| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08096830B2 |
Connector with deformable compression sleeve
A connector for a coaxial cable that includes a connector body and a deformable sleeve. The deformable sleeve and the connector body have cooperative structure for engaging the deformable sleeve with the receiving end of the connector body for securing a cable in the connector body. The deformable sleeve has a front section connected to a rear section by a web. The deformable sleeve is movable from a first position, wherein the front end of the deformable sleeve is separably attached to the receiving end of the connector, to a second position, wherein the cable is compressively secured in the connector body. The web stretches and/or breaks when the deformable sleeve moves into the second position. |
| US08096826B1 |
Snap-on switch module assembly
A snap-on switch module assembly includes a plug connector adapted to be received by an electrical device. A second housing is connected to a first housing. A switch device is disposed between the first and second housings. At least one first opening is formed in the second housing. A plurality of wires pass through the at least one first opening and are connected to the switch device. Accordingly, the switch device protects and controls electrical apparatus connected to the electrical device. |
| US08096825B2 |
Electrical coupler system and method for manufacture thereof
In one embodiment, a coupler system is configured to couple to electrical terminals of a battery. The coupler system comprises a coupler bridge comprising a first section, where the first section comprises a first height and a first edge. The coupler system also comprises a second section adjacent to the first section and opposite the first edge, a first coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge, and a second coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge. The first section of the coupler bridge is configured to restrict the first and second couplers from being electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the battery when the first edge faces towards the battery. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein. |
| US08096823B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector comprising a manipulative lever operative to engage with a mating electrical connector, which has a body portion and a pair of end portions connected respectively with both ends of the body portion and supported respectively by a pair of supporting structures provided in a conductive shell covering partially an insulated housing, wherein each of the end portions of the manipulative lever comprises an elongated portion stretching to be bent from the body portion and a top end portion stretching further from the elongated portion so as to extend as a whole in a first direction from an end portion to a central portion of the insulated housing, the top end portion protrudes from the elongated portion in a direction perpendicular to an imaginary central axis of the elongated portion to form a stepped portion between the elongated portion and the top end portion, and a stopper member provided in the supporting structure engages with the stepped portion so as to prevent the end portion of the manipulative lever from getting out of the supporting structure when the end portion is shifted in a second direction opposite to the first direction. |
| US08096817B2 |
Rotatable and foldable electrical plug connector
An electrical plug connector includes a rotary assembly, an electrical plug assembly having a live prong assembly, a neutral prong assembly, and a ground prong assembly and capable of rotating with respect to a first predetermined axis, and a linkage portion between the rotary assembly and the electrical plug assembly for linking the live prong assembly, the neutral prong assembly, and the ground prong assembly. The linkage portion is configured to enable the live prong assembly, the neutral prong assembly, and the ground prong to rotate with respect to a first predetermined axis simultaneously. When not so linked the three prongs may be folded into receiving spaces on the plug connector. |
| US08096816B2 |
Beam clamp
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member. |
| US08096814B2 |
Power connector
A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. The electronic power connectors can also be modified to accommodate connections for an external AC power supply. The connector housing incorporating the AC power connection capability can accommodate different forms of AC power supply termination contacts, such as spade-type contacts having a spring-like plug for receiving discrete quick connect socket terminals. |
| US08096809B2 |
System and method for automated end-user support
A system and method for displaying content in a browser window associated with an end-user is described. In one implementation, data that includes links is received from a content provider, each of the links is identified and encoded, and the received data along with the links are displayed in the end-user's browser window. |
| US08096808B2 |
Alternative steel and concrete target
An alternative steel and concrete target configurable to represent a wide variety of military surplus vehicles is described herein. The alternative steel and concrete target is used as a hard target for training on high explosives bombing ranges. |
| US08096805B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus for semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A manufacturing apparatus for a semiconductor device that includes a bake chamber for a wafer with a coating film formed thereon to be baked at a predetermined temperature, a cooling chamber connected to the bake chamber, a first carrying unit for the baked wafer to be carried in the cooling chamber, a first temperature control unit for the wafer carried by the first carrying unit to be cooled down, and an unloading gate for unloading the wafer cooled down from the cooling chamber. |
| US08096804B2 |
Device for controlling the radial profile of the temperature of a confined gas stream
This invention describes a new device for controlling the radial profile of the temperature of a confined gas stream that is designed to be used as a coolant in an exchanger that is located downstream from said device. |
| US08096802B2 |
Nanoimprint stamper and a fine-structure transfer apparatus using the stamper
A nanoimprint stamper can simultaneously conform to two types of anomaly in the shape of a transfer substrate, for example warpage and surface protrusions (including foreign objects) that differ greatly in the wavelength of variation. The nanoimprint stamper is capable of performing transfer with a smaller number of defects and in a uniform way. The nanoimprint stamper includes a light-transmitting rigid substrate, a light-transmitting resilient plate, a light-trarsmitting and flexible rigid stamper base, a light-transmitting stamper buffer layer, and a light-transmitting patterned stamp layer. The stamper buffer layer has a lower Young's modulus than the patterned stamp layer. |
| US08096800B2 |
Fine-structure transfer apparatus and method
A fine-structure transfer apparatus includes a stamper, a stage on which to place a transfer element having a coating of resist, and a device for heating the resist coating to be vaporized or a device for supplying a vapor of the resist into a space between the stamper and the transfer element. |
| US08096790B2 |
Oil pump resonator
The invention provides an oil pump resonator in which various vibrations caused by pulsations that change in response to changes in oil pressure on a discharge port side can be attenuated by a resonator that comprises only one chamber, whereby the volume occupied by the resonator can be minimized. An oil pump in an engine, for feeding oil from a suction port to a discharge port through rotation of a rotor fitted in a pump housing, includes: a discharge flow channel communicating with the discharge port; a resonator comprising an introduction channel formed in the discharge flow channel and a chamber communicating with the introduction channel; and a piston having a leading end face section that makes up an inner wall face of the chamber, and reciprocating in response to pulsation changes. The piston slides so as to reduce the volume of the chamber as the frequency distribution of the pulsations becomes higher. |
| US08096786B2 |
Three dimensional micro-fluidic pumps and valves
A system is disclosed for the control of fluid flow in a micro-fluidic system, the system having: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel having disposed in a microchannel layer atop the substrate; a conformable layer disposed on the micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within the at least one micro-fluidic channel; at least one occluding member disposed within the conformable layer, and configured to be received by the receiving cavity so as to occlude the micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator. |
| US08096784B2 |
Bi-directional continuous peristaltic micro-pump
A bi-directional continuous peristaltic micro-pump is described. The micro-pump comprises: a substrate, an actuating mechanism and a fluid channel. The actuating mechanism comprises: a first slanted membrane the thickness of which increases progressively from left to right, a first chamber formed between the first slanted membrane and the substrate; and a second slanted membrane, the thickness of which decreases progressively from left to right, the second slanted membrane being located to the first slanted membrane's right side and parallel to the first slanted membrane with a space between the two membranes, a second chamber formed between the second slanted membrane and the substrate. By inflating the first chamber and the second chamber, the first slanted membrane and the second slanted membrane generate a continuous sweeping motion to force the working fluid to flow. |
| US08096780B2 |
Single piece dual jet pump and fuel system using it
Single piece dual jet pump comprising at least one pressurized fluid inlet orifice and 2 separate outlet orifices which are built has two separate jet pumps. Fuel system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a reservoir within said tank, a pump for supplying the engine with fuel drawn from the reservoir and such a single piece dual jet pump designed to allow the filling of the reservoir with fuel from at least two different locations in said tank outside the reservoir. |
| US08096778B2 |
Structural beam for a wind generator blade production method thereof
Structural beam of a wind turbine blade comprising a body-root and a body-trunk in the form of a box with a section decreasing towards the blade tip, comprising various piles each formed by various layers of carbon fiber impregnated with a synthetic resin, located on the upper and lower areas, intercalated between various layers of fiber glass impregnated with synthetic resin arranged along its perimeter, including between two piles, at least one layer of reinforcing material on each of the side areas enveloped by an adhesive resin film.The invention also comprises a procedure for the manufacture of the structural beam which, amongst other stages, includes the application of the layers mentioned onto a mold and the beam curing process. |
| US08096775B2 |
Steam turbine rotating blade for a low pressure section of a steam turbine engine
A steam turbine rotating blade for a low pressure section of a steam turbine engine is disclosed. The steam turbine rotating blade includes an airfoil portion. A root section is attached to one end of the airfoil portion. A dovetail section projects from the root section, wherein the dovetail section includes a skewed axial entry dovetail. A tip section is attached to the airfoil portion at an end opposite from the root section. A cover is integrally formed as part of the tip section. The blade includes an exit annulus area of about 30.5 ft2 (2.83 m2) greater. |
| US08096771B2 |
Trailing edge cooling slot configuration for a turbine airfoil
A gas turbine engine hollow turbine airfoil having pressure and suction sidewalls extending chordwise between leading and the trailing edges. The trailing edge includes a pressure sidewall lip and a suction sidewall lip, and a breakout distance between the pressure sidewall lip and the suction sidewall lip. A cooling fluid channel extends spanwise through the airfoil for supplying a cooling fluid to the airfoil. Flow channels are provided extending chordwise between the cooling fluid channel and the suction sidewall lip and include a metering section, an internal diffusion section and a breakout slot. The interior diffusion section includes a spanwise dimension and a widthwise dimension perpendicular to the spanwise dimension, wherein the spanwise dimension continuously increases extending in the chordwise direction, and the widthwise dimension continuously decreases extending in the chordwise direction. |
| US08096768B1 |
Turbine blade with trailing edge impingement cooling
A turbine blade for an industrial gas turbine engine, the blade includes a squealer pocket formed by a pressure side tip rail and a suction side tip rail with tip cooling holes opening onto the tip floor in the trailing edge region, a tip corner and two impingement cooling air exit slots formed between the pressure side and the suction side tip rails and the tip corner. The cooling air flowing along the tip pocket flows out the exit slots as impingement jets and provide cooling for the tip corner to prevent an over-temperature that results in erosion. |
| US08096757B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing nozzle stress
A gas turbine engine nozzle is described. The gas turbine engine nozzle includes at least one nozzle vane having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to an inner sidewall and the second end is coupled to an outer sidewall. The gas turbine engine nozzle also includes at least one stress relief pocket defined within at least one of the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall proximate to the at least one nozzle vane. The at least one stress relief pocket is configured to reduce stress on the proximate nozzle vane. |
| US08096755B2 |
Crowned rails for supporting arcuate components
A flange for supporting arcuate shrouds and shroud hangers comprising at least one arcuate rail, each arcuate rail having an inner radius, a first taper location, a first taper region, a second taper location, a second taper region, wherein the thickness of at least a portion of the first taper region is tapered and wherein the thickness of at least a portion of the second taper region is tapered. |
| US08096752B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooling a transition piece
Disclosed is a compressor discharge can including a transition piece and a flow redirector located about the transition piece, defining an airflow space therebetween, the flow redirector configured to reduce recirculation of flow in the airflow space. |
| US08096751B2 |
Turbine engine component with cooling passages
A component for use in a turbine engine including a first member and a second member associated with the first member. The second member includes a plurality of connecting elements extending therefrom. The connecting elements include securing portions at ends thereof that are received in corresponding cavities formed in the first member to attach the second member to the first member. The connecting elements are constructed to space apart a first surface of the second member from a first surface of the first member such that at least one cooling passage is formed between adjacent connecting elements and the first surface of the second member and the first surface of the first member. |
| US08096750B2 |
High efficiency turbine and method of generating power
The present invention is directed to a turbine comprising a pair of opposing end discs concentrically aligned with a central axis of the turbine and a plurality of blades extending between the end discs. At least one end discs is adapted for engaging with a generator for generating power. The plurality of blades rotates in a single direction when exposed to fluid flow and thereby rotates the pair of opposing end discs. The plurality of blades are interconnected by at least one faired ring oriented parallel to the pair of opposing end discs and intersecting the plurality of blades, wherein the at least one faired ring is in concentric alignment with the central axis. The present invention further comprises a method for generating power comprising engaging the turbine with a generator to create a turbine generator unit and deploying the turbine generator unit within a fluid flow. |
| US08096747B2 |
Apparatus and related methods for turbine cooling
An apparatus and a method for cooling and/or sealing a gas turbine by selectively boosting the pressure of air extracted at a lower extraction stage is provided. The pressure of the extracted air is boosted by an external compressor before it becomes available for cooling and/or sealing the turbine components. A bypass line includes a higher extraction stage providing air for cooling the turbine. |
| US08096746B2 |
Radial loading element for turbine vane
A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising a number of radial loading elements disposed between lugs of the vane ring and the vane support, such as to generate a radial load force against the vane ring. The radial load force prevents unwanted relative movement between the vane ring and the vane support during operation of the gas turbine engine. |
| US08096745B2 |
Paper roll transport cart
A three wheeled cart for transporting heavy rolls of paper to and from unwinders and reminders. The operator stands at the rear end where he can start and stop the cart, steer it, and control the carriage at the front end for lifting the paper roll from the floor and/or into a processing machine. The steerable rear wheel is driven electrically from a twist type throttle on a steering handle that can be moved from an active position to a stowed position. In the stowed position the cart is secured by the same motor-brake that drives the single rear wheel. |
| US08096744B2 |
Wafer processing system, wafer processing method, and ion implantation system
Two load lock chambers having a load lock pedestal are provided adjacent to a vacuum process chamber through a vacuum intermediate chamber. A passage opening is provided between the vacuum process chamber and the vacuum intermediate chamber. Two wafer retaining arms are installed between a platen device in the vacuum process chamber and the vacuum intermediate chamber. The two wafer retaining arms are reciprocatingly movable between the corresponding load lock pedestals and the platen device while passing through the passage opening and crossing with an overpass each other at different levels. By retaining an unprocessed wafer by one of the wafer retaining arms and retaining a processed wafer by the other wafer retaining arm, transfer of the unprocessed wafer from one of the load lock pedestals to the platen device and transfer of the processed wafer from the platen device to the other load lock pedestal are performed simultaneously. |
| US08096737B2 |
Spindle device of machine tool
It is an object to provide a spindle device of a machine tool which has a simple structure and is capable of having high suction efficiency of cutting chips. A draw bar bringing engaging claws into engagement with a tool holder or releasing the engagement includes an engagement drive part moving the engaging claws to an engagement position with the tool holder; and a draw bar main body connected to the engagement drive part, and the engagement drive part is inserted into the draw bar main body to be detachably connected to an inner surface of the draw bar main body. |
| US08096732B2 |
Methods and apparatus for foundation system
Methods and apparatus for foundation systems generally include a vertical support. a horizontal support configured to couple to the vertical support, and a composite material configured to couple to the horizontal support. The vertical support may be configured to resist fluctuation in soil elevation. The composite material may comprise a block material and a fibrous material. |
| US08096726B2 |
Sheet lifter
Sheet Lifter for use with multi ring sheet or page holders and multi ring binders. The Device is made from a thin ridged panel with a plurality of notches and slots. The Device is positioned in order to interact with the rings and binder spine of the page holder or binder. The Device rests on the spine with the pages or sheets resting on the Device. The Device prevents the pages or sheets from traveling past the maximum horizontal diameter point of the rings when the holder or binder is fully opened. When the holder or binder is closed the Device creates sufficient upward pressure against the pages or sheets to return them to their closed position at the maximum vertical diameter point of the rings. The pressure required is minimal. |
| US08096725B2 |
Writing implement comprising a device for venting the reservoir
A writing implement that includes an ink reservoir, a writing tip fluidically connected to the reservoir and through which the ink emerges during a use of the implement, and a reservoir-venting device that includes a cavity in communication with the reservoir and with an orifice open to the outside of the implement. The cavity is suitable for absorbing an overflow of ink, characterized in that the cavity is filled with separate grains having angles and sharp edges having dimensions that are significant compared with an apparent dimension d of the grains. |
| US08096724B2 |
Package for merchandising consumer care products
A package for a consumer care product that includes (a) a product chamber and (b) an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the product chamber. The product chamber comprises at least one lateral wall having an inner surface that at least partially surrounds a consumer care product. Each of the product chamber and the outer jacket contain an identifier, wherein the identifier of the product chamber and the identifier of the outer jacket coordinate to aid a consumer in selecting the desired consumer care product. |
| US08096723B2 |
Swivel squeegee 360
A squeegee with a swiveling squeegee handle and squeegee head with a detachable squeegee blade container with affixed squeegee blade and spraying device enclosed in the squeegee handle. The squeegee head has an elongated groove or notch on top of the squeegee head allowing squeegee blade in various size and shape to be fasten on to the squeegee head, and clamp like devices attach at the rear of the squeegee head to fasten a wiping material across the front surface of the squeegee head. The squeegee blade container and an enclosed squeegee blade, and wiping material are detachable from the squeegee head. The squeegee handle has an enclosed container for holding liquid and an attached sprayer/pump for dispensing the contained liquid, and threaded squeegee handle to allow extended poles to be attached to provide longer reach. The swivel joints allow extensions, squeegee handle and/or squeegee head, to swivel and locked to an angled position or swivel with specified degree of resistance. |
| US08096721B2 |
Retractable solid or semi-solid substance dispenser
The application relates to a solid or semi-solid substance dispenser featuring a body, an opening, and a retractable barrel which may be electively presented at the opening whereby the solid or semi-solid substance might be projected from the barrel for application to a target. |
| US08096716B2 |
Tape printing apparatus
If a top cover 5 has been opened, a link lever 34 is moved backward in conjunction with the motion of the top cover 5, so that a release lever 51 is rotated clockwise as seen from the left side about a level shaft 50. Also, a release gear 49 and a release shaft 48 are rotated about 180° counterclockwise as seen from the left side, via a lever gear 52. Accordingly, a head supporting member 37 is rotated downward, resisting an urging force of a pressing spring 36, so that a thermal head 32 is separated from a platen roller 35 and entry of a roll sheet 3A becomes possible through an insertion port 26. |
| US08096714B2 |
Stenographic keyboard device providing extended set of keys and method for electronically adjusting key depth sensitivity
A device and method for determining key registration settings in a stenographic device, includes providing a plurality of keys making up a standard stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position, a depressed position, and a range of depression positions between the resting position and the depressed position, receiving information indicating a depression depth of a key on the standard stenographic keyboard, and a processor communicatively coupled to a display and the plurality of keys, the processor operable to cause the display to graphically show, for at least one of the keys, a depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions. |
| US08096711B2 |
Seal cleaning and lubricating bearing assembly for a rotating flow diverter
A rotating flow diverter has a lubricated sealed bearing assembly for isolating bearing elements from wellbore fluids under pressure. The sealed bearing assembly is supported between an outer bearing housing and an axially rotatable quill. The bearing assembly further has bearing elements with a bearing lubricant under pressure and a seal assembly. The seal assembly has at least one sealing element which comprises a body, the body having an outer peripheral wall, an inner sealing surface having a plurality of sealing lips and an annular cavity, and a loading ring for compressionally fitting within the annular cavity to urge the sealing surface radially inwardly for sealing engagement with tubulars. |
| US08096709B2 |
Sliding bearing
