a body cavity and a grip portion 1 held by an operator outside of the body cavity. The inserting portion 2 includes a transducer unit 4, a rotation axis provided in the transducer unit 4, and a swing mechanism for swinging the transducer unit 4 around the rotation axis as a center, and the grip portion 1 includes a motor 5 for generating a driving force for driving the swing mechanism. The swing mechanism includes a shaft 9 connected to the motor 5, a first pulley 6 attached coaxially to the shaft 9, a second pulley 7 attached coaxially to the rotation axis of the transducer unit 4, and a wire 8 connecting the first pulley 6 and the second pulley 7.
US08083680B2	Ultrasound system and method for forming an ultrasound image The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system and a method for reformatting a planar image. The ultrasound system includes a volume data acquiring unit and an image processing unit. The volume data acquiring unit may acquire volume data by transmitting/receiving ultrasound signals to/from a target object of an un-echoic area. The image processing unit may perform inverse volume rendering upon the volume data to form a 3-dimensional image showing the target object and set a region of interest (ROI) on the target object in response to a user input. The image processor detects data corresponding to the ROI from the volume data and reformats the detected data to form a planar image.
US08083678B2	System, method and medium for acquiring and generating standardized operator independent ultrasound images of fetal, neonatal and adult organs A system, method and medium for standardizing a manner of acquisition and display of ultrasound images. In one embodiment of the invention, a volumetric image of an organ is acquired in a standardized manner. Relationships such as formulas are utilized to automatically generate anatomical planes of interest within the volume that can be displayed independent of the user.
US08083676B2	Apparatus and system for collection and storage of vital signs medical information and methods related thereto Featured is an apparatus for the collection and storage of patient vital sign information as well as systems and methods related thereto. Such a collection and storage apparatus of the present invention forms a workstation that is configured and arranged so as to be capable of acquiring one or more pieces of patient vital sign information and/or data. Such an apparatus includes a re-configurable chair that can adapted to support one or more diagnostic devices, such as a scales and one or more vital sign monitors that are configured and arranged with circuitry and devices to measure and/or monitor any one or more of blood pressure, pulse O2 saturation, body temperature, or blood sugar.
US08083668B2	Through the scope tension member release clip A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release of the yoke from the tension member provides a third user feedback.
US08083667B2	Side looking minimally invasive surgery instrument assembly A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.
US08083666B2	Endoscopic resection devices and related methods of use Described is a tissue resection system which includes a guide element; a resection head; a positioning mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The resection head includes a guide channel slidably receiving the guide element and an endoscope channel sized to slidably receive an endoscope therein, so that, when the resection head is slid along the guide element, the endoscope and the resection head follow a path defined by the guide element. The positioning mechanism moves the resection head relative to a distal end of the endoscope between a first position in which the distal end of the endoscope extends distally out of the endoscope channel and a second position in which the distal end of the endoscope is received within the endoscope channel. The actuating mechanism moving a portion of an outer wall of the resection head to open and close a resection chamber defined by the outer wall.
US08083665B2	Pressure sensors for gastric band and adjacent tissue An apparatus for providing a restriction and sensing an associated operational parameter, comprises a restriction device and a sensing device. The restriction device is configured to be secured around a portion of an anatomical structure. The restriction device is operable to form a restriction within the anatomical structure. The sensing device is configured to sense a parameter associated with operation of the restriction device. At least a portion of the sensing device is configured to be positioned adjacent to tissue of the anatomical structure. The restriction device may comprise a gastric band, among other things. The sensing device may comprise a pressure sensor, among other things.
US08083663B2	Pelvic disorder treatment In a method of treating urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and/or pathological retention of urine, at least one electrode of a lead is implanted in contact with a pelvic muscle of the patient. A proximal end of the lead is connected to a hermetically sealed implantable stimulator device configured to apply an electrical waveform through the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform is delivered from the stimulator device to the pelvic muscle through the lead and the at least one electrode. The electrical waveform provides at least partial relief from at least one of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation and pathological urine retention.
US08083653B2	Exercise device having a door anchor An exercise device having a door anchor is described. The anchor is fixed to a pair of elongated members each having a grip. The anchor stands off from the door by 1 to 18 inches before attaching to the elongated members. In one embodiment, the exercise device is sewn together. In another embodiment, a ring holds the various components together.
US08083648B2	Spreading device for rope networks The invention relates to a rope spreading device for rope networks with tensioning ropes that converge at a top point of a support mast at an acute angle. It is an object of the invention to overcome the lack of play space, while making it also possible to vary the tension of the tensioning ropes. Accordingly, a rope spreading device is provided for rope networks with tensioning ropes that converge at a top point of a support mast at an acute angle, wherein the device is characterized in that at least one rope spreader is arranged between a tensioning rope and a support mast. The rope spreader changes the path of the tensioning rope so that a greater usable volume is created between the tensioning ropes and the central support mast, which can be used for climbing and play. Advantageously, the rope spreader may be used to vary the degree of spreading and the tension of the tensioning ropes.
US08083647B2	Treadmill system and operating method of the same Provided is a treadmill-related technology. That is, the treadmill device and the operating method of the same is configured to detect a user who is taking exercise in real time, take pictures of the detected user's looks, and insert user image data as the results of data analysis, which are obtained from the taken pictures, into a virtual 3D object moving image which indicates the selected exercise course background, so as to project a 3D user image in which the user's behavior patterns are engaged with a virtual 3D object moving image. Therefore, since the treadmill device is used to allow a user to see his own looks taking exercise in real time, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling boring during exercise, and it is easy to continuously check the user's own physical status or conditions. Also, since a user may actively employ exercise course backgrounds which are freely changed during exercise by the user's choices, the best information on the physical rhythm and exercise conditions may be offered to the user, thereby improving the user's satisfaction and buying power, which leads to an expected increase in the sales.
US08083646B2	Athleticism rating and performance measuring system A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
US08083642B2	Transmission apparatus A transmission apparatus includes a wet rotary clutch configured to transmit power from an input to an output when in an engaged position, a clutch lubricator to supply a lubricating oil to the wet rotary clutch, a synchromesh configured to perform a meshing operation while the wet rotary clutch is in the disengaged position, and a controller configured to increase a revolution speed of the input of the wet rotary clutch before the synchromesh begins the meshing operation.
US08083640B2	Apparatus and method for controlling continuously variable transmission and program for performing the control method An apparatus and method for controlling a CVT (continuously variable transmission), and a program for executing the control method that reduces a transmission shock during a braking operation. When a foot brake switch is turned on and a vehicle speed is less than or equal to a threshold speed, the ECU increases a clamping pressure applied to a transmission belt to a pressure level higher than a normal pressure. When the vehicle speed falls to or below the threshold speed when the foot brake switch is turned on, the ECU prohibits an increase in the clamping pressure applied to the transmission belt.
US08083639B2	Method for the wear-free braking of a vehicle with an electrodynamic drive system A method for wear-free braking of a vehicle having an electrodynamic drive system including an electric machine and a planetary gearset with a crankshaft of the combustion engine being connected with a first element of the gearset, the electric machine connected to a second element of the gearset and a transmission input shaft connected to a carrier of the gearset. The friction clutch serves as a bridging clutch to detachably connect two elements of the gearset such that when the clutch is engaged, the gearset is locked and the combustion engine operating in thrust mode applies braking torque to the drive train, the clutch is disengaged and a transmission input speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the speed of the combustion engine is raised to a maximum speed by appropriate control of the electric machine.
US08083636B2	Electronic control torque vectoring axle The present invention is an axle (10) for a vehicle having a housing (12), an input shaft (14) coupled to a differential on a first end, extending through the length of the housing (12), and an output gear (16) having a first tooth profile located inside the housing (12) splined to the input shaft (14). Also included is a drive gear (18) having a second tooth profile coupled to a differential housing, at least one planetary gear (20) having a single tooth profile mounted on a carrier (22), in mesh with the first tooth profile of the output gear (16) and the second tooth profile of the drive gear (18), a carrier ring (26), and an actuatable clutch pack (32) coupled to the carrier ring (26) and the housing (12). When the actuatable clutch pack (32) is actuated, the carrier (22) is slowed down, and the speeds of the planetary gear (20) and the output gear (16) are increased, increasing the speed of the input shaft (14).
US08083625B2	Driving force transmission device and image recording apparatus having the same A driving force transmission device is provided. The device includes: a first differential unit and a second differential unit. The first differential unit includes: first and second input shafts connected to a first motor and a second motor, respectively, and a first output shaft connected to a first driven member. The second differential unit includes: third and fourth input shafts connected to the first motor and the second motor, respectively, and a second output shaft connected to a second driven member. An angular speed of the first output shaft is a sum of a times a first angular speed of the first motor and b times the second angular speed of a second motor. An angular speed of the second output shaft is a sum of c times the first angular speed and d times the second angular speed. a, b, c and d satisfy a relation of ad−bc≠0.
US08083621B1	Variable speed transmission A multiple-ratio drive transmission comprises first and second spaced disc systems, each system of which is composed of three separate discs: (1) a retention disc located at an outermost side; a pin receiving disc located at an innermost side; and, (3) a pin holding disc sandwiched between. Each disc comprises concentric rings of proportionally spaced holes through which corresponding pins are maintained, inserted, retracted, or traversed. As the disc system rotates, each pin on a ring associated for a selected gear passes through a shifting zone in which a ramp mechanism is inserted. A plurality of selection cams rotates to urge a sequential outward deflection of cams. By rotating the selection cam, sequential deflection cams extend into the drive position; they urge a pivoting of a select deflection ramp. The ramp for the pre-selected gear ratio causes the ring to extend to the drive position. As the pins lift, the chain impinges and the gear ratio completely changes during one revolution. All other pins not engaged in the chain slot are held in a neutral or a retracted position by the retention disc.
US08083620B2	Ball bats Ball bats comprising a stem and a handle surrounding the stem. An elastomeric decoupler system installed in the handle sharply reduces the transmission of shocks and vibrations from the stem to the handle, mitigating stinging and other unpleasant sensations experienced by the batter when a ball is struck. Unpleasant sensations can be further reduced by installing a DTMS damping device in the knob of the bat and by installing an elastomeric grip on the handle of the bat; and the unpleasant sound made when a bat strikes the ground or the like can be materially reduced by a device attached to the stem of the bat intermediate the ends of the handle. The present inventions are particularly adaptable to hollow, metal bats; and provision is made for venting the knob of the bat when it is welded in place so hot gases will not be forced into, and reduce the integrity of, the weld. Appropriate ones of the devices described above may also advantageously be employed in wood, composite, and other bats.
US08083616B2	Golf ball marker A golf ball marker that includes a body having a geometric shape and an arcuate ball location reference for easily positioning a golf ball. The body may also include alignment indicia for aligning the golf ball with an intended ball path.
US08083615B2	Set of golf tees A set of golf tees that includes at least a low spin golf tee and a high spin golf tee. The low spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide decreased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the low spin golf tee. The high spin golf tee is constructed in a manner to provide increased resistance to the deformation of a golf ball that is impacted by a golf club while resting on the high spin golf tee.
US08083608B2	Orientation marker for golf club having releasable and interchangeable head and shaft connections A golf club may have an orientation marker located on the golf club that indicates at least a relative orientation between the golf club head and shaft. The orientation marker may be located, for example, on the golf club head or shaft. A key member provides additional information with respect to the relative orientation between the golf club head and the shaft. The key member may be located, for example, on the golf club head, shaft, or grip portion, or on a head cover for the golf club head.
US08083604B2	Information processing apparatus provided with input system utilizing stroboscope A stroboscope is utilized as an input device of a golf game system (10), for example. The golf game system includes a game machine (12) as an information processing apparatus and a golf-club-shaped input device (14), and within a housing of the game machine, an imaging unit (28) is housed, and the imaging unit is provided with an image sensor (40) and an infrared-LED. By utilizing the infrared-LED, an infrared ray is intermittently emitted to a predetermined range of an upper portion of the imaging unit. Accordingly, the image sensor intermittently images a reflective body provided in the golf-club-shaped input device moving within the range. Such the stroboscope image processing of the reflective body enables calculation of a velocity, and so on as an input of the game machine.
US08083603B2	Bowling bumper system and method of use and installation A bowling bumper system is provided. The bowling bumper system and more particularly an actuator or actuator assembly is decoupled from the bumpers, themselves, and configured to move the bumpers into an extended or retracted position.
US08083601B2	Systems and methods for moving a baby container Systems and related methods are delineated for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a support structure. One delineated system for moving a provided baby container suspended above ground from a support structure, the system comprises: a force generator coupled to the baby container; an elastic supporter having a first end and a second end; a sound generation device proximate the force generator; wherein: the first end of the elastic supporter is coupled to the support structure; the second end of the elastic supporter is coupled to force generator; and the force generator is configured to apply a periodic force to the baby carrier to cause oscillatory motion; and the sound generation device is configured to provide an aural output when a predetermined condition is achieved. Audio/Video monitoring and transmission may be provided.
US08083599B2	Rotating rides with interactive water features A rotating ride for use in water parks and other settings to provide ride passengers or park guests with an interactive water experience. The ride includes a structural system with a drive that rotates a support structure such as a wheel frame about a central axis or hub. The ride includes a plurality of vehicles that each includes a body with seating for passengers and that is connected to the support structure and rotates with it. The vehicle assembly includes a water release mechanism that is passenger operable to release water from the vehicle as it is moved through the ride path. The vehicle body may include a water storage reservoir storing a volume of water that then can be selectively released by the passenger. The stored water may be caught as it pours over the vehicle or the vehicle may pass through a pool to scoop up the water.
US08083591B2	Game hosting service A network gaming service accesses attributes of a particular user to match the user to a gaming session with users having similar attributes. A game hosting service uses preferences of the users in a session and determines parameters for a match. Subsequent match parameters can be further determined based on a history for the session as well as each of the user's preferences.
US08083590B2	Multidirectional ergonomic control unit A multidirectional control unit includes a lower body of main axis A, an intermediate part which is mounted to move relative to the body in a radial plane, radial displacement guidance means for the intermediate part, a handle of secondary axis B, which is supported by the intermediate part and which is linked to it in radial displacement, between a neutral central position and a plurality of radial actuation positions. The handle may be mounted to slide axially on the secondary axis B, between a top idle axial position and a bottom active axial position. At least one electrical switch may be able to change state when the handle is displaced towards its bottom active axial position. The handle is mounted to rotate freely, about the secondary axis B, relative to the body of the multidirectional control unit.
US08083587B2	Gaming machine with dialog outputting method to victory or defeat of game and control method thereof A slot machine 1 of the present invention makes a control so as to: sequentially store the number of game values consumed per unit game; sequentially store the number of game values given per unit game; calculating a difference between the total number of game values given and the total number of game values consumed, as a self game value difference; transmitting the self game value difference to outside; receiving someone's game value difference from outside; when the self game value difference and the someone's game value difference are in a predetermined relationship, voice-outputting, by the conversation controller 91, an answer at volume corresponding to the predetermined relationship from the speaker 23 in response to a voice input through the microphone 90; and delete the stored numbers of game values given and consumed, under a predetermined condition.
US08083586B2	System and method for providing interoperability of independently-operable electronic games A system for providing interoperability of electronic games independently-operable from one another includes a network entity and a client. The client can interact with the network entity to play a master electronic game using shared attributes otherwise configured for use in a subordinate electronic game, where the client can interpret the respective shared attributes for use during play of the master electronic game. During play of the master electronic game, the client can receive a selection of at least one subordinate game from within the master electronic game. In response, the client can initiate the selected subordinate game for play using shared attributes otherwise configured for use in the master electronic game and/or another subordinate electronic game. Similarly, the client can interpret the respective shared attributes for use during play of the selected subordinate game.
US08083584B2	Method for permitting cancellation of a wager A computer system permitting cancellation of wagers on pending events includes a wager cancellation link, which when enabled, permits the user to cancel their wager prior to the occurrence of the pending event, such as a horse race. The wager cancellation link may be enabled for users who do not have a history of excessive cancellation of wagers, measured either by number of cancellations or by a dollar value of cancelled wagers. The wager cancellation link may also be enabled for certain events occurring at certain venues. A wager cancellation limitation disables the wager cancellation link when the limitation has been violated. The computer system credits the user's account with the value of the cancelled wager in response to cancellation of the wager.
US08083580B2	Slot machine and control method of game A slot machine includes a symbol display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, and a controller. A mode shifts from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on a condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted. A number of games in which game media are BET in a number equal to a previously set maximum number of BETs after shifting to said insurance mode, in said insurance mode, is counted. A game in which game media are BET in a number not equal to said previously set maximum number of BETs is not counted. A predetermined number of game media are paid out when the number of games counted in the counting reaches a specific number. The mode shifts from the insurance mode to the non-insurance mode while holding the number of games counted in the counting when a predetermined insurance canceling condition is established.
US08083577B2	Electronic game with actions based on real statistics Sports based computer game, e.g., football game, is played using data from actual games. Updates are received about new information from more recent games. Each game is divided into plays, and each play is characterized so that the play can be replayed on the game. Characteristics of the plays can be changed to simulate what is scenarios.
US08083576B2	Contoured ventilation system for tile roofs A profiled ridge vent for tile roofs is provided having a vent strip located on each side of a roof ridge. Each vent strip includes a vent material, formed from a non-woven mat, including a first surface, contoured to a profile to match a profile of the tile roof, and a second surface. An upper water barrier is attached to the second surface of at least one of the vent strips and extends over the roof ridge. A water dam is attached to the first surface and extends in an up-slope direction toward the roof ridge. In use, a first vent strip is located on a first side of a roof ridge pole, and a second vent strip is located on a second side of the roof ridge pole. The upper water barriers of the first and second vent strips overlap one another at the ridge pole. Preferably, adhesive is provided on at least one of the upper water barriers so that the two water barriers are connected together. Alternatively, a single water barrier is provided which bridges the ridge pole and joins the first and second vent strips. Cap shingles which conceal the water barriers are connected to the ridge pole. Ends of the cap shingles rest on portions of the first and second vent strips.
US08083573B2	Dust collection and containment in a rotary floor sanding machine A rotary floor sanding machine has a vertically oriented bell housing with a backside floor support and a dust suction port for removing dust from within. The bell housing encloses the sides and backside of a disk casing and rotary sanding pad. The floor support is configured to place the floor contact area of the sanding pad forward of center. There is a lifting vane extending from proximate the floor contact area of the sanding pad in the direction of rotation towards the suction port in the bell housing to elevate dust particles to the higher velocity airflow near the suction port. There may be a shield for reducing the floor level opening between the back edge of the disk casing and the bell housing.
US08083568B2	Child-inducted, electrically powered toy The present invention is a totally new children‘s’ toy unlike any of its predecessors; and is based on a novel structural relationship and unique pairing of a replenishable power supply cache of direct electric current in the toy construct with an independent supporting assembly having a hand-operable mechanical dynamo and commutator structure. This relationship and pairing is able to provide newly generated electrical energy at will mechanically, by electrical induction; convert the newly generated electrical energy into direct current; and then transfer the newly generated direct current of the supporting assembly on-demand as replenishment energy to the power supply cache of the toy construct for storage. The replenishment direct current stored within the power supply cache is the immediate and sole reservoir of electric energy for powering and operating the functional component(s) of the toy.
US08083563B2	Methods of fabricating display panel and flexible color filter thereof A method of fabricating a display panel comprises the steps of: forming a controlling elements array substrate and a flexible color filter, respectively; forming a displaying medium on the controlling elements array substrate; and assembling the flexible color filter to the controlling elements array substrate for disposing it on the displaying medium layer. A method of fabricating a flexible color filter comprises the steps of: forming a flexible substrate on a rigidly substrate; forming a color filter film comprising a plurality of color filter patterns; and separating the flexible substrate from the rigidly substrate. Since the color filter film are formed before separating the flexible substrate from the rigid substrate, the flexible color filter may have good resolution and process yield.
US08083561B1	Liquid crystal display panel and method for repairing signal line thereof A display panel and a method for repairing signal lines thereof are disclosed. The display panel includes at least one shorting bar, switches, and auxiliary repair lines. The switches are electrically coupled respectively to signal lines and the at least one shorting bar. Both ends of each of the auxiliary repair lines overlap one of connections between the switches and the at least one shorting bar. When a signal line is damaged, the method for repairing includes: breaking off each of the connections between each of the switches and the at least one shorting bar by cutting; and welding both ends of one of the auxiliary repair lines which correspond to the damaged signal line with both sides of one of the connections which correspond to the damaged signal line.
US08083560B2	Pivotal surfboard fin assembly A pivotal surfboard fin assembly for use on a surfboard, the assembly comprising: an insert bracket having a board face mountable to the bottom surface of the surfboard and a bracket face with a lock pin aperture and a flex plug cavity; an elastomeric flex plug having a flex plug hole, a first flex plug surface, and a second flex plug surface, the flex plug disposed in the flex plug cavity; a surfboard fin having a fin blade, a mounting edge, a flex pin channel, a fixed lock pin mountable to the surfboard fin and disposable into the lock pin aperture, a biased flex pin slidably disposable into the flex pin channel and the flex plug hole; and a first compression pin and a second compression pin engaged with the insert bracket and operative to laterally compress the flex plug.
US08083558B2	Outboard motor An outboard motor has a top cover extending over an engine cover covering an engine, and an upstream intake silencer spaced upward apart from the top wall of the engine cover. The upstream intake silencer has an entrance duct spaced apart from the top wall and forming an inlet air passage through which air for combustion flows from an air-intake space into the upstream intake silencer. The upstream end of the inlet air passage is on the rear side of the downstream end of an outlet air passage and at a level above that of an air-intake opening. The entrance duct does not extend downward from a bottom wall forming the upstream expansion chamber and protrudes upward from the bottom wall in the upstream expansion chamber.
US08083555B2	Jumper cable clamp One aspect of the present invention is a jumper cable clamp that is biased to a position with its jaws open. Another aspect of the present invention is a jumper cable clamp that uses biases open its jaws using torsional tension in a helical spring. Another aspect of the present invention is a jumper cable clamp that includes a set of jaws, a jaw-biasing hardware set and a ratchet hardware set where: (i) the jaw-biasing hardware set biases the jaws towards an open position; and (ii) the ratchet hardware set holds the position of the jaws at regular positional increments as the jaws are moved, against the bias provided by the jaw-biasing hardware set, towards a closed position. Preferably, the ratchet hardware set further includes a quick release mechanism structured, located, sized, shaped and/or mechanically connected to release a ratcheted engagement of the ratchet hardware set upon activation of the quick release mechanism.
US08083553B2	Connector with improved shielding in mating contact region An electrical connector system includes a daughter card connector formed of a plurality of wafers. Each wafer is formed with cavities between the contacts of the signal conductors. The cavities are shaped to receive lossy inserts whereby crosstalk is reduced. The connector system may also or alternatively include a front housing formed with shield plates also to aid in reducing cross-talk. The front housing is adapted to mate between the wafers of the daughter card connector and a backplane connector of the electrical connector system. In an alternative embodiment, the front housing portion may include lossy conductive portions for cross-talk reduction.
US08083550B2	Electrical connector with cover An electrical connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a body having a male mating face, a first abutment face and a first mounting face and a number of first contacts each of which has a first male engaging section, a first median portion, and the first tail portion. A female connector includes a body having a female mating face, a second abutment face, and a second mounting face and a number of second contacts each of which has a first female engaging section, and a second male engaging section. A protective cover disposed on a top region between the female connector and the male connector has a projection, which abuts against the first median section of at least one of the first contact.
US08083549B1	Electrical connector and molding method thereof An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals and a shielding shell which are molded integrally. The insulating housing has a top wall, two side walls, a bottom wall and a rear wall which are interconnected to form a box shape with an accommodating chamber formed thereamong. The terminals are molded in the insulating housing with contact portions extended into the accommodating chamber. The shielding shell includes an inner shell and an outer shell fixedly attached on the inner shell. The inner shell includes a top plate, two side plates and a bottom plate which are interconnected together to surround a receiving space thereamong. The shielding shell is molded in a periphery of the accommodating chamber with a portion of the outer shell exposed outside the insulating housing.
US08083548B1	Probe connector A probe connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of probe pins and a shielding shell. The insulating housing has a base body and a tongue portion. The insulating housing defines a plurality of inserting holes penetrating through the base body and the tongue portion. Two opposite surfaces of the base body defines two fastening portions. The probe pins are inserted in the inserting holes. The shielding shell has a top plate and a blocking plate extending downward from a periphery of the top plate with an accommodating chamber formed therein. The top plate defines a plurality of matching holes. The tongue portion is inserted in the accommodating chamber with the matching holes aligned with the corresponding inserting holes. Two fastening plates are protruded from two opposite bottom edges of the blocking plate. Each fastening plate has a matching fastening portion thereon for engaging with the fastening portion.
US08083545B2	Shield structural body, connector assembly and connector structural body having shield structural body, casing assembly, and electric compressor Disclosed are a shield structural body, a connector assembly and connector structural body using the shield structural body, a casing assembly having the connector assembly, and an electric compressor having the casing assembly. The shield structural body is formed of an electrically conductive material and has a tube section, a ground electrode terminal formed electrically integrally with the tube section, claw sections integrally formed with the tube section, projected at least either radially outward or inward from the tube section, and engageable with a shield structural body holding member. The shield structural body can be produced at low cost, the connector assembly can provide high productivity and can be produced at low cost, the connector structural body is highly reliable, the casing assembly using the connector assembly is highly versatile, and the electric compressor having the casing assembly can easily cope with model changes.
US08083544B2	Coaxial connector with resilient pin for providing continued reliable contact A connector for use in attaching a coaxial cable includes a conducting body having a pair of insulators mounted at the ends of the conducting body. The insulators support the ends of a center pin formed from a conducting material. The ends of the center pin can include contact structures having pairs of front and back contact leaves defining pin-shaped connectors that each provide an area of increased surface contact with a center conducting wire of the coaxial cable to enable larger and more consistent current flows and enhanced radio frequency return loss for the connector.
US08083543B2	Joint connector and wire short-circuiting method using the same A joint connector capable of mutually short-circuiting wires reliably without an increase in the number of components and size thereof. The joint connector (JC) comprises a joint terminal for short-circuiting and a connector housing. The joint terminal includes a plurality of electric contact portions and a short-circuiting portion connecting the electric contact portions. The connector housing has a bottom wall and other walls surrounding a terminal insertion space into which each of the wire-side terminal is inserted, and a lance for locking the inserted wire-side terminal. The lance adapted to be deflected so as to project outwardly from the bottom wall, until the wire-side terminal reaches a proper insertion depth position, to be retracted from the wire-side terminal, and elastically return into the bottom wall, when the wire-side terminal reaches the position. The deflection of the lance allows the insertion of the wire-side terminal to be checked.
US08083542B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector is provided that has adequate shielding and does not compromise workability. The electrical connector includes a housing, an actuator, a shield plate, a plurality of signal contacts, a shield contact, a pair of pegs and a shield shell. An upper surface of the electrical connector is covered with the shield plate and the shield shell, both of which are made of a conductive material, and the shield plate and the shield shell are connected to a grounding pattern on a printed wiring board for grounding. In addition, shield paths are formed in an open space between the shield plate) and the shield shell to divide the open space into left and right non-shielded areas and a central non-shielded area. The connector can be shielded with reliability from an electromagnetic wave produced by the connector itself or an external electromagnetic wave with the open space remaining.
US08083538B2	Insulation displacement contact with separation point and contact arrangement with insulation displacement contact The invention relates to an insulation displacement contact for contacting an electrical conductor and to a contact arrangement with at least one insulation displacement contact. In order to limit contacting forces in such a way that the contact arrangement undergoes no substantial deformation, the insulation displacement contact includes at least one insulation displacement arm having a separation point, which limits movements of a free end of the at least one insulation displacement arm, which is brought about by the contacting process.
