| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08110014B2 |
Distributor for rinse air
An air distribution system for providing rinse air to a gas cleaner is provided, which includes a filter housing, a holding plate wherein holes are arranged in concentric circles for holding filter bags or filter elements in the filter housing, filter bags or filter elements, rinse air supply means, and an air distribution device for distributing rinse air. In the system, a tube (6) is arranged rotatable in a rotatable distributor body (109) in the air distribution device (101), which distributor body (109) are connected to tubes (7), and which distributor body (109) includes rotating means (4, 5, 104), and when the distributor body (109) is rotated, tubes (7) are moved from a position above one hole (110) in the holding plate (111) to another hole (110) in the holding plate. |
| US08110013B2 |
Polishing composition
A polishing composition includes a copolymer and an abrasive. The copolymer has a constitutional unit expressed as the following formula (I) and at least one of constitutional units expressed as the following formulas (II) to (IV). Methoxypolyethylene glycol methacrylate etc. are used as monomers for forming the constitutional unit of the formula (I), stearyl methacrylate etc. are used as monomers for forming the constitutional unit of the formula (II), polypropylene glycol methacrylate etc. are used as monomers for forming the constitutional unit of the formula (III), and styrene etc. are used as monomers for forming the constitutional unit of the formula (IV). |
| US08110011B2 |
Method of processing high voltage capacitors
A high voltage capacitor design is provided that provides improved performance. The high voltage capacitor includes a stack of mechanically bonded capacitor cells, which in one variant utilize a separator formed of two layers of paper. In one version, the high voltage capacitor may be used as a capacitative voltage divider. |
| US08110008B2 |
Secure paper comprising a fiber layer and an electronic chip
The present invention relates to secure paper (1), characterized by the fact that it comprises: at least one fiber layer (2); and at least one electronic chip (3) integrated in the fiber layer (2), said chip (3) including a memory (10) in which at least a first key is stored for use in authenticating the secure paper; the chip being configured to spoil, and in particular to delete, the first key in the event of an attempt at forced access to the chip, so as to make it impossible subsequently to authenticate the secure paper (1). |
| US08110006B2 |
Fibular stiffener and bony defect replacer
A fibular implant is provided. The implant includes a stem anchored to the fibula and a joint body. The stem is at least partially covered with a bony-in-growth surface. The joint body includes an articulating surface for articulating with the talus. The articulating surface is polished to reduce friction in the ankle joint. |
| US08110005B2 |
Modular prosthesis and use thereof for replacing a radial head
A modular prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a proximal radius includes a monolithic stem component, a head component, and a locking mechanism formed by the stem and head components. The stem component defines a stem anchoring portion having a longitudinal axis and configured to couple to the proximal radius, and a dovetail-shaped first mounting portion on a first end face that extends in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The head component has a dovetail-shaped second mounting portion on a second end face opposite the first end face slidably engaged with the first mounting portion along the first direction. One of the first and second mounting portions intersects the longitudinal axis. The locking mechanism is formed at an interface between the stem and head components and is engaged through relative translational movement between the stem and head components. A related method is provided. |
| US08109998B2 |
Accommodating 360 degree sharp edge optic plate haptic lens
An accommodating intraocular lens having an optic and portions extending from the optic radially outwards preferably with fixation devices at their distal ends, the optic designed such that it has a sharp posterior edge for 360 degrees of its perimeter and the lens designed such that the optic can move forward and backwards with constriction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle. |
| US08109997B2 |
Hydrophobic pseudo-endothelial implants for treating corneal edema
An ocular implant including a hydrophobic pseudo-endothelial implant and a binding agent applied thereto, the binding agent capable of bonding the implant to a posterior portion of a cornea such that the implant serves as a water barrier enabling dehydration of the cornea. |
| US08109993B2 |
Device for regulating blood flow
An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel includes an elongated support. The support includes axially spaced apart first and second substantially annular support portions, and an x-shaped linking member linking the axially spaced apart portions to one another. The device also includes a valve membrane extending between the axially spaced apart support portions and having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion. The valve membrane includes a first region and a second lower region. The first region is folded over the linking member for attachment and the second region is adjacent the first region and unattached to the linking member. The second region is movable between a first position to enable blood flow and a second position to inhibit blood flow. |
| US08109990B2 |
Low profile support frame and related intraluminal medical devices
A low profile support frame for use as an or in an expandable intraluminal medical device includes first and second wire members that define arcuate paths having opposing curves. Connectors join the wire members, and barbs can be disposed on the connectors. The support frame has radially compressed and radially expanded configurations. When the support frame is in the radially expanded configuration, substantially no portion of the support frame is disposed on a first transverse axis of the frame opposite one end of the frame and substantially no portion of the frame is disposed on a second transverse axis of the frame opposite the other end of the frame. The support frame can be used as an intraluminal medical device by itself or as a component in a medical device that includes other components, such as a stent, prosthetic valve, occluder, or filter. |
| US08109988B2 |
Stents with attached looped ends
An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk. |
| US08109986B2 |
Device for inserting a radially expandable implant, treatment kit and associated insertion method
A device includes a support defining at least one opening for retaining an implant situated in the vicinity of the distal end thereof, and at least one threadlike link for retaining the implant. The link includes a control portion engaged in the support and a tightening loop of the implant which projects outside the support through the retention opening. A component is provided for placing each tightening loop around the implant. The placement component includes a rigid member and at least one flexible cord integral with the member and engaged releasably around the tightening loop. |
| US08109985B2 |
Occlusion crossing device and method
A stent delivery catheter for positioning a stent across a lesion of a blood vessel is disclosed. The catheter includes an inflation balloon coupled to a distal region of the elongate shaft of the catheter and a stent loaded on the inflation balloon. The catheter may also include an occlusion balloon having a proximal waist secured to the elongate shaft and a distal waist secured to the elongate shaft. The occlusion balloon includes a first folded-over portion extending distal of the distal waist to a distalmost extent of the occlusion balloon and a second folded-over portion extending proximal of the proximal waist to a proximalmost extent of the occlusion balloon. The catheter further includes a fluid discharge port located distal of the occlusion balloon for discharging a lubricious fluid exterior of the elongate shaft toward the stent to facilitate advancing the stent across an occlusion. |
| US08109980B2 |
Antero-lateral plating systems and methods for spinal stabilization
A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached to the antero-lateral portions of at least first and second vertebrae and is structured to facilitate engagement of the plate to the vertebrae from an approach extending in the anterior-posterior directions. |
| US08109976B2 |
Systems and methods for vertebral stabilization
Systems and methods for vertebral stabilization are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a bone anchor with a threaded portion positioned opposite a post portion. A connector is provided including a pair of oppositely positioned branches defining a receptacle structured to receive the post portion. The receptacle is positionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the connector is positionable along and about the post portion in the open configuration. The system also includes an elongate support member defining a passage structured to receive and engage a portion of the connector. As the connector is received in the passage, the branches of the connector move toward one another and force the receptacle toward the closed configuration wherein the connector is fixed relative to the post portion. Other systems, apparatuses and methods for vertebral stabilization are also disclosed. |
| US08109975B2 |
Collar bore configuration for dynamic spinal stabilization assembly
A dynamic spinal stabilization assembly includes at least one mounting collar with a bore therethrough along a longitudinal axis, and a spinal rod slidably extending through the bore. The bore includes a medially disposed first section of reduced size that tapers both inwardly and outwardly relative to the axis, and respective end sections of relatively larger size. The bore may be defined by an interior wall that convexly curves toward the axis in the first section, advantageously with a constant non-zero radius of curvature. The bore profile helps minimize potential binding that may occur between the collar and the rod. The rod is coupled to bone anchoring elements, with at least one such connection being via the collar. |
| US08109974B2 |
Adjustable-angle spinal fixation element
A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another. |
| US08109969B1 |
System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone. |
| US08109964B2 |
Device for compression of tissue under the eyes
Described is a device useful for applying compression to the eyes and regions under the eyes of a user. In one form, such a compression device includes a relatively elongate compression body combined with a strap for receipt around the head of a user. The relatively elongate compression body includes a central region for receipt over the face of a user, as well as flanking regions for receipt over the side of the face and the ears of the user, substantially encircling the head. Preferred devices include compression bodies having pockets containing compression inserts and positioned to contact the eyes and under-eye tissues of the user, desirably having openings in a location other than at an edge of the pockets, e.g. provided by a central slit. Compression inserts may include foam pads or conformable membrane shells encasing a flowable fluid or other substance. |
| US08109953B1 |
Catheter device, hub assembly and method for traversing total occlusions
A medical device for traversing an occlusion in a vessel includes a straightening sleeve positioned at a distal aspect of a catheter, a steering sleeve having an arcuate distal end, and a guidewire disposed through the steering sleeve. The steering sleeve has a first position in which the arcuate distal end is straightened within the straightening sleeve, and a second position in which the steering sleeve extends distally past the straightening sleeve to expose the arcuate distal end. The tip of the arcuate distal end of the steering sleeve or the guidewire can be used to pierce the occlusion. An arrangement of hub assemblies with locking mechanisms and motion limiting structures facilitates adjusting and locking the relative positions of the straightening sleeve, the steering sleeve, and the guidewire. Detent mechanisms are associated with the motion limiting structures for providing controlled incremental movement of the sleeves and the guidewire. |
| US08109950B2 |
Method and apparatus for anastomosis including an anchoring sleeve
Apparatus for performing a surgical anastomosis are disclosed. The apparatus include a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, an onion sleeve portion formed near the distal end of the tubular body and an inner tube disposed within the tubular body. The inner tube includes at least one pair of longitudinally aligned needle passages formed below the onion sleeve portion of the tubular body. The apparatus further includes at least one needle assembly disposed within the at least one pair of longitudinally aligned needle passages and a firing assembly operatively coupled to the proximal end of the tubular body. The firing assembly is configured and adapted to eject the pair of needles from the apparatus. |
| US08109949B2 |
Systems for forming an anastomosis
Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates are guided to each other in a parallel orientation by guides. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus or an externally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. One of the compression plates enables a graft vessel to be pre-everted so that the anastomosis fenestra contours are everted. The apparatus provides a structure that enables the vessels to be joined without being penetrated. |
| US08109947B2 |
Medical grafting methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is installed at the operative site primarily by providing at least one graft location with instrumentation inserted through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. Assistance in installing the new tubing may be provided by minimally invasive surgical access openings in the patient's chest. The tubing may be delivered through the patient's existing tubular body structure or, alternatively, through the surgical access openings. |
| US08109946B2 |
Adjustable length patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder and catch system
Devices, delivery systems and techniques for an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices, delivery systems and techniques relate to, but are not limited to, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder made from a substantially cylindrical form. An occluder having a distal side and a proximal side, with a catch system for securing the deployed configuration, is introduced into the treatment site by a delivery sheath. In one aspect, the occluder has an adjustable length center joint that allows the device to fit a particular septal defect. In some embodiments, the occluder includes a catch member that holds the occluder in the deployed, expanded profile configuration. In one aspect, the catch member also has an adjustable length. |
| US08109942B2 |
Computer-aided methods, systems, and apparatuses for shoulder arthroplasty
A method for performing shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty is provided. The method includes generating navigational reference information relating to position and orientation of a body part forming at least a portion of the shoulder joint. The reference information may be stored in a computer. Navigational references are attached to the body part and an object. Information is received regarding the position and orientation of the object with respect to the body part and the object is navigated according to this information. The body part may be modified using the object and the modification may be displayed on a monitor associated with the computer. The navigational references may be used to track a shoulder arthroplasty trial component. Information is received regarding the position and orientation of the trial component with respect to the body part. This information is used to navigate the trial component to the body part. |
| US08109935B2 |
Implant inserter device
An implant inserter device having an outer collar, an inner sleeve slidably and rotatably received within the outer collar, and a push rod slidably received within the inner sleeve. The outer collar has at least one cammed surface formed on an interior surface thereof, while the inner sleeve has at least one rib projecting outwardly from an exterior surface thereof. The rib is releasably engageable with the cammed surface when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer collar. As a result, a distal end of the inner sleeve collapses from an undeformed position, in which the inner sleeve does not grip an implant housed therein, and a deformed position, in which the inner sleeve grips the implant. The push rod is movable between an extended position and a retracted position for urging the implant through and from the inner sleeve for insertion into a defect in damaged cartilage and bone. |
| US08109933B2 |
Bone treatment systems and methods
Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be in communication with the flow path such that inserting the cannula into a bone can allow a flow of bone cement therethrough to an opening at a distal end of the cannula. Other systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include an injector body with a handle portion, and a cannula, a bone cement container, a low pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement from said container to the injector body and a high pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement through the injector body into the bone. |
| US08109926B2 |
Ablation probe with deployable electrodes
The present invention provides systems, devices and related methods for applying electric fields for cancerous cell destruction and tissue ablation. A method can include advancing an ablation probe into a patient; deploying a guide from the delivery member along a guide tissue penetration path, deploying an electrode from the guide along an electrode tissue penetration path, and establishing current flow within the target tissue. |
| US08109919B2 |
Device and method for rapid aspiration and collection of body tissue from within an enclosed body space
Device and method for rapid extraction of body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. Hollow entry cannula with optional core element provides entry into body tissue space such as bone marrow. Aspiration cannula is inserted through cannula into body tissue and is manipulated to advance directionally through body cavity. Optional stylet within aspiration cannula aids in advancing aspiration cannula through body tissue and is removed to facilitate extraction of body tissue through the aspiration cannula. Inlet openings near distal tip of aspiration cannula allow tissue aspiration, with negative pressure source at proximal end of aspiration cannula providing controlled negative pressure. Aspiration cannula may be withdrawn and its path adjusted for multiple entries through the same entry point, following different paths through tissue space for subsequent aspiration of more tissue. |
| US08109916B2 |
Absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate
A pant-type absorbent article (55) includes a chassis structure, the chassis structure including a front panel (56), a back panel and a crotch panel (58) arranged between the front and back panels (56,57) and front and back waist panels (61a,61b) arranged at the front and back panels (56,57) respectively. At least one of the front and back panels (56,57) includes an activated three-layer elastic laminate (68) including a first fibrous nonwoven web and a second fibrous nonwoven web and an elastic film between the first and second fibrous nonwoven webs. At least one of the first and second fibrous nonwoven webs is a creped nonwoven web. |
| US08109914B2 |
Bedside caddy
An apparatus for keeping a urinary container in place while in use. The apparatus comprises a first generally stiff member for positioning between a mattress and box springs of a bed. There is a urinary collection means engageable with and hanging from the first member for retaining urine therein while in use and a fluid communication means engageable with the urinary collection means and with such user for fluid communication of such urine from such user to the urinary collection means. |
| US08109913B2 |
Coiled wire for the controlled release of drugs to the eye
This invention is in the area of medical devices, in particular in the area of medical devices for drug delivery, more in particular for controlled release of drugs to the eye. Delivery of drugs to the anterior side of the eye is routinely done with eye drops, but this method results in low bioavailability and low patient compliance. Devices that address these problems have been described for the delivery of drugs to the eye. One of such devices, called the OphthaCoil, consists of a thin metallic wire, which is coiled and carries a drug-loaded adherent hydrogel coating on its surface. Surprisingly it has now been found that the drug loading capacity can be dramatically increased by filling the lumen of the coil with micro-particles such as microspheres that contain the drug of choice. |
| US08109912B2 |
Wearable infusion assembly
A wearable liquid medicament delivery assembly comprises a band arranged to at least partially encircle and be secured to a body extremity of a wearer and a liquid medicament delivery device carried by the band. The device includes a reservoir arranged to hold the liquid medicament, a piercing member arranged to penetrate the skin of the wearer to deliver the liquid medicament, and a pump that pumps the liquid medicament from the reservoir to the piercing member to thereby cause the liquid medicament to be delivered to the wearer. |
| US08109910B2 |
Flip-top design cannula
There's provided a flip-top cannula assembly including a cannula having a cannula seal for receiving a range of surgical instruments having a first predetermined diameter and a reducer cap movably mounted on the cannula. The reducer cap includes a reducer seal having an opening which is substantially smaller than that of a cannula seal associated with the cannula for receiving a range of surgical instruments having a diameter smaller than that of the first predetermined diameter. In the disclosed embodiments, the reducer seal is movable from a closed position wherein the reducer seal overlies the cannula seal to effectively reduce the seal opening of the cannula to a closed position wherein the reducer seal is spaced apart from the cannula seal. |
| US08109903B2 |
Catheter including a bendable portion
A catheter including a tube having at least one lumen, at least one elongate element, the at least one elongate element having a bendable portion at a predetermined bendable portion location therealong forward of a distal end of the tube and at least one selectably inflatable balloon communicating with at least one of the at least one lumen, the at least one selectably inflatable balloon having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end of the balloon being located rearwardly of the predetermined bendable portion location. |
| US08109898B2 |
Device for controlling the opening and closing of a clamp in a positive displacement pump
A device for controlling the opening and closing of a clamp intended to seal a flexible tube, for example in a positive displacement pump, includes: a housing that can be closed with a door; a tube placed inside the housing; a clamp also placed in the housing, which cooperates with the tube to open or seal it. The clamp is closed when the door is being opened and when the door is being closed. As well as ensuring that the tube is always closed when the door is being opened, the inventive safety device also ensures that the tube remains closed once the door has been closed as long as a suitable device does not trigger the opening of the clamp. The fully mechanical closure device is not exposed to the dangers of a faulty power supply. |
| US08109892B2 |
Methods of making compression device with improved evaporation
In a method of forming a compression sleeve, a wicking layer is provided that is strategically exposed to promote wicking and cooling of the body part acted upon by the sleeve. The wicking layer has a perimeter and a surface area. A bladder segment that defines a bladder has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. The surface area of the bladder segment is defined by the perimeter of the bladder material, less any openings formed through the bladder material. The wicking layer is secured to the bladder material so that portions of the wicking layer are not overlaid by the bladder material. The bladder segment is welded to the wicking layer along a seamline so that fibers of the wicking layer extend through the seamline and allow fluid wicked by the wicking layer to move through the seamline. |
| US08109888B2 |
Medical guide wire
A medical guide wire includes a flexible long core. A core elongated component is disposed to extend forwards from the core, and has a tapered shape. A helical coil is disposed about the core elongated component, secured by attachment of a coil distal end and a coil proximal end to the core elongated component. The helical coil includes an equiradial coil portion having the coil proximal end, disposed at a portion of the core elongated component on a side of the core. A diameter decreasing coil portion has the coil distal end, extends forwards from the equiradial coil portion, has a decreasing diameter, and has a length 25 mm or more. A diameter ratio D1/D2 of the diameter decreasing coil portion is 1.22-2.31, where D1 is a proximal end diameter of the diameter decreasing coil portion, and D2 is a distal end diameter of the diameter decreasing coil portion. |
| US08109886B2 |
Biopsy apparatus
A disposable tissue removal device comprises a “tube within a tube” cutting element mounted to a handpiece. The inner cannula of the cutting element defines an inner lumen and terminates in an inwardly beveled, razor-sharp cutting edge. The inner cannula is driven by both a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. At the end of its stroke, the inner cannula makes contact with the cutting board to completely sever the tissue. An aspiration vacuum is applied to the inner lumen to aspirate excised tissue through the inner cannula and into a collection trap that is removably mounted to the handpiece. The rotary and reciprocating motors are hydraulically powered through a foot pedal operated hydraulic circuit. The entire biopsy device is configured to be disposable. In one embodiment, the cutting element includes a cannula hub that can be connected to a fluid source, such as a valve-controlled saline bag. |
| US08109884B2 |
Dynamic metabolism monitoring system
A metabolism monitoring system, data analyzer, and method is disclosed for processing data to very quickly estimate metabolic parameters. The analyzer of the invention uses a dynamic observer state estimator to estimate the parameters and tracks their values as they change with alterations in the patient metabolism or testing conditions. The state estimator does not use the conventional steady state solutions. The observer predicts the patient consumption of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide at a subsequent point in time, corrects these values using measurements of air flow rate and chamber levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide taken at that subsequent time, and repeats for the next time. The corrected values are used for estimation of the metabolic parameters. |
| US08109874B2 |
Mobile device having health care function based on biomedical signals and health care method using the same
The present invention relates to a mobile device capable of performing biomedical signal measurement and a health care method using the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device capable of efficiently performing health care functions for a user by checking a user's state of health using a handheld mobile device mounted with a biomedical signal measurement module, which can be used both as a mobile device and in measuring the emotional state and physical condition of a user if necessary, and a health care method using the same. In order to achieve the above object, the mobile device of the present invention comprises a biomedical signal measurement module for detecting biomedical signals from a user's body, classifying the detected biomedical signals by respective signals and outputting the classified signals; and a health care module for analyzing a user's emotional state and physical condition based on the biomedical signals input from the biomedical signal measurement module and user's physical information. |
| US08109872B2 |
Endoscopic apparatus having an improved catheter
A delivery apparatus cooperable with a grasping slot of an elevator of endoscope for enhanced delivery to a target location in a patient is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a catheter including an inner lumen and an outer surface. The outer surface has a projection formed thereon. The projection radially extends from the outer surface. The projection is configured to receive the elevator for enhanced delivery in the patient. |
| US08109871B2 |
Endoscope integrity tester including context-sensitive compensation and methods of context-sensitive integrity testing
Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to specific endoscopes and particular testing changes to further improve accuracy by being context-sensitive. |
| US08109864B2 |
Arm exercising device
An arm exercising device includes a frame, a linkage mechanism, and an impeding unit disposed to apply a resistance force to the linkage mechanism. The frame includes an upright support that has a fixed guide rod. The linkage mechanism includes a pair of swing arms pivotally mounted on the upright support for swinging upward and downward, a runner sleeve disposed slidably over the guide rod for movement upward or downward, a pair of linking rods, each connected between the runner sleeve and one of the swing arms, and a force transmitting cord connected to the handgrips and the swing arms. The resistance force applied to each arm of the user who grips both handgrips and pulls downward is applied evenly to enable a smooth exercise to be performed. |
| US08109862B2 |
Method and apparatus for a mobile training device for simultaneous use by multiple users
A method and apparatus for a physical training device is provided to accommodate one or more athletes during support of a plurality of independent training scenarios for each athlete. The physical training device provides a plurality of training stations, where each training station may be specific to martial arts training activities, or may be generalized to facilitate training that is effective for a plurality of other sporting disciplines. The physical training device provides removable casters that facilitate maneuvering and reconfiguration of the physical training device. Lifting devices may also be configured along the bottom surface of the physical training device so as to provide a mechanism whereby the casters of the physical training device may be lifted off of the surface that is supporting the casters. Two or more physical training devices may be interconnected so as to provide a localized cluster of physical training devices. |
| US08109861B2 |
Exercise device with varied gait movements
An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having an upper link pivotally mounted to a lower leg link and a foot support on a distal end of the lower leg link. A first transfer system is movably coupled to a frame and including a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link and a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, thereby enabling substantially reciprocating motion of the first leg link relative to the second leg link. A second transfer system is also provided and may be movably coupled to the frame and including a pair of third transfer members coupled to each of a pair of fourth transfer members by way of each of a pair of transfer couplings, each movably mounted to the frame. The fourth transfer members may be coupled to the first lower leg link and the second lower leg link, whereby movement of the first lower leg link causes movement of the second lower leg link irrespective of movement of the upper leg links thereby providing a stable platform for the user and also enabling an infinite number of gait patters by the user. |