A sliding bearing comprises a shaft hole for rotatably supporting a shaft that is inserted thereinto, an inner circumferential surface on which the shaft slides, and plural linearly oblique grooves. The grooves extend in a direction crossing a circumferential direction of the sliding bearing and are formed on the inner circumferential surface at intervals, and the grooves are provided with a lubricant. The oblique grooves have an oblique angle in a range of 10° to 60° with respect to a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction and have a width B in a range of 0.5 to 5 mm in the circumferential direction. The adjacent grooves have a land with a surface as a sliding surface therebetween, and the sliding surface has a width A in a range of 1 to 7 mm in the circumferential direction. A ratio A/B of the width A of the sliding surface of the land to the width B of the groove is in a range of 0.5 to 5.0. |
| US08096708B2 |
Digital linear heat detector with thermocouple heat confirmation
The present invention provides a digital linear heat detector with thermocouple heat confirmation. A digital linear heat detector with thermocouple heat confirmation comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor composed of a different conductive material than the second conductor. The first and second conductors are then are twisted together to form substantially continuous spring pressure between the first conductor and the second conductor, thereby causing the layers of the non-conductive heat sensitive thermoplastic material to be in contact. The present invention also includes a monitoring circuit that is configured to monitor resistance along the first and second conductors. When the resistance changes along the first and second conductors, the monitor is configured to detect a short and enter a thermocouple mode. By entering the thermocouple mode, the monitoring circuit is able to identify the temperature at the short and determine the type of alarm condition being created by the short based on a predetermined temperature threshold. |
| US08096701B2 |
Method and apparatus for mixing a gaseous fluid with a large gas stream, especially for introducing a reducing agent into a flue gas containing nitrogen oxides
A method and apparatus for mixing at least one gaseous fluid stream with a large gas stream flowing in a gas duct, especially for introducing a reducing agent into a flue gas containing nitrogen oxides. The gas stream is directed against at least one disk-shaped mixer element on an inlet side that is inclined at an angle counter to the direction of flow of the gas stream, wherein eddy-type whirls form at the mixer element. The gaseous fluid stream is guided essentially to the center of an impact surface associated with the discharge side of the mixer element and is admixed with a gas stream downstream of the mixer element and is guided essentially perpendicularly onto the center of the impact surface on the discharge side such that the gaseous fluid is distributed over the entire discharge side from the center thereof and is incorporated across the entire whirl system formed at the peripheral edge of the mixer element. |
| US08096700B2 |
Heat exchange system for a cavitation chamber
A method and apparatus for regulating the temperature of the cavitation medium for a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation medium is pumped through the cavitation chamber through a pair of chamber inlets and an external conduit connecting the two inlets. An external heat exchanger is used to regulate the cavitation medium temperature, the heat exchanger being either directly or indirectly coupled to the conduit. The cavitation medium can be circulated through the heat exchanger during chamber operation or, once the desired cavitation medium temperature is achieved, operation of the circulation system can be suspended. The heat exchanger can be used to lower the temperature of the cavitation medium to a temperature less than the ambient temperature; to withdraw excess heat from the cavitation medium; or to heat the cavitation medium to the desired operating temperature. The heat exchanger can utilize heated heat exchange fluid, cooled heat exchange fluid, thermoelectric coolers, heat sinks, refrigeration systems or heaters. The cavitation medium circulation system can be configured to include a filter and/or a degassing chamber. |
| US08096698B2 |
Load monitoring method and load monitoring apparatus for kneading apparatus
In an extruder or a kneader, load (torque T) values on an input shaft portion of a screw shaft are detected by a load detector installed on the input shaft portion, then an overload condition is determined from a load mean value (Ta) and a load amplitude value (Tw) of the detected load values, and the issuance of an “abnormal” alarm and/or the stop of rotation of the screw shaft are (is) performed when an overload duration time (to) of maintaining the overload condition exceeds a set time (ts). In this way the screw shaft is protected from fatigue fracture caused by application thereto of such a load as does not exceed a designed mechanical strength but causes fatigue fracture. |
| US08096697B2 |
Backlight module and a wire positioning device thereof
A backlight module and a wire positioning/holding device for the frame structure thereof are disclosed. The backlight module mainly includes a frame and a light source module. The light source module is disposed on the lateral side or on the bottom of the frame. The wire holding device mainly includes a main body and a winding pillar. A first guide slot is disposed on the main body, and the first guide slot has an inlet end and an outlet end. The winding pillar extends from the main body and is situated at one side of the first guide slot. The winding pillar and the main body together form a wire holding portion. The wire holding portion is disposed corresponding to the outlet end of the first guide slot to receive the wires of the light source module coming out of the outlet end. Moreover, the wire holding portion and the outlet end of the first guide slot are situated on opposite sides of the winding pillar. |
| US08096696B2 |
Display panel and a light source used therein
A display panel and a light source device used therein are provided. The display panel includes a light-guide thin-film circuit substrate, a light source and a polarizing layer. The light-guide thin-film circuit substrate has a light entrance end and a light exit top surface, and the light source is disposed corresponding to the light entrance end. The polarizing layer is disposed on the light-guide thin-film circuit substrate and parallels the light exit top surface of the light-guide thin-film circuit substrate. The light produced by the light source enters the circuit substrate through the light entrance end, guided and transmitted through the circuit substrate, and then leaves the circuit substrate through the light exit top surface and enters the polarizing layer. The light after passing through the polarizing layer is turned into a polarized light having flat light source effect as a backlight source for the system. A polarizer may even be disposed between the light source and the light entrance end, so the light is turned into polarized light before entering the circuit substrate. |
| US08096692B2 |
Surface light-emitting device and automated transaction apparatus using the same
A surface light-emitting device includes a transparent plate having two main surfaces and a light source. The light source is arranged adjacent to a side of the transparent plate so that the light source radiates light to the inside of the transparent plate from the side of the transparent plate. One main surface of the transparent plate is formed with a plurality of cone-shaped dimples, which reflect radiated light toward the other main surface of the transparent plate. The surface light-emitting device may further include a black sheet arranged adjacent to one main surface of the transparent plate formed with the plurality of cone-shaped dimples. The surface light-emitting device can be used as a guide device for an input/output interface unit of an automated transaction apparatus. |
| US08096689B2 |
Motor-vehicle headlight
A motor-vehicle headlight is specified, having at least one light-emitting diode, and an apparatus for controllable manipulation of the beam path of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light-emitting diode. The described motor-vehicle headlight is distinguished inter alia by a particularly variable emission characteristic. |
| US08096688B2 |
In-vehicle illumination device
In an in-vehicle illumination device including: a room lamp section provided with a first light source section, and a light guide plate that guides a light of the first light source section from an end surface thereof and emits the light from a front surface thereof; a first switch for use by the room lamp section; and a vanity mirror section provided with a mirror, when the first light source section is turned on through operation of the first switch, a mode change is made to a room lamp illumination mode in which a first illumination light comes from the room lamp section, and also when the vanity mirror section is in use, the first light source section is turned on, and a mode change is made to a vanity mirror illumination mode in which a second illumination light comes from the room lamp section. The resulting in-vehicle illumination device can be excellent in practicality with the smaller size, and can achieve improvement in terms of design. |
| US08096686B2 |
Trim retention spring and method for recessed lighting fixtures
A lighting fixture is provided that includes a ceiling pan having an opening with a trim received therein. The trim includes a ring with a spring clip attached thereto. The spring clip includes first and second legs having a first end joined at an apex and second free end opposite the first end. The second free ends are fixed to the trim to bias the spring clip in a downward direction to engage a top surface of the ceiling pan and bias the trim in an upward direction toward the ceiling pan. In one embodiment, the ends of the spring clip are fixed to the trim by a screw. In another embodiment, the spring clip is a torsion spring engaging the trim and includes first and second legs with a portion extending therefrom and received in an aperture in the trim. The ends are oriented at an inclined angle with respect to the legs such that when the legs are attached to the trim, the legs are biased in a downward direction with respect to the ceiling pan. The torsion spring clip can be retrofit to the trim ring. |
| US08096684B2 |
Device for influencing a light beam in particular for stage illumination
The device for influencing a light beam includes a primitive element and a housing which is arranged at a rotatable arm and which is rotatable with respect to the primitive element by means of one of the several drive units, and into which a light source for generating a light beam may be introduced, wherein at least one control electronics for operating the device is arranged in the rotatable arm or in the housing. |
| US08096682B2 |
LED lighting device
An LED lighting device includes a receptacle comprising first and second bossed holes each having internal threads, and two opposite shoulders each formed lengthwise along a central line of an inner surface of either side of the receptacle; a cover plate comprising apertures and threadedly secured to the receptacle to form a housing; PCBs each supported by the shoulder and the first bossed holes and fastened in the receptacle by driving threaded fasteners therethrough into the first bossed holes; parallel elongated members each with the housing mounted thereon; units of LEDs electrically connected to the PCB wherein each unit of LEDs is fastened in the aperture; a waterproofing member filled in the housing for protecting the PCB; longitudinal and transverse frame members mounted on one surfaces of the elongated members; and a panel box mounted on the frame members, the panel box being electrically connected to the PCBs. |
| US08096677B2 |
Staggered LED based high-intensity light
A high intensity LED based lighting array for use in an obstruction light with efficient uniform light output is disclosed. The high intensity LED based lighting array has a first concentric ring having a plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes. The concentric ring has a planar surface mounting each of the plurality of reflectors in perpendicular relation to a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. At least some of the first plurality of reflectors are adjustable relative to the position of the respective light emitting diode to produce a precise beam pattern from the light emitting diode. |
| US08096675B1 |
Performance and color consistent LED
The instant invention discloses a device and method to mix and match LED die at a LED emitter or array level in an array to obtain a consistent average weighted wavelength, and/or desired flux, reducing the spread of a color range and therefore reducing the observed LED color range. The mixing of different wavelength and flux LED's expands the color gamut of the LEDs available to be used in a particular luminaire with a given color specification. |
| US08096674B2 |
Lighting device with selectable output level switching
Various techniques are provided for implementing a lighting device with selectable output level switching. In one example, a lighting device includes a light source, a controller adapted to provide one or more signals to control the operation of the light source, a power terminal adapted to receive a power source, and a tailcap assembly. The tailcap assembly includes a tailcap, a push button, and a washer disposed in the tailcap. The washer includes at least one arm adapted to be pushed against a surface to selectively connect the controller to the power terminal in response to a manipulation of the tailcap assembly. |
| US08096673B2 |
Auto-controlling power saving system for solar energy street lamps
An auto-controlling power saving system for solar energy street lamps includes at least one street lamp, each street lamp having a light source at an upper end thereof; a battery set; at least one solar plate installed at an upper end of the light source for absorbing solar energy; the absorbed solar energy being converted into electric power which is transferred to the light source for lighting up the light source or is stored in the battery set; a main controller for controlling all electric powers of the elements of the system for power management; the main controller controlling actuation, de-actuation and illumination of all street lamps; the main controller being connected to the battery sets of the street lamps and the related elements used; the main controller having a plurality of power control modes for power management and illumination control of the street lamps. |
| US08096671B1 |
Light emitting diode illumination system
An illumination panel has four peripheral edges constructed of an upper plate and a lower plate. Each of the plates has aligned peripheral edges and an upper and lower surface. The upper plate is fabricated of an optically reflective material. The lower plate is fabricated of an optically diffusive material. Each of the illumination panels includes a peripheral frame formed of four edge pieces. Each of the edge pieces is in a cross sectional configuration to receive and support the peripheral edges of the plates. A pair of opposed recesses face each other in the edge pieces. A printed circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes is supported in the edge pieces by the recesses. An electrical connector is adapted to disperse electrical power to the light emitting diodes. |
| US08096670B2 |
Light fixtures, lighting devices, and components for the same
A diffuser for a lighting device comprises a diffuser region, a hook element and a nose element. A light fixture comprises a housing with an opening and a diffuser as described above, in which the nose element extends through the opening, optionally further comprising an accessory including at least one spring element engaging the hook element. A light fixture structure comprises a housing defining an opening and an first attachment element comprising a nose element, a hook element and a connection region, and optionally further comprising a diffuser engaging a first portion of the hook element, and/or an accessory which engages a second portion of the hook element. An eyeball accessory comprises first and second housing elements pivotably attached to each other. An accessory for a light fixture comprises a housing member and a spring element engageable with a fixture. |
| US08096665B2 |
Spatially offset multi-imager-panel architecture for projecting an image
A high-resolution image is generated using multiple spatially offset lower-resolution digital micro-mirror device (DMD) panels. Multiple lower-resolution subframe signals for controlling the spatial light modulators are generated from a high-resolution image signal using a resolution reduction and interpolation algorithm. The spatial light modulators under control of the subframe signals are illuminated by a light source and light beams reflected from the spatial light modulators are combined and directed onto a screen for display. |
| US08096664B2 |
Projector with case having bulged exterior surface
A projector for emitting projection light in a projection direction used in a floor set-wall projection and floor set-floor projection modes. The device includes an aspheric reflection mirror, which reflects light from a light source in the projection direction, and a case, which accommodates the mirror. The mirror reflects the projection light to emit the projection light through an opening in the case. The case includes a first setting surface, which is arranged adjacent to a floor when in the floor set-wall projection mode, and a second setting surface, which is arranged adjacent to the floor when in the floor set-floor projection mode. The second setting surface in the floor set-floor projection mode is located immediately below the mirror and bulges to a location that is in alignment with or frontward from a front end of the mirror. |
| US08096661B2 |
Projector having a cross-shaped light beam
A projection-type image display apparatus including: a light source unit; an optical modulator including an incident surface and an output surface both being perpendicular to an optical axis of a light beam emitted from the light source, and configured to modulate a light beam emitted from the light source; a first polarizer provided to a surface of the optical modulator; and a second polarizer provided to another surface of the optical modulator. In the projection-type image display apparatus, the polarization direction of a light beam allowed to pass through the first polarizer and the polarization direction of a light beam allowed to pass through the second polarizer are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the light source unit emits a cross shaped light beam. |
| US08096657B2 |
Systems and methods for aiding computing users having sub-optimal ability
Computer-implemented systems and methods create a user environment tailored to a user's computer abilities. A series of baseline tests are administered to new users for accumulating user metric data, and a database collects and stores the user metrics. Program logic is responsive to data from the data base, where the program logic is programmed to adapt the user environment to correspond to abilities measured through the baseline tests. The program logic is further programmed to adapt user interface controls to compensate for user dexterity abilities. |
| US08096653B2 |
Method for manufacturing lens for electronic spectacles, lens for electronic spectacles, and electronic spectacles
A first recess (102) of a lower substrate (100) is coated with conductive ink to form a first auxiliary electrode layer (104), a lower electrode pattern (105) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, a second recess (202) of an upper substrate (200) is coated with the conductive ink to form a second auxiliary electrode layer (204), an upper electrode pattern (205) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, the upper and lower substrates are bonded to each other with an electric element (300) interposed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (100), and the upper and lower substrates are cut at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer (104) and the lower electrode pattern (105) and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer (204) and the upper electrode pattern (205) so as to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates. |
| US08096648B2 |
Ink melt device with solid state retention and molten ink pass-through
A phase change ink melting assembly for use in a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink melt perimetric constraint having an open top and a melted ink egress positioned at a bottom of the perimetric constraint. The open top is sized to receive a leading end of an ink stick fed downwardly therethrough. The perimetric constraint includes an interior through path with egress at the bottom and a plurality of melted ink flow paths intermediate the open top and the melted ink egress. The assembly includes a heater for heating the perimetric constraint to a phase change ink melting temperature. |
| US08096645B2 |
Installing fluid container in fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid ejection unit; a main chassis case; a fluid-containing pack; a container case; and a plurality of holders. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The main chassis case houses the fluid ejection unit. The fluid-containing pack contains a fluid for ejection. The container case houses the fluid-containing pack. The plurality of holders is disposed inside the container case. Each of a plurality of holders includes an incline panel that inclines toward the inside base plane, and the fluid-containing pack rests on the incline panel. |
| US08096640B2 |
Print bar
In one embodiment, a print bar includes: a substrate having a longer part and a shorter part extending along and parallel to the longer part such that each end of the longer part extends past each end of the shorter part; and multiple printhead dies on the longer part of the substrate. In another embodiment, a modular print bar includes a first module including multiple printhead dies joined together end to end and a second module including multiple printhead dies joined together end to end. The second module is lapped together end to end with the first module. |
| US08096635B2 |
Duplex printer configured to move printheads before capping
The present invention relates to a duplex printer. The printer includes a support assembly and a pair of printheads mounted for movement with respect to the support assembly and configured to each eject ink upon print media. A print media feed mechanism is configured to feed the print media between the printheads during printing. A pair of movably mounted capping members is configured to cap respective printheads. A printhead movement actuating mechanism is configured to move the printheads into position for capping. A capping member actuating mechanism is configured to move the capping members into position for engagement with the moved printheads. |
| US08096634B2 |
Temperature compensation for full-width arrays write heads
A method and system for compensating for temperature changes is disclosed that includes a mounting bar, a plurality of imaging chips adaptively mounted on the mounting bar, each imaging chip including a plurality of imaging elements, and a temperature determiner to determine a temperature of the mounting bar. A control module enables and disables at least one imaging element based on the determined temperature of the mounting bar. |
| US08096633B2 |
Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus
An object of the invention is to provide a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus capable of determining a type of droplet to be ejected through each nozzle at an arbitrary ejection timing, with consideration of not only an influence of droplet ejections at preceding and following ejection timings, but also crosstalk between a nozzle column and another nozzle column.A data generation circuit of the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a droplet type determination unit. The first storage unit stores therein information on a plurality of types of droplets. The second storage unit stores therein time-sequence information of a type of droplet which information associates each ejection timing of each nozzle with one of the types of droplets. The droplet type determination unit determines a type of droplet to be associated with an arbitrary ejection timing of each nozzle, with reference to an ejection plan of the nozzle included in the time-sequence information, and a type of droplet associated with the arbitrary ejection timing of another nozzle. |
| US08096631B2 |
Ink-jet type image-forming apparatus and ink-jet type image-forming method
An image-forming apparatus is provided which prevents irregularity of an image density and improves the life of heating elements. In a half of recording heads (a group of recording heads 22K2, 22K4, 22K6 not adjacent to each other), off time T2 is shortened at a timing of PWM renewal 1; in the other recording heads (22K1, 22K3, 22K5, another group of the recording heads not adjacent to each other) the off time T2 is not changed at the timing of PWM renewal 1 but is shortened at the timing of PWM renewal 2. As the result, in the region corresponding to the timing from PWM renewal 1 to PWM renewal 2, the amount of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the recording heads 22K2, 22K4, 22K6 is decreased to decrease slightly invisibly the image density formed by the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 22K2, 22K4, 22K6. |
| US08096630B2 |
Ink jet printer cartridge refilling method and apparatus
The present invention provides an automated system for refilling printer ink cartridges. The system includes a computer with memory provided to store information relating to a plurality of ink cartridges, and a user interface that is connected to the computer and can receive a model number of a particular ink cartridge to be refilled. Moreover, the system employs a vacuum chamber with one or more needles provided to add ink into the ink cartridge. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum pump that draws a suction on the vacuum chamber to reduce pressure in the vacuum chamber. In operation, the computer controls the vacuum pump to reduce the pressure in the vacuum chamber to a specific pressure based on the model number of the ink cartridge, and once this pressure is reached, ink is added to the ink cartridge by the needle accordingly. |