US08083537B2	Grounding wire connection device A ground connector comprises facing pieces one ends of which are interconnected via a connecting section, a pair of holding pieces formed by folding back the other ends defining an opening into the space defined by the facing pieces, a displacement section connected between the internal surfaces if the facing pieces and forming a V shape projecting toward the opening, and a piercing piece. A ground wire is inserted into a ground-wire insertion space, the ground connector is attached to an end edge of a vehicle body panel through the opening, the insertion force of the vehicle body panel causes the vehicle body panel to push the displacement section toward the connecting section thus to reverse the projection of the displacement section toward the connecting section and the piercing piece pierces the insulation cover of the ground wire to come into contact with the conductor of the ground wire.
US08083532B1	Electrical contact with easy release A female contact comprising two opposing elongated blades pivotally connected defining a gap there between to receive a male prong, the blades having at least one angularly directed extension resiliently engaging a shaped surface configured to regulate restraining forces on a male prong during insertion, retention and extraction from the gap, thereby self activating an abrupt release of the prong in response to a predetermined extraction force applied in a substantial range of lateral angles.
US08083531B1	Power connector A connector group is disclosed including at least a substantially hollow body; an electrically conductive connector disposed on the surface of the body; wherein the connector is capable of receiving and retaining a plug therewithin and is configured to couple that plug to an electrical network; wherein each plug has at least one electrical conductor protruding from a plug face disposed at an end of a flexible electrical conductor; a lever pivotably coupled to the body with the lever being a member having at least a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a hinge disposed therebetween.
US08083530B2	Circuit board connector A circuit board connector with no delay (skew) of signals and no crosstalk of signals. In a circuit board connector, a plurality of terminals having horizontal portions to be connected to ends of electric wires and vertical portions extending downward from one ends of the horizontal portions and arranged to be connected to a signal pattern of a printed circuit board are included, vertical portions of upper terminals are located on the back side of vertical portions of lower terminals, are bent in the width directions, and the path lengths of the upper terminals and of the lower terminals are equal. A tip portion of the lower terminal is received by a receiving groove of an inner housing housing a base portion of the vertical portion of the adjacent terminal.
US08083529B2	Socket A socket includes a first relay board mounted on a mounting board, a second relay board detachably mounted on the first relay board, and a frame part fixed to the first relay board. The frame part positions and holds the first and second relay boards, and positions detachably and holds an object of connection on the second relay board. The first relay board includes first and second conductor layers on its first and second surfaces, respectively. The second conductor layer is electrically connected to the mounting board. The second relay board includes third and fourth conductor layers on its first and second surfaces, respectively; and first and second connection terminals with a spring characteristic on the third and fourth conductor layers, respectively. The first and second connection terminals contact the object of connection and the first conductor layer, respectively, to electrically connect the object of connection and the mounting board.
US08083528B2	Connector, electronic device, and method of manufacturing electronic device A connector includes a contact pin in which a free end projecting from a supporting member comes into contact with an electrode of a first object and a second object, and a bending part is provided onto a base end such that the connector has an inclination against the first object and the second object. The rigidity of the bending parts is selectively set to be high by selectively increasing a thickness of the bending part.
US08083526B2	Socket connector with ground shields between adjacent signal contacts A socket connector is provided for mating with a mating connector having a printed circuit. The socket connector includes a housing having a socket. The socket is configured to receive a mating edge of the printed circuit of the mating connector therein. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include mating interfaces arranged in a row within the socket of the housing. Electrically conductive ground shields are held by the housing. The ground shields extend from mating ends to mounting ends. The mating ends of the ground shields extend between adjacent signal contacts. The ground shields include shield slots extending into the mating ends. The shield slots of the ground shields are configured to receive the mating edge of the printed circuit of the mating connector therein to electrically connect the ground shields to the printed circuit.
US08083522B2	Method for tooth implants A systematic approach to planning and selection of a dental implant. Models of the patient's dentition, including the gingival and supporting bone structure are analyzed in relation to a model of the dentition that will be replaced by the implant. Based on information collected from a missing tooth (or teeth) model, greater insight can be gained into the functional and aesthetic attributes of the implant best suited for the patient. And from this realization a more informed decision can be made for planning the procedure for installation of the implant for the patient, and selection of the implant, e.g., size, type and orientation of supporting fixture and abutment.
US08083521B2	Anchor apparatus for orthodontic appliances Anchor apparatus for orthodontic appliances for moving a molar or the like. A first anchor is attached to the cortical bone adjacent to one side of the molar. The first anchor is elongated and has an outer head portion for attachment to an orthodontic appliance, and an inner threaded portion in engagement with the cortical bone. A second anchor is disposed on the side of the molar opposite to the one side. The second anchor has an outer head portion for attachment to an orthodontic appliance and is attached to the first anchor. The second anchor also may have an inner threaded portion in engagement with the cortical bone. The first and second anchors are substantially longitudinally aligned with each other to minimize the space taken up by the anchors adjacent to the molar.
US08083520B2	Reactor for direct utilization of external radiation heat for thermal or thermo-chemical material processes A reactor for direct utilization of external radiation heat includes a containment can having a longitudinal axis, an external driving mechanism for controllable rotating the containment can and a cavity having a cylindrical shape. The cavity is partially lined with an insulation layer and disposed in the containment can. The cavity has a gas inlet, a gas outlet and an aperture for allowing to insert the external radiation heat into the cavity. A feeder mechanism is moveable along the longitudinal axis into and out of the cavity for supplying the material subject to the thermal or thermo-chemical material process. The gas outlet is formed as a ring channel tube having an inner and an outer surface, wherein the feeder mechanism is at least partially hosted within a tube cavity defined by the inner surface. Cooling means are associated with the inner and/or outer surface.
US08083519B2	Burner nozzle A burner comprises a body, a nozzle, and at least one attachment element for removably attaching the nozzle to the body. The body defines an oxidant inlet, a feedstock inlet, a body outlet, and one or more passages for conveying the oxidant from the oxidant inlet to the body outlet and for conveying the gasification feedstock from the feedstock inlet to the body outlet. The nozzle defines a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet, wherein the nozzle inlet is configured to receive the oxidant and the gasification feedstock from the body outlet and the nozzle outlet is configured to discharge the oxidant and the gasification feedstock into the reaction chamber. The at least one attachment element removably attaches the nozzle to the body such that the nozzle inlet is in fluid flow communication with the body outlet when the nozzle is attached to the body.
US08083517B2	Method of operating a furnace A method of firing a burner into a furnace process chamber supplies the burner with fuel and combustion air at a ratio that provides a level of excess air. The method includes the steps of reducing the flow rate of combustion air, and maintaining the level of excess air when the flow rate of combustion air is being reduced. Other steps include withdrawing exhaust gas from the process chamber, and supplying the burner with the exhaust gas at an increasing flow rate when the flow rate of combustion air is being reduced.
US08083514B2	Uniform-pressure shaping apparatus and system In a uniform-pressure shaping apparatus and system, the system comprises a uniform-pressure shaping apparatus, a vacuum unit and a fluid circulation unit, and the apparatus comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, each including a sealed pressure chamber, a heat conduction film and a template. An object to be imprinted is put on a pattern-imprinting surface of the template. When the first and second cavities get close to each other, the vacuum unit vacuums the space between the pattern-imprinting surfaces of the two templates. Meanwhile, the fluid circulation unit drives a hot fluid to pass through the two sealed pressure chambers. With the iso-pressure characteristic of the hot fluid, the object to be imprinted is heated and pressed uniformly until a desired shape is formed, and then a cold fluid is driven to pass through the two sealed pressure chambers to cool the object to be imprinted.
US08083513B2	Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object layer by layer Apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying a powdery constituent material layer by layer at the positions corresponding to the profile of the object (3) to be manufactured in the corresponding layer, by the action of a laser or another energy source comprises a support (2) on which the object (3) is formed and an applicator (6, 7) for applying a layer of the constituent material onto the support or a layer at least partially solidified in advance. The applicator (6, 7) has a receiving device (40) for receiving a applying module such as a blade module (30). The receiving device (40) is formed in a way so that the applying module (30) can be exchangeably inserted into and removed from the receiving device (40) in a way that a predetermined position of the applying module (30) in the receiving device (40) is reproducibly determined.
US08083507B2	Vacuum pump having rotation body cleaning unit with spraying holes on an output surface of the cleaning body surrounding a shaft Provided is a vacuum pump having a rotation body cleaning unit. The vacuum pump includes a case provided with rotation guide holes at opposite end parts. The case includes a rotation body placed inside the case and including a rotation shaft having opposite ends rotatably supported by the rotation guide holes and a number of lobes provided in the rotation shaft at predetermined intervals. Further, a cleaning part is supported by the case and placed in a space between the lobes and cleans the rotation body.
US08083503B2	Peristaltic pump assembly and regulator therefor A peristaltic pump assembly includes a pump body and a cassette removably attached thereto, wherein the cassette includes a race configured to provide a compression surface for a tube supported by the cassette. A roller assembly is operatively connected to the pump body, wherein the roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers configured to apply a predetermined force to the tube, thereby compressing the tube against the race. The peristaltic pump assembly further includes a regulator disposed in the pump body and operatively connected to the cassette, where the regulator is configured to regulate the predetermined force applied to the tube.
US08083502B2	Submersible pump A submersible pump for removing liquids from an enclosure having at least one outlet socket for discharging liquid from the enclosure, an electric actuator with a rotary output shaft, a bladed wheel within the enclosure and driven by the actuator and rotating about an axis of the output shaft and wherein a wall of the enclosure is defined by a base having at least one inlet orifice for drawing liquids into the enclosure, and a plate mounted in a reversible manner within the enclosure and close to the base in two distinct configurations, and wherein in one mounting configuration a first cavity of a first dimension is created adjacent the base for the passage of a liquid laden with solid particles and in the other mounting configuration a second cavity of a second dimension is created adjacent the base for the passage of a clear liquid.
US08083500B1	Motor pump An improved motor pump that enables the serviceability thereof, as well as improved clearance between components of the motor pump, the motor pump including a stator assembly, a rotor assembly having a front bearing for supporting a motor shaft and a bearing support member for receiving the front bearing, and a sleeve assembly including a sleeve. Both the bearing support member and the sleeve have respective pilot sections. An interface surface is defined between the bearing support member and the sleeve that includes an undulating surface with separate but multiple contact locations therebetween. The bearing support member is inserted into the sleeve so that the respective pilot sections engage to thus provide essentially a clearance-less fit therebetween.
US08083497B2	Pressure washer pump housing stand An apparatus and method to support a pressure washer pump housing with a stand directly connected to the pressure washer pump housing. The stand comprises a horizontal platform connected to an underside of an engine and legs comprising vertical portions and strut portions, the vertical portions directly connected to and obliquely extending from the platform and the strut portions obliquely extending from the housing to the vertical portions.
US08083496B2	Air compressor enclosed in shroud having tab isolator The present invention is directed to an air compressor enclosed in a shroud with plastic tab isolators. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, an air compressor may include an air tank for containing air at an elevated pressure, and a shroud for enclosing the air tank. The shroud may include a ribbing and a plurality of support members. The ribbing and the plurality of support members may be in contact with the air tank to assist in holding the air tank inside the shroud.
US08083494B2	Pulse jet engine having an acoustically enhanced ejector system Improvements to combustors such as burners and engines are provided. In one aspect, the specification presents an acoustically enhanced ejector system which can be used as part of an intake system for a combustor. In another aspect, the specification teaches the use of a combustor combustion chamber as an oscillator to magnify a harmonic frequency of a pulsating frequency of the combustor. In still other aspects, the specification presents a combustion chamber having an inlet with a plurality of tangentially spaced apertures, and an in-line intake system connected to the apertures.
US08083488B2	Blade extension for rotor blade in wind turbine A rotor blade assembly is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade and a blade extension. The rotor blade has a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade further has an aerodynamic profile. The blade extension is mounted to the rotor blade. The blade extension includes a cutaway mounting portion for mounting the blade extension to the rotor blade such that the blade extension is generally flush with at least one of the pressure side or the suction side of the rotor blade. The cutaway mounting portion defines a notch configured to locate the blade extension relative to the rotor blade.
US08083482B2	Method and system for limiting blade pitch A method for limiting blade pitch is provided. The method includes providing a brake assembly that is actuatable to limit blade pitch, providing a limit stop assembly including a stop wheel and a traveler movable relative to the stop wheel, and coupling the limit stop assembly to the brake assembly such that the limit stop assembly actuates the brake assembly when the traveler engages the stop wheel.
US08083481B2	Method for siting and operating a crop protection wind machine array A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.
US08083476B2	Method of designing a multistage turbine for a turbomachine A method of designing a multistage turbine for a turbomachine in which each turbine stage comprises a stator row and a rotor row each made up of an annular row of airfoils, wherein, for all of the stator or rotor rows, it consists in simultaneously modifying the shapes of the airfoils of said rows to straighten out the wakes from the trailing edges of said airfoils, then in angularly positioning the rows in such a manner that the wakes from the airfoils of the stator (or rotor) airfoils impact against the leading edges of the stator (or rotor, respectively) airfoils of the rows situated downstream, in order to achieve multistage aerodynamic coupling simultaneously over the turbine as a whole.
US08083470B2	Fan and impeller thereof A fan includes a frame, a motor and an impeller. The motor is disposed on the frame and coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller to rotate. The impeller includes a hub, a plurality of blades and an air exhausting structure. The hub has an opening formed on a top portion of the hub. The blades are disposed around the hub. The air exhausting structure is disposed in the opening for discharging hot airs generated by the motor out of the hub.
US08083467B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a rotary machine using pressurized gas An apparatus and method for controlling rotating bladed machinery by using a source of pressurized gas is disclosed. The source of pressurized gas, such as air, imparts braking torque on a turbomachinery component through the use of one or more impinging orifices or jets. The orientation of the jets is such that the transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas results in a force substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the turbomachinery component. This transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas allows for a controlling torque to be applied to the turbomachinery component without the need of mechanical and/or electrical devices applying torque to the rotating shaft.
US08083461B2	Boom with guard A boom configured to maneuver large objects, such as sections of pipe, which comprises a machine guard assembly having a support member. The support member includes an outer support surface with a protective layer disposed thereon.
US08083460B2	Cable-driven manipulator The present invention discloses a cable-driven manipulator comprising an operating unit having a drive motor, and a pulley rotated by the drive motor. An upper arm is coupled, through a joint, to one side of the operating unit. A forearm coupled, through a joint, to the other side of the upper arm by the cable. A gripper of an end effector operably coupled to the forearm, a cable compensation device is installed between the upper arm and the forearm so as to maintain constant the length of the cable that transmits the power of the operating unit to the end effector during the pivoting of the forearm. It is thus possible to prevent the variation of tensile force due to the variation of the length of the cable for operating the end effector during the pivoting of the forearm or the unintended malfunction of the end effector.
US08083454B2	Connectors for timber A U-shaped connector (10) for connecting together abutting or adjoining timber elements includes a stem portion extending between two kinked spike portions (14,16) with each spike portion (14,16) extending in a common direction from the stem portion. Each kinked spike portion (14,16) is comprised of four straight portions (15,18,20,22 and 17,19,21,23) of equal length joined end-to-end, with each straight portion extending at an angle to its adjacent portion. Distal ends (24,25) of each tip portion (22,23) are sharpened and splayed wider than the stem portion. On installation, the flexibility of connector (10) is sufficient to provide a compressive force to the abutting faces of the timbers being joined with the kinked spike portions (14,16) moving outwards away from each other so as to increase the connector's pull out resistance.
US08083451B2	Hollow fastener element, electrical connections and component assembly A method for providing an electrically conductive connection between an electric terminal device having a cavity, such as a cable shoe, and a sheet metal part. A hollow fixing element is riveted to the sheet metal part to prevent torsion, thus producing an electrically conductive connection between the fixing element and the sheet metal part. The assembled component is then provided with an electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive protective coating, such as a lacquer coating or powder coating. A receptacle for the electric terminal device is configured in the vicinity of the front face of the fixing element, to which the electrical terminal device is attached. The receptacle prevents the torsion of the terminal device in relation to the fixing element. The sheet metal part and a thread forming or cutting screw is screwed through the cavity of the electric terminal device into the hollow fixing element. The screwing action forms or cuts a thread. The invention also relates to a corresponding fixing element and an assembled component that is produced by this method.
US08083450B1	Removable anchor and fastener An anchor facilitates blind engagement by a first fastener in order to connect an object to a wall. The anchor may be inserted into a cavity accessible through a hole defined in a hollow substrate to connect the object to the wall. The anchor includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate, such that each arm includes an engagement structure disposed at a distal end of each arm. The engagement structure of each arm cooperatively supports the anchor and complementarily engages the first fastener. The first fastener may be a bolt, a screw, or any suitable fastener such as a threaded fastener. The engagement structure includes a collar extending outwardly from each arm for engaging the hollow substrate upon insertion of the anchor into the cavity. Additionally, the engagement structure includes a tang extending inwardly from each arm, generally defining a portion of a first aperture for engaging the first fastener.
US08083444B2	Method and apparatus for machining work pieces A method and apparatus are provided to machine a curved surface such as an inner or outer peripheral surface of a pipe. The pipe is held stationary during machining and a rotatable spindle of a machine head moves along multiple orthogonal axes to align the rotational axis of the spindle with the longitudinal pipe axis. Preferably, the pipe axis is located by using a touch probe to engage the curved surface at multiple spots and the calculating the location of the pipe axis. The cutting tool, which is preferably a cutting tool insert, is rotated by the spindle to machine the curved surface.
US08083441B2	Hermetic load distributor mat A hermetic load distributor mat is disclosed, for sealing soils that are unstable or have low bearing capacity, and for optimally distributing loads over such soil. The mats connect together to form a stable, hemetically-sealed floor. The joints between the mats have a flexible seal. The mats are assembled together empty, and then are filled with a fluid such as water, the weight of which stabilizes and stiffens the mat and favorably distributes external loads.
US08083440B2	Riser tensioner restraint device An apparatus to restrain a riser tensioner of an offshore drilling rig includes a restraint cone configured to fit within hydraulic cylinders of the riser tensioner, a hoist configured to extend and retract the restraint cone, and a tension member extending from a lower end of the restraint cone, the tension member configured to engage a lower end of the riser tensioner and maintain a wedging action between the restraint cone and the hydraulic cylinders.
US08083439B2	Riser support system for use with an offshore platform A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull.
US08083436B2	Methods and systems to maintain accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings Disclosed herein are methods, devices and systems to maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings. The methods, devices and systems and methods of the present invention maintain the accessibility and integrity of equipment contained in underground housings by providing at least one barrier that prevents burrowing animals from off-loading displaced ground dirt or other debris into the space created by the underground housing.
US08083434B1	Pavement rehabilitation using cold in-place asphalt pavement recycling A method of cold in-place recycling of asphalt to remediate distressed roads. Asphalt particles obtained by milling the existing asphalt are limited by screening to a maximum size of about one inch length. Asphalt particle size may be established by limiting tooth spacing of the road milling equipment milling head to about 5/16 inch or 8 millimeter spacing intervals. A predetermined proportion of portland cement, water, and asphalt emulsion are added to generated asphalt particles. Portland cement may be deposited onto the existing asphalt prior to milling. The resulting combination is mixed to generate a recycled mix, which may then be discharged onto the road being remediated and further processed, such as by screeding, compacting, and sealing.
US08083432B2	Connection element A connection element includes first and second retaining elements adapted to be connected to be freely rotated relative to each other about 360°. The first retaining element has a first outer annular portion and a first inner annular portion concentric to the first outer annular portion. The first outer annular portion has an inner locking portion of limited length in the circumferential direction. The second retaining element has a second outer annular portion and a second inner annular portion concentric to the second outer annular portion. The second inner annular portion is matingly accommodated by the first inner annular portion. An annular circumferentially extending locking portion of the second outer annular portion is within the first outer annular portion gripping behind the inner locking portion when the retaining elements are plugged together.
US08083424B2	Ergonomic keyboard An ergonomic keyboard having a mount and a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of unbroken adjacent rows is provided. Each row is comprised of an arcuate portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The left and right portions extend tangentially from the left and right sides of the arcuate portion, respectively. The arcuate portion, of each row is convex to the user side of the keyboard, and at least two keys in each arcuate portion are elongated. Alphanumeric indicia on the keys can be arranged in the QWERTY pattern.
US08083423B2	Thermal indicators A thermal indicator using indicia formed by opaque ink applied to a thermal imaging material element is described. The ink is substantially the same color as the imaging element background and remains substantially hidden until the imaging element background changes color when heated. Time-temperature exposure indicating labels can be prepared using a printer with direct thermal type and ink jet type print heads.
US08083419B2	Optical module with an optical device electrically isolated from a sleeve shell An optical module has disclosed, in which the optical module electrically isolates the optical device from the sleeve shell with a simple and a cost-effective arrangement. The optical receptacle includes the metal holder to hold the stub, the insulating bush to press-fit the holder, and the metal shell to press-fit the bush. The bush electrically isolates the holder from the shell, and has a length press-fitted to the shell overlapping with a length press-fitted to the holder.
US08083412B2	Methods and apparatus for transporting bulk products A method and apparatus for transporting bulk products is shown. At least one example of an apparatus for transporting bulk products as disclosed herein comprises the following: a liner having a top panel, a bottom panel, two sidewalls, a front panel, and a back panel; a first strap, wherein the first strap is partially attached to each of the sidewalls and to the back panel so that the first strap has a first pair of diagonal sections, said first pair of diagonal sections comprising a first diagonal section suspended between a first sidewall and the back panel and a second diagonal section suspended between a second sidewall and the back panel; and a second strap, wherein the second strap is partially attached to each of the sidewalls and to the back panel, wherein at least one overlapping region of the second strap overlaps an overlapping region of the first strap. The apparatus may further include a third strap that is partially attached to each of the sidewalls and to the back panel similar to the first strap and the second strap.
US08083411B2	Packaging in the form of a bag A packaging container has walls made of film defining an interior of the packaging container. At least a first one of the walls has two wall parts that overlap one another forming an inwardly positioned overlapping strip and an outwardly positioned overlapping strip and providing an intermediately positioned venting passage. The overlapping strips are connected to one another by a securing seam that extends along an edge of the inwardly positioned overlapping strip. The venting passage communicates through inner openings with the interior and through outer openings with the ambient. The outwardly positioned overlapping strip has no openings. At least one filter is provided with the outer openings of the venting passage and is positioned underneath the outwardly positioned overlapping strip in a flat arrangement.
US08083407B2	Shielding device for optical and/or electronic apparatuses, and space vehicle comprising such device A shielding device (20) for optical and/or electronic apparatuses (16) is described, wherein said apparatuses may cooperate with incident electromagnetic radiation (X1, X2), in particular for space telescopes, the shielding device including: at least a filter (24, 26) provided for interacting with said incident electromagnetic radiation (X1, X2), for selectively filtering said radiation; and a support structure (22) for the filter. The support structure (22) is an inflatable structure, which is able to achieve an operating stand-by configuration, in which it is substantially folded together, and an active operating configuration, in which it extends along the longitudinal extension axis (ZZ), and is essentially completely unfolded. Furthermore, the filter (24, 26) includes a filter body, which is provided in order to be transversely positioned with respect to said longitudinal extension axis, when the support structure reaches its active operating configuration.
US08083405B2	Pressure sensor having a rotational response to the environment Methods and systems of the invention are directed to a pressure sensor that includes a substrate, a first conductive plate, and a second conductive plate. The substrate is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The first conductive plate is formed of a material having a CTE that is higher than the CTE of the substrate, and is attached to a first surface of the substrate. The second conductive plate is rotatably connected to the substrate through a hinge, and includes a portion that is adjacent to the first conductive plate.
US08083403B2	Radiator cover A radiator cover includes a base seat with a mounting portion. A thermometer includes a temperature-indicating portion disposed within the mounting portion, an externally threaded portion extending downwardly from the temperature-indicating portion and having a bottom surface, and a sensor portion extending downwardly from the bottom surface. A threaded seat includes an internally threaded portion engaging the externally threaded portion, and an annular inner surface disposed below the internally threaded portion and confronting the bottom surface. An annular water seal is disposed between the bottom surface and the annular inner surface of the threaded seat to establish a water-tight seal therebetween.
US08083399B2	Method for fabricating thermal effect standards A method for fabricating thermal effect standards includes providing an oven, placing at least one temperature sensor at measurement location in the oven, operating the oven, monitoring a temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor, providing at least one composite material specimen, placing the at least one composite material specimen at the measurement location in the oven and heat treating the at least one composite material specimen as at least one thermal effect standard by operating the oven according to the temperature output of the at least one temperature sensor. A method of determining a physical property of a composite material is also disclosed.
US08083394B2	Concrete wash and recovery system A system for recovering concrete wash product includes a support frame mounted pivotally to a chassis of a transit concrete mixing vehicle, and a container mounted to the frame for arcuate movement with the frame, between a collecting position with the container disposed below a discharge chute of the vehicle, and a dispensing position with the container disposed adjacent an opening of a mixing drum of the vehicle. The container initially is placed in the collecting position to receive concrete wash product from the discharge chute by gravity as the chute is cleaned with water. After cleaning, the frame is pivoted to raise the container to the dispensing position, and a valve is opened to allow the concrete wash product to flow from the container into the mixing drum by gravity. In vehicles equipped with booster axle systems, the booster axle frame supports and positions the container, and also supports and positions the booster wheel/axle assembly.
US08083393B2	Substantially inseparable LED lamp assembly Disclosed are LED lamp assemblies that are substantially inseparable. The LED lamp assemblies use discrete components that are individually manufactured and then assembled in a manner that substantially prevents disassembly or disengagement of components. An interference fit can be used to substantially secure components of the LED lamp assemblies. Bonding techniques can also be used, including adhesive and solvent bonds, as well as thermal bonds, including sonic bonds.
US08083389B2	Medical examination apparatus A medical examination apparatus is provided. The examination apparatus includes an examination area in which an examinee is examined using an imaging device. The examination apparatus includes at least one planar lighting device emitting homogeneous light via its light radiating surface. The lighting device includes at least one light source by which at least part of the examination area and/or of the area peripheral to the examination area can be illuminated.
US08083388B2	Automobile lamp An automobile lamp includes a light emitting element used as an initial light source, a light guide element for calculating a divergence angle and a light emitting area of the divergence angle of the initial light source, and a lens element to enhance a light extraction efficiency of the light emitting element and produce a light source with a predetermined light pattern and a high light extraction efficiency. A projecting element is used for enhancing the contrast of the light pattern of the light source, so that the automobile lamp can project a high-contrast cutoff line. A light emitting surface of the light emitting element is designed with a predetermined shape, such that no other optical component is required for projecting a light beam with a cross-section of a predetermined shape, so as to enhance a light energy utilization efficiency of the automobile lamp effectively.
US08083387B2	Subassembly for the mounting of a headlight A deformable subassembly (1) for mounting of headlight in the region of a recess (5) in a wing (4) of a motor vehicle has a sealing channel body (6) connected to the wing (4) in the region of a joint with a motor vehicle bonnet. A headlight cup (3) for mounting the headlight is connected on one side to the sealing channel body (6) spaced from the wing (4). A lower side of the headlight cup (3) is connected to a bracket body (7) that is connected to a supporting structure (8) of the motor vehicle. The sealing channel body (6), headlight cup (3) and/or the bracket body (7) are configured to deform in the event of an impact with a pedestrian so that the risk of injury to the pedestrian is reduced.
US08083383B2	Illumination device An illumination device. A control circuit module is disposed in a first base. A second base is detachably connected to the first base. A heat-dissipation module is disposed in the second base and is electrically connected to the control circuit module. A first fastening ring fastens the first base with the second base. A third base is detachably connected to the second base. A light source module is disposed in the third base and is electrically connected to the heat-dissipation module. A second fastening ring fastens the second base with the third base.
