| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08124276B2 |
Battery structure, assembled battery, and vehicle mounting these thereon
A bipolar battery includes: a bipolar electrode composed, by forming a positive electrode active material layer 12 an one surface of a current collector and forming a negative electrode active material layer 13 on the other surface; and a separator 14 composed to be stacked alternately with the bipolar electrode, wherein, in a single cell layer 15 composed by including the positive electrode active material layer 12, the separator 14 and the negative electrode active material layer 13, which are adjacent to one another, a thickness of the separator 14 is 0.68 times or more to less than 1.0 times a thickness of the positive electrode active material layer 12, and is 0.68 times or more to less than 1.0 times a thickness of the negative electrode active material layer 13. |
| US08124273B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte solution and lithium secondary battery using same
The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution exhibiting excellent electrical capacity, long-term cycle property, and storage property in a charged state; and a lithium secondary battery using the nonaqueous electrolytic solution.The nonaqueous electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte salt is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, comprises 0.001% to 5% by weight of a tin compound represented by the following general formula (I) and/or (II), on the basis of the weight of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution: R1R2R3Sn-MR4R5R6 (I) where R1 to R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, or an aryloxy group; R4 to R6 each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an aryl group; M represents Si or Ge; and SnX2 (II) where X represents β-diketonate. |
| US08124267B2 |
Lithium secondary battery having partitioned electrolyte
A lithium secondary battery is provided. Electrolytes of the lithium secondary battery are divided between an anode and a cathode into a plurality of regions not to contact with each other, thereby limiting movement paths of lithium ions. In this way, the lithium secondary battery inhibits growth of dendrite and improves energy density. Also, the lithium secondary battery that has a partition wall structure reduces leakage even when liquid electrolytes are used and actively copes with pressure applied to the battery. |
| US08124266B2 |
Electric storage device
An electric storage device is provided with a battery cell, a collector foil having a first metal plate and a second metal plate laminated together, and a voltmeter for measuring potential difference between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The first metal plate and the second metal plate are formed of mutually different metals. The collector foil is arranged to be in contact with the battery cell. |
| US08124265B2 |
Power storage device
A power storage device includes: an electrolyte layer; and an electrode consisted of a current collecting portion and an electrode layer, wherein the thickness of the electrolyte layer is larger at a first position in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction than at a second position where the heat radiation is higher than at the first position, and the thickness of the current collecting portion is smaller at a position corresponding to the first position than at a position corresponding to the second position. |
| US08124258B2 |
Glass substrate for magnetic disk
There is provided a glass substrate for a magnetic disk in which a maximum height of bumps forming a roughness pattern at a period of smaller than 2 μm is 6 nm or lower in an annular area having a width of 30 μm on a main surface on which a magnetic recording area is formed, a number of bumps having a height of 3 nm or higher in a unit area having a circular arc length of 30 μm within the annular area is one or less, and a difference in arithmetic average roughness between unit areas within the annular area is 0.2 nm or smaller. |
| US08124254B2 |
Heterostructure of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials with magneto-optic and electro-optic effects
A heterostructure of multiferroics or magnetoelectrics (ME) was disclosed. The film has both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties, as well as magneto-optic (MO) and electro-optic (EO) properties. Oxide buffer layers were employed to allow grown a cracking-free heterostructure a solution coating method. |
| US08124250B2 |
Organic electronic device
An organic electronic device includes: a pair of electrodes, an organic film layer containing an organic substance having a benzothiadiazole skeleton, a metal oxide layer provided on the organic film layer by vacuum vapor deposition, and an interface formed between the pair of electrodes out of the organic film layer and the metal oxide layer. |
| US08124249B2 |
Materials for organic electroluminescent devices
The present invention relates to novel materials which can be used in organic electronic devices, in particular electroluminescent devices, and are derivatives of fused aromatic systems. |
| US08124248B2 |
Light-emissive polymer blends and light-emissive devices made from the same
A polymer blend comprising a first, light-emissive polymer comprising substituted or non-substituted units according to formulae (I) and (II) and a second, hole transport polymer comprising substituted or non-substituted fluorene units according to formula (I) and substituted or non-substituted triarylamine units, wherein the molecular weights of the first and second polymers and the blending ratio of the first and second polymers are selected such that, in use in a light-emissive device, the luminance of the emitted light at a bias of 5V is no less than 20,000 cd/m2. wherein R′ is independently in each occurrence H, C1-C20 hydrocarbyl or C1-C20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-C16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-C16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R′ may form together with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O. |
| US08124247B2 |
High-strength welded steel pipe including weld metal having high cold-cracking resistance and method for manufacturing the same
A high-strength steel pipe has a tensile strength of 800 MPa or more and includes a weld metal having high cold-cracking resistance and high low-temperature toughness, wherein the weld metal contains C: 0.04% to 0.09% by mass, Si: 0.32% to 0.50% by mass, Mn: 1.4% to 2.0% by mass, Cu: less than 0.5% by mass, Ni: more than 0.9% by mass but not more than 4.2% by mass, Mo: 0.4% to 1.5% by mass, Cr: less than 0.5% by mass, V: less than 0.2% by mass, and the remainder of Fe and incidental impurities, and CS values calculated from the weld metal components using the equation CS=5.1+1.4[Mo]−[Ni]−[Mn]−36.3[C] are equal to zero or more at both an internal surface and an external surface. |
| US08124246B2 |
Coated components and methods of fabricating coated components and coated turbine disks
Coated components and methods of fabricating coated components and coated turbine disks are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a coated component includes a substrate comprising a superalloy in an unmodified form and a coating disposed over the substrate, where the coating comprises the superalloy in a modified form. The modified form of the superalloy includes, by weight, at least 10% more chromium and at least 10% more of one or more noble metals than the unmodified form of the superalloy, and the modified form of the superalloy is substantially free of aluminum. |
| US08124237B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating including tin oxide interlayer
A coated article is provided which may be heat treated thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics. |
| US08124234B2 |
Polyurethane compositions and articles prepared therefrom, and methods for making the same
The invention provides a composition comprising the following: at least one olefin-based polymer, at least one halogenated ethylene-based polymer, or at least one elastomer rubber; at least one thermoplastic polyurethane; and at least one polydiene- or polydiol-based polyurethane. These compositions are well-suited for promoting the adhesion between polar (for example, polyester, polycarbonate and polylactic acid) and non-polar materials and for the manufacture of, among other things, films, fibers, sheets and tie layers, tubes, adhesives, dispersions, protective apparel, footwear, coatings, laminates and foams. |
| US08124233B2 |
Anti-reflection film, and polarizing plate and image display device using the same
An anti-reflection film, which comprises: a low refractive index layer that is formed by curing a coating solution composition comprising: a fluorine-free copolymer containing a constituent having a polysiloxane structure represented by formula (1) as defined in the specification in a main chain and a constituent containing a hydroxyl group in a side chain; and a fluorine-containing copolymer; a polarizing plate wherein the anti-reflection film is used as one of two protective films for a polarizing film; and an image display device wherein the anti-reflection film or the polarizing plate is used in the outermost surface of the display. |
| US08124231B2 |
Dust suppressants
The present application is directed to an article comprising a dusty surface and a coating on the dusty surface comprising a coating polymer having a Tg less −20° C. and a method of reducing dust. In some embodiments, the polymer has a Tg less than −30° C., and in specific embodiments, the polymer has a Tg less than −45° C. The dusty surface may be, for example, crushed stone, coal, iron ore, gravel, sand or other aggregates (e.g. a roofing granule,) or a soil surface.Generally, the coating polymer comprises a polyacrylate, polyurethane, synthetic and natural rubber, silicone and other organic polymers. In specific embodiments, the coating polymer comprises an acrylic emulsion polymer. |
| US08124229B2 |
Method for producing water-absorbent polymer particles with a higher permeability by polymerising droplets of a monomer solution
A process for preparing water-absorbing polymer beads with high permeability by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a gas phase surrounding the droplets, wherein the monomer solution comprises at least 0.5% by weight of a crosslinker, based on the monomer, the polymerization in the droplet takes place in homogeneous phase, and the polymer beads have a mean diameter of at least 150 μm. |
| US08124227B2 |
Carbon nanofibers and procedure for obtaining said nanofibers
The object of the present invention is carbon nanofibers mainly characterized by their high specific volume of mesopores, their high gas adsorption capacity and presenting a graphitic hollow structure. A second object of this invention is a procedure for obtaining such carbon nanofibers, which makes use of a metallic nickel catalyst and specific process furnace parameters that combined with the chemical composition of the furnace atmosphere and the fluidodynamic conditions of the gas stream inside the furnace, result in a faster growth of the carbon nanofibers and also in a higher quality of the carbon nanofibers obtained. |
| US08124220B2 |
Inkjet recording element
An ink jet recording element having very good dye keeping properties in time. The recording element comprises a support and at least one ink-receiving layer, the ink-receiving layer comprising at least one hydrosoluble binder and at least one aluminosilicate polymer obtained by a preparation method consisting in treating an aluminum halide with a mixture of at least one silicon alkoxide only having hydrolyzable substituents and at least one silicon alkoxide having a non-hydrolyzable substituent, with an aqueous alkali in the presence of silanol groups, the aluminum concentration being maintained less than 0.3 mol/l, the Al/Si molar ratio being maintained between 1 and 3.6 and the alkali/Al molar ratio being maintained between 2.3 and 3; and then stirring the resulting mixture at a temperature of from 15° C. to 35° C. in the presence of silanol groups for long enough to form the hybrid aluminosilicate polymer. |
| US08124219B2 |
Resin panel and manufacturing method therefor
A resin panel for an automobile includes a skin layer formed on sides of a package tray along the direction of the thickness of the package tray and both surfaces of the package tray substantially orthogonal to the sides. An expanded layer is formed in an inner part of the package tray surrounded by the skin layer having voids by enlarging the volume of the cavity of a mold assembly during molding of the package tray to expand a thermoplastic resin in the cavity. Hollow ribs are formed of solid layers in the expanded layer to extend along the surfaces, each have a hollow formed inside over the entire length so that ends of the hollow rib continue out to the skin layer at the opposed sides of the panel. Openings in communication with the hollow rib are formed through the skin layer at the opposed sides, respectively. |
| US08124218B2 |
Microfabricated elastomeric valve and pump systems
A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate. |
| US08124214B2 |
Fault tolerant transport mechanism in storage and method of controlling the same
A method of controlling a transport mechanism allows a first mobile carrier to move based on a power source incorporated in the first mobile carrier when an instructions signal specifying an access to a cell defined in a storage is supplied to a controller. When a fault is detected in the first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier is moved based on the action of a second mobile carrier. The method ensures the movement of the first mobile carrier with the assistance of the second mobile carrier even when the first mobile carrier suffers from a fault. The first mobile carrier can be moved out of the movable range of the second mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier is allowed to move in the own movable range without an interference to the first mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier keeps operating without an interruption. |
| US08124212B2 |
Sputtering target and manufacturing method therefor, and recordable optical recording medium
To provide a sputtering target for preparing a recordable optical recording medium characterized by comprising Bi and B and a manufacturing method thereof, a recordable high density optical recording medium using the sputtering target, and a sputtering target which is capable of improving a speed of the film formation for the improvement of productivity, which has a high intensity at the time of the film formation and which has a heightened packing density. |
| US08124206B2 |
Sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer composition containing sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound and articles fabricated therefrom
A sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, useful as a crosslinker for filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer compositions, is represented by the general formula: G[-CaH2a—S[C(═O)]bR]n wherein G is selected from the group consisting of: saturated, monocyclic aliphatic group of valence n containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen, and saturated monocyclic silicone [RsiO—]n[R2SiO—]p group of valence n; wherein each R independently is a hydrogen or monovalent hydrocarbon of up to 20 carbon atoms; each occurrence of subscripts a and b independently is an integer wherein a is 2 to 6 and b is 0 or 1; p is an integer of from 0 to 3; and, n is an integer of from 3 to 6, with the provisos that when b is 0, R is a hydrogen atom, and when G is a non-halogenated, saturated monocyclic aliphatic group of 6 carbon atoms, n cannot be 3. |
| US08124205B2 |
Decorated ferrule and golf club using the same
A ferrule includes a brilliant three-dimensional decoration member fixed to a surface of the ferrule. |
| US08124200B2 |
Food packaging
Food packaging is described herein that is capable of being heated inductively to thereby heat one or more food products. |
| US08124196B2 |
Fluorobicyclo[2.2.2]octane compound, method of producing the same, and applications thereof
A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound having a fluorobicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeleton represented by formula (I) below is disclosed. A fluorobicyclo[2.2.2]octane compound represented by formula (II) below is also disclosed. In the formulae, Y represents a hydrogen atom or fluorine atom. |
| US08124192B2 |
Layer application device for an electrostatic layer application of a building material in powder form and device and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object
A device and a method for applying powder onto an application surface has a powder container (35) and a voltage source (32) for applying a voltage between the powder container and the application surface, wherein the powder container (35) at least partially consists of a conductive material and the powder container (35) has an opening (35a) or is completely open at its side facing the application surface when the voltage is applied. |
| US08124190B2 |
Method for discharging liquid material, method for manufacturing color filter, and method for manufacturing organic EL element
A method for discharging a liquid material includes performing a scan by moving a discharge target having a film formation area and a plurality of nozzles forming a nozzle row with respect to each other, and discharging a liquid material as droplets from the nozzles onto the film formation area by selectively applying one of drive waveforms generated using time division to an energy generation element of each of the nozzles in synchronization with the scan. The discharging of the liquid material includes applying a first drive waveform to a first nozzle of the nozzle row and a second drive waveform having a different discharge timing from the first drive waveform to a second nozzle of the nozzle row with the second nozzle being adjacent to the first nozzle, and changing a combination of the first and second drive waveforms selected from the drive waveforms at least once. |
| US08124188B2 |
Polymeric coatings and methods for forming them
The present invention relates to a controllable polymeric surface coating including a macromolecule, which is covalently bound to the surface of a substrate, the macromolecule including a plurality of polymerization initiators and a plurality of surface binding groups; and pendant polymers grafted from at least some of the polymerization initiators. |
| US08124186B2 |
Method of forming a shelf liner
A shelf liner (10) with a natural appearance includes a skid-resistant first major surface and a decorative second major surface. The shelf liner includes a scrim (12) and a foamed resin (14), which is in contact with the scrim. The resin leaves at least a portion of the scrim exposed on the second major surface. |
| US08124183B2 |
Fast drying emulsion systems
The drying time for aqueous asphalt emulsions used in the roofing and other waterproofing industries is shortened by separately applying an emulsion breaking agent to the substrate to be waterproofed, to the aqueous asphalt emulsion after it is applied, or both. |
| US08124176B2 |
Polymer-assisted deposition of films
A polymer assisted deposition process for deposition of metal nitride films and the like is presented. The process includes solutions of one or more metal precursor and soluble polymers having binding properties for the one or more metal precursor. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is heated at high temperatures under a suitable atmosphere to yield metal nitride films and the like. Such films can be conformal on a variety of substrates including non-planar substrates. In some instances, the films can be epitaxial in structure and can be of optical quality. The process can be organic solvent-free. |
| US08124162B2 |
Pea protein composition
The invention relates to a pea protein whose protein content is equal to or greater than 60% by dry weight, preferably ranging from 60 to 95% by weight, a molecular weight distribution profile is of 1.0-1.8%, preferably of 1.5-3.0% of proteins of greater than 100 000 Da, preferably 20-55% of proteins greater than 15 000 and 100 000 Da, 15-30% of proteins of greater than 5 00 and 15 00 Da and 25-50%, preferably 25-45% of proteins greater than 5 000 Da and whose soluble protein content determined by a method for measuring the protein solubility in water ranging from 20 to 85%, preferably 25 to 65%. |
| US08124160B2 |
Method for reducing acrylamide formation in thermally processed foods
A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation. |
| US08124159B2 |
Method of making bean curd using rice
The present invention relates to a method of making bean curd using rice in which 65-70 wt % of soya beans and 30-35 wt % of parched rice in about a total weight of 5 kg for one block of bean curd are soaked, and in which the soya beans are soaked for about 8-12 hours and the parched rice is soaked for about 2 hours in water. The soya beans and parched rice are then mixed and ground into a powder with the addition of 15 g of a defoaming agent and 60 g of water. Bean curd refuse is filtered by passing the mixture through a filter, and then the remaining parched rice/soya bean milk is boiled at 80-99° C. Water and 42 g of magnesium chloride added to the heated parched rice/bean curd milk, 14 g of salt or JukYum (salt roasted in bamboo) is added and the mixture is coagulated. The coagulated mixture is then mashed to a diameter or 3-4 cm and then pressed. Accordingly, consumers' health can be improved by the bean curd containing rice, and it is possible to satisfy various tastes of the consumers by providing high-quality bean curd. |
| US08124157B2 |
Noodles and noodle skins comprising soybean protein composition and the method of making same
It is intended to prepare noodles and noodle skins, in particular, wheat flour-free noodles and noodle skins, which comprise a soybean protein composition at a high ratio. By adding a water-extracted less denatured soybean protein to noodles and noodle skins, noodles and noodle skins containing a large amount of the soybean protein can be obtained. Further, it is possible to obtain wheat flour-free noodles and noodle skins and starch-free noodles and noodle skins. |
| US08124148B2 |
Method of obtaining smoked food products with marks and product thus obtained
The present invention basically consists of printing proofing marks on a film, placing it in contact with a food product, followed by an intense drying at low relative moisture and a smoking step which also occurs at low relative moisture for obtaining areas having a more smoked color in the food product under the proofing marks than in the areas not protected by said proofing marks. |
| US08124145B2 |
Sugar alcohol sanded chewing gum and process for making same
A chewing gum comprising a solid shaped chewing gum composition sanded with a sugar alcohol having a negative heat of solution and a method of mixing same. The method involves coating solid pieces of chewing gum composition with a wetting syrup and sanding the wetted pieces with sugar alcohol crystals. The chewing gum is characterized by intense initial cooling and flavor release. |
| US08124144B2 |
Method of producing blood type checking reagent containing lectin
Lectin is extracted from seeds of bitter gourd (also known as balsam pear or Momordica charantia). A blood type checking reagent for checking a blood type includes the lectin. The lectin extracted from seeds of bitter gourd preferably has a molecular weight between 100,000 and 170,000 measured with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in existence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE). A method of checking a blood type includes the steps of: extracting lectin from seeds of bitter gourd (also known as balsam pear or Momordica charantia); preparing a blood type checking reagent containing the lectin; and checking a blood type using the blood type checking reagent. |
| US08124137B2 |
Composition for prevention and/or treatment of tumors containing acacia bark derivative
It is intended to provide a composition which is useful in preventing or treating a tumor. The composition is a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of a tumor, containing an acacia bark derivative. |
| US08124136B2 |
Tablet with remedial composition and methods for treating medical disorders and ailments
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition useful for treatment and prevention of medical disorders and ailments. The aforesaid composition comprises active ingredients comprising; Turmeric extract, Turmeric powder, optionally, Selenium or source of Selenium, especially Selenomethionine, optionally, Green tea extract. The pharmaceutical composition further comprises enteric coating encapsulating the same. The disclosed pharmaceutical composition is especially adapted for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). |
| US08124132B2 |
Method and composition for inhibition of microbial growth in aqueous food transport and process streams
The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for preventing microbial growth in aqueous streams including the step of applying a composition of the invention to the stream. The compositions and methods can control microbial growth in aqueous streams used for transporting or processing food products. |
| US08124127B2 |
Hydrophobic cross-linked gels for bioabsorbable drug carrier coatings
Coatings for medical devices, methods of making the coatings, and methods of using them are described. |
| US08124124B2 |
Compressed tablet formulation comprising non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and methods
A compressed tablet composition comprising: a granular component comprising a plurality of solidified melt granules of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) having a melting point in the range 30-300° C. and incorporating a disintegrant uniformly dispersed therein; characterised in that the granules comprise a continuous phase of said non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and further characterised in that the tablet composition comprises silicon dioxide present in an amount of 0.05-5.0% by weight of the composition. Preferably, the composition also contains an extra-granular component comprising the silicon dioxide and a lubricant. Further preferably the NSAID is ibuprofen which has a melting point in the range 75-77° C. Optionally the melting process can be carried out in an extruder. Tablets containing advantageous processing properties and dissolution characteristics are obtained. |
| US08124121B2 |
Flavors, flavor modifiers, tastants, taste enhancers, umami or sweet tastants, and/or enhancers and use thereof
The present invention relates to the discovery that certain non-naturally occurring, non-peptide amide compounds and amide derivatives, such as oxalamides, ureas, and acrylamides, are useful flavor or taste modifiers, such as a flavoring or flavoring agents and flavor or taste enhancer, more particularly, savory (the “umami” taste of monosodium glutamate) or sweet taste modifiers, —savory or sweet flavoring agents and savory or sweet flavor enhancers, for food, beverages, and other comestible or orally administered medicinal products or compositions. |
| US08124120B2 |
Crosslinked hyaluronic acid compositions for tissue augmentation
Disclosed are hyaluronic acid (HA) compositions including crosslinked, water-insoluble, hydrated HA gel particles. Also disclosed are methods of making the HA compositions, and methods of using the HA composition to augment tissue in a subject. |
| US08124117B2 |
One step fire ant control
The present invention relates to a method for controlling fire ants with a single step application of a combination of a bait and a controlled release treatment composition, and to the novel bait/controlled release treatment composition combination used in the method of the present invention. |
| US08124115B2 |
Alcoholic pump foam
An alcoholic foam composition, which can be dispensed as a foam via a pump-foam system contains a) at least 52 to ≦99 wt % of an alcohol or mixture of alcohols, b) a surfactant or a surfactant mixture, c) at least one polyalkylene glycol, d) optionally, at least one foam stabilizer, e) optionally, at least one member selected from the group consisting of cosmetic auxiliaries, adjuvants, active ingredients, and mixtures thereof, and f) optionally water. The surface tension of component b) lies in the range of ±15 dyn/cm of the surface tension of component a) or corresponds to the surface tension of component a), and the sum of components a) to f) is 100 wt % relative to the total quantity of the foam composition. |
| US08124114B2 |
Fragranced polymer with malodor counteractant
A malodor counteractant composition comprising beads of a water absorbent polymer and an aromachemical comprising at least two aldehydes. Optional ingredients include a solvent for the aromachemical and one or more surfactants. |
| US08124109B2 |
Vault compositions for immunization against chlamydia genital infection
Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject against Chlamydial genital infection by administering to the subject an effective amount of a Chlamydial immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. In some aspects, the vault-like-particles are administered to the nasal mucosa. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity at mucosal surfaces while reducing inflammation associated with Chlamydia infection. |
| US08124108B2 |
Polypeptides for inducing a protective immune response against Staphylococcus epidermidis
The present invention features polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence structurally related to SEQ ID NO: 1 and uses of such polypeptides. SEQ ID NO: 1 is a truncated derivative of a full-length S. epidermidis polypeptide. The full-length naturally occurring polypeptide is referred to herein as full-length ORF1319e. A His-tagged derivative of SEQ ID NO: 1 was found to produce a protective immune response against S. epidermidis. |
| US08124106B2 |
Virus purification methods
Provided is a method for purifying a virus from a host cell, the method comprising: a) culturing host cells, b) infecting the host cells with a virus, c) treating the cell culture with nuclease, and d) lysing the host cells to provide a lysate comprising the virus. The virus may be recombinant adenovirus. Further provided are methods for purifying a recombinant virus expressing a heterologous protein capable of binding nucleic acid, comprising: a) culturing host cells, b) infecting the host cells with recombinant virus, c) lysing the host cells to provide a lysate comprising the recombinant virus, d) subjecting the recombinant virus to anion exchange chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, wherein the virus-containing mixture is buffer exchanged at least once with a solution comprising at least 2 M NaCl, or another salt providing an equivalent ionic strength. |
| US08124105B2 |
Compositions, methods and kits relating to poxvirus subunit vaccines
The invention is directed to a poxvirus vaccine comprising a soluble truncated poxvirus envelope protein. The invention is also directed to a vaccine comprising a nucleic acid encoding such proteins. Also included is an antibody which specifically binds to the proteins and nucleic acid encoding the same, as well as methods of preventing and treating a poxvirus infection using the afore-mentioned vaccine, antibody, protein, and nucleic acid encoding them. |
| US08124103B2 |
Influenza antigens, vaccine compositions, and related methods
The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by influenza virus. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and vaccine compositions. |
| US08124102B2 |
Method for the reduction of viral loads in patients comprising the administration of nef-deficient human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
A therapeutic suspension for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) infection in humans using isolated and purified HIV-1 nef-deficient viral particles having a nef-deletion between the endonuclease cleavage sites Nco I and Xho I. |
| US08124100B2 |
Inactivated nodavirus vaccine
A vaccine against nodavirus infection in fish can be produced by inactivating the virus using an aziridine compound. This vaccine can be used to prevent Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) in a variety of fish species. |
| US08124097B2 |
Hybrid and chimeric polypeptides that regulate activation of complement
A hybrid complement-regulating protein comprises a first functional unit of a first complement regulatory protein having complement regulating properties, a first spacer sequence of at least about 200 amino acids encoding a polypeptide that does not exhibit complement regulating properties and at least a second functional unit attached to the spacer sequence. The second functional unit may be a polypeptide providing a functional unit of a second complement regulatory protein, a polypeptide derived from an immunoglobulin, or a polypeptide that enhances binding of the protein to an animal cell. The hybrid protein may also contain a second spacer sequence and a third functional unit of a complement regulatory protein, a polypeptide derived from an immunoglobulin, and a polypeptide that enhances binding of the protein to an animal cell. The optional third functional unit may be the same or different from the first or second functional units. |
| US08124095B2 |
Fusion proteins for delivery of erythropoietin to the CNS
The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of a neurotrophin (e.g., erythropoietin (EPO)) across the blood brain barrier while allowing its activity to remain substantially intact. The neurotrophin (e.g., EPO) is transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. |
| US08124093B2 |
Human cytomegalovirus neutralizing antibodies and use thereof
The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease. |
| US08124087B2 |
Methods of controlling bone loss by inhibiting DKK1