| US08096629B2 |
System for positioning sliding doors
Presented herein is a novel sliding door system that that enables adjustment of at least two sliding doors relative to each other such that surfaces of the sliding doors create a substantially flush surface a support onto which the sliding door mechanism is mounted. The system includes at least one inner and outer sliding door slidably coupled to corresponding guide rails. The guide rail that is coupled to the outer sliding door is selectably moveable by a sliding door mechanism between a first and a second position. In the first position, a user can slide outer and inner sliding doors along said guide rails, whereas in the second position, a surface of the outer sliding door is substantially flush with a surface of said inner sliding door. |
| US08096626B2 |
Latching mechanism for folding drive bay door
An exemplary latching mechanism for folding drive bay door (10) includes a cover panel (12), two brackets (14), two link members (184), a rotatable member (16), and two elastic members (22). The cover panel is configured for covering an entrance of an electronic device. The cover panel forms two pivotally rotatable portions (122) on opposite ends. The brackets are fixed to the electronic device. Each of the brackets defines a guiding hole for receiving the pivotally rotatable portions of the cover panel. Opposite ends of each link member are rotatably connected to the cover panel and the rotatable member correspondingly. The rotatable member is rotatably connected to the brackets. Two ends of each elastic member resist one of the two brackets and the rotatable member correspondingly. |
| US08096624B2 |
Brake control apparatus for vehicle
A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first calculating portion for calculating a master cylinder pressure, a first determining portion for determining whether or not the brake operation is performed, a second calculating portion for calculating a target wheel cylinder pressure, a third calculating portion for calculating a controlled pressure, a controlling portion for controlling a pressure difference control valve, a second determining portion for determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped, and a driving portion for specifying a drive pattern of a motor to a first motor drive pattern in a case where the vehicle is not stopped, the motor driving a pump for discharging a brake fluid, the driving means specifying the drive pattern to a second motor drive pattern in a case where the vehicle is stopped, the driving means driving the motor based on the motor driving pattern specified. |
| US08096623B2 |
Protection structure for outer shell of a hub
A protection structure for outer shell of a hub comprises: a hub and an outer shell mounted at one end of the hub, the outer shell is provided at one end close to the hub with an enlarged flange, on an outer peripheral surface of the outer shell are annularly and spaced-apart formed a plurality of splines and at least one positioning rib, at least at one side of each splines is disposed with a protecting member whose material is different from that of the outer shell. By such arrangements, the protecting member can be assembled with a sprocket to prevent the sprocket from touching the splines. Thus, damages of the outer shell of the hub are prevented. |
| US08096618B2 |
Seat recliner/dump mechanism such as incorporated into a seatback slaved to a floor latch release
A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat having a floor striker engaging bottom and a pivotally associated seatback. A seatback is pivotally secured to a fixed support and includes an arcuate lower surface upon which are defined teeth. A pawl is pivotally secured to the support and includes an upper surface with additional inter-engaging teeth when the seatback is in an upright position. A release cam secures to the support proximate a recessed underside location of the pawl and maintains the pawl in locking engagement with the seatback sector in a first position. The release cam rotates to cause the pawl to pivot out of engagement with the seatback, allowing it to pivot to a dump position opposing the seat bottom and concurrent with the seat bottom releasing from the floor striker and tumbling to a forward rotated position. A floor latch release lever is also pivotally secured to the support and, upon being contacted by the release cam, in turn pivots so that an end feature displaces to prevent the locking pawl from pivoting in a reverse direction against the seatback. The release lever reverse pivots in response to the seat bottom reengaging the floor striker, causing the pawl to reverse pivot its teeth into reengagement with the seatback upon the latter rotating back to the upright position. |
| US08096614B2 |
Locking mechanism
A locking mechanism for a glider rocker having a gliding chair seat mounted on a stationary base, including an operating assembly mounted on the gliding chair seat, a pair of bearing brackets mounted on the stationary base respectively, and a pair of mounting assemblies. Each mounting assembly includes a prop, a strut, a curved elongated member, a mounting bracket, and a restoring spring connected with the curved elongated member and the prop. |
| US08096613B2 |
Head retaining foam liner for car seat
The invention described herein relates to a foam geometry which reduces the tendency of the child's head to slide forward and roll out by contouring the side foam to have its leading edge closer to the center line of the child's seat than some more rearward portion of the side foam thus forming an inward protruding forward lip on the foam. The depth of the protruding lip is the primary determinant of the increase in head retention, but the particular geometry of the lip, foam density or rigidity, and overall depth also contribute. The invention relates to the contour of a horizontal section of a headrest foam liner being closer to the seat centerline at some distance from the seat back than some distance closer to the seat back. |
| US08096612B2 |
Seat system for passenger vehicles
A releasing device for a table part of a seat system for passenger vehicles. In a releasing device for a table part of a seat system for passenger vehicles, in particular for aircraft, comprising seat components such as a seat structure, a seat part, a seat back and an armrest, the position of at least one of these seat components being adjustable, wherein the table part is arranged on the seat structure to be tiltable between an operative position and a stowed position, the table part can be secured in the stowed position by means of a locking device which, for releasing the table part into its operative position, can be actuated by the adjustment movement of at least one armrest. |
| US08096610B2 |
Floor top crossmember
A device for securing a rear seat within a cab of a vehicle, comprising a crossmember configured for attachment to a floor pan of the vehicle, the crossmember cooperating with the floor pan to provide a cavity for storing items within the cab. When the crossmember is attached to the floor pan and the rear seat is attached to the crossmember, the crossmember is contained within the space between the seat and the floor pan without extending into a passenger leg room area. |
| US08096609B2 |
Construction machine, in particular road milling machine, miner, recycler or stabilizer
The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an air-processing apparatus (28) is arranged outside the cab (9) on the machine frame (2), wherein a device (13, 22) for feeding processed and/or fresh air into the cab and used air from the cab is provided, said device having a feed air duct for processed air for the cab and a discharge air duct for used air from the cab. The feed air duct of the air-processing apparatus (13, 22) is connected to the outlet (28C) of the air-processing apparatus (28) and the discharge air duct is connected to the inlet (28B) of the air-processing apparatus. In a construction machine whose control station is rotatably arranged on the machine frame, the arrangement with the air-processing apparatus outside the cab has the decisive advantage that it is not necessary to run hoses and/or lines between the rotatable cab and the machine frame. A preferred embodiment of the construction machine provides for the feed and discharge air duct of the air-processing apparatus (13, 22) to have an outer section (30) which is formed by a component connected to the machine frame in a rotationally fixed manner and an inner section (31) which is formed by a component connected to the cab in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the outer section encloses the inner section. Thus concentric air conduction via the swivel joint of the control station is possible. |
| US08096608B2 |
Working vehicle with tilt floor
In a working vehicle having a tilt floor, a torsion bar has one end mounted on the tilt floor and the other end thereof mounted on a base frame, and is disposed on the tilt floor which is tilted up and down relative to the base frame. In a maximally opened position where the tilt floor is tilted up and a closed position where the tilt floor is tilted down, a position of a barycenter (G) of the tilt floor on which the driving room (C) is disposed is opposite from each other relative to a turning center of the tilt floor across the top dead center. |
| US08096602B2 |
Roof arrangement for a convertible, and convertible with a roof arrangement of this type
A roof arrangement (17) for a convertible (1) has a flexible convertible-top cloth (19) that can be removed by hand and stretched over a passenger compartment (16) between a cowl (9) and a rear end fastening device (18). A supporting bow (26) is beneath the convertible-top cloth (19) and is arranged in the transverse direction (FQ) of the convertible (1) at a distance behind the cowl (9). A tensioning device (32) keeps the convertible-top cloth (19) tensioned in relation to the cowl (9). The tensioning device (32) braces the convertible-top cloth (19) down adjacent to the supporting bow (26) and approximately in the vertical direction of the vehicle (FH) when the roof arrangement (17) is mounted on the convertible (1). |
| US08096598B2 |
Auto-release venturi with vacuum switch
A material handling system has a vacuum cup assembly engagable with an object and movable to move the object using a pressurized air source, a vacuum cup, a venturi device and a vacuum valve and auto-release valve. The venturi device is in fluid communication with the vacuum cup and connected to the supply line so that pressurized air can be supplied to and through said venturi device to generate a partial vacuum when the perimeter seal of the vacuum cup is engaged with the object surface. The vacuum valve may open and close the supply line at a location upstream of the venturi device in response to a pressure level at the vacuum cup cavity. The auto-release valve may vent the vacuum cup cavity to atmosphere in response to reduced pressure in the supply line at a location upstream from the vacuum valve. |
| US08096597B2 |
Apparatus and method for collecting and disposing pet waste by incineration
Apparatus (10) for pet waste disposal including a portable waste collection receptacle (12) disposed on a handle (13), characterized by a heat source (14) mounted together with the waste collection receptacle (12), capable of incinerating waste (15) disposed in the waste collection receptacle (12). |
| US08096596B2 |
Bumper beam for a vehicle
A bumper beam for a vehicle has two attachment portions (15, 16) with a U-shaped cross section open towards the vehicle. Each attachment portion has a reinforcing member (29) in the form of a hat-profile located within the attachment portion and across the latter, with its webs (31, 32) welded to the webs (13, 14) of the attachment portion. The side flanges (33, 34) of the hat profile have holes (35, 36) for bolts by means of which the side flanges and thereby the bumper beam can be attached to a structural part of the vehicle and the attachment section has holes (41) to allow fastening bolts of this kind to be fastened through these holes. |
| US08096592B2 |
Locking pivot actuator
An actuator is provided that uses two lengths of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire to kinematically couple a first and second lever together. The two SMA wires are routed in generally V-shaped paths around a link pin that is coaxial with the first and second levers. By selectively contracting one of the wires, the link pin slides between a locked and an unlocked position. A locking pin extending from the link pin couples the first and second levers together while the link pin is in the unlocked position. |
| US08096591B2 |
Split joint restraint device with dual pipe size capability
A split ring restraint device having dual pipe size capability for securing the connection between adjacent pipes in water piping systems to prevent leakage or failure of the pipe connection. The restraint device comprises an interlocking, stepped joining interface that can be assembled in one orientation to fit a pipe having a first outside diameter and assembled in another orientation to fit a pipe having a second outside diameter. The restraint device can be used without modification on pipes having different outside diameters. The restraint device can be installed more rapidly than current state-of-the art split ring restraint devices. |
| US08096589B2 |
High-resistance end fitting for a flexible tubular pipe
An attachment fitting and a method for connection to a tubular duct comprising at least one ply of armors, the armors having a free end respectively defining an outer surface, the attachment fitting comprising a bushing and a sleeve having an attachment part and a connection part with a reception portion, the sleeve being mounted on the duct by spreading the free ends of the armor perpendicularly to the reception portion, the armors comprising a widening device, the bushing being mounted about the connection part and forming an annular chamber for receiving a flow of a mass-curing material for encapsulating the free ends of the armors. The widening device connected to the free outer surface of the free ends of the armors. |
| US08096580B2 |
Air bag apparatus and gas generator for the same
An airbag device may include a gas generator comprising: an initiator that is activated by an impact on a vehicle; an ignition agent that is ignited by the initiator; an ignition agent housing chamber that houses the ignition agent; a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by the ignition agent; and a combustion chamber housing the gas generating agent. An airbag may be inflated by a gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent. Further, the ignition agent housing chamber is only partially filled with the ignition agent, thereby forming a space in the ignition agent housing chamber that is not filled with the ignition agent. |
| US08096578B2 |
Knee airbag
A knee airbag apparatus includes a front panel configured to face toward an occupant when the knee airbag deploys and a rear panel configured to face toward an instrument panel when the knee airbag deploys. The rear panel is joined to the front panel to form an inflatable knee cushion configured to inflate to protect an occupant's knees during a crash event. The knee airbag further includes at least one internal tether extending between the front and rear panels. The internal tether is attached to the front panel at a front panel attachment location offset from a rear panel attachment location. The knee airbag further includes an external tether attached at one end to the front panel, and at a second end at the knee airbag housing. |
| US08096571B1 |
Tractor hitch assembly and trailer with hydraulic pump
A tractor hitch assembly comprises a drawbar with a hydraulic pump mounted to a pump mount extending below the drawbar and drawbar couplers formed thereon. A trailer tongue coupler is pivotally connected to the drawbar for pivoting about a roll axis and a yaw axis. The tongue of a trailer is removably securable to the trailer tongue coupler in a plurality of selected vertical alignments. The trailer tongue is formed integral with a main beam of the trailer frame extending the length of the trailer. |
| US08096569B2 |
Convertible cycling-stroller apparatus
A convertible cycling-stroller apparatus is provided. The convertible cycling-stroller apparatus includes a two-part frame; at least one wheel each rotably mounted on the at least one axle on the first frame; at least one wheel each rotably mounted on the at least one axle on the second frame; a riding seat; a drive mechanism; at least one handlebar post attached to the first frame; and a carrier attachable to the first frame. |
| US08096568B2 |
Hydropneumatic axle suspension for vehicles
The hydropneumatic axle suspension for vehicles, especially the front axle thereof, cooperates with at least one suspension cylinder (10) connected to a hydraulic accumulator (26; 24) on both its ring side (14) and the piston side (12). The hydraulic accumulator (26; 24) is triggerable by control electronics (18) with the aid of a valve unit (30; 28) that can be allocated to the hydraulic accumulator (26; 24). The ring side (14) of the suspension cylinder (10) is connected to a pressure value sensor (DA-R) which transmits its measured pressure values to the control electronics (18). The pressure value sensor (DA-R) located on the ring side is connected to the discharge end (38) of the valve unit (30), which can be associated with the ring side (14) of the suspension cylinder (10). |
| US08096567B2 |
Independent suspension with adjustable sub-frame
A carrier housing for receiving a drive shaft that is drivingly coupled to a drive axle is provided, where the carrier housing is also connected to a sub-frame. To provide an adjustable relationship between the carrier housing and the sub-frame, the carrier housing further comprises a cover gear that may be removably coupled to a ring gear, which is attached to the sub-frame. By removing either the cover gear or the ring gear, the carrier housing may be repositioned with respect to the sub-frame. |
| US08096564B2 |
Shopping cart, frame, basket and production methods
The present invention includes a shopping cart frame with mounting bracket units connecting caster wheels and having a plate secured underneath the base with a caster pin receiving hole and spaced-apart flanges flanking the hole and abutting on the base; a shopping cart with a support bar between side uprights for forwardly propping up a primary basket and rearwardly hanging a secondary basket; a cart with a plastic basket having rear structural tubes sheathing the frame's side uprights and being secured thereto; a modular method of making different cart models by providing multiple sets of components with cooperating mounting surfaces for interconnection; a modular plastic basket with a hooked-on suspended tray and a channel-shaped overlay detachably snapped over the edge and tray; a one-piece molded plastic basket with independent branching tubular sections with different thicknesses; and an independent gas-assisted injection method for molding a one-piece plastic basket. |
| US08096563B2 |
Recreation device for sliding downhill on a surface
A recreation device, used for sliding downhill on a surface, on which the rider is suspended above the surface, either in a generally horizontal position—face up or face down—or in a reclined position, thereby providing the rider with a unique experience or sensation. The winter recreation device comprises a slide member having a top and a low friction bottom adapted for sliding on the surface, a support connected to the top of the slide member and extending upward away from the slide member, and a harness suspended from the support, wherein the support and harness are adapted to suspend a user of the apparatus above the surface. |
| US08096561B2 |
Flange gasket
Ring-shaped flange gasket produced from a rubbery-elastic material, said flange gasket comprising two rings (2, 3), each having a ring-shaped reinforcing insert (9, 10), said rings being formed in a wedge-shaped manner transversely relative to the ring axis (4) and, at sides (5, 6) that face each other, adjoining one another at right angles to the ring axis (4) by means of planar surfaces and there being in engagement with one another so as to be rotatable, wherein along at least one circumferential section, the ring-shaped reinforcing insert (9, 10) has a wave profile (11) with an increasing wave height in a region of increasing wedge height. |
| US08096560B2 |
Metal-to-metal seal for smooth bore
A high pressure seal assembly configured for sealing contact with an opposing surface. The seal assembly comprises an annular seal body with a sealing surface on one side of the seal body. An end of the sealing surface includes a sealing face for sealing contact with the opposing surface. The sealing surface also includes at least one support point that contacts the opposing surface when the seal is placed in sealing contact. Strategically positioning the support point on the sealing surface selectively adjusts the sealing contact stress between the sealing face and the opposing surface. |
| US08096559B2 |
Rotary seals
Seal assemblies are herein discussed. The seal assemblies can have a stiff backing ring supporting a seal ring, which is positioned adjacent an inner seal ring. In preferred embodiments, the inner seal ring is made from a material that enables the inner seal ring to absorb media particles in situ to change its particle density. This allows the seal assembly to form wearable surfaces on the fly to decrease wear on the seal ring. |
| US08096557B2 |
Ball game apparatus and method thereof
A ball game apparatus includes a ball target, one or more balls, and a rear unit. The ball target includes an upper target, a bottom net, and a target stand. The upper target is mounted at an upper portion of the target stand. The bottom net is mounted between the target stand and the upper target at a position that the bottom net is below the upper target. The upper target has a plurality of ball scoring holes and an electronic scoring board, wherein an electronic scoring circuit is provided within the upper target. Each ball is made by elastic and flexible material and is filled with iron sands. The rear net unit, which is positioned behind the ball target, includes a net and a rear net stand, wherein the net is supported by the rear net stand to extend to an opened configuration of the rear net unit. |
| US08096556B2 |
Method for playing a wagering game
A method of playing a card wagering game. Each player places an ante. A first number of cards is dealt face down to each player and a dealer to form a player hand and a dealer hand. Players view their cards and decide whether to continue play or surrender. Players that surrender shall fold and forfeit their ante wager. Remaining players place a call wager to continue play. A second number of cards is dealt face down to each remaining player and the dealer so that each player and the dealer now have a hand of the first and second number of cards. If any player does not have at least a four card straight, a four card flush or a four card straight-flush that player loses his ante wager. Each player that has at least a four card straight, a four card flush or a four card straight-flush now plays against the dealer's hand. A player is paid on the player's ante and call wagers in accordance with a pay-table when the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand. |
| US08096554B1 |
Wheel indicator and ticket dispenser apparatus
A game system including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. In an exemplary embodiment, the progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive an award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel. |
| US08096547B1 |
Sheet stopping structure
A sheet stopping structure includes a sheet pick-up arm, a sheet guide casing and a sheet stopper. A receiving recess is formed in the sheet guide casing. Two sliding slots are respectively formed in two sidewalls of the receiving recess. The sheet stopper is installed in the receiving recess, and movable along the two sliding slots. When the sheet pick-up arm is in a standby position, the sheet stopper is maintained in an upright status and protruded outside the surface of the sheet guide casing. When the sheet pick-up arm is lowered to a sheet pick-up position, the sheet stopper is rotated and then stopped down within the receiving recess. |
| US08096543B2 |
Post-processing apparatus and image forming system
A post-processing apparatus including: a first conveyance section which superposes a plurality of paper sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus, and conveys with superposed state; a second conveyance section which conveys the paper sheets, sheet by sheet; a switching section which switches to convey the paper sheets either to the first or to the second conveyance section; a punch processing section which temporally stops the paper sheets from the first or the second conveyance section, and forms punch holes on the paper sheets; and a control section, wherein if determined, based on the basis weight or thickness information of the paper sheet, that the punch processing is not executable on the paper sheets with the superposed state, the control section controls to convey the paper sheets into the second conveyance section, and to execute the punch processing sheet by sheet. |
| US08096540B2 |
Tension ring lifting assembly