US08083382B1	Illumination system An illumination system has a mounting plate, a plurality of thermally conductive boards in thermal contact with the mounting plate, a plurality of infrared emitting diodes electrically and thermally communicating with the board strips, an optical lens formed as a translucent dome covering the boards and infrared emitting diodes, and a lamp base operatively coupled to the mounting plate and boards. The infrared emitting diodes receive power from an external electrical source entering the system through the base.
US08083379B2	Reflector emitter A reflector emitter includes a combination reflector having at least one elliptical concave mirror shaped as an ellipsoid of revolution section having first and second focal points disposed outside and inside of the ellipsoid of revolution section, respectively. The reflector emitter includes at least one light source at the second focal point. The ellipsoid of revolution section is formed as an ellipsoid of revolution that is cut between its center and the first focal point in a longitudinal section plane and in a cross-sectional plane. An aperture is provided above an other concave mirror having at least one focal point that coincides with the first focal point of the ellipsoid of revolution section. The other concave mirror is formed as a hollow body cut in a sectional plane through its focal point. This sectional plane and the longitudinal section plane of the ellipsoid of revolution section share a common plane of reference and the concave mirrors have opposing faces.
US08083378B2	Single color LED clusters for image generation A display device for increasing brightness of an image generation, including a color cluster system, is provided. The system includes a first color LED cluster having at least a first LED of a first wavelength within a first color range and a second LED of a second different wavelength within the first color range. The light from the first LED may be combined at least partially with light from the second LED The system further comprises a second color LED cluster having at least a first LED of a first wavelength within a second color range and a second LED of a second different wavelength within the second color range. In the second color LED cluster, the light from the first LED may be combined at least partially with light from the second LED.
US08083374B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a heat sink including a supporting plate, a plurality of LEDs mounted on the supporting plate and a plurality of protruding blocks extending upwardly from a top face of the supporting plate. The protruding blocks have inclined faces oriented upwardly and outwardly away from the top face of the supporting plate. The LEDs includes a plurality of first LEDs disposed on a bottom face of the supporting plate and a plurality of second LEDs disposed on the inclined faces of the protruding blocks, whereby at least a portion of light generated from the second LEDs projects towards a lateral side of the LED lamp.
US08083373B2	LED retrofit for fluorescent backlit signs The present invention relates to an LED assembly designed to supplant fluorescent tubes, comprising: an array of standardized LED modules affixed to a lightweight frame resulting in a uniform two dimensional array of LEDs casting their light directly onto a translucent sign panel or, alternatively, a light defusing panel for area lighting. When the application is to retrofit a fixture with fluorescent tubes, the assembly is provided with adapters that attach to the fluorescent tube receptacles.
US08083366B1	Internally illuminated extrusion architecture Internally illuminated extrusion architecture comprising a plurality of internally illuminated extrusion-based modular members capable of being connected to form a display structure uniformly radiating diffused light from its interior spaces. A continuous glowing lighted effect emanating from the structural components of the architecture draws the attention of a viewer. Members of varied shape and lengths accommodate different scale structures and foot-prints. T-guides integral to the extrusion-based members allow for unique customization through incorporation of banners, fabric sheets, large scale graphics, shelf assemblies, panels, fascia attachments, skin attachments, headers, canopies, bars, storage towers, tables, and/or workstations at any desired point along the longitudinal axis of the members.
US08083355B2	Optical device and projector A projector, includes: a light source device; an optical device that modulates a light beam irradiated from the light source device in accordance with image information; and a projection optical device that projects the light beam modulated by the optical device. The optical device includes: an optical element optically converting the light beam incident thereon and emitting the converted light beam; and a heat-conducting member that is connected with the optical element in a heat transferable manner to cool the optical element. The heat-conducting member includes a heat pipe having: a tube; a capillary structure provided in the tube; and a coolant housed in the tube, the coolant circulating in the tube to transfer heat in the heat-conducting member. An optical-element-side connecting portion of the optical element to be connected with the heat-conducting member and a heat-conducting-member-side connecting portion of the heat-conducting member to be connected with the optical-element-side connecting portion are configured to be in a surface-contact when the connecting portions are connected to each other.
US08083352B2	Perimeter A perimeter of the present invention including: visual field scanning screen generating means; fixation image displaying and controlling means; visual target scan line parallel setting means; statically displaying and controlling means; static display position storing means; static display and control stopping means; kinetic display and control starting means; detecting means; detection position storing means; distance storing means; kinetic scan stopping means; and scanning continuation means to the position of the visual target stored by the detection position storing means.
US08083348B2	Biomedical devices Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated-containing non-amphiphilic macromonomer comprising hydrophilic units or hydrophobic units derived from a living radical polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or one or more ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomers are disclosed.
US08083345B2	Glasses hinge structure A glasses hinge structure includes a pivot and a pivot seat. The pivot seat and the pivot are integrally formed with a corner panel of a glasses frame and a glasses foot, respectively. The pivot has a vertical portion in a cylinder shape and a horizontal connecting portion. The vertical portion has a middle section connected with a front end of the horizontal connecting portion. The horizontal connecting portion has a rear end connected to the glasses foot. The pivot seat has a vertical trough and a recess. The vertical trough is adapted for insertion of the vertical portion of the pivot. The recess is interconnected with a middle section of the vertical trough to accommodate the horizontal connecting portion when the glasses foot is extended. The vertical trough has a C-shaped cross-section which has an opening. The opening is less than a diameter of the vertical portion and greater than a width of the horizontal connecting portion. One end of the vertical trough is formed with a notch for the vertical portion to be inserted therefrom.
US08083343B2	Recording material and recording apparatus According to an aspect of the invention and there is provided a recording material having an ink, ink absorbing particles that absorb the ink, and a curable liquid that cures the substantial surface of the ink absorbing particles.
US08083340B2	Container and method for storing light-curable ink There is provided a method of storing a light-curable ink composition. Air and the light-curable ink composition are introduced into a container. The distance from an air-liquid interface to a bottom portion of the container is equal to or less than 5 cm. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the light-curable ink composition is maintained so as to be equal to or more than 3 ppm.
US08083328B2	Electrostatic actuator, droplet discharging head, method of manufacturing thereof and droplet discharging device An electrostatic actuator comprises: a fixed electrode formed on a substrate; a movable electrode placed at an position opposing the fixed electrode via a predetermined gap; a driving unit giving the movable electrode a displacement by generating an electrostatic force between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode: and an insulation film made of HfxAlyOz formed on an opposing surface of at least one of the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.
US08083323B2	On-chip heater and thermistors for inkjet A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provides a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.
US08083321B2	Removable radiation cured composition and process for protecting a micro-fluid ejection head There is disclosed a removable radiation cured member suitable for use in protecting a micro-fluid ejection head. Further, a reactant mixture suitable for sealing a micro-fluid ejection head comprising a vinyl-containing oligomer, a filler, and optionally a reactive diluent and/or a photoinitiator is disclosed.
US08083318B2	Liquid ejection head A print head that ejects ink supplied through an ink supply port can prevent the size of satellites from being reduced while inhibiting an increase in resistance to an ink flow. In the print head, ink supply ports are arranged on both sides of a plurality of channels. A predetermined number of ink supply ports are arranged at least at one side of the ink channel all over the range of the arrangement of the channels. One side of each of the plurality of channels is connected via the common liquid chamber to the liquid supply port located so as to extend in a direction in which the channels are arranged.
US08083315B2	Printhead assembly configured to purge printheads of a printer The invention provides for a printhead assembly configured to purge printheads of a printer. The assembly includes duplex printheads arranged opposite each other to define a print media feed gap between them, and two purging members each defining a purging chamber arranged in fluid communication with a suction pump. The assembly also includes actuating mechanisms configured to move the printheads to a purging position where the printheads are located adjacent the chambers so that the suction pump is able to remove material purged from said printheads.
US08083312B2	Maintenance station of an inkjet printer A maintenance station of an inkjet printer mounted in a housing of the inkjet printer includes an ink cup rotationally and slidably coupled to the housing about/along an axis of rotation. The ink cup has a basic plate and a columnar rim around the basic plate. The columnar rim respectively defines a plurality of stopping ratchets and driving ratchets with the same gradient direction at a bottom and top thereof. A moving body is slidably disposed in the housing of the inkjet printer. An actuator movably disposed in the moving body moves together with the moving body, a tail of the actuator stretches out from the moving body for matching with the driving ratchets to rotate the ink cup. A plurality of housing ratchets are disposed in the housing of the inkjet printer and arranged into a ring for matching with the stopping ratchets to prevent the ink cup reversion.
US08083311B2	Ink-jet printing apparatus, control method therefor, program, and storage medium An object of this invention is to prevent prolongation of the time taken for a suction recovery operation while suppressing wasteful consumption of ink in the suction recovery operation. An ink-jet printing apparatus includes a plurality of caps which, when a plurality of nozzles of an ink-jet head are divided into a plurality of nozzle groups, are arranged one by one for the respective nozzle groups, and cap the respective nozzle groups, a suction pump which generates a negative pressure in the plurality of caps to suck ink from the plurality of nozzles, and is arranged commonly for the plurality of caps, and a control unit which controls the suction pump so as to make the negative pressure by the suction pump act on all the caps when a common negative pressure is generated in the plurality of caps, and make different negative pressures by the suction pump act sequentially on the plurality of caps when different negative pressures are generated in the respective caps.
US08083310B2	Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes an ejecting head configured to eject liquid droplets onto an ejected target element to form a of dots arranged at predetermined dot intervals in dot columns. The liquid droplet ejecting head has a flow passage unit including individual flow passages including a first individual flow passage and a second individual flow passage, at least one common liquid chamber in fluid communication with each individual flow passage; and a plurality of nozzles, including a first nozzle fluidly communicating with the first individual flow passage and a second nozzle fluidly communicating with the second flow passage. A control unit causes a liquid droplet to be ejected from the first nozzle, then moves the ejecting head less than the dot interval, then subsequently suspends the first nozzle from ejecting, and ejects a liquid droplet from the second nozzle.
US08083309B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method A liquid ejection apparatus includes an element that is charged and discharged so as to perform an operation to eject a liquid, an analog signal generating unit that generates an analog signal having a voltage change pattern for determining the operation of the element, a charging transistor that amplifies a current of the analog signal while the element is charged, and pushes the amplified current toward the element, the charging transistor having a current source terminal, to which a current source is connected, and a push terminal for pushing the current, and a current source connector that selects at least one current source from among a plurality of current sources according to a voltage of the analog signal, and connects the selected current source to the current source terminal.
US08083304B2	Self closing mechanism for drawer slides A self-closing mechanism for drawer slides includes a stationary housing, a slider, and a latch. The slider is configured to slide relative to the housing, and the latch is configured to translate along with the slider and to rotate within the slider to lock and unlock the slider at predetermined locations. The housing may be coupled to a cabinet member, with a drawer member adapted to engage the latch as the drawer is opened and/or closed. In embodiments of the invention, the self-closing mechanism may include a damper mechanism, such as, e.g., a cylindrical damper or a rotary gear damper.
US08083299B2	Housing for a front-loading laundry appliance A housing for a front-loading laundry appliance includes a front wall including a first surface and a first and a second lateral edge each having a respective second flange extending substantially parallel to the first surface. A first lateral load-bearing member abuts the first lateral edge of the front wall and a second lateral load-bearing member abuts the second lateral edge of the front wall. A supporting element is disposed in a lower portion of the housing. A respective forwardly projecting positioning element is disposed above the first supporting element at a front end of each of the first and second lateral load bearing members and has a form of a sleeve. Each of the respective second flanges of the front wall includes a respective opening configured to receive a respective one of the positioning elements.
US08083291B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat comprises a seat back, a seat bottom, a headrest mounted on an upper portion of the seat back. The headrest includes a reverse U-shaped support section having downwardly extending two pillars and a horizontal section which connects upper portions of the pillars with each other. A lock plate is fixed to the horizontal section. A headrest frame is provided with an engagement disk which is changed over between a lock position where the engagement disk engages with the lock plate to disable the headrest to rotate about the horizontal section, and an unlock position where the engagement disk disengages from the lock plate to enable the headrest to rotate around the horizontal section.
US08083290B2	Car seat A car seat includes a seat assembly, a base assembly disposed under and coupled pivotally to the seat assembly, a positioning mechanism including first and second positioning units, and an elongated resilient component. The first positioning unit is mounted on the base assembly and includes a plurality of first engaging members. The second positioning unit is coupled pivotally to the seat assembly, and includes a second engaging member engaging releasably a selected one of the first engaging members so as to lock releasably the base assembly at a desired angular position relative to the seat assembly. The resilient component has two ends coupled pivotally and respectively to the base assembly and the second positioning unit, and exerts a downward pulling force to the base assembly when the second engaging member is disengaged from the selected first engaging member.
US08083288B1	Chair with coupling companion stool base A chair with a coupling companion stool base includes a frame that has: a claw extending downward from a second portion of a lower portion of the frame; a latch extending downward from and movably connected with a first portion of the lower portion; two legs adapted to support the frame upon a supporting surface extending downward from the lower portion; and a receptacle defined between the claw and the latch. The base supports the frame above a supporting surface and has a saddle with opposite back and front edges and a top surface that faces away from the supporting surface. The top surface may also define at least one of a work surface, a writing surface, and a sitting surface. The base releasably couples with the frame, having the saddle seated in the receptacle, the front edge seated in the claw, and the back edge captured by the latch. When decoupled, the chair portion may be used as casual floor rocker seating.
US08083280B2	Modular storage compartment for vehicle A modular storage compartment assembly for a vehicle includes a plurality of storage compartments coupled together and arranged in a side-by-side configuration to form a modular assembly. Each storage compartment includes a plurality of frame members coupled together to form a frame structure for the storage compartment, a floor assembly comprising a plurality of floor members coupled together, and at least one door configured to allow access to the storage compartment. The plurality of storage compartments are configured for coupling to a vehicle. The frame members and the floor members are formed of a pultruded composite material that comprises a polymeric resin matrix and fiber reinforcements provided within the matrix.
US08083279B1	Pickup truck load balancing device A load balancing device for use in a pickup truck bed that allows a heavy load of cargo to be moved from the tailgate end to the front end of the truck bed, comprising a rectangular base having a first side, a second side, a front bar, a middle bar, and a back bar. The first side and the second side of the base together function as a track for a slide plate to slide up and down the length of the base. The slide plate is for holding the cargo to be put in the truck bed. An outer shaft and an inner piston together form a movement assembly, which allows for the slide plate to be moved along the length of the base.
US08083278B2	Multi-fingered robotic hand A multi-fingered robotic hand comprises a base, a rotation member rotatably connected to an end of the base, a driving means, and a plurality of digits. The driving means is configured for driving the rotation member to rotate. Each digit comprises a proximal phalanx, a middle phalanx and a first transmission member. The proximal phalanx is connected to the rotation member. The middle phalanx is rotatably connected to the proximal phalanx. The first transmission member includes two ends respectively attached to the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx, wherein the first transmission member is configured for transmitting rotation of the proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx.
US08083274B2	Electro-magnetic release mechanism An electro-magnetic mechanism comprises a spring-operated rod (1) having a recess (1a) and a latching member (2) engageable in the recess to block motion of the rod. A release member (4) retains the latching member engaged in the recess (1a) in a first position of the release member and allows the latching member to be disengaged from the recess in a second position of the release member (4). A magnet (5) retains the release member in the first position and the mechanism includes an element such as a spring (7) for urging the release member (4) to the second position. A coil (8) is arranged to demagnetize the magnet (5) at least such that the release member moves to the second position, the latching member (2) is disengaged from the recess (1a) and the rod (1) moves axially by spring force.
US08083270B2	Safety hook structure for hood A safety hook structure for a hood is disclosed. The safety hook structure includes a bracket mounted on a rear surface of the hood and has a protrusion with a groove formed on the center thereof, a safety hook having a pivot portion pivotally inserted in the groove of the protrusion and moving in a horizontal direction, and a resilient member having one end fixed to the bracket and the other end fixed to the safety hook and applying a restoring force to the safety hook. Since the safety hook structure, which is moved in the horizontal direction to unlock the hood, is mounted on the hood, an enlarged buffer space for pedestrian protection is secured between an outer panel and an inner panel of the hood. Therefore, if a pedestrian is struck by an automobile, he/she can be protected by a stable buffer force. In addition, the safety hook structure can be easily manufactured by simplifying the construction of the safety hook, which can reduce the manufacturing cost thereof.
US08083269B2	Apparatus for effecting an initial, predetermined translation of a closed sliding door The apparatus comprises a gripping-operating unit including a gripping subassembly, a base subassembly for mounting the components of the unit and an operating subassembly. The gripping subassembly includes a gripper, from which, at one of its vertical extremity, a lever, integral with the gripper, extends horizontally. The base subassembly generally includes an elongated body and a positioning-attachment element connected to the latter. The operating subassembly comprises a spring guide block with opposed channels, a helical compression spring, located in one of the channels, and a pushing pin having a tooth like extension. Should the lever act on the pushing pin, the later, via the tooth like extension, operates against the helical compression spring, and simultaneously moves beyond the spring guide bloc.When a lock is used, a subassembly strike-stopper and a lock actuator-stopper deactivator subassembly are included.
US08083265B1	Easily unlatchable cam-lock actuating device for use in a locking coupling assembly that couples two tubular members An easily unlatchable cam-lock actuating device for use in a locking coupling assembly that couples two tubular members, includes a cam arm pivotally mounted on a female tubular coupler and extending thereinto for locking a male tubular end of one of the tubular members, a spring-loaded latch bolt movably mounted in the cam arm to engage a cavity of the coupler so as to lock the cam arm at a locking position, and a releasing lever pivotally mounted on the cam arm and coupled to the latch bolt such that, when the releasing lever is turned from a latched position to an unlatched position, the latch bolt is retracted and disengaged from the cavity.
US08083264B2	Document with invisible encoded information and method of making the same A document includes a paper substrate having an average surface roughness of at least about 0.5 microns, wherein the paper substrate includes encoded information printed thereon, and wherein the encoded information is printed with an ink comprised of light absorbing material that absorbs light only at wavelengths below 350 nm and an optional clear binder in a solvent. The encoded information is substantially not detectable to a naked human eye through differential gloss or exposure to light having wavelengths of 365 nm or more, and is only revealed upon exposing the document to light having a wavelength at which the light absorbing material absorbs light, which is less than 350 nm.
US08083263B2	Tank-carrying vehicle rear body structure A gas tank is protected by absorbing collision energy with the rear of a vehicle. Rear-side tank frame supports the tank at a position below a rear side member. The front portion of the tank frame is secured on rear side member, while the rear portion is directly or indirectly secured thereto. A torsion beam is arranged ahead of the tank frame. When an input load is exerted at rear end portions of the rear side member and tank frame toward the front of the vehicle, rear side member is folded to a V shape, upward with respect to the vehicle body. The tank frame collides with the torsion beam, and the front portion of the tank frame is pushed upward along with rear side member.
US08083248B1	Extension bracket An extension bracket, comprising a front side and a top side, the front side at approximately ninety degrees from the top side; at least two openings on the front side, the two openings at different level from each other, one opening higher or elevated than the other; and, a pivot connector allowing one part to pivot relative to the extension bracket.
US08083247B2	Arm supporter of bicycle Provided is an arm support of a bicycle which is configured to reduce an intensive pressure acting from a seat due to the rider's weight inclined at the seat by spreading the inclined weight to other parts. The rider can get on or off the bicycle more easily by putting his/her arms on the arm support. In the bicycle including a frame, a seat disposed at the frame, a handle for controlling the direction of the bicycle, and wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, the arm support includes: a support shaft including a coupling part fixed to the frame: a support bar disposed at an upper side of the support shaft and connected to both sides of the support shaft; and armrests coupled to the support bar so that a rider puts his/her arms thereon The armrests extend horizontally from the vertical support bars and bent toward the seat or upward to form armrest channels.
US08083246B2	Plated bicycle fork steerer tube The present invention is directed to a bicycle fork steerer tube of fibre composite material with a layer of metal circumferentially about the exterior of the fibre composite material. The layer of metal assists in wear resistance and increases strength.
US08083245B2	Parametric chassis system for vehicles, comprising four suspension elements, incorporating a lateral torsion bar and co-axial damper unit, in a box-module, that allows central location of heavy items, such as batteries A chassis system and a suspension module for vehicles having wheel subsystems incorporates a lateral torsion bar and a co-axial enveloping damper unit, featuring active-adaptive suspension characteristics. Pre-fabricated suspension modules are situated inside respective box-structures, connected via wheelbase and track members, allowing the storage of heavy elements (e.g., batteries or fuel-cells) at the chassis. The robust and self-carrying chassis is enhanced, using upper body members, in terms of structural rigidity, for a given wheelbase, achieving high impact-energy absorbtion. The suspension arms incorporate upper and lower members, articulation, connect internally or externally to the suspension module, and transmit drive and brake forces to the wheels. The suspension module, box-structure, torsion-bar/damper unit, drive and transmission unit, suspension arm and steer module, featuring asymmetrical steer characteristics, can be reproduced on each corner of the chassis, featuring electronic control without mechanical connection (steer by wire), constituting the chassis of the vehicle.
US08083244B2	Front-axle bracket for motor vehicles A front-axle bracket for motor vehicles has two accommodations spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal vehicle direction in each instance for the bearing locations for pivoting mounting of one of two wheel guide elements, in each instance, such as transverse control arms or A-arms, accommodations for attachment of the front-axle bracket as a pre-finished unit, together with pre-assembled assemblies, on the vehicle body, and at least individual ones of accommodations for attachment of the steering gear mechanism, for attachment of the stabilizer, and for mounting of a pendulum support. The front-axle bracket is produced as a component that is in one piece with these accommodations and connects them with one another.
US08083242B2	Multi-pivot vehicle suspension An all terrain vehicle and suspension providing frame members that pivot relative to each other and independent of supported track assemblies. Suspension frame sections pivot at supported bearings and torsion couplers. An endless track of each track assembly is trained around a framework having a drive sprocket and sets of idler wheels. The track assemblies independently pivot relative to the vehicle from a track suspension frame and supported sets of idler wheels mounted to torsion biased rocker arms that resist and bias the rocker arms and idler wheels to an equilibrium position and conformally shape the track to the terrain. Improved track drive lug surfaces are shaped to prevent track derailment. The vehicle frame and track assemblies independently rise, fall and pivot as obstacles of differing configurations and types are encountered to stabilize and maintain an operator body substantially parallel to the ground.
US08083241B2	Skateboard suspension apparatus A skateboard kit for a skateboard having a skateboard deck and a skateboard truck is provided and includes an extension member structured to couple to the skateboard deck, with a first section of the extension member positionable at an original skateboard truck mounting position on the skateboard deck, and a second section of the extension member comprising a new skateboard truck mounting position, with the second section angled relative to the first section so that when the skateboard truck is coupled to the new skateboard truck mounting position on the second section, the skateboard truck is positioned at an angle relative to the original skateboard truck mounting position and also located at a different skateboard deck lengthwise location from the original skateboard truck mounting position.
US08083239B2	Foldable walker apparatus A foldable walker apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart inner frame members of two parts each hinged together, with a pair of link members diagonally extending therebetween. Each link has a bend extending upwardly and outwardly. The walker has support members that are arc-shaped with a seat extending between their apexes. A collapsible basket is provided with two end members each having a rigid peripheral portion connecting the frame members and a basket member of flexible fabric extending therebetween. A self-adjusting brake rod is provided with a gripping member spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod until the gripping member is operatively actuated to engage and thereby actuate the brake rod. A brake housing fully extends around a brake pad mechanism, including a means for connecting and adjusting the corresponding brake pad, to at least the outer periphery of one of the wheels for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.
US08083234B2	Seal assembly Seal assembly for sealing a clearance gap between a boundary of an aperture formed in a housing and a member extending through the aperture. The seal assembly comprises a seal member and a seal member mounting means disposed around the sealing member and is configured to engage with the aperture boundary. The seal member mounting means is configured to seal an alignment interspace provided in the clearance gap between the seal member and aperture boundary. The seal member mounting means is configurable to permit the seal member to be located at a position relative to the aperture boundary in dependence upon the relative positions of the member and aperture boundary to thereby accommodate misalignment between the member and aperture boundary. The seal member mounting means is configurable to lock the seal member relative to the aperture boundary in said position.
US08083231B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus with opening conveying path The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same, in which a jammed sheet can be easily viewed and easily removed.A sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention comprises a fixation guide portion fixed on an apparatus body; a first guide portion disposed to face the fixation guide portion; a second guide portion disposed to face the fixation guide portion, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are arranged in a line along a sheet conveying direction and each of the first guide portion and the second guide portion is independently movable; a sheet conveying path formed by the fixation guide, the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and a movement mechanism that moves the second guide portion away from the fixation guide portion, when the first guide portion is moved to open the sheet conveying path.
US08083230B2	Bi directional paper handling transport A method and apparatus for bi-directionally transporting sheet stock in a marking engine by disposing idler rolls on opposite sides of a drive roll on movable idler roll decks for forming forward and reverse nips and feeding sheets from opposite directions into the nips and providing for moving the idler rolls away from opposite sides of the drive roll for jam clearance.
US08083221B2	Sheet post-process apparatus including movable stack tray, and sheet post-process method A sheet post-process apparatus according to one example of the present invention includes a movable stack tray for stacking a sheet that is elevated in a vertical direction; a movable tray position detection unit that detects a vertical position of the movable stack tray while a request command for post-processing of the sheet is not received; an upper surface sensor that senses either an upper surface of the movable stack tray or an upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray when a first position of the movable stack tray detected by the movable tray position detection unit is lower than or equal to a predetermined first height; and a movable tray moving unit that moves the movable stack tray upward when either the upper surface of the movable stack tray or the upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray is not sensed by the upper surface sensor.
US08083211B2	Staple remover A staple remover device having first and second opposed, elongated jaws extending from a lower end of the remover toward an upper end of the remover. The jaws are pivoted to the remover at the upper end. With the remover in a substantially perpendicular orientation above a horizontal work surface, the first jaw moves toward the second jaw, actuated by a user's finger pressure. A handle extends along the remover device, the handle being normally operationally fixed to a jaw by a link including a latch, and at a pre-determined position of the first jaw to the second jaw, a release rib of at least one jaw causes the latch to suddenly de-link the handle from the jaw, wherein the de-linked handle moves in relation to the jaw and moving the handle in relation to the jaw causes the other jaw to rise, lifting out the staple.
US08083205B2	Fail safe pneumatically actuated valve with fast time response and adjustable conductance Apparatus and method for fail-safe high-speed-pneumatic valve is disclosed. Fail-safe dependability is provided by a spring-loaded normally-closed pneumatic actuator. When the spring-loaded actuator is pressurized, the normally closed mechanism is actuated to the valve active position. Concurrently, the pressure is directly applied to deflect a diaphragm or a bellow-assembly back to sealing position. Ultra high purity embodiments with standard dome shaped diaphragms are disclosed. Additional high conductance diaphragms and bellows embodiments are employed for higher conductance valves. Novel flow path layouts are disclosed. The valves are applicable for fast gas and fluid switching and are particularly suitable for high productivity Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) applications. Additional embodiments cover improved diaphragm and seal reliability, externally adjustable valve conductance, improved valve safety and high temperature valve seals.
US08083202B1	Attachable hanging hook An attachable hanging hook for removably hanging a carrying bag from an upper edge of a vertical support surface or from an edge of a horizontal support surface includes a pair of hooks and a central joint. A first hook is pivotably movable about the joint and a second hook is rotatably movable about the joint. Depending upon the orientation of the hooks relative to one another, the carrying bag can be securely suspended from a horizontal support or a vertical support. The joint also allows the hooks to be collapsibly folded onto one another for storage.