The present invention is drawn to understanding lytic bone diseases. In this regard, the present invention discloses mechanism by which Wnt signaling antagonist inhibits bone differentiation. Also disclosed herein are methods to control bone loss, treat bone disease and prevent tumor growth in bones of individual. |
| US08124086B2 |
Antibodies that bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, fusion polypeptides and analogs that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides. The present invention further provides methods of preventing, managing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a CA 125/O772P-related disorder. In particular, the present invention provides methods of preventing, managing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a cell proliferative disorder, such as cancer, e.g., ovarian cancer. The present invention still further provides methods for diagnosing a CA 125/O772P-related disorder or predisposition to developing such a disorder, as well as methods for identifying antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides. |
| US08124084B2 |
Compositions and methods for immunomodulation in an organism using IL-15 and soluble IL-15Ra
The present invention relates to a therapeutic polypeptide and methods for its creation and use for modulating an immune response in a host organism in need thereof. In particular, the invention relates to the administration to an organism in need thereof, of an effective amount of a pre-coupled polypeptide complex comprising a lymphokine polypeptide portion, for example IL-15 (SEQ ID NO: 5, 6), IL-2 (SEQ ID NO: 10, 12) or combinations of both, and an interleukin receptor polypeptide portion, for example IL-15Ra (SEQ ID NO: 7, 8), IL-2Ra (SEQ ID NO: 9, 11) or combinations of both, for augmenting the immune system in, for example, cancer, SCID, AIDS, or vaccination; or inhibiting the immune system in, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, or Lupus. The therapeutic complex of the invention surprisingly demonstrates increased half-life, and efficacy in vivo. |
| US08124082B2 |
Humanized anti-beta7 antagonists and uses therefor
The invention provides therapeutic anti-beta7 antibodies, compositions comprising, and methods of using these antibodies. |
| US08124080B2 |
Human monoclonal antibody having fat-reducing effect
A purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that is substantial identical with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or both, in which the polypeptide binds low density lipoproteins (LDL) or oxidized LDL (oxLDL), or both, and particularly binds well to LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL cholesterol. The polypeptide may be used in combination with conventional adjuvants or carrier substances for producing a drug having a fat-reducing effect and for producing drugs for aiding in the treatment of renal diseases. |
| US08124079B2 |
Anti-IGF-IR antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel antibodies capable of binding specifically to the human insulin-like growth factor I receptor IGF-IR and/or capable of specifically inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of said IGF-IR, especially monoclonal antibodies of murine, chimeric and humanized origin, as well as the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences coding for these antibodies. The invention likewise comprises the use of these antibodies as a medicament for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of cancers overexpressing IGF-IR or any pathology connected with the overexpression of said receptor as well as in processes or kits for diagnosis of illnesses connected with the overexpression of the IGF-IR. The invention finally comprises products and/or compositions comprising such antibodies in combination with anti-EGFR antibodies and/or anti-VEGF antibodies and/or antibodies directed against other growth factors involved in tumor progression or metastasis and/or compounds and/or anti-cancer agents or agents conjugated with toxins and their use for the prevention and/or the treatment of certain cancers. |
| US08124078B2 |
Method for treating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura using monoclonal antibodies
The invention concerns a method for obtaining and selecting monoclonal antibodies by an ADDC-type test, said antibodies capable of activating type III Fcγ receptors and having a particular glycan structure. The inventive anti-D antibodies can be used for preventing Rhesus isoimmunization in Rh negative persons, in particular for haemolytic disease in a new-born baby or for uses such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). |
| US08124076B2 |
Single chain antibodies against β-amyloid peptide
Anti-AβP scFvs and single domain antibodies were generated, and when these antibodies were displayed on filamentous phage or as soluble protein molecules, stabilized by the maltose binding protein, they could prevent the fibrilization of Abp 1-40 and disaggregate Abp 1-40 fibrils generated in vitro. The anti-Aβp scFv antibodies also stained amyloid neuritic plaques on slices from transgenic mice. The anti-AβP scFv and single domain antibodies can be used for inhibiting or treating Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08124075B2 |
Enhanced biological autologous tissue adhesive composition and methods of preparation and use
The invention includes a composition useful for preparing a tissue sealant for use on a patient, comprising: autologous fibrinogen, an activating agent and at least one supplement. The invention includes a method of treating a disc having at least one defect, comprising: introducing a composition into the disc, wherein the composition comprises autologous fibrinogen and an activating agent, and wherein the composition forms fibrin. |
| US08124068B2 |
Recombinant intracellular pathogen immunogenic compositions and methods of use
Immunogenic compositions comprising recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogens that have been transformed to express recombinant immunogenic antigens of the same or other intracellular pathogens are provided. Exemplary immunogenic compositions include, but are not limited to attenuated recombinant Mycobacteria expressing the major extracellular non-fusion proteins of Mycobacteria and/or other intracellular pathogens. Other embodiments are provided wherein the recombinant attenuated intracellular pathogen is auxotrophic. |
| US08124065B2 |
Cytokine Protein Family
The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zcyto20, zcyto21, zcyto22, zycto24, and zcyto25 proteins which are most closely related to interferon-α at the amino acid sequence level. The receptor for this protein family is a class II cytokine receptor. The present invention includes methods of reducing viral infections and increasing monocyte counts. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zcyto20 polypeptides, and methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides. |
| US08124063B2 |
Method for moisturizing human skin using dihydroxypropyltri(C1-C3 alkyl) ammonium salts
A personal care product is provided which includes a composition containing dihydroxypropyltri(C1-C3 alkyl)ammonium salt in a carrier. The composition is packaged for delivery to a consumer and includes instructions printed on or associated with the packaging indicating topical use of the composition on skin, hair or the oral mucosae. Particularly useful is dihydroxypropyltrimonium chloride which operates as a humectant to moisturize both at high and low relative humidity environments. |
| US08124060B2 |
Compositions containing a bimodal film former and cross-linked starch
The invention relates to compositions containing (a) at least one bimodal film former; and (b) at least one cross-linked starch as well as to methods of using such compositions and kits containing such compositions. |
| US08124059B2 |
Stabilized aqueous aluminum zirconium solutions
The present invention describes a method and compositions by which introducing PO4−3 ion at particular stage in the preparation of aluminum/zirconium solutions surprisingly results in significantly improved zirconium molecular weight stability. |
| US08124053B2 |
Compositions comprising chitin microparticles and their medical uses
The present invention relates to compositions comprising chitin microparticles and their medical uses, and in particular to compositions for use as vaccines which comprise antigen from an infectious agent, a chitin microparticle preparation, and a further adjuvant. |
| US08124052B2 |
Method for identifying targeting domains and methods and compositions comprising the same
The present invention is directed to a method of identifying tissue targeting domains. In particular, the invention relates to methods for identifying a polynucleotide encoding a targeting domain which directs tumor cell localization to secondary sites, to methods of utilizing the polynucleotide and corresponding polypeptide or fragments thereof and compositions comprising the same. |
| US08124045B2 |
Method of selective purification of armchair carbon
The present invention provides a method of selectively extracting metallic armchair carbon nanotubes alone from the mixture of carbon nanotubes of mixed chiralities, wherein vacant lattice defects are removed from armchair carbon nanotubes alone using the fact that the vacant lattice defects of zigzag carbon nanotubes are hard to diffuse in the axial direction of nanotubes compared with those of armchair carbon nanotubes. Since vacant lattice defects remaining on zigzag carbon nanotubes are active, the tube structures are easily destroyed and decomposed by oxidation etc. Thus it is possible to extract armchair carbon nanotubes alone from the mixture of carbon nanotubes of mixed chiralities. |
| US08124044B2 |
Carbon nanotubes, a method of preparing the same and an element using the same
Carbon nanotubes, a method for preparing the same and an element using the same are provided. The method for preparing carbon nanotubes includes synthesizing carbon nanotubes from carbon source using an arc-discharge method in the presence of catalysts and promoter, wherein the promoter contains an element capable of reducing the surface energy of carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes with high purity and narrow diameter distribution can thus be prepared. |
| US08124042B2 |
Nonwovens bonded with acrylamide/N-alkylolacrylamide crosslinking mixture with C2-C10 alkylol
An aqueous dispersion includes a self-crosslinking alkylolacrylamide containing interpolymer, the interpolymer being prepared in an emulsion polymerization medium by way of interpolymerizing in the medium: (a) acrylamide monomer; (b) N—C2 to C10 alkylolacrylamide monomer, wherein the molar ratio of acrylamide:N—C2 to C10 alkylolacrylamide interpolymerized is at least 0.5; and (c) at least one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated monomers added to the medium in an amount of from about 80 weight % to about 98 weight % based on the dry weight of monomer interpolymerized in the medium. The dispersions are particularly useful as binders for fibrous webs. |
| US08124041B2 |
Process for producing silicon
A process for producing silicon comprises the steps of a reduction step [1] of depositing silicon by reacting chlorosilanes and hydrogen in a reactor under heat and discharging an exhaust gas that contains hydrogen, oligomers of silanes, and a silicon powder; a carring step [2] of carrying the exhaust gas that has been exhausted in the step [1] while keeping a temperature of the exhaust gas at not less than 105° C.; a removal step [3] of supplying the exhaust gas that has been carried in the step [2] to a filter at a temperature of not less than 105° C. and discharging the exhaust gas from the filter at a temperature of not less than 105° C. to remove the silicon powder from the exhaust gas and give a mixed gas that contains the hydrogen and the oligomers of silanes; and a separation step [4] of cooling the mixed gas that has been obtained in the step [3] to separate the hydrogen as a gas phase from the mixed gas. |
| US08124040B1 |
Methods of making silane compositions
A method of making hydrogenated Group IVA compounds having reduced metal-based impurities, compositions and inks including such Group IVA compounds, and methods for forming a semiconductor thin film. Thin semiconducting films prepared according to the present invention generally exhibit improved conductivity, film morphology and/or carrier mobility relative to an otherwise identical structure made by an identical process, but without the washing step. In addition, the properties of the present thin film are generally more predictable than those of films produced from similarly prepared (cyclo)silanes that have not been washed according to the present invention. The present invention advantageously provides semiconducting thin film structures having qualities suitable for use in electronics applications, such as display devices or RF ID tags, while enabling high-throughput manufacturing processes that form such thin films in seconds or minutes, rather than hours or days as with conventional photolithographic processes. |
| US08124039B2 |
Process of silicon tetrafluoride gas synthesis
A process of producing silicon tetrafluoride from fluoride containing feedstocks. The process calcines the fluoride containing feedstock and a silica containing feedstock before reacting the mixture with sulfuric acid to produce silicon tetrafluoride. The silicon tetrafluoride is scrubbed with sulfuric acid. Excess sulfuric acid is recycled to the process. The process demonstrates an economic and environmentally friendly way to produce high quality silicon tetrafluoride. |
| US08124035B2 |
Process and apparatus for alkylation of aromatic compound with aliphatic mono-olefin compound of 8 to 18 carbon atoms
Continuous processes for monoalkylating aromatic compound with an aliphatic feedstock comprising aliphatic olefin of 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule are effected using at least 3 reaction zones in series, each containing solid alkylation catalyst with effluent cooling between reaction zones, each of which reaction zones is supplied a portion of the fresh aliphatic feedstock, such that the Reaction Zone Delta T in each reaction zone is less than about 15° C. The overall aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is less than about 20:1. The alkylation product has desirable linearity and low amounts of dimers, dealkylated compounds and diaryl compounds even though a low aromatic compound to olefin molar ratio is used. |
| US08124034B2 |
Alkylation unit and method of modifying
One exemplary embodiment can be a method of modifying an alkylation unit to increase capacity. The method may include combining a first alkylation zone with a second alkylation zone. Generally, the first alkylation zone includes a first settler having a height and a width. Typically, the width is greater than the height. In addition, the second alkylation zone may have a second settler having a height and a width. Usually, the height is greater than the width. |
| US08124032B2 |
Microfluidic device and method of using same
The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising one or more fluid channels, one or more fluid ports, and a V-shaped particle retention structure. The fluid channel is generally opposite the particle retention structure, fluid ports are located between the fluid channel and the particle retention structure, and the particle retention structure has sloped side walls. Fluid, including reagents, can be delivered to the microfluidic device through the one or more fluid channels or the fluid ports. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to monitor, observe, measure, or record a biological parameter of a particle, to separate a single particle from a group of particles, to culture a cell, to treat a particle, and to move a particle back and forth in the device. |
| US08124030B2 |
Microfluidic device having regulated fluid transfer between elements located therein
A centrifugal microfluidic device includes a substrate configured for rotation about an axis, the substrate having a start chamber disposed therein, the start chamber configured to hold a liquid. The device includes an output chamber disposed in the substrate and located radially outward of the start chamber. A fluid transfer channel connects the start chamber to the output chamber. A ventilation channel connects the output chamber to the start chamber, the ventilation channel connecting at one end to a radially inward portion of the start chamber and at an opposing end to a junction point on the output chamber. A vent hole is provided in the substrate that is operatively connected to the output chamber. The location of the junction between the ventilation channel and the output chamber is located radially outward with respect to the level of fluid in the start chamber so as to prevent cross-contamination. |
| US08124025B2 |
Membrane system for blood coagulation testing
Articles for testing a coagulation process in whole blood. |
| US08124024B2 |
Cassette for sample preparation
A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample. |
| US08124020B2 |
Apparatus for preventing metal catalyzed coking
A process and apparatus is described in which a sulfiding agent is added to a catalytic conversion reactor to prevent metal catalyzed coking. The catalytic reactor may be downstream from a first fluid catalytic cracking reactor that provides C10— hydrocarbons as feed to the downstream catalytic reactor. |
| US08124017B2 |
Systems and methods for high efficiency regenerative selective catalytic reduction
The invention provides a system for regenerative selective catalytic reduction including a catalyst chamber that contains a catalyst for reducing NOX in a gas stream passing therethrough. The system also includes a reactant injector, first and second heat exchangers, and a valve manifold adapted to direct a substantially continuous gas stream through the heat exchangers and catalyst chamber in such a manner as to flow through the catalyst chamber in the same flow direction during each cycle of the system. The invention also provides a process of regenerative selective catalytic reduction wherein the gas stream through the catalyst chamber flows in the same flow direction during each cycle of the process. |
| US08124016B2 |
Articles with antimicrobial property and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses an article with an antimicrobial property, and a manufacturing method thereof which gives the antimicrobial property to a surface of the article in which bacteria or viruses may contact to proliferate themselves. The antimicrobial property is obtained by coating Kimchi lactic acid bacteria culture fluid with a wide antibacterial spectrum singly or in combination with nano metal particles on the surface of the article. |
| US08124015B2 |
Multiplexed, microfluidic molecular assay device and assay method
Microfluidic systems are disclosed, including microfluidic devices and methods, useful for simultaneously analyzing multiple analytes in each of a plurality of distinct nanoliter-volume samples. |
| US08124013B1 |
System and method for large scale atmospheric plasma generation
A plasma generating system and a method of generating a plasma on a surface is provided. A surface-wave medium is laminated to a surface for propagating electromagnetic surface waves. The surface-wave medium includes a dielectric and a metallic pattern on the dielectric for increasing an inductive reactance of the surface-wave medium. The plasma generating surface further includes a microwave power source. A coupler couples the microwave power source to the surface-wave medium. A plurality of field enhancement points are located on the surface-wave medium. The plurality of field enhancement points include microwave resonant structures that couple to the electromagnetic surface waves. |
| US08124009B2 |
Method of aeration disinfecting and drying grain in bulk and pretreating seeds and a transverse blow silo grain dryer therefor
Aeration drying and disinfecting grain crops in bulk and pretreating seeds includes passing through a bulk of grain crops and seeds disinfecting and drying agents including an ozone and air mixture and surrounding air, subdividing the disinfecting and drying agents into a plurality of streams spaced from one another in a vertical direction, and passing the streams at different heights through levels located at corresponding heights of the bulk of grain crops and seeds transversely in a substantially horizontal direction. |
| US08124008B2 |
Free cutting steel
A low carbon free cutting steel can be obtained by allowing the steel to contain 0.02 to 0.15 mass % of C, 0.05 to 1.8 mass % of Mn, 0.20 to 0.49 mass % of S, more than 0.01 mass % and not more than 0.03 mass % of O, 0.3 to 2.3% of Cr, and the balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, the Cr/S ratio falling within a range of between 2 and 6. |
| US08124005B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing sponge iron
A process and an apparatus for producing sponge iron from iron-oxide-containing material in lump form by direct reduction in a reduction shaft using a reducing gas, wherein the entire reducing gas is introduced by means of a number of reducing gas distribution ducts in a star-like arrangement or arranged parallel to one another, preferably into the lower quarter of the reduction shaft, and evenly distributed over the entire cross-section of the reduction shaft. |
| US08124003B2 |
Method and apparatus for remote controlling monitoring and/or servicing heat-treatment equipment via wireless communications
A method and apparatus provide for remote control, monitoring and/or servicing of heat-treatment equipment via wireless communications networks. Specifically, the method and apparatus can be used in pre and post-weld heat-treatment applications for steel pipes in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, power plants, chemical and petrochemical plants and refineries. Importantly, the embodiment generates and manages all the documentation necessary to input and verify the specified heat-treatment process. It will produce and deliver to the customer the reports and certificates required by the applicable quality control standards, requirements and regulatory authorities. |
| US08124002B2 |
Extrusion-molding machine, extrusion-molding method, and method for manufacturing honeycomb structured body
An extrusion-molding machine according to the present invention comprises: a screw having a blade portion for extruding a molding material, the screw disposed in a tightly-closed space; and a die for molding an extruded molding material, wherein the space is maintained in a reduced-pressure atmosphere, and a high-hardness coat layer is formed at least on the blade portion. |
| US08124000B2 |
Substrate manufacturing method including protrusion removing step
A method for removing and modifying a protrusion by using a short pulse laser is provided for modifying a color filter. In a color filter modifying method, a transparent substrate (2) is scanned with a beam in a parallel direction, while irradiating a protrusion (8) generated on the color filters (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) formed on a transparent substrate (2) with a beam collected by a high NA condensing lens (18), and a protrusion (8) is removed or modified. |
| US08123998B2 |
Injection molding method and injection molding die
An injection molding method for a plate-shaped resin substrate, wherein a through-hole whose diameter gradually becomes smaller from one surface to the other surface is provided thereon and fine flow path that connects to the through-hole is provided on the other surface. A cavity is formed by joining one molding die forming one surface with the other molding die forming the other surface. A part of the one molding die that forms the through-hole includes a taper pin that protrudes from the one molding die toward the other molding die. The substrate is formed by filling the cavity with resin material, and the substrate is released from the other molding die by separating the one molding die from the other molding die. By pushing the inner wall of the through-hole with the taper pin projected further toward the other molding die, the substrate is released from the one molding die. |
| US08123996B2 |
Wrinkle control for composite tubes
In one step of a method of fabricating a composite tube, layers of uncured composite material may be laid over a surface. In another step, spaced-apart strips of at least one of uncured, partially cured, and completely cured composite material may be laid lengthwise over the laid layers of composite material. In still another step, the spaced-apart strips may be compacted against the layers of uncured composite material. In an additional step, the compacted spaced-apart strips and the layers of uncured composite material may be further consolidated and/or cured to form a composite tube. |
| US08123994B2 |
Method of making catheter including a unibody distal guidewire port
Methods and devices incorporating a guidewire entry port subassembly for use in rapid exchange catheters. The use of a subassembly allows for stronger quality control and simpler fabrication of a rapid exchange device. In several embodiments, methods of making a molded guidewire entry port using a mold, often in conjunction with one or more mandrels, are disclosed. Several device embodiments include a separate molded guidewire port as well as molded guidewire ports which are attached, during a molding step, to segments of a catheter. |
| US08123992B2 |
Process of forming multilayered structures
The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures. |
| US08123990B2 |
Method for producing fiber composite
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a fiber composite excellent in lightweight and rigidity. The present method is one for producing fiber composite having a structure in which reinforcing fibers are bonded with a thermoplastic resin, is characterized in that said reinforcing fiber is at least one of a plant fiber and an inorganic fiber, and comprises a feeding process in which a thermally expandable capsule (20) having a shell wall composed of a thermoplastic resin is fed to one of either front side or back side of a mat (10a) comprising the reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic resin fiber, a dispersing process in which one side of the mat is subjected to vibration from another side of the mat while pressing the one surface side of the mat (10a) to disperse the capsule (20) towards another side of the mat, a melting process in which the thermoplastic resin fiber constituting the mat is molten, and an expanding process in which the capsule (20) dispersed in the mat is heated to expand. |
| US08123989B2 |
Method and device for controlling a linear motion axis
The invention relates to a method and device for controlling a linear motion axis, particularly of the injection screw (43) or a melt piston for an injection molding machine. Said device comprises a hydraulically driven piston (45) having a piston chamber (A) and a rod chamber (B). According to the solution proposed by the invention, at least one process phase is controlled/regulated by means of two parallel proportional valves, an injection valve (1) and a metering valve (2). The two proportional valves can be connected in parallel or in combination. The control/regulation of the driven piston (45) preferably uses digital technology. An enormous reduction in energy consumption and smooth transitions between the process phases are achieved with a hydraulic linear drive. |
| US08123976B2 |
Alkaline aqueous solution composition used for washing or etching substrates
As a washing liquid and an etching solution for semiconductor substrates and glass substrates, alkaline aqueous solutions are used; however, since metal impurities are adsorbed on the substrate surface during processing, a next process for removing the adsorbed metal impurities is required. In addition, when a washing liquid is used, it cannot wash off metal impurities; therefore an acid washing process is required. The present invention provides an aqueous solution composition, which is an alkaline aqueous solution but is able to prevent adsorption of metal impurities, which also has cleaning capability.By means of an alkaline aqueous solution composition used for washing or etching a substrate, the composition comprising a chelating agent represented by the general formula (1): and an alkaline component, the adsorption of metal impurities on the substrate is prevented, and metal impurities adsorbed on the substrate are washed off. |
| US08123975B2 |
Methods of preventing frost formation and facilitating the removal of winter precipitation relative to a windshield and compositions for use therein
Disclosed herein is a winter precipitation barrier composition, comprising: a retaining agent, a solvent, and optionally, an auxiliary component, such as a rheology/viscosity modifier, surfactant, detergent, foaming/defoaming additive, humectant, dye, colorant, fragrance, or a combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the retaining agent comprises a primarily hydrophobic monomer or a hydrophilic monomer. |
| US08123973B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic material
A method of manufacturing magnetic material is described hereinafter. Firstly, Fe(NO3)3.9H2O and other metal nitrate compounds are dissolved in an alcohol solvent to form a mixed solution. Secondly, the mixed solution is heated to 60˜100 degrees Centigrade. Next, citric acid is added into the mixed solution for being reacted with each other under the temperature of 60˜100 degrees Centigrade so that can make the alcohol solvent volatilized and further obtain brown solid powder. Lastly, the solid powder is further heated for a period of time so as to obtain the magnetic material having a fluffy powdery form. |
| US08123972B2 |
Sheet-like soft-magnetic material and production method thereof
The present invention is to impart, to a sheet-like soft magnetic material, a configuration in which sheet thickness change is suppressed and in which fluctuation in magnetic permeability is small even under a high-temperature or a high-temperature, high-humidity environment, even when a plurality of thin curable soft magnetic sheets produced by a coating method are laminated. The sheet-like soft magnetic material is formed from a soft magnetic composition which is formed by mixing at least a flat soft magnetic powder, an acrylic rubber, an epoxy resin, a curing agent for the epoxy resin, and a solvent. The flat soft magnetic powder is arranged in an in-plane direction of the sheet-like soft magnetic material. An acrylic rubber having a glycidyl group is used for the acrylic rubber. The weight ratio of the flat soft magnetic powder with respect to the total amount of the acrylic rubber, the epoxy resin, and the curing agent for the epoxy resin is 3.7 to 5.8. |
| US08123971B2 |
Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) with polynorbornene as a carrier medium, processes for producing such elastomer composites and their use
The invention relates to composites made of an elastic carrier medium comprising polynorbornene (PNR) and magnetisable particles which are polarized reversibly in a magnetic field. Thus the mechanical properties, such as e.g. storage modulus G′ (describes the elastic behavior or the energy storage) and loss modulus G″ (describes the viscous behavior or the energy dissipation), of such elastomer composites can be increased rapidly and reversibly within wide limits (up to approx. two orders of magnitude) as a function of an external magnetic field. Wide-ranging application possibilities are produced herefrom, e.g. for adaptive damping systems, in which the damping force can be adjusted via the strength of the magnetic field. |
| US08123970B2 |
Potassium monopersulfate solutions
A composition comprising a solution of potassium monopersulfate having an active oxygen content of from about 3.4% to about 6.8% and a process for its preparation including neutralization with an alkaline material is disclosed. |
| US08123968B2 |
Multiple deposition for integration of spacers in pitch multiplication process
Pitch multiplication is performed using a two step process to deposit spacer material on mandrels. The precursors of the first step react minimally with the mandrels, forming a barrier layer against chemical reactions for the deposition process of the second step, which uses precursors more reactive with the mandrels. Where the mandrels are formed of amorphous carbon and the spacer material is silicon oxide, the silicon oxide is first deposited by a plasma enhanced deposition process and then by a thermal chemical vapor deposition process. Oxygen gas and plasma-enhanced tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) are used as reactants in the plasma enhanced process, while ozone and TEOS are used as reactants in the thermal chemical vapor deposition process. The oxygen gas is less reactive with the amorphous carbon than ozone, thereby minimizing deformation of the mandrels caused by oxidation of the amorphous carbon. |
| US08123965B2 |
Interconnect structure with stress buffering ability and the manufacturing method thereof
An interconnect structure with stress buffering ability is disclosed, which comprises: a first surface, connected to a device selected form the group consisting of a substrate and an electronic device; a second surface, connected to a device selected form the group consisting of the substrate and the electronic device; a supporting part, sandwiched between and interconnecting the first and the second surfaces while enabling the areas of the two ends of the supporting part to be small than those of the first and the second surfaces in respective; and a buffer, arranged surrounding the supporting part for absorbing and buffering stresses. |
| US08123964B2 |
Image sensor and method for fabricating the same
An image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes a first conductive type substrate including a trench formed in a predetermined portion of the first conductive type substrate, a second conductive type impurity region for use in a photodiode, formed below a bottom surface of the trench in the first conductive type substrate, and a first conductive type epitaxial layer for use in the photodiode, buried in the trench. |