A tension ring lifting assembly (101) for securing around a pipe, the assembly comprising a tension ring (112) and at least one lifting lug (130) by which the tension ring, and a pipe around which the tension ring has been secured, can be lifted. The tension ring comprises: a plurality of collar segments (114, 116) which can be assembled into a ring around the pipe; a plurality of slip segments (140) adapted to fit between the collar segments and the pipe and to make direct contact with the pipe surface, the collar segments and the slip segments when assembled having inclined contacting surfaces such that an inner diameter across said assembled ring, between the inner faces of the collar segments, varies as the segments move up and down in the collar; means for tensioning (152, 154, 156) adjacent collar segments (114, 116) against one another to secure said ring around the pipe; and means for removeably mounting (7, 9) said at least one lifting lug (130) to the tension ring (140). Prior to mounting of the lifting lug, the tension ring has an outer diameter that is less than the diameter of the tension ring lifting assembly after mounting of the lifting lug to the tension ring. This enables the tension ring to be fitted with a relatively small outer diameter so that the tension ring can pass through an opening before the lifting lugs are fitted. |
| US08096534B2 |
Water distribution tray
A water distribution tray having an improvement including a first downwardly inclined surface therein commencing at a base of a water impingement pedestal within a first of a plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding first of a plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the first downwardly inclined surface has a first declension angle associated therewith, and a second downwardly inclined surface commencing at the base within a second of the plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding second of the plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the second downwardly inclined surface has a second declension angle associated therewith different from the first declension angle. A method of manufacturing is also provided. |
| US08096533B2 |
Packing arranged for an exchange of heat and/or material
A stacked packing column for heat and/or mass transfer has individual horizontal layers including a lower layer that has a greater density that initiates an accumulation, in particular flooding, and that is 1.5 to 10, preferably 2 to 3 times, greater than the density of an overlying upper layer. The upper layer forms oblique flow channels having lower sections that are more vertically aligned than respective upper sections. The lower sections of the flow channels have a larger cross section than the upper sections, and the sections of larger cross section open into the lower layer. |
| US08096530B2 |
Flexible impeller pumps for mixing individual components
A flexible impeller pump includes first and second component housings. The first component housing includes a first flexible impeller and the second component housing includes a second flexible impeller. As these impellers rotate within their respective housings, they draw in and expel individual components into a common receiving chamber. In a particular application, one component is a foamable liquid, and the other component is air, and a mixture of foamable liquid and air is thus created in the common receiving chamber. |
| US08096526B2 |
Rotary actuator lever apparatus having an annular recess
Rotary actuator lever apparatus having an annular recess are described. An example rotary actuator lever includes a cylindrical body that has a first opening and a second opening axially aligned with the first opening, and sized larger than the first opening. The lever arm extends a predetermined distance from the body and has a first arm member spaced from a second arm member. Each of the first and second arm members includes an aperture to receive a fastener to operatively couple the lever to a stem of an actuator. The body includes an annular recess adjacent the first arm member of the lever arm to enable the first arm member to flex relative to the second arm member when the lever couples to the actuator stem. |
| US08096522B2 |
Pressure regulator for gaseous media
A pressure regulator can be used particularly in a CNG-operated motor vehicle as an electronically controlled pressure reducer for maintaining the gas pressure constant on the injection valve used for filling the respective cylinder. The pressure regulator is composed of a control unit (1), a pressure reducer (3) that is controlled by the control unit (1), and a throttle (2) which connects the gas outlets (20, 40) of the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and the pressure reducer (3). A piezoelectric actuator (11) which affects the valve (21, 22) of an overflow device (14) makes it possible to specifically modify the gas pressure (P2) in the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and simultaneously influence the position of the valve (38, 39) of the overflow device (33) of the pressure reducer (3), thus allowing the output pressure (Pout) of the pressure reducer (3) to be adjusted to a predefined desired value. |
| US08096520B2 |
Connector system
An array of U-shaped flanged brackets and flange tipped posts attached to a supporting surface providing a mechanical connection with an object that is provided with corresponding posts and brackets. The brackets and posts can include electrical contacts or fiber optic contacts for transferring power or signals between connected objects. Various objects can be mounted on the array of brackets and posts to provide positioning flexibility. |
| US08096516B2 |
Tool storage device
A tool storage device is adapted for retaining a hand tool thereon, and includes a seat engaging component and a storage unit. The seat engaging component includes a web wall, and top and bottom walls cooperating with the web wall to define a receiving space. Each of the top and bottom walls has a distal edge. The distal edges cooperatively define an opening in spatial communication with the receiving space. The storage unit includes a slidable seat that has a connecting portion extending into the receiving space through the opening, a positioning plate connected to an outer end of the connecting portion and mounted with a positioning seat, and upper and lower engaging components disposed in the receiving space, each extending from an inner end of the connecting portion and abutting resiliently against the web wall of the seat engaging component. |
| US08096515B2 |
Hanging apparatus for fixing a medical device to a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical support structure
A hanging apparatus is provided that facilitates the attachment of a medical instrument to a support structure. The mechanism includes a generally longitudinal, telescoping assembly that extends outward from the back of the medical instrument and positions a rotatable arm to serve as one face of a clamp, opposing the back of the medical instrument as the second face of the clamp. The mechanism assembly includes a cylindrical shaft that extends outward against the tension force of a spring from a housing component of the assembly. A cam mechanism within the hanging apparatus allows for locking and tightening of the clamp against the support structure after closure of the clamp under the influence of the tensioning spring. |
| US08096512B2 |
Payload modules
A plurality of sufficient closely-packed functional units which are interconnected to form a non-planar payload module assembly 40. Advantageously, the payload modular structure 40 is compact with few piece parts, has low output losses, and is robust enough for supporting complete payloads with or without reflectors. The payload modular structure has utility in various space-based applications as well as in various terrestrial applications. |
| US08096510B2 |
Traction kite with deformable leading edge
A leading edge inflatable traction kite wherein the leading edge structure includes a plurality of spaced segments that are fabricated from a material with a higher elasticity, thus allowing for a greater amount of twisting and bending. The inflatable leading edge includes a series of elastically deformable segments disposed throughout the length thereof to facilitate selective torsional deformation of the leading edge and resulting overall angle of attack of the kite. These elastically deformable segments are preferably integrally formed as part of the leading edge support and are comprised of a material with a high elasticity, namely a higher elasticity than the remaining leading edge segments. Providing elastically deformable segments of high elasticity dispersed along the leading edge combined with regions of lower elasticity maximizes responsiveness and control by allowing leading edge deformation in response to user applied force, while the providing sufficient support to maintain kite stability. |
| US08096508B2 |
Erosion resistant films for use on heated aerodynamic surfaces
The present disclosure provides a tape comprising: a) a single layer comprising a crosslinked polymer, selected from the group consisting of crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, and crosslinked mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer, and b) an adhesive layer. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an erosion resistant construction comprising, first, an element of an aircraft comprising: an aircraft skin segment having an external surface, and a deicing mechanism associated with said aircraft skin segment capable of heating said external surface to temperatures in excess of 65° C.; and, second, a tape comprising: at least one layer comprising a crosslinked elastomeric polymer, which may be a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, and crosslinked mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer, and an adhesive layer; wherein the tape is bonded to the external surface of the aircraft skin segment by the adhesive layer. In another embodiment, the tape comprises at least one layer comprising a semi-interpenetrating polymer network of a crosslinked acrylate and an uncrosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurea, and mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer. |
| US08096507B2 |
Methods and apparatus for optical propagation improvement system
An aircraft turret and fairing assembly for facilitating transmission of a directed energy beam from a directed energy device includes a turret section for directing an energy beam. The assembly also includes a fairing section aft of and adjacent to the turret section. Each of the turret section and the aft fairing section are coupled to an aircraft. The assembly also includes at least one sensor for detecting air speed of the aircraft and air pressure. The turret section and the aft fairing section are configured and positioned relative to one another to direct airflow for generating an aeroacoustic resonance within a desired frequency range in an area aft of the turret section. |
| US08096505B2 |
Deceleration device for a cockpit door for decelerating in case of decompression
A deceleration device for a movable component in an aircraft, the device having a deformation component, wherein the deformation component includes a deformation tool, a deformation body with a deformable region, and a guide device. The deformation tool and the deformation body can be made to engage each other in such a manner by means of the guide device that in the case of movement of the deformation body and of the deformation tool relative to each other the deformable region of the deformation body can be deformed by the deformation tool. |
| US08096499B2 |
Device for feeding combustion air to an engine of an aircraft
A device for feeding combustion air to an engine disposed in an interior of an aircraft is comprised of a primary air inlet duct extending between an exterior surface of the aircraft and the engine, wherein the air inlet duct extends from air inlets disposed in a first region of the exterior surface; at least two further air inlet ducts extending between a second and third region of the exterior surface and the engine, so as to provide a three-way combustion air supply; and a control device configured to switch the air supply to the engine from either or both of the at least two further air inlets duct when a blockage occurs in the primary air inlet. |
| US08096498B2 |
Rotating auxiliary power unit air inlet door
An inlet door assembly includes an inlet door rotatable about an axis of rotation. |
| US08096496B2 |
Helicopter drip pan
A drip pan apparatus for a “M” model BLACK HAWK® helicopter and the like includes an expanded corner structure for accommodating an access port also positioned further outwardly in the corner than in prior drip pan apparatuses, facilitating filter viewing while retaining peripheral o-ring seal. An expanded corner of the airframe skirt is accommodated by the expanded corresponding corner of a frame, which also defines a small radius internal curve. The removable pan has a small radius curve cooperating with the small radius curve of the frame and is sealed thereto by the peripheral o-ring seal sealing the entire pan to the frame. Physical access to the filter is enhanced. |
| US08096494B2 |
Method and device to prepare tubular winding cores
The device to position tubular winding cores on a common supporting and rotating shaft comprises: supporting members for said shafts AS and gripping and handling members 23A, 23B of the winding cores A parallel to the axis of said shaft AS. |
| US08096493B2 |
Bail release mechanism for spinning reels
A bail assembly for a spinning-type fishing reel is disclosed that includes a first bail arm, a second bail arm, a bail wire disposed between the first bail arm and the second bail arm, and a readily releasable attachment device disposed on the first bail arm to readily releasably attach the first bail arm to the reel. |
| US08096490B2 |
Fuel injection valve and fuel injection system for internal combustion engine with the same
A fuel injection valve comprises a valve seat, a movable valve element which is seated on or separated from the valve seat, and a nozzle member having a plurality of nozzle holes. At least one of the valve element and valve seat has a curved surface at a contact position where they contact with each other when the valve element is seated on the valve seat. Two or more of the nozzle holes are provided outside an intersection line of a virtual extension surface along a tangential line to the curved surface at the contact position and a surface of the nozzle member. |
| US08096488B2 |
Showerhead and valve assembly for receiving a rinsing system
An improved showerhead provides a fluid diverter valve that allows quick connection and disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve includes a valve housing having a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A valve runner moves between a first position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the second outlet. The valve runner is moved from the first position to the second position substantially by gravity. |
| US08096485B2 |
Method of preheating injectors of internal combustion engines
In a method and device for preheating an internal combustion engine injector (1) including at least one valve (3) to be activated by an electromagnet (21), in which the coil of the electromagnet (21) is energized before the engine is started, the coil of the electromagnet (21) is periodically powered with a preheating voltage (42), and the current characteristic (33) within the coil is monitored and subjected to an evaluation to detect local current minima (43) and/or maxima (44) caused by armature reactions. |
| US08096484B2 |
Method for the production of dry free-flowing hydrophobin preparations
Method for the production of dry, free-flowing, stable hydrophobin preparations by spraying and drying aqueous hydrophobin solutions, if appropriate comprising additives in a spray device. |
| US08096480B2 |
System and method for encoding and decoding large capacity 2-dimensional color bar code which can be color-corrected
Disclosed herein are a bar code encoding system and a bar code decoding system. The bar code encoding system includes a method for compressing the original data and adding data for error detection and correction to the compressed data to generate a large capacity 2-dimensional color bar code so as to be used as prints in an off-line environment and a large capacity 2-dimensional bar code pattern. The decoding system includes a method for receiving the prints including the 2-dimensional bar code generated by the encoding system through an input device such as a scanner and a camera, searching the 2-dimensional bar code to recognize it, performing color correction and error detection and correction, decompressing the compressed data to decode the original data. |
| US08096477B2 |
Semantic note taking system
A semantic note taking system and method for collecting information, enriching the information, and binding the information to services is provided. User-created notes are enriched with labels, context traits, and relevant data to minimize friction in the note-taking process. In other words, the present invention is directed to collecting unscripted data, adding more meaning and use out of the data, and binding the data to services. Mutable and late-binding to services is also provided to allow private thoughts to be published to a myriad of different applications and services in a manner compatible with how thoughts are processed in the brain. User interfaces and semantic skins are also provided to derive meaning out of notes without requiring a great deal of user input. Linking physical objects to notes are also provided, such as through QR codes. |
| US08096471B2 |
Ballot marking device having attached ballot box
The present invention is generally directed to a ballot marking device adapted to mark a ballot and either return the marked ballot to the voter or automatically deposit the marked ballot into a secure ballot box attached to the marking device. The device includes a presentation device operable to present to the voter a plurality of election choices and ballot handling choices, and an input device operable to receive from the voter at least one selection corresponding to the election choices and at least one instruction corresponding to the ballot handling choices. The device also includes a marking mechanism operable to record the received voter selection on the ballot, a transport mechanism operable to transport the ballot through the device, and a diverter operable to direct the ballot from the transport mechanism into the attached ballot box. An associated method is also disclosed. |
| US08096470B2 |
Upboard customer relationship management system
A system for tracking sales activity and enhancing customer relationships comprising at least one processor, data storage connected to the processor, at least one input device connected to the data storage and processor, a clock means for generating a time record, and computer instructions for: receiving and tracking sales commitments and individual sales data by sales account code and time, tracking the steps of the sales process, tracking total and average time spent with each customer, providing a logical comparison between sales data and steps of the sales process using a discrete event modeling and simulation method to monitor and forecast sales, providing an alarm to at least one client device when sales data reflects sales occurring below sale commitments, and providing customer data relating to an event that brought the customer, items viewed, amount of sales per customer, the customer's address, and reasons for inconclusive sale. |
| US08096467B2 |
Transaction product with hinged puzzle segments
A transaction product includes a plurality of puzzle segments, four skin components, and a machine-readable account identifier. The four skin components each couple and form a hinge between at least two of the plurality of puzzle segments such that the transaction product is configured to be successively folded about the plurality of hinges to undergo a closed chain of transformations from an initial configuration to a plurality of intermediate configurations and back to the initial configuration. The four skin components are each positioned on an external surface of the transaction product when the transaction product is in the initial configuration. The machine-readable account identifier is coupled to at least one of the puzzle segments and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. |
| US08096456B2 |
Fastener driving tool with retractable nose assembly
A fastener driving tool arranged to drive fasteners into a workpiece includes a support, a pair of sub-assemblies movably mounted on the support, each sub-assembly comprising a motor and an associated flywheel, and a nose part retractable relative to the support. The tool is arranged such that, in use, when the nose part is retracted, its movement relative to the support mechanically forces the sub-assemblies toward each other. The forcing of the sub-assemblies toward each other by the retraction of the nose part may move the sub-assemblies from an inoperative position to an operative position. |
| US08096454B2 |
System and method for vehicle article carrier having stowable cross bars
A vehicle article carrier system adapted to be secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of support rails secured to the outer body surface and at least one cross bar. The cross bar has end supports that are able to pivot. The end supports may be secured to the support rails to place the cross bars in an operative position extending generally perpendicularly between the support rails, and elevationally above the support rails. The end supports also enable the cross bar to be placed in a stowed position along the slats where each of the end supports lay generally co-linear with a central portion its respective cross bar. |
| US08096453B2 |
Gun holster
A security holster for use with a handgun. A locking device secures and engages various safety features of the handgun, and retains it in the holster until released by the user. The security holster provides for one handed insertion and withdrawal of a handgun, and prevents unauthorized removal of the handgun. An audible indication of insertion and locking is provided by the locking mechanism security holster. |
| US08096452B1 |
Clothing wrinkle removal apparatus and method
A clothing wrinkle removal apparatus includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The housing includes a cover that is removably coupled to the perimeter wall to cover an access opening into the housing defined by an upper edge of the perimeter wall. The housing has an air passage opening therein. An item of clothing is positioned within the housing with a quantity of water and placed in a microwave oven with the cover on the housing. The microwave is turned on to heat the water and the item of clothing to remove wrinkles from the item of clothing. |
| US08096451B2 |
Apparatus for volumetric batching of granular or powder products in a container
The apparatus is constituted by at least an operating unit comprising: a chute, inferiorly associated to a hopper for containing granular or powder product, the chute being extended downwards to convey the product towards an underlying container; a rotary obturator having a horizontal axis X, for transversally occluding the chute and being laterally provided with an opening destined to place the chute in communication with a batching chamber, realized internally of the body of the obturator and delimited, on an opposite side to the opening, by a gas-permeable wall; a conduit connected at an end thereof to the batching chamber, via the wall, and at another end thereof to aspirating and blowing means; motorized organs for commanding rotations of the obturator, with which the opening is alternatingly oriented upwards, during the loading stage, in order to enable the granular or powder products, falling from the hopper and introduced into the upper part of the chute to enter the batching chamber, which is depressed thanks to the action of the aspirating means, and in a downwards direction, during the subsequent delivery stage, to enable the batched volume of granular or powder product, projected by a jet of pressurized gas generated by the blowing means, to exit the batching chamber and enter the lower part of the chute to descend towards the container. |
| US08096449B2 |
Dispensing appliance for a multiple cartridge
The dispensing appliance for a multiple cartridge or syringe comprising a housing configured to receive the cartridge that has an internal thread and a rotatable portion that has a complementary thread, the internal thread and the rotatable portion cooperating in such a manner that by mutual rotation thereof, the rotatable portion is continuously displaceable relative to the housing in the dispensing direction. The housing is configured to receive the cartridge that has two adjacent storage containers, and a thrust force of the rotatable portion is transmitted to a multiple ram without any pressure relief. This arrangement allows dispensing even highly viscous materials from cartridges with little manual force under high pressure and in a precisely metered manner. |
| US08096448B2 |
Oval cross-section tube, method for the production and device for the use thereof
An elastic substantially tubular package for a semi-liquid or pasty extractable by a finger pressure product comprises a skirt, a head and optionally a cap. The skirt is formed from a wound foil and is provided with a longitudinal weld seam formed by the overlapping of the edges thereof, and the head is fixed to the circumference of the skirt end and forms an oval cross-section at the level of the skirt fixing area. The end of the longitudinal weld seam contacting the head is located in or near an area where the radius of curvature of the oval cross-section is minimal. |
| US08096443B2 |
Variable height adjustable storage capacity container
An adjustable storage container is formed with a removable lid that fits telescopically over the bottom section. The container's storage capacity is adjustable based upon the ability to increase and/or decrease the container's capacity by changing the orientation of the lid placement telescopically over the container bottom. Key slot ledges of differing depths that are designed into the side walls of the container's bottom section enable the lid to perch at different heights above the floor of the container depending upon which orientation of the lid is used when placing the lid telescopically over the container bottom. The abstract is not intended to be limiting in regard to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims to follow. |