US08083201B2	Apparatus and method for supporting and aligning imaging equipment on a web converting manufacturing line Aspects of the present disclosure involve imaging equipment for viewing and/or monitoring substrates and components used to manufacture disposable absorbent articles as well as other types of articles and products. More particularly, the apparatuses and methods discussed herein relate to mounting, supporting, and aligning various types of vision systems, which may include a camera and a light source.
US08083195B2	Cradle device and electronic equipment support device There is provided a cradle device including: a connector to which electronic equipment is electrically and detachably connected; a support member having a support supporting a side of the electronic equipment connected to the connector and a brake provided integrally with the support; and a support member fixing mechanism supporting the support member to be movable closer to or away from the electronic equipment connected to the connector and holding the brake to prevent movement of the support member when an external force is applied to a certain region of the support.
US08083193B2	Structure for connecting display and supporter, display, stand, and attachment A structure for connecting a display and a supporter, capable of supporting the display even if it is medium-sized or relatively large-sized, and being easily attached and detached. The structure has a structure for connecting the display and a supporter that is connected to the backside of the display and supports the display. The supporter has an upwardly fixed claw, a movable claw, and an operation unit for moving the movable claw. On the backside of the display are arranged an engagement hole with which the fixed claw engages and an engagement groove with which the movable claw engages.
US08083192B2	Pole mounting system and method A pole mounting system for attaching auxiliary equipment to street poles is provided. The system comprises a pair of substantially part cylindrical clamps and tightening means to advance the clamps towards each other and thereby grasp an elongate pole about a substantially transverse cross-section thereof. Each of the clamps includes a multiplicity of spaced apart locator sites extending therearound and wherein each of the auxiliary equipment includes a substantially L-shaped portion having a foot which engages with at least some of the locator sites and a stem which depends from the foot whereby the attachment can be temporarily supported by inter-engagement of the foot and clamp(s). The radial positioning of the auxiliary equipment verified before the auxiliary equipment is secured to the clamp(s).
US08083185B2	Aircraft wing tip having a variable incidence angle An embodiment of an aircraft wing includes a main wing section and a variable incidence wing tip. The main wing section is adapted to connect to an aircraft fuselage at a first angle of incidence. The variable incidence wing tip is connected to the main wing section so that the variable incidence wing tip is rotatable to angles of incidence that are different from the first angle of incidence. An embodiment of a method for operating an aircraft includes generating a control signal based on an indication of a desired angle of incidence of a variable incidence wing tip, conveying the control signal to a wing tip rotation mechanism, and rotating the variable incidence wing tip in accordance with the control signal, so that the angle of incidence of the variable incidence wing tip is different from an angle of incidence of the main wing section.
US08083183B2	Air discharge device for an aircraft An air discharge device includes a grid that is connected to an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft. The grid includes a number of openings delimited by intermediate zones that are arranged in the extension of the aerodynamic surface of the aircraft and at least one longitudinal reinforcement separating the openings into at least two stages. The dimensions and/or the surface ratio of the perforated zones that correspond to openings and non-perforated zones that correspond to intermediate zones or to the longitudinal reinforcement are such that they create a depression close to the air discharge.
US08083178B2	Method and device for piloting an aircraft optimizing the control of the ailerons in an enhanced-lift configuration In conformance with the invention, based on the incident conditions and velocity, the steering of the ailerons is weakly negative (b0) or corresponds either to the maximum sharpness of the aircraft (b1), or the optimal lift of the latter (b2).
US08083176B2	Method for mounting an aircraft engine on a rigid structure of a strut for locking the engine A method to mount an aircraft engine on a rigid structure of an engine mount, includes securing, on the structure, an attachment body for an engine attachment, the attachment body configured to lie against a contact surface of the rigid structure oriented forwardly, and secured to the structure by at least one shear pin passing through a first and a second primary orifice. The securing of the body includes: pre-positioning the engine relative to the engine mount to place the first orifice opposite the second orifice, and inserting a pin fitted with a convex centering head through the two orifices, so that the pin forms the shear pin.
US08083175B2	Loading fitting having intersecting holes in the web side and end In one embodiment, a loading fitting includes at least one of an I, a T, and a J shaped cross-section having a flange attached to at least one supporting structure. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for attaching a loading fitting to at least one supporting structure.
US08083174B2	Long mission tethered aerostat and method of accomplishing Apparatus and method for a continuous replenishing of the lift gas and maintaining the proper pressure and lift of a tethered medium altitude aerostat utilizing a novel feed tube running the entire length of the tether. A first end of the feed tube is connected to the aerostat while a second end is connected through a novel slip ring means to a pressure controlled helium ballast chamber and scrubber on the ground to maintain pressure and lift by a reversible compressing pump. A plurality of pressure and temperature sensors and tension gauges strategically placed inside and around the airship continuously monitor the temperature and pressure changes in the aerostat. A data retrieval and communication unit mounted on the aerostat collects measurement data from the pressure, temperature and tension sensors which is relayed to the ground station and the data is used to regulate lifting gas pressure inside the aerostat.
US08083173B2	Rotarycraft power and propulsion system A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.
US08083167B1	Portable leaf grinding device A portable leaf grinding device (PLGD 10) that is used to grind a substance such as a plurality of compacted leaves into a multiplicity of leaf particles. The PLGD (10) consists of a circular cap (12), a cone-shaped hollow structure (84) that is releaseably attached to the cap (12), and a container (102) that is also attached to the cap (12). The circular cap (12) has attached an upper grinding disk (42) having a plurality of downward-extending leaf grinding blades (58). The upper grinding disk (42) interacts with a lower grinding disk (62) which is attached to the structure (84) and which also includes a plurality of upward-extending grinding blades (72) and a plurality of bores (74). When the circular cap (12) is rotated, the blades on the two grinding disks (46,62) interact with each other to produce the multiplicity leaf particles. The leaf particles can be either stored in the container (102) for later use or used immediately as they exit from the structure (84).
US08083157B2	System and method for mounting synthetic jets A system and method for the packaging of a synthetic jet actuator is disclosed. A synthetic jet actuator is provided that includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a housing positioned about the first and second plates and defining a chamber. The housing includes at least one orifice therein such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an external environment. The synthetic jet actuator also includes a mounting mechanism configured to mount the first and second plates within the housing in a suspended arrangement and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof, thereby changing a volume within the chamber so that a series of fluid vortices are generated and projected to the external environment out from the at least one orifice of the housing.
US08083155B2	Rolling herbicide applicator with an adjustable shield A rolling liquid herbicide applicator with an adjustable shield is attached to a hollow pole having an adjustable width protective shield mounted to one end weighted, textured wheels for rolling over most terrains are attached to the adjustable width protective shield. On the opposite end of the hollow pole handle is a trigger. When the trigger is activated, an internal trigger stick is moved down through the hollow pole, thereby causing a “C” shaped piece to move upward. This upward movement pushes on a hard flat disk. The movement of the hard flat disk causes pliable cap center to move. The gravity flow of liquid herbicide from a liquid herbicide container causes the liquid herbicide to move through a tube and nozzle assembly. The adjustable width protective shield over the nozzle prevents overspray and accidental contact of the liquid herbicide on healthy desired vegetation.
US08083153B2	Securities, chip mounting product, and manufacturing method thereof The invention provides an ID chip with reduced cost, increased impact resistance and attractive design, as well as products and the like mounting the ID chip and a manufacturing method thereof. In view of the foregoing, an integrated circuit having a semiconductor film with a thickness of 0.2 μm or less is mounted on securities including bills, belongings, containers of food and drink, and the like (hereinafter referred to as products and the like). The ID chip of the invention can be reduced in cost and increased in impact resistance as compared with a chip formed over a silicon wafer while maintaining an attractive design.
US08083150B2	Noncontact information storage medium and method for manufacturing same A non-contact information storage medium has IC chip having at least a function of storing information, and resin substrate having antenna pattern for communicating a signal to an external device. Antenna terminal disposed at one end of antenna pattern on resin substrate and electrode terminal of IC chip are mounted so that the antenna terminal faces the electrode terminal. Insulating layer for gap regulation of at least 5 μm is disposed between antenna pattern and circuit forming surface of IC chip.
US08083149B2	Annotation of optical images on a mobile device A method of operating an image reader comprising the steps of: converting light reflected from a target into image data utilizing an image sensor; storing the image data in a display buffer; displaying the image on a display; annotating the displayed image by the operator while the image data is stored in the display buffer, thereby altering the image data in the display buffer; and, transmitting the altered image data from the display buffer; wherein the image sensor, display and display buffer are disposed in a common housing for hand held operation.
US08083147B2	Arrangement for and method of controlling image exposure in an imaging reader An arrangement for, and a method of, controlling image exposure in an imaging reader for reading symbols, employ an illuminating light assembly for illuminating a symbol with illumination light, a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the symbol over a field of view, and a controller for successively exposing the imager over a first exposure time period to capture the return light from, and to optimally image, a first area of the symbol, and over a second exposure time period to capture the return light from, and to optimally image, a second area of the symbol. The first and the second areas have different light intensity levels. The first and the second exposure time periods are different in duration. The controller is operative for combining the optimally imaged first and second areas to read the symbol.
US08083146B2	Optical code reading system and method for processing multiple resolution representations of an image An optical code reading system includes an imaging engine having an illuminating assembly for illuminating a potential target area; an imaging assembly including an imaging sensor for acquiring a native image of a potential target area; and circuitry for converting the native image of a potential target area to a data signal and outputting the data signal. The data signal includes potential target area data indicative of low and high resolution representations of the native image; and at least one processor that includes means for receiving the data signal and separating the potential target area data included within the data signal into at least first and second groups of pixels indicative of the low and high resolution representations. The processor may also receive intermediate resolution representations. A corresponding imaging engine and processors capable of implementing the method of separating the high, low and intermediate resolution representations are also disclosed.
US08083145B2	Provisioning an add-on apparatus with smartcard circuity for enabling transactions An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof.
US08083144B2	Device for identification of a gas cartridge for a gas-powered fastening device where the apparatus comprises the device and the cartridge for the apparatus A device for identifying a gas cartridge connectable to a gas-powered fastening apparatus via a valve includes a solenoid for both opening/closing the valve and for defining an antenna for wireless communication with an electronic label that is located on the cartridge and identifies the cartridge.
US08083139B2	Voice device for automatic vending machine A voice device for use in an automatic vending machine is disclosed to include a card reader for reading a voice file from an inserted electronic card, an input/output module for receiving a control signal from the automatic vending machine, a voice module, and a microprocessor for converting the voice file into a voice signal for output through a voice output device of the voice module subject to the control signal from the automatic vending machine.
US08083132B2	Negotiable instruments and systems and processing same There is provided a check with additional data capture capability that in conjunction with a linked transaction card provides substantially complete coverage for card holders to conduct transactions with merchants for the payment of goods and services. The additional data capture capability enabling generation of a card statement with detailed information regarding purchases and expenditures of both check transactions and card transactions to thereby permit a card holder to accurately track, monitor, describe, and reconcile all transactions in a statement period. The check comprises first and second data entry location for identification and descriptive information about a financial transaction, account holder name adjacent to a drawer signature field and check limit adjacent to a written check amount field, as well as other check information and entry fields, including routing, account and check reference number, date, payee designation, numeric check amount and account holder and financial institution information.
US08083130B1	Identification verification system and method A method and apparatus is provided for verifying the validity of ID cards. A card reading device reads an ID card and transmits a request to a database server. A database is queried and a reply is sent back to the card reading device indicating whether the ID is valid. If desired, the reply can include additional information, such as a description of the ID holder. The ID verification system can be used to help verify whether an ID belongs to the ID holder. The system can also log and timestamp events for future access.
US08083127B2	Slave wheel counter mechanism useable with an inhaler A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.
US08083125B2	Two-piece pastry box A box, in particular a pastry box, comprising a coverlid and a base recipient, said coverlid being applied on said base recipient, said coverlid comprising a first side provided to form a top plane and a second side provided to form a front plane of said box, said first and second side having a common edge, a border of said first side, which border is situated opposite to said common edge, is provided with a strip, which strip extends substantially perpendicular to said first side when said coverlid is mounted on said base recipient, said base recipient comprises a back wall, which is upstanding when said base recipient is unfolded, said strip being attached to said back wall, said base recipient being foldable, said back wall comprising a first and a second flap forming an integral part with each other and being foldable with respect to each other in such a manner that they overlap each other when said back wall is upstanding, said base recipient further comprising a first, respectively a second, side wall hingedly connected by means of a first, respectively a second wing to said back wall in such a manner that upon unfolding said base recipient the upstanding movement of said back wall causes said side wall to become upstanding too.
US08083123B2	Method for manufacturing a printed wiring board A method of manufacturing a printed wiring board having at least one solder bump includes forming a solder resist layer on a conductor layer. The solder resist layer has at least one opening that exposes a connection pad of the conductor layer, and the at least one opening in the solder resist layer has a depth D, from the solder resist layer to the exposed connection pad, of from 3 μm to 18 μm. The method also includes loading a solder ball into each of the at least one opening in the solder resist layer, and forming a bump on the exposed connection pad by heating the solder ball to a reflow temperature.
US08083118B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US08083116B2	Braking and driving mechanism for nail gun A braking and driving mechanism includes a guide plate, a driving rod, a magazine, and a pressing rod. The pressing rod consists of a bar shaped arm with its two opposite ends extending to respectively form a tongue portion and a pushing portion. A pivot portion is formed between the tongue portion and the pushing portion. The pressing rod is pivotably disposed in the magazine via the pivot portion. An elastic member for driving the arm to transversely press a main body of each of the nails is disposed on the pushing portion. If the number of remaining nails in the magazine is equal to a default number the elastic member drives the tongue portion to move to a position where the tongue portion can block the stopping portion such that the movement of the driving rod is braked.
US08083113B2	Waterproof portable security enclosure assembly A portable security enclosure assembly is provided for use with a vehicle of the type having a surface. The enclosure includes a base and means for fixing the base to the vehicle surface. Means are provided for detachably mounting the enclosure to the base. The mounting means includes first and second rings pivotally mounted on the base surface for movement between an upright position and a non-upright position. The rings are spaced apart. The enclosure has first and second openings adapted to align with the rings, respectively, when the enclosure is situated on the base, such that the rings extend through the openings in the enclosure when the rings are in the upright position. A locking bar, longer than the distance between the rings, is adapted to be simultaneously received through the rings, so as to secure the enclosure to the base.
US08083110B2	Aid for pulling on stockings An aid for pulling on stockings, especially compression stockings, comprising two parallel first struts, which are spaced mutually apart and each have a free upper end, and two parallel second struts, which are spaced mutually apart and whose upper ends are connected by an arcuate hoop, characterized in that the second struts are mounted such as to be pivotable about a pivot axis together with the hoop connected to them, said pivot axis running transversely to a longitudinal direction of said second strut, said second struts being movable into a first position, in which they are disposed adjacent to said first struts, and a second position, in which they are disposed at a V-shaped angle (α) to said first struts.
US08083105B2	Pressurized fluid delivery system A flexible fluid delivery system comprising a fluid bladder having a first inlet and a first outlet, the fluid bladder configured to contain liquid, an inflatable compartment capable of being pressurized by inflation and having a second inlet, the inflatable component being formed adjacent to the fluid bladder, such that the fluid bladder and the inflatable component are integrated to form a pressurized fluid reservoir, a seam element formed in the fluid bladder and the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, the seam element being capable of controlling the shape of the pressurized fluid reservoir, a pump associated with the second inlet of the inflatable compartment, the pump being configured to inflate the inflatable component of the pressurized fluid reservoir, and a valve operatively coupled to the first outlet of the fluid bladder, the valve being capable of releasing the liquid contained in the fluid bladder.
US08083101B2	Liquid storage unit and liquid ejecting apparatus The invention provides a liquid storage unit comprising: a case, a liquid storage part for storing a liquid in the case, with which a liquid part communicates; at least one gas accommodation part for accommodating a gas in the case, with which a gas port communicates, wherein the liquid in the liquid storage part is led outs through the liquid port by a pressure of a gas introduced from the gas port; an inner case provided in the case having a pair of openings on opposite side faces thereof; and a pair of flexible partitioning members sealing said pair of openings of the inner case respectively, thereby partitioning the liquid storage part therebetween and defining said at least one of the gas accommodation part in cooperation with the case.
US08083100B2	Mixing nozzle A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system, diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. The refrigeration system employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.
US08083090B2	Portion control plate cover The present invention provides a device for increasing portion control in a diet. In one illustrative embodiment, the portion control device includes a cover member sized to cover at least a portion of an eating surface of a plate. The cover member may include a first surface having one or more openings therein defined by an opening perimeter. One or more compartment walls may be attached to the first surface adjacent to the perimeter of the one or more openings and may extend a distance therefrom. The openings and the compartment walls may define a portion compartment that may help to manage, and in some cases, measure, portions of food. Additionally, in some embodiments, the compartments may have labels indicating the food group to be placed therein to help achieve a balanced diet.
US08083087B2	Vessel lock down system A pressure vessel includes a lid being rotatable into an unlocked position by a first actuator and then raised vertically above its housing by a second actuator secured along the housing. A pressure safety latch is provided to both vent the vessel before the Hd is moved into its unlocked position and release the lid for unlocking rotatable movement.
US08083086B2	Closure arrangement for containers A closure arrangement for containers of the type comprising an annular upper wall (13) having an outer edge (13a) hermetically affixed to a lateral wall (11) of the container, and an inner edge (13b) defining an upper opening (14) to be closed by a lid (20), which comprises a peripheral wall (22) externally provided with a first and a second circumferential groove (23, 24) and an annular flange (25), incorporating a pending circumferential projection (26), said lid (20) being mounted in a first closing position, in which the inner edge (13b) is fitted in the first circumferential groove (23) defining a first sealing region and the pending circumferential projection (26) is fitted in the circumferential recess (16) defining therein a second sealing region, said lid (20) being mounted in a second closing position, after the first opening, in which the inner edge (13b) is fitted in the second circumferential groove (24), retaining the latter and defining therein a third sealing region.
US08083085B2	Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce The invention encompasses packaging and cooling methods and systems designed to improve cooling efficiencies, reduce damage to the contents of containers, and increase product packing density. A system of the present invention incorporates baskets loaded into trays and trays loaded in preferred configurations on a pallet. The trays are loaded with baskets arranged in the tray so that ventilation slots and/or channels of the baskets are aligned with tray ventilation openings. Nine (9) trays are loaded onto a standard pallet in a 3 by 3 configuration. Additionally, the trays are arranged so that the tray ventilation openings are in alignment with ventilation openings of other trays of the same layer. This 3 by 3 layer of trays comprises a so-called “nine-down” configuration. As will be discussed below, his configuration has some surprising cooling advantageous standard packaging configurations.
US08083082B2	Large bottle-shaped container having substantially rectangular cross section A large container made of synthetic resin, and comprising a neck and a body; the body having a substantially rectangular cross section, and including an upper body and a lower body; the upper body containing a center of gravity of the container when filled with liquid; the upper body having a waist section containing the center of gravity; the waist section having a grip, the grip being not adapted to absorb a negative pressure in the container; and at least one surface of the lower body including a vacuum panel.
US08083081B2	Bottle with reinforced top portion A bottle includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the bottle, and a grip portion. The grip portion is recessed within the top portion of the bottle. The top portion of the bottle includes at least one strengthening element, preferably in the form of a rib or column that may be provided between the upper and lower bell portions, or between the upper bell or shoulder portion and the grip portion. The bottle can be used for hot or cold fill applications.
US08083080B2	Storage apparatus for storing products The present invention relates to a storage apparatus, including: a base; an axle unit, supported on the base; a first storage-access unit and a plurality of storage units of which the bottoms correspond to the base and arranged in a first circle; a plurality of second storage units of which the bottoms correspond to the base and arranged in a second circle; a first rotating unit connected with the tops of the first storage units; a first cover unit connected with the tops of the second storage units; and a plurality of first rolling units connected with the first rotating unit, wherein the first storage-access unit and the first storage units can rotate relative to the second storage units. Accordingly, the storage apparatus of the present invention can be employed in storing and accessing the products independently.
US08083074B2	Filter cartridge retention to nutplate A filter assembly where the filter cartridge is secured to the nutplate and a seal is provided between the filter cartridge and the nutplate. The sealing relationship between the filter cartridge and the nutplate is maintained during use of the filter assembly without using a spring engaged with the filter cartridge that biases the filter cartridge into engagement with the nutplate.
US08083071B2	Rotating cone classifier A classifier includes a central particle inlet, an inclined feed surface, and a classification surface. A plurality of particle feeding vanes are positioned above the feed surface, and the plurality of particle feeding vanes rotate above the feed surface. A plurality of classification vanes are positioned above the classification surface, and the plurality of classification vanes rotate above the classification surface. Particles enter the classifier through the inlet near an axis of rotation and flow radially outward on the feed surface to the classification surface.
US08083070B2	Screening device for sieving granular material In a screening device for sorting granular material with at least one rotatable rod basket and a downstream fine material separator a cyclone-type eddy separator is attached with the smaller diameter of its housing cone in order to draw off the screening gas flow charged with fine material and flowing out due to twisting energy in such a way that the rod basket screening device and the separator form a compact unit. A submerged pipe is located in the center of the cyclone-type eddy separator for drawing off the screening gas flow freed of fine material. At least one opening is provided for discharging the fine material at the periphery of the eddy separator housing.
US08083069B2	High throughput magnetic isolation technique and device for biological materials The present application discloses a process for the high throughput separation of at least one distinct biological material from a sample using magnetic tags and a magnetic separation set up capable of processing at least about 106 units/second. A magnetic field gradient is used to deflect target material bearing a magnet tag from one laminar flow stream to another so that the magnetically tagged target material exits a separation chamber via a different outlet than the rest of the sample. The process is applicable to isolating several distinct biological materials by directing each via magnetic deflection to its own unique outlet. The application also discloses a system for performing the process and a kit that includes the system and the magnetic tags.
US08083066B2	Method and machine for automatically inspecting and sorting objects according to their thickness This invention has as its object an automatic process and machine for inspecting and sorting non-metallic objects. Process characterized in that it consists essentially in temporarily subjecting a surface or outside layer (4) of objects (1) passing in a single-layer stream to the caloric radiation of at least one remote heating means (5), so as to deliver to each of these passing objects (1) a non-altering heat pulse that is identical for all of the objects in terms of heat energy applied per unit of surface area in the conveying plane (2), then to acquire at least one thermal image of each of said objects by means of at least one linear or matrix thermal sensor (6), for example a thermal camera, this after a determined length of time has elapsed following the application of the heat pulse, then to classify or to categorize each passing object (1) based on data contained in its thermal image or images and to deliver a control or actuation signal for each object and, finally, to separate the passing objects (1) based on their class or category and/or the corresponding control or actuation signal that is delivered.
US08083065B2	Nursing tray A tray for organizing various objects, e.g., medications, their receptacles and medical implements, that are needed in a typical nursing task is provided. The tray is advantageously constructed to balance all the objects during transport and during use such that its contents are prevented from toppling over in motion or in station.
US08083061B2	Packages and packaging system Carton blanks are disclosed for accommodating articles therein to form packages. A packaging system for packaging articles within blanks is capable of packaging a wide variety of packaging configurations.
US08083060B1	Tool holder assembly A tool holder assembly including a housing with a chamber, a rotating holder with a plurality of slots, a torsion spring, and an adapter, thereby forming an easy-to-use and portable tool holder. The slots at the top and the bottom of the rotating holder are provided for receiving screwdriver bits in different shapes and sizes. An insertion hole of the adapter is provided for the insertion of a hand tool in order to tighten a screw. Besides, the rotating holder may be swiveled by means of the torsion spring in an inclined position relative to the housing, thereby facilitating the removal and the storage of the screwdriver bits.
US08083057B2	Screw feeder having a magazine for holding a screw head A screw feeder includes a magazine configured to store a plurality of screws arranged along a single line, and a magazine table configured to support the magazine. A pair of rail members slidably support head portions of the screws. A spacer is sandwiched and fixed between the rail members. Threaded portions of the screws are accommodated in a slot formed by the spacer being sandwiched between the rail members. The rail members and the spacer are detachably attached to each other.
US08083055B2	Dispensing cap system for beverage bottles A dispensing cap system for dispensing a supplement material through a bottle neck opening and into the bottle. An exemplary embodiment includes a cap member configured for connection to beverage bottle necks of different sizes. A seal member is arranged to provide a liquid seal against the neck opening. A valve member passes through a storage member attached to the cap member, and is configured for movement between a storage position and a dispensing position, in which passage is permitted of the supplement material from the storage member into the bottle. A nipple member may be positioned over the valve member to allow the bottle contents to be utilized or consumed.
US08083054B2	Housing container for implant fixture To minimize used titanium materials, a container for an implant fixture has a housing main body 1, an implant fixture holding member 2, and a cap 3, the main body 1 is made of glass or the like and has guide grooves 1a in an axial direction, the holding member 2 is made of titanium and includes a bottom part 2a contacting with a top of a dental implant fixture X, and three or more guide parts 2b surrounding the fixture X, the guide part 2b has an insertion lock part 2ba to be locked in the guide groove 1a, the cap 3 is made of a resin, has a press part 3a, and seals the upper surface of the main body 1, and the press part 3a contacts with an engagement hole Xa and/or an upper surface Xb of the fixture X to press the fixture X.
US08083052B2	V-slat reciprocating slat conveyors Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).
US08083051B2	Bulk material pump feeder with reduced disk jamming A bulk materials pump feeder having a housing and a rotating drive rotor for transferring material from an inlet to an outlet of the housing. The drive rotor has a hub. Drive disks extend away from the hub toward a housing inner wall. Three structural features of the feeder reduce the tendency of material to jam between the drive rotor and the housing or other stationary parts. First, the distance between the circumferential edges of the drive disks and the housing inner wall increases from the inlet to the outlet in the direction of rotation of the drive rotor. Second, a low-friction brush seal disposed on the periphery of the drive disks seals the area between the periphery of the drive disks and the inner wall. Finally, a materials scraper having a flexible tip is mounted in the housing and extends into the drive rotor between the drive disks.
US08083046B2	Clutch assembly and friction plate A friction plate is provided including ,a core plate, a core plate first friction facing having a first radius and a first height; and a core plate second friction facing having a second radius differing from the first radius and a second height differing from the first height and having a coefficient of friction differing from a coefficient of friction of the first friction facing, wherein both of the facings are formed from an integral base fiber type friction facing material and wherein the difference in coefficients of friction is due to a percentage of a friction modifying saturant in the facings and wherein there is a groove separating the facings.
US08083045B2	Engine with centrifugal clutch An engine with a centrifugal clutch which can efficiently cool and lubricate the centrifugal clutch. The engine supports a pair of journal portions of a crankshaft by a bearing such as a ball bearing, a roller bearing, or the like, as well as a bearing metal. There is provided first oil supplying means formed in the crankshaft. The first oil supplying means has an oil passage for the first oil supplying means which is communicated with a main oil passage through an oil hole formed in the bearing metal and extends through a fitting portion of a crankpin to reach the centrifugal clutch.
US08083043B2	Clutch device A wet type multiple disc clutch transmits torque from an engine a transmission and a clutch engaging portion, a piston, a first oil passage, a second oil passage, and an operating oil supply unit. The clutch engaging portion includes a plurality of plate members. The first oil passage has one end on the piston side. The second oil passage has one end on the clutch engaging portion side. The operating oil supply unit switches a clutch engaged state, in which operating oil is supplied to the first oil passage from the outside and the operating oil in the second oil passage is drained to the outside, to a clutch disengaged state.
US08083039B2	Disc spring intake A disc valve assembly for a shock absorber opens due to axial movement of a valve disc. The valve disc is biased against a valve body by a valve spring. The valve spring is designed to provide a circumferentially asymmetrical load biasing the valve disc against the valve body. The disc valve assembly can be used as a piston rebound valve assembly, a piston compression valve assembly, a base valve compression valve assembly or a base valve rebound valve assembly.