| US08109859B2 |
Bilaterally actuated sculling trainer
An apparatus for simulating sculling or rowing on water includes a support frame with foot rests, a sliding seat, bilateral oars that are rotationally coupled to a set of actuators, integrated input velocity and torque sensors, computer and computer display. Each actuator incorporates a mechanical transmission, a rotational inertial mass, a variable linear and a variable non-linear damping element. The damping elements can be controlled manually or automatically by computer programs under user control. |
| US08109851B2 |
Driving belt and method for assembling same
A driving belt and method of assembling the same, which can fit rings with elements easily even at a final phase of fitting work. In a driving belt, two rows of endless rings are accommodated and held parallel to each other in a recess of a plurality of elements interlinked annularly in a manner to situate the recess to open to an outer circumferential side and in a manner to pivot with respect to the adjoining elements, and the element includes plural types of elements having different configurations of the recess. |
| US08109848B2 |
Pivotal connection of a bicycle derailleur
A stable and play-free pivot connection of a bicycle derailleur between a parallelogram link and either a base member or a chain cage. The pivot points are formed with first and second bushings that are arranged as far from one another as possible. The parts are connected by pivot pins having a anti-rotation contour for preventing rotation of the pin within an inner pivot part. The axial displacement of the pivot pin is prevented by a securing element or by a deforming element engaging a holding contour on the pivot pin. One of the first and second bushings is protected and arranged in a blind hole and the other of the first and second bushings is covered on the outside by a pin head of the pivot pin. |
| US08109846B2 |
Lacrosse head having marked measurement points
A lacrosse head includes a ball stop (throat), a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a scoop. The sidewalls can include visible markings, or sets of indicia, on the front and/or on the rear of the head. The indicia can be located at 1.25, 3.0, and 5.0 inches from the ball stop. The indicia can be marked on the surface of the sidewalls, and/or can be in the form or protrusions on or recesses defined by the sidewalls. The indicia can provide consistent measurement locations to assist officials and others in measuring the lacrosse head to ensure that it complies with the proposed 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules regarding the dimensional measurements for a lacrosse head. A method for molding the lacrosse head including the indicia is also provided. |
| US08109837B1 |
Laser putting device
A laser putting device for a golf putter includes a guiding unit for generating a laser beam, a frame for supporting the guiding unit disposed in the frame, an activator connected to the golf putter and communicated with the guiding unit for turning the guiding unit between on and off positions thereby generating the laser beam. A bracket of the laser guiding device is adaptable to receive a tubular member of the guiding unit that has a mirror and a diode emitting the laser beam and guiding the laser beam into the mirror angled in the fashion to form the laser beam having 90 degrees thereby allowing the golfer to point the laser beam at the target point, such as a hole in a golf green. The laser guiding device help the golfer to learn how to improve a strike and place the golf ball into a hole within short period of time and without necessity of using outdoor facility. |
| US08109836B1 |
Interchangeable billiard cue tip assembly and billiard cue utilizing same
A billiard cue has a changeable cue tip/ferrule assembly wherein the ferrule has a conical projection fitting snugly into a congruent receptacle in a fixed tenon of the cue. Vibration of the ferrule is limited by being locked to the rigid cue. The configuration is also useful in establishing a concurrent center line of the cue stick and changeable cue tip assembly. The ferrule's cone has a hollow surface whose axis is aligned with the ferrule's longitudinal axis. The invention teaches that the cue, with the ferrule attached, may now be rotated in a lathe with the ferrule's cone's hollow surface mating with a live center in the lathe tailstock. Thus the final tapering and finishing of the cue stick shaft is accomplished in the lathe with the axis of the ferrule's cone defining the cue stick/changeable cue tip mutual centerline. |
| US08109835B2 |
Systems and methods for martial arts combat
Systems and methods are provided relating to martial arts competitions including martial arts games, team competitions, and a martial arts combat league. A martial arts combat league may combine traditional aspects of martial arts competitions with the appeal of rooting for a favorite team or individual competitor. Martial arts competition rules and scoring systems may be provided for the martial arts combat league. A martial arts competition area may be provided for presentation of martial arts combat league events. A novel scoring system may involve and inform fans of the martial arts combat league. |
| US08109834B2 |
Support structure for bolting components of drive shaft via mounting member
A support structure for bolting components of a drive shaft via a mounting member that comprises at least are mounting member of the drive shaft having formed through a bolt hole, a female thread portion which is formed in the mounting member, the bolt having a male thread portion can be screwed into the female thread portion by inserting the bolt into the bolt hole, and a heat-shrinkable tube that is adapted to provide elastic contact at an inner surface of the bolt hole. |
| US08109827B2 |
Multivendor progressive gaming system
A method of facilitating the play of a progressive game and a system for facilitating the play of a progressive game are disclosed. The method may include accruing a portion of wagers to a multi-vendor progressive prize fund, tracking the total amount accrued to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund by the first set of game terminals in a first prize determination interval. The method may include receiving a second wager from a second player of a second game of chance, the second game of chance operating on a second game terminal in a second set of game terminals. The method may include determining that the second player has won a progressive. The method may also include determining the value of the progressive prize, the value of the progressive prize depending on the size of the multi-vendor progressive prize fund and on an amount of contributions accrued from the second set of game terminals to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund during a second prize determination interval. |
| US08109826B2 |
Voucher gaming player terminal
A gaming system and method of playing a gaming device by a user. The method includes inserting a voucher having a voucher value into the gaming device and accessing a database having voucher data associated with the voucher. The voucher value is verified. The user is queried for a credit value of a base wagering denomination. Calculations of full game credits and partial game credits are performed based upon the voucher value and the credit value. The full game credits, the partial game credits, and the voucher value are displayed on a game display. The method allows partial or all credits to be played at any time. The method provides for recording of game events to a database. The method also allows for the user to change the base wagering denomination during game play. |
| US08109821B2 |
Gaming system and method which enables multiple players to simultaneously play multiple individual games or group games on a central display
The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a central controller, a central display which includes a plurality of display segments and a plurality player stations. The display segments are configured to each separately display one of a plurality of games, to co-act to display a plurality of games, or to co-act to display one game. Each player station is configured to enable a player to play one or more of the games displayed by the display segments. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play a group game on the central display, a plurality of players to simultaneously play multiple group games on the central display, and a plurality of players to each simultaneously play multiple individual games on the central display. |
| US08109816B1 |
Method and apparatus for measurement and analysis of a golf swing
A method for analyzing at least one golf swing parameter using a plurality of accelerometers located proximate the distal ends of a golf club, a signal processing and display system utilizing a double pendulum model of a golf club swing, said model for describing swing parameters and having an upper portion, a pivot point and a lower portion, the method comprising the steps of entering initial swing conditions and golf club parameters; performing a swing and collecting data from the accelerometers; determining a differential mode signal from the acceleration data; calculating the pivot point location relative to each accelerometer using the accelerometer data; calculating a common mode signal using the pivot point; and determining at least one golf swing parameter as a function of time using the common mode signal. In a specific embodiment, the step of calculating the pivot point location relative to each accelerometer comprises the step of minimizing the contribution of the common mode signal into an accelerometer signal comprising the differential mode signal and the common mode signal. The method may also comprise the step of displaying the at least one golf swing parameter. |
| US08109810B2 |
Shellfish positioning and opening apparatus
A shellfish positioning and opening apparatus having at least one processing lane whereby the apparatus includes the following stations of an in-feed and singulation station followed by a reorientation assembly station utilizing a vision system and a holding and opening assembly station. The said processing stations are operatively connected in that order together to receive shellfish having meat therein to position said shellfish according to their shape and orientation to enable shellfish to be halved so that one shellfish half has the shellfish meat thereon. A method is also included having the steps of—singulating the shellfish; applying vision system to determine and compare orientation of shellfish, reorienting each shellfish so that the shellfish is pointing in the right direction, abutting said shellfish to the vertical alignment device to cause said shellfish to be substantially vertical and loading shellfish onto lifting assembly to lift said shellfish to allow the holding and opening assembly to hold it against the hinge breaker, apply a vacuum to create a gape whereby the knife assembly slidably operates to cut the meat from one shellfish half. |
| US08109800B2 |
Outboard motor
A transmission device includes hydraulic type transmission mechanisms arranged to change the speed or the direction of rotation of an engine, and hydraulic pressure control valves arranged to control hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic type transmission mechanisms. The hydraulic pressure control valves are disposed on one side or the other side in the watercraft width direction. The transmission device provides an outboard motor capable of securing cooling characteristics of a hydraulic pressure control valve without incurring complexity in structure and increase in cost. |
| US08109796B2 |
Electrical connector with elastic lead sections
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a pair of contacts. The insulative housing defines a mating face, a rear face opposite to the mating face, and a receiving cavity between and running through the mating face and the rear face. The contacts are retained in two opposite sides of the receiving cavity and each defining a contacting portion, a retaining portion extending backward from the contacting portion and at least a terminal portion extending from the contacting portion. A pair of elastic pieces integrally extend backward from the mating face of the insulative housing to the receiving cavity and free ends of the contacting portions resist on the elastic piece. The elastic pieces shift away from the receiving cavity under a condition that a mating electrical connector is inserted in the receiving cavity and press against the elastic pieces. The contacts are wider than the elastic pieces. |
| US08109795B2 |
USB/ESATA combo receptable featured with ground layer retarding interfaces therebetween
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a mating cavity, two parallel and stacked mating portions respectively forwards extending into the mating cavity, sets of contact retained in the housing and a grounding member retained in the housing. The first mating portion defines thereon a first surface; the second mating portion spaces from the first mating portion and defines thereon a second surface opposite to the first surface. The sets of contact include a first set of contacts each defining a contacting section exposed upon the first surface and a second set of contacts each defining a deflectable cantilevered beam accessible from the second face. The grounding member is disposed between the first and second mating portions to reduce the cross-talk between the first and second sets of contacts. |
| US08109794B2 |
Contact, and card adaptor and card connector having the same
In a contact of the present invention, a first plate spring piece portion 11c having a first fulcrum portion 11b in one side extends in a cantilevered manner from the first fulcrum portion 11b in a direction opposite to a card insertion direction so as to be elastically deformable in a thickness direction of the card. A second plate spring piece portion 11e having in one side a second fulcrum portion 11d which is the other side of the first plate spring piece portion 11c is formed in a shape where the second plate spring piece portion extends at an inclination angle from the second fulcrum portion 11d in the card insertion direction so as to be elastically deformable in the card thickness direction. The other side of the second plate spring piece portion 11e is to be contacted with the contact pad 2 of the card 1. |
| US08109784B2 |
Wire containment cap with an integral strain relief clip
A wire containment cap for reducing horizontal strain on a cable terminated at a communication jack. The wire containment cap is part of the communication jack and includes a strain relief clip that may be actuated to apply pressure to the cable. The applied pressure holds the cable in place and helps prevent wire pairs of the cable from pulling out of terminals in the communication jack. |
| US08109782B2 |
Electrical connecting element and disk equipped with such an element
Electrical connecting element (2) that is designed to be welded or soldered onto an electrically conductive component (11) of a window pane, comprising an electrically conductive body (20), of which one section is designed to be welded or soldered onto the component (11) for its electrical connection, and of which another if section is designed to be connected in the direction of the outer side of the window pane, characterized in that the body comprises an electrically conductive foil (21) with a thickness between 1 and 500 μm and intermediate means (5, 6) that serve as shock-absorbing means between the stiff section of the body of the connecting element and the window pane. |
| US08109780B2 |
Tamper prevention and detection apparatus for an electronic device
An apparatus for preventing and detecting tampering of an electronic device is provided. The apparatus may prevent and detect tampering occurring through an aperture in a casing of the electronic device where the aperture is configured for receiving a standoff that couples a communication cable to a communication port of the electronic device. Upon removal of the standoff, visual indicia of tampering may be provided. Additionally, a shield may block entry of the standoff into the aperture if the standoff is removed. |
| US08109778B2 |
Electrical connector lock
A locking assembly for selectively locking a female electrical receptor with an electrical male plug connector is disclosed. The male plug has a plurality of prongs with apertures, and female receptor has prong-receiving contact members with openings that are aligned with the apertures when the plug is connected with the receptor. The locking assembly can have a pair of caps with conical projections that fit into the openings in the contact members and apertures of the prongs. A spring-loaded actuator button moves the caps in and out of engagement with the contact members and the prongs. Several embodiments of the locking assembly are disclosed. |
| US08109775B2 |
Juvenile product assembly with intrinsic electrical connection
A juvenile product includes an electrical device, a structural assembly configured to structurally support the electrical device, and a power delivery path configured to carry power to the electrical device. The structural assembly includes first and second structural components, and is formed via a structural connection of the first and second structural components. The power delivery path is disposed within the first and second structural components, respectively, and includes first and second electrical contacts positioned relative to the first and second structural components, respectively, such that the structural connection between the first and second structural components establishes an electrical connection between the first and second contacts. |
| US08109774B2 |
Connector having a rotary engaging member
In a connector for connecting a connection object having a locked portion, a movable member is provided so as to be movable in a predetermined direction between a connecting position and an ejecting position together with the connection object. A cam mechanism is coupled to the movable member and selectively maintains the movable member at the connecting position or at the ejecting position. A first engaging member is held by the movable member and is rotatable in a rotating direction. The first engaging member has a locking portion to be engaged with the locked portion in the predetermined direction when the first engaging member is located at a predetermined angular position. A braking device is coupled with the first engaging member to brake the first engaging member in the rotating direction. |
| US08109772B2 |
USB based expresscard device
A USB based ExpressCard device having a dimension equal to a standard ExpressCard is disclosed to include an ExpressCard having a circuit board accommodated in an electrically insulative bracket and surrounded by a top cover shell and a bottom cover shell, and a USB3.0 connector mounted in an opening in a front locating shell of the electrically insulative bracket of the ExpressCard and having the rear bonding portions of first and second conducting terminals thereof respectively bonded to respective contacts at the circuit board by SMT (surface mounting technology). |
| US08109767B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is disclosed and includes a body and a cover. The body has a first through hole and an area for conducting and accommodating solder between the first through hole and the edges of the body. The cover is movably disposed on the body. The color of the cover is lighter than that of the body. The cover has a second through hole and an area for accommodating pins between the second through hole and the edges of the cover. The second through hole corresponds to the first through hole. The second through hole has a first rim, a second rim, a third rim, and a fourth rim. The third rim and the fourth rim are parallel to a movement direction of the cover. When the cover is at an open state on the body, the area for accommodating pins and the area for conducting and accommodating solder are disengaged, the projection of the first rim and the second rim of the second through hole vertically on the body does not lie in the first through hole. It solves the problem of making mistakes in inspection. |
| US08109765B2 |
Intelligent tutoring feedback
Methods and related computer program products, systems, and devices for providing intelligent feedback to a user based on audio input associated with a user reading a passage are disclosed. The method can include assessing a level of fluency of a user's reading of the sequence of words using speech recognition technology to compare the audio input with an expected sequence of words and providing feedback to the user related to the level of fluency for a word. |
| US08109764B2 |
Dental retention systems
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements. |
| US08109762B2 |
Dental handpiece with abutment device
A dental handpiece carries a drill and drives it in relative motion in a direction of penetration. The handpiece includes a body with a proximal end and a distal end, a removable head connected to the body's distal end, able to hold the drill, abutment means fixed on the dental handpiece by fixation means and able to limit the depth of penetration of the drill in the body of a patient. The abutment means, protruding from the dental handpiece, are fixed and locked on the dental handpiece by locking means which are actuated by the simple movement of joining the head to the body. |
| US08109761B1 |
Dental furnace with cooling system
A cooling system for a dental porcelain furnace speeds up the cycle time for the furnace. |
| US08109758B2 |
System and control method for detecting an abnormal burning situation using air pressure sensing and flame detection
Disclosed is a method for detecting a combustion state of a boiler, and more particularly to a boiler and a method capable of exactly detecting an abnormal combustion state of a gas boiler using an air pressure sensor and a flame detection unit, thereby improving efficiency of the boiler. The method comprises the steps of (S1) supplying air to a burner through a fan, (S2) detecting whether an optimum amount of air is supplied through step (S1) by using the air pressure sensor, (S3) continuously detecting a status of a flame through the flame detection unit if the flame is made by an ignition part, (S4) converting a size of the flame into a corresponding voltage value, inputting the voltage value into a microcomputer, and comparing the voltage value with a preset target voltage value, (S5) stopping a combustion process if the microcomputer determines that the air pressure sensor erroneously operates based on a fact that a difference value between the voltage value and the preset target voltage value exceeds a reference value, and (S6) displaying an error message indicating an abnormal combustion state if the microcomputer determines that the air pressure sensor erroneously operates. |
| US08109752B2 |
Imprinting stamper and method of manufacturing the same
An imprinting stamper which can transfer a microscopic pattern to a medium bearing a convex area or local projection, with high accuracy. A convexo-concave pattern is formed on a surface of the imprinting stamper. It includes a pattern layer having the convexo-concave pattern; and a stamper backside layer arranged on a backside of the pattern layer. Young's modulus of the pattern layer is 500 MPa to 10 GPa; and Young's modulus of the stamper backside layer is smaller than Young's modulus of the pattern layer. |
| US08109750B2 |
Method and apparatus for the production of high tenacity polyolefin sheet
A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calender rolls initially set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced: and c) once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip lowering the temperature in the nip to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and increasing the gap to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described. |
| US08109748B2 |
Gear tooth and external gear pump
A gear tooth including a concave base connected to its starting point at the root of the adjacent tooth and a top connected to the base via a first transition point. The top of the tooth includes two convex segments connected via a second transition point causing a curve break in the tooth profile. |
| US08109746B2 |
Progressing cavity pump/motor
A progressing cavity pump/motor includes an upper stator tube (14), a lower stator tube (16), a rotor (20) sitting between the upper and lower stator tubes, and a coupling assembly (30) interconnecting the stator tubes comprising an outer sleeve (32), an inner sleeve (36) and a nut (60) for threaded engagement with at least one of the sleeves to bring a stop surface on the inner sleeve into mating engagement with the stop surface on the outer sleeve. The pump/motor is usually assembled in the field while maintaining precise axial and rotational positioning of the stator tubes. |
| US08109745B2 |
Floor pump
A floor pump includes a base; and a cylinder assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end, with a cross-sectional area of the first end of the cylinder assembly being larger than the second end of the cylinder assembly. A linkage assembly is partially disposed in the cylinder assembly and communicates with the base. A hose has a first end coupled to the base and communicating with the linkage assembly and a second end coupled to a thing desired to be inflated. |
| US08109744B2 |
Turbo vacuum pump
An oil-free turbo vacuum pump is capable of evacuating gas in a chamber from atmospheric pressure to high vacuum. The turbo vacuum pump includes a pumping section having rotor blades and stator blades which are disposed alternately in a casing, a main shaft for supporting the rotor blades, and a bearing and motor section having a motor for rotating the main shaft and a bearing mechanism for supporting the main shaft rotatably. A gas bearing is used as a bearing for supporting the main shaft in a thrust direction, spiral grooves are formed in both surfaces of a stationary part of the gas bearing, and the stationary part having the spiral grooves is placed between an upper rotating part and a lower rotating part which are fixed to the main shaft. |
| US08109743B2 |
Axial flow fan unit
An axial flow fan unit includes a first and a second axial flow fan. The first axial flow fan includes a first motor, a plurality of first lead lines connected to the first motor, a first impeller rotatable about a center axis by the first motor, and a first housing arranged to enclose the first motor and the first impeller, wherein the first housing has a first recess portion extending from an inside to an outside of the first housing. Likewise, the second axial flow fan includes a second motor, a plurality of second lead lines, a second impeller, and the second housing, wherein the second housing has a second recess portion extending from an inside to an outside of the second housing. The first and the second lead lines are led out from the first and the second housings through the first and the second recesses, respectively. Further, the first recess portion is deviated relative to or partially overlapped with the second recess portion along a circumferential direction. |
| US08109741B2 |
Pump
A pump has a body and a pressurizing barrel. The body has an outlet tube and a magnetic check valve mounted in the outlet tube to prevent a back-flow current from damaging an impeller mounted inside the body. When closed, the magnetic check valve actuates a magnetic switch to signal external devices. The pressurizing barrel has a tank containing liquid for compensating a pressure in the body and a casing. The casing is externally mounted on the pressurizing barrel, defines a notch for receiving a circuit board and has a detachable cap to facilitate maintenance of the circuit board. Accordingly, the pump effectively prevents impeller and motor damage due to the back-flow current. Moreover, the casing facilitates maintenance of the circuit board. |
| US08109739B2 |
Dosing pump for a liquid fuel additive
A dosing pump for a liquid additive in fuel of a heavy fuel engine includes a piston, a cylinder, and a high resolution linear actuator, including a motor driven by a controller, for moving the piston axially in the cylinder. The pump includes a manifold, and a low friction dish-shaped seal having a peripheral portion forming a seal between the cylinder and the manifold in a fully extended position of the piston. The dish-shaped seal includes a top portion attached to the piston that moves with the piston such that the top portion of the seal is compressed against the manifold in the fully extended position. The shape of the seal minimizes non-linearity of the volume dosed as a function of movement of the piston, and the controller drives the motor so as to remove a remaining non-linearity of the volume dosed as a function of movement of the piston. |
| US08109738B2 |
Vapor recovery gas pressure boosters and methods and systems for using same
A gas pressure booster and a method for using it, which recovers fugitive gas emissions such as at atmospheric pressure, boosts them such as to the pressure level of the low pressure gas sink, and returns them to, e.g., the low pressure gas sink, in a single stage of compression. No electricity or cooling water is required. All gas used to drive the vapor recovery booster may be recovered and vented to the low pressure gas sink.In one preferred embodiment, the gas pressure booster includes a drive cylinder and a boost cylinder interconnected by reciprocating drive and boost pistons. The drive piston supplies force powered by a first gas stream within the drive cylinder which exhausts to a second gas stream at a lower pressure. Fugitive gas emissions may be captured and transported to the lower pressure second gas stream to eliminate gas discharged to atmosphere. The need for boosting a gas multiple ratios is eliminated, as the pressure of the fugitive emission vapor is equalized to the low pressure gas sink at the end of the piston suction stroke. Preferably, a four-way valve operating on differential gas pressure may be used to automatically actuate the reciprocating piston. |
| US08109736B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling operation of a linear compressor using a phase difference inflection point detecting unit
An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a linear compressor by detecting a phase difference inflection point at a time point when a phase difference between a current and a stroke is placed within a certain region, and by recognizing the phase difference infection point as a top dead center (TDC)=O. The apparatus for controlling an operation of a linear compressor, comprises: a controlling unit for detecting a phase difference between a current and a stroke, and outputting a frequency varying signal or a phase difference inflection point detecting signal based on the detected phase difference; a phase difference inflection point detecting unit for judging whether to detect a phase difference inflection point or not by the phase difference inflection point detecting signal, and outputting a stroke command value controlling signal based on a result of the judgement; and a stroke command value determining unit for determining a stroke command value based on the stroke command value controlling signal. |
| US08109735B2 |
Cooled component with a featured surface and related manufacturing method
An improved type of cooled component is disclosed. The cooled components, such as turbine airfoils and combustors, have a base metal structural member, including a metal sheet or blank, with a featured surface. The features, such as fins, pins, and other protrusions, as well as divots, indentions, slots, channels, and holes, are formed by lithographic processes. The protrusions can be formed from a different material than the metal sheet or blank, preferably one with superior heat-conductive or oxidation properties. A related method of manufacturing is also disclosed. |
| US08109730B2 |
Pump for contaminated liquid
The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising a pump housing provided with a rotatable impeller (3) having at least one vane (9) and an impeller seat (4), the impeller seat (4) presenting at least one recess (13) in the top surface (11) thereof, a sheering/cutting action arising between an cutting edge (15) of said recess (13) and a lower edge (14) of the vane (9) as the impeller (3) rotates relative to the impeller seat (4). Furthermore, the pump also comprises means for guiding the solid matter towards said recess (13), the guiding means comprising at least one guide in and at least one projection (20), an upper surface (19) of the guide pin extending from a position contiguous to the most inner part of the vane (9) of the impeller (3) towards the impeller seat (4), and the projection (20) protruding from the impeller seat (4). |