| US08096439B2 |
Underground battery container system
A rechargeable battery, such as a 12 Volt battery that is recharged by a solar panel, is placed into a container system that includes an enclosure, having a top portion that is open and a bottom portion that is open, that is substantially buried underground. A sleeve, having a bottom portion that is open and a top portion that is closed, is lowered into the enclosure such that air is trapped inside the top portion of the sleeve when water collects against the enclosure. The trapped air prevents flood water from rising high enough to contact terminals of the battery. When flood conditions subside, the water drains out the bottom portion of the container system into the ground. Additionally, a ridge around the bottom of the sleeve makes it easier to insert the sleeve into the enclosure because the ridge slides over the dirt and debris, but the ridge scrapes and removes unwanted dirt and debris from the enclosure whenever the sleeve is removed to access the battery. A battery platform may be used to raise a battery higher into the sleeve. The entire container system can be completely buried underground, but access to a battery in the container only requires that the dirt covering the top most part of container be removed, and then the sleeve is simply lifted out of the enclosure without having to dig around the enclosure. |
| US08096438B2 |
Fuel tank cap for a fuel tank
A fuel tank cap for a fuel tank of an engine. The fuel tank cap includes a fuel cap cover, a housing having a side wall, a bottom wall, and a receptacle, a fuel vapor adsorption material positioned within the receptacle, an inlet disposed near the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with a fuel tank vapor space, an outlet disposed near the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with the atmosphere, an internal wall adjacent the bottom wall and disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and at least one aperture configured to permit fuel vapor to flow in a vapor flow path from one side of the internal wall to the other side of the internal wall. |
| US08096437B1 |
Disposable, absorbent, steam-permeable, segmented cooking utensil cover
A disposable, segmented, sorbent, steam-permeable, cooking utensil cover for selectively covering foodstuffs in a stovetop cooking utensil, having upstanding sidewalls which terminate at a rim. The cover has sufficient wet-strength to render it rigid. The edge of the cover contacts the rim of the cooking utensil to cover contained foodstuffs and support the rigid cover. The cover is made of steam-permeable, sorbent, fire-retardant material to allow cooking steam to escape, while grease spatter and cooking juices are absorbed; and, to prevent combustion of the cover due to its proximity to the stove heating element. The cover contains a plurality of radial slits to form liftable segments hinged at the cover center to allow independent elevation of a selected segment. A flip-up handle for removing the cover and adhesive lift tabs to facilitate lifting and securing the segments are provided. Once utilized, the entire cover assembly is discarded. |
| US08096432B2 |
Elastomeric draft gear having a housing
A draft gear assembly for cushioning both buff and draft dynamic impact forces being applied to a center sill member of a railway vehicle includes a housing member closed at one end and open at an opposed end, the housing member having a rear portion adjacent the closed end and a front portion adjacent the open end. At least one compressible elastomeric spring is positioned within the rear portion and has a rear end thereof abutting at least a portion of an inner surface of the closed end. A friction clutch mechanism is also provided in abutting engagement with each of the front end of the compressible elastomeric spring and the coupler shank. The housing member may be provided with a pair of ledge portions disposed intermediate its ends and attachment members disposed on the open end for attaching the housing member directly to the coupler shank. |
| US08096428B2 |
Counter display for articles such as perfumes and cosmetic products
The inventive counter display for articles such as perfumes and cosmetic products comprises a connecting element (3) extending between a lower end (3b) fixed to a displaying element (2) and a top end (3a) pivotally mounted with respect to a ceiling (8). A mirror (6) is also arranged on the connecting element. |
| US08096424B2 |
Method for fabrication of elastomeric asymmetric membranes from hydrophobic polymers
Using the methods of the invention, an elastomeric polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent, cast in one of the membrane casting techniques using a phase inversion technique, and immersed in a coagulation bath comprised of suitable solvent/non-solvent pairs (e.g., THF/water and ethanol). Asymmetric membranes having a dense discriminating layer and a thicker porous support layer suitable for application in pervaporation processes were obtained in a single step. An increase of the polymer concentration in the casting solution gives a more dense layer. When cast as formed using the methods of the invention, the membrane obtained is an integrally skinned membrane comprising a thin, dense separation layer over a porous support layer (asymmetric membrane) formed in a single casting operation. The resulting membrane is homogenous with respect to chemical composition. |
| US08096422B2 |
Apparatus and method for preparing platelet rich plasma and concentrates thereof
Disclosed is a separator-concentrator, such as for separating and concentrating platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) from whole blood that is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separation assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. |
| US08096414B2 |
Medical implement dispensing and disposal system
A medical implement dispensing and disposal system. The medical implement dispensing and disposal system comprises a container having an open end with a dispensing chamber and a disposal chamber defined within the container. A cover is configured to substantially close the open end of the container. The cover defines a disposal opening in communication with the disposal chamber. A dispensing opening is defined in either the container or cover and in communication with the dispensing chamber. A biasing assembly is positioned in the dispensing chamber and configured to provide a biasing force toward the dispensing opening. |
| US08096412B1 |
Key remote control cover
A key remote control cover for covering the remote control portion of a remote control key to prevent inadvertent pressing of remote control buttons while handling the key includes a rigid main body portion having an interior, a closed first end, and an open second end. The main body portion is designed for surrounding the bow of a key. A slot is positioned in the closed first end of the main body portion such that the slot is designed for receiving a blade of the key therethrough while the main body portion surrounds the bow of the key. |
| US08096411B2 |
Dispensing container
The invention provides a dispensing container including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment, wherein the outer casing further includes a depressible button in the top or bottom and at least one projection adjacent to the depressible button that extends into the interior compartment; and an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing. The inner tray includes a first end received within the outer casing, an opposing second end extending outwardly from the outer casing, a flexible locking tab positioned proximal to the first end, and an opening adjacent to the flexible locking tab, the flexible locking tab including a first segment extending toward the second end of the inner tray and a second segment extending transversely from the first segment. The second segment is positioned to engage the projection. |
| US08096409B2 |
Apparatus and method for transporting products, having a linear drive mechanism
The invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting products, which includes a linear drive mechanism, a continuous conveyor system, having two parallel straight conveyor regions and two curved conveyor regions each connecting one end of the straight conveyor regions, and a plurality of conveyor elements. The conveyor elements extend along the continuous conveyor system and convey the products to be conveyed along at least a portion of the conveyor system while being guided along a guide path. The linear drive mechanism includes a first linear segment and a second linear segment, which are disposed parallel to the straight conveyor regions. The curved conveyor regions of the conveyor system are advantageously embodied as driveless. |
| US08096406B1 |
System and method for controlling casting shakeout retention
A method for controlling the retention time of a casting retained in a mold comprises providing a vibratory shakeout conveyor having a conveying surface, placing the mold on the conveyor; and imparting a vibratory force to the conveyor at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface whereby the predetermined angle determines the retention time of said casting in said mold. A plurality of sensors for detecting mold position and media breakdown may also be employed to detect appropriate mold retention time. |
| US08096405B2 |
Sheet feed assembly
A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller and an idler roller. The drive roller is mounted between two bearings and for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller is shorter than the drive roller and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations and at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller. |
| US08096400B2 |
Security gate mechanism for a currency handling device
A security gate mechanism for a currency handling apparatus having a currency passageway includes a rotatable gate having a slit therein. The slit is aligned with the currency passageway when the rotatable gate is in an initial position. A drive wheel is coupled to the rotary gate for driving the rotatable gate in first and second directions, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. A positioning member is selectively engageable with the drive wheel for positioning the rotatable gate in the initial position such that the slit in the rotatable gate is substantially aligned with the passageway. The positioning member is arranged to be engageable with the drive wheel when the drive wheel rotates the rotatable gate in the second direction, but it is not engageable with the drive wheel when the drive wheel rotates the rotatable gate in the first direction. |
| US08096399B2 |
Coin lock
Coin lock comprising a lock housing (1) with two coin openings (2, 3) for insertion of coins (A, B) which enable operation of the coin lock, a bolt piece (8) which is connected to a bolt (9) and is arranged in the lock housing and able to move between a forward and a rear position, and a first and a second coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first (31, 31′, 34-, 34′) and a second (32, 32′, 35; 35′) carrier device to carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted through one of the coin openings, and a hook (14, 15) which; in absence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and engaging with the bolt piece, prevents the bolt piece from being moved to the forward position, and which, in the presence of a coin with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, allows the bolt piece to be moved into the forward position. The carrier devices (31, 31′, 32, 32′, 34, 34′, 35, 35′) of the first and second coin sensing devices are arranged at the same side of the bolt piece (8). |
| US08096398B2 |
Efficient movement and storage of funds
A method of efficiently transferring and storing funds in a cash handling device is presented. In some arrangements, funds will be deposited into the cash handling device and transferred directly to an overflow cassette for storage and transport, rather than being transferred to a traditional storage unit, such as a recycle unit. Prior to transferring the funds, a determination may be made as to the level in the recycle unit. If the level is above a predetermined threshold, the level in the overflow cassette will be evaluated to determine if that level is below a predetermined threshold. If so, the funds will be directly transferred from deposit to the overflow cassette thereby minimizing the processing, movement, etc. of the deposited bills to reduce risk of jams, malfunction, service issues, etc. |
| US08096397B2 |
Method and system for handling empty packaging
A method and a system for determining the remuneration for the return of identifiable empty packaging to a receiving point, wherein the empty packaging (7; 8) is identified with respect to at least one selected characteristic thereof, for example, dimension, type of packaging, type of material, recyclability, and deposit value, if any. The remuneration for individual types of empty packaging is related to at least two of a plurality of legal entities (10-15) which, for the return of empty packaging, are remuneration-providing and connectable to a remuneration coordinator (9) in communication with the receiving point in the form of a reverse vending machine (1), and to the remuneration level of the connected legal entities that is applicable at any given time for a particular type or particular types of empty packaging. |
| US08096396B2 |
Dry-running friction lining
The invention relates to a sintered, dry-running friction lining containing no binding agent with a friction lining body comprising a metallic matrix, at least one abrasive material and at least one filler. The friction lining body has a porosity which is greater than 10%. The proportion of the at least one abrasive material in the friction lining body is at most 5% by weight. |
| US08096393B2 |
Breakdown preventive device of rotary damper
In the breakdown preventive mechanism of a rotary damper, when the upper rotor is rotated in one direction, a communication path is formed between the valve body and the lower rotor, and the pressure in the pressure chamber is formed between the lower rotor and the lower housing is lowered, and rotation is easily performed. When the upper rotor is rotated in another direction, the viscous fluid does not flow between the valve body and the lower rotor, and the pressure in the pressure chamber formed between the lower rotor and the lower housing is raised. As a result, the viscous fluid pushes down the relief valve and a cage type relief valve by resisting the elastic element, and thereby prevents breakdown of the rotary damper. |
| US08096392B2 |
Light weight bicycle brake assembly
A light weight brake assembly for bicycles is disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to enhance assembly adjustability, for example to accommodate geometric variations that occur with various bicycle frame and wheel geometries. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to allow for a brake leverage that can be non-linear and capable of multiplying during brake actuation so that braking force increases more rapidly than brake lever force applied by the user. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to provide a brake sensitivity that is adjustable in use. Some embodiments provide for a quick-release functionality, for example by quickly increasing the gap between the two brake pads so that the wheel can be easily/quickly removed. |
| US08096386B2 |
Actively regulated electromechanical controller for fork lift truck
The invention relates to a method for controlling the load-handling elements of a fork-lift truck, the load-handling elements being used in the method to grip the load to be handled. The load-handling elements are operated using an electrically controlled operating device, which is controlled using an analog control voltage formed using an electromechanical controller. In addition, the analog control voltage coming from the electromechanical controller is regulated actively externally on the basis of measurement data and set criteria, before the analog control voltage formed by the electromechanical controller is conducted to the electrically controlled operating device. The analog control voltage coming from the electromechanical controller is regulated using a feed external to the electromechanical controller, in parallel with the electromechanical controller. The invention also relates to a corresponding operating system and regulating apparatus. |
| US08096380B2 |
Transfer robot
A transfer robot that is safe and produced at low cost is provided. A transfer robot (100) includes a base (7) fixable to a floor surface, a link mechanism provided on the base (7), an arm rotatably attached to the base (7) by the link mechanism, casters attached to a lower surface of the arm and used to move the arm, and a holding section provided on an upper surface of the arm to hold a carriage (13). The link mechanism includes a motor, a first reduction mechanism rotated by the motor, and a second reduction mechanism coupled to the first reduction mechanism and rotating the arm. |
| US08096379B2 |
Force assist arrangement for a slidable coupling
The disclosure includes a force assist arrangement for a slidable coupling, a slidable coupling including the force assist arrangement, and a machine including respectively slidable portions, such as, the slidable coupling, and the force assist arrangement. The force assist arrangement includes at least first and second links pivotably coupled together at one end and to the respectively slidable portions at the other ends, and a force assist device pivotably coupled to the links along their respective lengths. |
| US08096378B2 |
Golf bag vehicle
A golf bag vehicle includes a vehicle body and a driving wheel. The vehicle body includes an axle mounting on a lower portion thereof. The driving wheel includes a wheel frame, a motor and a wheel circle. The wheel frame detachably connects to the axle, and has an inner room. The motor mounts inside the inner room, for electrically connecting with a power supply. The wheel circle receives the wheel frame therein, and is rotatable with respect to the wheel frame. The wheel circle connects with the motor, and is driven by the motor, so that the driving wheel forms a self-driven structure. |
| US08096377B2 |
Generator driving device, hybrid vehicle, and control method for generator driving device
In order to securely prevent, even where a boosting unit is provided, a rush current from arising when a contactor is turned on during a transient state, the voltage of a surge absorbing condenser is controlled so that the voltage difference between the power source capacitor and surge absorbing condenser falls in a predetermined range. The control is performed in the following manner: of the two voltage source inverters of the AC-coupled bi-directional DC-DC converter composing a voltage converter as a boosting unit, only the one that is not connected in parallel with a power source capacitor is activated to perform a chopping operation while the generator is operated with the contactor off. |
| US08096373B2 |
Rotary drill bits and drilling tools having protective structures on longitudinally trailing surfaces
A rotary drill bit or other drilling tool for drilling or reaming through subterranean formation and comprising a body comprising a distal end and gage areas near a proximal end thereof and comprising longitudinally upward extensions of a plurality of blades or legs. A longitudinally trailing, radially inwardly extending surface is associated with at least some gage pads or legs at the longitudinally trailing ends thereof. Protective structures in the form of superabrasive elements comprising a plurality of thermally stable polycrystalline diamonds, or so-called “TSPs” (thermally stable products) are secured to a trailing surface of at least one gage pad. PDC elements may be employed in combination with the TSPs. Non-diamond structures may also be employed, in lieu of or in conjunction with diamond structures, particularly if drilling of ferrous metal casing components is contemplated. |
| US08096370B2 |
Apparatus and method for producing soil elements underground
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing nozzle jet columns underground comprising a bore and nozzle rod arrangement (1) for producing a borehole and a nozzle jet column in the region of the borehole, and a measuring device (14) for measuring the nozzle jet column, in particular the diameter of the nozzle jet column, the measuring device (14) being at least partially integrated into the bore and nozzle rod arrangement (1) so that it is possible to measure the nozzle jet column using the mechanical measuring device (14) without the bore and nozzle rod arrangement (1) having previously been withdrawn from the borehole. |
| US08096365B2 |
Hydraulic control system
A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it. |
| US08096363B2 |
Circulation control valve and associated method
A circulation control valve can include first and second valve devices and at least one opening which provides fluid communication between an interior longitudinal flow passage and an exterior of the valve. Fluid communication can be provided through each of the first and second valve devices in response to application of a respective one of first and second pressure differentials applied across the corresponding valve device via the interior longitudinal flow passage. Fluid communication in any direction through the opening may be permitted in response to application of the first pressure differential to the first valve device. Fluid communication through the opening may be prevented in response to application of the second pressure differential to the second valve device. |
| US08096362B2 |
Phase-controlled well flow control and associated methods
Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system. |
| US08096359B2 |
Method of cementing using polymeric retarder
Set retarders of copolymers of at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one alkoxylated sulfate, phosphate or ketonic salt are capable of delaying the hardening of a cementitious slurry when introduced into a subterranean formation until a downhole temperature greater than or equal to 500° F. is obtained, even in the absence of an intensifier. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably a carboxylic acid, amido carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, amido carboxylic acid ester, hydroxylated alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid or a hydroxylated amido carboxylic acid ester, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid or amide as well as mixtures thereof and the alkoxylated sulfate, phosphate or ketonic salt is of the formula: wherein unit R1 is H or a C1-C4 alkyl; R2 is —(CH2CH2—O—)n or (—CH2CHCH3—O—)n or a mixture thereof; n ranges from about 1 to about 100; X is an anionic radical selected from —SO3, —PO3 or —COO or a water soluble cationic moiety which counterbalances the valence of the anionic radical X. |
| US08096353B2 |
Oilfield nanocomposites
An oilfield apparatus includes an oilfield element made of a composite that includes a matrix material; and a plurality of functionalized graphene sheets dispersed in the matrix material. A method of oilfield operation includes selecting an oilfield apparatus having an oilfield element, wherein at least a portion of the oilfield element is made of a composite comprising a plurality of functionalized graphene sheets dispersed in a matrix material; and using the oilfield apparatus in an oilfield operation, thereby exposing the oilfield element to an oilfield environment. A method for modifying a functionalized graphene sheet includes obtaining the functionalized graphene sheet; and subjecting the functionalized graphene sheet to atom transfer radical polymerization to attach polymers on surfaces of the functionalized graphene sheet. The polymers attached to the surfaces of the functional graphene sheet may comprise co-polymers or magnetic particles. |
| US08096347B2 |
Pivotable heat exchanger mounting
A cooler block for an agricultural tractor comprising a cooler assembly mounted on a radiator and coupled to the radiator by upper and lower linkages. The cooler assembly can be moved between a first position in which the cooler assembly lies parallel to the radiator and a second position in which the cooler assembly is inclined relative to the radiator. The cooler assembly is pivotable about a pivot in the upper linkage that is itself movable relative to the radiator. The lower linkage allows the entire cooler assembly to rise and the pivot of the upper linkage to move away from the radiator as the cooler assembly is pivoted from the first to the second position. A detent is incorporated into one of the two linkages to retain the cooler assembly in the second position. |
| US08096339B2 |
Ultrasonic welding tool with fluid drive
An ultrasonic welding tool with fluid drive, wherein the ultrasonic welding tool (2) is connected by way of a piston rod (3) to a working piston (5) which is guided in a housing (4) of the drive, wherein the working piston (5) sub-divides the drive housing (4) into a primary chamber (6) and a secondary chamber (7), wherein each of the chambers is able to communicate by way of a valve (16) with a fluidized pressure source, wherein at least one sensor (18, 19) is provided for detecting a physical property of the fluid drive which sensor emits an actual signal which is in relationship with the physical property detected and which via a control circuit controls the two valves in such a way that the physical property detected follows a reference value profile. |
| US08096328B2 |
Modular tire inflator