| US08123961B2 |
Extensions of self-assembled structures to increased dimensions via a “bootstrap” self-templating method
Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the invention use a self-templating or multilayer approach to induce ordering of a self-assembling block copolymer film to an underlying base film to produce a multilayered film having an ordered array of nanostructures that can be removed to provide openings in the film which, in some embodiments, can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer. |
| US08123957B2 |
Method and apparatus of submersible intake equipment
An apparatus having flotation ballasts, a flotation platform and on the flotation platform, an intake equipment, such as a screen, check valve and/or pump intake and a coupling for a discharge pipe. In an embodiment of the present invention comprises, there are a plurality of substantially symmetrical flotation ballasts, each having a ballast chamber. The composition of the flotation ballast may be made of a material having a density appropriate for the fluid in which it is to be submerged. The method includes the steps of using an apparatus as herein described to ascend and descend intake equipment. |
| US08123951B2 |
Process and apparatus for simulated moving bed separation comprising bypass lines in every other bed and with controlled flushing flow rates during injections and withdrawals
A process for separating a feed F by simulated moving bed adsorption in a SMB device comprises external bypass lines Li/i+1 which directly connect two successive plates, Pi, Pi+1, the index “i” being either even or (exclusive of the foregoing) odd, along the whole length of the column, allowing said plates to be flushed, in which each of the bypass lines Li/i+1 comprises automated means for regulating the flow rate in the bypass lines, the bypass lines in certain cases being subject to a flushing flow during injection or withdrawal operations. |
| US08123950B2 |
Process and apparatus for simulated moving bed separation comprising bypass lines in every other bed and with a modulated bypass fluid flow rate
A process for separating a feed F by simulated moving bed adsorption in a SMB device is described, the device comprising external bypass lines Li/i+1 which directly connect two successive plates Pi, Pi+1, the index i being either even or (exclusive of the foregoing) odd, along the whole length of the column, in order to flush said plates, in which each of the bypass lines Li/i+1 comprises automated means for regulating the flow rate in the bypass lines, the degree of opening of said regulating means being defined by the following three rules: a) establishing a flow rate corresponding to an oversynchronicity in the range 15% to 30% in all of the open bypass lines of zone 1; b) establishing a flow rate corresponding to the synchronicity to within plus or minus 8% in all of the open bypass lines of zones 2 and 3; c) establishing a flow rate corresponding to an oversynchronicity in the range 20% to 40% in all of the open bypass lines of zone 4. |
| US08123948B2 |
Biomimetic water membrane comprising aquaporins used in the production of salinity power
The present invention provides methods for producing salinity power using pressure retarded osmosis and a biometric membrane (e.g., a liquid bilayer membrane or a lipid membrane containing multiple bilayers of fused deposited lipid vesicles) containing aquaporin water channels. The invention also provides power plants for producing salinity energy using pressure retarded osmosis and a biometric water membrane containing functional aquaporin channels. |
| US08123945B2 |
Method for making high flux, high salt rejection cellulose desalting membranes
A method is provided for producing a high flux, high salt rejection cellulose acetate desalination membrane. In this method, cellulose acetate polymer is dissolved in a first solvent such as methylene chloride or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran to produce a solution. Further steps involve stirring the solution, and thereafter permitting the solution to settle, for a time sufficient for a majority of the cellulose acetate to precipitate out of the solution to form a cellulose acetate precipitate. Next, the cellulose acetate precipitate is stirred into an excess methanol. Thereafter, the cellulose acetate is filtered out and used in making the desalination membrane. |
| US08123944B2 |
Processes of aqueous solids treatment
In the field of water treatment, this invention relates to economical methods, processes and apparatus for preparing Class A bio-solids wherein: dewatering costs and energy costs are efficient, the solids product has reduced ammonia and sulfide odor, and the concentration of solids in the aqueous solids may vary from approximately 3 to approximately 90 percent.This invention presents mesMophilic and thermophilic digestion in concert, wherein mesophilic digestion incorporates strains of Thiobacillus with nitrifiers to remove sulfide(s) and ammonia from bio-solids. Chemical dewatering of thermophilic digested bio-solids is accomplished incorporating a cationic, quatemized or an anionic polyacrylamide with at least one selected from a list consisting of: an aluminum salt, an iron salt, an amine comprising a quatemized nitrogen moiety and any combination therein. A quatemized polyacrylamide is presented alone. The use of magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide as a disinfectant/preservative for said bio-solids Is also presented. |
| US08123941B2 |
Sand filter and method of constructing same
A sand filter apparatus (10) for treating water includes a filter retention vessel (16) having an outlet (18) from which filtrate can be supplied. An inlet arrangement (48) is in fluid communication with the filter retention vessel and is connectable to a supply of waste water. A filter is interposed between the inlet arrangement and the outlet. The filter includes two layers of aggregate (12, 36) and a layer of sand (26) interposed between the two layers of aggregate. The sand is at least one of, or a mixture of, granite-based sand and substantially pure silica based sand. |
| US08123934B2 |
System and method for pretreatment of solid carbonaceous material
This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors, and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid. |
| US08123933B2 |
Process for using iron oxide and alumina catalyst for slurry hydrocracking
A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The iron oxide and alumina catalyst does not require as much iron content relative to non-gaseous material in the reactor to obtain useable products. |
| US08123930B2 |
Additives for crude oils
The invention thus provides crude oils and products which have been produced therefrom and comprise distillation residues, comprising at least one alkylphenol-aldehyde resin having a repeat structural unit of the formula where R1 is a branched alkyl or alkenyl radical which has from 10 to 40 carbon atoms and bears at least one carboxyl, carboxylate and/or ester group, R2 is hydrogen or R1 R3 is hydrogen or an alkoxy group of the formula -(A-O)m—H, A is a C2- to C4-alkylene group, m is from 1 to 100, R4 is hydrogen, a C1- to C11-alkyl radical or a carboxyl group, R5 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, O—R6 or O—C(O)—R6, R6 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, n is from 1 to 100 and k is 1 or 2, the use of the alkylphenol-aldehyde resin for splitting emulsions of water and crude oils or products derived therefrom, the use of the alkylphenol-aldehyde resin for improving the cold flowability of crude oils and products derived therefrom, and the use of the alkylphenol-aldehyde resin as an asphaltene dispersant in crude oils and products derived therefrom. |
| US08123928B2 |
Shut-down and start-up procedures of an electrolytic cell
A process for shutting down an operating electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium is described. The process includes: lowering anodes until a lower portion of the anodes is immersed in an aluminium layer; allowing the aluminium layer and an electrolyte bath to cool down with the lower portion of the anodes immersed in the aluminium layer; determining if the electrolyte bath is solidified, and if the electrolyte bath is solidified, raising the anodes before solidification of the aluminium layer to create a space between the solidified electrolyte bath and the anodes and the aluminium layer. |
| US08123925B2 |
Electrophoretic apparatus
An electrophoretic apparatus that allows bubbles to be readily removed out of an electrophoretic passage. The passage for electrophoretic medium, at a connecting section where capillaries filled with electrophoretic medium are connected with a pumping mechanism for filling the electrophoretic medium, is arranged such that the side of the pumping mechanism is disposed below the side of the capillaries, so that the electrophoretic medium flows from down to up at the connecting section when filling the electrophoretic medium into the capillaries. Preferably, the passage between the capillary array and the buffer solution is controlled by using a rotary-type valve having high withstand pressure to simplify the passage structure. The dead volume of the passage can be reduced and the valuable electrophoretic medium can be efficiently used. The amount of used electrophoretic medium required for the removal of the bubble can be also reduced. |
| US08123918B2 |
Method and a system for operating a physical vapor deposition process
A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers using physical vapor deposition. The method includes maintaining a substrate on a susceptor in a chamber. The substrate has a face positioned within a vicinity of a target material, which is within the chamber. The target member comprises a first side and a second side. Preferably, the first side is positioned toward the face of the substrate. The method includes operating a magnet device fixed about a rotating member, which is coupled to the chamber and is coupled to a drive motor, which is coupled to a driver. A magnet device is positioned from a center region of the rotating member by a predetermined dimension. The method includes moving the magnet device in an annular manner about the center region using the rotating member. The magnet device is rotated at a velocity v and influences a spatial region, which is positioned overlying the second side of the target. The method also includes capturing information associated with an electromagnetic energy field associated with the moving magnet device at the velocity v. The method includes processing at least a portion of the information to determine if the electromagnetic energy field is within one or more predetermined parameters. The method transfers one or more signals to the driver to adjust the velocity of the moving magnetic device to cause a change to the electromagnetic energy field. |
| US08123915B2 |
Alkaline electrolyzer
An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane); two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer. |
| US08123913B2 |
Process for separating diisopropylbenzene (DIPB) and triisoproplybenzene (TIPB) from a feed comprising DIPB, TIBP, and polyalkylate heavies
Processes and apparatuses for separating diisopropylbenzene (DIPB) and triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) from a feed including DIPB, TIPB, and polyalkylate heavies are disclosed. The disclosed processes include introducing the feed into a distillation column having a column top pressure of less than 5 psia, a column bottoms pressure of less than 3 psi, and preferably 2 psi or less above the column top pressure with a bottoms temperature ranging from about 435° F. to about 465° F. The processes also include taking off a side draw including at least 99.8 wt % of the DIPB and at least 50 wt % of the TIPB present in the feed and a bottoms stream including at least 95 wt % of the heavies contained in the distillation feed. The low temperature bottoms temperature enables high pressure steam to be used as the bottoms reboiler heat source. |
| US08123911B2 |
Press felt and method for its production
The invention relates to a felt belt, especially a press felt for a paper—, cardboard or tissue machine, with a basic structure that is formed by (a) a longitudinal reinforcement module extending on the width and length of the felt belt, including (1) a laid longitudinal thread structure on the width and the length of the felt belt which is formed by at least one longitudinal thread extending essentially in longitudinal direction of the belt, and (2) one carrying layer which is bonded with the laid longitudinal thread structure and extends on the width and the length of the felt belt, as well as (b) one cross reinforcement module which has the same length and width as the felt belt which is located on and bonded with the longitudinal reinforcement module which is formed by a plurality of cross reinforcement module segments, each of which extend on the width of the felt belt, and only on part of the length of the felt belt and which are arranged in tandem in longitudinal direction of the felt belt and which together complete the length of the felt belt, whereby each cross reinforcement segment includes a group of first threads and a group of second threads, whereby the first and the second threads cross each other at thread crossing points and together form a textile surface structure. |
| US08123910B2 |
Forming fabrics
A papermaker's fabric for use as a forming fabric. The fabric may include bondable or meltable monofilament yarns which may be formed from materials that retain substantial strength and tenacity after thermal treatment. Further, the remaining yarns in the forming fabric may be formed from materials that have a higher melting temperature than the monofilament material that will be thermally bonded or melted. |
| US08123902B2 |
Gas flow diffuser
A method and apparatus for providing flow into a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a vacuum processing chamber is provided that includes a chamber body having an interior volume, a substrate support disposed in the interior volume and a gas distribution assembly having an asymmetrical distribution of gas injection ports. In another embodiment, a method for vacuum processing a substrate is provided that includes disposing a substrate on a substrate support within in a processing chamber, flowing process gas into laterally into a space defined above a gas distribution plate positioned in the processing chamber over the substrate, and processing the substrate in the presence of the processing gas. |
| US08123898B2 |
Methods of bonding optical structures, bonding and silylation of optical structures, bonded optical structures, and silylated bonded optical structures
Methods of bonding optical structures, bonded optical structures, silylated bonded optical structures, and the like, are disclosed. |
| US08123897B2 |
Room temperature fast-curing organopolysiloxane composition and its curing method
A room temperature fast-curing organopolysiloxane composition which has excellent fast curability as well as deep curability is provided without using an organic compound having C═O group and the organic compound having NH2 group which are the volatile components. A method for curing such composition is also provided. The room temperature fast-curing organopolysiloxane composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane having both ends terminated with hydroxy group and/or a hydrolyzable group; (B) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a silane and/or a siloxane having at least 3 alkenoxysilyl groups in its molecule and being capable of forming a compound having —NH2 group by hydrolysis; (C) 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a silane and/or a siloxane having at least 3 aminosilyl groups in its molecule and being capable of forming a compound having —NH2 group by hydrolysis; and (D) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a curing catalyst. |
| US08123894B2 |
3-dimensional curved substrate lamination
A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated. |
| US08123890B2 |
Process for preparing an elastic nonwoven web
A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web. |
| US08123884B2 |
Implantable prosthesis having reinforced attachment sites
The present invention provides an implantable graft that includes an elongate graft tube having opposing ends defining an attachment site for attaching the graft to a stent. The graft further includes a reinforcement member attached adjacent to at least one of the ends of the graft for establishing a reinforced attachment site for the graft, thereby preventing elongation of a suture hole in the material. Furthermore, the present invention provides a graft wherein at least one end of the graft is folded over itself and glued or sutured to itself and/or the stent, thereby forming a reinforcement thereto. |
| US08123881B2 |
Die-to-robot alignment for die-to-substrate bonding
A method, a system and a computer readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon for die-to-robot alignment for die-to-substrate bonding are described. First, a robot is aligned with a substrate to provide a pre-aligned robot. Next, a die is aligned with the pre-aligned robot to provide a robot-aligned die. Finally, the robot-aligned die is bonded to a region of the substrate. The substrate is held stationary immediately following the aligning of the robot with the substrate and at least until the robot-aligned die is bonded to the region of the substrate. |
| US08123876B2 |
Method for bonding components of medical devices
A method of bonding a first component of a medical device to a second component of the medical device, where at least one of the components comprises a shape memory material, includes positioning the components in close proximity to each other to obtain an assembled configuration, and heating the assembled configuration at a temperature in the range of from about 800° C. to about 1100° C. to obtain a diffusion bond at a region of contact between the two components. The assembled configuration is formed into a desired set shape and heat-set at a temperature in the range of from about 350° C. to about 550° C. to impart a memory of the desired set shape to the shape memory materials without substantially impairing the diffusion bond. |
| US08123874B2 |
Soft magnetic material, dust core, method for manufacturing soft magnetic material, and method for manufacturing dust core
A soft magnetic material, a dust core, a method for manufacturing the soft magnetic material, and a method for manufacturing the dust core that can improve DC bias characteristics are provided.A soft magnetic material includes a plurality of metal magnetic particles 10 whose coefficient of variation Cv (σ/μ), which is a ratio of a standard deviation (σ) of a particle size of the metal magnetic particles 10 to an average particle size (μ) thereof, is 0.40 or less and whose circularity Sf is 0.80 or more and 1 or less. The metal magnetic particles 10 preferably have an average particle size of 1 μm or more and 70 μm or less. The soft magnetic material preferably further includes an insulating coated film that surrounds a surface of each of the metal magnetic particles 10. |
| US08123873B2 |
Method for manufacturing carburized part, and steel part
A method for manufacturing a carburized part that includes vacuum carburizing a steel under a reduced pressure of 2 kPa or less, so that a surface carbon concentration after slow cooling performed after carburizing falls in a range of 0.9 to 1.5%, performing the slow cooling by air cooling at such a cooling rate that causes pearlite transformation, to transform a surface structure into pearlite; and thereafter, performing induction hardening under such heating and cooling conditions that produce fine carbides in a range of up to 0.1 mm from a surface by finely dividing cementite in the pearlite structure, where the fine carbides contain 90% or more of carbides of 1 μm or less. |
| US08123869B2 |
Dishwasher having sorption drying device
A dishwasher comprising a washing container, devices for washing dishes by means of rinsing liquor, and a sorption drying device which is connected in an air-conducting manner to the washing container via an outlet of the washing container and an inlet of the washing container. The sorption drying device is provided with a sorption column encompassing reversibly dehydratable material. The outlet and the inlet of the washing container are connected to the sorption drying device without mounting an air duct therebetween. |
| US08123868B2 |
Method and apparatus for in-line processing and immediately sequential or simultaneous processing of flat and flexible substrates through viscous shear in thin cross section gaps for the manufacture of micro-electronic circuits or displays
A method and apparatus for cleaning, drying, coating, baking etching and deposition of surfaces on glass substrate as it transitions thru and between small gaps between hydro-static porous media bearings. Due to the non-contact nature of the device extremely high pressures can be induced upon the work piece through various fluids without damage to the substrate, allowing the system to utilize the viscous nature of fluids to accomplish the desired cleaning, drying, coating, etching or baking. The process also allows for simultaneous and immediately sequential ordering of processes. |
| US08123865B2 |
Method and composition for starch extraction and modification
A method of starch extraction, starch modification, and/or malting comprising (a) steeping a starch source in the presence of an aqueous anolyte product, (b) adding an aqueous anolyte product to an intermediate product extraction slurry comprising starch and gluten, (c) adding an aqueous anolyte product to a starch product slurry produced by separating the starch and gluten, (d) contacting an extracted starch product with a type and amount of an aqueous anolyte product effective for modifying the starch product and/or (e) steeping the starch source in the presence of an aqueous catholyte product. |
| US08123864B2 |
Method and apparatus for conversion of cellulosic material to ethanol
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction. |
| US08123862B2 |
Deposition apparatus and manufacturing apparatus
An object of the present invention is to carry out stable film deposition for a long stretch of time without an evaporation material being stuck in a manufacturing apparatus that carries out evaporation. A driving portion that can move a crucible up and down is provided for an evaporation source of an evaporation apparatus. When the opening of the crucible is clogged with the evaporation material, the crucible is moved down and sealed in the evaporation source. The heater of the evaporation source can heat the opening efficiently; therefore, the evaporation material with which the opening is filled is evaporated; therefore, the blockage can be dissolved. Thereafter, the crucible is moved above and heated to carry out evaporation. It is possible to carry out film deposition without exposure to the atmosphere for a long stretch of time, which can improve the productivity of an organic EL element. |
| US08123854B2 |
Method of treating marine sediments and use of the resulting solid product in mortars or concretes
A method of treating marine or river dredging sediments, especially harbour zone sediments, whose free water content is between 40% and 80% by weight, for the purpose of obtaining a solid material which is easy to handle, includes the following successive steps: mixing the sediments with a treatment composition including a sulphoaluminate binder and at least one other component selected from a sulphate source and a catalyst of the hydration reactions of the sulphoaluminate binder; a step of setting of the mixture, leading to a compact mixture having a free water content of less than 20% by weight; then fractionating the compact mixture. The sediment thus treated may be incorporated into concrete or mortar formulas, which then have leachable fractions of less than 1% by weight. |
| US08123852B2 |
Cement compositions comprising high aspect ratio materials and methods of use in subterranean formations
The present invention relates to subterranean well cementing operations, and more particularly, to cement compositions that include high aspect ratio materials, and methods for using such cement compositions in subterranean formations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a cement composition for use in a subterranean formation. |
| US08123851B2 |
Method of finishing organic pigments
A method of finishing an organic pigment by dry-comminuting said pigment in the presence of a sulfonato-functional condensation product of an arylsulfonic acid and at least one aliphatic aldehyde having 1 to 6 C atoms as crystallization modifier, dispersing the resulting mixture of pigment and crystallization modifier in mineral acid, and swelling the pigment in the presence of the crystallization modifier in mineral acid. |
| US08123848B2 |
Fluorescent ink compositions and fluorescent particles
A fluorescent solid ink, and a method for making such ink, including an ink vehicle and a fluorescent particle. The fluorescent particle includes a fluorescent pigment, such as a trans-dicarboxylic-indenofluorenone, and at least one stabilizing wax chemically attached to the fluorescent pigment. The stabilizing wax includes an amine group at its terminal end and the fluorescent pigment includes at least one carboxylic acid group, where the amine group reacts with the carboxylic acid group to form an amide bond. |
| US08123847B2 |
Water base ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording apparatus
The water base ink for ink jet recording of the present invention is a water base ink for ink-jet recording containing a coloring agent, water, a penetrant, and a surfactant; wherein the penetrant includes diethylene glycol n-hexyl ether (A); the surfactant includes at least one surfactant (B) selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfonate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl carboxylate, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate; a weight ratio (B/A) of (B) with respect to (A) is not less than 0.10; and the (A) is contained in the ink in an amount of 1.0% by weight to 2.5% by weight. |
| US08123846B2 |
Ink jet ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet ink providing an image having excellent lightfastness and having sticking resistance and intermittent ejection stability. The ink jet ink is characterized by containing at least a compound represented by the following general formula (I) and a compound represented by the following general formula (II). |
| US08123844B2 |
Plugging resistant mist eliminator for horizontal gas flow built from tubular elements and vane type lamella
The invention is directed at a mist eliminator for horizontal gas flow applications which is built as a combination of tubular and vane type elements and which is used to separate droplets from flue gas flows in a flue gas desulphurization (FGD). |
| US08123839B2 |
Porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and method of producing the same, and filter medium
First, a mixture of a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder and a liquid lubricant into a sheet-form body extending in a first direction. Next, the liquid lubricant is removed from the sheet-form body. Then, the sheet-form body is stretched by a factor of 40 to 250 in the longitudinal direction at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the stretched sheet-form body is further stretched by a factor of 3 to 40 in the width direction. Thus, a highly air-permeable porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is obtained. |
| US08123834B2 |
High gain selective metal organic framework preconcentrators
Novel metal organic framework (MOF) molecules and methods of synthesizing them are described. MOFs are organometallic crystalline structures that have high sorption capacity due to high surface area, tailorable selectivity, an inert nature, and thermal stability at high temperatures. MOFs may be used as sorbents in preconcentrators for analytical devices to provide orders of magnitude of improved sensitivity in analyte detection. MOFs are also useful as sorbents in new compact and portable micropreconcentrator designs such as a modified purge and trap system and a multi-valve microelectromechanical system (MEMS) to achieve high gain in analyte detection. Further, MOFs may be used as coatings for novel microstructure arrays in micropreconcentrators where the microstructures are designed to increase the surface area to volume ratio inside the micropreconcentrator while minimizing the pressure drop across the micropreconcentrator. |
| US08123830B2 |
Filter element with particle-trapping crevice
A filter element includes a flow-through element and a floor element that abut one another to form a crevice along a crevice length between the flow-through element and the floor element. The crevice traps a portion of particles that become dislodged from the flow-through element. |
| US08123825B2 |
Microreactor and production method thereof
A microreactor is configured to have a metal substrate having a microchannel portion on one surface thereof, a heater provided on the other surface of the metal substrate via an insulating film, a catalyst supported on the microchannel portion, and a cover member having a feed material inlet and a gas outlet and joined to the metal substrate so as to cover the microchannel portion. Since the microreactor uses the metal substrate having a high thermal conductivity and a small heat capacity, the efficiency of heat conduction from the heater to the supported catalyst becomes high, and the processing of the metal substrate is easy to facilitate the production. |
| US08123823B2 |
High solids content dispersions
The present invention provides a dispersion composition containing (a) a metal base selected from the group consisting of: (i) a metal hydroxide with a solids content of greater than about 51 wt % of the composition; (ii) a metal base other than a metal hydroxide with a solids content of greater than about 15 wt % of the composition; and (iii) mixtures thereof; (b) a surfactant; and (c) an organic medium containing less than about 2 wt % of water. The invention further provides a process for preparing the composition and a method for its use. |
| US08123822B2 |
Production of biodiesel fuels which are low in glycerin and sulfur
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of carboxylic acid esters and/or biodiesel fuel from feedstocks containing fatty acids, glycerated fatty acids, and glycerin by reactive distillation. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of biodiesel fuels having low glycerin, water, and sulfur content on an industrial scale. |
| US08123819B2 |
System and method for dry cleaning articles
Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles. |
| US08123809B2 |
Deployment system and method for an expandable vertebral implant
Embodiments of the invention include expandable implants incorporated into a system for deploying the expandable implants to replace skeletal structures such as one or more vertebrae or portions of the spine or vertebrae. Some embodiments include related methods of implanting devices using deployment systems. |
| US08123807B2 |
Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine
Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer or member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in an expanded configuration has a size, volume and/or shape configured for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in order to distract the vertebrae relative to each other. The systems include one or more expandable members and a mechanical actuation means for expanding the expandable member or an expansion medium for injection within or for filling the interior of the expandable member via the port. The methods involve the implantation of one or more devices or expandable spacers. |
| US08123803B2 |
System and device for correcting hyperopia and presbyopia
The present invention includes an ophthalmic device and system of mounting for correcting hyperopia and presbyopia. The present invention includes a limbus ring mountable in an encircling relation to a central optic zone of a cornea on a limbus annulus surrounding the cornea. In the limbus ring defines a substantially annular toroid defining a first average diameter that is selectable and has a hydrophilic coating disposed thereon. The inner radius of the limbus ring is selectable such that, upon mounting on the limbus annulus, the limbus ring causes the limbus annulus to contract thereby causing the curvature of the cornea and the eye length to increase. The mounting system of the present invention is adapted to receive a limbus ring and further adapted to selectively place the limbus ring on a limbus annulus. |
| US08123802B2 |
Saddle-shaped mitral valve annuloplasty prostheses with asymmetry, and related methods
A mitral valve annuloplasty prosthesis (ring or C) has a generally saddle shape, i.e., portions of the prosthesis that are or will be adjacent the anterior and posterior commissures of the valve are relatively low as compared to at least some other portions of the prosthesis that are or will be between the commissures. However, the saddle shape is asymmetrical, in that the portion that is or will be adjacent the posterior commissure is lower than the portion that is or will be adjacent the anterior commissure. |
| US08123795B1 |
System for attaching an abdominal aortic stent or the like
A surgical tool useful for connecting an abdominal aortic stent or the like to tissue may include a head holding at least one fastener, a shaft, and a joint connecting the head to the shaft, the joint allowing the head to rotate in at least one direction relative to the shaft. That surgical tool may be used to connect a graft assembly to tissue, where the graft assembly may include a graft connected to a stent. The graft, stent and surgical tool may be inserted into a body lumen; and the head of the surgical tool may be pivoted relative to the shaft such that the distal end of the head contacts the interior of the stent. At least one fastener is then deployed to connect the stent to the body lumen. |