| US08109729B2 |
Wind turbine and a pitch bearing for a wind turbine
A wind turbine includes a rotor having a rotational axis and a wind turbine blade connected to a hub through a pitch bearing. The pitch bearing includes an outer ring, a center ring and an inner ring. The pitch bearing further includes a first rolling element arrangement having at least two rows of rolling elements between the center ring and one of the inner and outer rings, and a second rolling element arrangement having at least one row of rolling elements between the center ring and the other of the inner and outer rings. A first row of the at least two rows is arranged at a first distance from the rotational axis, and a second row of the at least two rows is arranged at a second distance from the rotational axis greater than the first distance. A pitch bearing for a wind turbine is also disclosed. |
| US08109728B2 |
Adjusting apparatus for adjusting the pitch angle of propeller blades, variable-pitch propeller, control function which can be implemented in a computer, and method for adjusting the pitch angle of propeller blades
Apparatus for adjusting pitch angle of propeller blades of a variable-pitch propeller. The blades being adjustable in a first blade pitch-angle range with positive pitch angles, in a second blade pitch-angle range, and in a third blade pitch-angle range with negative pitch angles. The second blade pitch-angle range is an intermediate range located between the first and the third blade pitch-angle range, which includes the pitch-angle range where blade drag is a minimum, and ranges of positive pitch angles with low thrust and of negative pitch angles with low reverse thrust. The apparatus provides adjustment of the propeller blades from the first to the third blade pitch-angle range and vice versa, and is designed to be operated so that at least a first group of propeller blades can be rotated through the second blade pitch-angle range, while propeller blades in another group are in a positive blade pitch-angle range. |
| US08109724B2 |
Recessed metering standoffs for airfoil baffle
An internally cooled airfoil comprises an airfoil body, a baffle and a plurality of standoffs. The airfoil body is shaped to form leading and trailing edges, and pressure and suction sides surrounding an internal cooling channel. The baffle is disposed within the internal cooling channel and comprises a liner body having a perimeter shaped to correspond to the shape of the internal cooling channel and to form a cooling air supply duct. The baffle includes a plurality of cooling holes extending through the liner body to direct cooling air from the supply duct into the internal cooling channel. The standoffs maintain minimum spacing between the liner body and the airfoil body. In one embodiment, the standoffs are recessed into a surface of either the baffle or the airfoil body. In another embodiment, the standoffs are elongated to meter flow between the liner body and the airfoil body. |
| US08109721B2 |
Bearing arrangement for a turbine rotor of a drill string turbine
A bearing arrangement for a turbine rotor of a turbine is adapted to be mounted in a drill string and to be driven by the flow of drilling fluid. The bearing arrangement includes a turbine chamber surrounding the turbine rotor and having an inflow and an outflow, a stator on which the turbine rotor is rotatably mounted, and a cavity formed between the turbine rotor and the stator and accommodating at least one radial plain bearing and being separated from the turbine chamber by an axial plain bearing constructed as a bearing ring seal and by a conveyor screw which is disposed on the turbine rotor and operates to convey from the cavity to the turbine chamber. |
| US08109719B2 |
Annular component
A stator vane assembly for a compressor has a support structure which carries and is bounded by an annular stator vane structure. The stator vane structure comprises a central bore and a sleeve carried on the central bore. The sleeve is disposed between the support structure and bore of the annular stator vane structure. The annular stator vane structure is made from a non-metallic composite material and the sleeve is made from a first material. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the non metallic material is equal to or less than the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the first material. |
| US08109718B2 |
Centrifugal blower
A centrifugal blower (10) includes a casing (12) and a rotor (14) rotatable disposed in the casing. The casing includes a base plate (121), a sidewall (122) extending from the base plate and a cover (123) covering the sidewall. The sidewall is a multilayer structure and includes a first section (128a) and a second section (128c). A distance between a central axis (A) of the rotor and an inner surface of the second section is greater than that between the central axis of the rotor and an inner surface of the first section. The first section is located below a mother board (20) and the second section sits on a top surface of the motherboard when the centrifugal blower is mounted to the mother board. |
| US08109717B2 |
Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals with integrated back-up seals
Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals with back-up seals are provided. In this regard, a representative seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a hydrostatic seal having a seal face and a seal runner; and a back-up seal; wherein, in a normal mode of operation of the hydrostatic seal, interaction of the seal face and the seal runner maintains a pressure differential within the gas turbine engine and, in a failure mode of operation of the hydrostatic seal, the back-up seal maintains a pressure differential within the gas turbine engine. |
| US08109716B2 |
Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals with anti-fouling provisioning
Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals with anti-fouling provisioning are provided. In this regard, a representative turbine assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises: a turbine having a hydrostatic seal; the hydrostatic seal having a seal face, a seal runner, a carrier, and a biasing member; the seal face and the seal runner defining a high-pressure side and a lower-pressure side of the seal; the carrier being operative to position the seal face relative to the seal runner; and the biasing member being located on the lower-pressure side of the seal and being operative to bias the carrier such that interaction of the biasing member and gas pressure across the seal causes the carrier to position the seal face relative to the seal runner. |
| US08109714B2 |
Sewage pump
A sewage pump is to mount a blade set coaxially mounted between a water paddle disk and a first wheel blade within the blade chamber, wherein the blade set comprises a stationary annular blade base and a movable second wheel blade. The second wheel blade is within the annular blade base fixed to an inner wall of the blade chamber. Particularly, the stationary blade base and the second wheel blade respectively have blade sheets facing toward each other. When the sewage pump is driven by its motor, the water paddle disk, the first and second wheel blades are rotated to cause a suction force to drive precipitation flow into the blade chamber via the precipitation inlet. The first wheel blade cooperates with a gear ring to perform a first smashing stage and then the blade set performs a second smashing stage to improve the smashing efficiency of the sewage pump. |
| US08109703B2 |
Air cargo rollout stop
A cargo rollout stop includes a base, and a guide head pivotally mounted to the base. The guide head is movable between a raised blocking position, and a lowered non-blocking position. A retraction pedal is pivotally mounted to the guide head, and is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the guide head. The retraction pedal permits downward rotation of the guide head from its raised blocking position to its lowered non-blocking position when the retraction pedal is in its second position, and blocks downward rotation of the guide head from its raised blocking position to its lowered non-blocking position when the retraction pedal is in its it first position. |
| US08109701B2 |
Cutting head of a reamer
A cutting head of a reamer has a cutting head forward end, a cutting head rear end distal the cutting head forward end, and a peripheral surface therebetween. The peripheral surface has at least two wiping pads that extend rearwardly from the cutting head forward end. At least one cutting section extends between two consecutive wiping pads and has a chip evacuation flute that extends rearwardly from the cutting head forward end and a cutting edge that is formed at the intersection of a rake surface and a relief surface. A chip former extends rearwardly from the rake surface. The chip former has a front portion that is slanted rearwardly and downwardly from the rake surface, and, a rear portion that is slanted rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the rake surface. A rear end of the rear portion joins the chip evacuation flute and form therewith a forming internal angle. |
| US08109700B2 |
Replaceable tip for a bit or auger bit
A tool element for cutting a workpiece includes a body including a shank for connecting the tool element to a power tool, a first cutting portion formed as part of the body and defining a first removing pattern, and a cutting element removably coupled to the body and including a second cutting portion defining a second removing pattern, the second removing pattern being a substantial continuation of the first removing pattern. |
| US08109697B2 |
Air conveyor with a device for orienting bottles vertically
An air conveyor for transporting plastic bottles, in which bottles are driven by applying air, in the area of the bottle openings. In a partial area of the air conveyor, means are provided to apply air to the bottle bodies. These means are arranged such that the bottles are essentially oriented vertically with the openings of the bottles facing upwards and the bottom of the bottles facing downwards. |
| US08109696B2 |
Sheet-like element such as a net, particularly for geotechnical applications
A sheet-like element, such as a net, particularly for geotechnical applications, comprising a sheet-like body formed by superimposing at least two sets of filaments in order to provide a lattice-like structure, the sheet-like body being provided by a first polymer, which defines the lattice-like structure, and a second polymer, which is coextruded together with the first polymer and affects at least regions of at least one face of the sheet-like body, the first polymer having physical and mechanical characteristics of compressive and tensile strength, while the second polymer has a high friction coefficient. |
| US08109694B2 |
Replacement of underground pipes
This document discusses, among other things, devices, apparatuses, and methods for the replacement of existing underground pipes. In general, an apparatus comprises a body, including a receiving portion, and a breaking assembly adapted to be positioned within the receiving portion and detachably coupled to the body. In one example, the body and the breaking assembly are adapted, when coupled, to split the existing underground pipe when pulled therethrough using one or more cutting wheels. In varying examples, each cutting wheel radially protrudes out of a breaking assembly housing an increasing amount along a length of the apparatus allowing for a clean, progressive cut of the existing pipe. In another example, the body and the breaking assembly are adapted, when coupled, to burst the existing pipe when pulled therethrough. Advantageously, the present devices, apparatuses, and methods may provide replacement of underground pipes requiring minimal excavation and making economical use of parts. |
| US08109692B2 |
Barrier transfer device, system and method for the use thereof
A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided. |
| US08109691B2 |
Apparatus and method for on site pouring of pre-stressed concrete structures
An apparatus and method for on site pouring of pre-stressed concrete structures. A form, having elongated sides spanned by first and second bulkheads at each end, is assembled on a building site. The form defines the size and configuration of a structure, and has an upper edge determining the upper surface of the structure. A transportable cable pre-stressing frame is provided, having a first end and a second end with respective outrigger assemblies and at least one pre-stressed cable extending therebetween. Adjustable means are provided for positioning and maintaining the frame over and generally in longitudinal alignment with the form, the pre-stressed cable lying below the form's upper edge. Concrete is poured into the form, covering the cable. After curing is complete, the portions of the cable extending outside the concrete structure are cut, releasing the tension on the cable and transferring it to the concrete. |
| US08109690B2 |
System for continuous vehicular travel on crossing roadways
Systems for improved vehicular movement between first and second crossing roadways. The systems employ multiple turn roadways to permit a vehicle traveling on one of the crossing roadways to appropriately turn and continuously travel onto the other of the crossing roadway. The systems are adaptable to use in conjunction with either left side of the road vehicle movement or right side of the road vehicle movement. In addition, the systems can be adapted for use in conjunction a roadway crossing whereat at least one of the roads is for forwarded vehicle movement in only one direction. |
| US08109687B2 |
Telescopic adjusting mechanism
A telescopic adjusting mechanism includes: an outer tube having a positioning unit; an inner tube having a hole and displaceable relative to the outer tube along a longitudinal axis; a locking unit displaceable along with the inner tube, and including a locking member movable along a transverse axis between a locking position, where the locking member extends through the hole to engage the positioning unit, and an unlocking position, where the locking member is disengaged from the positioning unit, and a biasing member biasing the locking member to the locking position, the locking unit being formed with an engaging member; a restraining member engaging releasably the engaging member when the locking member is at the unlocking position to prevent the locking unit from hindering retraction of the inner tube into the outer tube; and a drive unit operable to move the locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position. |
| US08109686B2 |
Brush, in particular toothbrush, and associated production method
A brush, in particular a toothbrush, including a head part with a cleaning structure that with bristles, a hand part and a neck part, a cavity with at least one outlet opening for an active substance being located in the head or neck part. In one embodiment, the cavity incorporates an active substance element, which contains the active substance in a carrier material and releases the substance in a controlled manner when it comes into contact with water. In another embodiment, the cavity is adapted to the shape of an active substance element by means of defined external contours. The volume of the cavity is preferably 1-2 times and no more than 4 times greater than the volume of the active substance element, ensuring that the latter is preferably surrounded by water during use. This allows the active substance to be effectively metered and ensures that the brush is easy to use. |
| US08109684B2 |
Tape printing system with auxiliary cassette containing auxiliary medium for contacting printed tape
A tape cassette includes an ink ribbon provided with a base film coated with an ink layer thereon and a film tape provided with a transparent film with an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof. When an adhesive layer of the film tape and the ink layer of the ink ribbon of the tape cassette come into contact at a print position, the ink layer is adhered onto the adhesive layer on condition that the adhesive layer is heated to exhibit self-adhesive properties, and characters and the like are printed on the film tape. Also, an auxiliary sheet medium comes into contact with the adhesive layer. Further, a conveying roller does not come into contact with the adhesive layer. |
| US08109681B2 |
Support
A support for a camera comprising a first fluid head and a second fluid head, the first fluid head being arranged to provide rotation about a first axis and the second fluid head being arranged to provide rotation about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis. |
| US08109675B1 |
Connector jack processing backcap
An optical-electrical processing jack is provided. The optical processing jack includes an optical jack with a jack housing having walls and an orifice for mechanically and optically engaging an optical plug housing. A signal bridge, with a bridge element, transceives optical signals between the optical plug and a backcap processing module. The backcap processing module includes a backcap housing with walls, attached to the jack housing and an optical element. The optical element has an optical interface to transceive an optical signal via the signal bridge, and convert optical signals and electrical signals transceived via an electrical interface. In one aspect, the bridge element is a lens with a first surface to transceive an optical signal with the optical plug, and a second surface to transceive the optical signal with the optical element optical interface. For example, the optical element is a photodiode or laser source. |
| US08109671B1 |
Cone shaped metal foil grease container
A kitchen device in the form of a cone shaped metal foil grease container for receiving and disposing of hot cooking grease. The cone shaped grease container includes a back side, a front side, an open top, downwardly and inwardly sloping edges and a closed bottom. The closed bottom is dimensioned for receipt inside an open top of a garbage disposal for holding the container upright thereon. A portion of the top of the back side of the container includes an upwardly extending flap. The flap, when folded over, is secured to the front side of the container prior to disposing of the grease stored therein. |
| US08109667B2 |
Backlight module with improved base structure and method for manufacturing the same
A backlight module and a method for manufacturing a base thereof are provided. The backlight module base includes a back plate and a frame. The back plate has a plate body and at least one sidewall, which includes a wall body and a folding structure bending from the top of the wall body. The folding structure, the plate body, and the wall body together enclose a groove. The frame is formed on the plate body and adjacent to an inner surface of the sidewall. A part of the frame is embedded into the groove. The engagement between the frame and the groove increases the contact area between the frame and the back plate to improve the connection strength. In addition, the folding design of the sidewall increases the rigidity of the whole structure. |
| US08109663B2 |
Vehicular lamp
A vehicular lamp includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, and the projector lens. Light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflector, and the light is partially blocked by the shade. Light which is not blocked is transmitted through the projector lens, and an object ahead of a vehicle is irradiated with the light. A diffraction grating is provided in a region including an end portion of a light passing region of at least one surface in the projector lens in order to reduce color separation. |
| US08109662B2 |
Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight
The invention relates to a single-piece headlamp lens (2) for a vehicle headlamp (1), in particular for a motor vehicle headlamp (1), wherein the headlamp lens (2) comprises a first region (40) designed as a free-form lens part or as part of an aspherical lens, and at least one second region (41) designed as part of a Fresnel lens. |
| US08109661B2 |
Illumination apparatus and heat dissipation structure thereof
An illumination apparatus includes a housing, a light source module, and a heat dissipation structure including heat sink fins, a shutter structure, and a variable element. The housing provides a bottom and an outlet disposed at one side of the bottom. The heat sink fins are disposed in the housing and thermal conductivity connected with the light source module. The shutter structure is disposed on the outlet and includes guiding plates, a connecting rod, and an operating element. Each of guiding plates is connected to the connecting rod. The operating element is disposed at one end of the connecting rod and provides an operating force for the connecting rod. The variable element is near the heat sink fins and connected with the connecting rod, the variable element is deformed to exert a force on the connecting rod when the variable element is heated. |
| US08109660B2 |
Globe deployable LED light assembly
An L.E.D. light emitting assembly (20) includes a heat sink (50) defined by independent elongated sections (52) upwardly from a base (26) in parallel relationship. L.E.D.s (72) are disposed on a mounting surface (60) and fins (64) are disposed on a heat transfer surface (62) of the elongated sections (52). The elongated sections (52) and base (26) are pivotably connected at a hinge (86). The hinge (86) can include a spring (102). A spreader (90) can pivot the elongated sections (52) about the hinge (86). A flexible stop (106) with a resilient tip (110) is attached to top ends (58) of the elongated sections (52). The elongated sections (52) are held together by a retainer (88), such as a band (104), and inserted through a narrow opening (22) of a globe (24). A deployment mechanism (84) moves the elongated sections (52) to a non-parallel position to fill the globe (24). |
| US08109658B2 |
Illuminating lens, and lighting device, surface light source, and liquid-crystal display apparatus each using the same
An illuminating lens includes: a light entrance surface through which light emitted from a light source enters the lens; and a light exit surface through which the light that has entered the lens exits the lens. The light exit surface has: a concave portion intersecting the optical axis; and a convex portion provided around the concave portion to extend continuously from the concave portion. The light exit surface is formed in a shape such that a curvature C of micro-segments of the light exit surface in a cross section including the optical axis has a maximum value at a position outward from the midpoint of the convex portion. |
| US08109657B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a heat sink including a base and a plurality of fins extending from the base, an LED module mounted on a bottom face of the base, an envelope covering the LED module, and a lamp housing defining a cavity. An annular receiving groove is recessed from the bottom face of the base. The LED module is attached on the bottom face of the base and surrounded by the receiving groove. The envelope includes a recessed body and an engaging flange around the recessed body. The heat sink, the LED module and the envelope are received in the cavity. The fins of the heat sink extend outwardly through the lamp housing and are exposed in an outer environment. A gasket is received in the receiving groove and tightly sandwiched between the base and the flange. |
| US08109655B2 |
Illumination device and operating method thereof and electronic apparatus having the same
An electronic apparatus includes an input device and an illumination device. The illumination device includes a chassis, an illumination module and a positioning mechanism. The module is pivotally connected to the chassis to be rotatable between a closed and an open position. The positioning mechanism is use for respectively positioning the illumination module in the closed and the open position. An operating method of the illumination device includes the following steps. First, a push force is applied to the module in the closed position. Then the module rotates from the closed position to the open position. The module enters a light-on state as arrived in the open position for illuminating the input device. Next, another push force is applied to the module in the open position, so that the module rotates to the closed position. The module enters a light-off state as arrived in the closed position. |
| US08109652B2 |
LED assembly
An improved LED assembly comprises a frame and a circuit substrate. The frame has a slot, which has an opening on the upper surface of the frame. An elongated inverted L-shaped structure is formed on either side of the opening, and one or more conductive strips are formed on the inner side of the elongated inverted L-shaped structure. Therefore, electricity may be supplied to the conductive strips of the frame. In assembly, the circuit substrate is slid into the slot of the frame so that each of the conductive strips of the circuit substrate is engaged with the corresponding conductive strip of the frame. Therefore, electricity from the electric source may be fed from the source through the conductive strip of the frame and the conductive strip of the circuit substrate and then to the light-emitting units so that each of the light-emitting units may be powered up. |
| US08109648B2 |
Light fixture having socket track assemblies with detachable row aligner
A light fixture includes an elongated channel and one or more lamp socket assemblies. The lamp socket assemblies include at least one lamp socket and a removable row aligner device. The row aligner device is separated from the lamp socket assembly and one side of the row aligner device is positioned in the base of the channel. A second light fixture slidably receives a second side of the row aligner device to provide a properly aligned row of two light fixtures. The lamp socket assemblies include pivot tabs that extend through and pivot within apertures of the channel. The pivot tabs allow the socket track assemblies to rotate from a shipping position where the lamps sockets are housed within the channel to an operational position where the lamp sockets are positioned upright for receiving lamps. |
| US08109647B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a first lighting module, a second lighting module, a case coupled to the first and second lighting modules, and a power circuit between the first and second lighting modules. Each of the first and second lighting modules includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and bottom surfaces of the first and second lighting modules and the power circuit are aligned on substantially a same plane. |
| US08109644B2 |
Thin backlight using low profile side emitting LEDS
Backlights containing low profile, side-emitting LEDs are described that have improved brightness uniformity. In one embodiment, the backlight comprises a solid transparent lightguide with a plurality of openings in a bottom surface of the lightguide, each opening containing a side-emitting LED. Prisms or other optical features are formed in the top wall of each opening to reflect light in the lightguide towards a light output surface of the lightguide so that the side-emitting LEDs do not appear as dark spots at the output of the backlight. To avoid any direct emission from the sides of the LED toward the output surface of the lightguide appearing as bright areas, optical features are formed at the edges of the opening or in the output surface of the lightguide so that direct emission light is not output from the lightguide. Substantially identical cells may be formed in the lightguide using cellular walls around one or more LEDs. |
| US08109642B2 |
Projection type image display apparatus
A projection type image display apparatus comprising a light source, an optical integrator, by which light outgoing from the light source is changed in distribution of illumination, a color separation optical system, by which light outgoing from the optical integrator is separated into a plurality of light beams, and a relay optical system including a plurality of relay lenses, by which light beams separated by the color separation optical system are relayed, and a reflection mirror. The relay optical system includes a device that adjusts angles of inclination of at least one of the relay lenses with respect to an optical axis of illumination of light outgoing from the light source. |
| US08109640B2 |
Optical engine comprising a chassis with a color wheel module electrically connected to the chassis
A color wheel module for use in a projection apparatus is disclosed. The projection apparatus comprises an optical engine, which comprises a chassis and an electrical socket. The electrical socket is disposed on the chassis. The color wheel module comprises a color wheel, a housing module and a connecting device. The connecting device comprises a fastening device and an electrical connector. The color wheel and the electrical connector are disposed on the housing module, wherein the electric connector is adapted to electrically connect to, and detach from, the electrical socket when the housing module is fastened onto the chassis through the fastening device. |
| US08109636B2 |
Illumination optical system and projection type display apparatus with a shield board
The invention provides an illumination optical system that guides light emitted from light source device 1 to DMD 2, the illumination optical system including: light tunnel 20 that uniformizes luminance distribution of light emitted from light source device 1; relay optical system 40 that guides light having uniformized illumination distribution to DMD 2; and shield board 30 disposed on an optical path between light tunnel 20 and relay optical system 40. Shield board 30 is smaller than outlet end face 22 of light tunnel 20 and at the same time has an opening of a shape similar to the image formation area on DMD 2, and is movable in a plane containing the opening. |
| US08109635B2 |
Integrated retinal imager and method
A system and method are presented for use in imaging the patient's retina. A light source unit is provided including a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement comprising multiple LEDs of different wavelength ranges. A light guide arrangement is used with the LEDs arrangement and is configured for coupling light from the LEDs and providing output light beams of a desired shape. The illuminating light is directed towards a region on the retina, and light returned from the illuminated region is collected and directed to an image detector unit. The invention enables the use of LED light at high intensity as required in the eye retina imaging, while maintaining the required high-quality imaging. Also, the invention provides for simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous as well as high-speed imaging in FA and ICG imaging procedures, thereby satisfying a long felt need in ophthalmology. Also, the invention provides for automated illumination or light exposure control to optimize overall light exposure to the patient eye and best acquired image quality in terms of brightness, contrast and image signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US08109629B2 |
Eyewear supporting electrical components and apparatus therefor
Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear. The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed. |
| US08109626B2 |
Recording device and ink receiving particles
A recording device including: an intermediate transfer member; a particle supply unit that supplies ink receiving particles that receive ink onto the intermediate transfer member; an ink ejecting unit that ejects ink to the ink receiving particles that have been supplied onto the intermediate transfer member; a transfer unit that transfers the ink receiving particles that have received the ink to a recording medium from the intermediate transfer member; a cleaning unit that cleans the ink receiving particles remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the transfer of the ink receiving particles by the transfer unit; and a cleaning aid particle supply unit that supplies cleaning aid particles. |