A tire inflation apparatus for inflating a tire mounted on a rim comprises an inflation head mounted to a moveable inflation shaft of a head position cylinder and an assist cylinder mounted to a frame member, with the frame member and assist cylinder positioned above the inflation location. The assist cylinder includes a moveable assist shaft operatively connected to the inflation shaft by a moveable cross member whereby the head position cylinder and assist cylinder cooperatively operate to selectively position the inflation head. The inflation head is positioned in a retracted position by vertical upward extension of the assist shaft and positioned in a tire engaging position by vertical downward retraction of the assist shaft. A fluid passage in the inflation shaft may deliver pressurized gas into a tire inflation cavity of the inflation head for inflating a tire when the inflation head is sealed against the tire. |
| US08096322B2 |
Microfluidic device with variable volume material
The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising a first plate forming the substrate and including at least one perforation and, on either side of said first plate, at several locations, a material for defining passage portions consisting, in at least one of said locations, of an activatable material varying in volume on activation, said material being disposed at said locations in an arrangement that, during a first phase and upon activation of at least one location consisting of said activatable material, transforms it from a first configuration to a second configuration, modifying a three-dimensional network corresponding, in the second configuration and depending on the selected location(s) that are activated in said first phase, to different liquid paths including passage portions in offset planes parallel to the plane of the first plate, at least on either side of said first plate, and between which at least one of said perforations is located. |
| US08096321B2 |
Redundant electrohydraulic valve system
An electrohydraulic valve assembly having an inflow channel, a working channel and an outflow channel, including first and second valves each having a magnetic regulating device for applying a regulated activation force to the respective valve. The valves are arranged in parallel so that either can provide the hydraulic connection between the inflow, working and outflow channels. In the case of error detection, the active valve is deactivated and the until then passive valve is activated and vice-versa. The deactivating of a valve device moves the valve piston to a hydraulic neutral position by means of a second stage. |
| US08096320B2 |
Compact beverage pressure regulator
A pressure regulator includes a body member for regulating pressure of a fluid flowing therein. The body member has one end for receiving the fluid and another end for providing pressure regulated fluid. The pressure regulator has two quick-disconnect devices, each arranged on a respective end of the body member, including a male quick-disconnect device for coupling to a corresponding female quick-disconnect device forming part of a hose or dispenser for providing the fluid or a pump for receiving the pressure regulated fluid; or a female quick-disconnect device for coupling to a corresponding male quick-disconnect device forming part of a hose or dispenser for providing the fluid or a pump for receiving the pressure regulated fluid. |
| US08096319B2 |
Check valve
Check valve includes a housing, a bore, and a movable valve body, which is spring-loaded and rests with a sealing action on a valve seat, where the bore is designed as a stepped bore, where the bore with the smaller diameter has the valve seat, and where the bore with the larger diameter holds the movable valve element. The valve body is designed as a ball, which is guided in the bore by at least two guide ribs, and a retaining element in the terminal area of the bore captures the ball and simultaneously spring-loads it. |
| US08096318B2 |
Valve flap for a plumbing valve
A valve flap for a plumbing valve, includes a body having a first face, a second face, a top and a bottom. A pivotal mounting is provided in the vicinity of the top. A curved lower snake deflecting contact face is provided in the vicinity of the bottom, adapted to facilitate sliding contact with a plumbing snake. This valve flap enables a plumbing snake to be inserted into and withdrawn from the plumbing valve. |
| US08096315B2 |
Double-walled contained shear valve, particularly for fueling environments
A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space. |
| US08096312B2 |
Erectable shelter with three way awning
The erectable shelter includes an awning assembly for a shelter that is removably mounted to two or more adjacent legs of the shelter. The awning assembly is mounted so that it can be moved between a downwardly directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical position, and to an intermediate horizontal position between the downwardly directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical position, allowing the awning to provide shade and to serve as a holder for signage. |
| US08096311B2 |
Self-erecting tent
A self-erecting tent, provided with at least three resilient frame elements (1, 2, 3) formed into endless loops which stretch a tent covering, with the tent in erected position, while at least two of the frame elements (1, 2) cross adjacent an underside of the tent, at least, with the tent in erected position. |
| US08096310B2 |
Umbrella assembly structured for use in high wind conditions
An umbrella frame structured for use in a strong wind conditions such as those conditions frequently encountered on a boat traveling at relatively high speeds. An umbrella frame assembly includes a reinforcing assembly connected thereto in a supportive, operative orientation thereby providing a stable support for an umbrella canopy which can remain open even during travel of the boat. The frame assembly can be modified to support canopies of varying shapes and sizes and the frame assembly can be easily removed, for storage purposes, from a supporting base which may be mounted on or connected to a boat. |
| US08096306B2 |
Molded plastic mascara brush
A molded plastic mascara brush having an elongated flexible core with multiple bristles projecting radially therefrom, and a shape-sustaining wire extending longitudinally through the core. The wire may be bendable, enabling a desired curvature to be imparted to the brush. Additionally or alternatively, with the core and bristles molded integrally and at least some bristles disposed in rows extending lengthwise of the core, bristles may be spaced around the core at unequal angular distances, and/or bristles of at least one row may decrease progressively in length, and/or bristles may be disposed in tandem zones that differ from each other in bristle density, and/or some bristles may be disposed in rows and others of smaller diameter disposed in clusters. |
| US08096304B2 |
Head positioning aid
A head-positioning aid for treating or preventing plagiocephaly and torticollis is formed of a soft, compliant beanie-style cap. A soft and pliable deflector is attached to the beanie cap and extends downward from near the apex to near the lower edge of the cap. The cap is applied on an infant's head in an orientation to place the deflector at any required position about the circumference of the head. The cap and deflector are united by themed indicia designed to bring family acceptance of the cap to promote acceptance and thereby support long term usage, as may be required. |
| US08096301B2 |
Patient interfaces
The present invention relates to a device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient. The device includes a patient interface and connecting member. The connecting member is preferably a L-shaped swivelled connector that is capable of being fixed into one of two positions, a first position where the connector is freely rotatable within the patient interface, and a second position where an interference between the interface and connector prevents the free rotation of the connector within the patient interface. The present invention further relates to a connector that has outlet means, which includes at least one outlet vent and a funnel, which in use directs and passes a substantial portion gases expired from the patient through the outlet vent or vents. |
| US08096299B2 |
Medical tube including an inflatable cuff having a notched collar
A medical device may include a tubular body configured to communicate gas and an inflatable cuff coupled to the tubular body at least by a collar. The tubular body may include an opening. The collar may include a notch positioned relative to the opening in the tubular body such that a passageway extends through at least a portion of the notch and at least a portion of the opening. |
| US08096295B1 |
Solar panel having polycarbonate sheet covering
A solar panel includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold spaced apart from the inlet manifold, and a plurality of pipes having a first end in open fluid communication with the inlet manifold and a second end in open fluid communication with the outlet manifold. A box-shaped cover formed of a polycarbonate material is disposed in ensleeving relation to the plurality of pipes. The box-shaped cover has a length at least slightly less than the distance between the inlet and outlet manifolds so that opposite ends of pipes in the plurality of pipes are exposed to ambient. The cover substantially prevents ventilation of the plurality of pipes and thus allows water temperatures in the panel to rise higher than possible in the absence of such cover. The exposure of the opposite ends of the pipes to ambient prevents water temperatures in the panel from exceeding a predetermined temperature. |
| US08096291B2 |
Supercharged tube of a vehicle air intake structure
A supercharged tube of the vehicle air intake structure includes a body including first and second channels radially provided on two side walls thereof respectively. The first and second channels communicate with each other, with the first and second channels serving to communicate with an air pipe system of a brake booster and an intake manifold individually. The body is axially provided with a third channel communicating with an exterior. The third channel receives a tubular member with two ends, with one end including a first filter and another end including a second filter. The first and second filters include first and second mesh layers formed on outer end surfaces thereof individually. The first and second mesh layers are axially mounted in plural first and second passages individually, with inner diameters of the first and second passages being gradually reduced from outside to inside of the first and second mesh layers. |
| US08096289B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating air compressor supply port from the EGR gas
Separation of an air compression supply port from exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in internal combustion engines. In one aspect, an air intake connector includes an entry port for an EGR gas, and an air intake elbow is connected to the air intake connector, the elbow receiving air. The elbow includes a first passage for routing a first portion of the air to the air intake connector to be mixed with the EGR gas, and a second passage for routing a second portion of the air to the air intake connector and out an exit port to an air compressor. The second passage is attached to the elbow and extends through a bend in the elbow. |
| US08096288B2 |
High efficiency supercharger outlet
A supercharger is provided that includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing may at least partially define a chamber and may include at least one rotor disposed within the chamber. The supercharger includes an inlet port proximate the first end of the housing and an outlet port proximate the second end of the housing. The supercharger further includes a relief chamber in fluid communication with the chamber. In an embodiment, the relief chamber may extend in the axial direction and may have a depth in the axial direction that is equal to at least about 10% of the axial length of the rotor. |
| US08096287B2 |
Fuel cooler
A liquid fuel cooling system includes an intake line, a heat exchanger, an exhaust fine, a fuel pump, and an amount of frozen carbon dioxide. The intake line connects the heat exchanger to a fuel source, and the exhaust line connects the heat exchanger to a fuel destination. The fuel pump moves fuel from the fuel source, through the intake line, through the heat exchanger, through the exhaust line, and to the fuel destination. The frozen carbon dioxide is disposed against at least a portion of the heat exchanger to draw heat away from the fuel. Optionally, a system can include dual heat exchanger connected via a bridge line, with the frozen carbon dioxide being disposed there between. |
| US08096284B2 |
Method for determining a rail pressure setpoint value
In a method for determining a rail pressure setpoint value for a high-pressure rail of an internal combustion engine, the rail pressure setpoint value is modified to a maximum degree using a maximum gradient for changing the rail pressure setpoint value, and the maximum gradient is read from a characteristics map as a function of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. The operating parameters include an engaged gear of a gear-change transmission. |
| US08096283B2 |
Method and system for controlling fuel usage
Methods and systems are provided for improving fluid usage while addressing knock by adjusting the use of spark retard and direct injection of a fluid based on engine operating conditions and the composition of the injected fluid. One or more engine parameters, such as EGR, VCT, boost, throttle position, are coordinated with the direct injection to reduce torque and EGR transients. |
| US08096281B2 |
Diesel engine having a system for variable control of the intake valves and internal exhaust-gas recirculation
A supercharged diesel engine is equipped with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine. The cam that controls each intake valve has an additional lobe for causing an additional opening of the intake valve, during the exhaust stroke, so as to provide an exhaust-gas recirculation directly inside the engine. Said additional lobe is shaped in such a way as to give rise to a profile of the additional lift of the valve as the crank angle varies with a boot conformation, including an initial stretch with a gentler slope extending from a point of zero lift corresponding to the expansion stroke in the engine cylinder. The engine is moreover equipped with a duct for exhaust-gas recirculation of the long-route type, which picks up the gases from a point of the exhaust duct set downstream of the catalytic converter and of the particulate trap. |
| US08096280B2 |
Fuel injection system and fuel injector with improved spray generation
The present invention relates to a fuel injection system for a combustion engine. The system comprises a source of fuel, an injector and a means for delivering pressurized fuel strokes to said injector, said injector being arranged for generating at least two fuel jets with different jet parameters at closely adjacent locations and having directions such that the jets interact with each other along a surface interface therebetween so as to generate a fine spray. The jet breakup time is shortened and the droplet size is substantially reduced. |
| US08096278B2 |
Compensation shaft of an internal combustion engine
A compensation shaft for a multi-cylinder engine comprising at least three bearing pegs (1a, 1b, 2b) and unbalanced masses (3a, 3b, 3c) arranged respectively in a region of each bearing peg (1a, 1b, 2), wherein at least one of the bearing pegs (1a; 1b; 2) as mounting element possesses an enhanced mounting lash “s”, so that this bearing peg participates in the mounting of the compensation shaft only after a pre-defined flexion of the compensation shaft has taken place. |
| US08096277B2 |
Intake manifold for an internal combustion engine provided with metallic reinforcement brackets for fastening the fuel common rail
An intake manifold for an internal combustion engine comprising an engine head in which there are obtained a number of cylinders; the intake manifold comprises a central body, wherein there are obtained an intake chamber which receives the intake air and a number of conduits each of which connects the chamber to a corresponding cylinder of the internal combustion engine; first passage through holes obtained in the central body for fastening the intake manifold to the engine head by means of first fastening screws screwed into the engine head; a common rail which receives the pressurized fuel and is connected to a number of injectors, each of which injects the fuel into a corresponding cylinder; second blank threaded fastening holes obtained in the central body for fastening the common rail to the central body itself by means of the second fastening screws screwed into the central body and, for each second fastening hole, a metallic reinforcement bracket, which presents a first assembly through hole arranged over and coaxially to a corresponding first fastening hole in order to be locked onto the central body by the corresponding first fastening screw and a second assembly through hole arranged over and coaxially to a corresponding second fastening hole in order to be locked onto the central body of the corresponding second fastening screw. |
| US08096276B2 |
Plasma ignition device
A plasma power supply circuit includes a DC/DC converter connected to a DC power supply and outputting a DC voltage, a voltage limit circuit limiting an output voltage from the DC/DC converter to a predetermined value, a PJ capacitor connected to an output end of the DC/DC converter and charged with electric energy used to generate a plasma in a discharge space of the spark plug, and a high-voltage switch connected between the PJ capacitor and the DC/DC converter and controlled to switch ON and OFF so that a charge period of the PJ capacitor is controlled according to running conditions of the internal combustion engine. Hence, the plasma ignition device can prevent damage on an electronic component incorporated therein even at the occurrence of a short and lessen damage on the internal combustion engine caused by an erroneous plasma jet ejection, wearing of the spark plug, and power consumption. |
| US08096273B2 |
Electromagnet mounting and control system for a variable camshaft phaser containing magneto-rheological fluid
A magneto-rheological fluid controlled camshaft phaser is provided having a stator with inwardly directed projections which define working spaces therebetween. The stator is adapted to be connected to the crankshaft via a timing gear and chain. A rotor is located radially inside the stator and is connected to the camshaft. Rotor lugs extend radially outwardly from the rotor into the working spaces, dividing them into first and second chambers on each side of the rotor lugs. A magneto-rheological fluid is located in the chambers, and the chambers on each side of each rotor lug are connected via a clearance space between the radially outer surface of the lugs and the inner surface of the stator located between the projections. The rotor is connected to the camshaft. An electromagnetic assembly is mounted adjacent to the stator and includes at least one electromagnet along with at least one ferrous focusing piece. In one embodiment, a plurality of the electromagnets are axially spaced apart from the working chambers holding the magneto-rheological fluid. In another embodiment the electromagnetic is formed by a coil which is radially spaced apart from the working chambers holding the magneto-rheological fluid. In each case, the magnetic field is passed from the electromagnet(s) and the ferrous focusing piece(s) into the phaser via a small air gap spacing between the electromagnet assembly and the moving camshaft phaser. |
| US08096272B2 |
Variable valve device for engine
A variable valve device, which is capable of automatically canceling a deviation in the relationship between the rotation angle of a control shaft and the lift degree generated because of the disassembling and assembling of an engine, includes a target lift degree calculator that calculates a target lift degree, a motor driver that drives a brushless DC motor that rotates the control shaft until the lift degree reaches the target lift degree, and an automatic deviation canceller that automatically cancels the deviation. More specifically, the magnetic pole pulse pattern of the motor before the engine starts is obtained and it is determined whether the pattern match magnetic pole pulse pattern stored before the engine stops. If they do not match, an idle lift degree is set, the idle lift degree is changed so that the engine speed is within the tolerance range of an idle engine speed, the rotation angle for the idle portion is subtracted from the obtained angle of the control shaft and a reference angle is updated by the difference. |
| US08096268B2 |
Municipal solid waste fuel steam generator with waterwall furnace platens
A steam generator includes a furnace configured and adapted to generate a stream of furnace exit gases from the combustion of municipal solid waste fuel. At least one superheater is disposed within an upper portion of the furnace or backpass. The superheater is configured and adapted to superheat fluids within the superheater by facilitating heat transfer between fluids within the superheater and furnace exit gases outside the superheater. At least one waterwall furnace platen is disposed within the furnace upstream from the superheater, the waterwall furnace platen is configured and adapted to lower furnace exit gas temperature at the superheater by facilitating heat transfer between fluids within the waterwall furnace platen and furnace exit gases outside the waterwall furnace platen. |
| US08096257B2 |
Emergency encapsulated lift system
A buoyancy lift system having an inflatable bladder with a tether stowed inside a canister secured to a vessel. A sealing member is slidably received within canister and secures to the inflatable bladder. Pressurized gas forces the sealing member and bladder outwardly of the canister. A stop prevents the sealing member from escaping the canister such that the sealing member creates a seal between itself and the canister at an outboard end of the canister. Pressurized gas is forced through a channel in the sealing member into the bladder to increase the displacement of a vessel. |
| US08096252B2 |
Ship hull structure and a method of operating the ship
A ship hull structure includes a main hull and a movable rearbody having an engine and a propeller. The movable rearbody is located at a lower side of a stern of the main hull, connected with an aft of the main hull to form an integral unit by a hinge linking device allowing the rearbody to pivot up and down. By a block, a crane or a winch and through a chain or a hanging wire, a pivoting angle of the movable rearbody with respect to the main hull can be adjusted and controlled. A bottom of the hull can be provided with at least one, usually plural, air cushion recess, which is filled with pressurized air to reduce a viscous force between a bottom of the ship and water. |
| US08096249B2 |
Rotary hook drive device and multi-head sewing machine
Rotary hook drive device for a sewing machine includes: a rotary hook rotatably provided on a rotary hook support; a cylindrical grooved cam provided on a drive shaft drivable to rotate in one direction; a cam follower engaged in a cam groove of the cylindrical grooved cam and capable of making reciprocative movement about a support shaft in response to rotation of the cylindrical grooved cam; and a transmission mechanism that transmits the reciprocative movement of the cam follower to the rotary hook to cause the rotary hook to make reciprocative pivoting movement. Such arrangements can prevent deviation in driving timing of the rotary hook and simplify the construction of the rotary hook drive device. |
| US08096246B2 |
Modular folding table
The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable. |
| US08096244B1 |
Modular conference table
A modular table and method of assembly comprises a first table having a first table top and a pair of first support legs at opposite end regions of the first table top and a second table having a second table top and a pair of second support legs. The second support legs are adjustably mounted at the second table top and are adjustable relative to the second table top between a support orientation, in which the second support legs support the second table top in a free-standing manner, and a non-support orientation, in which the second support legs do not substantially support the second table top in a free-standing manner. The second table is configured to be secured to the first table when the tables are adjacent to one another. The second support legs are adjustable to the second orientation when the second table is secured to the first table. |
| US08096240B2 |
Method for handling printing plates
Exposed printing plates are bent in the area of a bending device to form a leading end and a trailing end. Each exposed and bent printing plate is grasped in the area of the bending device at the leading end or at the trailing end of the printing plate by means of a gripping bar and transferred together with the gripping bar to a transporting device. The transporting device transports the printing plate together with the gripping bar toward a printing press, where the printing plate is removed together with the gripping bar from the transporting device in the area of the printing press. While grasped by the gripping bar, the plate is transferred to a form cylinder of a printing mechanism of the printing press. |
| US08096239B2 |
Registering printing sleeve segments
A printing sleeve (10) has a first printing sleeve portion (10A) with a first and a second end. At least one of the ends of the first printing sleeve portion has a plurality of projections (16) and notches (18). A second printing sleeve portion (10B) has a first and second end, and least one of the ends has a plurality of projections and notches. The plurality of projections and notches of the first printing sleeve portion interlocks with the plurality of projections and notches of the second printing sleeve portion. |
| US08096235B2 |
Solar-powered waste compactor, method of powering a waste compactor, and hydraulic unit therefor