US08083038B2	Spring loaded spacer A spring loaded spacer for fastening components and control units together with touch control face plates or panels wherein the spacer has a shank portion nested in a barrel portion, one end of the barrel portion being connected to a chassis or the like and its shank portion being connected to one or more printed circuit boards and/or components, and wherein the shank portion is spring loaded within the barrel portion and is adapted to receive one or more printed circuit boards and/or components under tensioned engagement.
US08083037B2	Brake disk lock The invention relates to a brake disk lock having an actuable housing shell, a support section, an engagement hoop and a securing section, with the support section and the engagement hoop bounding a receiving gap for the receiving of a brake disk, with the housing shell being arranged on the same side as the support section with respect to the receiving gap and being movably supported at the support section and with the housing shell, the support section and the securing section cooperating with one another such that the housing shell is movable from a release position into a securing position by a movement of the housing shell relative to the support section in the direction of the receiving gap in order to close the receiving gap by means of the securing section.
US08083033B2	Elevator system with control to allocate a call based on charging status of energy storage, and method of controlling an elevator group An elevator system and a method are provided for controlling an elevator group. The elevator system includes an elevator group, which includes at least two elevator cars, which elevator cars are fitted to be moved in the elevator hoistway according to the calls allocated by the control of the elevator group. The elevator system includes a power supply arrangement, for adjusting the power needed to move the elevator cars. An energy storage is connected to the power supply arrangement. The energy storage is fitted in the first operating situation to yield energy for use in moving the elevator car, and in the second operating situation to receive energy released by movement of the elevator car. The elevator system includes a determination of the charging status of the energy storage, and the control of the elevator group is fitted to determine the change in energy that would be caused by the movement according to an allocated call of the elevator cars belonging to the elevator group. The control of the elevator group is fitted to allocate a call by favoring in the allocation an elevator car, the determined change in energy caused by the movement of which best meets the allocation criterion.
US08083028B2	Tray for tripod deer stand A tray 100 for a tripod deer stand comprising two components 110, 111 wherein the first component 110 includes an inside width 140 that is greater than the second component 111 outside width 143 such that the second component 111 may slide within the first component 110, and wherein the first component 110 is adjusted in relation to the second component 111 to multiple desired overall tray widths 154 between a maximum width FIG. 2C and a minimum width FIG. 2A dependent upon the lengths of the first component 110 and the second component 111. At least two support brackets 160 and hardware 180 are included for securing the first component 110 with the second component 111 for a desired width, for securing the first and second component 110, 111 with the at least two support brackets 160, and for securing the support brackets 160 with the tripod deer stand.
US08083023B1	Drum booth and kit for its construction A booth for confining and acoustically isolating musical drum instruments and musicians therefor has a rear wall, front wall assembly having a number of plastic windows interconnected in a polygonal path, and a ceiling member. The windows are supported by pedestal blocks and secured in place by vertically opposed troughs in the ceiling member and pedestal blocks.
US08083020B2	Braking system for front caster wheels of a self-propelled vehicle A ride-on, self-propelled vehicle having front caster wheels, such as a zero-turn mower, includes a front brake system. The actuating power for the front brake pass through a spindle supporting the front caster wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a center shaft of each spindle or a concentric outer ring of a sleeve of each spindle passes a force from a brake actuator to a brake for the respective caster wheel. Actuation of the brake actuator moves a member into frictional contact with a portion of the front wheel or an object attached to the front wheel to applying a braking force.
US08083015B2	Hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle which can determine slope ascending and slope descending without using GPS radio waves. The hybrid vehicle includes a control unit determines a slope ascending state or a slope descending state of the vehicle by making use of an inclination sensor which detects an inclination with respect to a horizontal surface in the running direction of the vehicle or a vehicle drive sensor. Alternatively, the control unit obtains slope ascending information or slope descending information of the road by making use of a driver operation panel or a bus location system. The control unit sets a charge rate target value of an energy storage device based on these slope ascending state, slope ascending information, slope descending state, and slope descending information and controls charging to the energy storage device.
US08083006B2	Hand-held power tool A hand-held power tool, in particular an electrical hand-held power tool (1), includes a drive motor (4), a tool shaft (14), and a first overload clutch (19) for limiting the maximum torque that acts on the tool shaft (14). Preferably, the hand-held power tool also includes a second overload clutch (20).
US08083004B2	Ripper autodig system implementing machine acceleration control A control system for a machine having a power source, a traction device, and a ripping tool is disclosed. The control system may have a slip sensor configured to generate at least one signal indicative of machine slippage, and at least one actuator operable to position the ripping tool. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the slip sensor, the at least one actuator, and the power source. The controller may be configured to receive at least one operator input indicative of an acceptable slip value, and determine actual machine slippage based on the at least one signal. The controller may also be configured to directly and separately regulate a speed of the machine and a position of the ripping tool during an excavation process based on the acceptable slip value and actual machine slippage.
US08082997B2	Manipulatable spider components adapted for cooperation with a vertically reciprocating control line guide A method and apparatus are provided for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The pipe-holding spider that is normally mounted on the rig floor is adapted for easy disassembly and reassembly when the pipe slips within the spider are not engaged with the outer surface of the pipe string so that upon disassembly, a control line guide becomes vertically movable. The control line guide is adapted for being controllably elevated to a distance above the rig floor, thereby providing personnel access to a portion of the length of the pipe string below the elevated control line guide and above the rig floor for securing control line to the pipe string using a fastener.
US08082994B2	Methods for enhancing fracture conductivity in subterranean formations Methods of enhancing the conductivity of fractures in subterranean formations comprising: providing a propped fracture in a subterranean formation wherein a plurality of proppant particulates reside in at least a portion of the fracture; providing a displacement fluid; introducing the displacement fluid into the propped fracture in the subterranean formation at a rate that is at least the matrix rate of the subterranean formation; and allowing the displacement fluid to displace at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates, thereby forming at least one channel in the propped fracture.
US08082991B2	Monitoring and control system for a gas well dewatering pump A monitoring and control system for a dewatering pump configured to dewater a gas well is provided. A dewatering pump is driven at a first speed to pump fluid out of a well annulus. A fluid level detection device is configured to identify a change of fluid level in the well annulus occurring between a first time and a second, later time. A controller is configured to change the speed of the dewatering pump from the first speed to a second speed based upon the identified change in fluid level. Several embodiments of the fluid level detection devices are provided.
US08082984B2	Large bore packer and methods of setting same Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing.
US08082983B2	Completion system having a sand control assembly, an inductive coupler, and a sensor proximate to the sand control assembly A completion system for use in a well includes a first completion section and a second section. The first completion section has a sand control assembly to prevent passage of particulates, a first inductive coupler portion, and a sensor positioned proximate to the sand control assembly that is electrically coupled to the first inductive coupler portion. The second section is deployable after installation of the first completion section. It includes a second inductive coupler portion to communicate with the first inductive coupler portion, to enable communication between the first completion section's sensor and another component coupled to the second section.
US08082981B2	Multiple point adjustable depth air sparging well system An multiple point adjustable depth air sparging well system having a multiple air injection points for injecting compressed air into saturated or groundwater regions of the soil's subsurface to remove volatile contaminants from the soil's subsurface. At plurality of flow-through air sparge packer which are slidably mounted flow-through packers within the well casing of the air sparging well system allows a user to adjust the depths of the air injection points. Each packer has attached thereto a pressure regulator which provides compressed air to one of the multiple air injection points.
US08082978B2	Fluid-to-fluid spot-to-spreader heat management devices and systems and methods of managing heat Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include heat management devices, heat management systems, methods of heat management, and the like.
US08082976B2	Method and apparatus for production of a cast component A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
US08082973B2	Method and device for core pulling and insertion in synchronization with the opening and closing of the mold A method for core pulling and insertion in synchronization with the opening and closing of the mold in a cavity including a fixing half and a moving half, or a fixing half, a moving half and several cavity plates installed between fixing half and moving half as well as the core moving reciprocally inside the cavity, wherein a downward movement of a transmission gear is coupled with an opening of the mold, synchronous with a pulling of the core out of the cavity, and an upward movement of the transmission gear is coupled with a closing of the mold, synchronous with an insertion of the core into the cavity.
US08082971B1	Portable partition system having modular frames, bars, and friction fit spacers A portable partition system for dividing spaces and which can easily be changed in appearance, function and size has at least one frame that includes interior grooves suitable for receiving rigid or flaccid panels. More frames may be connected with lift-off or removable pin hinge sections, which allows a user to add to or remove rigid rectangular frames from the system by simply inserting or removing hinge pins. Dowels may suspend fabric panels, or rigid flat panels may be slid down through an opening at the top of and into each frame along with removable bars to create a structure notably different in appearance or purpose. All of the components, including dowels, fabric panels, flat panels, and horizontal bars, are insertable into the rigid rectangular frames and are removable, reversible and replaceable at will and without tools to achieve many different visual effects using the same set of frames.
US08082966B2	System for enhancing sonotrode performance in ultrasonic additive manufacturing applications An ultrasonic welding assembly, comprising: a sonotrode having a single welding region and two nodal regions formed on either side of the welding region; a mounting plate for supporting the sonotrode having a force application region on the upper surface thereof; at least one ultrasonic transducer connected to the sonotrode; at least one diaphragm spring disposed between the ultrasonic transducer and the sonotrode; at least one roller bearing connected to the diaphragm spring; at least two linear guides connected to the roller bearing, wherein the at least two linear guides are connected to the mounting plate and support the roller bearing and the sonotrode in a flexible manner; and first and second low-friction linear bearings in contact with nodal regions for the application of downward force to the sonotrode, wherein the first and second linear bearings are connected to the mounting plate.
US08082960B2	Automatic floor board classification method and system therefor A method and a system for classifying a plurality of random length boards of random grade, using a conveyer provided with reading units to read both the length and the grade of each board at a first end of said conveyer; a processor, receiving length and grade data from the reading units; calculating combinations of board lengths and grades and selecting a preferred combination of boards from the combinations; and a distribution section, located at a second end of the conveyer, and operated by the processor according to the preferred combination; the processor being fed with a large number of identified boards, from which to calculate the combinations of board lengths and grades, before they reach the distribution section.
US08082951B2	Diverter valve apparatus and method Embodiments of the invention provide a diverter valve and a method of providing debris resistance in a diverter valve. The diverter valve can include a valve housing defining a valve chamber and at least an inlet port and an outlet port. The diverter valve can include a flow diverter extending into the valve chamber and pivotally coupled relative to the valve housing about a pivot axis defined through the valve chamber. The flow diverter can include a main portion extending into the valve chamber and a plunger portion disposed outside of the valve chamber. The main portion can have a diverting wall radially spaced apart from the pivot axis. The flow diverter can include a rib extending radially inwardly from the diverting wall toward the pivot axis. The diverter valve can also include at least one wing member positioned within the inlet port and secured relative to the valve housing.
US08082949B2	Non-return valve with a ball-shaped valve body In the non-return valve of this invention, at its outlet there is a blade gate (1) and at least a part of the body (2) makes for a uniform cast of the valve body (3).
US08082947B2	Separable ball valve apparatus and ball valve assembly A separable ball valve apparatus and ball valve assembly capable of selectively opening/closing a separable flow path are provided. The separable ball valve apparatus comprises a separable pipe member having a flow path through which fluid flows, a ball member having at least two balls disposed in the pipe member, opening and closing the flow path, and adjacent to each other, and an opening/closing member configured to control the ball member to open/close the flow path, wherein the balls have through-holes, respectively, and the opening/closing member includes a gear train configured to control the opening/closing of the at least two balls. Therefore, it is possible to simply open/close pipes having the flow path and detachably attach the pipes, increase space utilization due to removal of a separate coupling space for attachment/detachment of the pipes, and simultaneously open/close the two pipes, which are separated from each other through one operation.
US08082940B2	Water reservoir for vehicle having drain valve operated by traveling wind The present invention provides a cooling water reservoir for a fuel cell vehicle, in which a drain valve operated by traveling wind is mounted in a reservoir housing of the reservoir such that unnecessary water in an amount corresponding to the amount of product water, generated in the fuel cell stack during operation of a fuel cell system and flowing in the reservoir housing, can be discharged through the drain valve automatically in real-time, thus preventing the water in the reservoir housing from overflowing due to the inflow of the product water generated in the fuel cell stack during operation of the fuel cell system.
US08082938B2	Collapsible shelters with and without a floating hub Collapsible portable self-supporting shelter structures having from at least two component quad sections to seven or more component quad sections, which joined end to end form the width of the structure; and, said entire component sections optionally being joined side to side form a desired depth of the portable shelter. The resulting structure is a collapsible self-supporting prefabricated deployable shelter having a clear span interior without supporting columns.Some versions of the collapsible portable self-supporting shelter structure due to its configuration may optionally contain a floating hub which is a top element extending above the structure's standard exterior matrix frame. The floating hub forms a high pitch atop the shelter, which high pitch causes the fabric, which covers the matrix frame, to be maintained in a taut downward-sloping condition over the shelter top surface so no rain or snow collects in the fabric at the top of the shelter.
US08082936B2	Walking cane The present invention includes a walking cane having a handle assembly, a support assembly and foot member. The handle assembly includes first and second generally upright rigid posts. A shaft adaptable for grasping by a user's hand connects to each end of the posts. Pliable mounts dispose between the terminal ends of the shaft and each post. The mounts, biased against the shaft, permit omni-directional movement of the shaft relative to each post. The support assembly connects to the handle assembly and includes three parallel elongated rods spaced apart from one another in a triangular formation. The handle assembly can be adjusted relative to the support assembly by means of two cooperating shims. The foot member connects to the support assembly and contacts the ground. The cane provides a light-weight shaft and a shock absorbing handle assembly to assist in relieving hand, wrist and arm strains.
US08082935B2	Quick connector for shade structure A connector is provided for connecting a first portion of a shade structure to a second portion of the structure. The connector can have a first end that can be mechanically coupled with the first portion and a second end that can be mechanically coupled with the second portion of the structure. The second end can have a reinforced portion and an engagement member that extends from the reinforced portion to be movable into and out of the reinforced portion. The engagement member can move between first and second positions to engage or disengage with the second portion of the shade structure.
US08082933B2	Vessel and methods for calibrating, cleaning or removing an implement located in such a vessel or inserting an implement into such a vessel A vessel having an implement located in a fluid receiving space inside the vessel. The vessel includes an enclosure for enclosing a closed space around the implement. An actuator actuates the enclosure to and fro between an open position, in which the enclosure does not enclose a closed space around the implement, and a closed position, in which the enclosure forms a fluid tight or at least essentially fluid tight casing that encloses a closed space around the implement so as to prevent fluid in the fluid receiving space outside the closed space from flowing into the closed space. A method for cleaning and/or calibrating an implement located in a fluid receiving space inside such a vessel and a method for removing an implement from or inserting an implement into a fluid receiving space inside a vessel.
US08082932B2	Single side workpiece processing A centrifugal workpiece processor for processing semiconductor wafers and similar workpieces includes a head which holds and spins the workpiece. The head includes a rotor having a gas system. Gas is sprayed or jetted from inlets in the rotor to create a rotational gas flow. The rotational gas flow causes pressure conditions which hold the edges of a first side of the workpiece against contact pins on the rotor. The rotor and the workpiece rotate together. Guide pins adjacent to a perimeter may help to align the workpiece with the rotor. The rotor may have cylindrical side walls joined to a top plate, and with the gas inlets located in the cylindrical sidewalls. The head is moveable into engagement with a bowl. Spray nozzles in the bowl spray a process liquid onto the second side of the workpiece, as the workpiece is spinning, to process the workpiece.
US08082927B2	Adjustable facial shaving guide A guide for trimming the beard of a person with a razor is disclosed. A mouth piece has a proximal end adapted for gripping with a mouth of the person, and a distal end. A rigid base is fixed at a proximal side thereof to the distal end of the mouth piece. The base further comprises a distal side, at least one peripheral edge connecting the proximal side, and in one embodiment at least one guide adjustment means. A pair of guide members each have a continuous outer side, an inner side, and at least one peripheral edge connecting the outer and inner sides. Each guide member further includes at least one adjustment post engaged with the at least one guide adjustment means of the base. The guide adjustment means is adapted to adjust the lateral position of each guide member with respect to the base. With the mouth piece held by the mouth of the person, the at least one guide adjustment means of the base may be actuated to adjust the lateral position of each guide member to a desired location on a face of the person. The person is then able to trim the beard with the razor only on the areas of the face not shielded by the guide.
US08082918B2	Inhaler A breath-actuated inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation from a canister (2) which is compressible to deliver a dose of medicament. The inhaler comprises a housing (1) for holding a canister (2) and including a mouthpiece (5) for delivery of a dose of medicament from a canister (2) held in the housing; and an actuation mechanism (6) for compressing a canister (2) held in the housing (1) in response to inhalation at the mouthpiece (5). The housing includes two separable portions (19, 20). The first housing portion (19) mounts the actuation mechanism (6). The second housing portion (20) houses the mouthpiece (5) and a duct (24) shaped to direct an inhalation flow from the mouthpeice (5) to the first housing portion (19) for triggering the actuation mechanism (6). The duct (24) and the mouthpiece (5) are integrally formed and separable from the second housing portion (20).
US08082913B2	Striker for paint ball gun A paint ball gun includes a body, a valve unit and a striking unit. The valve unit is disposed in the body. The striking unit is disposed in the body, and includes a striker and a collar. The striker is made of metal and formed with a striking tip at an end for hitting the valve unit. The collar is made of plastics and provided on the striking tip.
US08082911B1	Projectile loading, firing and warning system Methods are presented which improve the performance of semi and fully automatic paintball guns include sensing paintball and gun bolt position during loading to coordinate and pace the gun for maximum automatic feed rate and minimal chopping. In addition, methods are presented for indicating a need for servicing through an alarm when the magazine nears empty based upon various conditions such as sensed magazine feed rate fall-off. Additional apparatus are discussed for carrying out the methods, and for performance of other tasks such as selection of pre-wind in spring-type forced-feed loaders.
US08082909B2	Toy projectile launcher The present invention is a toy projectile launcher in the form of a role play accessory such as a belt. The belt assembly includes a strap, a launcher housing, and projectiles stored on the belt strap. The belt strap feeds through the launcher housing so that projectiles may be launched from the strap. In one embodiment the launcher is hand-held, and includes a handle which serves both as a means for holding the launcher during operation and as a power switch for the launcher. Projectiles may be discharged singly from the launcher or continuously in a rapid-fire mode.
US08082907B2	Air/oil separating PCV apparatus An improved air/oil separating PCV apparatus is disclosed that provides for integration of an air duct, cross-over duct, one way drain valve, PCV valve, cyclonic oil mist separator assembly, cyclone bypass valve, oil reservoir and oil fill cap into a single injection molded apparatus. The improved air/oil separating PCV apparatus is configured to permit it to be tooled in a vertical direction for injection molding.
US08082906B2	Air duct for engine An air duct 13 connected to the intake system of an engine 12 has a duct main body 13A and a cylindrical fuel adsorption filter 19 having air permeability. The fuel adsorption filter 19 is located in the duct main body 13A. The fuel adsorption filter 19 is arranged to be coaxial with respect to the duct main body 13A. A gap 21 is defined between the inner circumferential surface of the duct main body 13A and the outer circumferential surface of the fuel adsorption filter 19. An opening 22 for drawing air flow into the gap 21 is formed between an air flow upstream side of the gap 21 and an air passage area of the duct main body 13A.
US08082905B2	Tank venting device for a motor vehicle A tank venting device for a motor vehicle has a fuel tank, a fuel vapor accumulator for storing fuel vapors escaping from the fuel tank and a connection line, via which the fuel vapors may flow from the fuel tank into the fuel vapor accumulator. Furthermore, an overpressure line having an overpressure valve is provided, via which the fuel vapors may flow from the fuel tank into the fuel vapor accumulator when the overpressure valve is open. An attachment of the connection line on the fuel vapor accumulator and an attachment of the overpressure line on the fuel vapor accumulator are situated at different points on the fuel vapor accumulator. The operational reliability of a tank venting procedure may thus be increased and the adsorption capacity of the fuel vapor accumulator may be used better.
US08082903B2	Method for operating an injector A method is for operating an injector, in particular a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, the injector having a piezoelectric actuator for driving a valve needle coupled, preferably hydraulically, to the actuator. Starting from a starting voltage corresponding to a first operating state of the injector, the actuator is recharged, i.e., charged or discharged, by a predefinable voltage swing to a target voltage corresponding to a second operating state of the injector.
US08082895B2	Variable valve system for internal combustion engine and its driving mechanism In a variable valve system for an internal combustion engine and its driving mechanism, the variable valve system comprises: a variable mechanism that revolves a control axle to change an operation characteristic of an engine valve; a projection section projected at an outer peripheral predetermined position in an axial direction of the control axle and on a tip of which a fixture section is formed; a fixture member fixed in a grasped state for the projection member via an engagement member engaged on the fixture section; a driving mechanism configured to provide a rotating force for the control axle via the fixture member; and control means (a control section) for controlling the driving mechanism in accordance with a driving state of the engine.
US08082893B2	Cooling system of internal combustion engine A cooling system includes: an oil pump for supplying oil under pressure; a cylinder head forming part of a combustion chamber; a cooling portion formed in the cylinder head and adapted to allow circulating oil to cool heat transmitted from the combustion chamber; an oil cooler for cooling oil; and a thermostat for switching between an oil passage routed through the oil cooler and a bypass passage bypassing the oil cooler. The thermostat is disposed in an oil passage between the oil pump and the cooling portion.
US08082892B2	High efficiency integrated heat engine-2 (HEIHE-2) The present invention is a second kind of High Efficiency Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE-2 for short. HEIHE-2 is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE-2 comprises triple compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder and the second cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinders; and the third cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Triple cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE-2 work around four (4) periods with six (6) different operation strokes. All four (4) working periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only two (2) of them consume the fuel. Thus the fuel conversion efficiency could be greatly increased, or even be doubled comparing with the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE).
US08082890B2	Method and apparatus for efficient generation of hydrogen Apparatus for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a tank and the quantity of water contained in said tank is dissolved. A quantity of a conductivity promoting material suspended or dissolved in said water to form an electrically conductive fluid and a plurality of plates suspended in said electrically conductive fluid and a reactive agent selected from the group consisting of derivatives of vegetable materials, derivatives of highly resinous vegetable materials, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized highly resinous vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, and water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon.
US08082888B2	Thermal switch for energy sustaining water heater A water heater is provided that includes a tank for storing water and a combustion chamber in thermal communication with the tank for heating the water. The combustion chamber contains a pilot burner and at least one main burner. The water heater also includes a flue containing a flue damper to control the passage of exhaust gases from said combustion chamber. The water heater further includes an electrical control circuit connected to said flue damper. The electrical control circuit includes a thermal switch positioned proximal to the main burner The thermal switch is configured to prevent the flue damper from closing while the main burner is firing.
US08082887B2	Grooming device The invention is an apparatus for grooming an animal having a brush head, the brush head having a plurality of bristles, each bristle having a midpoint and an endpoint, where the bristles are in general perpendicular orientation to the brush head, a cleaning plate, in general parallel orientation to the brush head, the cleaning plate able to move from a contracted to an extended position, the cleaning plate further having material removed to allow the bristles to protrude through the cleaning plate when it is in the retracted position; and a mechanism for extending and contracting the cleaning plate, wherein the cleaning plate has a bottom surface and the bottom surface does not extend past the bristle endpoint when the cleaning plate is in the extended position. In one embodiment, at least some bristles are wire, and in further embodiments the wire bristles have round coated tips. The brush head may further have a water outlet and a hose coupling for intake and dispensing of liquids. Furthermore, the present invention may have means for conducting water through the handle and out the water outlet, which may be a plurality of hollow bristles.
US08082885B2	Containment systems and components for animal husbandry: rack module assembly method Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.
US08082882B1	Animal feeder with insertable feed restrictor Various embodiments provide an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor. An example embodiment includes: a barrel into which animal feed may be deposited, the barrel including a stop attached at an edge of an upper opening of the barrel; and a feed restrictor configured for removable insertion into the opening of the barrel, the feed restrictor including a plurality of feed access holes arranged on a lower surface of the feed restrictor, the feed restrictor being configured to float on top of the animal feed deposited in the barrel, the feed restrictor being further configured to freely spin laterally in the barrel.
US08082881B2	Dog feeder and dog waterer A dog feeder and dog waterer is provided wherein the dog feeder and dog waterer may be moved individually from operative positions to stored positions and which may be detachably secured together when in their stored or transport positions to enable the feeder and waterer to be carried as a unit and to add stability of the same during transport or storage.
US08082880B2	Cat pad A pad for a pet, for example a cat, to rest on includes a foam block encased in a fabric covering with generally parallel top surface portions that includes a head top surface portion for the front part of the cat to rest on and a rear main body top surface portion at a lower elevation for the remainder of the cat to rest on. The top part of the head portion is trapezoidal in longitudinal cross section with its major base being below it minor base which provide a part of the pad top surface. The main body portion has a generally planar rectangular top surface portion that is generally parallel to the minor base top surface portion.
US08082879B2	Method for incubation and hatching of eggs The present invention is directed to a method for the incubation and hatching of premature eggs, in particular, surgically-derived premature eggs removed from a bird prior to transfer of the premature egg to the cloaca of a bird.
US08082875B2	Doctor device The present invention provides a doctor device for metering and/or equalizing a liquid-to-pasty medium applied to a running surface, wherein in the case of direct application the surface is a running paper web, paperboard web or other fibrous web and in the case of indirect application a transfer element which transfers the application medium to the fibrous web. The doctor device has a holder arranged on a support beam for accommodating a doctor element used for the metering and/or equalizing. The holder has a first fixed support face bar and a second moving support face bar, wherein to open and close the holder the second support face bar is displaceable respectively away from the first support face bar or toward it such that in the closed state of the holder the doctor element is fixed from the outside and in the open state of the holder it is released.
US08082872B2	Detectable guidance markers for tactile navigation, including indicia of obstacle presence, type, dimensions, direction, and/or proximity An apparatus, system, and method provides blind and vision impaired (B/VI) persons with improved Detectible Guidance Markers (DGMs) for navigation in a wide variety of environments, providing information regarding the presence, type, direction, and proximity of various navigational obstacles. A representative but non-exclusive example of an invented unitary DGM includes a plurality of tactually-detectable informational members, including a base member and one or more integral directional members configured to be disposed at a surface of a navigational substrate. A discrete number of directional members conveys an obstacle identity, while different lengths of directional members, and characteristics of other informational members, convey a direction and/or a proximity to an obstacle. Additionally, numerous structural alterations to a surrounding substrate surface cooperatively supplement the detectability and information-conveying benefits of a DGM.
US08082866B2	Sewing machine and computer readable medium storing sewing machine control program A sewing machine capable of sewing a manually moved workpiece cloth in free motion includes a carrier that carries the workpiece cloth and being manually moved to move the workpiece cloth; a support element that movably supports the carrier; a movement amount detector that detects an amount of carrier movement; a specifier that specifies a stitch pitch; a comparator that produces a comparison of the amount of carrier movement with the stitch pitch; a regulator provided at the support element and that regulates carrier movement; and a controller that controls the regulator such that the amount of carrier movement does not exceed the stitch pitch based on the comparison produced by the comparator.
US08082862B2	Gripper for a tufting machine A gripper (3) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body (9) having a cutout (22) for a cutting insert (10), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert (10) with the gripper body (9). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions (37, 38) that are provided on the gripper body (9) and that reach around matching cutouts (33, 34) of the cutting insert (10).
US08082861B2	Apparatus and method for forming level cut and loop pile tufts and related fabrics A tufting machine is provided with two transverse rows of needles, one row being associated with transverse row of loopers and the other second row of needles being associated with a transverse row of gated hooks. Novel and low pile height tufted fabrics can be created with this configuration.