| US08109624B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a calculating device, a waiting time calculating device, and a print controlling device. The calculating device divides print data to be printed onto a recording medium into a plurality of zones along a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The calculating device calculates printing time and drying time per each divided zone based on a data amount in each zone. The waiting time calculating device calculates waiting time from completion of printing onto the recording medium until the recording medium has been dried, based on the printing time and the drying time per each zone in consideration of elapse of the drying time of the previously printed zone(s) during printing. The print controlling device configures settings for printing of the recording medium based on the waiting time and performs printing according to the settings. |
| US08109621B2 |
Printer with mutually engaging ink cartridge, printhead cartridge and printer body
An inkjet printer that has a printer body, a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body, and an ink cartridge for supplying the printhead cartridge with ink. The ink cartridge has an ink outlet valve and an air inlet, the ink outlet valve engaging an ink inlet valve on the printhead cartridge, and the air inlet engaging a complementary formation on the printer body to open the air inlet and locate the ink cartridge. |
| US08109619B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid container and liquid container manufactured using the same
A liquid container manufacturing method including a storage container which is storable a liquid receptacle, and including preparing the liquid container for which a liquid housed in the liquid receptacle is supplied to the outside via a flow path inside a liquid volume detector device, filling the liquid in the liquid receptacle stored in the storage container, and connecting the liquid volume detector device to the liquid receptacle filled with liquid. |
| US08109618B2 |
Pigment cartridge carrier device
An ink cartridge carrier device includes a casing, having an opening and an inner chamber communicated with each other, for carrying an ink cartridge; a locking/unlocking mechanism, pivoted on the casing, such that the locking/unlocking mechanism is made to be rotatable and applies a restraining force to fix the ink cartridge into the inner chamber; a first elastic member, connected to the locking/unlocking mechanism, for providing the restraining force to actuate the locking/unlocking mechanism, so as to fix the ink cartridge into the inner chamber; a pushing mechanism, for pushing a part of the ink cartridge carried within the inner chamber out of the casing, so as to unload the ink cartridge. The device makes the ink cartridge well fixed, and enables the ink cartridge to be horizontally loaded or unloaded, which does not have the problems of unsmooth loading or unloading or getting stuck during unloading or loading. |
| US08109617B2 |
Liquid container and ink jet printing apparatus
A structure for informing a state of the ink tank by a light emitting section such as LED, capable of displaying such information at a position easily visible by the user and favorably sending the emitted light both to the user and a light receiver section on the printer side without needing electric wiring which may disturb the user's visibility or manipulation. The light emitting section is separated from the display section and a light guiding section is provided between the both. A member for suitably limiting the emission of light is provided in the display section. Thereby, it is possible to dispose the display section at the best position without needing the electric wiring on the ink tank and obtain a preferable light volume suitable both for the improvement in user's visibility and the stability of the operation of the light receiving section. |
| US08109612B2 |
Wiring substrate, method of manufacturing wiring substrate, and liquid droplet ejection head
The wiring substrate having a recess section and a projecting section formed on at least one surface of the wiring substrate, and wires formed on both the recess section and the projecting section. |
| US08109611B2 |
Translation to rotation conversion in an inkjet printhead
An inkjet printhead with a plurality of nozzle arrangements that each have a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port that is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The nozzle arrangements also have an actuator configured for rectilinear movement, and an ink-ejecting mechanism configured for angular displacement to eject ink from the ink ejection port. A translation to rotation conversion mechanism is interposed between the actuator and the ink-ejecting mechanism to convert rectilinear movement of the actuator into angular displacement of the ink-ejecting mechanism. |
| US08109610B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus usable therewith
A liquid ejecting head for ejection liquid includes an electric wiring member including a plurality of contact pads which are electrically contactable to a liquid ejecting apparatus; a storing element for storing individual information; and a liquid ejection member, provided with an ejection outlet, for ejecting the liquid using electric energy supplied through a part of the plurality of contact pads. The contact pads include an array of information contact pads electrically connected with the storing element, a voltage source contact pad for supplying the electric energy and a grounding contact pad. Directly adjacent to each of front and rear sides of the information contact pads constituting the array, the voltage source contact pad or the grounding contact pad is disposed. |
| US08109609B2 |
Ink ejecting device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are an ink ejecting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The disclosed ink ejecting device includes an inkjet head including a substrate, which includes an ink feed hole, a plurality of via holes, which are formed in the rear surface of the substrate, and which expose the ink feed holes therethtough, a chamber layer stacked on the substrate, and a nozzle layer stacked on the chamber layer, and includes a base header, which is attached to the inkjet head and includes a plurality of ink supply slots having a corresponding arrangement with respect to the via holes. |
| US08109604B2 |
Inkjet recording head
Two arrays of ejection openings which eject relatively large amounts of ink are provided for each of different color inks and are disposed at symmetrical positions in the order of colors in a direction corresponding to a record scan. In addition, a single array of ejection openings which eject relatively small amounts of ink is disposed for at least one color ink. Since the symmetrical disposition in the color order of the ejection opening arrays which eject large amounts of ink prevents color unevenness from appearing even when the bidirectional recording is performed. Since the single array is formed of the ejection openings which eject small amount of ink, and which is used for highly precise recording, it is possible to avoid image deterioration due to the shift of dot formed positions, even when the recording head is mounted in an inclined manner attributable to the variation in manufacturing. |
| US08109602B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus for forming an appropriate test pattern is provided. A control section 41 includes: an image combination section 412 for combining image information corresponding to a subject image P1 of a first resolution, with second pattern information which corresponds to a test pattern P2 of a second resolution different from the first resolution, and which represents image information of the first resolution, so as to generate combined image information as one piece of image information; and an operation instruction section 413 for instructing a recording head 1, a head driving section 2, and a medium driving section 3 to form, on a recording medium, the combined image information corresponding to one piece of image information. |
| US08109600B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a drum which conveys a recording medium, an inkjet head having an ejection surface which faces the outer circumferential surface of the drum, and a cap facing the outer circumferential surface. The inkjet heads are moved by a head-moving mechanism to be in a recording position, wiping position, or a capping position. The cap-moving mechanism moves the cap, in the circumferential direction of the drum along the outer circumferential surface, to: an open position where the cap does not face the ejection surface, or an opposing position in which the cap faces the ejection surface and covers the inkjet head in the capping position. |
| US08109598B2 |
Image recording device
There is provided an image recording device, comprising first and second motors; first and second switch gears supported coaxially; first and second transmission gears, and wherein the first and second switch gears are provided to engage with corresponding ones of the first and second transmission gears in accordance with movement of the first and second switch gears in an axial direction, and the image recording device further comprises a control unit configured such that when the first switch gear and the second switch gear are moved in the axial direction, the control unit rotates one of the first and second motors by a first predetermined rotation amount, and starts the other of the first and second motors while the one of the first and second motors is rotated. The control unit rotates the other of the first and second motors by a second predetermined rotation amount. |
| US08109595B2 |
Droplet ejection apparatus and cleaning method of a droplet receiving surface
A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head that ejects droplets; a conveying member that retains a recording medium and conveys the recording medium with facing the recording medium to the droplet ejection head; a coating member that coats the conveying member with a coating liquid having a repellant property to the liquid ejected from the droplet ejection head; and a cleaning member that cleans the conveying member. The droplet ejection apparatus satisfies the following formulae L3≧L1, L2≧L1 (1) wherein, in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction; L1 is the width of ink droplet ejecting of the droplet ejection head; L2 is the width of coating the coating liquid on the conveying member by the coating member; and L3 is the width of the cleaning of the conveying member by the cleaning member. |
| US08109593B2 |
Substrate for inkjet head and inkjet head using the same
A substrate has M×N heater elements divided into N blocks and time divisionally driven in units of the block, and signal lines for supplying M bits of signals for selecting elements to be driven in each block. The signal lines are divided into two groups, each extending toward the center of a heater element array from a start point at either end side of the array in the array direction, and being used to select M/2 elements closest to the end side of the array. In each groups, the M/2 bit signal lines are arranged so that the number of the signal lines is decremented as the distance from the start point increases, and that the remaining signal lines are shifted toward the array. A temperature sensor for the substrate is provided in an empty area produced at a position corresponding to the center of the array by the shift. |
| US08109592B2 |
Liquid-ejecting head, liquid-ejecting device, liquid-ejecting method, and ejection medium for liquid-ejecting head
A liquid-ejecting head includes a liquid cell that contains an ejection medium that is liquid at normal temperature, a nozzle for ejecting the ejection medium in the liquid cell, an energy unit for supplying ejection energy to the ejection medium in the liquid cell, and heating means for heating the liquid cell independently of the supply of the ejection energy to the ejection medium in the liquid cell. The energy unit is driven to eject the ejection medium from the nozzle in a droplet form. The heating means is supplied with a substantially direct current component to generate heat so that at least the temperature of the liquid cell is constantly maintained above the ambient temperature irrespective of whether the energy unit is driven. |
| US08109587B2 |
Capacitive load driving circuit and liquid droplet jetting apparatus
A capacitive load driving circuit including: a filter including an inductor to which an analog driving signal is input, and a capacitor with a fixed capacitance where one electrode is connected the inductor and other electrode grounded; a plurality of capacitive loads connected in parallel to the capacitor, and driven in accordance with the analog driving signal; a conversion section converting a load voltage to a digital signal; a signal processing section generating a predetermined signal for driving the capacitive load, deriving a signal that represents a magnitude of an electric current flowing to the capacitive load from the digital signal and a digital driving signal, subtracting the signal from the predetermined signal, and outputting the subtracted signal as the digital driving signal; and a switching section generating the analog driving signal by performing switching based on the digital driving signal, and outputting the analog driving signal. |
| US08109586B2 |
Fluid ejection device
Embodiments of a fluid ejection device are disclosed. |
| US08109585B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head mounted on a carriage movable along a recording material, a guide member for guiding the carriage, a bearing member which is mounted to the carriage so as to be movable relative to the carriage in a vertical direction, and a slidable member mounted slidably in a carriage movement direction between the carriage and the bearing member. The slidable member is slid in the carriage movement direction to switch a height position of the carriage with respect to the guide member, whereby a gap between the recording head and the recording material is switched. |
| US08109583B2 |
Ejector of a moveable furniture part
A device for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed end position in or on a furniture body, includes an ejector with a motor-driven ejector lever. A power transmission device interacting with the ejector lever is provided such that the force exerted on the movable furniture part by the ejector lever can be transferred in the mounted state of the device in a furniture body, in which the movable furniture part in the closed end position is at a distance from the ejector lever. |
| US08109580B1 |
Display housing
An enclosure device is disclosed for housing a visual display device adjacent to a surface. The enclosure comprises a cabinet defining a cabinet chamber. A face plate defines a continuous frame. A pyramid body defines a cover chamber. The cabinet chamber receives the visual display device. The face plate compresses against the cabinet, for simultaneously positioning the face plate over the visual display device and positioning the pyramid body adjacent to the wall. |
| US08109574B2 |
Adjustable hinge mountings for a motor vehicle seat
An adjustable hinge mountings has a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a toothed quadrant centered on a hinge axis and connected to the first hinge arm, a detent part which has a toothed surface feature cooperating with the toothed quadrant and a control part associated with the detent part. The hinge arms can be pivoted between an active angular range in which the detent part is allowed to engage the toothed quadrant and a passive angular range in which the detent part is not located opposite the toothed quadrant so that the detent part is not allowed to engage the toothed quadrant. In the passive angular range, the detent part is retained by the control part in a passive position in which it is not in the range of movement of the toothed quadrant. In the active angular range, the detent part adopts an active position in which the detent part can be brought into engagement with the toothed quadrant. When passing from the passive angular range to the active angular range, the toothed quadrant actuates the control part either directly or indirectly. |
| US08109573B2 |
Vehicle seat with an inclination adjustment device with a free-pivoting functionality
A vehicle seat, in particular motor vehicle seat, comprises a backrest part and a seat part. The seat part has a fitting for adjusting the inclination of the backrest part in relation to the seat part. The fitting has a first fitting part which is firmly connected to the backrest part, and a second fitting part which is firmly connected to the seat part. The fitting parts are connected to one another and configured to be adjusted smoothly angularly by an adjusting mechanism. The first fitting part is able to be locked in relation to the adjusting mechanism by a latching apparatus, and is able to be pivoted about a rotational axis in relation to the adjusting mechanism after the latching apparatus is released. The adjusting mechanism comprises a toothed member, such as an internally toothed mechanism latching plate and/or an internally toothed mechanism plate. The first fitting part is mounted in a plane extending generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the toothed member. |
| US08109570B2 |
Wiring structure for head rest
A stay is provided with an insulating member, so that only a lower stay body disposed on a lower side of the insulating member can be energized. Further, the lower stay body is set at a position in which the lower stay body is not exposed to an interior of the seat back when the head rest is vertically adjustably connected to the seat back. |
| US08109569B2 |
Vehicle headrest mounted entertainment console
A vehicle passenger is provided with a console (1) for mounting an entertainment apparatus, the console being coupled to the back of a more forwardly located seat by headrest retaining clips (7) of the kind adapted to hold posts of a height adjustable headrest (6) for the seat at a height selected position. In one arrangement, the console is sandwiched between the headrest retaining clips and the top of the seat back. In an alternative arrangement, the console incorporates integral headrest retaining clips that replace the conventional headrest retaining clips. |
| US08109568B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a seat belt. The seat bottom has a support frame to be attached to a vehicle body, and a bottom cushion supported by the support frame. A pretensioner is disposed between the bottom cushion and the support frame to move the bottom cushion rearward with respect to the support frame when the unpreferable external force is generated. When the pretensioner is actuated, the bottom cushion moves rearward, and a moving distance S of a tip anchor and a tongue anchor is set larger than a moving distance T of the bottom cushion. |
| US08109564B2 |
Seat self-lifting device for portable chair
A seat self-lifting device for a portable chair is mounted between a seat frame and a front leg of the portable chair. The seat self-lifting device includes a rotary axle, a spiral spring and a fixing rod. The rotary axle passes through the front leg and connects with a connecting plate mounted on the seat frame. The fixing rod is perpendicularly disposed on the front leg. The spiral spring has a first end connected with the rotary axle and a second end wrapped around the fixing rod. When the seat is deployed, the rotary axle is rotated along a direction and the spiral spring is deformed to accumulate a resilient force. When the user leaves the seat, the resilient force of the spiral spring rotates the rotary axle along a reverse direction for flipping the seat to a collapsed state. |
| US08109560B2 |
Support for the front unit of a motor vehicle and method for its production
A front end assembly mounting for the front unit of a motor vehicle including a mounting and a container for holding an operating fluid integrated together with the front side of the container projecting forwardly. The container is arranged in an installation position at the height of an impact region of a leg or hip of a pedestrian to absorb energy in case of impact with a pedestrian. |
| US08109558B2 |
Door structure
A door structure includes a door for opening and closing a door opening formed in a vehicle body. The door has a side impact bar extending in the backward and forward direction of the vehicle body and a window regulator for lifting and lowering a glass of the door. The window regulator is mounted on the side impact bar and is disposed within a sectional width area of the side impact bar in a vehicle width direction. |
| US08109556B2 |
Multiple use all terrain vehicle
An all terrain vehicle with a tool less maintainable drive system, and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator. The vehicle has a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, a steering mechanism attached at least one of the plurality of wheels, an engine mounted to the frame, and a clutch attached to the engine. The vehicle contains a system of features that can be removed without the use of tools. The system has a support attached to and extending outward from the frame, a removable footrest, a receiver attached to the removable footrest and configured to mate with the support, a locking mechanism attached to the receiver to secure the removable footrest with respect to the footrest support; and a removable clutch housing. |
| US08109555B2 |
Power folding seat mechanism
A power riser assembly riser assembly includes a rear leg pivotally coupled between a seat assembly and a vehicle floor defining upper and lower axes. A drive linkage is operatively coupled between the seat assembly and floor. A drive mechanism coupled to the drive linkage actuates in a first direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the lower axis from a seating position to an intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the upper axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the stowed position. The drive mechanism actuates in a second direction causing the drive linkage to pivot the seat assembly about the upper axis from the stowed position to the intermediate position whereat the drive linkage transfers pivotal movement of the seat assembly to the lower axis, thereby moving the seat assembly to the seating position. |
| US08109553B2 |
Multi-position tailgate retaining and counterbalancing apparatus and method
A multi-position tailgate retaining and counterbalancing apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus maintains the look and functionality of a conventional tailgate for a pickup truck. The apparatus and methods may include a counterbalance reducing the effort required to lift or lower the tailgate. The apparatus and methods may allow the counterbalanced tailgate to be lowered to, and automatically stop at the standard open position like a conventional tailgate. Moreover, by pulling and releasing the tailgate release latch handle, the tailgate may be lowered further to a fully open position. Upon reaching this lower, fully open position, the tailgate may automatically stop. The apparatus and methods may also provide a counterbalanced tailgate that secures at multiple predetermined positions between the closed and fully open positions, each such position retaining the tailgate's full load carrying capacity. |
| US08109550B1 |
Pack end tool
Exemplary embodiments provide a grasping and lifting device for moving a plurality of different-sized containers. The device contains a set of clamps which securely attach to a plurality of different-sized containers and allow them to be quickly lifted and relocated by an operator. A toggle device may also be used to hold the clamps in the open position for added security and efficiency. A hoisting device with a translating mechanism provides lift and motion assistance to the operator so that the risk of repetitive motion injury is reduced. |
| US08109547B1 |
Apparatus and method for collecting animal droppings
A pet sanitation device comprises a frame, an elongated handle and an adjusting assembly. The frame includes a receiving bottom area receiving one part of a bag opening. A closing arrangement is provided for receiving another portion of the bag opening. The adjusting assembly is movably supported on the handle and includes a control member slidable along the handle and a transition element having distal and proximal ends thereof. The distal end is associated with the closing arrangement. In operation, upon slidable movement of the control member, the transition element is activated and the closing arrangement is moved within the frame to convert the bag opening from open to closed position and vise versa. |
| US08109546B2 |
Bumper assemblies with independently aligned garnishes and reflectors
A bumper assembly for a vehicle may include a bumper cover with a garnish ring and a reflector disposed therein. The garnish ring may include a garnish connector and a reflector bracket that includes a reflector connection hole. The bumper cover may include a receptacle that includes a garnish bracket with a clearance hole and a connector opening that corresponds to the garnish connector. When the garnish ring is positioned in the receptacle, the garnish connector may be received in the connector opening thereby aligning the garnish ring with the bumper cover and the clearance hole with the reflector connection hole. The reflector may include a connector post when disposed in the garnish ring, the connector post may extend through the reflector connection hole and the clearance hole and be fastened to the reflector bracket such that the reflector is aligned with the garnish ring. |
| US08109544B2 |
Unlocking device
An unlocking device for actuating a control device in the locked condition to release it. The unlocking device has an actuating magnet guided in a coil base and/or in housing elements (28) of the actuating magnet and has an actuating element that can be displaced and that releases, in an actuation position, an unlocking path for a control unit has a locking element (30). The locking element, when unlocked by the actuating element via the control unit, releases the trajectory for the control device to be actuated. The locking device (30) is guided in the housing element (28) of the actuating magnet and prevents the control device from being unintentionally locked again by maintaining it in the unlocked position by a blocking part (48). The unlocked position corresponds to a release of the control device. |
| US08109541B2 |
Latching structure of mobile electronic device
A latching structure of a mobile electronic device includes a button module, at least one lock pin, at least one linking rod, and at least one hook module respectively disposed in a base and a display of the mobile electronic device. One end of the linking rod is coupled to the button module and another end of the linking rod is coupled to the hook module. When the button module is pressed, the button module drives the linking rod to force the hook module to release the lock pin so as to allow the user opening the display from the base of the mobile electronic device. |
| US08109538B2 |
Microbarb tubing connector
A connection assembly for coupling a soft tubing to a tubular element of a torque fitting comprises a barbed connector and a shell adapted to contain the barbed connector. The barbed connector comprises a neck having a barb disposed on an exterior surface of the neck and a substantially cylindrical sealing portion disposed between the barb and a tubing end of the neck. The barbed connector further comprises a mating surface adapted to form a fluid-tight seal when compressed against a mating end of the tubular element. A tubing connection comprises the connection assembly having a length of soft tubing attached to the neck of the barbed connector and a tubular element compressed against the mating surface of the barbed connector. |
| US08109537B2 |
Linerless packing and shipping label system
A linerless duplex label system is operable to print and apply a linerless duplex label to a substrate. A plurality of linerless duplex labels are provided and each label includes a single-ply stock with top and bottom faces. The label also includes an endless adhesive border applied to the bottom face. The label is configured so that multiple labels can be removably adhered to each other by the adhesive border, with at least one linerless duplex label being removably overlaid onto at least one other duplex label. |
| US08109530B2 |
Pinned bicycle headset and bicycle comprising such a headset
The headset includes upper and lower rolling bearings (8, 9) housed inside the head tube so as to allow relative rotation of the steering tube, and clamping elements (18, 21) for axially clamping the lower and upper bearings (8, 9) against, respectively, a lower end and an upper end of the head tube. The axial-clamping elements include a threaded sleeve slipped over the steering tube. This sleeve is secured to the steering tube by connecting elements including a pin extending through two diametrically opposed holes in the threaded sleeve and through two diametrically opposed holes provided in the steering tube. The sleeve collaborates with a tapped annular cap slipped over the steering tube so as to force the upper bearing downward as the annular cap is screwed onto the sleeve. |
| US08109528B2 |
Service load bearing assembly for spreading out high induced stresses
Embodiments of the present invention provide a suspension assembly including a bolt made from a bolt material; a suspension component made from a suspension material, the suspension component having a suspension opening therethrough, the suspension opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a first portion of the bolt; and a bushing assembly including an elastomeric element and a bushing opening therethrough, the bushing opening having a geometry for insertion of at least a second portion of the bolt; wherein the suspension material has a yield strength that is substantially higher than a yield strength of the bolt material. |
| US08109524B1 |
Shopping cart handle cover
A shopping cart handle cover includes a generally elongated, flexible cover base panel; a generally elongated, flexible cover top panel carried by the cover base panel; and a cover interior defined by and between the cover base panel and the cover top panel. The shopping cart handle cover is designed to slide over a shopping cart handle. The handle cover can be fabricated of a material having elastic properties, allowing the user to stretch the handle cover over the cart handle. The handle cover becomes taut over the cart handle when in a relaxed state. At least one panel handle flap can be provided through the top and base panels. The flap wraps around the cart handle providing protection to the user from bacteria, other microorganisms, and other contaminants. A plurality of handle covers may be provided by joining adjacent covers, providing a perforation therebetween, and rolling the covers onto a core for dispensing. |
| US08109516B2 |
Method of and apparatus for gaming
An otherwise conventional craps table is provided with one or more unique wagering opportunities each comprising odds which are more favorable to the craps player as compare with the odds associated with traditional craps wagers. Utilization of the wager opportunities comprising the present invention attracts more players to the craps table and thereby ultimately benefits the craps table operator. |
| US08109515B2 |
Three-dimensional puzzle
A puzzle formed by splitting of a 3-D body by three pairs of symmetrical conical surfaces. The body has a hollow sphere inside with three main axes coincided with the axes of each pair. The elements are a result of splitting by the conical surfaces and comprise outer and inner junction means providing two adjacent elements sliding with respect to each other. There are three types of elements with orientation means: six polar, twelve median and eight triangular elements. The elements adjacent to one conical surface comprise key open means providing elements move apart. The goal of the three-dimensional puzzle is to put the body in right order by 90 degrees rotations of elements spaced from one side of conical surfaces, to the initial ordered orientation, where the body can be separated for two parts providing access to the space located inside the hollow sphere. |
| US08109514B2 |
Card shuffling device and method
A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure. |
| US08109512B2 |
Card game