A hydraulic power device usable to power a compactor ram of a waste compactor is provided. The hydraulic power device includes a pump assembly having first and second pumps for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly associated with the compactor ram. A battery is provided for storing energy and for providing energy to the pump assembly. A solar panel converts solar energy and charges the battery. A pump control unit simultaneously operates the pumps when an operating pressure of the pump assembly is less than a predetermined threshold and operates only the first pump when the operating pressure of the pump assembly is greater than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08096234B2 |
Apparatus and method for wood mulch bales
The present subject matter provides methods and apparatus for packaging wood mulch. Examples include a wood mulch bale produced using a method comprising compressing wood mulch at a pressure of between 12,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds to form a volume of compressed wood mulch and disposing a band about the compressed volume of wood mulch, wherein the compressed volume of wood mulch is between about 3000 cubic inches and about 5400 cubic inches. Other variations are provided herein. |
| US08096233B2 |
Servo press line operation method and servo press line operation control device
A servo press line operation control device includes a normal press operation control section, a normal transfer operation control section, an upward movement step delay determination section, a downstream-side transfer step delay correction control section, an upstream-side transfer step delay determination section, a slide downward movement step delay correction control section, and the like. The servo press line operation control device performs a normal press operation that adjusts a slide position to a target slide position based on slide motion information, performs a normal transfer operation that adjusts a transfer position to a target transfer position based on transfer motion information, performs a correction that delays a transfer step of a downstream-side servo transfer device as compared with the normal transfer operation when a slide upward movement step is in a delayed state, and performs a correction that delays a slide downward movement step of a servo press as compared with the normal press operation when an upstream-side transfer step is in the delayed state. |
| US08096225B1 |
Armored cab for vehicles
An armored cab having at least an upper wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall. The armored cab and its respective walls include a longitudinal axis extending from the back wall to the front wall. The bottom wall includes at least one concave surface. The at least one concave surface faces downwardly and away from the armored cab, and is disposed in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the armored cab. |
| US08096224B2 |
Composite armor including geometric elements for attenuating shock waves
The present invention's stratified composite material system of armor, as typically embodied, comprises a strike stratum and a backing stratum. The strike stratum includes elastomeric matrix material and inventive ceramic-inclusive elements embedded therein and arranged (e.g., in one or more rows and one or more columns) along a geometric plane corresponding to the front (initial strike) surface of the strike stratum. More rigid than the strike stratum, the backing stratum is constituted by, e.g., metallic (metal or metal alloy) material or fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix material. Some inventive embodiments also comprise a spall-containment stratum fronting the strike stratum. The inventive ceramic-inclusive elements geometrically describe any of various inventive modes, including: first mode, having a flat front face and a textured back face; second mode, having a pyramidal front section and a prismatoidal (especially, prismoidal, e.g., truncated pyramidal or prismatic) body section; hybrid mode, combining features of first and second modes. |
| US08096222B2 |
Asymmetric firearm silencer with coaxial elements
The present invention relates to a silencer for reducing muzzle blast and noise of firearms or similar devices. The present silencer has a hollow cylindrical or other shape casing comprising front and rear end caps and an opening aligned along a longitudinal axis defining a passage for a projectile and propellant gases to emerge from the muzzle opening. A plurality of serially placed baffles of symmetrical or slanted orientation and intervening coaxial spacers are positioned within the casing and define a multitude of chambers among the baffles, spacers, and outer housing. The baffles shear propellant gases away from the projectile path and through openings or ports into additional chambers formed between the spacers and outer housing. The arrangement of baffles and spacers provides flow-impeding paths, dispersion, and controlled expansion of gases and lowers gas temperature to reduce audible noise and observable signature of the muzzle blast. |
| US08096220B2 |
Modular table saw guarding system upper guard barrier
Embodiments are directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw having a top and a vertically adjustable blade, the system comprises a riving knife mechanism, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the blade guard mechanism generally covering the blade and being adjustable to enable a work piece to be moved into cutting position by the blade and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the kickback prevention mechanism being configured to engage a work piece as it is being cut by the blade and apply resistance to prevent the work piece from being expelled in the reverse direction. |
| US08096219B2 |
Apparatus for conveying a workpiece to make a straight-line cut
This invention is a work carriage used with a cutting tool's table surface to make straight-line cuts. The device responds to the need for cutting a wide range of angles and positions on workpieces of different sizes and shapes more accurately, consistently, and safely. The invention consists of a main support which rides on a slide attached to the table surface's guide slot using a wedging action to fill the width of the guide slot. Clamps hold the workpiece to the main support along a t-shaped channel. Once set up, the main support moves precisely along the slide parallel to the guide slot and cutting plane. The main support also has threaded holes to attach workpiece stops and a fence, as needed, for making consistent cuts. A secondary support is used to provide the necessary support with a larger workpiece that has a center of mass beyond the main support. |
| US08096218B2 |
Device for mincing food
A device for cutting food includes a slide operable to receive a food product that is slid across the slide so as to perform a cutting procedure. A cutting blade including a cutting edge is included. A switch is included operable to switch the device from a neutral position in which the cutting edge is at least one of covered and recessed, to a cutting position in which the cutting edge is neither covered nor recessed. |
| US08096214B2 |
Ratcheting head with internal self-locking adapter related applications
A ratcheting assembly for a tool comprising a housing, a gear supported by a hollow shaft located in the housing and a pawl to engage the gear. A ring in contact with the housing allows adjustment of the ratcheting assembly. The assembly can the releasably lock the tool within the ratcheting assembly by way of a locking mechanism located within the shaft. The assembly further has a compressible collar that will be used to release the tool from the ratcheting assembly. |
| US08096212B2 |
Two-section tool joint
A two-section tool joint comprises a first rod, an engaging element, a second rod and a limiting element. The two-section tool joint utilizes an elastic engaging structure to obtain an engaging effect during a multi-angle screwing/unscrewing operation, meanwhile, the tool joint can be fixed stably, avoiding the retraction of the tool joint and reducing the difficulty and inconvenience of the screwing/unscrewing operation. |
| US08096200B2 |
Tractor
In a tractor which detachably mounts a PTO portion on a transmission portion, a PTO clutch mechanism is arranged in the inside of the PTO portion. Accordingly, a specification which includes the PTO clutch mechanism or a specification which includes no PTO clutch mechanism is selectable depending on whether the PTO clutch mechanism is preliminarily assembled in the PTO portion or not, in a stage at which the PTO portion is assembled. It is also later possible to easily complete assembly by merely mounting the PTO portion on the transmission portion. Further, by reversing the assembly steps, it is possible to easily perform maintenance of the PTO clutch mechanism or other related components. |
| US08096197B2 |
Air displacement liquid delivery system and related method
An air displacement liquid delivery system including a liquid delivery device, one or more sensors, a control unit, and a preprogrammable computing device, and a method for using the air displacement liquid delivery system. The one or more sensors are capable of obtaining information regarding conditions within and external to the liquid delivery device and sending this information to the control unit and/or the computing device. In turn, the control unit and/or computing device are capable of using this information to calculate one or more properties of gas contained within, and the air external to, the liquid delivery device, and one or more properties of a liquid that is to be aspirated or dispensed by the liquid delivery device. The system may optimally control the performance of the liquid delivery device based upon any one or more of these calculated properties. |
| US08096195B2 |
Method of determining tension in a rod
A method of determining the tension in an elongated rod is described. The method includes impacting the rod and measuring the vibration response of the rod. Further, the method entails generating a theoretical vibration response of the rod based in part at least on the structural properties of the rod. Thereafter, the method entails adjusting the theoretical vibration response to cause the theoretical vibration response to conform with at least a portion of the measured vibration response. Based on the adjusted theoretical vibration response, the tension of the rod is determined. |
| US08096194B2 |
Transducer for measuring preload and torque of a screw and apparatus therewith
A measuring apparatus (10) comprises a transducer (11) for measuring preload and torque of a screw. The transducer in turn comprises a first and second sensor element formed by two axially spaced annular zones (16, 17) of a hollow body (15) which are provided with respective load-cell sensors (18, 19). The two zones are separated by an annular zone (20) of the hollow body with a wall with a greater thickness and in which internally there is provided a non-rotating coupling seat (21) with the threaded-hole element (22) in a part of which the screw is tightened. |
| US08096193B2 |
Turbine flow meter having easily removable meter cartridge
A turbine flow meter comprises a flow pipe which includes an axial through bore and a meter cartridge which is positioned in the through bore. The meter cartridge includes a tubular cartridge housing through which a fluid to be measured is directed and a rotor which is rotatably supported in the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing is slidably received in a first portion of the through bore and comprises an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of that portion of the through bore. The meter cartridge is retained in the through bore by a retainer, which in turn is retained in the through bore by a ring seal. |
| US08096192B2 |
Flowmeter
A flowmeter of Coriolis type includes a supporting base that supports a pair of fluid pipes in a manner capable of being vibrated, and a frame fixed to the supporting base. The frame is integrally formed with a mounting portion disposed between the fluid pipes and having a thickness that does not interfere with the fluid pipes, a reinforcing portion disposed at the outer circumference of the mounting portion and enhancing the rigidity of the mounting portion, and a fixing portion for being fixed to the supporting base. The reinforcing portion has an outer wall portion that protrudes at least to one side of the thickness direction of the mounting portion, and substantially continuously surrounds the outer circumference of the fluid pipes. Penetrating portions for disposing the coils corresponding to respective magnetic substances mounted on the fluid pipe are formed in the mounting portion. |
| US08096191B2 |
Mechanical test fixture with submicron tolerance
The mechanical test apparatus is a fixture utilizing capacitive gauge sensors, located in close proximity to a test specimen, to measure strain in miniature specimens. The upper collar is connected to the upper bolt which is connected to the cross head of the mechanical test machine and the lower collar is attached to the lower bolt which is attached to the load cell. The collars contain conductive target plates and capacitive gauge sensors oriented to form the two plate electrodes of a capacitor. These plates are precisely positioned and move as a mechanical test is performed. The measured voltage is proportional to the distance between the plates, thus allowing the strain to be calculated. The system can be configured to perform tensile, compression, and bending tests at submicron tolerances. |
| US08096189B2 |
Physical quantity sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A physical quantity sensor includes two substrates and a movable electrode that is disposed between the two substrates and is bonded to the two substrates. In the physical quantity sensor, the movable electrode has an elastically deformable diaphragm and one of the two substrates is an electrode substrate having a detection electrode on a detection surface opposite to the diaphragm to detect capacitance between the diaphragm and the detection electrode. In the physical quantity sensor, in a range between a room temperature and a bonding temperature when the two substrates and the movable electrode are bonded, coefficients of thermal expansion of the two substrates are smaller than that of the movable electrode and in a temperature range where the physical quantity sensor is used, a coefficient of thermal expansion of the movable electrode is between a first and second substrates. |
| US08096184B2 |
Turbine blade for monitoring blade vibration
The claimed invention provides a blade vibration measuring system comprising a blade, a transmitter, a target with non parallel edges located on the blade shroud and a receiver. The present invention also provides a blade adapted for measuring blade vibration. Furthermore, the claimed invention provides a method for monitoring blade vibration. |
| US08096183B2 |
Method and ultrasonic sensor for determining the height of objects disposed on a conveying device
The present invention relates to a method for determining the height of objects disposed on a conveying device, in which an ultrasonic sensor positioned in a specific relationship to the conveying device repetitively transmits ultrasonic pulses directed toward the conveying device and any objects disposed thereon to be detected, wherein the ultrasonic pulses are then reflected from a surface of the conveying device or from surfaces of the objects to be detected and are detected by the ultrasonic sensor, wherein from the moments of transmission and moments of detection of the ultrasonic pulses, delay times of the ultrasonic pulses are determined and the height of an object surface relative to the surface of the conveying device is determined from the delay times of the ultrasonic pulses reflected from a surface of an object. The method is characterized in that the delay time of the ultrasonic pulses reflected from the surface of the conveying device is stored as a reference value, that when there is an increase in the measured delay time from a lower to a higher value, the higher value is stored and used as a new reference value, that when there is a decrease in the measured delay time from a higher to a lower value, the lower value is interpreted as the delay time value of ultrasonic pulses reflected from an object surface, and that the height of the object surface relative to the surface of the conveying device is determined from a difference between the most recently stored reference value and a delay time value relevant to an object surface. The invention also relates to an ultrasonic sensor. |
| US08096177B2 |
Fuel inventory monitoring system
An ultrasonic-based apparatus and method for fuel inventory measurements and for the detection and characterization of materials in a fuel tank, including sludge, water, microorganisms and materials of different viscosities and densities that are present in the tank, presented in an easy-to-interpret picture display that can be remotely located from the tank. |
| US08096171B2 |
Diagnostic method for an internal combustion engine exhaust gas system that includes a particle filter
In a method for the diagnostics of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas system that includes a particle filter, first and second sets of value vectors are determined, each including associated values for absolute pressure upstream and downstream of the particle filter, a differential pressure determined from the values of the absolute pressure, an exhaust gas volume flow through the particle filter, and a temperature of the exhaust gas volume flow. After a temperature-standardization of the pressure values, characteristics for dependence of the pressure values are generated from temperature-standardized values of the first set of value vectors and possibly stored as reference characteristics. By comparing temperature-standardized values for the absolute pressure on the inlet and outlet sides of the particle filter and the differential pressure of the second set of value vectors with reference characteristics, flow anomalies can be determined in the exhaust gas system. |
| US08096164B2 |
Apparatus and methods for management of fluid condition
A method is provided for invoking condition monitoring and predicting parametric equipment and lube condition among a plurality of machines; relying on individual or multiple machine and or lube combinations; comprising establishing a based routine accepting information from multiple sources to simultaneously calculate and compare measured and projected conditions relative to parameters selected to be critical; including multiple condition monitoring techniques like: lube analysis, vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound and equipment lube monitoring techniques whereas parameters monitored are variables and a specific parametric value represents condition or a group of variables together represents a condition; said variables are not to be confused with attribute data indicating pass/fail without identifying a specific parametric value. The process outputs the specific parameter and days to exceed specified condemning limit for each combination of equipment and lube selected. |
| US08096163B2 |
Verifying the calibration status of an optical tracking system
The invention relates to a method for verifying the calibration status of an optical tracking system (1), wherein: a calibration apparatus (20, 40), which comprises a tracking marker configuration (27, 28; 41, 42), is moved to within the detection range of the tracking system (1); the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) of the calibration apparatus (20, 40) are detected by the tracking system; the arrangement of the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) is changed and/or moved into a state such that the tracking system (1) experiences a detection problem; the arrangement of the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) which causes the detection problem is gauged and/or a range of arrangements for the tracking markers (27, 28; 41, 42) which causes the detection problem is gauged; and the tracking system (1) is determined to have a calibration error when the gauged arrangement and/or range of arrangements does not have a predetermined value or is not within a predetermined range of values. It also relates to a device for verifying the calibration status of an optical tracking system (1). |
| US08096162B2 |
Hydraulic processing pincers
The invention relates to a novel design of hydraulic processing pincers for processing workpieces, with a tool which, in a first tool part, has an axially displaceable tool plunger which, with a first end or with a tool provided there and an opposite work rest, forms a working region or a working gap and can be moved with the first end towards and away from the work rest, and made up of a hydraulic actuating device for applying a force to the tool plunger via a movable pressure-transmitting element, said force moving said tool plunger in the direction of the work rest. The piston and/or the piston rod are/is designed with a cavity in which the tool plunger is accommodated in its initial position at least over part of its length. |
| US08096159B2 |
Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant in endless hot rolling equipment
A lubricant supply apparatus for endless hot rolling equipment includes a width-detecting sensor for detecting widths of steel sheets continuously supplied toward a roller, a controller connected to the width-detecting sensor, a lubricant pump connected to and controlled by the controller to supply a lubricant to a lubricant line, solenoid valves disposed on sub lines formed by dividing the lubricant line and controlled by the controller to supply or cut off the lubricant, a water pump connected to and controlled by the controller to supply water to a water line, mixers for mixing the lubricant and the water supplied to the water line for each of the sub lines, and nozzles connected respectively to the mixers and disposed according to a width of the roller so as to spray a mixture onto the roller according to the widths of the steel sheets. |
| US08096158B2 |
Sampling apparatus and method
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cropping the ends of or for separating test pieces from rolled strip wound into bundles. An apparatus is disclosed which, by means of an outwardly pivotable bottom roller (2) and guide devices (5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14) for guiding the strip end to the shears, also makes it possible to process strips which are thicker or of greater firmness and are wound into bundles (10). Furthermore, a method is specified, which allows a reliable sampling and, if appropriate, inspection of the sample from strips wound into bundles, a closed bundle being obtained again after sampling. |
| US08096156B2 |
Forming of metal container bodies
Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels). |
| US08096150B2 |
Padlocks for holding and securing zipper pulls
By providing two separate and independent locking system formed in a single padlock construction which is employed for securely holding and locking zipper pull tabs, an effective, easily produced, padlock is achieved which is responsive to both a combination controlled locking system and a key controlled locking system for independently enabling the zipper pull tabs to be released and/or lockingly engaged in response to the activation of either locking system. In the present invention, an easily assembled, compact, highly efficient dual mode, zipper pull locking system is achieved by employing a pair of spring biased locking latch members which are constructed for being inserted in the apertures formed in each of the conventional zipper pulls/tabs employed on luggage, briefcases, and the like. |
| US08096147B2 |
Methods to fabricate a photoactive substrate suitable for shaped glass structures
This invention provides an inexpensive and rapid method for fabricating a high-anisotropic-etch ratio, shaped glass structures using a novel photosensitive glass composition. Structures of the photosensitive glass may include micro-channels, micro-optics, microposts, or arrays of hollow micro-needles. Furthermore, such shaped glass structures can be used to form a negative mold for casting the shape in other materials. |
| US08096145B2 |
Precious stone ring
A jewelry element, in particular a precious stone ring, including a magnetic device to cause the jewelry element to float with respect to the jewelry element base. |
| US08096142B2 |
Water spillage management for in the door ice maker
A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. |
| US08096140B2 |
Adaptive real-time optimization control
A system for regulating the amount of outdoor air that is introduced into a building determines characteristics of the outdoor air using sensor inputs. The system uses extremum seeking control logic to vary the flow of outdoor air provided into the building in response to the cooling load determinations. |
| US08096139B2 |
Refrigerant system with variable speed drive
A refrigerant system (10, 100, 200) is provided with a power control system (30, 130, 230). The power control system adjusts the speed of the motors driving the refrigerant system components such as a compressor, a fan or a pump via a variable speed device (75, 175, 275) or bypasses the variable speed device (75, 175, 275) for normal operating speeds. A single power control system may be provided for the entire refrigerant system or each component may be independently controlled. |
| US08096133B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooling and dilution tuning a gas turbine combustor liner and transition piece interface
A combustor liner includes a forward end and an aft end, the aft end having a reduced diameter portion and a cooling and dilution sleeve overlying the reduced diameter portion thereby establishing a cooling plenum therebetween. A plurality of cooling and dilution air entry holes are formed in the cooling and dilution sleeve and a plurality of cooling and dilution air exit holes formed adjacent an aft edge of the liner such that, in use, cooling and dilution air flows through the cooling and dilution air entry holes, and through the plenum, exiting the cooling and dilution air exit holes, thereby cooling and dilution tuning the aft end of the combustor liner without having to remove the transition piece. |