| US08123794B2 |
Intraluminal support frame
Intraluminal support frames for placement within a body vessel are provided. The support frames include a plurality of ring structures and first and second sets of connector segments. Connector segments of the first set join adjacent pairs of ring structures while connector segments of the second set join at least three ring structures. Medical devices are also provided that include a support frame and an additional component, such as a graft member or valve member. |
| US08123792B2 |
Perioperative warming device
A perioperative warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with stacked sections. One section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide comfort warming by convection. Another section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide therapeutic warming by convection. |
| US08123790B2 |
Clinical garment for comfort warming and prewarming
A clinical garment having a lower hem and sleeves includes permeable surfaces inside near peripheral portions, a duct in communication with the permeable surfaces, and at least one inlet port opening into the duct. When worn by a patient, the permeable surfaces are positioned adjacent the patient's limbs. Warmed pressurized air may be introduced into the duct and conducted to the permeable surfaces. The warmed pressurized air circulates through the permeable surfaces to warm the adjacent limbs. |
| US08123787B2 |
Method of treating scoliosis using a biological implant
The present invention is a bone growth stimulating and promoting cytokine type biological implant preferably comprising PTH coated with a controlled release biodegradable coating that is implanted preferably in the concave side of a scoliotically curved spine in combination with a bone growth inhibiting type biological implant preferably comprising methotrexate or like anti-metabolite coated with a controlled release biodegradable coating that is implanted preferably in the convex side of a scoliotically curved spine. The insertion of the biological implant is highly non-invasion, especially as compared to more conventional spine surgical methods, and the biological implant does not decrease spinal mobility or spinal range of motion. |
| US08123785B2 |
Minimally invasive spinal stabilization system
A spinal stabilization system includes an implant and instrumentation for stabilizing the spine. In one embodiment, the system includes a plate having a side rail and a channel extending adjacent the side rail. A pedicle screw assembly is positioned in the channel in releasable engagement with the side rail. The pedicle screw assembly includes a polyaxial screw seated in a lower housing having a lower locking flange. An upper housing having an upper locking flange secures the plate to the lower housing. The side rail of the plate is releasably engaged between the upper locking flange and the lower locking flange. The upper and lower housings include on-board locking mechanisms for fixing components in the screw assembly. The screw assembly and plate are inserted and oriented by remote manipulation. Minimally invasive techniques for inserting the implant are performed with the instrumentation, and cause minimal disturbance to surrounding tissue. |
| US08123781B2 |
Screen devices and methods for closing tissue separations
A medical closure screen device for a separation of first and second tissue portions is provided, which includes a mesh screen comprising tubular vertical risers, vertical strands with barbed filaments, and horizontal spacers connecting the risers and strands in a grid-like configuration. An optional perimeter member partly surrounds the screen and can comprise a perimeter tube fluidically coupled with the vertical risers to form a tubing assembly. Various input/output devices can optionally be connected to the perimeter tube ends for irrigating and/or draining the separation according to methodologies of the present invention. Separation closure, irrigation and drainage methodologies are disclosed utilizing various combinations of closure screens, tubing, sutures, fluid transfer elements and gradient force sources. The use of mechanical forces associated with barbed strands for repositionably securing separated tissues together is disclosed. The use of same for eliminating or reducing the formation of subcutaneous voids or pockets, which can potentially form hematoma and seroma effects, is also disclosed. |
| US08123777B2 |
Apparatus and methods for aspirating emboli
Apparatus and methods for aspirating emboli from a vascular filter or stent within a patient's circulatory system are provided. A filter sac of the vascular filter permits blood flow and captures emboli from the flow. The aspiration device removes emboli from within or proximal to the vascular filter or stent to reduce the risk to the ischemia during retrieval of the vascular filter and during a treatment procedure. Retrieval of the vascular filter may be accomplished using either the aspiration catheter or a separate retrieval catheter. |
| US08123771B2 |
Lancing unit, lancing member removal tool and lancing apparatus
A lancing unit (U) includes a support member (1) provided with engagement means (19A) which is inserted into a housing (4) of a lancing apparatus (A) for engagement with an engagement surface (24a) of a lancing member (2) when the lancing member (2) is mounted to a movable member (5) of the lancing apparatus. The removal of the lancing member (2) from the movable member (5) after the lancing member (2) is mounted to the movable member (5) can be easily and reliably performed by inserting the engagement means (19A) into the housing (4) and then pulling the engagement means out of the housing (4). |
| US08123770B2 |
Angioplasty cutting device and method for treating a stenotic lesion in a body vessel
An integrally formed angioplasty cutting device for balloon angioplasty of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel. The device comprises a distal collar and a proximal collar. The device further comprises at least one strut integrally formed with the distal collar and the proximal collar. At least one of the collars has a slot formed therethrough defining a C-shaped configuration. The strut is configured to be disposed at the stenotic lesion to engage the stenotic lesion for dilatation of the body vessel during angioplasty. |
| US08123769B2 |
Thrombus removal device
A thrombi removal device includes a shaft with a distal end and a proximal end and a helical coil attached at one end to the distal end of the shaft and extending in the distal direction from the shaft. The coil has a plurality of body portions with turns or winding spaced apart longitudinally and laterally to facilitate screwing the coil into the thrombus and to provide a sufficient open area into which the thrombus can be captured. The distal end of the coil is provided with a loop. The angle of the loop relative to a longitudinal axis extending through the helical coil is about the same as the angle of at least one body portion. |
| US08123762B2 |
Suturing instrument
The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having an articulating distal portion biased offset from the elongate member, and a sheath slideably disposed about the elongate member. The user positions the sheath in contact with the articulating distal portion to actuate the distal portion relative to the elongate member. The articulating distal portion is pivotally coupled to the elongate member for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during surgical procedures. |
| US08123761B2 |
Device for removing a tick
The invention relates to a device for removing a parasite from the skin of a host, wherein the device comprises engaging means for engaging the parasite and removing the parasite from the skin of the host, and wherein the device comprises fixation means for fixing the device on the skin of the host, wherein the engaging means are adapted for movement. The device is preferably provided with administering means for the purpose of supplying a cooling medium to at least the parasite. The invention also relates to a method for removing a parasite from the skin, comprising of engaging the parasite, removing the parasite from the skin of the host, supplying a cooling medium to the parasite, fixing the device on the skin of the host and moving the engaging means for the purpose of engaging the parasite. |
| US08123757B2 |
Inserter instrument and implant clip
A method and apparatus assisting safe one-handed insertion of an implant. An implant implantation device has a frame which includes a trigger mechanism, an outer sleeve mechanically coupled to the frame, an inner shaft having a grabber for mechanically engaging an implant, the inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer sleeve, and a retaining element disposed over the inner shaft for directing the grabber toward a closed position. An implant clip has a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member, a first implant holder pivotally coupled to the first member, the coupling causing the implant clip to have a closed position and an open position, and a second implant holder, the second implant holder pivotally coupled to the second member, a surface of the first implant holder and a surface of the second implant holder remaining substantially parallel to each other while the first member and the second member pivot between the closed position and the open position. |
| US08123756B2 |
High pressure delivery system
This relates to an improved delivery system for accurately loading and controlling the delivery of flowable material to a patient. Particularly, the system may be used in the injection of hard tissue implant materials such as PMMA under pressures up to about 4000 psi. The system includes an applicator with a first column having an implant material introduction section adapted to provide for effective loading of the implant material and a second column housing a piston. The introduction section has a larger size than that of a vessel section or bore in which the requisite pressure seal between the piston and bore wall is formed. The first column may include an introduction section flared open to an included larger funnel-like opening or a separate funnel may be used that interfaces with the introduction section to facilitate the introduction of implant material. Handles on the first and second columns to be turned relative to each other to advance the columns toward each other may be provided for manual actuation of the applicator to drive implant material through a cannula and deliver implant material to a desired site. |
| US08123755B2 |
Tissue distraction device
An apparatus and method is provided for interbody fusion including distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column. |
| US08123752B2 |
Systems and methods for injecting bone filler into the spine
A method for strengthening a spinous process comprises positioning a framework over an outer surface of the spinous process, the framework comprising a mesh connected to a frame. Bone filler is distributed over the mesh so that the bone filler contacts the mesh and contacts the spinous process. The bone filler is allowed to cure. A jig is positioned at the spinous process so that a slot through the jig is exposed to a side of the spinous process. A cannula is oriented so that the cannula is receivable in the slot, and insertable into the spinous process through the slot. Bone filler is injected into the spinous process by way of the cannula, with the injection terminating when a desired amount of bone filler has been injected into the spinous process. The cannula is then removed and the bone filler allowed to cure within the vertebra. The above steps can also be accomplished simultaneously or in any order. Further, bone filler injected into the spinous process can also contact the mesh as the bone filler passes at least partially through the spinous process. |
| US08123750B2 |
Apparatus and methods for removal of intervertebral disc tissues
Apparatus and methods for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. Other apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, an inner guide tube, a cutting head, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. The elongated guide tube has a bendable end. The apparatus are generally configured to extend and withdraw a rotary cutting member while controllably bending the bendable end of the guide tube. |
| US08123749B2 |
Low profile spinal tethering systems
Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body. |
| US08123745B2 |
Ablation catheter with optically transparent, electrically conductive tip
A catheter enables real-time light measurements, for example, without limitation, diffuse reflectance, fluorescence, etc., from biological materials, such as tissue (including blood), while performing RF ablation. The catheter tip design isolates illumination and collection paths such that light exits the catheter tip and travels through the tissue of interest (e.g., cardiac tissue or blood) before returning to the catheter tip. Such a design advantageously avoids saturation of the optical detector, and ensures diffusion of the illumination light within the medium of interest. The catheter has a catheter body and a tip electrode. The tip electrode has an exterior shell, an inner layer of diffuse material and a hollow cavity, wherein the inner layer is configured to transmit light outside the tip electrode to a tissue via a set of illumination openings in the shell wall and the hollow cavity is configured to receive light from the tissue via a set of collection openings in the shell wall and the inner layer. An inner surface of the inner layer has a reflective coating to isolate light injected into the inner layer from light collected in the hollow cavity. There are a first optical waveguide extending between the catheter body and the tip electrode to inject light into the inner layer and illuminate the tissue, and a second optical waveguide extending between the catheter body and the tip electrode to collect the recaptured light in the hollow cavity. |
| US08123742B2 |
Catheter and method for ablation of atrial tissue
Featured is a catheter device for ablating tissue that includes an elongated body member having a distal portion and a deflection mechanism operably coupled to the distal portion so as to cause the distal portion to deflect with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body member. Such a catheter device also includes a guide member and a guiding mechanism that is coupled to the elongated body member and is configured so as to guide the guide member. The guiding mechanism includes an exit portion from which the guide member exits during deployment. The exit portion is disposed with respect to the distal portion end so the distal portion deflects from and with respect to the guide member as well as rotating about the guide member. Also featured are systems and methods related thereto. |
| US08123739B2 |
Drainage catheter and method for catheterizing a patient
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a drainage catheter for draining part of patient's body is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated member having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion and a lumen formed therethrough for fluid communication with the patient's body. The distal portion is formed of a polymer material having a first phase transition temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about body temperature. The distal portion has a first configuration when at about body temperature for at least one of moving and anchoring the distal portion within the patient's body. The distal portion self-configures to a second configuration when at a temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for retrieval of the distal portion from the patient's body. |
| US08123737B2 |
Multichannel catheter
This invention is a single, multichannel catheter useful for extracorporeal circulation of blood to a patient undergoing cardiovascular treatments or surgery. The catheter has three independent channels and an expandable balloon at one end of the catheter. The first channel (34) is the largest and is of a size that allows for delivery of blood to a patient in an amount sufficient to maintain the patient's metabolism and perfusion throughout the treatment or surgery. A second channel (36), smaller than the first, is integrated into the wall of the first channel, and is suitable for delivering a biologically active fluid (e.g., for cardioplegia) to the heart and/or venting the left heart. A third channel (38), also smaller than the first, is integrated into the wall of the first channel, and suitable for delivering a fluid to the balloon for its expansion when positioned in the ascending aorta to occlude the flow of blood to the heart. It is important that the first channel accounts for at least about 70% of the total channel volume. The catheter provides an improved means of performing cardiovascular surgery on a patient using a cardiopulmonary machine for extracorporeal circulation of blood. The catheter is particularly useful for cardiac surgery. The multichannel catheter is best prepared using an extrusion molding technique. |
| US08123732B2 |
Bowel management system
A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient. |
| US08123731B2 |
Method and apparatus for disposing of liquid surgical waste for protection of healthcare workers
An improved method for measuring and automatically disposing of infectious waste generated during and after surgical and clinical procedures is provided. The infectious waste removal device includes a suction source, a method for pressure verification, separation chamber for isolating fluids, containment reservoir, measurement chamber for determining fluid received, an information source for such fluid volumes, a quantitative method for calculating fluid dynamics, a post use cleaning method, and other attributes for use by the surgical team or healthcare staff in order to minimize health care worker handling of said infectious waste and to limit their possible exposure. |
| US08123730B2 |
Medicinal composition and wound contact layer with a composition
The invention relates to a wound dressing, a wound contact layer and a medicinal composition comprising a hydrophilic base in which hydrocolloids are dispersed, wherein the hydrophilic base comprises at least one emulsifier and the use of said composition is for the treatment of wounds. |
| US08123725B2 |
Portable infusion pump of the skin patch type with spiral collapsible reservoir
An ambulatory pump comprising a reservoir (1) for holding the fluid to be pumped and having an outlet (7) through which fluid is expelled in use; a closure (8) device movable relative to the reservoir; and an actuator (14) for moving the closure device relative to the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is arranged in a spiral pattern. |
| US08123722B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat
Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc. |
| US08123721B2 |
Catheter having independently-deflectable segments and method of its manufacture
A catheter shaft includes a wall defining a lumen, a distal segment, and a proximal segment. At least one distal segment deflection wire extends through the proximal segment and terminates in the wall in the distal segment, while at least one proximal segment deflection wire extends through the proximal segment and terminates in the wall in the proximal segment. The proximal and distal segment deflection wires respectively permit the proximal and distal segments of the catheter shaft to deflect independently of each other. The catheter shaft may also include one or more wire reinforcing layers embedded in the wall. |
| US08123717B2 |
Therapy delivery system having an open architecture and a method thereof
A therapy delivery system having an open architecture and method of providing thereof are disclosed. The present invention provides a therapy dosage module having a control algorithm that can be replaced with a predefined or independently defined control algorithm. The tools necessary to create and test such control algorithms in the therapy dosage module in a simulated environment before implementing it in a live therapy system are also disclosed. |
| US08123713B2 |
System and method for collecting plasma protein fractions from separated blood components
Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel and further separator the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the separation vessel to receive the separated plasma. |
| US08123710B2 |
Limiting connector for knee brace
A limiting connector for a knee brace has a first arm, a second arm and an angle adjusting assembly. The second arm is connected pivotally to the first arm. The angle adjusting assembly is mounted between the first arm and the second arm, and has a positioning gear, a gear cap, two buttons and a rotating cap. The gear cap is mounted through the positioning gear and the second arm, and is mounted on the first arm to hold the positioning gear between the second arm and the gear cap. The buttons are selectively slid to engage the positioning gear and define a range of rotation between the first and second arms. The rotating cap is rotatably mounted through the gear cap, and pushes the positioning gear toward the first arm to disengage the positioning gear from the buttons for adjusting the range of rotation. |
| US08123707B2 |
Method and apparatus for connective tissue treatment
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for therapeutically treating connective tissue or increasing vascularization in tissue using ultrasound. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus which use ultrasound to stimulate growth or healing, or to treating pathologies, of connective tissue, or to increase vascularization in ischaemic or grafted tissue using ultrasound. |
| US08123705B2 |
Adjustable profile probe
An adjustable profile probe for insertion in a body cavity to sense a biological parameter includes an elongated shaft having a sensor panel and a resiliently expandable portion substantially opposing the sensor panel. An expansion mechanism is at least partially housed within the elongated shaft for varying the profile of the probe. The expansion mechanism includes a base plate adjacent to the resiliently expandable portion and a plurality of lever arms pivotally mounted to the base plate and the sensor panel. An actuating member pivotally connects to the lever arms such that upon movement of the actuating member, the resiliently expandable portion is selectively collapsed or expanded by the plurality of lever arms pivoting between a minimal profile position near parallel with the elongated shaft and an expanded profile position with the lever arms being near perpendicular to the elongated shaft. |
| US08123702B2 |
Composite guide wire with drawn and filled tube construction
The present invention is directed to an intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire, and method for making the device. The guidewire of the present invention is formed, at least in part, of a composite elongate core formed, at least in part, of precipitation hardened material. The elongate core members of the present invention will have an ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity greater than the same for an identically dimensioned elongate member formed from superelastic NITINOL alone. |
| US08123701B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sampling and analyzing body fluid
A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An onsite analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision. |
| US08123700B2 |
Method and apparatus for lancet launching device integrated onto a blood-sampling cartridge
A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment includes an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device (2). |
| US08123694B2 |
Electro pneumatic interface for blood pressure system
A blood pressure system that includes a compact monitor housing that contains a pneumatic circuit and an electrical circuit and a processor for inflating and deflating a cuff to provide blood pressure related data. A split connector allows the housing to interface both pneumatically and electronically with one or more independent cuffs and/or with one or more host stations. Each host station contains a dependent cuff and further electrical components to expand and enhance the systems output of related blood pressure data that is generated by either the independent or dependent cuffs. |
| US08123693B2 |
Methods and devices for determining lumen occlusion
Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of determining the occlusion of body lumens and apparatuses for doing so. In one particular embodiment, the occlusion of the fallopian tubes by an intrafallopian contraceptive device may be confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (also known as stimulated acoustic emission hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography). In these embodiments a contrast agent containing microbubbles is used. |
| US08123690B2 |
Ultrasound observation apparatus
An ultrasound observation apparatus of the present invention is an ultrasound observation apparatus capable of creating a blood flow image of a subject by receiving a reflection signal of a sound output signal transmitted to the subject as an electric signal, and performing various kinds of signal processing for the electric signal, and includes a transmission frequency switching section switching a frequency band of the sound output signal which is transmitted to the subject to a frequency band corresponding to an instruction signal which is outputted from an operation instructing section, and a blood flow color creating section changing a color at a time of visualizing the blood flow image by linking with switching of the frequency band by the transmission frequency switching section. |
| US08123688B2 |
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus
An angle calculating unit calculates a bending angle of a bone based on a plurality of surface points. A characteristic data calculating unit determines an indication value which reflects a load applied on the bone, a bone length of the bone, and a position of a fractured part. The characteristic data calculating unit calculates, as characteristic data reflecting a mechanical characteristic of the bone, a proportionality constant indicating a ratio between the indication value and the bending angle of the bone. |
| US08123687B2 |
Intraocular pressure sensor
An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. The sealed geometric shape has a first light permitting surface and a second flexible surface. A pair of photocells is located in the sealed geometric shape. A light shield is coupled to the second flexible surface. When the second flexible surface is deflected, a light measurement by the pair of photocells indicates an intraocular pressure condition. |
| US08123686B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing rolling data in communication systems
Methods and systems for providing data communication in medical systems are disclosed. |
| US08123678B2 |
Endoscope apparatus, actuators, and methods therefor
The present invention provides, in part, a dexterous endoscope apparatus, referred to herein as a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is an novel, small diameter, e.g., less about 1 mm to about 4 mm, about 1 mm to about 3 mm, etc., dexterous endoscope that allows for access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, treatment, etc. of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS of the invention is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, e.g., a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In certain embodiments, the heater element may include an integrated heater/sensor element adapted to heat the actuator element and to sense the temperature and bend state of the actuator element. In configurations comprising a plurality of actuator elements, multiplexing/demultiplexing of heating currents and sensor voltages may be accomplished via a parallel bus and demulitplexing circuit. In this regard, a demultiplexing circuit using standard microelectronic fabrication techniques may be designed to achieve individual sensing and control over each actuator element. |
| US08123675B2 |
System and method for augmentation of endoscopic surgery
A robotic device for use in surgery includes a first surgical instrument having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft extending therebetween, the distal end of the first instrument and adjacent shaft being insertable distally into a first incision; a first manipulator movably supporting the first instrument; a plurality of motorized drives coupled to the manipulator; an input device having an input movable in two degrees of freedom; and a computer coupling the input device to the motorized drives so that the motorized drives effect a motion of the first surgical instrument in response to movement of the input, a center of the motion located along the shaft at the incision when the first instrument is used during surgery. |
| US08123667B2 |
Centrifuge, in particular separator, having a feed line for control fluid
A separator includes a rotatable centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation. The separator includes a rotatable drive spindle to drive the drum, an hydraulic system located in an interior of the drum and at least one feed line to feed a control fluid to the drum, the at least one feed line having an outlet region. Further included is a ring non-rotatably connected to the drum, a gap located between one of the drive spindle and the drum and the drive spindle and the ring. The feed line leads out radially in front of the drive spindle in the outlet region. The outlet region is oriented and configured such that emerging control fluid is spread directly against the drive spindle, and a portion of the control fluid enters through the gap into the hydraulic system. |
| US08123655B2 |
Power output apparatus, drive system, and control method of power output apparatus
The technique of the invention is applied to a motor vehicle where an engine and a first motor are linked to a driveshaft via a planetary gear mechanism, a second motor is linked to the driveshaft via a transmission, and a battery is arranged to receive and transmit electric power from and to the first motor and the second motor. In response to a deviation of the charge-discharge state of the battery from an allowable control range set as an allowable charge state range of the battery during an upshift, gear change control of the invention sets a gearshift condition change flag F1 to 1 (step S360) and sets a value N2 having a smaller absolute value than a value N1 to a target rotation speed change ΔNm2* of the second motor (step S380). The gear change control then sets a hydraulic pressure command Pb1* of a brake B1 included in the transmission to make an actual rotation speed change ΔNm2 of the second motor approach to the target rotation speed change ΔNm2* (step S400). This arrangement reduces a rate of change in rotation speed Nm2 of the second motor. The reduced rate of change in rotation speed Nm2 prevents a continuous decrease or a continuous increase in power consumption of the second motor that is caused by, for example, delayed detection, delayed computation, and delayed communication, thus effectively protecting the battery from excessive power input and excessive power output. |
| US08123653B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed. |
| US08123650B2 |
Multi-speed transaxle for a front wheel drive vehicle
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. |
| US08123646B2 |
Vehicle transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio
A first embodiment of a vehicle transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio contains a CVT variator with two variator shafts, an input shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, and an output shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, such that two forward driving ranges with opposite torque transmission directions of the CVT variator are present, whose transmission ratio ranges are constantly contiguous with each other. |
| US08123644B2 |
Traction-drive type driving-force transmission mechanism and image forming apparatus equipped therewith
A traction-drive type driving-force transmission mechanism has a sun roller. Planetary roller units are orbitally movable along an outer surface of the sun roller. A pressing member presses the planetary roller units toward the outer surface of the sun roller and allows a driving force to be transmitted by a traction force between the sun roller and the planetary roller units. Each planetary roller unit includes a first planetary roller rotatably supported by a first shaft and adapted to move orbitally along the outer surface of the sun roller, and a second planetary roller rotatably supported by a second shaft while allowing an outer surface thereof to contact an outer surface of the first planetary roller and the pressing surface, and adapted to press the outer peripheral surface of the first planetary roller against the outer peripheral surface of the sun roller during orbital movement of the planetary roller unit. |
| US08123643B2 |
Control device for vehicular drive system
A control device for a vehicular drive system including a differential portion having a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, the control device including a differential limiting device provided in the differential mechanism and operable to limit a differential function of the differential mechanism for thereby limiting a differential function of the differential portion, and a torque-response control portion for controlling a response of a change of an input torque of the differential portion to an operation of a manually operable vehicle accelerating member, depending upon whether the differential function of the differential mechanism is limited or not. |
| US08123638B2 |
High bounce structure: sky ball