US08082860B2	Anti-roping device for pulverized coal burners An orifice plate for improving particle distribution within a coal piping system includes a plate body defining a central orifice therethrough bounded by an inner periphery of the plate body. The plate body is configured and adapted to be affixed between end flanges of adjacent pipes in a coal piping system so as to generally align the central orifice with an internal flow passage through the coal piping system. Flow disruption features are defined in the inner periphery of the plate body. The flow disruption features are configured and adapted to disrupt a flow of air and particles flowing through the central orifice to provide a more uniform distribution of particles downstream of the plate body than upstream.
US08082857B2	Overbed table for use with patient support An overbed table is provided for use with a bed. The bed includes a first connector that mates with a second connector of the overbed table. When the first and second connectors mate, an electrical connection is established for an electrical device supported by the overbed table.
US08082854B2	Chassis for a cable or pipeline trolley The invention relates to a chassis (1) for a cable or pipeline trolley (2), for traveling along a carrier rail, the chassis including at least one pair of carrier rollers (3) having a horizontal axis of rotation and at least one pair of guide rollers (4) having a vertical axis of rotation. The disadvantage of known chassis of this type is that they jolt at uneven sections of the carrier rail and a significant supply of replacement parts is required for repairs. The aim of the invention is to develop a chassis with improved driving characteristics, whilst at the same time reducing production and inventory costs. To achieve this, the carrier rollers (3) and guide rollers (4) are essentially arranged symmetrically to a vertical axis.
US08082852B2	System and method for railroad track tie plate orientation A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates includes a sensing region having at least one optical sensor adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate. An electronic controller is connected to the optical sensor and is disposed to receive a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region. The electronic controller further determines an orientation of the tie plate based on the sensor signal, compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a command to at least one actuator adapted to perform at least one tie plate orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate with the predetermined orientation.
US08082850B2	Synchronized spin multi-component projectile A projectile includes a leading part formed by a tip and a tip base that form a first annular shoulder where they meet. A trailing part of the projectile is formed by a base having a frusto-conical trailing end and a cylindrical leading end of truncate extent that forms a tail drive. A second annular shoulder is formed where a cylindrical rod meets the tail drive. A flat trailing end of the tip base and a flat leading end of the cylindrical rod abut one another when the projectile is assembled. A cylindrical interface has a leading extent abutting the first annular shoulder and a trailing end abutting the second annular shoulder. The tail drive and the trailing extent of the cylindrical interface are the only parts of the projectile that engage gun barrel rifling when the projectile is positioned in a gun barrel.
US08082849B2	Short term power grid disruption device An electrical power disruption device including a projectile configured to be propelled upwardly from a hand-held launcher and receiving a plurality of electrically conductive streamers.
US08082848B2	Missile with system for separating subvehicles A missile includes several subvehicles that are initially mechanically coupled to a missile main body, and a separation system for separating the subvehicles from the missile main body. The separation system has a single triggering mechanism to simultaneously provide energy to separate all of the subvehicles. This advantageously provides only a single shock to the system by actuating the system to separate the subvehicles. By limiting the shocks to the single shock of actuating the energy system and the shocks of the mechanical disengagement of the individual subvehicles, the disengagement system has improved performance. The subvehicles may be separated from the main body in radial directions substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the main body. This may provide for smoother disengagement, with less tipping, and may provide for greater, more uniform spacing between the disengaged subvehicles.
US08082839B2	One-piece steel piston A one-piece steel piston that is made from a piston blank that includes a portion that is configured and designed to be displaced to form a cooling gallery and ring belt. The piston blank can be formed by a casting or forging process. The portion that is designed and configured to be displaced is a flange that extends radially outward. The flange is bent downward or upward so that a peripheral edge of the flange contacts another portion of the piston. The peripheral edge of the flange and the other portion of the piston can be welded together or mechanically engaged.
US08082838B2	Air spring pneumatic product rejection system A double-acting cylinder and piston mechanism comprising a cylinder (1) substantially closed at both ends by front (5) and rear (7) end walls, a piston (8) axially displaceable within the cylinder (1), a first region (6) defined between the piston (8) and the rear end wall (7) of the cylinder (1) and a second region (4) defined between the piston (8) and the front end wall (5) of the cylinder (1), a piston rod (2) extending from the piston (8) through the front end wall (5) of the cylinder (1), an air inlet port (19) for communication with said first region (6) of the cylinder (1) and at least one exhaust vent (14) which is exposed during axial displacement of the piston (8) for release of air delivered to the cylinder (1) through the air inlet port (19). The double-acting cylinder and piston mechanism is suitable for use in a pneumatic product rejection system, the piston (8) being connected to an ejector finger (18) for displacement of the finger (18) between a clear position and at least one product rejecting disposition of the finger (18).
US08082831B2	Method and apparatus for auto-centering and cutting cheese loaves An auto-centering apparatus and method of auto-centering and dividing a cheese loaf into equal cheese portions is disclosed wherein the cheese loaf is loaded on to a bottom conveyor that centers the cheese along the cutting harp centerline and equally divides the cheese loaf to provide substantially equally sized cheese portions.
US08082820B2	Fastening system A fastening system for axial fastening of an elongated element with a snap-on fastener to a support, in which the snap-on fastener encloses the elongated element, has a retaining ring with an internal spring and can be inserted by means of a groove into the U-shaped recess in a support and in the fixed state, the retaining ring acts by means of a spring against the support, in order to counteract axial loosening of the snap-on fastener. A support with at least one deep groove relative to the surface of support around the U-shaped recess, a snap-on fastener with an internal spring, which can be adjusted in the direction toward groove, and whose retaining ring has a face, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the groove of the support.
US08082819B2	Finger operated throttle A finger throttle for motorized vehicles having thumb throttles with thumb operated levers. The finger throttle includes a housing, a linkage assembly, and a finger operated lever. The housing is configured to mount on the thumb throttle housing and the linkage assembly is configured to engage the thumb throttle linkage assembly. The finger operated lever is linked to the linkage assembly such that moving the finger operated lever moves the linkage assembly, which in turn moves the thumb throttle linkage assembly. The operator can use the finger operated lever or the thumb operated lever to control the engine speed or can use both levers concurrently to do so.
US08082815B2	Hydraulically actuated shift actuator assembly An arrangement of a hydraulically actuated shift actuator including a shift cylinder (3), arranged outside the hydraulic control unit of a transmission. The shift cylinder (3) of the shift actuator is fixed on a flat or circular machined area (2) on the inside of a housing (1). The side of the housing (1) facing away from the shift cylinder (3) has a flat surface (4) on which the hydraulic control unit (5) is fixed in a hydraulically leak-proof manner.
US08082814B2	Ball screw device having lubricating device A ball screw device includes a ball nut rotatably engaged onto a screw shaft for forming a gap between the ball nut and the screw shaft and for receiving a lubricating oil and for forming a helical raceway between the ball nut and the screw shaft, a number of bearing members engaged between the ball nut and the screw shaft and in the helical raceway, and a forcing device includes a barrel having an outer helical member for forming a helical channel and for receiving the lubricating oil, and for forcing the lubricating oil to flow into the gap between the ball nut and the screw shaft and to effectively lubricate the bearing members when the barrel is rotated relative to the screw shaft.
US08082813B2	Actuator for displacement of a holder against a homing-position A lead screw actuator for displacing holder with a collimator lens in an optical scanning device has a home-position for accurately determining the position of the collimator lens. An anti-seize construction is provided to avoid the holder to get stuck against the home-position due to the friction between both surfaces.
US08082812B2	Closure system for vehicles A closure system for a motor vehicle includes a pinion and a pair of U-shaped, flat sliders. The pinion is engaged to a drive shaft to rotate in a first rotational direction and an opposite second rotational direction in response to the drive shaft rotating. Each slider has an inner leg and an outer leg connected at one end to a bridge. The inner surface of each inner leg includes a gear rack. The inner surfaces of the inner legs face one another and surround opposite sides of the pinion such that corresponding portions of the gear racks engage the respective opposite sides of the pinion whereby the sliders are longitudinally displaced away from one another in response to the pinion rotating in the first rotational direction and are longitudinally displaced toward one another in response to the pinion rotating in the second rotational direction.
US08082811B2	Locomotive performance testing apparatus Provided is a testing apparatus capable of testing locomotive performance of a robot while harmonizing motions of the apparatus with that of the robot. According to the locomotive performance testing apparatus (1), a motor working plan is made on the basis of a robot motion plan, and a motor (12) is driven according to the motor working plan. As a result, an alteration pattern of a driving velocity of an endless belt (11) can be controlled according to an alteration pattern of a moving velocity of a robot (2) whose locomotive performance is being tested on the endless belt (11). Moreover, a motion tempo of the endless belt (11) and a motion tempo of the robot (2) are so harmonized that the former tempo may approach the latter tempo, and the locomotive performance of the robot (2) can be stably tested in that state.
US08082809B2	Combine harvester and associated method for selectively gathering grain test data The present invention provides a novel combine harvester and associated method configured for gathering grain test data. In general, the combine harvester includes a grain diverting assembly that is configured to selectively divert grain from a grain harvesting path to a grain testing path for the purpose of gathering the grain test data. In various embodiments, the present invention may return the tested grain to the grain harvesting path for further delivery to a primary grain hopper. The present invention may also provide a sampling cup and sample delivery system that allows a sample of the diverted grain to be automatically gathered and delivered to a combine harvester operator location.
US08082807B2	Sensor assembly and method Described herein is the sensor assembly and method for rapidly obtaining accurate readings of a variable. The sensor assembly comprises a plurality of sensors which are connected to a microcontroller that processes the signals of the individual transducers to the microcontroller. The microcontroller contains software that maximizes the refresh rate and/or minimizes the time it takes to process the outputs of each of the transducers. The microcontroller that is coupled to the sensor assembly selectively measures the outputs of each transducer so as to speed up the refresh rate of the sensor.
US08082805B2	Magnetic sensor assembly A sensor assembly for measuring or detecting a magnetic field, torsion, or mechanical tension has a magnetic or magnetizable electrically conductive conductor having a first section and thereadjacent a second section in which a helical anisotropy is or can be generated. A dynamical helical magnetization is generated in the first conductor section a dynamic helical magnetization and is transferred to the second conductor section. A voltage in the second conductor section that is generated by the transfer of magnetization from the first conductor section is detected.
US08082803B2	Electromagnetic flow meter having a cut groove formed in the flange for holding the liner in position Provided is an electromagnetic flow meter configured to measure a flow rate of a measurement target fluid. The electromagnetic flow meter includes: a measurement pipe having a hollow cylindrical shape and allowing the measurement target fluid to flow inside; flanges provided on both ends of the measurement pipe, respectively; and a lining portion. Each of the flanges includes a cut groove formed in a circumferential direction of the measurement pipe. The cut groove has a curved inner surface. The lining portion is formed so as to cover an inner surface of the measurement pipe and the cut grooves.
US08082802B1	Compact and stand-alone combined multi-axial and shear test apparatus A testing apparatus is disclosed that includes a turntable, an upper scissor jack assembly and a lower scissor jack assembly positioned in parallel planes, about a longitudinal axis and affixed to a base. The apparatus is powered by at least three motors with supporting controllers. The lower assembly is affixed to the base mechanically via the turntable which allows the lower assembly to rotate with respect to the upper assembly. There are two loading plates attached to the hinges of each scissor jack. The test specimen is secured by the loading plate. Each scissor jack operates by a screw-gear powered by one of the motors. Upon energizing a stepper motor; the screw-gear positions a scissor jack to apply a tension or compression on the specimen. While subjected to tension or compression, the lower jack assembly can be rotated with respect to the upper assembly for in-plane shear loading.
US08082801B2	Gyratory compactor apparatuses and associated methods A gyratory compactor apparatus adapted to interact with a mold that defines a mold axis is provided. The gyratory compactor apparatus includes a frame defining a frame axis and having a first mounting plate and a pivoted support carried by the frame and capable of rotation in at least a first and a second rotational degree of freedom. A mold-engaging device is carried by the pivoted support and includes a first carriage plate proximal the pivoted support and a spaced-apart second carriage plate that defines a space therebetween for receiving the mold. The second carriage plate has at least one clamping rod in communication with an actuator for translating the second carriage plate about the mold axis to thereby secure the mold in the space between the first and second carriage plates. An associated method is also provided.
US08082800B2	Saw torque and temperature sensor with improved temperature sensitivity A contactless SAW based torque and temperature sensor comprising a first (2) and second (3) SAW resonator provided on a substrate made of Y+34° cut of quartz. The first SAW resonator (2) has its principle axis inclined at +45° to the X-axis of the substrate, which, in use is either aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device who torque is to be measured or is perpendicular thereto, and the second SAW (3) has its principle axis inclined at −45° to the X-axis of the substrate. A third SAW (4) has its principle axis inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to the X-axis of the substrate. Each said SAW resonator (2,3,4) is formed by laying a film of aluminum on the substrate having a thickness (h) and the SAW resonators have an average operating wavelength λ where the ratio h/λ is in the range 0.021 to 0.032.
US08082793B2	Adjustable probe for ultrasonic testing A system for performing ultrasonic testing on a composite part includes an ultrasonic transducer, a shoe for holding the transducer, and means for automatically adjusting position of the transducer during ultrasonic testing. The transducer position is adjusted to account for geometry variations in the part.
US08082786B1	Work capacities testing apparatus and method A portable work capacities testing apparatus, and a method using that portable apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a host computer 110, a dynamic strength and lifting device 120 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a hand grip strength device 130 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a finger pinch strength device 140 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a forearm/wrist strength device 150 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a handling/proprioception device 190 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a finger flexion device 180 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a whole body coordination device 170 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, and a strength push/pull/lift device 160 releaseably interconnected with the host computer.
US08082785B2	Inductive liquid-level sensor An inductive liquid-level sensor employs a central shaft supporting multiple independent electrical loops that may be interrogated to detect the proximity of the conductive element in the float rising and falling with changes in liquid height outside of the shaft.
US08082781B1	Apparatus for pressure testing a pressure foot An apparatus for the testing of downhole an injection assembly prior to installation of the injection assembly in the completion string is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised an injection tubing, an injection sub, an injection valve, an injection sub test block, a pressure foot, a pressure foot test block, and means for introducing pressure at a desired level. The injection sub test block, pressure foot, pressure foot test block are interchangeably engageable with the injection sub for testing in a sequence to allow the pre-testing of the connections of components of the injection assembly at the surface of the well.
US08082780B2	Methods and apparatus for decreasing a density of a downhole fluid Methods and apparatus for decreasing a density of a downhole fluid are described. An example apparatus to analyze a downhole fluid includes a chamber to decrease a density of at least a portion of a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally, the example apparatus includes a sensor to measure a pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber. Further, the example apparatus includes a fluid measurement unit to measure a characteristic of at least the portion of the sample based on a relationship between the pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber and a predetermined pressure. Further yet, the example apparatus includes a control unit to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid based on the characteristic.
US08082779B2	Master tire and method of inspecting tire uniformity tester using the master tire The present invention provides a master tire for inspecting the accuracy of a tire tester easily and securely. A master tire 100 according to the present invention is equipped with an upper-lower rim member 120, a cylindrical member 110 equivalent to the tread portion of a tire, and leaf spring 130 secured to the cylindrical member 110 and the rim member 120 with bolts 140 and bolts 142. A spindle 21 is secured to the rim member 120 so that the center axis thereof is not displaced. The rim member 120 is vertical to or slightly inclined with respect to the spindle 21. The cylindrical member 110 is made of a metallic material, such as iron or aluminum, or a hard plastic having stable characteristics.
US08082777B2	Bearing assembly for wheel based sensor A wheel and sensor assembly includes a U-shaped bracket assembly mounting to and moving with a wheel assembly. One or more sensor device(s) such as camber angle and slip angle sensors mount to the bracket assembly for operatively measuring one or more wheel assembly parameter(s) during vehicle use. The bracket assembly mounts to the wheel assembly and turns therewith. The bracket assembly positions the sensor device(s) in operative optimal proximity to the road surface during vehicle use under actual operating conditions.
US08082776B2	On-vehicle evaluation of oil formulation This invention is a method for determining the quality of lubrication oil added to a quantity of used oil in an operating engine or mechanism such as occurs during an oil change or when additional oil is added to maintain the vehicle manufacturer's specified total volume of oil. The method is based on identifying the electrical resistivity characteristics of the oil addition, representative of both the base oil formulation and its additive package, and, through comparison with previously-generated resistivity data on multiple oils identifying the oil addition. The added oil may then be compared with manufacturer specifications for the specific application to determine whether it meets recommended manufacturer requirements.
US08082775B2	Systems and methods for simulating an engine environment A system for simulating an engine environment during engine operation is disclosed. The system includes a surface. The system also includes a liquid delivery device configured to deliver a liquid to the surface. The system further includes a temperature controller operably coupled to the surface, and the system is configured to cause condensation of a fluid on the surface.
US08082774B2	Multi-functional vehicle fuel display A multi-functional, composite fuel display for displaying both fuel level information and fuel economy information is provided. The fuel level is displayed using a plurality of bar segments, each corresponding to a single unit of fuel. Once a single unit of fuel is consumed, the corresponding bar segment changes size to indicate an average fuel economy for that unit of fuel. The bar segment corresponding to the current unit of fuel being consumed changes size in real time to indicate instantaneous fuel economy. An indicator is provided over the bar segments corresponding to single unit of consumed fuel to indicate average fuel economy for the current tank of fuel.
US08082770B2	Apparatus and method for forming wire loops for a dynamoelectric machine An apparatus and method for forming at least one end turn and at least one stator slot segment of a conductor for a stator of a dynamoelectric machine comprising at least two forming die sets. The forming die sets are disposed having a space substantially equal to a width of the conductor between adjacent die sets and include a female forming die and a male forming die linearly slideable to the female forming die. The die sets are disposed such that both at least one end turn and at least one stator slot segment are formable between the male forming dies and the female forming dies when the male forming dies are sequentially actuated to the female forming dies.
US08082769B2	Robot and method for bending orthodontic archwires and other medical devices A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire. A magazine for holding a plurality of straight archwires needing to be bent and a conveyor system for receiving the wires after the bending process is complete are also described. The robot bending system is able to form archwires with any required second and third order bends quickly and with high precision. As such, it is highly suitable for use in a precision appliance-manufacturing center manufacturing a large number of archwires (or other medical devices or appliances) for a distributed base of clinics.
US08082765B2	Device for maintaining a locked and closed state of a space-separating device in a releasable manner A device (1) maintains a locked and closed state of a space separating device (2) in a releasable manner, in particular a protective device of a machine (4). The device has a first part (6) with an opening and a second part (8). The parts are movable relative to one another. The opening is at least partially closable. The device (1) includes a latch (18) for locking the closed state of the space-separating device (2), a holding element (30) for keeping the latch (18) in the latched position, and a release element (36) for releasing the catch of the latch (18). The catch of the latch (18) may be lifted by a rotational movement of the release element (36) relative to the latch (18).
US08082760B2	Method and apparatus for the production of man-made vitreous fibre products A non-woven product having a core layer (32) containing dense particulate additive between adjacent layers (33) which are substantially free of additive is made by fiberizing a mineral melt on a spinner (1) comprising at least one fiberizing rotor (2, 3, 4) mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and the resultant fibres are collected in air streams (5) as a cloud of fibres which travels towards a travelling collector (11) on which a web (14) is formed and carried out of the spinning chamber (9). Dense particles such as magnesium hydroxide are ejected from a suitable ejector (15) on to a baffle (16) by which they are deflected across the width of the chamber and lengthwise over the length of a intermediate collecting zone (B) to form the core layer (32) while the initial and final collecting zone (A and C) are substantially free of the dense particulate additive.
US08082759B2	Producing method for drawn glass member, producing method for spacer, and producing method for image display apparatus A method for producing a drawn glass member includes a step of thermally softening and drawing a first end of a first glass base material, and a step of thermally bonding together a second end of the first glass base material, having the first end thermally softened and drawn, with one end of a second glass base material to form a thermally bonded portion. The step of thermally bonding together the second end of the first glass base material with the one end of the second glass base material is executed, while pressing, along a direction of the drawing, a side plane of at least one of the first and second glass base materials including the thermally bonding portion so as to keep a cross-sectional shape of at least one of the first and second glass base materials.
US08082757B2	Fluid-cooled mold A fluid-cooled mold for the production of a quartz crucible provided in its interior with a space for flowing of cooling fluid comprises an outer mold section made from a heat-conductive metal or alloy material and an inner mold section closely arranged to an inner surface of the outer mold section and made from a heat-resistant material.
US08082755B2	Method of manufacturing large dish reflectors for a solar concentrator apparatus A method of manufacturing monolithic glass reflectors for concentrating sunlight in a solar energy system is disclosed. The method of manufacturing allows large monolithic glass reflectors to be made from float glass in order to realize significant cost savings on the total system cost for a solar energy system. The method of manufacture includes steps of heating a sheet of float glass positioned over a concave mold until the sheet of glass sags and stretches to conform to the shape of the mold. The edges of the dish-shaped glass are rolled for structural stiffening around the periphery. The dish-shaped glass is then silvered to create a dish-shaped mirror that reflects solar radiation to a focus. The surface of the mold that contacts the float glass preferably has a grooved surface profile comprising a plurality of cusps and concave valleys. This grooved profile minimizes the contact area and marring of the specular glass surface, reduces parasitic heat transfer into the mold and increases mold lifetime. The disclosed method of manufacture is capable of high production rates sufficiently fast to accommodate the output of a conventional float glass production line so that monolithic glass reflectors can be produced as quickly as a float glass production can make sheets of float glass to be used in the process.
US08082753B1	Beverage bead Provided in one embodiment is a decorative beaded necklace for ornamental decoration, comprising a plurality of decorative compartments, each of the compartments being fluidly connected to each other; a tube, the tube being fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of compartments; and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet allowing fluid to be added to the plurality of compartments.
US08082752B2	Pressure-reducing module for dual evaporator air conditioning system The invention proposes a pressure-reducing module for an air conditioning circuit (10) through which a supercritical refrigerant flows. The module is connected to the circuit via one inlet and two outlets. The module comprises a pressure-reducing device (120), and a distribution valve (16) connected to the pressure-reducing device and to the two outlets. A dual evaporator circuit using such a pressure-reducing module is also proposed. The two evaporators (131, 132) are mounted in parallel. The module receives the fluid coming from a gas cooler via its inlet and delivers the fluid to at least one of the two evaporators (131, 132) via its outlets.
US08082748B2	Wind turbine generator A wind turbine generator capable of preventing a salt damage and reducing noise as well as easily starting in a cold region is provided. The wind turbine generator includes a nacelle (3) for accommodating a generator set, an internal heat exchanging unit (13, 15, 16) accommodated in the nacelle (3) to exchange heat between the generator set and a refrigerant, an external heat exchanging unit (17) disposed outside the nacelle (3) to exchange heat between an outside air and the refrigerant, a compressor (18) disposed in the nacelle (3) to compress the refrigerant and circulate the refrigerant between the internal heat exchanging unit (13, 15, 16) and the external heat exchanging unit (17), and an expansion unit (19) to expand the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (18).
US08082747B2	Temperature control through pulse width modulation A refrigerant compressor assembly for a refrigeration circuit controls the temperature within a temperature controlled space. The refrigerant compressor assembly includes a first unloading valve, a first valve actuator, and a first valve control system that adjusts the first valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal, a second unloading valve, a second valve actuator, and a second valve control system that adjusts the second valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal. The refrigerant compressor assembly also includes a third unloading valve. The first valve actuator is coupled to the first and third unloading valves and controlled by the first valve control system. The unloading valves selectively allow or resist fluid flow from higher to lower pressure areas within the refrigerant compressor assembly.
US08082746B2	Refrigeration cycle device for vehicle In a refrigeration cycle device for a vehicle, a weak-inflammability refrigerant that does not ignite at a high-temperature heat source mounted in an engine compartment of the vehicle in a refrigerant single state is circulated in a refrigerant cycle. The refrigerant cycle includes a compressor for compressing and discharging the refrigerant. The compressor includes an oil separator that is located at a refrigerant discharge side of the compressor to separate a lubrication oil from the refrigerant and to return the separated lubrication oil to an interior of the compressor, a shutting portion configured to shut a reverse flow of the refrigerant at a refrigerant suction side of the compressor, and a driving portion located to drive the shutting portion. Furthermore, the driving portion causes the shutting portion to shut the reverse flow of the refrigerant when the refrigerant cycle is damaged.
US08082745B2	Refrigeration cycle system A refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. A compression unit 11 for compressing the refrigerant by the drive force of a vehicle engine 4 is arranged in a housing 10 of a compressor 1. The flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is detected by a flow rate sensor 15 including a throttle portion 15b and a pressure difference detection mechanism 15a. The throttle portion 15b reduces the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. The pressure difference detection mechanism 15a detects the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the throttle portion 15b in the refrigerant flow thereby to detect the flow rate of the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11. An oil separator 12 for separating the lubricating oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compression unit 11 is interposed between the compression unit 11 and the flow rate sensor 15.
US08082742B2	Ice-making machine with water flow sensor The present disclosure provides an ice-making system having a control system. The control system selectively places the ice-making machine in a freeze cycle and a harvest cycle, based upon inputs from sensors that determine a flow rate of fluid out of an evaporator, and a level of fluid in a sump. The control system can further prevent a slushing condition in the ice-making machine by monitoring the temperature of the fluid in the sump. The control system can also monitor the sensors to ensure that they are providing correct signals.
US08082733B2	Air handling system with after-treatment The present invention is a turbocharger (18) and control system based strategy to control exhaust gas filters (30) for aftertreatment regeneration. The air handling system (10) uses the variable turbine geometry (VTG) of the turbine (20) and a compressor (22) flow control bleed valve (24) to drive pressurized intake air into the exhaust. The oxygen rich exhaust gas can then be mixed with fuel and combusted. Increasing the temperature of the exhaust gas will combust the excess exhaust gas emissions and reduce the pressure drop across the filter (30). This system (10) can be used under any operating conditions so as to be available to combust the excess exhaust gas emissions when needed.
US08082731B2	Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine has a NOX storage catalyst. A storage capacity (NOX_STC) of the NOX storage catalyst is determined for the purpose of operating the internal combustion engine. The temperature (TEMP) of the NOX storage catalyst is increased if the storage capacity (NOX_STC) is less than a predefined threshold value.
US08082729B2	Configuration having a protected turbocharger in an exhaust gas recirculation line and motor vehicle having the configuration A configuration for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having a predetermined displacement volume, includes an exhaust gas recirculation line. Exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation line interacts with a turbocharger. A screening layer is provided in the exhaust gas recirculation line upstream of the turbocharger. The screening layer is larger than an average cross section of the exhaust gas recirculation line. A motor vehicle having at least one such configuration is also provided.
US08082725B2	Electro-dynamic swirler, combustion apparatus and methods using the same In one embodiment, a combustion apparatus comprises: an oxidant inlet, a fuel inlet, a mixing zone configured to mix fuel and oxidant to form a mixture, a combustion zone in fluid communication with the mixing zone and configured to combust the mixture, and an outlet in fluid communication with the combustion zone. The mixing zone, the combustion zone, and/or the outlet comprises an electro-dynamic swirler configured to swirl ionized gas. The electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source. In one embodiment, a method of creating thrust comprises: mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to form an ignited mixture, combusting the ignited mixture to form a flame, and using the flame to create thrust, wherein the flame and/or the fuel and oxidant are electro-dynamically swirled.
US08082723B2	Draping system and method of use for the treatment of horse hair A draping system designed for the treatment of a horse tail or mane having drapes shaped to expose a horse tail and a horse mane, while protecting underlying and adjacent areas of the horse's coat from unwanted treatment solutions. The draping system is especially useful in cosmetic treatments of the horse tail or mane, as for example when applying coloring or permanent treatments or when applying a medicament in liquid or powder form.