| US08096132B2 |
Air-cooled swirlerhead
A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during gas turbine operations. The combustor consists of a can-type configuration which combusts fuel premixed with air and delivers the hot gases to a turbine. Fuel is premixed with air through a swirler and is delivered to the combustor with a high degree of swirl motion about a central axis. This swirling mixture of reactants is conveyed downstream through a flow path that expands; the mixture reacts, and establishes an upstream central recirculation flow along the central axis. A cooling assembly is located on the swirler co-linear with the central axis in which cooler air is conveyed into the prechamber between the recirculation flow and the swirler surface. |
| US08096128B2 |
Heat engine and heat to electricity systems and methods
A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit. |
| US08096124B2 |
Exhaust system having parallel asymmetric turbochargers and EGR
An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and at least one turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. A number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the first exhaust manifold may be less than a number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. |
| US08096118B2 |
Engine for utilizing thermal energy to generate electricity
Disclosed are systems and methods for generating power. The system includes a sealed chamber, a displacer located inside the chamber, a magnetic mechanism to actuate the displacer, and a linear alternator. The chamber includes a first side, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, the first side located adjacent to a heat source and the second side adjacent to a heat sink. The displacer includes a pivot surface, a rocker, or a slide, and may include a regenerator. |
| US08096116B2 |
Mooring of multiple arrays of buoy-like WECs
For reducing the number of anchors required for mooring a plurality of WECs in a body of water, the WECs are arrayed in two patterns enabling the sharing of anchors among the WECs. One pattern comprises pluralities of WECs disposed in polygonal shaped cells with an anchor disposed beneath each cell connected to all the WECs in the cell. A second pattern comprises a tessellated pattern of contiguous cells with WECs at the interface between contiguous pairs of cells being common to both cells of the pairs. |
| US08096114B2 |
Catalyst arrangement construction of motorcycle
An engine has a crankcase, and a cylinder which extends from an upper portion of the crankcase toward a front side. In a space which is formed at an upper side of a horizontal plane which substantially horizontally extends from a bottom surface of the crankcase, a catalyst storage chamber is arranged in such a manner that an axis of the catalyst converter is in a direction of a crankshaft. The space is arranged just below a front surface of the cylinder and forward of a front surface of the crankcase. |
| US08096103B1 |
External combustion engine with a general wheel rotation power motor
General Wheel Rotation Power Motor(GWRPPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element: a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine(ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like. |
| US08096102B2 |
Offset pickup tines to improve feeding pick up
An pickup comprising offset pickup tines for the feeding of balers or harvesters. The tines are mounted to a rotating tine bar and arranged such that a plurality of elongate tines are connected to the trailing edge of the tine bar at the end portions and a plurality of elongate spaced-apart rotor tines are connected to the leading edge of the tine bar at the central portion. |
| US08096100B2 |
Systems and methods for packaging solid pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical products and automatically arranging the solid pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products in a linear transmission system
A variety of systems and methods are described which quickly and conveniently provide for the selective transmission of individual solid pharmaceutical products from a common location into individual blister package product cavities. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiments, an automated alignment mechanism alters the orientation of solid pharmaceutical products that are initially arranged randomly in a two-dimensional array into one or more linear transmission systems. Each linear transmission system is essentially a one-dimensional stack of solid pharmaceutical products, vitamins or other elements. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, after the solid pharmaceutical products have been arranged in one or more of the linear transmission systems or vertical stacks, the solid pharmaceutical products are selectively transmitted into individual product package blister cavities or into product package templates having locations corresponding to the blister package cavities. |
| US08096090B1 |
Snap-in wire tie
A seismic construction system for a cavity wall is disclosed. The system is shown in three exemplary applications—a masonry backup wall with ladder—or truss-type reinforcement cooperating with a snap-in wire tie; a masonry backup wall with ladder—or truss-type reinforcement with a high-span wall anchor cooperating with a low-profile, snap-in wire tie; and a drywall backup wall with internal insulation, a sheetmetal wall anchor, and snap-in wire ties. The snap-in wire ties accommodate a continuous reinforcing wire for the outer wythe, which reinforcing wire snaps into the wire housings therefor with a predetermined force. With the interconnected wall and veneer anchors and the respective reinforcing elements a seismic construct is formed. |
| US08096085B2 |
Connection node for a three-dimensional framework, in particular for a geodesic structure
The invention relates to a connecting node (10, 20) for constructing a three-dimensional framework (100), in particular a geodetic structure, wherein the connecting node (10, 20) has at least one connecting arrangement for connection by way of a definable number of (n) of basic structural elements (3) attached to the respective connecting node (10, 20) with other identical connecting nodes (10, 20). It is provided that the connecting node (10, 20) is formed as a disk (4, 6) having a predefinable number (n) of keyholes (1n), with each of the keyholes (1n) being penetrated by a connecting means (5) and engaging with a receiving element (3A) attached on the basic structural elements (3n), so that each basic structural element (3n) is rotatably supported in the formed first connecting arrangement (5, 3A) and can be pre-adjusted and subsequently attached at arbitrary predefinable angles. The invention is also directed to a three-dimensional framework (100), in particular a geodetic structure, with a plurality of configurable basic structural element (3n), which are secured between the connecting nodes (10, 20) so as to form the three-dimensional framework. |
| US08096083B2 |
Health booth
A health booth includes a telescopic and pivotal board including two telescopic units having one ends pivotably attached to a board; a seat assembly including two parallel columns mounted on the other side wall, a horizontal bar slidably put on the columns, a telescopic support post mounted between the horizontal bar and a bottom, and a collapsible seat secured to the horizontal bar, and a pivot assembly including a channel mounted onto one side wall, two torsion springs in the channel, two outer cylindrical members each together with one inner cylindrical member to dispose the other ends of the telescopic units therein, and two groups of a plurality of fasteners wherein each group of the fasteners are driven through the outer cylindrical member into the inner cylindrical member to fasten the other ends of the telescopic units. |
| US08096082B2 |
Portable changing room that is inflatable
A portable changing room that is inflatable. The portable changing room includes an inflatable skeleton, a valve, and a removable cover. A pump is used to inflate the inflatable skeleton. The changing room is used for privacy in outdoor environments. |
| US08096080B2 |
Adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly for a vehicle window
In an embodiment an adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly is provided. The adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly includes a base, a window holder and a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism. The base is configured for movement along a path. The base has an inboard side and an outboard side. The window holder is configured to receive and hold a vehicle window. The window holder is movably connected to the base. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism is operable by a cross-car orientation adjustment tool and is operatively connected to the window holder to control the cross-car orientation of the window holder. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism includes a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member configured to receive the cross-car orientation adjustment tool. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member is accessible from the inboard side of the base. |
| US08096079B2 |
Revolver trigger mechanism
A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger. |
| US08096077B1 |
Rifle recoil absorbing strap assembly
A rifle recoil absorbing strap assembly for absorbing rifle recoil from a rifle, the strap assembly preventing the bruising of a shoulder when firing the rifle and without having to permanently mount the strap assembly on a target shooting bench, a table or a horizontal support member. The strap assembly includes an elongated, flexible, horizontal first strap member with adjustable and releasable fastener. The adjustable and releasable fastener is used for securing together a first end and a second end of the first strap member. Also, the strap assembly includes a flexible, vertical second strap member with a first end and an opposite second end. The first and second end of the second strap member are adapted for receipt around a front portion of the rifle and secured thereto for preventing upward movement of the rifle when firing. Further, the strap assembly includes a rifle butt cradle adapted for receiving and securing a rifle butt of the rifle therein. Whereby, when the strap assembly is secured to a rifle securing object and the rifle is held thereon, the strap assembly greatly reduces rifle recoil during the firing of the rifle. |
| US08096070B2 |
Truck and wall banner holding frame
A frame for attachment to a truck panel or a wall for holding a banner having a top base plate, a left side base plate, a right side base plate, and a bottom base plate. After the top of the banner is aligned and duct taped to the top base plate, the banner can be accurately cut to size by simply inserting a blade through the banner and into cutting groove on the base plates which becomes guides for the blade. No math is required. At least one yieldable member having a high coefficient of friction is coupled to each base plate and a cap plate is located on top of each base plate to lock the edges of a banner to each base plate by pressing on the yieldable members on each base plate when the banner is located on top of the yieldable members. |
| US08096064B2 |
Method for drying lumber, method of impregnating lumber with chemicals, and drying apparatus
A method for drying lumber in a short time with less use of energy. The method of drying lumber includes: enclosing lumber in a batch container having a pressure release valve; filling fluid into the batch container under pressure; maintaining a temperature and a pressure at or above a critical point of the fluid for a certain period of time; and then opening the pressure release valve of the batch container to reduce the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure. |
| US08096063B2 |
Apparatus and method for thermally removing coatings and/or impurities
An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gases can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08096062B1 |
Towel drying system
A towel drying system includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, a front wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The front wall has a primary air inlet extending therethrough and a primary air outlet extending therethrough. A blower is mounted in the housing and pulls air into the housing through primary air inlet and directs it outwardly through the primary air outlet. A towel support member is positioned in the housing. The front wall has at least one access door to access an interior of the housing and the towel support member. One or more towels may be placed on the towel support member. A dwelling return duct is fluidly coupled to the primary air outlet. |
| US08096061B2 |
Instrument for measuring dimensions and height gauge
Instrument for measuring dimensions, including: a mobile carriage capable of moving parallel to a guide, the guide defining a measuring axis; a driving device connected to the carriage by a transmission, so as to determine the linear displacement of the mobile carriage; a feeler attached to the mobile carriage and designed to come into contact with a part to be measured; a position transducer, arranged so as to supply a measurement of the feeler's position relative to the measuring axis; a piezoresistive force sensor for converting directly a contact force between the feeler and the part to be measured into an electric signal. |
| US08096060B1 |
Assembly for leveling new concrete and sub-grade
The assembly for leveling new concrete includes a driver that has a guide that is placed in a mounting structure so that the driver may be used to drive the mounting structure into the ground. The driver has both a removable rebar marker and conduit marker so that depending on whether an individual wants to use a screed pipe conduit or rebar as a support structure in their concrete the support structures are properly aligned. |
| US08096056B1 |
Trim installation square device
A trim installation square device is provided for facilitating measurement, cutting and installation of trim around a door or window opening. The device includes a base member, and extension member extendably coupled to the base member, and a locking assembly for holding the base member and extension member in place. The base member and the extension member are positioned relative to each other such that a base member first edge is parallel to an extension member first edge and a base member second edge is parallel to an extension member second edge forming two spaced right angles. A ruler is coupled to one of the base member and the extension member. The ruler is positioned for measuring a transverse distance between the base member first edge and the extension member first edge. |
| US08096052B2 |
Method of making a vehicle cab
A cab for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, a tractor, or small construction vehicle, is constructed of twin-sheet thermo-plastic panels that can be easily assembled, preferably with snap-together interlocking features. One of the panels can be a door panel having a door hinged to a door frame to control passage through a doorway. Both the door and the door frame have spaced apart hinge knuckles that interleave along a hinge axis to allow the door to pivot about a hinge pin. The door and door frame can be molded in a single twin-sheet panel. The two walls of the panel are fused together along the outer periphery of the panel door portion and the inner periphery of the panel door frame portion. The door is separated from the door frame by cutting the each of the walls along a door perimeter between the door and door frame portions of the molded panel. Preferably, the walls are not fused along the non-hinge sides of the door perimeter so that the walls can be cut in a manner to provide an overlap at the door/door frame interface. |
| US08096050B2 |
Double ballize camshaft assembly process
A method may include locating a first lobe member of a camshaft on a first shaft having an annular wall defining a first bore and a first outer radial surface. The first lobe member may include a second bore receiving the first shaft. The method may further include forcing first and second deforming members through the first bore. The first deforming member may have a first outer diameter that is greater than an initial inner diameter of the first shaft and may displace the annular wall in an outward radial direction to provide a first engagement between the first outer radial surface and the second bore. The second deforming member may have a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and may displace the annular wall in the outward radial direction to provide a second engagement between the first outer radial surface and the second bore. |
| US08096046B2 |
Apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core
An apparatus for loading stator windings into a stator core. The apparatus includes an arbor member including a body having an outer diametric portion including a plurality of slots. The apparatus also includes a first guide track having a first end that is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion. A second guide track includes a first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion and spaced from the first end of the first guide track. The apparatus further includes a third guide track including a first end is positioned adjacent the outer diametric portion and spaced from the first end of the first guide track and the first end of the second guide track. At least one of the first, second, and third guide tracks and the arbor member is positionable to guide slot segment portions of corresponding first, second, and third stator windings into predetermined ones of the slots. |
| US08096039B2 |
Golf club head with alignment system
A golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member includes a strike face and a top portion. The second body member is coupled to the first body member and extends away from the first body member in a direction opposite the strike face. At least a top portion of the second body member is camouflaged. A preferred method of camouflage is color differentiation, wherein the second body member is darker than the first body member. Specific color values and club head geometries are also disclosed and claimed. The club head may include a body member and a weight member such as a bar that extends rearward from the body member. A cover may be included to camouflage the weight member. A separate core member and high visibility sight lines may also be provided. |
| US08096031B2 |
Hand tool for engaging a push-lock fitting
A hand tool that can be used to physically engage a release feature on a push-lock fitting so that a tube, hose, or other conduit can be easily inserted into and/or removed from the fitting. This can be particularly useful with industrial machines that have a number of pneumatic fittings installed close together in a tight proximity. According to one embodiment, the hand tool includes an elongated body portion, engagement portions located at opposing ends of the body portion, and transition portions located therebetween. Each engagement portion includes an open pocket for fitting around the tube, and a contact surface for engaging the release feature. |
| US08096030B2 |
Mobile repair apparatus for repairing a stationary rotor seal of a turbo machine
A method and an apparatus for mobile repair of a stationary rotor seals of a turbo machine is provided. The method includes the following steps, 3D-scanning of the stationary seal, generation of 3D-model of the stationary seal, removing of the damaged spots of the seal using laser cutting, and generating a new seal at the repair spot by use of a second process head, which generates the seal by laser powder cladding. The apparatus includes a 3D-scanner, a cutting tool, and a first process head and a second process head. |
| US08096029B2 |
Device for maintaining the crimping of textile fibers or filaments during subsequent setting
A device for maintaining the crimping of textile fibers or filaments during subsequent setting treatment, located in a line for treating filaments by crimping and setting having a crimping machine (1), whereby this device is connected to the outlet of the crimping machine (1) and consists of two perforated conveyor belts (2), between which is fed the plug of textile fibers or filaments (3) coming from the crimping machine (1) and which pass through a setting oven or other setting machine to arrive at a filament uptake area. The device is provided with a member (6) for maintaining the continuity of the pressure on the plug of textile fibers or filaments (3) at the outlet of the crimping machine (1) and during the entire setting operation, whereby this member cooperates with the perforated conveyor belts (2). |
| US08096019B2 |
Hinge device
A hinge device includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a locking member. The first connecting member defines a connecting portion hole therein. A positioning arm with an angled surface is located on the first connecting member. The second connecting member defines a connecting body hole therein. A connecting body post is located on the second connecting member. The locking member engages in the connecting portion hole and the connecting body hole so that the first connecting member is rotatable relative to the second connecting member. The connecting body post abuts on the angled surface and the first connecting member is rotated between a first position where a first friction is generated between the connecting body post and the angled surface, and a second position where a second friction is generated between the connecting body post and the angled surface and greater than the first friction. |
| US08096017B2 |
Grommet for metal stud
A grommet for a hole in a metal stud includes a plastic sleeve having a radial flange, and a vibration isolating body having a substantially cylindrical portion having on one of its ends a radial flange and on the other end one or more flange sections, such flange section being adapted to be passed through the hole in the stud when the flange of the vibration isolating body is brought in engagement with the stud, and the sleeve being adapted to be inserted into the substantially cylindrical portion of the vibration isolating body beyond the flange section until the radial flange of the plastic sleeve engages the isolating ring, whereby the radial flange sections are locked in an outward position and the edge of the hole in the stud is at least partially locked between the two flanges, thus fixing the grommet in the hole. |
| US08096014B2 |
Central vacuum cleaner control, unit and system with contaminant sensor
A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38. |
| US08096012B2 |
Outsole grid cleaner
An outsole grid cleaner for removing dirt and debris from the sole of shoes includes a base and a plurality of scraper prongs which remove dirt and debris from the shoe's sole. The outsole grid cleaner has one continuous sidewall extending peripherally around the device. A plurality of scraper prongs extend outwardly from the sidewall. The plurality of scraper prongs have a free end. The plurality of scraper prongs are manipulated through a shoe's outsole pattern of projections to forcibly remove debris and dirt from the lowermost surface of the shoe's outsole pattern. The scraper prongs also remove dirt and debris when in contact with the channel on the top surface of the shoe sole's projections. The scraper prongs further remove the dirt and debris when in contact with the top surface of the shoe sole's projections. |
| US08096010B2 |
Bridge span and bridge span transportation vehicle
A system for transporting a span on a road vehicle capable of being transformed into an amphibious vehicle, enabling crossing of a dry or water-filled gap by any road vehicle. The vehicle for transporting the span is amphibious to allow any vehicle to cross a gap filled with water by transferring and transporting the vehicle on the span supported on the amphibious vehicle operating as a floating ferry. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of civil or military engineering. |
| US08096009B2 |
Encapsulated mattress with integrated pillow
A method of integrating a pillow, including stuffing, within an encapsulated mattress having a core and covering surrounding the core is disclosed. A mattress for use in institutions, such as correctional facilities, detention centers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and the like, includes a core formed of a padding material, a pillow adjoining the core, the pillow containing stuffing, and a covering surrounding the core and the pillow. Also disclosed is a mattress including a core formed of a padding material, a pillow adjoining the core using a sleeve, the pillow containing stuffing, the sleeve retaining the pillow to the core, and a covering surrounding the core and the pillow. |
| US08096001B2 |
Pumped drainage apparatus
A pumped drainage apparatus for a shower includes a waste water unit, a waste water inlet for accepting waste water runoff from a shower, a waste water outlet in fluid communication with the waste water inlet, a pump in fluid communication with the waste water unit, a sensing circuit including one or more sensors for sensing waste water, and a control circuit for controlling and varying a flow rate of the pump based on an output of the sensing circuit. The sensors may be isolated to prevent contact with waste water while the apparatus is in use. A variable flow control device for the pumped drainage apparatus is also provided. |
| US08095994B2 |
Garment-integrated proprioceptive feedback system
An apparatus, system, and method treat a neurological disorder by applying proprioceptive feedback to a wearer of a garment. Specifically, the garment includes one or more pressurizable reservoirs that, when pressurized, apply distributed pressure to the wearer. A system including the garment also includes a mechanism for pressurizing the reservoir and, optionally, a controller operable to control the pressurizing mechanism. |