A play ball having a high bounce capacity of at least 20 vertical feet and as much as 50 or 75 vertical feet is formed of a solid, elastomer thermoplastic polyurethane having a wall thickness of 3-5 mm, containing gas at a pressure preferably greater than 0.65 kfg/cm2. |
| US08123636B1 |
Hunting arrow with phosphorescent indicator
A device and method by which hunting arrows are provided with a plurality of phosphorescent vanes to aid in their location and retrieval, particularly during times of limited visibility is herein disclosed. The plurality of vanes of the arrow are coated with a phosphorescent paint which will self-luminescence at night and give off radiation in the form of visible light. Additionally, the phosphorescent nature of the paint makes finding the arrow easier during the day. |
| US08123635B2 |
Arm extension apparatus
An arm extension apparatus includes a base having an elongate configuration. The apparatus includes a paddle coupled to the base and having proximal and distal portions, the paddle being slidably movable relative to the base between a retracted configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially received adjacent the base and an extended configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially extended from the base. An attachment member is coupled to the base and having a configuration complementary to the person's arm, the attachment member having a strap extending therefrom for removably securing the attachment member to the person's arm. |
| US08123634B1 |
Programmable basketball shot setup and return device
An automatic or manually operated basketball return unit with remote control device that is placed under a basketball hoop having a hopper at its top distal end that funnels down to a return tube allowing basketballs to engage a motorized return mechanism which expels the basketball out a return chute and too the user. The return unit comprises a support housing with rotating compression wheels, each having a motor which ejects the ball out an aperture. The unit rotates 180 degrees manually or automatically. |
| US08123633B2 |
Multi-layer golf ball
Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. |
| US08123632B2 |
Multi-layer golf ball
Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. |
| US08123630B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover, in this order, and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The core has a hardness which gradually increases from a center to a surface thereof, the hardness difference in JIS-C hardness units between the core center and the core surface being at least 15 and, letting (I) be the average value for cross-sectional hardnesses at a position about 15 mm from the core center and at the core center and letting (II) be the cross-sectional hardness at a position about 7.5 mm from the core center, the hardness difference (I)−(II) in JIS-C units being not more than ±2. The envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have hardnesses which satisfy the condition: cover hardness>intermediate layer hardness>envelope layer hardness. |
| US08123628B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 3 to 20 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance and has a good feel on impact. |
| US08123621B2 |
Storing data in wagering game systems
Systems, methods, and apparatus for storing wagering game data are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wagering game unit configured to begin presentation of a wagering game and to request that wagering game data be stored. The wagering game can also be configured to wait for an indication that the wagering game data has been stored, and, after receipt of the indication, to resume presentation of the wagering game. The apparatus can also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) configured to store the wagering game data. The apparatus can also a hard disk drive configured to store the wagering game data. The apparatus can also include a storage controller configured to direct storage of the wagering game data in the NVRAM in response to the wagering game unit's request, to provide to the wagering game unit an indication that the wagering game data has been stored, and to direct storage of the wagering game data to the hard disk drive. |
| US08123615B2 |
Multiplayer gaming machine capable of changing voice pattern
Herein disclosed is a gaming machine executing a game and paying out a predetermined amount of credits according to a game result; generating voice data based on a player's voice; identifying a voice pattern corresponding to the voice data by retrieving the dialogue voice database and identifying a type of voice corresponding to the voice data, so as to store the voice data along with the voice pattern into the memory; calculating a value indicative of a game result, and updating the play history data stored in the memory using the result of the calculation; comparing the play history data thus updated with a predetermined threshold value data; generating voice data according to the voice pattern based on the play history data if the play history data thus updated exceeds the predetermined threshold value data; and outputting voices from the speaker. |
| US08123614B2 |
Gamepiece controller using a movable position-sensing display device including a movement currency mode of movement
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible. |
| US08123613B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrated customer tracking and browsing
A system and method for tracking customer activity without need for an extensive interconnecting network. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from one another. Information, including tracked customer activity, bonus requirements, and in one embodiment, personal information, is stored on a memory device communicable with the gaming devices. This allows implementation of an incentive program at reduced cost because the service devices themselves need not be networked together. |
| US08123610B2 |
Wagering game with group free-spin bonus
A method of conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes receiving wagers from players at the plurality of gaming machines to play a basic game. A plurality of symbols is displayed on each of the plurality of gaming machines. The plurality of symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome at each of the plurality of gaming machines. The method also includes aggregating a plurality of special-game triggering events at the plurality of gaming machines. In response to a predetermined number of the plurality of special-game triggering events being achieved, a community-based special event involving eligible of the plurality of gaming machines is initiated. |
| US08123604B2 |
Gaming system with card game and post round of play display of tracked cards
A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game, such as blackjack or 21 operable on a wager by a player, and an optional secondary game that is operable on a secondary game wager by a player. After placing a secondary game wager and satisfying certain criteria in the primary game, one or more players are provided with a secondary game card to be used in the secondary game. The secondary game is resolved after a player has accumulated a plurality of secondary game cards over the course of several sequentially played rounds of the primary game. |
| US08123603B2 |
Gaming machine allowing player to select dealer and control method thereof
A gaming machine of the present invention displays a dealer image selected from a plurality of types of dealer images to a display, and offers a profit (e.g. a game support advantageous for the player) in accordance with the dealer image to a station where an additional BET has been placed. Then, the gaming machine calculates and compares a total number of BETs in each station over a unit number of games, and accepts a selection of a dealer image at the station where the total number of BETs is the largest. |
| US08123602B2 |
Game device and program
A game device for performing a game such that, when a first-choice display object is freely chosen via a pointing operation performed by a player from among a large number of display objects, a second-choice object is then required to be determined as a correct choice. The game device includes a determining means determining whether or not the display object of interest has been chosen based on position coordinates input from an input means and a choice determination range. The game device also includes a correcting means performing, when the correct second-choice object has been determined, correction processing for changing the size of a choice determination range for a display object of interest used for the determination processing so that the choice determination range for a correct choice display object becomes relatively larger than the choice determination range for an incorrect choice display object. |
| US08123600B2 |
Storage medium storing game program and game apparatus
A game apparatus causes a character object to perform a first hitting motion on the necessary condition that a to-be-hit object is present in a first area 104a which is set based on a position of the character object in a virtual game space, and causes the character object to perform a second hitting motion on the necessary condition that the to-be-hit object is present in a second area 104b, 104c, or 104d. Furthermore, the game apparatus adjusts a position of at least one of at least a part of the character object and the to-be-hit object, such that when the character object is caused to perform the second hitting motion, the character object and the to-be-hit object are in a predetermined positional relationship. |
| US08123591B2 |
Abrasive pump for an abrasive jet cutting machine
An abrasive supply system may, for example, be used to supply abrasive particles such as garnet to a cutting nozzle of an abrasive jet cutter. According to an embodiment, the abrasive is propelled by a substantially constant flow rate gas source. According to an embodiment, the system may be supplied with abrasive from an atmospheric pressure abrasive hopper. According to an embodiment, a controller automatically actuates refilling of an abrasive tank from the abrasive hopper, and then automatically closes an abrasive supply valve and restarts abrasive propulsion. According to an embodiment, the controller may include or consist of pneumatic logic. |
| US08123590B2 |
Double-layer fabric garment and production method
Described is a double-layer fabric garment. The garment is formed of a tubular fabric element that comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an initial edge portion. The second portion has specific areas of fabric with increased compression strength and an end portion. The initial edge of the first portion is connected with the end portion of the second portion, thereby creating a space between the first portion and the second portion and forming a seamless double-layer fabric garment. Thus, the first portion operates as an outer fabric layer and the second portion operates as an inner fabric layer, whereby the specific areas of fabric with increased compression strength of the second portion provide an increased shaping effect to a user while wearing the double-layer fabric garment. Therefore, the inner fabric layer provides a shaping effect while concealed by the overlaid outer layer. |
| US08123587B2 |
Convertible bra
An intimate apparel apparatus includes a brassiere frame with a chest band for securing the brassiere frame to the wearer, and a first arcuate recess in the brassiere frame for receiving a first detachable brassiere cup. A first arcuate channel is located along the edge of first arcuate recess. A first detachable brassiere cup has a first arcuate latch at a perimeter thereof. The first arcuate latch and the first arcuate channel are slidably engageable with one another, and have substantially identical cross sections, such that the substantially identical cross sections resist transverse separation from each other when slidably engaged. An intimate apparel set includes at least one brassiere garment as described above, and additionally further pair or pairs of detachable brassiere cups, interchangeable with those already described. |
| US08123582B2 |
Manufacturing method of airtight container and image displaying apparatus
An airtight container manufacturing method includes the steps of exhausting an inside of a container through a through-hole provided in the container, arranging a plate member having, at its periphery, grooves penetrating the plate member in its plate thickness direction, on an outer surface of the exhausted container, so as to close up the through-hole, and providing a sealant on the plate member. In addition, a cover member covers the plate member via the sealant, and the container is sealed by closing the cover member on the plate member. In the sealing step the sealant is deformed and flows from the adjacent grooves to form a continuous shape and fill a space between the cover member and the outer surface of the container and along the periphery of the plate member. |
| US08123580B1 |
Interface system for segmented surfboard
A waterboard includes a head segment having a concave rear edge, a tail segment having a convex front edge, an interface system adapted to removably connect the head and tail segments together. The interface system includes a head interface connecter having a convex first surface attached to the concave rear edge of the head segment and having a first blade element extending from a second surface thereof, and includes a tail interface connecter having a concave first surface mating attached to the convex front edge of the tail segment and having a second surface mating with and removably attached to the second surface of the first interface connecter, wherein the tail interface connecter includes a slot to receive the blade element. |
| US08123578B2 |
Device for reducing the power demand for the propulsion of a ship
A device for reducing the power demand for the propulsion of a ship, and for broad-built or non-broad-built not-very-fast ships of any type which is affixed to the hull at a short distance upstream of the propeller, comprises a fore-nozzle with fins or hydrofoils that are arranged within the fore-nozzle, wherein the fore-nozzle, at the top, can be tilted forwards by up to 8°, on a horizontal transverse axis that extends through the centre of the fore-nozzle. |
| US08123576B2 |
Connecting structure of snap electrode and electric wire
A structure of electrically connecting a snap electrode for medical purposes is easily attached/detached to/from various monitoring pads attached to a human body to measure electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), brain wave and nervous system signals and electrically connected to medical equipment, to an electric wire using a pressing method instead of welding. The connecting structure of a snap electrode and an electric wire includes a body having a convex portion, which is formed on the top of the body and has a groove formed on the circumference thereof, in which a combining part is fitted, and the combining protrusion having a ring shape and including a predetermined number of elastic fixing pieces protruded from the inner side thereof and a pair of first pressing pieces protruded from one side thereof and combined with an electric wire. A combining protrusion of a pad is inserted into the body. |
| US08123575B2 |
Crimping terminal fitting, method of forming it and wire with terminal fitting
A crimping terminal fitting has a wire barrel (21) to be crimped and connected to core strands (31) of a wire (30). The wire barrel (21) has a base plate (23) continuously extending from a ground terminal (11) in a longitudinal direction. Two core crimping pieces (25) extend from the opposite sides of the base plate (23). A thinned portion (27) is formed at least at a leading end of each core crimping piece (25) and is thinner than the base plate (23). |
| US08123574B2 |
Contact having increased resilience for use with electrical connector
A contact adapted for electrically connecting with an IC package and a printed circuit board, comprises a base portion adapted for being retained to an insulating housing, a solder portion extending from a lower end of the base portion and a turned portion bent downwardly from one end of the base portion. The solder portion is adapted for soldering the contact to the printed circuit board. The contact further includes a resilient arm extending upwardly from a bottom end of the turned portion. The resilient arm has an inclined portion and a cantilever beam. The inclined portion is connecting with the turned portion. The cantilever extends upwardly from a top end of the inclined portion and toward the turned portion to lengthen the resilient arm of the contact. Housing cavities may be formed to cause pre-loading of the resilient arms as they are inserted into the cavities. |
| US08123562B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with improved contact soldering ends
An electrical connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) assembled in the insulative housing, a cable (4) welded with the contacts. The insulative housing includes a base portion (11), a tongue portion (12) integral with the base portion for defining a mating direction. The contacts has a number of contacting portions (212, 222) received in the tongue portion and partly extending beyond the tongue portion and a number of soldering portions (211, 221) extending rearward out of the base portion. The soldering portions include at least one pair of upper-and-lower soldering portions (26, 28, 27, 29). Each upper soldering portion opposingly faces a corresponding lower soldering portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mating direction. The cable is connected with respective soldering portions of the contacts. |
| US08123561B2 |
Electrical connector shielding shell
An electrical connector having a shielding shell, an insulation body clad with the shielding shell, and signal terminals received in the insulation body. The shielding shell has a first wall, and ground terminals extend towards the insertion interface and are bent towards the interior of the shielding shell from a mating side of the first wall close to the mating surface. A protection body corresponding to each ground terminal is disposed on the rust wall, and each protection body includes a guide portion located on one side of each protection body close to the insertion interface and a stopping portion extended from the guide portion. The guide portion is closer to the insertion interface than the contact portion of the ground terminal, and the height of the stopping portion is lower than that of the contact portion. |
| US08123555B2 |
Coaxial electrical connector with anti-wick system
A coaxial electrical connector includes a metallic shell having a tubular section with an axial direction and a soldering leg, a central contacts having a contacting section extending in the axial direction within the tubular section and a dielectric seat molded so as to hold together said metallic shell and the central contact as a unit. The metallic shell defines a filled groove around an inner face thereof and perpendicular to the axial direction. The filled groove is to receive a projection of the dielectric seat during a cool process of a molded process to form the coaxial electrical connector. |
| US08123546B2 |
Connector for large power transmission
A connector includes a male terminal housing with a plurality of first connecting terminals aligned and accommodated therein, a female terminal housing with a plurality of second connecting terminals aligned and accommodated therein, a plurality of isolating plates aligned and accommodated in the male terminal housing, a connecting member, and a lever mechanism including a lever to rotate a head of the connecting member so as to press the head of the connecting member against the adjacent one of the plurality of insulation plates. The lever mechanism further includes an operation permitting means that permits the connecting member to collectively fix the plurality of first connecting terminals and the plurality of second connecting terminals at the contacts, when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are in a predetermined fitting state. |
| US08123544B2 |
Electrical connector assembly adapted to withstand rotational movement
An electrical connector assembly, which can easily disengage a first connector from a second connector without damaging constructional elements when excessive rotational moment is exerted on the one connector when connected to the second connector, is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector that connect with each other. The first connector includes a first housing, a first contact, and a latch. The second connector includes a second housing having a second contact and a shell attached to the second housing so as to cover the second housing. |
| US08123538B2 |
Electronic card connector
The present invention provides an electronic card connector, and intends to arrange one single testing terminal which forms a testing circuit together with an inherent conductive terminal of the electronic card connector, thereby obtaining a testing function which must be done by using two insertion pins in the prior art. Due to omitting one testing terminal, the volume of the electronic card connector is further reduced, and product assembly becomes more simply and opera table, thereby improving product efficiency, and greatly lowing manufacturing cost. |
| US08123535B1 |
Charging connector for electric vehicle
Provided is a charging connector for an electric vehicle including a connector housing having at least two terminal pin mounting openings, at least two terminal pins inserted into the terminal pin mounting openings such that front ends of the terminal pins are exposed through a front end of the connector housing, a sealing member arranged at the rear of the terminal pins in the connector housing, a support member arranged in front of the sealing member to prevent the sealing member from moving toward the front ends of the terminal pins, the support member having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the sealing member, and a rear holder connected to a rear end of the connector housing in a close contact with a rear end of the sealing member, and having cable insertion openings corresponding to the terminal pins, through which a power cable is inserted. |
| US08123534B1 |
Mounting features for straddle mount connectors
A straddle mount connector includes a housing that has a mating end and a mounting end configured to be mounted to an edge of a circuit board. The housing has a top and a bottom. The housing has an upper mounting feature extending from the mounting end proximate to the top and a lower mounting feature extending from the mounting end proximate to the bottom. The upper and lower mounting features are configured to extend into an opening through the circuit board to secure the housing to the circuit board. Contacts are held by the housing and extend from the mounting end and are configured to be terminated to both sides of the circuit board. The contacts are arranged at the mating end and are configured for mating with a corresponding mating component. |
| US08123533B2 |
Electrical connector saving development of mold
An electrical connector has an insulative housing defining a mating portion defining a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. A plurality of contacts is secured in the housing and define soldering tails. The contacts include a group of first contacts. A spacer is assembled to position the soldering tails and comprises first mounting holes to be inserted with the soldering tails of the first contacts. The first mounting holes of the spacer are lined in at least two rows and each row has a same number of the first mounting holes to a total number of the first contacts. |
| US08123521B1 |
Device for the registration of the position of a protruding mandible
A device for the registration of a mandibular position that is protruded relative to the normal position, with an impression plate that is flat on both sides and whose shape corresponds to the bite of the upper and the lower jaw, whose inner and outer contour is U-shaped, that comprises, in the area of the limbs of the U, finger-like registration surfaces that extend from the inner contour to the outer contour and are arranged at a distance from each other, and that is capable of limited elastic deformation in this area. Centered in relation to the limbs of the U, bite cones for accepting the upper incisors are arranged on the upper surface of the impression plate. A shaft that is of one piece with the impression plate, is centered on the impression plate, extends in an extension of the bite cones, serves for the manipulation as well as a holder of an element that can be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the shaft, can be moved in a longitudinal slot, and has bite cones on its underside for accepting the lower incisors. Due to its thinness and deformability, the device permits the production of removable registrates with only a small increase of the occlusal height. Due to the chosen thickness of the device it is ensured that no additional bite position change will occur in appliances to be manufactured later. |
| US08123519B2 |
Method and system for personalized orthodontic treatment
The present invention provides a plastic tray orthodontic device (11) which may have embedded activators (10) and which is provided with an over-shell (12). The over-shell (12) acts as a force module. |
| US08123518B2 |
Burner firing rate determination for modulating furnace
A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like. |
| US08123515B2 |
System and method for producing composite materials with variable shapes
This invention provides single-step pultrusion processes for producing fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) articles that may have variable cross sections and/or non-linear shapes. This unique capability results from the use of two sets of dies to form the article. The first is a set of moving dies connected together to form mating continuous loops of moving die links to: a) draw the FRP material into the apparatus; b) shape the cross section of the FRP material; c) cut the FRP material to the appropriate length; and d) hold the uncut FRP material in position for the next production cycle. The second set of dies forms a guide path mounted on opposing conveyers. The guide path includes heated die segments to define a curing section that may be non-linear. Cycling the moving die links through the curing section and/or cycling the conveyers provides a straightforward method for automated production of finished pultruded articles with unique shapes. |
| US08123514B2 |
Conforming template for patterning liquids disposed on substrates
The present invention includes a template for patterning liquids disposed on a substrate. The template includes a body having opposed first and second surfaces with one surface having at least one recess and the other surface having a patterning region. In one embodiment, the template may be mounted to a fluid chamber having an inlet and a throughway. The template may be connected to the throughway and the inlet is connected to a fluid source. |
| US08123511B2 |
Decoupled transverse flow metering gap and lip gap
The present invention provides a slot die that includes a flow passageway that includes a transverse flow-providing manifold, a flow metering section that provides a transverse flow metering gap, and an exit channel that includes an exit orifice. In accordance with the invention, a transverse flow metering gap may beneficially be selected independent of changing the gap or width of the exit office, using one or more normally non-adjustable die bodies. |
| US08123506B2 |
Rotary sliding vane compressor with a secondary compressed fluid inlet
The invention relates to increasing the fluid capacity and the fluid discharge pressure of a rotary sliding vane fluid compressor without significantly increasing the fluid discharge temperature. According to the invention supplemental air under pressure is added to a compressor's rotating pocket to increase the fluid capacity and fluid pressure in the pocket. |
| US08123505B2 |
Reciprocating pump with sealing collar arrangement
An objective is to provide a reciprocating pump kept from lowering its performances, while restraining the cost from increasing.Collars 14, 20, 21 made of a material more excellent in resistance to corrosion than a manifold 3 are interposed between the manifold 3 and sealing members 10, 22, 23 for liquid-tightly sealing the manifold 3, so as to prevent the parts in contact with the sealing members 10, 22, 23 from being corroded by a liquid for use, and fully exhibit sealing functions, thereby preventing leakage from occurring in a pump chamber 4 and the pressure oscillation from being increased by the leakage, while the collars 14, 20, 21 made of the material excellent in resistance to leakage are used only in the parts in contact with the sealing members 10, 22, 23. |
| US08123500B2 |
Diaphragm pump
In a diaphragm pump with two diaphragms disposed in a pump housing and actuated by an adjusting piston which can be acted on alternately and which is arranged in between the diaphragms, the diaphragms are fixed with curvatures facing one another, or a curvature facing away from one another, and two reaction spaces are formed between the diaphragms and a cylinder, the reaction spaces accommodating the adjusting piston and being filled with a hydraulic medium and connected together in a constrained arrangement by means of hydraulic linkage lines. Both diaphragms remain in position and do not fold over during a transition from a suction stroke to a pressure stroke, because the diaphragms are continuously in contact with the hydraulic lines and are thereby fixed in place, so that the diaphragms are not subjected to alternating loadings. |
| US08123498B2 |
Tunable choke tube for pulsation control device used with gas compressor
A method and system for reducing pulsation in a gas compressor system. A pulsation control device, such as a filter bottle or side branch absorber, is installed at a port into some location on the compressor system. The pulsation control device has a choke tube with a variable cross-sectional area, such as by having multiple conduits that may be opened or closed or a diameter that may be varied. In operation, the cross sectional area of the choke tube is varied depending on the compressor speed. |
| US08123497B2 |
Apparatus for compressing and storing oxygen enriched gas
A multiple-stage gas compressor is disclosed by this application. The compressor has a plurality of pistons, including at least one wobble piston assembly and at least one cylinder piston assembly for compressing pressurized gas from the at least one wobble piston. The wobble piston assembly includes a wobble piston head fixed to a wobble piston connecting rod. The cylinder piston assembly includes a cylindrical piston head pivotally connected to a cylindrical piston connecting rod. |
| US08123491B2 |
Methods and systems for energy exchange
Methods and systems for energy recovery in desalination or other systems are provided to transfer the pressure energy from one fluid to anther fluid. A system for energy recovery with a container comprises two sections separated by one or plurality of flexible impermeable diaphragms and pressures of the two fluids in the two sections are transmitted during the cyclical filling and pumping operations, as well as flow control valves. As one embodiment, two flexible impermeable tubes operable to receive two fluids of different pressures respectively connect to flow control valves. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated by the flexible impermeable diaphragm formed by the flexible tubes. Cyclical inflows of the two fluids transmit the higher pressure of one fluid to the other through the diaphragm and transfer the energy from one fluid to the other. |
| US08123489B2 |
Hollow aerofoil and a method of manufacturing a hollow aerofoil
A hollow aerofoil (30) comprises an aerofoil portion (40) having a leading edge (42), a trailing edge (44), a concave pressure surface wall (46) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44) and a convex suction surface (48) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44). The concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48) are integral and define a cavity (50). A plurality of webs (52) extend across the cavity (50) between the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48). At least one of the webs (52A) extends substantially perpendicularly to the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48) and at least one of the webs (52B) extends substantially diagonally to the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48). |
| US08123484B2 |
Torsional dynamic damper for a wind turbine and method of using same
A wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle located adjacent a top of the tower, a rotor coupled to the nacelle, and a dynamic vibration damper coupled to the tower and configured to dampen vibrations induced in the tower in a torsional direction while negligibly effecting vibrations induced in the tower in bending directions. The dynamic vibration damper may be tuned to a resonant frequency of the wind turbine in the torsional direction. A method of retrofitting a wind turbine with a vibration damper is also disclosed. |
| US08123480B2 |
Sensor setup for determination of deflection and/or strain
An elongated member of a wind turbine is disclosed which is potentially subject to strain and which comprises a sensor unit for determining the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member between a first point and a second point, which are assigned to the same side of the elongated member, and the sensor unit comprises a proximity sensor for determining the distance between the second point and a third point, the third point being connected to the first point by an inflexible support, the distance between the first point and the third point being considerably longer than the distance between the second point and the third point, wherein the sensor unit comprises a compressible and/or stretchable element located between the second point and the third point. Moreover, a wind turbine rotor blade and a tower of a wind turbine, each comprising a previously described elongated member, are disclosed. |