US08082719B2	Wind turbine tower joints A wind turbine tower, includes a first substantially tubular wall section having a tapered edge; a second substantially tubular wall section, arranged substantially coplanar with the first wall section, having a flared edge for seating against the tapered edge of the first wall section; and at least one fastener for securing the tapered edge of the first wall section to the flared edge of the second wall section. The at least one fastener includes a bolt extending through the tapered edge and the flared edge, and the bolt is arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second wall sections.
US08082713B2	Weep screed corner A screed corner comprises a screed base including substantially perpendicular nailing flanges and a bead leg extending away from each nailing flange. The bead has a horizontally disposed V-shaped cross section. A separate screed corner component is provided to be secured to arms of the bead and to close a gap in the screed base which is located in a volume comprising an intersection of a projection of each bead leg. The screed corner may be provided in a contour in sheet metal which can be readily bent to form a screed base. The screed corner component may comprise formed sheet metal. The corner component may comprise a sharp corner or may comprise a radius at its periphery. In one further form, the bead may comprise a substantially planar surface extending away from the nailing flange. In another, further form, the screed corner may be molded.
US08082707B1	Air-film vibration damping apparatus for windows An improved vibration damping apparatus is provided for use with window structures, including windows used in vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. The vibration damping system includes at least two separate layers of solid material that are typically substantially clear at visible wavelengths, in which the two layers are spaced-apart by a predetermined distance to form a space or gap therebetween. This gap will be of a size and shape to enhance vibration damping when it is filled with a gaseous compound, such as air. The air-film vibration damping system created by the above structure can be applied to an external pane of a window structure, or to the interior pane of a window structure, or perhaps to both an exterior pane and an interior pane of the same window structure, if desired.
US08082705B2	Skylight tube with reflective structured surface A skylight shaft substrate is rendered internally reflected in several ways. To limit the formation of focal points that can lead to hot spots as light travels down the shaft, the shaft substrate is formed with dimples or longitudinal corrugations.
US08082699B1	Modular structure A modular structure includes at least one modular unit comprising a structure base and a structure enclosure carried by the structure base. Each of the structure base and the structure enclosure comprises lightweight concrete providing a significantly improved structure over the currently used fabrication processes. The modular structure is fabricated utilizing tunnel fabrication processes, creating a unitary structure. The structure can be finished at a manufacturing location, then transported and installed at the desired location. Connector plate assemblies are molded into the structure for securing two adjacent modules. Adjacent modules can be oriented perpendicular, parallel, or any angle therebetween to each other.
US08082694B2	Cable guide A cable guide which has a simple structure and can be easily assembled is adapted to change the direction of the inner cable which slide and drive the slide door of a vehicle, and includes a pulley case 11 whose upper surface is opened, a pulley 12 housed in the pulley case and pivoted rotatably, and a case cover 13 to cover the upper surface of the pulley case. The pulley case has a fixing portion 15 of the outer casing which slidably houses an inner cable. The fixing portion has grooves of roughly U-shaped cross section. The inner perimeter of the groove has a case protrusion 15a. A cover protrusion 13e is formed in the case cover so as to face the case protrusion.
US08082690B2	Avian decoy having directional stop means for limiting rotation of decoy body An avian decoy including a decoy body; a stake having an upper end for rotatably supporting the decoy body, and having a lower end for being anchored to a support surface; and a guide for guiding the upper end of the stake into proper position in the decoy body.
US08082687B2	Towel twirling mechanism An article, such as a towel, having an opening to secure a twirling mechanism thereto. The twirling mechanism having a handle extending from a bottom portion thereof and having a mechanism to permit rotating of the handle with respect to the fabric-article, such that the fabric article is capable of twirling around the twirling mechanism. The twirling mechanism may in other embodiments include noise maker when the handle is rotated.
US08082684B2	Footwear with bridged decoupling A sole unit for a shoe having at least one decoupling track between regions of sole unit allowing for the decoupling of the regions in response to forces from foot-ground contact; a plurality of bridge elements connecting opposite sides of the track so that when forces from foot-ground contact are alleviated, there is a recouping of the decoupled regions. The bridge elements may extend from a tendon element disposed on one side of a decoupling track to the other side of the track.
US08082683B1	Strap wrap A detachable material wrapped around a strap of a footwear guards against blister formation, provides comfort and a softer feel against a foot, and to add aesthetic value. In one embodiment, the detachable material is a strip made of self-fastening material. In another plurality of loops. The detachable material is reusable and adjustable.
US08082681B2	Method for improving or reconditioning FCR APG-68 tactical radar units A method for reconditioning Fire Control Radar APG-68 tactical radar systems (FCR) utilized in military aircraft and returning them to operation with extended useful life expectancies equivalent to or better than new of the FCR APG-68 unit high frequency, high voltage dual mode radar transmitters that are deployed in over 1000 state-of-the-art military aircraft such as the F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, and B-1 bombers. The novel method extends the mean lifetime of previously repaired and repairable FCR APG-68 tactical radar units and radar units and ageing transmitters from about 100 to a few hundred hours to about five hundred or more hours by the step of removing embedded moisture and absorbed moisture from the heterogeneous electronic components in the FCR APG-68 tactical radar unit.
US08082677B2	Home laundry drier A home laundry drier (1) having a drying tub (3) housing the laundry to be dried, and a closed-circuit, heat-pump-type, hot-air generator (4) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drying tub (3); the hot air generator (4) also having a tank (15) containing a predetermined amount of water, heating means for converting the water in the tank (15) to steam, and an exhaust manifold (17) for feeding the steam produced in the tank (15) to the drying tub (3); the heating means being defined by at least one portion (16) of the pipe (10) feeding refrigerant from the compressor (7) to the condenser (9).
US08082670B2	Shaving head for an electric shaver A shaving head for an electric shaving apparatus, having an under cutter comprising at least one blade which is drivable in at least one direction of movement relative to an outer cutter. To achieve a good shaving result while at the same time protecting the skin to be best possible effect, it is proposed providing the blade with an outer boundary section which is raised in relation to the cutting edge, faces in the direction of the outer cutter and inclines upwardly from the cutting edge toward the outer cutter.
US08082667B2	Apparatus and methods for securing a first structural member and a second structural member to one another Apparatus and methods for securing a first structural member and a second structural member to one another. In one embodiment a two-piece fitting is provided. The fitting includes a variable gap between attachment surfaces, enabling the fitting to accommodate structural members of variable thickness. The fitting also includes overlapping sections that provide increased resistance to pull-off loads and impact loads. The configuration of the fitting advantageously simplifies the assembly process and preserves the integrity of the adhesive to form a strong joint.
US08082662B2	Installation device for a gradient coil module in a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus An installation device for a gradient coil module in a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has a loading cart that moves the gradient coil module away from and to the magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. A bearing girder having a track is fastened to the loading cart. Track rollers can be installed on the gradient coil module such that the gradient coil module can be moved relative to the loading cart by means of the track rollers resting on the track.
US08082658B2	Controlled lapping for an ABS damascene process Methods of lapping rows of recording heads are described after an air bearing surface (ABS) damascene process is performed. The ABS damascene process uses a selective etching process to form voids in the row of recording heads where conductive material forms a feature in the recording head, such as a wrap around shield. The conductive material is then deposited on the ABS of the row to fill the voids, and the row is lapped. According to methods provided herein, the resistance of one or more lapping guides in the row of recording heads is monitored to determine when the conductive material is removed by the lapping process. When the monitored resistance indicates that the conductive material is removed, the lapping process is stopped. The resistance across one or more lapping guides may also be used to control the lapping process to uniformly lap the conductive material from the ABS.
US08082656B1	Method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension A method for manufacturing a disk drive head suspension having a plated load point dimple. A photoresist mask having an opening with load point-defining side walls and a load point diameter is formed over a planar portion of a spring metal member. Metal is plated onto the spring metal member in the opening to form a load point having the load point diameter on the planar portion of the spring metal member.
US08082654B2	Production method for large rotor/stator laminations In a method for manufacturing a lamination for a motor or generator where a plurality of the laminations are used to form a core of the motor or generator, a material strip of electrical steel is provided having a width substantially corresponding to half of an outer diameter of the lamination to be created. Slant cuts are made along the material strip to form trapezoids of substantially a same area. Two of the trapezoids are joined together along a side edge of each to form a hexagon. The lamination is then stamped from the hexagon.
US08082649B2	Roof-seaming apparatus including an adjustable panel guide An apparatus for the seaming of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes an adjustable panel guide for the initial alignment of panel edges to a position uniform to that necessary for engagement of horizontal rollers to perform the seaming procedure is provided. Such an apparatus thus permits the utilization of virtually any type of metal paneling to create the desired roof assembly, with the capability of providing a secure, reliable seal within the seam to increase the waterproofing and uplift protection potential thereof as well as to best ensure the seaming apparatus does not jam or otherwise fail during the seaming process itself. The versatility permitted with such an apparatus allows for utilization of imperfectly shaped and/or configured panels for elevated seamed roof assembly purposes. The method of seaming with such an apparatus is also encompassed within this invention.
US08082648B2	Panel integrating method An outer panel and an inner panel are integrated by placing peripheral parts of the outer panel on a top surface of a lower mold such that bending parts formed by bending the peripheral parts of the outer panel are set up upward; placing a central portion of the outer panel on a top surface of a lifting device; lifting the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device to open leading end sides of the bending parts of the outer panel outward; placing the inner panel on the top surface of the outer panel so as to superimpose those onto each other; lowering the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device; and pressing the bending parts toward the lower mold by an upper mold to further bend the bending parts, and making the bending parts to closely contact with the peripheral parts of the inner panel.
US08082645B2	Rotary manual release A clamp and quick release mechanism for clamping and releasing a cylindrical linkage to a rod-like member comprises a locking ring located on the rod-like member and a clamping ring. The inner surface of the clamping ring and the outer surface of the locking ring are configured such that rotation of the clamping ring in one direction will compress the locking ring and rotation in the other direction will allow expansion of the locking ring.
US08082644B2	Apparatus for the application of pressure relief valves A system for applying pressure relief valves to packaging from a liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves passing over a series of rollers in tension onto a peeler bar. There is a valve applicator unit proximate the peeler bar with a punch shaft and an applicator shaft with an applicator vacuum head. The liner is moved by a retraction unit including clamping members that alternately maintain the liner stationary under tension and pull the liner under tension to advance the liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves. A supply reel for a roll of liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves has a pair of spaced apart plates and a pair of rings with a non-stick coating positioned between each of the plates and the roll of liner. The plates, rings and roll of liner are compressed together by an adjustable retainer.
US08082641B2	Method of manufacturing a ductile polymer-piezoelectric material composite Provided are free-standing ductile composites and methods of making free-standing ductile composites. The method of making a free-standing ductile composite can include providing a substrate and releasably bonding one or more piezoelectric elements to the substrate. The method can also include kerfing the piezoelectric elements in a predetermined pattern to form a kerfed pattern, filling the kerfed pattern with a polymer to form a polymer-piezoelectric composite, and lapping the polymer-piezoelectric composite. The method can further include releasing the polymer-piezoelectric composite from the substrate.
US08082640B2	Method for manufacturing a ferroelectric member element structure A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric member element structure having a ferroelectric member film, and lower and upper electrodes between which the ferroelectric member film is sandwiched, includes the steps of: forming a buffer layer having pattern-shaped oriented growth on a monocrystal substrate; performing oriented growth of the lower electrode layer on the buffer layer; performing oriented growth of the ferroelectric member film to cover the buffer layer and the lower electrode layer; and removing a portion of the ferroelectric member film other than the portion having the oriented growth achieved along the pattern of the buffer layer, by means of an etching treatment.
US08082637B2	Low profile touch fastener A releasable touch fastener includes a loop component and a hook component, with a particularly small overall engaged thickness in combination with a high fastening strength, both in peel and shear. The loop component is a woven material, while the hook component may be woven or molded. The molded hook component includes a scrim reinforcement for tear resistance and sewability. The fastener is useful for high cycle applications, such as on non-disposable garments, footwear and luggage.
US08082636B2	Fastening member comprising shaped tab A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.
US08082635B2	Slider A slider for a zip fastener includes a lower part, an upper part and a puller. The lower part and upper part are interconnected by a hinge, whereby the slider can be set in an open and a closed condition, respectively. The puller, which is made of a resilient material and constitutes the part that the user holds when using the slider, includes locking pins for locking the lower part and upper part in the closed condition, and also dividing shoulders. The lower part includes a hole which can receive the locking pins of the puller in order to lock the lower part and the upper part in the closed condition. The upper part includes a cradle for the locking pins of the puller and also a slanted dividing body, which is capable of separating the dividing shoulders and therewith the locking pins of the puller. Further, the upper part includes two hinge taps and the lower part includes an area for cooperation with the hinge taps.
US08082634B2	Handle for a hand-held power tool The invention describes a handle for a hand-held machine tool comprising a grip element (20) and a fastening element (10) for fastening the handle to a housing of a hand-held machine tool, wherein the fastening element (10) partially protrudes into the grip element (20) and a damping element (30) is provided between the grip element (20) and the fastening element (10), and wherein the fastening element (10) forms an undercut (12, 15) in the grip element (20).
US08082631B2	Folding mechanism for compact device A device is provided which includes at least four device parts, a first hinge element foldably connecting a first device part and a second device part along one edge of said first and second device parts; a second hinge element foldably connecting a third device part and a fourth device part, a third hinge element foldably connecting said first device part and said third device part, and a fourth hinge element foldably connecting said second device part and said fourth device part.
US08082629B2	Hinge with reduced bulkiness for vertical-movement doors A parallelogram hinge for vertical-movement doors includes a first plate designed to be fastened to the furniture flank, a second plate designed to be fastened to the door and two superposed arms pivotally mounted to the plates to form an articulated parallelogram. A spring for movement balancing is connected to the upper arm at an intermediate position between the arm extremities hinged to the plates and is connected to the first plate at a point below the pivot point of the lower arm on the first plate. This enables very reduced bulkiness in the direction of the furniture depth, achievement of a great opening angle and better operation of the spring embodied by a gas piston.
US08082628B2	Hinge A hinge includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member defining a through hole, a sleeve member fixed to the second connecting member, a shaft movably mounted to the first connecting member, and a fastener. The sleeve member defines a spiral slide groove therein. A clamping protrusion extends from the first connecting member for slidably engaging in the slide groove. The shaft includes a fixing portion rotatably passed through the sleeve member and the through hole. The fastener is fixed to a distal end of the fixing portion.
US08082626B2	Hinge for anchoring and automatic closing A hinge provides swiveling of a display relative to one side of a host body including a first fastening seat, a pintle, a second fastening seat, a main torsion anchor member, a torsion rotary member, an ancillary torsion anchor member, a compressed elastic reed assembly and a nut. The main torsion anchor member and the torsion rotary member are compressed by a returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly. When the pintle pivots to a selected angle, the protrusion rapidly slides in a retaining latch trough of the main torsion anchor member through a steep sloped surface so that the display automatically and fully folds over the host body. The torsion rotary member pivots concurrently so that the bulged edge slides on a gradual sloped surface of different gradients so that adequate friction resistance is generated due to compression of the returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly.
US08082623B2	Accessible vacuum cleaner for persons with disabilities A floor cleaning appliance includes a body having a nozzle assembly and a handle assembly. A dirt collection vessel and suction generator are carried on the body. The handle assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly and is selectively displaceable into and out of a home position. A latch locks the handle assembly in the home position. An actuator carried on the handle assembly, remote from the latch, releases the latch to allow the handle assembly to be moved from the home position.
US08082621B2	Steam mop A steam mop having a main body having a boiler with a water inlet and a steam outlet positioned therein, a pump having an inlet and an outlet with the pump outlet connected to the boiler inlet, a water container for storing water connected to the pump inlet, and a steam pocket frame connected to the steam outlet, where the activation of the pump pumps water from the water container to the boiler for generation of steam. In an embodiment of the invention, a steam mop having a main body with a boiler, a water container, a mechanical water pump between the boiler and container and at least one side arm connecting the boiler steam outlet to a fabric steam pocket frame. The water pump is actuated by movement of the mop when cleaning to send water to the boiler. The steam pad frame is substantially rectangular with a plurality of baffles in a square grid formation extending outwardly to distribute steam to distribute steam between the baffles. A replaceable fabric pad fits snugly on the frame to distribute cleaning steam to the surface to be cleaned.
US08082620B2	Mop bucket and wringer A mop bucket includes a fluid reservoir portion and a wringing portion. The fluid reservoir portion can hold fluid. The wringing portion includes a first wringing member and a second wringing member, which is moveable toward the first wringing member to wring fluid from a mop. The wringing portion further includes a linkage configured to move the second wringing member in response to actuation of a wringer handle. The linkage includes a first link extending from and pivotable relative to the second wringing member and a second link connected to the first link and having an axis that is fixed at an angle relative to an axis of the wringer handle. The second wringing member can include an integrally formed shaft about which the second wringing member rotates. A first retaining surface of the first wringing member can engage the shaft to hold the shaft at a pivot axis.
US08082619B1	Dual handle attachment for a single handle floor cleaning appliance and conversion method thereof An auxiliary dual handle device for attachment to a handle of a floor cleaning appliance having a floor, engaging portion includes an elongated member which has a predetermined length and which is manufactured from a predetermined material and a bore which is longitudinally and axially formed in at least a portion of the elongated member and which is sized and shaped to slidingly engage an exterior surface of the appliance handle. There is a left and a right auxiliary handle, each having a first end portion thereof rigidly secured to a user proximal end portion of the elongated member and laterally offset from one another. The elongated member is secured to the appliance handle with fasteners of clamps. There is also provided a single piece dual handle device which is attachable directly to the floor engaging portion of the floor cleaning appliance.
US08082618B2	Car wash cloth roll assembly A cloth-type vehicle laundering implement includes a support mechanism consisting of a rotatable drive shaft and a plurality of generally parallel, adjacently arranged spacers mounted on the support mechanism. Each of the plurality of spacers includes a first face and a second face. The implement includes a plurality of individual circular fabric disk elements disposed between the first face of one of the plurality of spacers and the second face of another of the plurality of spacers. Each of the plurality of individual circular fabric disk elements extends outwardly beyond the spacers. Each of the individual circular fabric disk elements consists of a single piece of non-woven material having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The inner diameter is retained in a single plane by a securing mechanism such that more material is located adjacent the inner diameter than the outer diameter to provide a more rigid element. The outer diameter and the inner diameter consist of substantially the same linear length of material.
US08082617B2	Automatic swimming pool cleaners Automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. The cleaners may employ filter bags with novel stiffeners to help retain their optimal debris-collection shapes in use. They additionally may include bags made of material having sanitizing properties or additives, allowing water sanitization to occur as water flows through the bags themselves. Cleaners described herein further may include discs having generally radial but non-linear slits to facilitate navigation in particular conditions and fix buoyant material within a collar by which a bag is attached to a body of the device.
US08082611B1	Portable washing device A portable washing device that combines a base unit, an attached reservoir unit, and a volume of water to create a mobile and easily transportable washing device. The reservoir unit is located above the base unit and includes an attached faucet assembly that allows water to flow from the reservoir unit to the base unit through a faucet after a knob on the faucet is activated. A receiving container located within the base unit catches water after it is utilized in a sink that is located atop the base unit. The receiving container can be drained at a time and place convenient for an individual.
US08082610B2	Showerhead assembly with water flow diverter A showerhead assembly includes a water adapter and a water flow diverter. The water adapter includes two rotatable frames having a first water outlet and a second water inlet respectively and a supporting frame, having a first water inlet communicating with the first water outlet and a second water outlet, rotatably coupled between the rotatable frames. The water flow diverter contains a first water opening communicating with the first water outlet, a second water opening communicating with the second water inlet, and a water exit. The water flow diverter is adapted for selectively controlling the water flow at one of the conditions including the water flowing out at the second water outlet only, the water flowing out at the water exit only, and the water flowing out at both the second water outlet and the water exit at the same time.
US08082605B2	Low flow hygienic apparatus and methods A low volume hygienic apparatus used a high pressure spray to break up solid waste material in a containment chamber and to push liquid and broken-up solid waste from the containment chamber. A high pressure nozzle is pointed into the containment chamber and configured to break-up the solids using a prescribed pressure level and to propel the liquids and the broken-up solids from a chamber interior through a chamber outlet of the containment chamber. A completing structure is disposed between the chamber outlet and a drain and is configured to draw liquids and broken-up solids from the chamber at the end of a flushing cycle.
US08082602B2	Upper body protective garment An upper body protective garment having a lower portion including flexibly interconnected protective abdominal and lower back members, an upper portion including protective thoracic and upper back members with a neck hole defined therebetween, a flexible front connection allowing at least limited movement of a bottom end of the thoracic member with respect to the abdominal member, and a flexible rear connection between the lower back member and the upper back member provided by a protective spinal member including flexibly interconnected rigid members for overlaying a spine of the wearer, the front and rear connections allowing the upper portion to remain at least substantially fixed with respect to shoulders of the wearer and the lower portion to remain at least substantially fixed with respect to a waist of the wearer while the shoulders and waist are moved relative to one another.
US08082597B2	Convertible shirt A convertible shirt having a sleeveless base and a sleeved half-shirt configured to couple to the sleeveless base is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a convertible shirt includes a sleeveless base, a sleeved half shirt configured to couple inconspicuously to the sleeveless base, and a multiplicity of fasteners to couple to the sleeved half shirt to the sleeveless base. In at least one alternative embodiment a two-piece convertible Western shirt includes a sleeveless base, the sleeveless base having a flared, pointed collar, a button-up front, and at least a pair of pockets on a front side of the sleeveless base, a sleeved half shirt configured to couple inconspicuously to the sleeveless base, the sleeved half shirt having a Western adornment, and a multiplicity of fasteners configured to couple to the sleeved half shirt to the sleeveless base.
US08082596B2	Garment for personal air-conditioning An item of clothing for personal air-conditioning which has at least one three-dimensional air-flow guiding structure. The air-flow guiding structure is an air-impermeable woven spacing fabric. At least one pocket exists to accommodate an air-pumping device. The pocket interior is connected to the structure which allows for an air-flow capable of being supplied by the air-pumping device into the structure or out of the structure and connected to the environment allowing air to be drawn from or expelled into the environment.
US08082594B2	Protection system A protection system for the neck, chest, and torso on down to the mid-thigh area as it shields the wearer from a variety of messy situations. One embodiment employs sleeves that cover both arms of a user entirely and end with thin, elastic cuffs or bands at the wrists. In addition, the protective layer features a base that is A-lined and extends to the mid-thigh area. The back of the protective layer remains open from the adjustable closure device down to the bottom.
US08087090B2	Fuzzy multi-level security An access control system and method includes a risk index module which computes a risk index for a dimension contributing to risk. A boundary range defined for a parameter representing each risk index such that the parameter above the range is unacceptable, below the range is acceptable and in the range is acceptable with mitigation measures. A mitigation module determines the mitigation measures which reduce the parameter within the range by mapping the effectiveness of performing the mitigation measures to determine a residual risk after a mitigation measure has been implemented.
US08087083B1	Systems and methods for detecting a network sniffer A device (110) records traffic in a communications network. The device (110) monitors traffic received by the device (110) and determines whether the received traffic is unexpected. The device (110) records the traffic when the traffic is determined to be unexpected.
US08087082B2	Apparatus for filtering server responses A data processing apparatus, comprising at least one processor and a traffic monitor comprising logic which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform: creating, using forward Domain Name System (DNS) lookups, a mapping of domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses; determining whether a particular domain in the mapping requires handling data traffic to or from the particular domain by performing a particular action; based on the mapping, determining one or more IP addresses that are associated with the particular domain; generating policy for a firewall that instructs the firewall to perform the particular action upon receiving a particular request; wherein the particular request specifies a particular IP address that is within the particular domain.
US08087078B2	Communication device With regard to data, stored in mobile phone 40, whose a security level is high and contents whose copyrights are protected, mobile phone 40 encapsulates data and contents, and includes the encapsulated data or the encapsulated contents. Further, mobile phone 40 processes the encapsulated data as a perfect encapsulated object utilizing only a method which is not authorized access to the encapsulated data by an executed program (E.g. Downloaded Java Applications). Java AP downloaded to mobile phone 40 instructs a perfect encapsulated object to process the encapsulated data in the perfect encapsulated object by using a method belonging to the perfect encapsulated object. Therefore, this invention makes it possible to ensure securities for programs to be provided through the network without losing diversifications of programs.
US08087074B2	One time password A token calculates a one time password by generating a HMAC-SHA-1 value based upon a key K and a counter value C, truncating the generated HMAC-SHA-1 value modulo 10^Digit, where Digit is the number of digits in the one time password. The one time password can be validated by a validation server that calculates its own version of the password using K and its own counter value C′. If there is an initial mismatch, the validation server compensate for a lack of synchronization between counters C and C′ within a look-ahead window, whose size can be set by a parameter s.
US08087071B2	Authentication method and system An authentication method and system. A computing system generates an authentication table associated with a user. The computing system receives first authentication data and second authentication data differing from the first authentication data. The first authentication data and the second authentication data are placed in the authentication table. The authentication table comprising the first authentication data and the second authentication data is stored in the computing system. The computing system generates an action table. The computing system receives first action data and second action data and places the first action data and the second action data in the action table. The action table comprising the first action data and the second action data is stored in the computing system.
US08087068B1	Verifying access to a network account over multiple user communication portals based on security criteria A computer-implemented system and method for verifying access to a network account are provided. A first user communication portal is associated with a user network account. A request to access the user network account is received from a second user communication portal. Security criteria related to the second user communication portal is determined. Access to the user network account is enabled upon receipt of a communication associated with the first user communication portal when the security criteria is of a predetermined value.
US08087064B1	Security extensions using at least a portion of layer 2 information or bits in the place of layer 2 information Using information applied to a packet at an ingress port of a network for enhancing security such as user authentication for example. Such authentication may be applied in addition to (i.e., as an extension of) other authentication measures. The information applied to a packet may be “context information” which replaces at least some bits of layer 2 information (e.g., a header). Users or customers may define security policies. They may define different security policies for different types of transactions. They may also define security policies based on the location from which the transaction originated. If the customer is an organization with different classes of users, it may define different security policies based on the type of transaction, the location from which the transaction originated, and/or the class of user. The class of user may be identified based on at least a part of the “context information”. At least a part of the context information may also be used to monitor a location from which a transaction originated, thereby permitting fraudulent uses to be traced.
US08087061B2	Resource-reordered remediation of malware threats Systems and methods that mitigate affects of malware and facilitate remediation processes. An analysis engine generates a list of actions for resources associated with the malware, and prioritizes/sorts the actions for execution. Such list of actions can be generated automatically via an action list generation component associated with the analysis engine. Likewise, a sorting component as part of the analysis engine can prioritize operations between detected malware to typically ensure a smooth operation during remediation processes (e.g., avoid conflicts).
US08087060B2	Chaining information card selectors A machine includes card stores to store information cards. For each card store, one or more card selectors can be provided. When performing a transaction involving information cards, a generic card selector, using a selector policy engine, can identify a card selector to use for the transaction. The identified card selector can be used to identify an information card in a card store to use in performing the transaction, which can be used to provide a security token to the relying party.
US08087059B2	System and method for recording and time-shifting programming in a television distribution system with limited content retention Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to record broadcast programming for at least one television channel for a period of time, wherein the recording is performed upstream from subscribers in a television distribution system, and further including after the period of time, keeping recorded programming by request from at least one subscriber. And further wherein the request is for at least one television program contained in the recorded programming or for a time window for a particular channel. According to another embodiment a subscriber requests that broadcast programming be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and wherein the subscriber may request the programming be saved for later viewing by the subscriber between the time the programming was broadcast and a later point in time.