The card game combines aspects of Texas hold'em and raffle drawings. A plurality of mutually different cards or car representations is provided to each player as scratch-off or tear-off tickets, or cards in an envelope. A common multiple card hand is provided for player to form optimum hands with their card representations. The maximum number of player hands in a single distinct set, with each hand having mutually distinct cards therein, is determined by the number of cards in each hand and the number of distinct cards in the deck. The game may be played by a large group in lieu of conventional raffle ticket drawings, and provides for elimination of identical cards between each player hand and the common hand. At least one winning hand occurs with every game, as winning is comparative between players rather than absolute as in conventional raffle play. |
| US08109505B2 |
Printer with paper holding device
A printer includes a main body and a paper holding device. The main body is capable of printing and outputting paper. The paper holding device is secured to the main body, and includes a paper tray, a plurality of sliding members, a connecting mechanism, and a driving mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving the outputted paper. The sliding members are slidably located on the paper tray. The connecting mechanism is attached to the paper tray and connected to the sliding members. The driving mechanism is attached to the paper tray and capable of driving the connecting mechanism to slide the plurality of sliding members to shape a space to fit the size of outputted paper. |
| US08109504B2 |
Paper feeding cassette
The paper feeding cassette 10 has the cassette frame 10 for loading and storing paper, and the width-wise cursor 20 which is disposed in the cassette frame 10 and movably carries out the positioning of paper in the paper-width direction intersecting at right angles with the paper feeding direction, and can be pulled out from a machine main body. Provided are the plurality of engagement holes 14 formed in the cassette frame 10 corresponding to a paper width, the through-holes 23 formed through the width-wise cursor 20, and the lock pins 40 which engage with the engagement holes 14 via the through-holes 23 to prevent the width-wise cursor 20 from deviating in the paper-width direction. |
| US08109503B2 |
Connection mechanism, and paper feeding unit and image forming apparatus equipped with connection mechanism
A connection mechanism connecting a sheet feeding unit, supplying a paper to an image forming apparatus, with the image forming apparatus or other sheet feeding unit, the connection mechanism comprising: a connection member disposed on a frame of the sheet feeding unit and rotatably supported on the frame; and an engaging member disposed on the image forming apparatus or the frame of the other sheet feeding unit, wherein: the connection member is rotated between an engaging position where the connection member engages with the engagement member and a retracting position where the connection member disengages with the engaging member and retracts from the engaging position. |
| US08109501B2 |
Sheet feeding device with guide member
As a guide member provided on a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed toward a separation device, a guide member having a sloping guide surface is used, and the aforesaid guide member is arranged so that an uppermost stream point of the sloping guide surface may be positioned at the upstream side of a separation point of the aforesaid separation device and a lowermost stream point of the aforesaid guide surface may be positioned at the downstream side of the aforesaid separation point. |
| US08109499B2 |
Methods for moving a media sheet within an imaging device
A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path by rotating an at least one roller. While the media sheet is moving, a first sensor is activated with the media sheet and then a second sensor is activated with the media sheet. Feedback is received by a processor indicating the number of rotations of the at least one roller. A measured distance DM from the first sensor to the second sensor is calculated. An adjusted distance DA from the second sensor to a feed nip is then calculated. After activation of the second sensor, the roller continues to move the media sheet on the media path and the roller is rotated at least the adjusted distance DA. The media sheet then enters into the feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment. |
| US08109497B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a cutting device for cutting a fore-edge portion of a center-folded bunch of sheets disposed in a position spaced from a sheet discharge outlet to eliminate the risk for inflicting a wound on the body of an operator, an end binding device for gathering sheets received from a carry-in entrance and performing binding processing in the end portion of a bunch of sheets, a saddle-stitching device for gathering sheets received from the carry-in entrance and performing binding processing in the center portion of a bunch of sheets, and a center-folding device for performing center-folding processing on the bunch of sheets subjected to the saddle-stitching processing. A cutting device is subjected to the center-folding processing. A second discharge outlet is disposed in the other side face of the apparatus frame to discharge the bunch of sheets subjected to the center-folding processing in the center-folding device. |
| US08109496B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and methods for allowing sheet removal after process cancellation
A sheet processing apparatus is disclosed. The sheet processing apparatus has a stacking unit configured to stack a sheet discharged from an image forming unit, the stacking unit including a stacker being configured to support a lower end of the sheet and a supporter being configured to support an under side of the sheet; a driver configured to drive the stacker along the supporter; and an opening configured for allowing removal of the sheet on the stacker to an outside; and a controller configured to control the stacker so that the stacker is driven to the opening along the supporter if a process is cancelled and if the sheet on the stacker needs to be removed. |
| US08109494B1 |
Workholding apparatus having a movable jaw member
A device for holding a workpiece, the device comprising a base, a first jaw member, a movable jaw member, and features which allow the movable jaw member to be moved in large increments relative to the first jaw member in addition to features which allow the movable jaw member to be moved in smaller increments. The device can include a drive member operably engaged with the base and the movable jaw member such that the operation of the drive member can move the movable jaw member in small increments. The movable jaw member can include a connection member, or claw, which can operatively engage the movable jaw member with the drive member. The connection member can be moved between first and second positions to disengage the movable jaw member from the drive member such that the movable jaw member can be slid relative to the first jaw member in large increments. |
| US08109491B2 |
Vibration damper with a stop spring
A vibration damper, comprising a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod is guided with freedom of axial movement, where, inside a working space in the cylinder, a stop spring in the form of a circular ring is located, which, after the piston rod has reached a defined stroke position, is compressed between a stop surface on the piston rod side and an end surface forming an axial boundary of the working space, and where the stop spring also forms a boundary of a radially inner space, which is connected to the working space outside the stop spring by means of at least one radial channel. The stop surface on the piston rod side and/or the axially limiting end surface is formed by a rigid body and is provided with at least one radial channel, which extends from the radially inner space to the radially outer working space, “inner” and “outer” being defined with respect to the stop spring. |
| US08109490B2 |
Spring structure having contact-preventing and rigidity-reinforcing function for bed mattress
Disclosed herein is a spring structure having a contact-preventing and rigidity-reinforcing function for a bed mattress in which the structure of a connection end portion for connecting a body spring and an exposure wire spring to each other is improved such that the connection end portion is not in close contact with an uppermost winding and/or a lowermost winding of the body spring and such that when a load is exerted to an exposure wire spring a displacement is prevented from being generated in which the exposure wire spring is leaned to one side, and rigidity of the spring is reinforced so that the exposure wire spring ascends/descends vertically only, thereby easily preventing the lateral displacement and deformation of the spring along with a prevention of a noise due to a frictional contact to prolong the lifespan of the spring. |
| US08109489B2 |
Method and spray tower for contacting gases and liquid droplets for mass and/or heat transfer
A method for contacting gases and liquid droplets for mass and/or heat transfer and a spray tower are disclosed, in which liquid is injected at a number of levels in counterflow to the gas, the gas being fed through at least two inlet openings in the shell of the spray tower. In this case, in order to reduce the differences in the contact duration, the flow direction of the gas at the inlet openings points into the internal region of the spray tower, which has a diameter of greater than or equal to 12 m, in particular greater than 20 m, such that the flow directions of the at least two gas streams intersect on their extension inside the spray tower, in particular at the center of the spray tower at up to half the spray tower radius downstream of the center of the spray tower. |
| US08109485B2 |
Tilting television wall mount
A display wall mount comprising a wall bracket configured to couple to a wall and having a first wall bracket edge, a display bracket configured to couple to the display and having a first display bracket edge, and a curvilinear bar moveably coupled between the first wall bracket edge and the first display bracket edge. The display bracket is moveably coupled to the wall bracket. |
| US08109479B1 |
Multi-vacuum mount type support device
A multi-vacuum mount type support device includes a multi-end connection bar, multiple supporting arms each having one end thereof horizontally pivotally connected to a respective end of the multi-end connection bar by a respective pivot lock, multiple vacuum mount assemblies vertically pivotally connected to the other ends of the supporting arms by respective pivot lock for securing to a flat surface by a vacuum suction force, and a mount connected to one front end of the multi-end connection to hold a holder member for holding an electronic apparatus. |
| US08109475B2 |
Pig tail spring exhaust hanger
A pig tail spring exhaust hanger includes a pig tail coil having at one end an upper arm and at the other end a lower arm. The upper arm is mounted to the vehicle underbody, and the lower arm is connected to the exhaust system, wherein the orientation of the upper and lower arms is substantially vertical and the orientation of the central axis of the pig tail coil is substantially horizontal. This arrangement provides a moment at each of the upper and lower arms which act to suspended weight of the exhaust system radially with respect to the pig tail coil. |
| US08109473B2 |
Slotted high lift aerofoils
A slotted aerofoil configuration is provided in which the leading element thereof is contoured to provide mild stall characteristics. A wing based partially or fully on such an aerofoil, an air vehicle including such wings, and a method for designing an aerofoil are also disclosed. |
| US08109466B2 |
Thrust reverser cascade assembly and AFT cascade ring with flow deflector portion
An aircraft engine thrust reverser cascade assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cascade segments, each cascade segment including a plurality of spaced vanes including an aft-most vane, and an aft end. The cascade assembly also includes an aft cascade ring removably attached to the aft ends of the cascade segments. The aft cascade ring includes a deflector portion that at least partially extends forward of the aft ends of the cascade segments. The deflector portion is configured to at least partially redirect at least a portion of a volume of air as the air outwardly passes between the aft-most vanes and the aft ends of the cascade segments. |
| US08109455B2 |
Delivery of agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders
Devices for application of agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders are disclosed. Maintenance and lubrication can be performed by applying lubrication agents to the cutting mechanism of a paper shredder without requiring disassembly of the paper shredder. The agents can also include scented agents and decomposing agents or a combination thereof. Lubrication sheets are disclosed for applying agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders. A holder is disclosed for retaining lubrication sheets within proximity of a paper shredder. Paper shredders are also disclosed having various means for identifying when lubrication is needed and/or when the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder is lubricated by a lubrication sheet. Paper shredders having a reservoir of lubricant for delivery to the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder are also disclosed. Such reservoirs may be removable. Cap designs allowing use of a removable reservoir with the paper shredders are also disclosed. |
| US08109452B2 |
Electrostatic atomizer for use in a motor vehicle
An electrostatic atomizer, for use in a motor vehicle, includes a discharge electrode, a water supply unit for cooling the discharge electrode to generate water condensed on the discharge electrode, and a high voltage applying unit for applying a high voltage to the water on the discharge electrode to electrostatically atomize the water. The electrostatic atomizer is arranged in a ceiling of the motor vehicle. The electrostatic atomizer further includes an ejection portion provided in the ceiling of the motor vehicle for ejecting electrically-charged water particles generated by electrostatic atomization and an ejection direction changing unit provided in the ejection portion for changing an ejection direction of the electrically-charged water particles. |
| US08109445B2 |
Data carrier and data carrier system
A region to store authentication commands to perform authentication between a data carrier and a reader/writer device is divided into at least three areas, and as for the three areas, a first authentication command is stored in a first area, a second authentication command is stored in a second area, and a third authentication command is stored in a third area, and security levels can be selected depending on a command of an inquiry signal (41) transmitted from a reader/writer device (10), and thereby selection of the security level suitable for circumstances can be realized by a simple constitution. |
| US08109439B2 |
Commodity registration processing apparatus
A commodity registration processing apparatus detects, with a commodity sensor, whether a commodity is present in an imaging area of an imaging device and, when the commodity sensor detects that the commodity is present in the imaging area, decodes a commodity code barcode or the commodity code barcode and a discount barcode on the basis of image data acquired by imaging by the imaging device, and performs registration and price adjustment processing for the commodity on the basis of a decoding result of the commodity code barcode or the decoding result of the commodity code barcode and a decoding result of the discount barcode. |
| US08109438B2 |
Game presentation in a retail establishment
According to one embodiment, a game presentation such as a virtual slot machine may be displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal. |
| US08109437B2 |
System for self checkout
The present invention relates to a self check-out system which uses contact free tags embedded in a receptacle, e.g., a plate, glass, etc. The system relates the tag to a service area and uses that relationship to associate the receptacle with a charge to be made to a customer. |
| US08109431B2 |
Method of joining articles using adjustment features
A method of joining a first article to a second article using adjustment features located in an assigned scrap portion of the first article. The first article can be a casing for a turbine engine the first article being the casing skin and the second article a flange. The adjustment features are springs that can be stretched to increase the circumference of the skin. Following the correct sizing of the skin and joining to the flange the attachment features are removed along with the assigned scrap portion of the skin. |
| US08109420B2 |
Flashlight deployment system
A holder for a flashlight with a sheath that is variably positionable during use. A variably positionable sheath formed with a cavity and having an axial post. At least one u-shaped flexible removable grasping member is formed in the cavity. The u-shaped member has bent arms that apply pressure to the flashlight bell when it is inserted into the cavity. A disk with a plurality of pegs is rotatably mounted on the sheath, with o-rings that wrap both around pegs on the disk and around the pegs on the sheath or disk base, allowing the sheath to be rotated by the user and causing it to return automatically to its original position. A clip is engaged for securing the sheath to the user. A method for manufacturing a holder for a flashlight with a sheath that is variably positionable during use. |
| US08109419B2 |
Crash shock absorbing device
A device for absorbing shocks of a liftable and lowerable object such as a spare tire includes a first hoisting cable having a hoist-side end and an object-side end and a hollow cylinder encompassing a folded or coiled length of the first hoisting cable near the object end inside the cylinder. Lower and upper ferrules at the lower and upper ends of the cylinder are held in position by a second auxiliary cable having two ends, each end attached to one of the ferrules, the second auxiliary cable having a smaller tearing strength than the first hoisting cable. |
| US08109418B1 |
Apparatus to enable removal of closely fitting attire on legs and feet
The present invention is an apparatus to aid in the removal of closely fitting articles on a leg and foot. It includes a helical blade made of a lightweight, rigid, firm substance, having a shoulder area at a proximal end, a bottom area at a distal end which terminates in a bottom edge, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the blade being arcuate along the plane from the leading edge to the trailing edge so that the blade has a face that is convex and a back that is concave. The apparatus includes a means such as a hook to engage the top of the article to be removed located on the convex face at a location on the bottom area at a given distance from the bottom edge and having a curvation that is facing the bottom edge. The device also includes an integral handle member. |
| US08109414B2 |
Discharge device
A discharge device for media has a housing (10), an operating member (88) manually movable relative to the housing (10) and which, for performing a discharge can be transferred from an unoperated starting position in the direction of an operating direction (1a) into an operated end position and with a locking member (52), which is displaceable relative to the housing (10) between a locked position where it prevents the displacement of the operating member (88) into the end position and a release position in which it permits the displacement of the operating member (88) into the end position. |
| US08109408B2 |
Low depth crate
A crate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns each having a side flange partially defining a bottle receiving pocket and a lower rib projecting upwardly from the base between the side flanges. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall. |
| US08109406B2 |
Beverage container construction
A beverage container includes a can body having a side wall, a neck portion of reduced diameter, a closure lid and an anchor structure on the closure lid. The anchor structure is offset with respect to the center of the lid. A pull tab has a mounting hole which fits onto the anchor structure. One end of the pull tab has a grip handle, and the other end has a puncturing nose. The pull tab is turnable on the anchor structure, and thus also turnable with respect to the closure lid. The pull tab is of a length whereby it normally just fits between the opposite locations of a peripheral groove on the closure lid. The pull tab can be manually turned from a first position overlying the closure lid, to a second position wherein it overhangs one part of the peripheral groove. The construction thus provides an extended handle length to permit the user to more easily grasp and raise the pull tab, and open the container, for use. The pull tab remains captive with the open container, for anti-litter and recycling purposes. |
| US08109405B2 |
Can end and rivet base scoreline therefor
A can end is provided, which includes a severable panel, a peripheral scoreline defining the periphery of the severable panel, an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, a rivet coupling the pull tab to the severable panel, and a rivet base scoreline in the public side of the severable panel within about 0.025 inch or less of the stem of the rivet. The rivet base scoreline includes an arcuate head portion, first and second arm portions extending from the arcuate head portion, and first and second ends. The base of the rivet has a radius of curvature forming an intersection between the stem of the rivet and the public side of the severable panel. The arcuate head portion of the rivet base scoreline is contiguous with the radius of curvature. The pull tab includes a nose portion having a number of apertures aligned with corresponding portions of the rivet base scoreline disposed thereunder. |
| US08109404B2 |
Cap for shipping and storage containers including two types of tamper evidence
A tamper evident cap adapted to close an opening on a vessel includes a main body having an outer circumference, a pull tab extending from the main body, and a flange, forms an annulus around the main body and connected to the main body. The flange includes an outer circumference that is larger than the outer circumference of the main body. It is essential to the present invention that the flange is made of a very thin layer of material. In addition, the flange includes at least a pair of perforation lines. Further, the present invention includes a bump in the pull-tab for enabling a person grasping the pull-tab, to obtain a firmer hold thereon. |
| US08109402B2 |
Collapsible container for transport and storage
Collapsible container which includes a base member, collapsible side walls, which adjacent side walls are inter-connectable. The base member is provided with feet members, a circumambient edge and a mainly horizontal load surface. The load surface is provided with recesses extending downwards from the load surface, said recesses being arranged adjacent the edge. At least one side wall is provided with downwards extending protrusions, said protrusions being arranged to interact with said recesses. Said at least one side wall engages the base member through vertical motion. |
| US08109401B2 |
Frame for a wall cut-out
For a wall cut-out (100) defining a void (101) within a wall (102) for receiving a utility receptacle (104) wherein the cut-out has a perimeter edge (103) surrounding the void (101), the frame (10) includes an insert-flange (12) dimensioned to be inserted into and to sit within the void (101) adjacent the perimeter edge (103). The insert-flange (12) defines a through void frame opening (14) between opposed edges of the insert-flange (12). A wall-shelf (20) is secured to the insert-flange (12), and a mud-ridge (22) is secured to the wall-shelf (20) adjacent to and surrounding an interior perimeter (24) of the frame opening (14). The mud-ridge extends away from the wall-shelf (20) to facilitate application of a bonding compound and secure mounting of a receptacle component (106) within the utility receptacle (104). |
| US08109400B2 |
Industrial package having pressurization capability
Example embodiments are directed toward industrial packages. Example embodiments may meet several packaging requirements for different modes of transport, including both roadway and flight regulations such as Department of Transportation (DOT) Class 7 requirements for ground transport of radioactive materials and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations for air transport of radioactive materials. Example embodiments may include integrated bumpers, specialized bottom tube skids, lid lattice support, multiple gasket pressurization seal, corner reinforcement, and/or multiple shielding and modular interior components. |
| US08109399B1 |
Drink bottle funnel
A drink bottle funnel for attaching securely to a drink bottle to facilitate pouring flavoring into the drink bottle includes a main portion formed by a circumferential wall having a top opening and a bottom opening. A tubular connection portion extends from the main portion around the bottom opening. An interior surface of the connection portion has interior surface threads. Thus, the connection portion is designed for threadably engaging the threaded neck of a drink bottle. |
| US08109398B2 |
Multi-panel plastic container with asymmetric vacuum panels
A plastic container that particularly adapted for hot-fill applications includes a bottom portion; and a sidewall portion that is unitary with the bottom portion. The sidewall portion has a maximum outer diameter, and includes first and second pairs of opposing first and second vacuum panels, respectively. At least one of the second vacuum panels includes gripping structure. The first and second vacuum panels respectively have first and second substantially constant radii of curvature as measured in a horizontal plane that are substantially constant from upper to lower ends of the vacuum panels. At least one of the second vacuum panels may be asymmetric about a central vertical axis as viewed in side elevation. |
| US08109397B2 |
Plastic container with curved base section
A container made from plastic for holding beverages. The container comprises a mouth, a wall section which adjoins the mouth in a longitudinal direction (L) of the container, and a base section which is designed as a standing face. The wall section merges into the base section. The container is formed in one piece. The base section has an injection point located in the interior in a radial direction (R) with respect to the longitudinal direction (L), and a central region which surrounds this injection point, and also a transition section which extends from the central region to the wall section. The transition section has a curvature with a finite radius of curvature in at least one and preferably in every radial direction (R) of the container in every geometric sub-section. |
| US08109396B1 |
Slide rails and friction surfaces for closure
A bi-injected closure is provided which includes a gripping area molded on the exterior of the closure through a bi-injection technique. As a result of the closure having a high frictional material positioned on the exterior of the closure, the slide area acts to allow the closure to move freely and unrestricted in material handling machinery without the gripping material restricting movement of the closure. |
| US08109395B2 |
Gantry positioning system
A gantry system is provided that comprises a gantry beam having a first section and a second section and first and second motors cooperating to drive the respective first and second sections in parallel directions to position the gantry beam along a linear axis. A flexure is connected between the first and second sections about which the second section is deflectable relative to the first section, which is advantageous to reduce any stresses that may be caused in the gantry system when driving the gantry beam. |
| US08109392B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing impurities in crushed recycled material
A concrete processing apparatus (10) including at least one chute (14) along which crushed concrete and impurities is to pass. The chute (14) is downwardly inclined and has an air outlet to which air is delivered from a blower (29). An air stream issuing from the air outlet is directed across the interior of the chute (14) to deliver impurities to an impurities outlet (23). |
| US08109382B2 |
Article metering apparatus
A machine for forming a stream of articles into spaced groups of articles, which machine has a working reach and a metering element for being brought into contact with an article passing in a stream, into the working reach, which metering element is driven by a drive means, wherein a speed at which the metering element is driven, is retarded as the metering element enters the working reach without retarding the drive means. |
| US08109381B2 |
Apparatus for sorting piece goods
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for sorting piece goods. The apparatus comprises a sorting arrangement which comprises two rollers arranged parallel to one another, wherein these rollers can rotate about their longitudinal direction and wherein the rollers are configured in such a way that the piece goods are transported along the rollers, and comprising a transport device which conveys the piece goods in the direction of the sorting arrangement. According to certain embodiments, arranged above the transport device are displacement devices which make contact with the piece goods at least temporarily and displace said piece goods relative to the transport device. |
| US08109380B2 |
Intermediate storage for bulk goods
An intermediate storage including an intake station and an output station, two vertical conveyors, and two horizontal conveyors forming a conveying circuit with the two vertical conveyors. All conveyors are in a form of chain conveyors. The two vertical conveyors each include chains including catches and are arranged in pairs, each with an individual chain drive. Level differences which occur in operation between transferring edgers of unit load suppliers and carrier plates can be identified and corrected immediately. To keep a mutual gap between successive gondolas small, the gondola of a gondola pair that is running ahead is deflected sideways in the region of the deflection. A collision with the following gondola is thus reliably avoided. |
| US08109378B2 |
Bottled water distribution method and bottle return apparatus
Method and apparatus for bottled beverage distribution. Apparatus includes bin, means for receiving bottles, sensor and receipt dispenser. Method of selling includes providing an inventory, assigning identification indicia, assigning first and second purchase prices and positioning apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing receipt. Method of distributing includes delivering to a first location water bottles, positioning at a second location a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus, and retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus. Method of distributing includes creating an account, assigning a first amount charged for each bottle sold, assigning a second amount deducted from the first amount for each bottle received, delivering bottles and positioning a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus. Method of distributing includes delivering inventory of drinking water, transferring ownership of the inventory, invoicing for each bottle delivered and retrieving empty drinking water bottles from bottle return apparatus. |
| US08109373B2 |
Pumping device and height adjuster for vehicle seat
A pumping device and a height adjuster for a vehicle seat are disclosed. The pumping device comprises a support plate; a cam receiver accommodated in the support plate; a brake cam received in the cam receiver to be integrally rotated with the shaft, and defining receiving spaces between the brake cam and the cam receiver; locking means received in each receiving space to allow and prevent rotation of the brake cam in the cam receiver; a control plate for applying the pushing force to the locking means; a bidirectional clutch coupled to the control plate if rotating force is applied and returned to a state of being decoupled from the control plate if the rotating force is not applied; a cover plate assembled with the support plate; a lever plate provided outside the cover plate; and elastic returning means for returning the lever plate to a predetermined reference position. |