| US08123476B2 |
Method for regulating a wind energy installation
A method of operating installations (10), in particular wind energy installations (10), having a component (22) which endangers flying animals, in which the component assumes a first state which endangers animals to a greater extent and a second state which endangers animals to a lesser extent. The physical environment around the installation (10), in particular the environment around the component (22), is monitored at least in regions by a suitable detection device. The detection device produces a signal when an animal of a specific type, in particular a bat, a bird or the like, enters the monitored region, and in which case the component of the installation is moved from the state which endangers animals to a greater extent to the state which endangers animals to a lesser extent depending on the signal. |
| US08123470B2 |
Turbine assembly with semi-divided nozzle and half-collar piston
A turbine assembly for a turbocharger includes a variable nozzle formed by a sliding half-collar piston. A first-stage nozzle has a plurality of first vanes supported by a first nozzle ring and extending axially therefrom. A second-stage nozzle has a second nozzle ring connected to the ends of the first vanes, and a plurality of second vanes extending axially therefrom. The piston regulates flow through the second-stage nozzle, while the first-stage nozzle remains open when the piston is fully closed. The second nozzle ring at least partially divides the first vanes from the second vanes. The half-collar piston includes recesses that receive the second vanes and only partially surround the girth of each second vane. |
| US08123468B2 |
Centrifugal fan
A centrifugal fan used as a ventilating fan is provided which can increase a range of frequencies of noises in which noises can be suppressed and can adjust frequencies of noises at which noises can be suppressed. The centrifugal fan includes, in an outer casing, a motor that couples an impeller, a casing that surrounds a periphery of the impeller and has a bell-mouthed suction port on one side, and a bell-mouthed orifice that has an opening that is concentric with the suction port and has a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the suction port, wherein a member closing a clearance portion between an end of the orifice and the casing is a noise absorbing structural material, and a space formed by the orifice is a rear air layer, thereby forming a resonance type noise absorbing structure. |
| US08123467B2 |
Fan device with a vibration attenuating structure
A fan device with a vibration attenuating structure is disclosed. The fan device with a vibration attenuating structure comprises a fan and a frame covering the fan. The frame entirely covers the fan, and two opposing sides of the frame have an opening thereon. The openings are corresponding to blades of the fan to form the flowing path of the air. As above-mentioned, the frame performs as a buffering member for attenuating the vibration of the fan so as to prevent the noise generated by the vibration. |
| US08123466B2 |
Blade outer air seal
A turbine engine blade outer air seal segment has a body having a base portion. The base portion has a transversely concave ID face, a forward end, an aft end, and first and second circumferential edges. The body has at least one mounting hook. At least one cover plate is secured to the body to define at least one cavity. The cover plate has a plurality of feed holes. A plurality of outlet holes extend through the base portion to the ID face. At least one of the base portion and cover plate comprises a protruding portion protruding into the cavity to form a partial restriction separating circumferentially and fore-aft offset cavity portions. |
| US08123460B2 |
UAV pod cooling using integrated duct wall heat transfer
Electronic equipment frequently requires cooling to maintain the integrity and reliability of the equipment, and to elongate the life expectancy of the equipment. When in operation, the fan of a UAV creates airflow comprising outside air directed across the duct of the UAV. Utilizing this airflow generated by the fan of a UAV to provide heat transfer from a equipment enclosure accomplishes efficient heat transfer. The methods described herein for transferring heat from an equipment enclosure using an airflow generated by a fan of a UAV may be employed for UAVs having a variety of duct shapes, and having equipment enclosures inside the duct or in detachable equipment enclosures located on the duct of the UAV. |
| US08123459B2 |
Impeller, fuel pump having the impeller, and fuel supply unit having the fuel pump
A fuel pump has substantially coaxial outer and inner pump chambers. An impeller has partition walls correspondingly to the inner pump chamber to define inner vane grooves. A rear surface is located at a rear side in a rotative direction of each inner vane groove. At least a radially inner side of the rear surface inclines rearward in the rotative direction from the radially inner side to a radially outer side. A first line connects a radially inner end of the rear surface with a radially outer end of the rear surface. A second line radially extends from the radially inner end of the rear surface. The first line and the second line therebetween define a backward tilt angle α2, which satisfies a relationship of 30°≦α2≦80°. |
| US08123458B2 |
Stacked self-priming pump and centrifugal pump
A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet. |
| US08123456B2 |
Container changing system and container changing method
A container changing system able to prevent deterioration in the working rate of substrate processing apparatuses and deterioration in the amount of production of semiconductor devices. A second mounting portion is arranged between a carrier of a container conveying unit and a first mounting portion of a substrate processing apparatus with respect to a lifting direction of a container. The second mounting portion is configured to freely advance and withdraw to/from a lifting path of the container. A container lifting unit is arranged between the carrier and the second mounting portion with respect to the lifting direction. In the container lifting unit, a base portion is configured to freely advance and withdraw to/from the lifting path, a second holder is provided below the base portion and can hold the container, and a second lifter is arranged between the base portion and the second holder and configured to lift up/down the second holder between the base portion and the first mounting portion when the second holder is located opposed to the first mounting portion. |
| US08123455B2 |
Loading ramp and trailer
An apparatus that can function as a ramp in one position and as a trailer in another position is provided. When the apparatus is in the ramp position, vehicles can be loaded on to or unloaded off of a truck associated with the apparatus. When the apparatus is in a trailer position, the apparatus can transport vehicles secured thereon. The apparatus can be associated with a truck and transported therewith even when the apparatus is in neither the ramp position nor the trailer position. |
| US08123454B2 |
Garbage truck and self-contained loading and unloading system therefor
An elongated container of a truck has a closed front end wall and a hinged rear outlet closure, and a side infeed opening for receiving garbage. This empty container is configured to receive an elongated base upon which is mounted a reciprocating conveyor floor for moving garbage in the container outward through the opened rear closure for deposit at a garbage disposal site. The power drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating floor is located at the front end of the container and is shielded from input garbage by a deflector secured to the reciprocating floor. The deflector also serves as a pusher for compacting and moving garbage in the container out through the opened rear closure. The self-contained reciprocating floor is easily carried manually and fed through the opened rear closure and secured firmly in the truck container. |
| US08123452B2 |
Pre-spread device for grain spreader
A grain spreading device that uses a pre-spreading device within a cone shaped guide to provide uniform distribution of grain. Specifically, the pre-spreading device has an opening therein such that a distance between the opening and the outer periphery of the pre-spreading device forms a shelf to direct grain toward the opening to provide a uniform distribution of the grain. Additionally, the pre-spreading device can have laser cut knockouts to adjust the pre-spreading device to a plurality of different spreading devices. |
| US08123451B2 |
Method of and apparatus for forming a closure
A method and apparatus for forming a closure in which the closure includes a peelable panel with integral tab folded over the panel. The apparatus includes upper and lower reform tools, the upper reform tool having a tab relief feature and local scallops at each end of the tab relief. When reform tools move together for reforming, the tab relief feature is positioned over the tab fold and the scallops at the ends of the fold. As a result crushing and fracture of the tab during reforming is avoided. |
| US08123447B2 |
Method and apparatus for backing printed products
A method for backing printed products includes feeding signatures to a transport and stitching line of a gatherer stitcher by a plurality of feeders. A plurality of signatures are gathered on the transport and stitching line and forms a folded sheet assembly. The folded sheet assembly is stitched to form a brochure along the transport and stitching line. The spine of the brochure is backed along the transport and stitching line by a pressing apparatus. |
| US08123444B2 |
Coolant supply
The apparatus for supplying a cooling fluid to the outer surface of a tool consists of a guide element which surrounds the tool shank and gives rise to a laminar coolant flow. |
| US08123435B1 |
Interlocking revetment block with array of vegetation holes
A concrete revetment block having interlocking arms and sockets and an array of vegetation holes. Two arms and two sockets are formed in the block to provide interlocking capabilities with neighbor blocks of a mat. One arm of the block is constructed with a partial thickness and one socket is constructed with a partial depth, thereby providing vertical interlocking capabilities with the neighbor blocks. An array of holes is formed through the block to allow vegetation to grow therethrough. Various holes are located in the block to allow easy grasping of the block by a workman for lifting the same. The holes are formed in the core square of the block, with respective diameters related to the thickness of the block to maximize the hydraulic stability of the block. |
| US08123432B1 |
Soil-compactor with power steering
At the end of a guide handle of a vibration plate service as soil-compactor an actuating element is mounted which can be moved in relation to the guide handle. Each position of the actuating element is detected by a sensor device which transmits a corresponding signal to a hydraulic steering unit. In this way, the phase angles of unbalance masses can be modified which in turn influences the direction of travel of the vibration plate. |
| US08123428B2 |
Method and apparatus for locking telescoping members
An apparatus for locking an inner telescoping member into a desired position within an outer telescoping member or sleeve. A locking mechanism is carried by the inner telescoping member and includes locking pins supported for motion between respective retracted positions and respective extended positions engaging detents in the outer telescoping member. A synchronizing ring is operatively connected to the locking pins such that synchronizing ring rotation moves the locking pins between the locking pins' respective retracted and extended positions. |
| US08123426B2 |
Tube-shaped cosmetic container for discharging cream-type cosmetics
A tube-shaped cosmetics container for discharging cream-type cosmetics, and more particularly, to a tube-shaped container containing cream-type cosmetics, an intermediate member, and a cap. When the cap is opened, the discharger is opened, and when closed, the discharger is sealed, which makes the discharge of cream-type cosmetics easy. And when not in use, an intermediate member is pressed by being thread coupled, thereby the discharger is naturally sealed so that the discharge of cream-type cosmetics contained in the tube-shaped container is prevented, by which cream-type cosmetics is less wasted, and a clean state is always kept by preventing contamination of surrounding areas of the cosmetic container. |
| US08123423B2 |
Applicator with flexible dispensing end
An applicator with a flexible dispensing end is provided. The applicator includes a housing having an internal compartment configured to hold a container of skin sealant. The housing includes a dispensing end having at least one opening to permit the skin sealant to be dispensed. The housing includes an actuator configured to contact the container and release the skin sealant. The dispensing end has at least one movable member. The dispensing end is flexible and is configured to move on more than one axis, and up to three axes, sequentially or simultaneously, so that the skin sealant dispensed from the applicator may be uniformly applied to contours on a patient's skin. |
| US08123409B2 |
Journal bearing
A journal bearing has a plurality of pad stops which include a first pad stop located at a most forward position in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft, and the pad stops other than the first pad stop function as oiling nozzles for releasing lubricating oil between the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pads. |
| US08123408B2 |
Linear motion guide unit
A linear motion guide unit has a binding strip adapted to fasten a retainer plate to a carriage miniature in dimension, but long in lengthwise direction. The linear motion guide unit has a retainer plate lying lengthwise of the carriage in opposition to load-carrying race to keep more than one roller running through the load-carrying race, and a binding strip to fasten the retainer plate to the carriage. The binding strip is composed of a major part having any number of bents which are positioned at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of binding strip, and lengthwise opposite angled parts prepared to come into engagement with the end caps, so that the binding strip urges elastically at the bents thereof the retainer to come into close engagement with carriage. |
| US08123394B2 |
Mixer for liquid colorants and method for mixing liquid colorants
A mixer having a mixing pipe (1), a rotatable mixing unit (3) having back-mixing action, and a supply of the liquid colorant (4, 5) through the wall of the mixing pipe in the area of the mixing unit allows uniform mixing of liquid colorants of differing viscosities even with fixed-cycle supply of the liquid colorants. Mixing liquid colorants using this mixer allows direct dosing of the mixed liquid colorant into a plastic processing machine in the event of volumetric dosing of the employed liquid colorants. |
| US08123388B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
A vehicle headlamp has semiconductor-type light sources and lenses. Emission surfaces of the lenses are made of free curved faces controlled to be curved so that: projection images of light emitting chips of the semiconductor-type light sources, which is emitted from the emission surfaces, are not convexly curved in an upward direction from cutoff lines on a screen light distribution of a light distribution pattern for low beam. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can achieve downsizing, weight reduction, and cost reduction. In addition, the precision of assembling an optical element can be improved. |
| US08123387B2 |
LED lamp device
In an LED lamp device including a surface mount device type of LED lamp, an LED lighting circuit protecting part, a resistive element, a circuit part, and a case part, the circuit part has a metal plate which is embedded in the case part in a state where the metal plate is partially exposed, the LED lamp is mounted on the exposed portion on a front side of the metal plate, and the resistive element is mounted on the exposed portion on a rear side of the metal plate. |
| US08123382B2 |
Modular extruded heat sink
A modular heat sink includes one or more heat sink sections interconnected sequentially to each other to form a polar array. Each heat sink section includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part, where the first connecting part is configured to couple with the second connecting part of another heat sink section. Once assembled, the modular heat sink includes a channel formed substantially through the center of the modular heat sink. Each heat sink section is manufactured using an extrusion process. The assembled modular heat sink has one or more hollow portions within the overall shape that cannot be fabricated in a single extrusion process. One or more LEDs are coupled to the outer surface of the modular heat sink. The modular heat sink, with LEDs coupled thereto, is coupled to a wireway tube and mounted to a post-top light fixture to form an LED luminaire. |
| US08123379B2 |
Lighting device with sensor
The lighting device mainly contains an upper casing, an intermediate casing, a circuit board, and a lower casing. The intermediate casing has a cylindrical body with threads around a top end and a bottom end for joining with the upper and the lower casings, respectively. A spherical concave is provided in the center on the top side of the intermediate casing, surrounded by a number of LEDs. Inside the hollow lower casing, the circuit board is housed with appropriate wiring to the LEDs and a sensor assembly. The lower casing further has electrical contract means on a bottom side for introducing electricity. The spherical sensor assembly is rotatably placed in the spherical concave on the top side of the intermediate casing. |
| US08123377B2 |
Systems and methods for aircraft LED anti collision light
Aircraft anti-collision light (ACL) systems and methods are operable to emit light from light emitting diode (LED) lamps. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing, a plurality of LED lamps within the housing and configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of light emitted from the ACL, and a reflector within the housing that is configured to reflect the light received from the plurality of LED lamps in the direction of light emitted from the ACL. |
| US08123375B2 |
Tile for solid state lighting
A solid state lighting tile (10) includes a substrate having a planar surface. A first plurality of solid state light emitting devices (LEDs) are on the substrate. The first plurality of LEDs (19) are connected in series to form a first string of LEDs of a first color having an anode contact (22) at a first end of the tile and a cathode contact (24) at a second end of the tile. A second plurality of LEDs are on the substrate. The second plurality of LEDs (21) are connected in series to form a second string of LEDs of the first color having a cathode contact (28) at the first end of the tile and an anode contact (26) at the second end of the tile. |
| US08123374B2 |
Lighting appliance with a reduced encumbrance for industrial environments
A lighting appliance with a reduced encumbrance for industrial environments, comprising a head (11), equipped with an upper support (10) for hooking the appliance to the ceiling of an industrial warehouse or building in general, and two reflectors which can be disassembled from the appliance structure, one (13) above or inside the head (11), with a complex faceted optical system, and one (12) lower or outside the head (11), with a segmented geometry; a vertical regulation system of the lamp (15) of the lighting appliance allows the illuminating engineering characteristics of the appliance to be varied, obtaining different photometric conditions according to the distance of the lamp (15) from the work surface. |
| US08123373B2 |
People conveyor glass balustrade lighting
People conveyor (2) having an endless people transportation band (4) and an endless handrail (6), a glass balustrade (8) arranged laterally to the transportation band (4) and supporting the handrail (6), and a profile (10, 12) having an U-shaped channel (38) for engaging the glass balustrade (8) and comprising an illumination cavity (44), wherein a plurality of LEDs is arranged in the illumination cavity (44). |
| US08123372B1 |
Underwater lighting system
A housing has an open top, a closed bottom and a cylindrical side wall forming a chamber interiorly. The housing includes an annular lower flange extending outwardly from the top. A steel disk within the housing provides self-righting weighting. A lens is in an upwardly extending hemispherical configuration. The lens has an annular upper flange in mating contact with the lower flange. A socket assembly including a base is within the chamber. The base has projections terminating in spaced light sockets. A reflector in a downwardly extending semicircular configuration is within the chamber. A bulb has opposed ends. The opposed ends are removably received within the light sockets. Electrical components include a control station and weighted wires. The wires have upper ends coupled to the control station and lower ends coupled to the light sockets. |
| US08123371B2 |
All-reflective afocal telescope derived from the first two mirrors of a focal three-mirror anastigmat telescope
An all-reflective optical system includes a primary mirror of ellipsoidal configuration, a secondary mirror of hyperboloidal configuration facing the primary mirror, and an eye-piece that includes: a positive-powered tertiary mirror having a majority of positive power that is expected in the eye-piece and configured to substantially collimate light rays incident thereon; and a negative-powered near-flat quaternary mirror having lesser power than the tertiary mirror and configured to receive the substantially collimated light rays from the tertiary mirror, further collimate the received light rays and reflect the further collimated light rays to an exit pupil. The primary mirror, the secondary mirror and the eye-piece thereby form an afocal optical system. |
| US08123368B2 |
Optical beam scanning device, image forming apparatus
An optical beam scanning device includes a polygon mirror 80 in which tilt angles with respect to a rotation axis of the polygon mirror 80 of respective plural reflecting surfaces are set to angles corresponding to photoconductive members associated with the respective reflecting surfaces, a post-deflection optical system A1 that guides light beams reflected and deflected by the respective plural reflecting surfaces in the polygon mirror 80 to the photoconductive surfaces of the photoconductive members corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces, and a pre-deflection optical system 7a that shapes the light from the light source to be a light beam of a predetermined sectional shape and guides the light beam to the polygon mirror 80, the pre-deflection optical system 7a guiding the light from the light source to the polygon mirror 80 through an optical path that passes, in the main scanning direction, on an optical axis of the post-deflection optical system A1 and passes, in the sub-scanning direction, a position further apart from the optical axis of the post-deflection optical system A1 than all light beams after reflection and deflection guided by the post-deflection optical system A1. |
| US08123367B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for displaying image using laser light emission control
A projector that can prevent laser light from entering eyes is provided. A process that controls the projector includes the steps of detecting turning-on of power to the projector; detecting an input for adjusting the reflection direction of a two-axis galvanometer mirror; sending an instruction to reduce output from respective lasers, to an FPGA; setting signal values of the lasers respectively controlled by laser control circuits, to small values; determining whether a certain period of time has elapsed since an operation input is no longer performed on an operation panel; standing by the process for a certain period of time when the certain period of time has not elapsed since an operation input is no longer performed; and returning the signal values to a normal level when the certain period of time has elapsed since an operation input is no longer performed. |
| US08123366B2 |
Light source with truncated ellipsoidal reflector
An illumination device includes a light source device including an ellipsoidal reflector with a reflecting concave surface and a light emitting tube having an emission center in the vicinity of a first focal position of the ellipsoidal reflector, and defining a first focal position and a second focal position of the ellipsoidal reflector in a cross-sectional plane in a first virtual plane including a center axis of the ellipsoidal reflector as F1 and F2, respectively, and defining a first focal position and a second focal position of the ellipsoidal reflector in a cross-sectional plane in a second virtual plane including a center axis of the ellipsoidal reflector and perpendicular to the first virtual plane as F1′ and F2′, respectively, the ellipsoidal reflector has a rotationally asymmetrical concave shape having F1 and F1′ at the same position, and F2 located between the F2′ and the ellipsoidal reflector. |
| US08123365B2 |
One-way display using color filter
A one-way display system includes a transparent screen and a transparent color filter. An image is emitted by the screen or projected onto the screen. The image is formed from a combination of colored lights. Instead of spanning all the wavelengths of each color, each light only spans a narrow band of the color. The color filter removes the narrow band so the image is only visible from one side of the screen. As the color filter removes only the narrow band, one can still look out and see objects on the other side of the screen minus the colors of the narrow band. |
| US08123364B2 |
Rear-projection type display comprising a light measurement unit to measure reflected light from a fresnel screen
In order to provide a display apparatus with high image quality which can detect a change in light on an entire display frame without any influence on user's appreciation, a rear-projection type display apparatus which projects irradiating light from a light source unit onto a fresnel screen through a light valve includes a light measurement unit which is placed at a position where reflected light from the fresnel screen is condensed, and a control unit which controls the light valve on the basis of the measurement result obtained by the light measurement unit. |
| US08123363B2 |
Projector device, portable telephone and camera
A projector device that generates a projection image, photographs this projection image and performs various adjustments to the projection image. |
| US08123362B2 |
Lamp burst sound reduction structure and projector
There is provided a lamp burst sound reduction structure which may have an enlarged part in an intermediate position of a duct through which cooling air for cooling a light emitting unit of a lamp flows, the enlarged part may have a cross section area larger than a cross section area of the duct, the lamp being a light source of a projector. |
| US08123359B2 |
Illumination apparatus and projection display apparatus
The illumination apparatus includes a color separator configured to separate a white light beam, emitted from a white light source, into a plurality of color component light beams, a plurality of imagers each configured to modulate a corresponding one of the plurality of color component light beams separated by the color separator and a polarization modulator provided on a light incident side of one imager included in the plurality of imagers. The polarization modulator modulates a polarization direction of a modulation-object light beam which is part of a color component light beam guided to the one imager. |
| US08123356B2 |
Amplitude of accommodation measuring apparatus
Shift lenses 20L, 20R are provided on optical axes that pass through LCDs 40L, 40R for displaying an image for focusing. The shift lenses 20L, 20R are moved along the optical axes by pressing a focus button provided on a case 10 in accordance with an instruction displayed on the LCDs 40L, 40R. An amplitude of accommodation is calculated on the basis of a position where the image starts blurring upon moving the shift lenses 20L, 20R from a far point side focus position, and a position where the image starts blurring upon moving the shift lenses 20L, 20R from a near point side focus position. |
| US08123353B2 |
Ophthalmologic apparatus and method for the observation, examination, diagnosis, and/or treatment of an eye
An ophthalmologic apparatus and a method for the contactless observation, examination, treatment, and/or diagnosis of an eye. The apparatus is structurally based on a fundus camera or an ophthalmoscope. An illumination beam path extends from a first illumination source to the eye and is fitted with a perforated mirror and imaging optics, and an observation beam path extends from the eye to a detector via the imaging optics and through the perforated mirror. The arrangement additionally comprises a beam path for scanning illumination which extends from a second illumination source to the eye and is fitted with a scanning unit, a lens, and a beam splitter in addition to the imaging optics. The scanning unit that is arranged in the beam path for scanning illumination is designed as (an) electrostatically or/and galvanometrically driven bidirectional or unidirectional tilting mirror(s). |
| US08123352B2 |
Head mounted display
A head mounted display includes: a projection part which projects an image corresponding to image information onto a retina of an eye of a user; and an eyeglasses-type frame which supports the projection part. The eyeglasses-type frame includes a resilient bent portion having a Z shape in a plan view on middle portions of left and right temples thereof. The projection part is arranged in front of the resilient bent portion of the eyeglasses-type frame. |
| US08123347B2 |
Method of forming images using curable ink with gellant
Disclosed herein are methods of using inks with gellants, that can form a gel state, as receivers for particle materials. The inks are liquid when jetted, but quickly enter a tacky/semi-solid/gel state when cooled below ink gel temperature on a substrate and prior to curing. Dry powders and solid particulate substances of various types are then applied to the jetted inks and locked in place when the ink is cured. |
| US08123344B2 |
Ink carriers containing surface modified nanoparticles, phase change inks including same, and methods for making same
An ink carrier comprising a dispersion of at least one of silica nanoparticles surface modified with a hydrophobic group or metal oxide nanoparticles surface modified with a hydrophobic group exhibiting a substantially uniform distribution of said nanoparticles discretely distributed therewithin, said ink carrier being resistant to substantial aggregation of said nanoparticles distributed therewithin. |
| US08123337B2 |
Droplet deposition apparatus
A droplet deposition apparatus having an array of fluid chambers defined by a pair of opposing chamber walls, and in fluid communication with a nozzle for droplet ejection therefrom; a cover member is joined to the edges of the chamber walls and thus seals one side of the chambers. The cover member has a ratio of cover thickness to chamber wall separation less than or equal to 1:1. |
| US08123336B2 |
Printhead micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement with motion-transmitting structure
A micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit the nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber bounded by a distal sidewall and a proximal sidewall, and capped by a roof defining an ink ejection port; a paddle located in the nozzle chamber below the ink ejection port; an actuator arm positioned outside of the nozzle chamber in the vicinity of the proximal sidewall, the actuator arm having a fixed end fixed to a substrate of the nozzle arrangement and a working end displaceable towards and away from the substrate; and a motion transmitting structure interconnecting the working end of the actuator arm and the paddle. The motion transmitting structure defines part of the proximal sidewall. |
| US08123334B2 |
Liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus
A liquid ejection head has: a nozzle plate having a nozzle surface in which at least one nozzle for ejecting droplets of a liquid are formed; an anti-drying liquid supply port which supplies an anti-drying liquid to the nozzle surface of the nozzle plate; a flow channel portion which is formed in the nozzle surface and through which the anti-drying liquid supplied to the nozzle surface from the anti-drying liquid supply port flows; and an anti-drying liquid discharge port which suctions and discharges the anti-drying liquid flowing through the flow channel portion on the nozzle surface, from the nozzle surface, wherein, while the anti-drying liquid flows through the flow channel portion, the anti-drying liquid evaporates to increase humidity. |
| US08123333B2 |
Image forming apparatus and head unit
An image forming apparatus includes a head unit which has, on a bottom wall of the head unit, a jetting head having a plurality of nozzles for jetting the liquid droplets, and which jets the liquid droplets from the nozzles onto the recording medium while moving in a scanning direction; a gas inlet port which is open through a side wall, the side wall being orthogonal to the scanning direction of the head unit, and via which a gas is taken into the head unit when the head unit moves in the scanning direction; and a pair of gas discharge ports which is open through the bottom wall of the head unit, at positions on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, to interpose the nozzles therebetween, and via which the gas, taken from the gas inlet port, is discharged toward the recording medium. |