US08087055B2	Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating distribution of recorded content Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating formation of content streams formed of content for distribution to content consumers. A request detector detects indications of demand for content. Selection of what content to be included in a content stream is based, in part, upon the demand for the content indicated by the request detector. Once selection of the content is made, the content streams are generated by retrieving the selected content. And, the content streams, once formed, are made available for distribution to the content consumers.
US08087054B2	Automated event content processing method and system A method for organizing event content in the form of electronic signals is provided. In accordance with this method an event profile is determined. The event content is obtained and the event content is organized based upon the event profile.
US08087053B2	System and method for transmitting an animated figure A system and a method for transmitting an animated figure between a transmitter and a receiver receives frameworks of animated figures over a communication network. The transmitter receives a selected framework, and an ID of an animated figure, extracts feature points from the selected framework, packages coordinate values of the feature points and the ID into a data package, and transmits the data package to the receiver. The receiver interprets the data packet, receives the coordinate values of the feature points and the ID, generates and displays an animated figure having the selected framework using the coordinate values of the feature points and an animated figure corresponding the ID stored in a memory of the receiver.
US08087043B2	Extensible downloadable content advisory system A region rating table includes a number of rating dimensions and a number of rating levels. The rating dimensions may be identified by an index. Also, one or more rating level tags are added to the rating levels. The rating level tags identify each rating level within a rating dimension uniquely. The rating region table may be downloaded to the receiver for the user to set blocking preferences. A content advisory description may be specified. When content is received, it is analyzed to determine if it should be blocked based on the dimension index and the rating level tag. If the content is acceptable, it is not blocked, and if it is not acceptable, then it is blocked. Using the rating level tag to identify a rating level within a dimension allows changes to be made to the region rating table without creating unwanted blocking behavior and viewer confusion.
US08087033B2	Task-based tool for speeding and customizing interactions with web documents A tool which allows users to define one or more event/action pairs, thereby speeding and customizing the user's interaction with web documents. Such event/action pairs may include keyboard shortcuts and associated actions, and the user can add, edit, or delete some or all such keyboard shortcuts through a convenient interface. The event/action pairs may also be associated with an account provided by a service provider, whereby the user can cause any browser that can access the service provider to load the event/action pairs, which in turn allows the user to work efficiently regardless of the computing device and/or browser available to the user.
US08087028B2	Computing device resource scheduling Systems and methods for scheduling computing device resources include a scheduler that maintains multiple queues. Requests are placed in one of the multiple queues depending on how much resource time the requests are to receive and when they are to receive it. The queue that a request is placed into depends on a pool bandwidth defined for a pool that includes the request and a bandwidth request. A request has an importance associated therewith that is taken into account in the scheduling process. The scheduler proceeds through the queues in a sequential and circular fashion, taking a work item from a queue for processing when that queue is accessed.
US08087012B2	Eliminating maximum/minimum operations in loop bounds A technique is provided for eliminating maximum and minimum expressions within loop bounds are provided. A loop in a code is identified. The loop is determined to meet conditions, which require an upper loop bound and a lower loop bound to contain maximum and minimum expressions, loop-invariant operands, a predetermined size for a code size, and a total number of instructions to be greater than a predetermined constant. A profitability of loop versioning is determined based on a performance gain of a fast version of the loop, a probability of executing the fast version of the loop at runtime, and an overhead for performing loop versioning. A pair of lower loop bound and upper loop bound values resulting in a constant number is identified. A loop iteration value is checked to be a non-zero constant. Branches are identified, and loop versioning is performed to generate a versioned loop.
US08087006B2	Static performance analysis of software Technologies for estimating deviations in the performance characteristics of a newer version of software relative to an older version. Such performance characteristics include cache misses, pages faults, and the like. Estimations are typically made by instrumenting and profiling an older version binary, determining differences in code blocks between the older and a newer version, propagating profile data from the older version to the newer version based on a simulation heuristic, and estimating performance deviations based on the older version, the profile data, configuration parameters, and the changes in the newer version without actually executing the newer version of the binary.
US08087005B2	Software testing by groups A testing tool allowing convenient testing of programs and also classes in general. The tool automatically divides each program into many groups such that if one line (or statement) is executed it may reasonably be assumed that all the lines in the group are also executed. A tester is provided the ability to provide desired arguments (including class instances) and cause all groups to be executed such that all lines of code in the programs of a class are executed at least once. The groups are conveniently further logically combined into hierarchical blocks, with each block at a higher level corresponding to a logical structure such as if structure, for structure, while structure, etc. The blocks at the lowest level may contain a single group. Due to such hierarchy, a tester may visually easily identify the unexecuted blocks/groups. The tester may further define and execute small pieces of code (macros) in the middle of testing.
US08087004B2	Drawing validation tool Methods and systems of validating the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (“GD&T”) in a drawing. In one embodiment, a method of validating the application of GD&T in a drawing includes creating a drawing having at least one drawing element. Next, a geometric dimensioning and tolerancing rule is applied to the at least one drawing element of the drawing. The legality of the applied geometric dimensioning and tolerancing rule is then verified with a software validation tool. Each illegal application of the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing rule is indicated with the software validation tool. Finally, a report is generated with the software validation tool, which contains each illegal application of the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing rule.
US08087003B1	System, method, and computer program product for propagating an identified data validation error to a user interface A system, method, and computer program product are provided for propagating an identified data validation error to a user interface. In operation, a data validation error is identified utilizing a data validation rule. Additionally, the data validation error is propagated to a user interface.
US08086992B2	Enable top-down service design Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a software development application that supports development using a top-down approach. The user creates a high-level system design for a system in the top-down design software development application. The user describes a behavior of the system by attaching technology-neutral original system endpoints and respective contracts to a plurality of system components. The user delegates each original system endpoint to a member endpoint of a corresponding technology-specific member component. The user supplies a concrete implementation for each of the corresponding technology-specific member components. Throughout this iterative development process, the high level system design is preserved.
US08086990B2	Method of correlating silicon stress to device instance parameters for circuit simulation Roughly described, standard SPICE models can be modified by substituting a different stress analyzer to better model the stress adjusted characteristics of a transistor. A first, standard, stress-sensitive, transistor model is used to develop a mathematical relationship between the first transistor performance measure and one or more instance parameters that are available as inputs to a second, stress-insensitive, transistor model. The second transistor model may for example be the same as the first model, with its stress sensitivity disabled. Thereafter, a substitute stress analyzer can be used to determine a stress-adjusted value for the first performance measure, and the mathematical relationship can be used to convert that value into specific values for the one or more instance parameters. These values are then provided to the second transistor model for use in simulating the characteristics of the particular transistor during circuit simulation.
US08086988B2	Chip design and fabrication method optimized for profit Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for designing a chip to optimize yielding parts in different bins as a function of multiple diverse metrics and further to maximize the profit potential of the resulting chip bins. The method separately calculates joint probability distributions (JPD), each JPD being a function of a different metric (e.g., performance, power consumption, etc.). Based on the JPDs, corresponding yield curves are generated. A profit function then reduces the values of all of these metrics (e.g., performance values, power consumption values, etc.) to a common profit denominator (e.g., to monetary values indicating profit that may be associated with a given metric value). The profit function and, more particularly, the monetary values can be used to combine the various yield curves into a combined profit-based yield curve from which a profit model can be generated. Based on this profit model, changes to the chip design can be made in order to optimize yield as a function of all of the diverse metrics (e.g., performance, power consumption, etc.) and further to maximize the profit potential of the resulting chips.
US08086987B1	Method for resolving overloads in autorouting physical interconnections Overloaded regions in the routing space of a physical network are resolved via a routing procedure composed of a topological routing phase and a geometric routing phase. The overloads are resolved in the topological routing phase where the constraints of routing are less prohibitive. Multiple topological transformations directed toward resolving the overloads are executed in the topological routing phase prior to a geometric arrangement being realized. The topological transformations may be applied concurrently by way of a multi-threaded embodiment of the invention.
US08086983B2	Method and system for performing improved timing window analysis A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for performing crosstalk analysis using first-order parameterized analysis modeling. The approach can be used to factor in the effect of process variations within the definition of timing windows. This approach allows one to bypass the simplistic assumptions related to best-case/worst-case analysis using timing windows, and provide a realistic picture of the impact of timing windows on noise analysis. The timing windows can be viewed in terms of the individual process parameter. The process parameters could be real process parameters, or virtual/computed components based on the actual process parameters. The process parameters can be used to compute overlap of timing windows for performing noise analysis.
US08086981B2	Method and system for design rule checking enhanced with pattern matching According to various embodiments of the invention, systems and methods for design rule checking enhanced with pattern matching is provided, wherein the design rule checker ignores certain patterns of the layout that violate design rules during validation. One embodiment of the invention includes receiving a first layout pattern that containing the original layout of an integrated circuit pattern. The pattern matcher processes the layout pattern and designates certain patterns of the integrated circuit pattern that meet a design waiver. The pattern matcher generates a second layout pattern with the waived patterns marked. The design rule checker subsequently processes the marked layout pattern and validates all but the marked patterns of the second layout pattern against a set of specified design rules. The design rule checker generates a third layout pattern with only the unmarked patterns of the layout being validated against the set of specified design rules.
US08086976B2	Methods for statistical slew propagation during block-based statistical static timing analysis Methods for statistical slew propagation in static statistical timing analysis. The method includes projecting a canonical approximation of an input slew over a timing path to a first corner and using the projected input slew to calculate a delay and an output slew at the first corner. The method further includes perturbing the canonical approximation of the input slew to a different corner, calculating a delay and an output slew at the different corner using the perturbed input slew canonical, and determining a sensitivity of the delay and the output slew to a plurality of parameters, simultaneous with implicit sensitivity calculations to the input slew, with finite difference calculations between the first corner and perturbed data.
US08086975B2	Power aware asynchronous circuits Techniques are described for converting netlists for synchronous circuits such as combinational modules, flip flops (or latches), and clock gating modules, to netlist of asynchronous modules. Processes including algorithms are described that bundle multiple modules in an enable domain, so that they are activated only if the incoming enable token to the enable domain has the UPDATE value. The modules can be clustered inside an enable domain, so that each cluster has a separate controller. The objective function of bundling and clustering can minimize power consumption with respect to a given cycle time. Exemplary embodiments can include a gated multilevel domino template.
US08086973B2	Pattern management method and pattern management program A pattern management method includes extracting patterns having process margins equal to or below a predetermined value from a chip layout of an integrated circuit, screening a plurality of types of representative patterns from the extracted pattern, extracting patterns closest to the most outer periphery of the chip from the representative patterns, and representatively managing the extracted patterns which is closest to the most outer periphery of the chip.
US08086971B2	Apparatus, methods and computer program products providing finger-based and hand-based gesture commands for portable electronic device applications A method includes executing a gesture with a user-manipulated physical object in the vicinity of a device; generating data that is descriptive of the presence of the user-manipulated object when executing the gesture; and interpreting the data as pertaining to at least one object, such as an object displayed by the device.
US08086967B2	Multi-monitor support for MDI applications System and a method by means of which different windows of an Multi Document Interface (MDI) application can be displayed at the same time within an application on several screens. In addition, instances of the source frame of the MDI application are displayed on further screens and the windows of the application with the corresponding documents can then be displayed in the sequence frame instances of the MDI application. In this way, the display of the parallel side-by-side arrangement of several windows on several screens is possible, the resolution of the window being adapted to the screen resolution.
US08086965B2	Method and system for generation of a user interface In a method and system for generating a user interface for at least one medical application to be implemented by a medical apparatus, a designation of the medical application to be implemented is provided to a computerized processor, which automatically then registers only control elements for inclusion in the user interface that are relevant for controlling the designated medical application. The processor automatically positions control elements, individually or in groups, in the user interface at a display screen according to configurable positioning criteria that minimize at least one of space on the display screen occupied by the control elements, and user steps to activate the control elements, to form the user interface.
US08086962B2	Method and apparatus for reproducing multimedia files In the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for reproducing multimedia files, wherein the selection probability of the multimedia files is adjusted according to a user's preference and a multimedia file is randomly selected and played according to the selection probability. The selection probability of the multimedia files is adjusted according to the user's preference; a user can listen to undesired multimedia files less frequently than other multimedia files even when the multimedia files are randomly selected.
US08086960B1	Inline review tracking in documents Inline review tracking in documents is described, including receiving an input to a document displayed in a browser, generating a comment and an option, the comment being configured to describe the input and the option being configured to perform one or more actions associated with the input, marking the document with a tag based on the input, storing the input using another tag in a comment section of the document; and presenting the document, the comment, and the option, wherein the document is displayed in a first frame, and the comment and the option are displayed in a second frame.
US08086958B2	Layout determination method, layout determination apparatus, and layout determination program A layout determination method is provided in which, if arrangement information of areas laid out on a predetermined page satisfies a condition set for the predetermined page, a distance between objects arranged on a page different from the predetermined page is changed and a relayout process is carried out. The layout determination method prevents creation of a new page even when content data to be arranged overflows from the predetermined page.
US08086954B2	Programmable object models for bibliographies and citations Programmable object models for bibliographies and citations enable manipulation of bibliographic information. For example, a programmable object model for one or more bibliographic sources in a document may include a manipulation module programmed to manipulate the one or more bibliographic sources in the document. The bibliographic information may be manipulated via at least one object-oriented message call. The programmable object model may also enable manipulation of bibliographic information in the context of a master list of bibliographic sources. By way of example only, bibliographic sources may be copied from a master list to a document, and vice versa, in accordance with a programmable object model.
US08086953B1	Identifying transient portions of web pages Systems, methods and computer readable media for identifying transient content in web pages. Transient content can be identified, for example, by parsing different versions of the same web page into tokens, and inserting fingerprints associated with the tokens into data structures. The data structures can be compared to each other to identify differences between the web pages, thereby identifying transient content associated with the web pages.
US08086952B2	Automated management of internet and/or web site content Content is managed in a content-controlled database by detecting a modification made to a first country version of a content item in the content-controlled database, and automatically initiating a review of a second country version of the content item in the content-controlled database in response to detecting the modification of the first country version. Automatically initiating the review of the second country version includes demoting the second country version to restrict the content item from being user accessible from the content-controlled database. Prior to the automatically initiated review the second country version is accessible to end users of a web site that uses the content-controlled database, and demoting the second country version includes restricting access to the second country version by end users via the web site until after approval of the second country version is obtained via the automatically initiated review.
US08086943B2	Serial turbo trellis coded modulation using a serially concatenated coder Serial concatenated trellis coded modulation (SCTCM) includes an outer coder, an interleaver, a recursive inner coder and a mapping element. The outer coder receives data to be coded and produces outer coded data. The interleaver permutes the outer coded data to produce interleaved data. The recursive inner coder codes the interleaved data to produce inner coded data. The mapping element maps the inner coded data to a symbol. The recursive inner coder has a structure which facilitates iterative decoding of the symbols at a decoder system. The recursive inner coder and the mapping element are selected to maximize the effective free Euclidean distance of a trellis coded modulator formed from the recursive inner coder and the mapping element. The decoder system includes a demodulation unit, an inner SISO (soft-input soft-output) decoder, a deinterleaver, an outer SISO decoder, and an interleaver.
US08086942B2	Parallel concatenated code with bypass A method of encoding non-key frame data is disclosed. The method includes forming a bit stream from the data by arranging the bits from the data in a known order. The bit stream is interleaved to form an interleaved bit stream, and parity bits are generated for each of the bit stream and the interleaved bit stream. Bits are deleted from the generated parity bits dependant upon the bit plane of those bits, and an encoded bit stream is created from the remaining parity bits.
US08086941B2	Computing an error detection code syndrome based on a correction pattern The present invention is all error detection and correction scheme that enables the use of Horner's algorithm for the computation of EDC syndromes from the computed error pattern. Specifically, “transformed” EDC syndromes are computed during the read back of data and parity from the medium. The transformed syndromes are values of the polynomial whose coefficients occur in reverse order from that of the EDC codeword polynomial. In essence, by reversing the order of the coefficients, the Chien search processes the terms in descending order which is the right direction for Horner evaluation.
US08086939B2	XOR circuit, RAID device capable of recovering a plurality of failures and method thereof An XOR circuit, a RAID device which can recover several failures and method thereof are provided. A Galois field data recovery circuit having two or more sets of Galois Field engine circuits which are used in the XOR circuit, is one which can generate high efficient parity engine and high efficient flow data route and which at the same time correct the three or more failures during operation of the RAID device.
US08086938B2	Method for processing noise interference A method for processing noise interference in a serial AT Attachment (SATA) interface. The method includes the steps of detecting whether there is an error in CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) checksum or whether an R_ERR primitive (reception error primitive) is received, detecting whether a FIS (Frame Information Structure) is a data type if there is any error and returning back to error state detecting step if there is no any error, detecting whether the FIS is a ATAPI packet command CDB (Command Descriptor Block) when the FIS is the data format, and writing a special tag to the CDB and returning back to the error detecting step.
US08086937B2	Method for erasure coding data across a plurality of data stores in a network An efficient method to apply an erasure encoding and decoding scheme across dispersed data stores that receive constant updates. A data store is a persistent memory for storing a data block. Such data stores include, without limitation, a group of disks, a group of disk arrays, or the like. An encoding process applies a sequencing method to assign a sequence number to each data and checksum block as they are modified and updated onto their data stores. The method preferably uses the sequence number to identify data set consistency. The sequencing method allows for self-healing of each individual data store, and it maintains data consistency and correctness within a data block and among a group of data blocks. The inventive technique can be applied on many forms of distributed persistent data stores to provide failure resiliency and to maintain data consistency and correctness.
US08086936B2	Performing error correction at a memory device level that is transparent to a memory channel A memory system is provided that performs error correction at a memory device level that is transparent to a memory channel. The memory system comprises a memory hub device integrated in the memory module and a set of memory devices coupled to the memory hub device. The memory hub device comprises first error correction logic provided in write logic integrated in the memory hub device. The memory hub device comprises second error correction logic provided in read logic integrated in the memory hub device. The first error correction logic and the second error correction logic performs error correction operations on data transferred between a link interface and the set of memory devices. The memory hub device transmits and receives data via a memory channel between the external memory controller and the link interface without any error correction code.
US08086935B1	Soft error correction for a data storage mechanism An apparatus and method are disclosed for correcting errors in data obtained from read operations on a storage medium. Errors that occur in a minority of read operations for the data are corrected by a voting technique. The data may then be processed with error correcting code to correct errors that occur in a majority of read operations.
US08086933B2	Semiconductor storage device, method of controlling the same, and error correction system A semiconductor storage device, a method of controlling the same, and an error correction system allow reduction in power consumption and circuit scale without detriment to error correction capability. An error correction code (ECC) circuit of a solid state drive (SSD) performs first error correction on read data using a first error correction code (Hamming code), and further performs second error correction on the result of the first error correction using a second error correction code (BHC code). Furthermore, the ECC circuit performs third error correction on the result of the second error correction using a third error correction code (RS code).
US08086931B2	Method and device for multi phase error-correction Data bits to be encoded are split into a plurality of subgroups. Each subgroup is encoded separately to generate a corresponding codeword. Selected subsets are removed from the corresponding codewords, leaving behind shortened codewords, and are many-to-one transformed to condensed bits. The final codeword is a combination of the shortened codewords and the condensed bits. A representation of the final codeword is decoded by being partitioned to a selected subset and a plurality of remaining subsets. Each remaining subset is decoded separately. If one of the decodings fails, the remaining subset whose decoding failed is decoded at least in part according to the selected subset. If the encoding and decoding are systematic then the selected subsets are of parity bits.
US08086930B2	Fixed-spacing parity insertion for FEC (Forward Error Correction) codewords Fixed-spacing parity insertion for FEC (Forward Error Correction) codewords. Fixed spacing is employed to intersperse parity bits among information bits when generating a codeword. According to this fixed spacing, a same number of information bits is placed between each of the parity bits within the codeword. If desired, the order of the parity bits may be changed before they are placed into the codeword. Moreover, the order of the information bits may also be modified before they are placed into the codeword. The FEC encoding employed to generate the parity bits from the information bits can be any of a variety of codes include Reed-Solomon (RS) code, LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code, turbo code, turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM), or some other code providing FEC capabilities.
US08086928B2	Methods and systems for terminating an iterative decoding process of a forward error correction block The invention provides methods and systems for terminating an iterative decoding process of a Forward Error Correction block (FEC). The iterative decoding process of the FEC block is terminated upon determining that the FEC block cannot be decoded successfully. A method comprises calculating a metric based on one or more Log Likelihood Ratios (LLRs) corresponding to a first number of iterations of the iterative decoding process of the FEC block. The method further comprises, formulating one or more stopping criteria for the iterative decoding process based on a variation pattern of the metric over a second predetermined number of iterations of the iterative decoding process. The second predetermined number of iterations is a subset of the first number of iterations. Moreover, the method comprises terminating the iterative decoding process of the FEC block based on the one or more stopping criteria.
US08086927B2	MIMO transmitting apparatus, MIMO receiving apparatus, and retransmitting method A MIMO transmitting apparatus that achieves a flexible control in accordance with variation of a propagation environment to reduce the number of retransmissions is disclosed. An intra-code-word interleaver performs an interleave process on bits included in symbols to be simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of transmitting antennas. When performing the intra-code-word interleave process, the intra-code-word interleaver performs the interleave process in accordance with an interleave pattern notified from an interleave pattern table. A counter counts a number of retransmission requests, and outputs the number of retransmission requests to the interleave pattern table. The interleave pattern table stores interleave patterns to be used for the intra-code-word interleave process for the respective numbers of retransmission requests, and notifies the intra-code-word interleaver of an interleave pattern in accordance with the number of retransmission requests.
US08086926B2	Failure diagnostic apparatus, failure diagnostic system, and failure diagnostic method There is provided a failure diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a semiconductor integrated circuit device for failure based on a compressed signal obtained by compressing a plurality of signals outputted from a plurality of scan chains in which a plurality of scan flip-flops, to which signals from the semiconductor integrated circuit device are inputted, are connected in series. For each stage of the scan chains, the failure diagnostic apparatus sets a virtual space compression circuit that compresses output signals of the scan flip-flops in the stage and a virtual pin connected to the output terminal of the virtual space compression circuit, and the output signal of the virtual pin is compared with the compression signal to diagnose the semiconductor integrated circuit device for failure.
US08086925B2	Method and system for LBIST testing of an electronic circuit A method for testing an electronic circuit comprises selecting a first log interval, a first log start pattern, a first log end pattern, and a first subset range of LBIST patterns from a plurality of LBIST patterns arranged in an order, wherein each LBIST pattern of the subset range of LBIST patterns causes an associated output of an electronic circuit. The method tests an electronic circuit in a first test by applying to the electronic circuit the first subset range of LBIST patterns sequentially in the order, thereby generating a first plurality of associated outputs. The method stores a first subset of associated outputs based on the first log interval, the first log start pattern, and the first log end pattern. The method compares the subset of associated outputs with known outputs to identify a first output mismatch.
US08086920B2	Method of controlling a test mode of a circuit A test vector decode circuit includes a lockout circuit to prevent inadvertent latching of output vectors. The test vector decode circuit is driven by an additional output vector from the test vector decode circuit. The additional output vector, as well as the other output vectors, undergo at least one latching. A signal transmitted by the additional output vector as a result of the final latching activates the lockout circuit. The test vector decode circuit also receives a supervoltage signal. Only by turning off the supervoltage signal can all of the output test vectors be reset, including the additional output vector.
US08086919B2	Controller having flash memory testing functions, and storage system and testing method thereof A flash memory controller having a flash memory testing functions is provided, in which the flash memory controller includes a microprocessor unit, a flash memory interface unit, a host interface unit and a memory cell testing unit. The flash memory interface unit is configured for connecting a plurality of flash memory chips, where each flash memory chip has a plurality of flash memory dies and each flash memory die has a plurality of physical blocks. The host interface unit is configured for connecting a host system. The memory cell testing unit is configured for determining whether the physical blocks can be normally written, read and erased. Accordingly, the flash memory controller can perform a flash memory testing under a command of the host system and all the physical blocks of the flash memory chip can be tested during the flash memory testing.
US08086918B2	High-speed serial transfer device test data storage medium and device A test pattern generating unit generates a test pattern in which unconverted data is arranged such that same values of 0 or 1 bits in converted data according to a code conversion table are successively transferred to each of a plurality of serial transfer channels that a high-speed serial transfer device has. A basic pattern setting unit sets a basic pattern while considering a byte order method and an RD value of code conversion in the high-speed serial transfer device. A basic pattern resetting unit resets the basic pattern in accordance with a channel usage method of a bit transfer order in the high-speed serial transfer device. A basic pattern rearranging unit performs rearrangement such that the basic pattern is transferred to each of the channels in accordance with the number of used channels and a channel usage method such as bit transfer order in the high-speed serial transfer device.
US08086917B2	Methods for characterizing device variation in electronic memory circuits A circuit includes a comparator circuit configured such that its output toggles from a first digital logical level to a second digital logical level when its first and second inputs transition between a first state wherein the first input has an applied voltage greater than an applied voltage at the second input and a second state wherein the first input has an applied voltage less than an applied voltage at the second input. A plurality of cells each have at least one series-connected pair of field effect transistors interconnected at an output node intermediate the field effect transistors. Decoding logic is configured to select a given one of the cells for measurement, and selectively interconnect the output node of the given one of the cells to the first input of the comparator circuit. Voltage supply circuitry is configured to (i) apply voltages to the gates of the pair of transistors of the given one of the cells selected for measurement, such that the pair of transistors operate in a linear region, and have a variable voltage difference, Δ, between their gate-to-source voltages, and (ii) vary the Δ until the comparator circuit output toggles from the first digital logical level to the second digital logical level.
US08086915B2	Memory controller with loopback test interface In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an interconnect; at least one processor coupled to the interconnect; and at least one memory controller coupled to the interconnect. The memory controller is programmable by the processor into a loopback test mode of operation and, in the loopback test mode, the memory controller is configured to receive a first write operation from the processor over the interconnect. The memory controller is configured to route write data from the first write operation through a plurality of drivers and receivers connected to a plurality of data pins that are capable of connection to one or more memory modules. The memory controller is further configured to return the write data as read data on the interconnect for a first read operation received from the processor on the interconnect.
US08086914B2	Storing data to multi-chip low-latency random read memory device using non-aligned striping Described herein are method and apparatus for storing data to a low-latency random read memory (LLRRM) device using non-aligned data striping, the LLRRM device being implemented on a storage system. The LLRRM device may comprise a bank comprising a plurality of memory chips, each chip being simultaneously accessible for storing data on a plurality of erase-units (EUs). A storage operating system may maintain, for each chip, a reserve data structure listing reserve EUs and a remapping data structure for tracking remappings between defective EUs to reserve EUs in the chip. A defective EU in a chip may be mapped to a reserve EU from the reserve data structure. Upon receiving a data block to be stored to the LLRRM device at the defective EU, the storage operating system may stripe the received data block across a plurality of chips in a non-aligned manner using the remapped reserve EU.
US08086913B2	Methods, apparatus, and systems to repair memory Methods, apparatus and systems pertain to performing READ, WRITE functions in a memory which is coupled to a repair controller. One such repair controller could receive a row address and a column address associated with the memory and store a first plurality of tag fields indicating a type of row/column repair to be performed for at least a portion of a row/column of memory cells, and a second plurality of tag fields to indicate a location of memory cells used to perform the row/column repair.
US08086912B2	Monitoring and root cause analysis of temporary process wait situations A computing system is provided and includes first computing resources representing a fraction of total computing resources, second computing resources representing at least a partial remainder of the total computing resources except for the first computing resources, and a memory unit. The memory unit includes a computer-readable medium having computer-readable executable instructions stored thereon that are accessible to at least the second computing resources. When executed, the executable instructions cause the second computing resources to monitor a process running on the first computing resources in accordance with pre-selected parameters, to determine that a potential lock or wait situation that impedes the process is in effect from a result of the monitoring and to execute an action in response to the potential lock or wait situation.

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