| US08109372B2 |
Damping valve
A damping valve includes a valve body, the valve body having at least one through hole and a valve seating surface. There is at least one valve disk configured to mate with the valve seating surface and at least partially seal the through hole and a first spring configured to bias the at least one valve disk towards the valve seating surface. A stop ring is configured to support the first spring on a first surface and an intermediate ring is configured to be supported by the stop ring on a second surface of the stop ring opposite the first surface. A second spring is configured to bias the intermediate ring against the stop ring. |
| US08109371B2 |
Damper
A damper is comprised of an actuator (A) connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator (A) including a motion converting mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the transformation by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E) including a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), wherein a linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) while the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; and biasing means (1, 2, X, Y, Z) for biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in both compressing and extending directions. |
| US08109370B2 |
Electric linear-motion actuator and electric brake assembly
An actuator has planetary rollers disposed between a rotor shaft of an electric motor and an outer ring member fixed around the rotor shaft. The planetary rollers are rotated about the axis of the rotor shaft and about their own axes, thereby converting rotary motion of the rotor shaft to linear motion of the planetary rollers A helical groove is formed in the radially outer surface of each planetary roller in which a helical rib formed on the radially inner surface of the outer ring member is received. The helical groove has a pitch equal to that of the helical rib and a lead angle different from that of the helical rib. The amount of the linear motion of the planetary rollers relative to the amount of the rotary motion of the rotor shaft is determined by the difference in lead angle between the helical groove and the helical rib. |
| US08109364B2 |
Portable self-contained fluid system
The present invention provides a new and unique portable, self-contained, fluid system. The portable, self-contained, fluid changing system may be used as a fluid changing device for changing a fluid such as oil or another suitable fluid in a container of a boat, recreational vehicle (RV), automobile or other suitable military, agricultural or industrial device. Alternatively, portable, self-contained, fluid system may also be used for providing fluid such as water or other suitable fluid for cleaning or showering. Moreover, the portable, self-contained, fluid system may also have a reversible electric pump that may be adapted or switched for pumping in either direction once the pump is affixed on the reservoir so the system may be sold and marketed for use in a fluid changing type of device or in a water providing or cleaning type of device consistent with that described above. |
| US08109363B2 |
Modular retaining wall fall protection system
The present disclosure provides a retaining wall fall protection system having a plurality of base plates. It further includes a plurality of uprights pivotally attached to the base plates and a cross-brace attached to adjacent uprights at opposite ends of the cross-brace. A plurality of guardrails are provided and attached to guardrail adjustment brackets. The guardrail brackets are removably attachable to the uprights at various positions along the length of the uprights. Finally, there is provided an attachment assembly which secures the uprights in position adjacent the retaining wall. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment strap which is mounted to the upright and sized to extend through the retaining wall. A retainer on the opposite side of the wall engages a distal end of the attachment strap to secure the scaffolding to the retaining wall under construction. |
| US08109362B2 |
Passive noise attenuation system
A passive noise attenuation device and system is provided having a reticulated open-cell porous structure configured to acts as a passive control device in order to mitigate combustion noise and instability problems in combustion systems. A porous inert media structure is placed downstream of the reaction zone of a combustion chamber to dissipate noise and/or instability generated upstream in the flame. The porous inert media also limits and/or disintegrates vortical structures in the flame to produce a homogeneous flow field to facilitate distributed reaction zones. |
| US08109358B2 |
Electronically controlled locking differential having under-dash control system
An electronically controlled locking differential includes an electromagnetic coil and a control system adapted to control operation of the differential. The control system has a module adapted to be mounted under a dashboard of a vehicle and a circuit electrically interfacing with the module. The circuit has a latching switch that is electrically connected to first and/or second sources of power and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. A latching component is electrically connected to the latching switch and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. The circuit is disabled when power to the control system is turned off and in “standby” mode when power to the control system is turned on. Upon the latching switch being activated, current flows through the circuit to activate the latching component, and the differential is actuated. |
| US08109348B2 |
Down-the-hole hammer drill
There is provided a downhole hammer including a drill bit (2) retained by short (4) and long (5) drive pins in the bore of a driver chuck (1). The chuck (1) and bit (2) shank have machined longitudinal grooves (3), every second bit shank groove being blind and connected to the adjacent open groove by a short-pin length relief. The shorter pins (4) are inserted into the visible holes formed by the alignment of the open drill bit grooves and driver chuck grooves (3). The chuck (1) is then indexed which shunts the short pins (4) sideways until the longer pins (5) are insertable. The driver chuck (1) and drill bit (2) are engaged rotationally. The bit (2) slides by the desired distance due to the shorter pins (4) being entrapped in the blind grooves. The arrangement does not require a bit shank extension to accommodate a conventional bit retainer ring. |
| US08109347B2 |
Core catcher and corer having it
The present invention relates to a core catcher and a corer having the same, and more particularly, to a core catcher provided with dual blade radial pins for preventing loss of sediments and a corer having the same. |
| US08109343B2 |
Multi-mode drill with mode collar
A drill includes a housing and a motor coupled to an output member by a transmission. The transmission can selectively couple the output member to an output spindle through a low speed output gear or a high speed output gear for rotating the output spindle at a first speed or a second speed, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, a low speed mode can be provided by actuating an electronic switch that limits the speed of the motor. A rotatably fixed hammer member and a rotatable hammer member can be mounted around the output spindle. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the housing and around the output member for movement to positions that correspond to various mode of operation, including a low speed mode, a high speed mode, and a hammer-drilling mode. In the hammer-drilling mode, the transmission operates in the high speed mode. |
| US08109342B2 |
Beach-cleaning system for separating litter from sand, trailer incorporating same, and method of using same
A box-shaped beach-cleaning trailer is configured to be loaded with, and collectively carry beach-cleaning equipment and a litter collection station. The beach-cleaning equipment are towed by a vehicle to collect litter on the sands. The litter collected by the beach-cleaning equipment is collected in the litter collection station. The trailer includes a pair of rail members disposed on upper edges of the respective opposite side wall portions such that the rail members face each other with an opening therebetween. A sieve unit is detachably mounted on the rail members, and is configured to move a back-and-forth direction along the rail members. The sieve unit is moved in a back-and-forth direction manually; or by using a driving mechanism including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a connecting rod arranged between the sieve unit and the driven wheel, for separating colleted litter of various sizes from sand. |
| US08109331B2 |
Slickline conveyed debris management system
A wellbore cleanup tool is run on slickline. It has an onboard power supply and circulation pump. Inlet flow is at the lower end into an inlet pipe that keeps up fluid velocity. The inlet pipe opens to a surrounding annular volume for sand containment and the fluid continues through a screen and into the pump for eventual exhaust back into the water in the wellbore. A modular structure is envisioned to add debris carrying capacity. Various ways to energize the device are possible. Other tools run on slickline are described such as a cutter, a scraper and a shifting tool. |
| US08109327B2 |
Temperature control system having heat exchange modules with indirect expansion cooling and in-tube electric heating
A temperature control system for a container includes a refrigeration circuit having a primary fluid circulating therein and a secondary fluid circuit in communication with a first compartment of the container and a second compartment of the container. The secondary fluid circuit has a secondary fluid separate from the primary fluid circulating therein. The secondary fluid circuit includes a first heat exchange module in communication with an interior load space of the first compartment and a second heat exchange module in communication with an interior load space of the second compartment. Each of the first and second heat exchange modules includes a pump, a heater, a heat exchanger, and a three-way valve. A heat exchange interface between the refrigeration circuit and the secondary fluid circuit is operable to transfer heat from the secondary fluid to the primary fluid. |
| US08109318B2 |
Methods of deploying a cover utilizing active material and an external heat source
Methods of deploying and stowing a cover coupled to an actuator comprising active material, includes the steps of heating the material with an external heat source, so as to cause a change in physical property and deploying the cover due to the change, and preferably includes accelerating the heating of the material by focusing the energy of the source with a lens or prism, engaging the cover with an input device and retracting the cover upon input, releasing stored energy as a result of the change, or further deploying the cover by use of a ratcheting mechanism, use of a timer for delayed actuation, use of a sensor configured to determine a condition, such as an opened door or the presence of an occupant, interconnecting to a windshield wiper, immersing the actuator in a heated fluid, and conduction heating the actuator through contact with a heated panel. |
| US08109316B2 |
Slat member and fireproof, heat-insulating slat and rolling door
A fireproof, heat-insulating slat consists of a pair of slat members having the same structure and disposed in the opposite directions. An enclosed space is formed between the pair of slat members. A first upper shoulder and a first lower shoulder are formed on the top end of the slat from the left to the right, and a second lower shoulder and a second upper shoulder are formed on the bottom end of the slat from the left to the right. An upper hinge and a lower hinge part are formed on the first lower shoulder and the second lower shoulder, respectively, and the upper hinge part and the lower hinge part are bent toward the first upper shoulder and the second upper shoulder, respectively. The enclosed space is filled with a fireproof, heat-insulating material. |
| US08109306B2 |
Luggage piece with expandable access opening
A luggage piece which provides a slim profile in a closed position and a larger opening in an open position when compared to a similar article without features according to this invention. The luggage piece includes at least one gusset, positioned along a side of the luggage piece, which is folded in the closed position and releases and/or expands in the open position to provide a larger opening and thus greater access to a storage space. |
| US08109301B1 |
Illuminated refrigerator dispenser system with sensors
A refrigerator having a dispenser that includes an outlet and that is configured to dispense content through the outlet and along an output flow path. The refrigerator also includes a detection unit configured to detect user activity that is indicative of a desire to fill a container with content using the dispenser. The refrigerator further includes an optical system that is configured to, in response to detecting the user activity, direct a beam of light along at least a portion of the output flow path of the dispenser to assist a user in positioning a container to receive content dispensed along the output flow path. |
| US08109300B2 |
Fuel transferring system and method of use
A portable system for transferring liquids such as fuels from a first tank to a second tank. The first tank may be, for example, a railcar and the second tank a transport trailer. The portable system is separated into multiple compartments with an engine compartment and a pump compartment. A wall separates the engine and pump compartments and may be sealed to prevent the passage of air or vapor therethrough. The pump is utilized to transfer liquid from the first tank to the second tank. |
| US08109298B2 |
Aircraft duct system
A duct system comprises a duct region to be monitored and an aircraft leakage monitoring element (2). The aircraft leakage monitoring element comprises a sensor wire which is designed, at least in one section, in the shape of a coil with a plurality of windings. |
| US08109296B2 |
Fluid flow passage structure and manufacturing method thereof
A fluid flow passage structure and a manufacturing method therefor are provided, in which fluid flow passages can be easily produced employing a simple structure and process, while also being suitable for reducing the weight thereof. Wire members having a predetermined pattern are disposed between a first block member and a second block member. Airtight and fluidtight hermetic fluid flow passages are formed between such members, by forming the first block member, the second block member, and the wire members together as an integral structure. |
| US08109295B2 |
Manifold assembly
A manifold assembly used to control the flow of oxygen in an oxygen concentrator system The manifold assembly provides a series of internal pathways which receive a primary and secondary relief valves via external orifices. The manifold reduces the number of component connections and potential leak paths for control and monitoring of process media. |
| US08109292B2 |
Insertion piece to a single-grip mixing faucet
An insertion piece to a single-grip mixing faucet developed as a control unit. On one side, the control unit is connected to a footing having warm and cold water inlets. On the other side, the control unit is connected to a driving arm. The control unit includes a fixed inlet disc and a moving control disc arranged above the inlet disc to form together a plane sealing. The side of the inlet disc opposite the control disc is coupled to the footing, whereas the side of the control disc opposite the inlet disc is in connection with a ceramic moving element, which, in turn, is in connection with the driving arm. The inlet disc includes at least one inlet opening for warm water, at least one inlet opening for cold water, and an outlet hole forming at least two outlet openings, preferably one for tub filling and one for shower filling. The driving arm independently controls the separate outlets. |
| US08109285B2 |
Roll over vent valve
A roll-over vent valve comprising a housing formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve seating bounding an outlet aperture of the housing, a float member received within the housing and axially displaceable between a sealed position wherein a sealing member thereof sealingly bears against the valve seating of the outlet aperture to seal the fluid outlet, and an open position wherein the sealing member is disengaged from the valve seating whereby the fluid outlet is in flow communication with the fluid inlet. There is further provided a pressure-retention device extending intermediate the valve seating and the fluid outlet, to thereby shut fluid flow therebetween as long as pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet does not exceed a minimal pressure threshold. The valve further comprises a one-way fluid inlet valve being in flow communication with said fluid outlet to allow fluid flow towards said fluid inlet a substantially high flow rate at the event of under-pressure at the fluid inlet. |
| US08109284B2 |
Bubble trap assembly for critical bioprocess applications
A bubble trap assembly for critical bioprocess applications. The assembly includes a disposable liner including a gas port disposed on a top of the liner, and two fluid ports disposed on the bottom of the liner. The fluid ports coupled in-line to the critical bioprocess application. A rigid vessel is included for housing the liner. The liner being sized to substantially conform to a shape of the inside of the vessel. The vessel includes an upper aperture for aligning with the gas port and a bottom opening opposed to the upper aperture. A bottom cap is included, removeably secured to the vessel and closing the bottom opening. The bottom cap together with the vessel substantially enclosing the liner. The bottom cap includes two lower apertures for aligning with the fluid ports. The bottom cap being formed by two cap portions capable of being separated. |
| US08109282B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A rinsing liquid (DIW) is discharged from a rinsing liquid discharge port formed in a blocking member to perform rinsing processing to a substrate surface while a nitrogen gas is supplied into a clearance space, and a liquid mixture (IPA+DIW) is discharged from a liquid mixture discharge port formed in the blocking member to replace the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture while the nitrogen gas is supplied into the clearance space. Thus, an increase of the dissolved oxygen concentration of the liquid mixture can be suppressed upon replacing the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture, which makes it possible to securely prevent from forming an oxide film or generating watermarks on the substrate surface. |
| US08109281B2 |
Cleaning assembly for containers
A cleaning assembly for containers, particularly for bottles, having a conveying device on which the containers are arranged by means of a receptacle means. To economically and ecologically improve the cleaning assembly, the receptacle means contains a liquid-tight tubular for an individual cleaning of the containers. |
| US08109274B2 |
Methods and electrode apparatus to achieve a closure of a layered tissue defect
Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as a patent foramen ovale generally involve positioning a distal end of a catheter device at the site of the defect, exposing a housing and energy transmission member from the distal end of the catheter, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the defect, applying suction or other approximating tool to the tissue via the housing to bring the tissue together, and applying energy to the tissue with the energy transmission member or to deliver a clip or fixation device to substantially close the defect. Apparatus generally include a catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissue at the site of the defect, and further adapted to house a fusing or fixation device such as an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, or a clip or fixation delivery element. |
| US08109273B2 |
Shoulder immobilizer and fracture stabilization device
A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient. |
| US08109271B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a patient interface to a patient's face
A breathing assistance system may include a patient interface configured to interface with a patient to communicate gas received from a gas delivery apparatus to the patient, and a securing system configured to secure the patient interface against the patient's face. The securing system may include one or more walls forming a generally tubular structure open at least at one end. At least a portion of the one or more walls may be elastic such that at least a portion of the generally tubular structure can be stretched over the patient's head. |
| US08109270B2 |
Dispensing valve for breathing gas
A dispensing valve with admission pressure compensation and a safety device for maximum pressure limitation of the admission pressure. To accomplish the object, a deformation zone (18), which can be brought into contact with a support surface (14) by the admission pressure by admitting pressure in the direction of a reduction of the active area of the compensating diaphragm (10), is provided in the area of a compensating diaphragm (10). |
| US08109269B2 |
Method of automatically controlling a respiration system and a corresponding respirator
A method of automatically controlling a respiration system for proportional assist ventilation with a control device and with a ventilator. An electrical signal is recorded by electromyography with electrodes on the chest in order to obtain a signal uemg(t) representing the breathing activity. The respiratory muscle pressure pmus(t) is determined by calculating it in the control unit from measured values for the airway pressure and the volume flow Flow(t) as well as the patient's lung mechanical parameters. The breathing activity signal uemg(t) is transformed by means of a preset transformation rule into a pressure signal pemg(uemg)(t)) such that the mean deviation of the resulting transformed pressure signal pemg(t) from the respiratory muscle pressure pmus(t) is minimized. The respiratory effort pressure ppat(t) is determined as a weighted mean according to ppat(t)=a·pmus(t)+(1−a)·pemg(t), where a is a parameter selected under the boundary condition 0≦a≦1. |
| US08109264B1 |
Hot water solar heating system and method
A hot water solar heating system includes a solar collector assembly located outside a building, a hot water tank located inside the building and supply and return pipes connecting the tank to the solar collector assembly. Portions of the supply and return pipes are located outside the building and are subject to below freezing temperatures and ice blockages. The system includes resistance heating wires which melt ice blockages in the exterior portions of the supply and return pipes. |
| US08109263B2 |
User activated grease tray drain
An outdoor cooking grill includes a removable grease drip pan. The grease drip pan has a drain hole and a drain assembly having a plug that is selectively moveable to seal the drain hole. The user may use the drain assembly to drain grease and other liquid collected in the grease drip pan. |
| US08109254B2 |
Method of controlling the spark lead of an internal combustion engine
A method of controlling the spark lead of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder fitted with a spark plug; the method including the steps of: determining a standard spark lead value; determining an engine knock index in the cylinder; calculating a correction factor as a function of the engine knock index; determining a modified spark lead value by applying the correction factor to the standard spark lead value; and controlling the spark plug using the modified spark lead value. The correction factor is calculated by statistically analyzing a number of engine knock indexes to calculate a cumulative distribution; comparing the cumulative distribution with at least one target value; and modifying the current correction factor value as a function of the comparison between the cumulative distribution and the target value. |
| US08109250B2 |
Glow plug with integrated pressure sensor
A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2). |
| US08109249B2 |
Valve control for a gas exchange valve in an internal combustion engine
A valve control for a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine includes at least one spring element for preloading the valve in an end position and a fixing device for the releasable fixing of the valve. The spring element in a moveable insert, which by means of an actuation device is adjustable in actuation direction of the valve between an end position close to the valve disc and an end position far from the valve disc for adjusting a preload applied on the valve by the spring element. |
| US08109247B2 |
Wear resistant camshaft and follower material
A materials combination for a camshaft and follower of an engine valve train provides excellent wear resistance. The camshaft or camshaft lobes are made from a malleable cast iron and the cam followers are made from a carbonitrided 52100 or 4130 steel to provide excellent wear resistance equivalent to diamond-like coatings at greatly reduced cost. |
| US08109245B2 |
Variable valve apparatus
A drive cam opens or closes an intake valve via a variable mechanism, a split-type rocking cam arm, and a valve actuating mechanism. The variable mechanism varies a position of an intermediate roller corresponding to a rotating angle of a control shaft, thereby variably setting a lift amount of the intake valve. The split-type rocking cam arm includes an input arm and an output arm, and a connection selection mechanism is disposed between the arms. When the arms are connected together, the intake valve performs an ordinary open/close operation. When the arms are disconnected, an input of the drive cam is absorbed by a relative rocking motion between the arms, so that the intake valve is retained in a pause state. |
| US08109242B2 |
Multi-thermostat engine cooling system
A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have a pump driven by the engine to pressurize coolant, a single heat exchanger configured to cool pressurized coolant, and an aftercooler configured to transfer heat from air entering the engine to pressurized coolant. The cooling system may also have a multi-thermostat arrangement configured to always direct at least a portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump through the aftercooler, and selectively direct pressurized coolant from the pump through the single heat exchanger. The multi-thermostat arrangement may also be configured to selectively mix pressurized coolant from the aftercooler with a remaining portion of the pressurized coolant from the pump to form a coolant mixture, and to selectively direct the coolant mixture through the engine or around the engine. |
| US08109240B2 |
Pet harnesss with restraint
The pet harness with restraint includes a rigid lateral bar or rod attached across the shoulder strap of a harness. The bar serves to prevent the animal from escaping between the vertical uprights of a fence or similar enclosure. The harness preferably comprises a pair of foreleg loops, a chest strap interconnecting the foreleg loops, and a pair of connecting straps that extend from the loops over the shoulders of the animal. Alternatively, the harness may comprise a collar portion and a body-encircling strap joined by longitudinal chest and dorsal straps. The bar may be permanently attached across the shoulder or dorsal straps of the harness, but is preferably removable to provide a versatile harness. The bar may be attached to the harness by snap fasteners, by insertion into a sleeve attached to the harness, etc. The harness may include elastic sections therein to provide greater adjustment for growing pets. |
| US08109238B2 |
Litter box interface junction cover
The present invention relates to a device for facilitating and maintaining the cleanliness of a self cleaning cat litter box. The device is a structure that contains two plastic strips attached to a tape and attaches to an interface junction located at the top of a litter box container ramp. The device facilitates and guides the waste as it is moved from the litter box into a waste receptacle insert by rake tines and prevents contamination of areas along the path of the moving waste. |
| US08109236B2 |
Fluid delivery assembly
Assemblies in accordance with the invention can lead to an exceptionally easy to use, safe, and convenient system and method of applying a fixed dosage of chemicals to which a user might wish to avoid contact, such as parasiticides. In the present invention, a fluid, such as a pesticide or parasiticide, glue, solvent, lubricant, medicament and the like is loaded into a fluid reservoir and the reservoir sealed. The reservoir can be attached to a cap-applicator structure which is in an inactive configuration. In the inactive configuration, a piercing tip remains poised over the reservoir in an inactive configuration without forming an opening in the reservoir. The cap-applicator can have a sharp intsernal piercing tip capable of piercing the reservoir when the assembly is converted into an active configuration. This will allow the user to dispense the liquid out of the reservoir through the applicator. |
| US08109234B1 |
Collapsible pet bowl
A collapsible bowl apparatus and related methods of use. |
| US08109231B1 |
Imparted charge in situ pipelining device
The invention pertains to a lining device that can be pulled through a pipe having an approximate diameter between 1 and 36 inches. The device sprays an electrically charged lining mixture 360° onto the inside pipe surface. The lining mixture is electro-statically charged to facilitate full encapsulation and adhesion to all pipe wall surfaces in a circumferentially uniform thickness. The lining device can be contained in a multipart housing having flexible rod-like components that hold the device in the center of the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The lining mixture is conveyed to the device through heated non expanding hose. The non expanding properties facilitate the delivery of the lining under pressure to the device. The device also incorporates a dwell cone having a knurled edge that atomizes the lining mixture as it is centrifugally thrown onto the pipe wall. The device may further incorporate nitrogen in mixing the lining material. |
| US08109229B2 |
Spreading head particularly for spreading one or more adhesives or mixtures of adhesives
A spreading head particularly for spreading one or more adhesives or mixtures of adhesives, of the hot-melt or cold type, comprising a body for conveying the one or more adhesives to an extrusion tool; the body has two or more ducts, which are all separate or of which two or more converge, and the tool has one or more first extrusion channels and/or one or more mixing chambers which are connected to one or more second extrusion channels, the first and/or second extrusion channels being optionally mutually superimposed and/or laterally adjacent. |
| US08109227B2 |
Automotive tire dressing applicator including cylindrical foam rollers with incremental rotation
A tire dressing applicator comprises a support shaft mounted between the ends of a bracket and a plurality of tire dressing applicator foam rollers mounted on the shaft for rotation both with the shaft and in unison with one another and, as necessary when contacting a tire sidewall, relative to the shalt itself to prevent and/or reduce unnecessary roller wear. A drizzle-type system of dressing dispenser pipes drizzles dressing onto the outside surfaces of the rollers and a felt flap spreads the dressing and prevents waste which is characteristic of spray type systems. A quick-release mechanism associated with one end of the roller shaft where it is connected to the bracket permits the shaft to be released for the purpose of replacing worn rollers. Individual rollers are constructed using hard plastic cages which are adhesively bonded in toroidal foam volumes to prevent lateral scrunching or distortion of rollers during use. |