| US08123330B2 |
Circuit board for ink jet head, ink jet head having the same, method for cleaning the head and ink jet printing apparatus using the head
In an ink jet head using a thermal energy for ejecting ink, this invention aims to reliably and uniformly remove kogations deposited on a heat application portion in contact with the ink. To realize this objective, the upper protective layer is arranged in an area including the heat application portion so that it can be electrically connected to serve as an electrode which causes an electrochemical reaction with the ink. The upper protective layer is formed of a material containing a metal which is dissolved by the electrochemical reaction and which does not form, on heating, an oxide film which hinders the dissolution. With this arrangement, a reliable electrochemical reaction can be produced to dissolve a surface layer of the upper protective layer, thereby removing kogations on the heat application portion reliably and uniformly. |
| US08123329B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus and method
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a liquid set which includes a plurality of first liquids and a second liquid, the first liquids each containing solvent-insoluble materials, the second liquid causing the solvent-insoluble materials to form aggregate; a liquid ejection device which ejects the first liquids and the second liquid from different ejection ports; and a cleaning liquid supply device which supplies a cleaning liquid causing the aggregate of the solvent-insoluble materials to redispersed. The liquid set satisfies Dmax/Drain≦2.6, where Dmax is a maximum of average particle sizes of the solvent-insoluble materials in the first liquids, and Dmin is a minimum of the average particle sizes of the solvent-insoluble materials in the first liquids. |
| US08123322B1 |
Manually operated image translation device
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods related to a manually operated image translation device. The device may include a carriage, which houses image translation components, that is manually manipulated along a transverse member. An advancement arrangement may advance a medium when the image translation components clear an image translation zone of an adjacent medium. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08123312B2 |
Door assembly
A door assembly includes a hook hole, a door having a hook shaft to be placed in the hook hole, and a holder between the hook hole and the hook shaft for maintaining the door to be in a state the door is opened by a predetermined gap, wherein the holder includes a first holder to be engaged with the door and a second holder to be engaged with hook hole, wherein the second holder includes a hook member for placing in, and holding the hook hole. The assembly, for example, prevents a tub of a washing machine from being enclosed when the washing machine is not in operation. |
| US08123311B2 |
Portable display system and associated methods
A portable display system includes a display unit and a carrying case. The display unit includes a base, a plurality of posts, a top, a plurality of base fasteners, a plurality of post fasteners, a front panel, side panels and rear panels. The base has a top, a bottom, a rear, sides extending outwardly from the rear, a curved front opposite the rear, a plurality of passageways formed therein, and door receiving recesses formed in the top and extending laterally adjacent the rear. The plurality of posts engage the base to extend upwardly therefrom. The top engages the plurality of posts and preferably has a top, a bottom, a rear, sides extending outwardly from the rear, a curved front, a plurality of passageways formed therein, and door receiving recesses formed in the bottom and extending laterally adjacent the rear. The plurality of base fasteners extend through the passageways formed in the base to fasten the plurality of posts to the base, and the plurality of top fasteners extend through the passageways formed in the top to fasten the top to the posts. The plurality of top fasteners each includes a top, a locking member and a threaded post engagement member. |
| US08123310B2 |
Method for controlling a brake system of a motor vehicle
Disclosed is a method for controlling a brake system (1) of a motor vehicle having an electric-regenerative brake, in particular a generator (4), and a number of hydraulic friction brakes (2) driven by at least one brake pressure generating means by way of a braking medium (B). The brake system is controlled so that the total deceleration of the brake system is composed of deceleration components of the friction brakes (2) and the electric-regenerative brake, thus achieving maximum brake comfort. The braking medium (B) is discharged into a pressure accumulator (12) when braking with an electric-regenerative brake. |
| US08123309B2 |
Dual seal brake control valve
A brake control valve includes a housing, a quick braking chamber and a piston subject to brake pipe pressure on one side of the piston. A bore in the housing connects the quick braking chamber at a first end and the one side of the piston at a second end. A first valve is in the housing at the first end of the bore. A first operator is in the bore for opening the first valve for a range of positions of the piston. The bore has a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first bore portion connects the one side of the piston to the second bore portion. A first operator in the bore is connected to the piston. A seal on the first operator is dimensioned to form a seal with the first bore portion and not with the second bore portion. The seal is located on the operator to lie in the first bore portion for a first segment of the range of piston positions and to lie in the second bore portion for a second segment of the range of piston positions. |
| US08123308B2 |
Device for vibration-damping suspension of a unit
The invention relates to a device for suspending a unit, especially a hydraulic unit of an electronically traction-controlled brake system of a motor vehicle. The unit is suspended in a receptacle provided on the vehicle such that vibrations are damped. Hydraulic units of vehicle brake systems are usually equipped with an electric motor for driving pumps located in the hydraulic unit. The brake pressure in the wheel brakes can be modulated via the pumps. The pump drive can cause mechanical and hydraulic vibrations in the unit which can result in unwanted operational noise in case the vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle body without being damped. The improved device is manually preloaded due to limited space for using tools. A clamping mechanism is guided in an axially movable manner on an armature which is fixed to the hydraulic unit and which can be moved from a basic position into a clamping position. The clamping mechanism is interlocked with the armature in both positions. |
| US08123294B2 |
Harness storage system for child car seats
A car seat is formed with a harness storage cavity in the car seat shell for placement of the five-point harness to permit the conversion of the car seat into a belt positioning booster configuration without requiring the harness to be removed from the car seat shell. The headrest and back panel pads on the back rest are removed to provide access to the harness storage cavity which is covered by a hinged door. The harness buckle and the chest clip, still attached to the harness webbing, are placed into the storage cavity and the door closed to provide a flush surface on the seat back so that the child has a smooth supporting surface. The harness webbing projects out of slots to allow the webbing to lie flat beneath the headrest and back panel pads when replaced over the closed door to the storage cavity. |
| US08123288B2 |
Locking unit for rocking-reclining seating unit with power actuator
A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: (a) an upright position, (b) an intermediate TV position, in which an ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of a seat and a backrest and the seat substantially maintain the same relationship as in the upright position, and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the angle between the backrest and the seat increases; a reciprocating mechanism configured to enable the seat, the backrest and an associated reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed reciprocating motion relative to a base unit; and a locking unit that prevents reciprocating of the seating unit while in the TV and fully reclined positions by a locking unit that includes a capture member and a locking link that are configured such that the locking link resides in a corner section of the capture member when the seating unit is in the TV and fully reclined positions. |
| US08123287B2 |
Roof for a motor vehicle
A roof for a motor vehicle incorporating a roof channel has a cage with a slider guided therein in the vicinity of a retaining means for a roof rack. The slider can be displaced in the cage from a position closing the roof rack opening into a position exposing the roof rack opening. In addition, the cage holds a cover strip for the roof channel. The slider and the cage are made from a synthetic material and can be produced and installed in a particularly economical manner. |
| US08123284B2 |
Vehicle body component and mating feature
A vehicle body component having a body portion and male and female dovetail portions. The male and female dovetail portions have substantially trapezoidal cross sections. |
| US08123282B1 |
Semi-trailer sectional decking system
The present invention is a decking system that provides a height adjustable, sectional second floor in a semi-trailer for hauling freight. The system utilizes vertical tracks mounted on the inside of each side of the trailer. Each track on one side of the trailer is transversely aligned with a corresponding track on the opposite side of the trailer. E-bars are secured to and between opposed corresponding tracks for adjustable, vertical movement. Deck sections are mounted on the E-bars to support cargo. The deck sections may be positioned all at the same height or at different heights or may be inclined to form a ramp for loading or unloading cargo. |
| US08123277B2 |
Motor vehicle
A pivotable tailgate for a motor vehicle includes pivot arms disposed as one piece on the tailgate body at a distance from one another. At an upper end of each pivot arm, a respective hinge arm is provided, each of which is mounted in a roof section of the body so that there is sealing between an upper tailgate section, a tailgate body, and a tailgate opening via a single encircling seal disposed at the tailgate opening, without additional sealing of the respective pivot arms being required. |
| US08123273B2 |
Screen for motorcycle
A screen for a vehicle which allows air flow to flow appropriately along a rear face of a wind screen having an adjustable inclination angle. A baffle plate inclined toward the rear direction of a vehicle body is provided between a cowling which covers a front upper portion of the vehicle body and a movable wind screen. The inclination angle of the baffle plate can be adjusted so that air flow from between the cowling and the movable wind screen flows along a rear face of the movable wind screen. |
| US08123272B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat is taught that preferably include a seat cushion (10), a seat back (20) rotatably connected to the seat cushion via a reclining mechanism (30), front (40) and rear (46) legs removably connecting the seat cushion to a vehicle floor (66), a retracting link (50), an operating member capable of removing the front and rear legs from the floor, and a coupling link (54). The seat back can be rotated forwardly by unlocking the reclining mechanism, so as to be superimposed on the seat cushion. When the front and rear legs are removed from the floor, the seat can be moved from a use condition to a retracted condition depending on the motion of the retracting link. When the seat is moved from the use condition to the retracted condition, the coupling link rotates the front leg based on a displacement of the retracting link, thereby unlocking the reclining mechanism. |
| US08123271B1 |
Collapsible built-in tailgate bench seat
A foldable, thin plate seat frame that is permanently built-in to the tailgate of a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle. The device comprises a foldable bench seat, having a bottom seat plate and a back support plate. The device is built-in to a tailgate along its interior side and folds flush thereagainst, locking into place such that a user does not need to uninstall the device when in a stowed position. Cushions can be attached to the extended seat frame when the device is in a working position for added comfort. The seat frame folds about a hinge that separates the bottom seat plate and the back rest plate of the device. When the seat is in the open configuration, the seat frame hinge rests above the jamb of the open tailgate such as to not interfere with the tailgate's ability to open or close. |
| US08123269B2 |
Lifting device
A lifting device generally includes a handle portion having first and second ends and a support portion having first and second ends. The first end of the support portion is pivotably coupled to the first end of the handle portion and the second end of the support portion is releasably engageable with the second end of the handle portion, such that the lifting device may be positioned in at least a closed position and an open position. |
| US08123267B2 |
Lifting apparatus for truck tires
A tool for lifting truck tires from a prone position to an upright position. The tool has a frame which extends over the length of a truck tire to a leverage point at one end of the tire. The frame is attached to a plate which is adapted to slide underneath the other side of the truck tire. Two handles extend from the frame at an angle and a length to allow maximum leverage for an operator of the tool. The frame may have many shapes, but preferably is angled to exert force at a point opposite the plate. |
| US08123263B2 |
Energy management beam
A tube comprising an outer tube section with a stepped outer surface and an inner tube section, with the inner tube section being located within the outer tube section. The tube also comprises a spanning section connecting an end of the outer tube section to an end of the inner tube section. The outer tube section is longer than the inner tube section, whereby, upon undergoing a longitudinal impact, the outer tube section crushes predictably and sooner than the inner tube section upon the energy management tube receiving forces from the longitudinal impact, to thereby create a first energy absorption level during crushing of the outer tube section alone and a second energy absorption level during crushing of the outer tube section and the inner tube section. |
| US08123259B2 |
Loose anti-rotation lock sleeve for pipe/flange assembly
A loose anti-rotation lock sleeve design for use in a flange and pipe assembly. The design includes a lock sleeve positioned between a pipe and a flange to prevent rotation of the pipe relative to the flange. The lock sleeve includes at least two openings in a first end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least two pipe pins extending radially outward from the pipe. The lock sleeve further includes at least four openings in a second end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least four flange pins extending radially inward from the flange. |
| US08123255B2 |
Security device for confidential information
This security device for confidential information, mentioned in a document (D), includes an element (1, 4) forming a data storage medium and removable element (6), masking the information (C). It includes, in addition, at least one zone of structural weakness (30, 31) provided for in the document (D) near the data storage medium element (1, 4) with this zone (30, 31) forming one piece with the removable masking element (6). |
| US08123248B2 |
Side airbag apparatus
A plurality of vent holes are formed on an airbag body and each vent hole is blocked by an elongate blocking member. An end of the blocking member is fixed to the airbag body and other portions are temporarily fixed to an opposite inner surface of the airbag body. When the airbag body is inflated, at a portion abutting a shoulder of an occupant, the connecting member is loose, the blocking member blocks the vent hole, and thereby gas is not discharged. At portions other than the portion abutting the shoulder of the occupant, a temporary joint portion of the blocking member is pulled and peeled off, the vent holes are opened, and thereby the gas is discharged forward. |
| US08123246B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat has a seat element that forms a seat surface and has a seat back (10) or backrest. The seat back (10) has a frame (14) and an airbag (19). The airbag (19) has a gas-receiving element (20) and an inflating device (21) for the gas-receiving element (20). The gas-receiving element (20) is defined at one side by a portion (15) of the frame (14) and at the other side by a delimiting element (22) that is fastened to the frame (14) and that can be displaced as the airbag (19) inflates. |
| US08123244B2 |
Low profile saddle mount
A low profile saddle mount for use in the transportation of vehicles including a saddle body configuration capable of withstanding increased load capacity over conventional saddle mounts is disclosed. The saddle mount generally includes a pair of laterally spaced support plates and a substantially tubular cross member extending therebetween. Each of the support plates is at least partially disposed inside the cross member at opposing ends thereof and secured therein using at least one dampening or filler plate. The configuration of the support plates in combination with one or more filler plate provides limited yield/deflection of the saddle body during operation and provides a load dissipation function, thereby permitting the support plates to withstand an increased load capacity. |
| US08123239B2 |
Knuckle and method of manufacturing knuckle
The invention provides a knuckle and a method of manufacturing the knuckle that do not cause an increase in the number of man-hours. A knuckle according to the invention is equipped with a knuckle part for fixing a shock absorber constituting a suspension unit, a bearing for rotatably supporting a wheel, and a knuckle part for supporting the bearing. The knuckle part is constructed by being extruded in an axial direction of the shock absorber and the knuckle part is constructed by being extruded in an axial direction of the bearing. |
| US08123231B2 |
Seal
A seal for sealing between two surfaces lying generally perpendicular to each other, the seal comprising a first profile which has a base adapted to be fixed sealingly to a first surface and an upstand which projects from the base and which defines respective inner and outer opposed surfaces, and a second profile which overlies the upstand of the first profile and which, when viewed in section, comprises inner and outer depending limbs which engage slidably respective ones of the opposed inner and outer surfaces of the upstand of the first profile, wherein at least one of the inner and outer depending limbs of the second profile bears resiliently against the respective surface(s) of the upstand of the first profile in sliding engagement therewith. |
| US08123230B2 |
Cylinder head gasket
A cylinder head gasket includes a first gasket base plate at a cylinder head side, a second gasket base plate at a cylinder block side, a shim that adjusts the gasket thickness, and a pressure increasing plate that increases the surface pressure at the side of periphery portions of the cylinders. In the first and second gasket base plates full beads are swollen at the side of periphery portions of cylinders, and half beads are swollen at a site outward of the full beads. The full beads of the first and second gasket base plates are formed so that top portions of the full beads face each other at positions that are opposite to each other in the up-down direction. The shim and the pressure increasing plate are sandwiched between the top portions. |
| US08123228B2 |
Augmentor spray bar mounting
A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. The augmentor has upstream and downstream shell sections, a downstream rim of the upstream shell section meeting an upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An augmentor spray bar fuel conduit extends through the centerbody and a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. A seal is mounted to the spray bar and positioned in a recess extending from at least one of the downstream rim of the upstream shell section and upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. The seal has a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion in a backlocked interfitting. |
| US08123225B2 |
Game apparatus and method of play for manual or computer application
A game apparatus for play by at least two players, having game pieces that are manually rotated in at least four slideably mounted, apertured slats, each having at least four apertures with a rotating game piece, and a base assembly for slideably mounting the slats, such that the slats can be moved, and the game pieces rotated in the apertures, at the option of each of the players who take turns in playing the game. The game pieces are generally grouped in two different colors. The number of slats are generally the same as the number of apertures, and are preferably four or eight in number. The method of play by two players of apparatus involves each of the players taking turns that are selected from two possible moves: rotating a game piece in one of the apertures on one of the slats or linearly displacing one of the slats one stop. The game commences with all pieces on the board rotated to a neutral color, and with no home area for determining opening and winning of the game. A winner is determined when a player has a predetermined number of game pieces in a predetermined arrangement, generally four or eight in a row, or in a diamond or other configuration and where the configuration is not a home area. Also included is a virtual game board in which the game is controlled by a computer or group of computers as well as on the Internet. |
| US08123223B1 |
Document printer and inserter
An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box. |
| US08123220B2 |
Sheet-medium-conveying device
A sheet-medium-conveying device includes a tray, a conveying unit, a detecting unit, a determining unit, and a reference value changing unit. A plurality of sheets to be conveyed are settable on the tray. The conveying unit conveys the sheets on the tray. The measuring unit measures a quantity with respect to the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit. The detecting unit detects an overlapped feed in which at least two sheets are conveyed in a partially overlapped condition. The overlapped feed is detected by comparing the quantity measured by the measuring unit with a reference value. The determining unit is configured to determine whether a type of sheet conveyed by the conveying unit is changed. The reference value changing unit is configured to change the reference value to a value corresponding to the changed type of sheet as determined by the determining unit. |
| US08123214B2 |
Printing medium supplying apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
A printing medium supplying apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a printing medium aligning unit which is disposed on the apparatus main body to move between an aligning position at which the printing medium aligning unit aligns a printing medium and a distanced position at which the printing medium aligning unit is distanced from the aligning position. |
| US08123211B2 |
Pickup roller lifting and lowering mechanism in paper feeding unit and image forming apparatus including the pickup roller lifting and lowering mechanism
A pressing projection of a paper feeding cassette presses a push-back mechanism to thereby release urging of a cam gear in a direction opposite to a direction of the paper feeding cassette. The cam gear moves in the direction of the paper feeding cassette. A cam of the cam gear rotates a rotation lever. The rotation lever rotates a pickup roller lifting and lowering shaft. The pickup roller lifting and lowering shaft lowers a pickup roller. |
| US08123209B2 |
Sheet collecting method, sheet correcting apparatus, post-processing apparatus, and image formation system
A sheet collecting apparatus has a sheet discharge outlet, a tray device for bearing and storing sheets, a regulation stopper disposed in the tray device; a forward/backward rotation roller, a roller lifting/lowering device, a sheet pressing guide disposed between the forward/backward rotation roller and the regulation stopper; a pressing force reducing device for reducing a pressing force, and a control device for controlling the forward/backward rotation roller, the roller lifting/lowering device and the pressing force reducing device. The control device is configured to rotate forward the forward/backward rotation roller in the operating position to move forward a carried-in sheet in the sheet discharge direction by a predetermined distance, and then rotate backward the forward/backward rotation roller. The control device has two operation modes that are selectively executed a first operation mode and a second operation mode. |
| US08123207B2 |
Nacelle lifting tool and method
A nacelle lifting tool and method for lifting the nacelle of a wind generator in relation to the rotating ring. The inventive tool is formed by first and second fixing devices which replace brake callipers that are disposed on front and rear lifting devices. The aforementioned lifting devices are supported by supports which are fixed in the form of braces to the vertices of a regular polygon formed by beams. The inventive method consists in removing the brake callipers in order to install the fixing devices in an alternating manner and fixing said devices vertically. The first and second fixing devices include rear and front callipers and the lifting devices include hydraulic jacks. |
| US08123205B2 |
Universal locking mechanism for a clamp
A manual locking clamp is disclosed. The manual locking clamp includes a base and a handle pivotally connected to the base. The manual locking clamp also includes a locking lever connected to the handle. The locking lever including a first locking orifice and a second locking orifice along with a fulcrum orifice and a pivot orifice. The locking lever is capable of being used on any known manual clamp, including pull action clamps, hold down action clamps, straight line action clamps, and any other known manual action clamps. |
| US08123202B2 |
Plunger piston made from plastic for an air spring
A plunger piston for an air spring. The air spring being active between a component which is to be cushioned by springs, in particular the vehicle frame, and a sprung component, in particular the axle carrier of a motor vehicle. The plunger piston is configured as a hollow piston which is connected to the sprung component at the lower plunger-piston end and to a pneumatic-spring bellows which can be loaded with compressed air at an upper plunger-piston head. The pneumatic-spring bellows is connected on the other side to the component which is cushioned by springs, and rolls on the outside of the plunger-piston skirt during suspension movements. The lower plunger-piston end has an open configuration and has a reinforcing element which encircles the edge region of the opening. |
| US08123200B2 |
Method and system for supplying water to cooling towers
The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling the circulation of water films on the exchange walls of an exchange surface of a cooling tower. It comprises combining a tank and a dispenser lip to ensure that the film has a specific thickness and that it adheres to the exchange wall right from the moment it starts to flow and repeatedly so, on each exchange wall. The exchange walls between air and water are horizontally sloping at a small angle, thereby ensuring that the water flows by force of gravity and, at the same time, limiting the speed increase on the plate to avoid the droplets from being pulled away by the airflow. The water films are recovered in recovery troughs perpendicular to the flow of the water films on the plates. These troughs are tilted horizontally, and enable the recovery of the water films without being crossed by the air flows. The air is blown in by nozzles which are interposed between the water flow plates in such a way that the airflow is in a counter-current flow or, if necessary, in a cross-current flow, relative to the water films thus enabling the evaporation of the water that cools the water flow on the exchange plates without forming liquid aerosols. |
| US08123199B2 |
Bioreactor
A mixing bag for use in bioprocessing in which a fluid is received and agitated using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by an external motive device is disclosed. The bag may include an integral sparger and sensor receiver. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08123196B1 |
Integrated valve system
A fluid chamber couples cylindrical input and output lines. The chamber has a closed lower end and an open upper end. A closure plate covers the upper end. The plate has a primary and secondary slots. A finger assembly has primary and secondary fingers. The fingers extend through the slots with upper ends of the fingers above the chamber and lower ends within the chamber. A block, fabricated of elastomeric material, couples the fingers at intermediate extents of the fingers. The block is positioned upon the closure plate. The elastomeric material covers the lower ends of the fingers. An aperture has a spacer. The aperture is formed in the lower end of the primary finger in axial alignment with the output line. A drive mechanism moves the upper ends of the fingers to pivot the lower ends of the fingers. |
| US08123192B2 |
Control arrangement for microfluidic devices and related methods and systems
Communication between microchannels of a microfluidic circuit is controlled through a combination between a membrane and a pin-actuated valve arrangement. The deformable membrane contributes to the formation of the surface of the microchannels. Alternatively, or in addition, the valve arrangement is operated through combination of the membrane with a control fluid. Systems, devices and methods based on such communication are shown. Also shown are methods to manufacture a system having a fluidic circuit and a control arrangement. |
| US08123190B2 |
Adjustable umbrella mount
An adjustable mount for an umbrella may include one or more adjustments to allow the umbrella to be secured at different positions both horizontally and vertically. The mount may include a beam that fits into a standard receiver hitch on a vehicle. The mount may be used without the beam to secure an umbrella to a horizontal or vertical surface. The mount may be used to hold other objects besides an umbrella, such as a flag. |
| US08123187B2 |
Height adjustable and removable container system
A height adjustable and removable container system is provided with a container having a center opening through which at least one elongated, supporting guide member extends. The container moves up and down the guide member and is adjustable to fully raised and fully lowered positions and can also be positioned on intermediate heights on the guide member. A handle is removably connected to the end of the guide member to assist in the movement of the container along the guide member. The handle can be disconnected and separated from the guide member to allow the container to be removed from the system. A stop pin, stored in the handle when not in use, is provided to set the container at intermediate heights on the guide member. |
| US08123185B2 |
Bracket release mechanism
A storage system including a shelf-bracket and a panel having a plurality of spaced perforations. The shelf-bracket includes a substantially circumferential flange and a receptacle portion for receiving an end edges of a shelf. An upper panel-catch and a lower panel-catch project outwardly from a side of the circumferential flange in aligned spaced relation to one another. Each of the upper panel-catch and the lower panel-catch have a lock-tab projecting toward an outer surface of the circumferential flange. A pull-release latch is provided that includes a cantilevered beam having a tab projecting outwardly from a free end so as to engage a portion of a perforated panel adjacent to the lower panel-catch, with a trigger disposed within a void defined by a recessed wall. |
| US08123181B2 |
Vacuum fixer
The vacuum fixer includes a hat-shaped pressing plate made of rigid synthetic resin, a disk-type suction plate made of soft synthetic resin and covered with the pressing plate, a screw shaft mounted on the upper end of the center of the suction plate and perforating the center of the pressing plate, and a screw tightening member coupled to a protruding front end of the screw shaft. |
| US08123180B2 |
Rapid acquisition shooting system
The invention is directed towards an elevation adjustment mechanism which has a mechanism for coarsely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a lever actuated clamping assembly and a mechanism for finely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a threaded rod mechanism. |
| US08123179B2 |
Capillary mounting clip
A capillary mounting clip is disclosed. The capillary mounting clip includes a first planar surface, a second planar surface aligned parallel to the first planar surface, a curvilinear capillary mounting surface carried between the first planar surface and the second planar surface wherein the curvilinear capillary clip mounting surface is sized to smoothly accept a substantially cylindrical outer surface of a capillary tube; and a capillary slot defined within the second planar surface wherein the capillary slot is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first planar surface. |