| US08109225B2 |
Banner support system
A banner raising apparatus is described for use with a halyard (228) for raising and lowering a banner. The apparatus is mounted to a generally vertical support surface (222) and comprises an upper halyard guide (220) mounted at an upper portion of the support surface and guiding the halyard travelling in a secure halyard passageway. A halyard fastener (218) is operable to releasably fasten the halyard exiting the secure halyard passageway adjacent a lower portion of the support surface, and a secure housing (212) is mounted externally of the support surface adjacent the lower portion, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard fastener and having sufficient internal volume to securely house the halyard of a raised banner. The secure housing is configured to enable access to the halyard. An elongate conduit defining the secure halyard passageway may be mounted externally to the support surface. The secure halyard passageway may be a secure internal cavity defined in the support surface. |
| US08109221B2 |
Single drive catamaran hull
The catamaran hull includes a pair of substantially parallel separate hulls, connected by an intermediate hull portion, wherein only one of the separate hulls includes a propulsion assembly. Each hull is asymmetric, but differently configured, such that the off-center thrust created by the propulsion assembly in the one hull is substantially offset by the turning force created by the difference in the two asymmetric hull shapes. |
| US08109210B2 |
Device for producing compressed bales
The invention relates to a device for producing compressed bales from compressible pressed product pieces, each compressed bale produced having a cuboid form with edge lengths A, B and C. The device includes a press housing having at least one press chamber and a press shield that can be moved in the press chamber in the press direction and back by means of a mechanical drive. The press chamber has a cross-sectional surface of A×C/n. In the press chamber, n partial compressed bales can be produced in n first press steps, with a flat cuboid form with the edge lengths A, B and C/n. A storage space is arranged downstream from the press chamber, n partial compressed bales being transferable into the storage space. The partial compressed bales can be joined in the storage space to form the cuboid compressed bales with the edge lengths A, B and C. The press chamber is separated from the storage space by a mobile partition, and an opening-that can be freed by the partition has at least the dimension A×B in the opening position, such that a partial compressed bale formed in the press chamber can be transported into the storage space through the opening. |
| US08109209B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing the number of microbes during tandem operation
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (2) for reducing the microbial count in particulate bulk material, in particular herbs and spices and other particulate foodstuffs, by treating batches of the bulk material with hot steam. In order to make better use of the thermal energy contained in the steam, the invention proposes that the bulk material is in each case alternately treated with steam in two separate chambers (6, 8), and that, after treatment of the bulk material in a chamber (6 or 8), some of the steam which is supplied to this chamber (6 or 8) is introduced into the other chamber (8 or 6) in order to preheat the still untreated bulk material in said other chamber (8 or 6). |
| US08109203B1 |
Kitchen apparatus for food preparation
An apparatus for preparing tostones, referred to herein as a tostonera, has a base member with an upper surface including a plurality of concave recesses therein and a relatively planar bottom surface. A first press member is connected to the base member along a first periphery, and has a plurality of punches equal in number and co-located with the plurality of concave recesses. The first press member hingedly connected to the base member is capable of engaging the base member when pressure is applied to the first press member. A second press member hingedly connected to the base member along a second periphery, has at least one depression therein. The depression within the second press member may be configured to permit either a series of tostones or an entire half banana to be pressed at a single time. |
| US08109202B2 |
Cooking apparatus and method with product recognition
Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor. |
| US08109195B1 |
Gas venting system for firearms
A gas operated firearm having a gas venting system which configures the carrier key and the gas tube so that a substantial portion of the recoil gas is vented from the gas tube into the cavity defined by a hand guard to reduce fouling and high temperatures associated with conventional venting systems which route gases into the receiver. |
| US08109192B2 |
Locking mount system for weapons
The invention relates to weapon mount systems that can be locked into a particular position. In an embodiment, the invention includes a weapon mount including a base structure; a mounting structure pivotably coupled to the base structure; a weapon cradle pivotably coupled to the mounting structure, the weapon cradle configured to hold a weapon. The weapon mount also includes a first locking mechanism configured to restrict pivoting of the weapon cradle relative to the mounting structure in a vertical plane, the first locking mechanism comprising a first brake caliper; and a first brake rotor, wherein the first brake caliper selectively engages the first brake rotor. The weapon mount also includes a second locking mechanism configured to restrict pivoting of the mounting structure relative to the base structure in a horizontal plane, the second locking mechanism comprising a second brake caliper; and a second brake rotor, wherein the second brake caliper selectively engages the second brake rotor. The weapon mount also includes a first control interface configured to actuate the first locking mechanism and a second control interface configured to actuate the second locking mechanism. Other embodiments are also included herein. |
| US08109190B2 |
Railgun system
A system for accelerating an armature to launch a projectile by injecting liquid aluminum between the armature and a pair of electrically conductive rails. A system for accelerating an armature by injecting liquid metal between the armature a plurality of electrically conductive rails and collecting the liquid metal. The liquid metal or liquid aluminum can comprise solid particles. A railgun structure with mechanical guide rails. A railgun structure with a film stack of alternating copper and nickel layers. An armature with guide rail supports. A method of using the system by placing liquid metal in the armature, placing the armature between conductive rails, and applying an electric current to the rails. |
| US08109186B2 |
Gripping food products in slicing machines
An apparatus for gripping food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meat in a slicing machine, together with methods of operation thereof. The gripper apparatus comprises hooks for gripping one end of the food product. During slicing, the slicing machine cuts slices from the other end of the food product. Two sets of hooks are present and each set of hooks is moveable between a retracted inoperative position and an extended product-gripping position, independently of the other set. The second set of hooks, when in their extended position, projects for a distance greater than the first set of hooks. Both sets of hooks occupy their extended positions during initial stages of slicing and the second set of hooks is withdrawn to their retracted position during a final stage of slicing so that more of the remaining end of the product can be sliced. The hooks of the first and second sets are curved and occupy parallel planes when in their extended positions, with the planes occupied by the first set of hooks being orthogonal to the planes occupied by the second set of hooks. |
| US08109185B2 |
Method for cutting protective tape of semiconductor wafer and protective tape cutting device
A cutter blade is cut-in by being moved towards a deep part of a notch from one open end of the notch while being moved in a forward direction with respect to an outer periphery of a wafer. Immediately before a blade edge reaches the deep part of the notch, cutting movement of the cutter blade is once stopped, reversely moved to a initial piercing position, and thereafter, the cutter blade is moved towards the deep part of the notch from the other open end of the notch while being moved in a reverse direction with respect to the outer periphery of the wafer. |
| US08109181B2 |
Ratchet screwdriver and construction method
A ratchet screwdriver with an assembly of a handle (10), a body (17), a gear (56), a pawl (21, 22, 71), and a selector (27) movable on the assembly. The selector carries a pawl actuator (38, 81) for pivoting the pawl, and there is a rotation lock (42, 92) on the selector for releasably holding the rotated selector. The selector can be axially, and also rotationally, movable on the body for controlling the lock. The assembly is along an axis (A), and there are a member (44) and axial force appliers (62, 64) effective between the body and the member, thus restricting axial movement in the assembly. There is provision for assembly along the axis from adjacent the handle. There are modifications and an assembly method. |
| US08109179B2 |
Power tong
A power tong continuously rotates tubulars for spinning and torquing threaded connections. Continuous rotation is achieved through a rotating jaw having grippers that grip the tubular and continuously rotate with it. Hydraulic and electrical power necessary for actuating the grippers is generated on board. A serpentine belt system turns the motors of the on-board hydraulic power unit and electric generators to supply the grippers with hydraulic and electrical power. The serpentine belt system is driven by a secondary drive mounted on a fixed frame. The rotating jaw is rotatably mounted to the fixed frame and driven during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation by a primary drive, mounted on the fixed frame. A fixed jaw is also mounted to the frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grippers on the rotating jaw grip the opposite second side of the tubular joint. High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw spins the joint. |
| US08109178B2 |
Side-load nail holding hammer
An ergonomic side-load nail holding hammer for the industry of striking tools and hammers. It comprises a magnetic hammerhead including a multinail holder and starter, with half conical shaped vertical slots (such as 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) with magnets (9) and self-releasing groove. It also permits nails to be straightened when hammered. It has curved shaped claws (6) for digging nails and preventing damage to the surface where the nail is located. The claw body (7) has a curved shape and the claws have a small claw end (5a) and a larger claw end (5b). The neck includes an indentation (3). |
| US08109176B1 |
Cutting elements with serrated cutting edge
A cutting system with enhanced wear resistance comprises a first cutting element having a first surface and a second surface, and a first cutting edge formed at an intersection of the first surface and the second surface. The first cutting element comprises a body with a first base surface and a second base surface intersecting the first base surface. The first base surface has an undulating contour character along the intersection of the first base surface and the second base surface. A layer of wear resistant material is applied to the first base surface of the body adjacent to the first cutting edge. The layer of wear resistant material has a substantially uniform thickness along the first cutting edge to transfer the undulating contour character of the first base surface to the first surface of the first cutting element to give the first cutting edge a serrated character. |
| US08109174B2 |
Differential cover providing lubricant flow control
An axle assembly with an axle housing assembly and a differential that is mounted in the axle housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The axle housing assembly defines an interior cavity with a sump having a static liquid lubricant level. The axle housing assembly includes a housing structure and a cover that is coupled to the housing structure. First and second sets of ribs are coupled to the cover and extend into the interior cavity. The first and second sets of ribs are disposed on opposite sides of a ring gear associated with the differential and include a plurality of ribs. A first portion of at least one of the ribs extends below the static liquid lubricant level to thereby be immersed when a liquid lubricant fills the sump to a level that coincides with the static liquid lubricant level. |
| US08109169B2 |
Ball screw device
A ball screw device 10 capable of increasing a load capacity by increasing the size of ball diameter and the number of threads by preventing the cutout of a nut from being interfered with a thread groove adjacent to the cutout even in the thread groove of a small lead screw and a multiple thread screw, wherein a circulating block 18 forming, in association with the cutout 17, a ball 15 circulation passage 21 for communicating an area between both thread grooves 11 and 13 with a ball return passage 16 is fitted to the cutout 17 formed at the end of the nut 14 so that the large number of balls 15 can be endlessly circulated between both thread grooves 11 and 13, ball circulation passage 21, and ball return passage 16. The face of the cutout 17 facing the axial direction thereof is used as a ball running surface 23, a ball circulating groove 20 is formed at the portion of the circulation block 18 opposed to the ball running surface 23, and the ball circulation passage 21 is formed of the ball circulating groove 20 and the ball running surface 23. |
| US08109168B2 |
Converter gearing having eccentric bushes
The invention relates to a converter gearing, comprising a gear rim (7), which is connected to the pivoting axis (6) of a converter box, said gear rim being engaged with at least one drive pinion (8) of the converter gearing (9) and at least one locking device, which can be pivoted to engage with and be disengaged from the toothed gearing of the gear rim, (7) in the form of a locking arm (12) that is positioned on a horizontal shaft (10) and configured with toothed gearing (11). The aim of the invention is to improve said locking device. To achieve this, the shaft (10) of the locking arm (12) is mounted in at least one terminal bearing (13, 13′) and the locking arm (12) can be engaged with and disengaged from the toothed gearing of the gear rim (7) in a non-positive manner, preferably by means of active force elements (14, 14′) in its end regions. In addition, the shaft (10) of the locking arm (12) is mounted in the housing of the converter gearing (9) by means of two eccentric bushes (4, 5), which rotate freely within one another, at each of its ends. The mounting is configured in such a way, that by the independent rotation of the same, an ideal mutual engagement position of the two interacting toothed gearing regions of the locking device (12) and the gear rim (7) can be set. |
| US08109167B2 |
Gear box for a motor vehicle
A gearbox is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to at least a first input shaft and at least a first output shaft. The first input and output shafts carrying at least a first drive gearwheel and a first driven gearwheel, respectively, for establishing a forward gear ratio, and a second drive gearwheel and a second driven gearwheel, respectively, coupled by a 10 first intermediate gearwheel for establishing a reverse transmission ratio. The second driven gearwheel meshes with a third driven gearwheel on a second output shaft for establishing a further forward gear ratio. |
| US08109166B2 |
Twin clutch speed-change apparatus
A twin clutch speed-change apparatus that can reduce shift shock includes a transmission with multiple gear pairs disposed between a main shaft and a countershaft. A twin clutch is provided on the main shaft, a rotational drive force from an engine being connected/disconnected between the transmission and the engine, a dog clutch is provided between an axially slidably attached slidable gear and an axially non-slidably attached non-slidable gear to select a gear pair, for transmitting a rotational drive force, from the multiple gear pairs. Dog teeth of the dog clutch include steps different in axial height from each other between a portion abutted against a lateral wall surface of a dog hole when the rotational drive force is transmitted by the dog clutch, and a portion abutted against a lateral wall surface of the dog hole when the rotational drive force is not transmitted by the dog clutch. |
| US08109165B2 |
Compliant non-jamming end of travel stop for a ball screw actuator
A linear actuator includes a first structure having an axis. A second structure is configured to translate relative to the first structure in response to rotation of the first structure. First and second stops are respectively operatively connected to the first and second structures. The first and second stops are configured to engage with one another at a travel limiting position. A compliant member is operatively arranged between the first and second structures and is configured to absorb energy between the first and second structures in the travel limiting position. |
| US08109159B1 |
Instrumentation installation tool for a pressure vessel test rig
A pressure vessel test rig for testing a component under high pressure and temperature, the pressure vessel having a flange with an opening so that instrumentation lines can pass from inside the vessel to outside, and a sealing plate with grooves that provide a seal for the instrumentation lines when a cover plate is secured to the flange. A removable instrumentation hold-down tool is attached to the flange and includes a number of spring biased clamps that secure the instrumentation lines to the flange during changes to the component within the vessel. |
| US08109155B2 |
Methods and apparatus to measure fluid flow rates
Example methods and apparatus to measure fluid flow rates are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a circulator to selectively circulate a fluid in a flowline, a generator thermally coupled to the flowline at a first location and controllable to form a heat wave in the fluid, a sensor thermally coupled to the flowline at a second location to measure a first value representative of the heat wave, a phase detector to determine a second value representative of a wavelength of the heat wave based on the first value, a frequency adjuster to control the generator to form the heat wave in the fluid at a first frequency, the first frequency selected so that the second value is substantially equal to a distance between the first and second locations, and a flow rate determiner to determine a flow rate of the fluid based on the first frequency. |
| US08109152B2 |
Multiphase Coriolis flowmeter
A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine a first flow rate of a first phase within a two-phase flow through the flowtube and determine a second flow rate of a second phase within the two-phase flow. |
| US08109150B2 |
Crack-propagation prediction method and program
The precision of crack-propagation prediction is improved by taking into consideration a variation in the error due to inspectors and inspection methods. There is provided a crack-propagation prediction method including a correlation-information preparing step of measuring the length of a crack initiated in a test object by a plurality of inspectors and/or a plurality of inspection methods and obtaining correlation information between data acquired through the measurement and the condition of an actual crack; a crack-length estimating step of estimating the actual length of the crack initiated in an inspection target on the basis of the crack length measured by an inspector during inspection of the inspection target and the correlation information; and a crack-propagation-curve estimating step of estimating a crack-propagation curve of the inspection target originating from the crack length estimated in the crack-length estimating step. |
| US08109148B2 |
Pressure compensation unit for use in a pressure sensor
A pressure compensation unit for use in a pressure sensor includes a housing which has at least one continuous channel, at least one opening being provided in a wall of the channel. The opening is connectable to a reference pressure chamber of the pressure sensor via at least one air passage in the housing. The opening is closed by at least one gas-permeable and preferably fluid-tight filter diaphragm. |
| US08109145B2 |
Micro hemispheric resonator gyro
One embodiment is a micro hemispheric resonator gyro having: a plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes; a hemispheric resonator; a guard ring having first and second opposed sides, the guard ring containing the plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes, and the hemispheric resonator; a top cover operatively coupled to the first side of the guard ring; and a bottom cover operatively coupled to the second side of the guard ring; wherein the plurality of pickoff and forcer electrodes, the hemispheric resonator, the guard ring, the top cover and the bottom cover form a micro hemispheric resonator gyro. |
| US08109144B2 |
Inertia sensor
A multi-axis accelerometer or a multi-axis angular rate sensor which can be made by an easy process and the size of which can be greatly reduced is provided. An inertia sensor has a substrate, a flat proofmass formed on the substrate and a stacked structure including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, an anchor unit formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and fixed on the substrate, and a plurality of flat piezoelectric beams each having one end connected to the proofmass, the other end connected to the anchor unit, and a stacked structure formed in a cutout inside of the proofmass and including at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode, wherein the inertia sensor enables to detect an acceleration applied on the proofmass based on charges generated to the electrodes of the piezoelectric beams. |
| US08109141B2 |
Moisture sensor for detecting rain or other material on window or on other surface
A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield or backlite). In certain example embodiments, a capacitor-based system and/or method is provided for auto-correlating sensor data to determine the existence of a material on the window, and then cross-correlating sensor data to identify the type and/or amount of that material (e.g., rain). This data may be used to actuate and/or deactivate a vehicle's wiper(s), and/or adjust wiper speed. In certain example embodiments, the sensor may include an array of at least two capacitors. In certain example embodiments, the system and/or method may perform check(s) to enhance the accuracy of the detection by comparing, for example, the sign of autocorrelation values, maximum autocorrelation values, and/or gradients of autocorrelation values. |
| US08109140B2 |
Downhole sampling apparatus and method for using same
A reservoir sampling apparatus (20) is described having at least one probe (26) adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus with a heating projector (251) adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller (253) to maintain the temperature in the formation below a threshold value. |
| US08109139B2 |
Method and system for monitoring tire pressure
The invention relates to a method for monitoring air pressure in vehicle tires using wheel electronics, which comprise a pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure present in the tire, a transmitter for transmitting pressure information, and a receiver for receiving interrogation signals, wherein a transmission activity of the wheel electronics is triggered by the reception of an interrogation signal, which is transmitted as a pulse train comprising a command section that encodes a transmission instruction for the wheel electronics. According to the invention, the pulse train comprises an adjustment section having several pulses before the command section. |
| US08109135B2 |
Cantilever assembly
A cantilever assembly (1) comprises a cantilever (10) having a cantilever tip (11). The cantilever is mounted to a rigid support (12,120,121) and is provided on its back side with an area (110) of a high reflectance material having a boundary (111) sloping towards the support (12). The extensions (c, Δc) of the area (110) and of the boundary (111) towards the support fulfil the condition c/Δc≧1 wherein c denotes the extension of the area (110) of the high reflectance material in the direction towards the support (12), and Δc denotes the extension of the sloped boundary (111) of the area (110) of the high reflectance material in the direction towards the support (12). |
| US08109134B2 |
Nondestructive methods for testing the degree of hardening or drying of inks and coatings
In a method for determining the degree of hardening or drying of one or more printed ink and/or coating film(s) on a substrate, for instance, paper, cardboard, plastic film or composite materials, a faster and more efficient measuring method can be found that furthermore supplies secure and easily interpreted results. The method is to be used in the mass production printing processes comprising intaglio printing, flexographic printing, screen printing or offset printing. The degree of hardening or drying is determined indirectly by way of the change in the mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate that result from the hardening or drying process. The detection of acoustic waves by means of a piezoelectric sensor is used as the measuring method. |
| US08109130B2 |
Apparatus and process for sensing fluoro species in semiconductor processing systems
A gas detector and process for detecting a fluorine-containing species in a gas containing same, e.g., an effluent of a semiconductor processing tool undergoing etch cleaning with HF, NF3, etc. The detector in a preferred structural arrangement employs a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based device structure and/or a free-standing metal element that functions as a sensing component and optionally as a heat source when elevated temperature sensing is required. The free-standing metal element can be fabricated directly onto a standard chip carrier/device package so that the package becomes a platform of the detector. |
| US08109128B2 |
Cavity-enhanced photo acoustic trace gas detector with improved feedback loop
A photo acoustic trace gas detector (100) is provided for detecting a concentration of a trace gas in a gas mixture. The detector (100) comprises a light source (101) for producing a light beam and a light modulator (103) for modulating the light beam into a series of light pulses at a chopping frequency for generating sound waves in the gas mixture. The amplitude of the sound waves is a measure of the concentration of the trace gas. The detector (100) further comprises an optical cavity (104a, 104b) with the gas mixture. The optical cavity (104a, 104b) amplifies the light intensity of the light pulses. A transducer (109) converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A feed back loop (110, 111, 113, 114) regulates a ratio of a length of the optical cavity (104a, 104b) and a wavelength of the light beam for amplifying the light intensity of the light pulses in the optical cavity (104a, 104b). The feedback loop (110, 111, 113, 114) comprises ratio modulating means (113, 114) for modulating the ratio at a modulation frequency, a photo detector (110) for measuring the light intensity of the light pulses and adjusting means (111), coupled to the photo detector (100) and to the ratio modulating means (113, 114) for, in dependence of the measured light intensity, adjusting an average of the ratio. The chopping frequency is higher than the modulation frequency. |
| US08109127B2 |
Measurement of entrained and dissolved gases in process flow lines
A device for measurement of entrained and dissolved gas has a first module arranged in relation to a process line for providing a first signal containing information about a sensed entrained air/gas in a fluid or process mixture flowing in the process line at a process line pressure. The device features a combination of a bleed line, a second module and a third module. The bleed line is coupled to the process line for bleeding a portion of the fluid or process mixture from the process line at a bleed line pressure that is lower than the process pressure. The second module is arranged in relation to the bleed line, for providing a second signal containing information about a sensed bleed line entrained air/gas in the fluid or process mixture flowing in the bleed line. The third module responds to the first signal and the second signal, for providing a third signal containing information about a dissolved air/gas flowing in the process line based on a difference between the sensed entrained air/gas and the sensed bleed line entrained air/gas. |
| US08109125B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing ultralow-resistance current sensors
A method for manufacturing ultralow-resistance current sensors of size 0402 to 4518 of IEEE specifications includes the steps of: a raw metallic strip being pressed to roll over a first tension roller, a cutting tool over the first tension roller being fed to cut the raw metallic strip so as to form a deep groove thereof along the moving metallic strip, an insulating material being filled into and along the deep groove so as to form an lengthwise insulating portion of the metallic strip, and the metallic strip with the insulating portion being segmented into a plurality of ultralow-resistance current sensors. |
| US08109124B2 |
Split strap
An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over. |
| US08109117B2 |
Method for cambering glass sheets by suction
A method and device for bending superposed sheets of glass. The sheets are picked up by a top form furnished with a suction creating an upward airflow blowing over the rim of the sheets, the suction being sufficient to lift and hold the superposed sheets against the top form, then the sheets are pressed between the top form and a full surface solid concave bottom form furnished with openings, the pressing beginning conducted while the suction is not yet finished or is finishing, then the superposed sheets are formed, by suction of the main face of the bottom sheet through the openings of the bottom concave mold, the forming by suction beginning while the pressing is not yet finished, and then the sheets are cooled. Windshields free of optical defects may thus be produced. |
| US08109116B2 |
Dual compressor air conditioning system with oil level regulation
A refrigeration air conditioner includes a first equalizer pipe connecting a bottom portion of a first hermetic vessel, which contains a main compression mechanism and lubricating oil, to a bottom portion of a second hermetic vessel, which contains an expansion mechanism, a sub-compression mechanism, and lubricating oil. A second equalizer pipe connects a side of the second hermetic vessel at a position higher than a minimum oil level to a suction side of the main compression mechanism. The space within the second hermetic vessel is isolated from the expansion mechanism and the sub-compression mechanism, and the pressure within the second hermetic vessel is not dependent upon the pressure within the expansion mechanism and the pressure within the sub-compression mechanism. |
| US08109113B2 |
Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products
An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup lifter disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop. |
| US08109111B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus having an intermediate-pressure refrigerant gas-liquid separator for performing refrigeration cycle
An optional unit (30) including a high pressure side compressor (31) and a gas-liquid separator (33) is provided between an outdoor unit (20) including a low pressure side compressor (21) and an indoor unit (40). During a defrosting operation, refrigerant discharged from the low pressure side compressor (21) defrosts an outdoor heat exchanger (21) while refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator (33) is sucked into the high pressure side compressor (31) and is then discharged to the suction side of the low pressure side compressor (21). The optional unit (30) includes an injection pipe (36) for returning part of the refrigerant discharged from the high pressure side compressor (31) to the suction side of the high pressure side compressor (31) in the defrosting operation. Hence, the refrigerant flowing into the high pressure side compressor (31) from the gas-liquid separator (33) is gasified by the high-temperature discharged refrigerant. |
| US08109107B2 |
Mixed-phase regulator
Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load. |
| US08109105B2 |
Refrigerating air conditioning system, method of controlling operation of refrigerating air conditioning system, and method of controlling amount of refrigerant in refrigerating air conditioning system
In a refrigerating air conditioning system using refrigerant such as CO2 used in a supercritical area, a highly efficient refrigerating air conditioning system is provided by adjusting the amount of refrigerant in a radiator which contributes to the efficiency of the system stably and quickly. During heat utilizing operation, the superheat at the exit of an evaporator is controlled to a predetermined value by controlling the opening of an expansion valve provided on the upstream side of the evaporator, and an expansion valve is controlled so that the state of refrigerant in a connection pipe on the high-pressure side becomes a supercritical state. In this state, a flow rate control valve is controlled to change the density of the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant storage container and the amount of refrigerant existing in the radiator is adjusted. A target high-pressure value and a target value of the radiator exit temperature are set and the capacity of the compressor is controlled to obtain the target values, and the amount of refrigerant existing in the radiator is adjusted by the refrigerant amount adjusting circuit. |
| US08109102B2 |
Adjustment of compressor operating limits
A refrigerant system includes a compressor that has safe operating limits that are also built into a refrigerant system control to protect the compressor. Under certain conditions, these safe operational limits may be changed to allow the compressor to operate beyond the safety limits at least for a period of time. |
| US08109098B2 |
Combustor liner for gas turbine engine
A combustor liner (230) for a gas turbine engine combustor (200) comprises an inner wall (232), an outer wall (238), a cooling air flow channel (244) formed there between, and a flow control ring (246). The flow control ring (246) is sealingly attached to the downstream ends of the inner wall (232) and the outer wall (238), and comprises a plurality of holes (250) that, during gas turbine engine operation, may regulate a flow of cooling air that passes through the cooling air flow channel (244). One or more surfaces may be coated with a thermal barrier coating (237) to provide additional protection from thermal damage. |
| US08109092B2 |
Methods and systems for engine control
Methods and systems for controlling an engine are provided. In some examples, the engine has at least a cylinder and a compression device coupled to an intake of the engine, and the method includes, during engine re-start operation of an engine idle-stop condition, commencing combustion in the cylinder from a non-combusting condition, the combustion in a two-stroke combustion cycle of the cylinder. However, in some examples, at least partially electrically powered boosting operation may also be used to extend the two-stroke operation during a start. |
| US08109090B2 |
Variable turbo supercharger and method of returning oil from hydraulic drive
Provided are a variable geometry turbocharger in which a drain pipe from a hydraulic servo drive device can be omitted and in which a member for transmitting power of the hydraulic servo drive device can be efficiently lubricated, and a method of returning oil from the hydraulic servo drive device. The variable geometry turbocharger includes a slide mechanism for changing an opening degree of a nozzle, the hydraulic servo drive device for driving the slide mechanism by hydraulic pressure, and drain flow paths for delivering oil exhausted from the hydraulic servo drive device into an oil return chamber adjacent to a turbocharger body. |
| US08109087B2 |
Overheating protection for shape memory alloy actuators
An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element. |
| US08109083B2 |
Aspirator support structure
An aspirator includes converging and diverging cones, and singular support tube structure concentrically surrounding and mounting both the converging cone and the diverging cone and maintaining predetermined axial spacing and alignment of the cones in a cost-effective manufacturing assembly. |
| US08109079B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for controlling ammonia slip from an SCR catalyst
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing NOx emissions on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust includes a NOx reduction target module that is configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement that includes an amount of NOx in the exhaust gas stream to be reduced on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The apparatus also includes an ammonia target module that is configured to determine an ammonia addition requirement that includes an amount of ammonia added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the NOx reduction requirement. The apparatus also includes a reductant target module that is configured to determine a reductant injection requirement that includes an amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the ammonia addition requirement. The apparatus further includes a reductant limiting module that is configured to determine at least one reductant limiting condition and to limit the amount of reductant added in response to the reductant limiting condition. |
| US08109078B2 |
Method of operating a syngas generator
A method of operating a syngas generator within a desired temperature range, despite a need for intermittent syngas output, involves switching between operating the syngas generator in a rich mode and a lean mode. Operation of the syngas generator in both the rich mode and the lean mode sustains the operating temperature of the syngas generator within that desired temperature range, particularly for non-catalytic reactors. The method of switching from the lean mode to the rich mode of operation can include decreasing the oxygen-to-carbon ratio of reactants supplied to the syngas generator. The flow rate of one or more of the reactant streams supplied to the syngas generator can be actively controlled in order to switch operation of the syngas generator between the rich and lean modes. |
| US08109076B2 |
Method and device for purging an injector in a fuel injector system of use in the regeneration of a particulate filter
A method and a device for purging an injector in a fuel injector system of use in regeneration of a particle filter. The aging of fuel is determined and compared with a fuel aging threshold value, and a purge request is activated if the threshold value is exceeded. On activating the purge request the satisfaction of the conditions of purge activation are verified and, if satisfied, the purge is activated. The purge is continued while the conditions are satisfied until the quantity of fuel purged reaches a quantity of fuel to be purged. |
| US08109074B2 |
Gas turbine engine system
An engine system comprises at least a first volumetric device, and a second volumetric device in which said second volumetric device is larger in volume than said first volumetric device, in which, during continuous flow of a compressible fluid from said first to said second volumetric device work is performed. |
| US08109070B1 |
Dual windrow crop inverting and combining apparatus and method
Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms. |
| US08109069B2 |
Proportional counterbalance system for mower cutting units
A proportional counterbalance system comprises an electronic controller operatively connected to a proportional hydraulic control valve to substantially continuously and infinitely adjust the backpressure in a fluid return circuit from the lift and lower cylinders of a plurality of cutting units on a mower. The backpressure is infinitely adjusted within a band between a minimum and a maximum backpressure in concert with a varying input parameter to the controller to transfer desired amounts of weight of the cutting units from the ground to the traction vehicle of the mower to enhance traction as needed. A wide variety of input parameters can be used, including a selected operating condition of the mower, a selected environmental condition of the turf surface being mowed, the actual, real time location of the mower on the turf surface, altitude above sea level, and manual input from the operator. |
| US08109064B2 |
Methods and systems for contact lens sterilization
A method of sterilizing a contact lens includes at least partially sterilizing the contact lens with an application of electrolyzed brine. A system for at least partially sterilizing a contact lens in initial packaging includes a generator for producing electrolyzed brine with biocidal activity, and a dispenser for dispensing a quantity of electrolyzed brine from the generator into the initial packaging with the contact lens. |
| US08109060B1 |
Storm shutter
A light transmitting storm shutter for protectively covering building portals, windows and the like from hurricane damage. A corrugated polycarbonate panel is formed having lengthwise corrugations, each of which preferably has radiused side margins and a generally flattened central portion offset from a neutral axis of the panel. A central corrugation extending along the centerline of the panel, preferably has a depth in a range of at lest 10% greater than that of the edge corrugations, the central corrugations also preferably have a width in a range of at least 4% less than that of the edge corrugation wherein impact and wind resistance of the panel are enhanced. Impact resistant film bonded to one panel surface preferably adds impact strength and sputter coating one panel surface with a transparent metallic or ceramic material enhances solar and UV rejection. |
| US08109058B2 |
Building panel with a rigid foam core, stud channels, and without thermal bridging
A structural insulated panel includes a rigid foam core without thermal bridging. A particular embodiment includes a rigid foam core having first and second faces, a plurality of stud channels being formed on the first and second faces of the rigid foam core, each of the stud channels being formed in the rigid foam core in an L-shape in cross-section. The particular embodiment includes a plurality of studs being insertable into the plurality of stud channels such that one face of each of the plurality of studs being external to the first and second faces of the rigid foam core and substantially flush with a face of the rigid foam core, each of the plurality of studs being fabricated using no more than four bends to produce a stud with a hat channel shape in cross-section. |
| US08109055B2 |
Building panel with a rigid foam core, stud channels, and without thermal bridging
A structural insulated panel includes a rigid foam core without thermal bridging. A particular embodiment includes a rigid foam core having first and second faces, a plurality of stud channels being formed on the first and second faces of the rigid foam core, each of the stud channels being formed in the rigid foam core in an L-shape in cross-section. The particular embodiment includes a plurality of studs being insertable into the plurality of stud channels such that one face of each of the plurality of studs being external to the first and second faces of the rigid foam core and substantially flush with a face of the rigid foam core, each of the plurality of studs being fabricated using no more than four bends to produce a stud with a hat channel shape in cross-section. |
| US08109054B2 |
Construction fastener
Embodiments of the present invention include a construction fastener configured to secure a utility box in a specified position within a wall. The construction fastener includes a front portion, a center portion, and an end portion. The end portion and center portion of the fastener are inserted through the utility box, with part of the end portion extending beyond the back surface of the utility box. The front portion thus rests across a front surface of the utility box. The end portion is secured against the back surface of the utility box and the position of the utility box within the wall is maintained. |
| US08109051B2 |
Insulating corrective lens system for aftermarket windows
An aftermarket application to improve the insulating properties of an existing window using vessels filled with nanotechnology insulating materials. Application does not impede users' ability to see through while minimizing heat transfer allowed through the window. The vessels can be customized by contractors and engineers to control range and direction of vision that viewers from the inside and outside can see. |
| US08109045B2 |
Form drain for incorporation into a building foundation
An improved building foundation form system that includes an integral drain and a spacer bar with engagement lugs at each end adapted to engage a T-shaped engagement channel formed in each of the form surfaces of the inner and outer forms. |
| US08109044B2 |
Outdoor shower enclosure kit
An outdoor shower enclosure that may include a roof and a base frame having a plurality of metal structural members that are connected together to define a peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting plates. A plurality of substantially vertically extending support posts may be provided that extend between the mounting plates and the roof. In some cases, the support posts may be spaced apart approximately equidistant from each other along the peripheral edge. The shower enclosure may include a plurality of vinyl wall panels disposed between the posts. In some cases, a vinyl floor panel could be carried by the base frame. |
| US08109042B2 |
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized. |
| US08109041B2 |
Powered device for vehicle sliding member
A powered device for a vehicle sliding member includes a base member, a shaft rotatably supported on the base member, a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism, an output drum rotatably supported on the base member through the shaft, a clutch mechanism which includes a rotor rotatably and coaxially disposed on the shaft, a generally cylindrical field core disposed on the rotor, and an armature which is disposed on the shaft so as to be rotatable about and moveable in an axial direction of the shaft, a first stop which limits axial displacement of the rotor relative to the shaft, and a second stop which limits axial displacement of the field core relative to the rotor. |
| US08109040B2 |
Linear drive arrangement for a sliding door
A linear drive arrangement for a sliding door includes a guide track, a stator arrangement which is fixed with respect to the guide track, a guide carriage to which a door leaf can be fixed for movement parallel to the guide track, and a plurality of permanent magnets fixed to the carriage so that the carriage can be suspended by magnetic forces between the stator and the magnets. A pair of supporting rollers support the carriage on the guide track when the carriage is not fully suspended by the magnetic forces, particularly at the beginning and end of movement of the carriage. |
| US08109038B2 |
Door operator
A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation in a direction toward an adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close. |
| US08109037B2 |
Active sealing system for single-hung door/window
A combined sealing system for connecting a first panel to a frame includes a first, second, and third active sealing systems. The first active sealing system engages a sill rail of the first panel with a sill of the frame. The second active sealing system engages a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The third active sealing system engages a stile rail of the sash with a jamb of the frame. Upon the first panel being in a closed position relative to the frame, each of the first, second, and third active sealing systems having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. |
| US08109030B2 |
Aiming device
An aiming device is provided. The aiming device includes an erector tube assembly, a moving plate and a crosshair. The moving plate, disposed on the erector tube assembly, is movable along a direction. The crosshair is disposed on the moving plate. When the moving plate moves, the crosshair moves with the moving plate along the direction. |
| US08109029B1 |
Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges. |
| US08109011B2 |
Clothes dryer bulkhead recess
A bulkhead structure for a clothes dryer has a generally cylindrical outer wall that fits within an open end of the clothes dryer drum to define a junction. The bulkhead has two side wall portions facing into the drum on opposing sides of a bulkhead access opening. Each of the side wall portions has a recess extending from the bulkhead access opening towards the cylindrical outer wall. The recess has a concave curvature terminating in an outer deflection wall inwardly spaced from the cylindrical outer wall. The recess and the outer deflection cause clothing contacting the recess and moving towards the dryer drum to be swept away from the junction. |
| US08109009B1 |
Air seal for rotary dryer/kiln
A rotating drum in an oven is sealed against hot gas and air transfer. An annular outer seal holder has an L shaped cross section. A first end of the holder is connected to the oven. A second end is a radial flange. A backing plate has first and second sections. The first section has an inward extending guide. The second section has an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the guide portion. Bolts hold the backing plate and the seal retainer segments assembled on the flange. A cylindrical space between the radially guide portion of the backing plate and the seal retainer segments receives radially outwardly extending holder plates of segmental inner sealing elements. Partially cylindrical plates welded to the holder plates engage a drum wear plate. Leaf springs are connected to the seal retainer segments. Inner edges pressing the cylindrical plates radially inward. |
| US08109008B1 |
Digital height rod
A device and method for determining the length of an object. The device includes a height rod assembly with a uniform marker row and a non-uniform marker row detected by sensors to determine the location of the height rod assembly which is translated to the height or length of the measured object. The uniform marker row includes uniform markers of equal length spaced apart by a uniform length. The non-uniform marker row is divided into equal sections, each section including a non-uniform marker with a unique length adjacent to a non-uniform spacing with a unique length. Upon startup, a controller determines the location of the height rod assembly within a set distance of movement regardless of the position of the height rod assembly. The height rod assembly is telescoping rod assembly including sensors, uniform marker row, and non-uniform marker row for each height rod section. |
| US08109004B2 |
Constant force mechanical scribers and methods for using same in semiconductor processing applications
A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object. |
| US08108999B2 |
Method of assembling a hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid. |
| US08108996B2 |
Method of producing shafts
A method of producing shafts such as shafts used in a transmission, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided. A shaft base body and at least one gearwheel, which is at least substantially finished separately from the shaft and subsequently is fixed to the shaft in such a way as to transmit torque available at the shaft or input torque by the gearwheel having a hollow hub body and being axially pressed onto a seat on the shaft base body so as to form a frictional connection which transmits the torque from the shaft to the gearwheel. |
| US08108995B2 |
Valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A method includes coupling a cylinder head to a cylinder block. A valve member is then moved into a valve pocket defined by the cylinder head such that a first stem portion of the valve member engages an actuator. A first portion of the biasing member is then disposed against a second stem portion of the valve member, the second stem portion being opposite the first stem portion. An end plate is then coupled to the cylinder head such that a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate. |
| US08108991B2 |
Method and device for connecting a wiring board
Connection with an ACF is realized relative to a wiring board having an electronic component mounted on the rear surface thereof with high connection reliability and uniform thermal compression bonding. A thermal compression bonding head 12 is used to apply pressure to flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 relative to a motherboard substrate 1 having an electronic component 6 mounted thereon and heat an anisotropic conductive film, thereby connecting the motherboard substrate 1 with the ACF to the flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 that are connecting members. At this time, in a state in which a receiving plate 13 made of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, and provided at a mounting position of the electronic component 6 of the motherboard substrate 1 with a concave portion 13a corresponding in shape to the electronic component 6 supports thereon the rear surface of the motherboard substrate 1, the thermal compression bonding is performed. |
| US08108989B2 |
Manufacturing cell and elements of the cell
A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations. |
| US08108988B2 |
Method of manufacturing a laminated iron core
A method of manufacturing a laminated iron core using a die, includes punching out iron core pieces from a thin steel sheet material by a first working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes of a given configuration. Electrically insulating sheet pieces are punched out from an electrically insulating thin sheet material by a second working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes with a configuration similar to, but smaller than, the slot holes of the iron core pieces. Thereafter, the iron core pieces and electrically insulating sheet pieces are stacked such that edges of the slot holes of the electrically insulating sheet pieces extend outwardly beyond edges of the slot holes of the iron core pieces. |
| US08108987B2 |
Method of manufacturing a pole face for a permanent magnet MRI system with laminated structure
A method of manufacturing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided including providing at least one magnet positioned between a keeper device and a yoke, the keeper device being positioned at a pole region of the at least one magnet, positioning at least one pole device at the pole region of the at least one magnet, and removing the keeper device from the pole region to allow the at least one pole device to be positioned at the pole region of the at least one magnet. |
| US08108984B2 |
Method for manufacturing integrated circuit inductors having slotted magnetic material
Methods of manufacture of integrated circuit inductors having slotted magnetic material will be described. The methods may employ electro- or electroless plating techniques to form a layer or layers of magnetic material within the slotted magnetic material structure, and in particular those magnetic material layers adjacent to insulator layers. |
| US08108981B2 |
Method of making an electrostatic chuck with reduced plasma penetration and arcing
A method of making an electrostatic chuck comprising positioning a plate into a channel in a body to form a plenum and inserting a dielectric component into an opening in the plate, where the dielectric component defines a portion of a passage from the plenum. Thereafter, depositing a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the plate to form a support surface. The dielectric layer is polished to a specified thickness. In one embodiment, the polishing process forms an opening through the dielectric layer to enable the dielectric component to define a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the dielectric layer is porous proximate the dielectric component such that the porous dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In a further embodiment, a hole is formed through the dielectric layer and the hole in the dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum. |
| US08108977B1 |
Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry
Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product. |
| US08108974B2 |
Closure for joining at least two pieces of material
Disclosed is a closure for joining at least two pieces of material, especially layers of material (14, 20). Said closure comprises two closure elements (2, 3) which are spaced apart in some sections. The first closure element (2) is provided with at least one fastening means (7) while the second closure element (3) is fitted with an especially central gap (4). |
| US08108970B2 |
Hinge mechanism and an electronic device therewith
A hinge mechanism has at least one hinge assembly, a rail assembly and a sliding bracket. The hinge assembly has a hinge and a lifting seat. The hinge is adapted to pivotally connect a cover and a base of an electronic device. The lifting seat is attached to the cover and has a recess. The rail assembly has at least one rail seat having a rail slot. The sliding bracket is adapted to be deposited an input unit, is movably mounted between the hinge assembly and the rail assembly and has at least one upper sliding shaft and at least one lower sliding shaft. The upper and lower sliding shafts are respectively mounted in the recess and the rail slot. A side of the sliding bracket would be elevated by the lifting seat to allow the sliding bracket to be inclined to the cover, whereby the input unit is convenient for use. |
| US08108968B2 |
Grommet assembly
A grommet assembly includes a retainer including a sleeve, and a boot secured to the retainer, including a first and a second series of pleats aligned with the sleeve, each pleat of the second series decreasing in size as distance from the retainer increases, each pleat of the first series having a substantially uniform size and spaced from a consecutive pleat of the first series by a distance that is less than a space between consecutive pleats of the second series. |
| US08108966B1 |
Vacuum acoustic ceiling removal system
A ceiling tool assembly has a unique ergonomically curved handle supported by a user at its rearward end with a cantilever rocker-shaped arm and forwardly slanted pistol grip. A curved concave surface conforms to the underarm part of a user's forearm above the elbow and further includes a forwardly slanted pistol grip with stub extension and an upward handle offset bend. Scraping force is provided by handle shape and handle attachments of my scraping unit for easy removal of popcorn from an overhead ceiling. A forearm resting area allows the user to provide either a right handed or left handed lifting force to the scraper unit. The offset portion, provided at the mid point of the handle, together with a handle attachment/design allows a two arm back and forward scraping force to be exerted along the length of the scraper unit. |
| US08108961B2 |
Broom assembly
A broom assembly includes a head structure and a rod structure. The head structure includes a base having a coupling face formed with a reception chamber and an opening for access into the reception chamber, and a plurality of resilient ribs provided at the periphery confining the opening and extending inwardly and radially toward a center axis of the opening. The rod structure includes a coupling member provided partially, rotatably and detachably within the reception chamber in the coupling face of the base. When the coupling member is detachably received within the reception chamber, the coupling member biases against and engages the resilient ribs so as to be prevented untimely disengaging from the base. |
| US08108959B2 |
Washing a tub or a drum in a washing machine
The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub (120) in a washing machine, and a washing machine having a washing tub washing course provided thereto for enabling washing tub (120) washing by the same, and more particularly, to a method for which makes effective washing tub washing, with a small amount of washing water consumption, a lower power consumption, and high washing effect; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for washing a tub (120) or a drum (130) in a washing machine having the tub (120), the drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120), and a steam supply unit for supplying steam to the tub (120), includes a steam supply step for supplying steam to the tub by using the steam supply unit. |
| US08108955B2 |
Motor-and-nozzle combinational apparatus for a massage bathtub
A motor with nozzle for a massage bathtub includes a cover, a silica gel ring, a water separator, at least one vent silica gel, at least one removable nozzle, a butterfly bolt, a propeller, a seat, and a motor. The seat is installed by an air inflow pipe, and air outlets and lamp holes are formed therein. A center axle of the motor is scaled from water and a connecting hole is formed on an end of the center axle. The butterfly bolt is screwed to the connecting hole to fix the propeller. The water separator is installed above the propeller and the vent silica gel and the removable nozzle are installed to the water separator. The cover is covered onto the seat of a motor body through the silica gel ring. |
| US08108952B2 |
Controlling apparatus for automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device
A controlling apparatus for automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device is provided, including a mat, at least a detection module, and a control module. The detection module is located inside the mat. The control module is electrically connected to the detection module and an automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device, respectively. The mat is placed in front of the toilet. When a user steps on the mat, the detection module and the control module detects the orientation and position of the footprint to determine whether the user is facing or facing away from the toilet and sends control signals to the automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device to operate accordingly. Also, the detection module can detect the user finishing using the toilet and leaving the mat, a corresponding signal is sent to the automated toilet seat and lid lifting and closing device to close the lid and flush. |
| US08108945B2 |
Knee pocket system
The invention entitled Knee Pocket System is a pocket design that includes; a pocket made of durable material, stitches, a locking device and a uniquely fitted comfort pad. The said invention is attached to a garment, a garment consisting of two pant legs of equal length surpassing the knees and reaching the ankles in most cases; in this case a pant garment. Identical shaped pocket designs are stitched to the exterior knee area of each pant leg. A locking device opens and closes the top edge of the pocket design allowing a uniquely fitted comfort pad to be implanted or removed at will. The said invention provides comfort and protection for the knees while walking in the park, while playing in the playground or while kneeling part time or full time at work. |
| US08108944B1 |
Headwear apparatus
A headwear apparatus comprising a base ring assembly, a support assembly and a bill. The base ring assembly has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface includes a hook and loop fastener positioned therealong, and, an adjustment configuration positioned at the back region of the base ring assembly to facilitate an altering of the circumference thereof. The support assembly has a first cross strap and a second cross strap. The two cross straps intersect above the base ring assembly. The cross straps and the base ring define a hemispherical frame, and in turn, a cavity, appropriately sized to receive the head of a wearer therewithin, with a plurality of generally wedge shaped openings therebetween. The bill extends outwardly from the front region of the base ring. |