| US08123177B2 |
Input system for a landing flap control of an aircraft
An input system (2) for a landing flap control of an aircraft. In order to make the input system (2) compact, light and reliable, it is provided with a selector lever (4) mounted pivotably by a shaft unit (10) for the input of a landing flap position, and a sensor arrangement (22) being arranged at one side of the selector lever (4) and having two mutually redundant optoelectronic sensor units (24) each for detecting a position of the selector lever (4), wherein a one-piece shaft element (40) of the shaft unit (10) is passed from the selector lever (4) through the sensor units (24). |
| US08123171B2 |
Load assisted release system
A load assisted release system for releasably connecting cargo to a primary delivery vehicle, including a releasable connector and a bridle. The bridle includes a bridle attachment point, a slack loop, a first stage release link connecting a slack loop upper end to a slack loop lower end, and a responsive point in the bridle responsive to a releasing of the first stage release link to cause the releasable connector to release the bridle from the primary delivery vehicle once the first stage release link is released and the responsive point has moved away from the slack loop upper end the second predetermined distance. The releasable connector is configured to connect the bridle to the primary delivery vehicle, and a release force required to move the responsive point in the bridle the second predetermined distance is generated by the cargo as it moves away from the primary delivery vehicle. |
| US08123167B2 |
Impact resistant aircraft leading edge structures and aircraft including the same
Aircraft empennage structures have impact resistance satisfying transport aircraft certification requirements (for example, FAR part 25 and/or other international certification requirements). The structures may be specifically embodied in leading edge structures that are preferably in the form of one-piece components formed from fiber-reinforced composite materials (e.g., reinforcement fibers such as glass fibers, aramid fibers and/or carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix such as an epoxy resin). The leading edge structures will most preferably include an arcuate skin and longitudinally extending internal reinforcement which is generally Y-shaped and includes a planar rib element and a pair of planar divergent reinforcement arms. The rib element may be positioned so as to be coplanar with a longitudinal bisecting plane of the leading edge structure. A forward end of the rib element may thus be integrally attached aft of an apical end of the skin, whereas an aft end of the rib may be integrally attached to each of the reinforcement arms. According to certain embodiments, rigidity and thus impact resistance may be facilitated by providing the apical end of the skin with a greater cross-sectional thickness as compared to the attachment ends of the skin. |
| US08123164B2 |
Device for fixing a seat rail on a floor, and aircraft equipped with such a fixing device
A device for fixing a seat rail, designed to maintain passenger seats on a floor, wherein it includes a connecting bracket, secured to the floor and to the seat rail, the bracket being adapted to support the stresses perpendicular to the plane of the floor, and the stresses parallel to the plane of the floor. The bracket extends obliquely between the floor and the rail seat, a lower end of the bracket being secured to the floor and an upper end of the bracket being secured to the seat rail. |
| US08123162B2 |
Unmanned air vehicles and method of landing same
There is provided an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) including an engine and an airframe, including means for performing a deep stall maneuver at least one inflatable sleeve connected or connectable to the airframe, and means for inflating the sleeve during flight, wherein the inflated sleeve extends along the lower side of the airframe so as to protect same during deep stall landing. A method for operating an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), including an engine and an airframe is also provided. |
| US08123159B2 |
Engine exhaust system
An exhaust system for an aircraft has a primary exhaust duct for communicating exhaust gas from an engine exhaust exit and is configured for movement with the engine. A secondary exhaust duct is in fluid communication with the primary exhaust duct and is movably mounted to the airframe. The system has means for maintaining a generally consistent relative alignment between the primary duct and the secondary duct. |
| US08123145B2 |
Tie plate with cam shoulder bridge
The invention is tie plates that are used to secure railway rails to the cross ties. The plate is cast with vertical abutment walls each of which has a slot along the inner wall originating from the lower outside edge and rising towards the top and center of each vertical abutment member. Between each pair of abutment members on either side of the rail seat is an upwardly facing ramp to facilitate insertion of the clip. Each ramp surface has a half cylindrical button cast on top of it. The button is used to retain the clip prior to shipment. The bottom of the plate has wedge shaped projections that tapper laterally solely in the same direction as the rail seat. The plate also has a portion laterally outward of each abutment member formed with a pit in its upper side for locating the outer end of the clip. |
| US08123138B2 |
Security element for documents of value
Value documents including a security element having magnetic material for securing the value documents. Along the security element, for example along a longitudinal direction of the security element, there are disposed one or more magnetic areas and one or more gap areas. The extension of the magnetic areas or the gap areas along the security element is preferably chosen so that the magnetic signals of adjacent magnetization steps interfere constructively with each other when transported past the magnetic sensor. |
| US08123137B2 |
Semiconductor device
To easily detect in a semiconductor device whether a voltage within the specifications of the semiconductor device is obtained. The semiconductor device includes a detecting circuit that detects an output voltage of an inner circuit of the semiconductor device and judges whether the output voltage is within or out of the specifications of the semiconductor device. A signal for determining whether an output voltage is within or out of the specifications is transmitted from the detecting circuit to a digital circuit, and the digital circuit performs or stops circuit operation in accordance with the signal. |
| US08123130B2 |
Remote ordering device
A remote ordering device having a two-way wireless communications input device with a display for sending and receiving data and a data receiving station to send and receive data, process orders and keep track of accounts, inventory and retain other data as required. The receiving station can be in communication with other receiving stations to forward orders or data. The receiving station can provide instructions to a person or machine to fill orders at any desired location. The remote ordering device can scan in checks or present an electronic version of a check to the data receiving station for payment through an automated clearing house. The two-way communications can be by cell phone through a telephone network alone or also through the internet to the data receiving station. The communications can also be through Wi-Fi and the internet and use a PDA or a computer for data input and reading. |
| US08123129B2 |
Information provision intermediation apparatus
An information provision intermediation apparatus is disclosed. An information provision intermediation definition table has stored therein, in correspondence with each other, an address of the information providing site of an information providing unit and an information provision condition required for the traceability data at the time of providing the information of the information providing site. A CPU acquires a traceability data group corresponding to the individual commodity ID acquired from a terminal. Based on the acquired traceability data group and the information provision condition, the CPU acquires the address of the information providing site of the information-available information providing unit, and using the acquired address, acquires the information from the information providing site and transmits it to the terminal. |
| US08123128B1 |
Context-based card selection device
A card transaction device is provided for selecting virtual cards for transactions based on a context. The portable device includes a plurality of virtual cards, and a storage device for storing the plurality of virtual cards. The cards may relate to credit or debit cards, loyalty cards, reward cards, security or access cards, or identification cards, for example. The portable device includes a user interface for a user to maintain rules for selection of one or more virtual cards based on the context of the transaction. The portable device also includes a processor to process the rules and select at least one of the virtual cards based on the context of the transaction. |
| US08123124B2 |
Magnetic stripe card anti-fraud security system
To prevent fraud, a magnetic card's ID, which may be a stripe ID or security chip, is converted to an encrypted card ID, which is stored on the card and in a database. Information about the card's history is captured, encrypted, and stored on the card and in a database. To validate the card, the magnetic card ID on the card is again converted to the card ID. This card ID is then compared with the card ID for that card in the database. The card history data stored on the card may also be compared, for validity and to determine points of fraud, with the card history data stored in the database. The data in the card's magnetic card ID can also be compared with the decrypted data in the card ID stored on that card to help determine the card's validity, for example, when the database is inaccessible. Card data about the account holder, stored on the card's magnetic stripe, may also be used to create the card ID for verification. |
| US08123123B1 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read card data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser and the machine carries out transaction functions for consumers including dispensing cash. The automated banking machine is operative to use an encrypting pin pad to produce screen data usable to generate a visual output on a display screen. |
| US08123122B2 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records and diagnostic method
An automated banking machine (10) operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records such as user cards. The exemplary machine includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of unauthorized card reading devices. Servicing the machine is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article (98) which enables the controller to access diagnostic data stored in memory and which provides data indicative of the significance of the diagnostic data and via remote communication. |
| US08123121B2 |
Apparatus for accepting and dispensing banknotes
The invention relates to an apparatus for accepting and dispensing or returning bank notes, including a pocket which is dividable by means of a dividing element into two areas for inputting and dispensing or returning bank notes, wherein the dividing element can be moved within the pocket in order to form the two areas, with a clamping element which can be moved within the pocket independently from the dividing element, in order to clamp bank notes disposed in the pocket inside the pocket and to transport them, wherein for clamping bank notes the clamping and transport element is moved in a first direction within the pocket on top of bank notes disposed in the pocket, and transports bank notes to be dispensed or returned out of the area of the dividing element at least for the most part. The dividing element is subsequently moved out of the area of the bank notes disposed in the pocket within the pocket past the clamping and transport element in a second direction that is contrary to the first direction. |
| US08123118B2 |
System and method for tracking shipment of items utilizing RFID-tags
A system and method of tracking a plurality of items during transfer from a source location to a destination. One embodiment is a method comprising associating information identifying the plurality of items with a radio frequency (RF) tag that identifies a carrier unit. The method further comprises storing said associated information in at least one of the RF tag and a computer memory. The method further comprises communicating with the RF tag to identify the location of the carrier unit. The method further comprises identifying the location of at least one of the plurality of items based at least in part on the location of the carrier unit. Another embodiment is a system configured to perform an embodiment of the method. |
| US08123117B2 |
Proximity card function content distribution system and proximity card function content distribution method
In a proximity card function content distribution system of the invention, an IP-side apparatus 5 adds identification information of a user to simplified data of contents for the proximity card function, a mobile terminal 1A acquires the simplified data from the IP-side apparatus 5, and distributes the simplified data to another mobile terminal 1B, and when the another mobile terminal 1B performs proximity card communication with a R/W of the IP-side apparatus 5, the another mobile terminal 1B checks whether the terminal 1B has the specific simplified data, and communicates the checking information. |
| US08123115B2 |
Method and system for triggering network access
The present invention makes it possible that devices are triggered by RF signals and the owner of the RF chip responsible for the triggering can receive a financial compensation for this. Hereto a method and a system for triggering a first-device by a RF signal and logging the triggering are presented. The system comprises a RF chip of a first party. The first device comprises communication means for receiving a RF signal from the RF chip and communication means for communicating with a network or server of a second party. |
| US08123113B1 |
Security mailbox system
This invention provides a roadside mailbox that is installed in a housing that can be wholly or partially buried in the ground. The open top of the housing is closed by a door that is attached to one of the end walls by a hinge, which allows it to be pivotally moved from a closed position where it closes the top of the housing to an open position where it is substantially vertical. The mailbox is so mounted as to be pivotally movable between a secure storage position where it is entirely within the housing and an operational position where it is in position for use. Pivotal movement of the door and the mailbox is accomplished by a mechanism driven by electric power from a battery positioned in the vault, and it is operated by an actuator that can be wireless or hard-wired. A solar panel installed on the door keeps the battery charged. The mailbox also can be laterally movable so that it extends outwardly beyond the door to facilitate depositing and retrieving mail. |
| US08123099B2 |
Cam and clutch configuration for a power tool
A power tool with a flywheel, an activation arm, a driver, a cam and a clutch. The activation arm can have a first arm, a second arm, which can be pivotally mounted to the first arm, and a roller that can be coupled to the second arm. The driver can be disposed between the roller and the flywheel. The cam can be moveable in a predetermined direction for causing the activation arm to rotate about a pivot to drive the roller against the driver so that the driver frictionally engages the flywheel. The clutch can cooperate with the cam to inhibit the cam from moving in a direction opposite the predetermined direction in response to a reaction force that is applied by the driver onto the activation arm. |
| US08123097B2 |
Self -propelled stapler
A self-propelled stapler has a stapler body provided on a base in such so as to be slidable relative to the base. A sliding mechanism is provided between the base and the stapler body. The stapler body slides to a predetermined binding position at the time of a binding operation, and slides to an original position after the binding operation by the sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism has a link which is rotatably provided on each side of the stapler body, and one end of the link engages with the base. |
| US08123094B2 |
Method for cutting a continuous glass sheet during the production of flat glass
In the method for cutting a continuously moving glass sheet with an inhomogeneous thickness distribution across the glass sheet, a cutting tool is moved across it at an angle to its travel direction to form a fissure and then the glass sheet is broken along the fissure. To avoid premature breakage in thin regions the applied cutting force is controlled by a controller based on control commands so that the cutting force is decreased when the glass sheet thickness decreases and is increased when it increases. In a preferred embodiment cutting force switchover points are based on an initial measurement of the thickness distribution. In another embodiment the thickness is continuously measured and the applied cutting force is automatically adjusted accordingly, so that the cutting force is greater when the thickness is greater and vice versa. |
| US08123093B2 |
Book sling
A book sling of a generally U-shaped sling cradle is provided with first and second side walls, and a bottom disposed between the side walls upon which one or more books received in the cradle of the book sling rest. Advantageously, the book sling has open sides and an open top enabling quick visual determination of which particular book should be taken out during use, thereby making it quicker and easier to use than a backpack that completely encloses everything such that it cannot be viewed without first opening the backpack. |
| US08123091B2 |
Installation structure for roof rail
The installation structure of a roof rail in which the roof rail is attached to a vehicle inner panel provided underneath a roof panel, through a hole part provided in a roof panel, the installation structure includes: a protruding part which is provided protruding downward from a lower surface of the roof rail, is inserted into the hole part with a gap in-between, and is attached to an upper surface of the vehicle inner panel; and a watertight part which encloses the protruding part, and is flattened between the lower surface of the roof rail and the upper surface of the roof panel, wherein a part of the watertight part extends through the hole part and protrudes beyond the lower surface of the roof panel. |
| US08123089B2 |
Dispensing assembly with an injector controlled gas environment
An apparatus for dispensing fusible material onto a surface, wherein the fusible material is in molten form, is provided. The apparatus comprises a dispensing assembly comprising a seal structure. The seal structure controls dispensing of the fusible material. One or more gas injectors are coupled to the dispensing assembly. Each of the one or more gas injectors is adapted to inject at least one gas to the dispensing assembly for controlling a gas environment surrounding at least a portion of the seal structure. An oxidation rate of the fusible material is controlled as a function of at least one characteristic of the at least one gas. |
| US08123085B2 |
Sealant gun with universal pushing plate
A sealant gun includes a main body connected to a C-shaped frame, and a pushing rod extends through the main body and a first end of the C-shaped frame. A connection member located between the first end and the second end of the C-shaped frame is connected with a spherical member which is fixed to the distal end of the pushing rod. A pushing plate has a mounting member and a spherical member is rotatably received in the mounting member so that the pushing plate is rotatable relative to the pushing rod and automatically pushes the sealant tube. |
| US08123082B2 |
Hand-held dispensing device
A hand-held dispensing device having a dispenser incorporating: (i) a dispenser body defining a dispensing chamber for holding a substance; (ii) an outlet communicating with the dispensing chamber; (iii) a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the substance through the outlet; and (iv) an actuating member resiliently mounted for movement relative to the dispenser body to actuate the dispensing mechanism. The dispenser is operably connected to and manually slidable relative to a handle between a non-use position, and an operative position. The device further comprises a locking assembly for releasably locking the dispenser body to the handle in the operative position to prevent said manual sliding movement of the dispenser body, whereby a user may grasp the handle and effect manual movement of the actuating member relative to the handle and the dispenser body, against the action of the biasing member, to actuate the dispensing mechanism and dispense the contents of the dispensing chamber. |
| US08123078B2 |
Flexible packages for connection to a dispensing system and clamping devices for releasably connecting such packages to the inlet tube of a dispensing system and methods of dispensing flowable materials from flexible packages
A flexible package for holding a flowable material therein and method of use to enable the flowable material to be introduced into a dispensing system via an inlet tube. The flexible package has a body portion and a projection which forms a mouth for the package and is in communication with the interior of the package. The projection is openable for receipt of the inlet tube and is arranged to be clamped into engagement with the inlet tube to form a fluid-tight interface by use of a clamping mechanism. The fluid-tight interface is releasable, when desired. |
| US08123072B2 |
Carton with an improved dispensing feature
A carton with an improved dispenser at one of the carton which preserves the integrity of the carton when the carton is opened by permitting a bottom end flap attached to the bottom panel to remain in place and also a portion of each side end flap that is adjacent to the bottom end flap. This dispenser may also provide a safety net for the first container that is automatically dispensed when the carton is opened. |
| US08123067B2 |
Stacking pan set
The invention provides a set of cooking pans which nest completely one within the other, optionally together with their lids. Each pan of the set comprises a pan body ad a side handle, and the pan bodies are of progressively smaller diameter so that each pan body can be completely received within the next larger pan body for storage purposes, and each pan handle from the largest pan to at least the second smallest pan in the set is concave, creating along the top of that handle a longitudinal recess, each longitudinal recess communicating with a concavity in the top rim of the associated pan body so that when the body of a pan of smaller size is received in the pan body, the handle of the smaller pan extends through that concavity and is received wholly within the longitudinal recess in the handle of that next larger pan. |
| US08123064B2 |
Tamper evident container having a pull-open section
A container which indicates if the lid (14) has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base (12) and closed the lid. The base and lid each has a trapping portion (20, 22) and a pull-open portion (24, 32) with a tear-tab, or tear -open barrier (80). To close the lid, a clerk projects a tab (30) on the pull-open portion of the lid through a slot (26) in the pull-open portion of the base, and then presses down the entire trapping portion of the lid into the trapping portion of the base. The lid cannot be lifted up because the tear-open barrier (80) forming the top wall of the slot lies over the tab. To open the container, a person tears the barrier (80, FIG. 8) along a tear line (90, 92) extending from the slot (26) to the outer edge (50) of the base, or the person tears the tab to leave a short tab part that clears the barrier. The tab has a partially vertical stiffener (77) to prevent radially inward tab movement through the slot. |
| US08123063B2 |
Cartridge tank for lubrication agent
A cartridge tank for a lubrication agent which includes a container main body 10 in which a lubrication agent is sealed and an installation mouth part 20 which protrudes from the container main body and is provided with an opening 21 into which an oil-supply mouth part 7 of a lubrication pump 1 is inserted, wherein the cartridge tank is provided with a cover plug 40 which covers the opening of said installation mouth part, and the cover plug has a cut groove 41 which is to be cut by the oil-supply mouth part when the installation mouth part is installed in the concave part 4 of the lubrication pump, and the cut groove is provided with a circular circumferential groove 42 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the oil-supply mouth part and a plurality of vertical grooves 43 formed from the center of the circular circumferential groove to the circular circumferential groove. |
| US08123053B2 |
Boom slewing actuator system
A slewing actuator system for rotating a boom structure comprises a cylindrical support member having lower and upper ends; a drive mounting member; gearing means comprising a gear assembly and at least one gear drive fixable to the drive mounting member and operatively connected to the gear assembly; and a boom support means to releasably secure the boom structure and operatively connectable to the gearing means. In an operating position, the boom support means is mounted proximate the upper end of the cylindrical support member and is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis; the gear assembly is substantially horizontal; and the gearing means imparts rotational movement to the boom support means. The system can include a pedestal surrounding at least part of the cylindrical support member, which can be a tube or kingpin. The compact modular system can be secured to various surfaces including ship decks and land surfaces. |
| US08123051B2 |
Display apparatus for securely displaying a product
Some embodiments of a display fixture may include an articulable arm assembly that can be adjusted so as to retain items in a vertical orientation. In one implementation, the arm assembly may be mounted to a horizontal cross-member of a retail display fixture and may include two grasping arms that can be slidably adjusted relative to one another so as to contact the edges of a surfboard or wakeboard and securely display the item in an offset orientation such that the item is presented at an angle relative to a normal viewing direction. The arm assembly may include a pivot mechanism that permits the angle to be adjusted, optionally to a number of predetermined angular positions. |
| US08123048B2 |
Hydrophilic porous membrane and method of forming the same
A method for forming a hydrophilic porous membrane includes applying a crosslinked coating to a hydrophobic porous membrane via an in-situ polymerization process. Polar functional groups are introduced into the coating, thereby forming the hydrophilic porous membrane. |
| US08123044B2 |
Actuation of parallel microfluidic arrays
An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed. |
| US08123042B2 |
Methyl isobutyl carbinol mixture and methods of using the same
Methods and compositions for separating materials are provided. The present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material such as mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise methyl isobutyl carbinol mixture derived from a methyl isobutyl ketone and/or methyl isobutyl carbinol manufacturing process. Additionally air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material. |
| US08123040B2 |
Device for characterizing the particle size distribution of powders and its uses
The invention is a device for characterizing the particle size distribution of powders, comprising a supply member, a discharge member, a weighing member, a continuous vibration member, a screening member and, optionally, a control member, said device being characterized in that the screening member is a member that rotates about a horizontal axis and has at least four positions corresponding to two screens of different mesh size, one release space and one anti-shock plate. Another subject of the invention is the use of such a device for characterization of the particle size distribution of powders and especially their in-line characterization, that is to say characterization during their manufacturing process. |
| US08123034B2 |
Nestable crate for containers
A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure. |
| US08123031B2 |
Hang tag system
An improved merchandise display system comprises a display tag, one or more product flaps each for attachment to an item of merchandise, and a detachable fastener. The fastener comprises a screw and a nut, the screw having a post for threaded engagement with the nut. The head of the screw, and the nut, are wider than the aperture and the post is received in the aperture in the display tag. The product flap is detachably held between the nut and the front surface of the display tag with the post of the screw received in an opening in the flap such that the product may be removed from and reattached to the display tag by disassembling and reassembling the display tag, fastener and product flap. A second product flap may be detachably held between the screw head and the back surface of the display tag. |
| US08123030B2 |
Cigarette pack and process and device for producing it
An aroma-tight or moisture-tight pack for cigarettes (10) having an inner pack (12), produced from cardboard or a comparable packaging material, made tight as a result of corresponding treatment, and an outer pack (13) in the form of a hinge-lid box, however without a collar. A cigarette group (11) is positioned directly, that is without an inner envelope, in the inner pack (12). The inner pack is provided in an upper region, namely in the region of a cover (15) of the outer pack (13), with a particular opening aid. A closure tab (39) of the inner pack (12) is covered over its entire surface area by an actuating tab (42) which is realized as tape and is produced from a separate blank. |
| US08123026B2 |
Coin inventory storage apparatus
The present invention is a coin inventory storage apparatus which allows a coin collector to store and display multiple coins. The coin inventory storage apparatus contains a plurality of selectively removable tubular structures for storing and displaying coins. |
| US08123024B2 |
Vibrating feeder, carrying device and inspection device
A vibrating feeder provided with a feeder ball 14a having a circular bottom wall and a conveyance path formed along the periphery of the bottom wall 141a; a feeder body 16a supporting the feeder ball 14a so as to apply torsional vibration and conveying substance supplied on the bottom wall 141a along the conveyance path; and a main body supporting member for supporting the feeder body; the conveyance path comprising an ascending rail and descending rail disposed in the downstream of the ascending rail in the conveyance direction; the main body 18a supporting member supporting the feeder body 16a on a horizontal floor so that a torsion axis C, which becomes the center of the torsional vibration, is inclined relative to the vertical direction; the ascending rail and descending rail conveying the conveyed objects upwardly or downwardly relative to the horizontal direction while the feeder body being supported by the horizontal floor via the main body supporting member. |
| US08123023B2 |
Mailpiece conveyance system
A compliant conveyance system for processing mailpieces along a feed path, e.g., printing on a first surface of a mailpiece, while being registered against a contact surface of a registration plate. The conveyance system comprises at least one conveyor belt opposing the contact surface of the registration plate, a continuous, uninterrupted, compliant deck disposed beneath and supporting an underside surface of the conveyor belt, and a spring biasing device operative to bias the compliant deck and the conveyor belt toward the contact surface of the registration plate. The conveyor belt includes a drive surface for engaging a second surface of each of the mailpieces for conveyance along the feed path. As each of the mailpieces pass the registration plate, the compliant deck and spring biasing device urge the second surface of each mailpiece into engagement with the contact surface during processing. |
| US08123019B2 |
Extendable and retractable auxiliary axle for transportable conveyor system
This invention provides an improvement relating to an extendable and retractable auxiliary axle suitable for supporting an end section of a telescopic conveyor system having rotatable wheel assemblies. The improvement provides for an axle assembly for a conveyor system where the axle is a transversely extending axle positioned forwardly of the rotatable wheel assemblies on the conveyor system. There is provided an axle frame operatively associated with the axle for mounting the axle relative to the conveyor system. Actuatable systems mounted on the frame are provided for displacing the axle between a first raised position and a second lowered position; also provided are a device for actuating the actuatable system to permit the actuatable system to raise and lower the auxiliary axle as desired. |
| US08123013B2 |
Freewheel bearing device with torque limiter
The invention concerns a freewheel bearing device including an outer element and inner element arranged inside the outer element, and a free wheel provided with at least a wedging element, arranged between the inner element and the outer element to allow a free rotational movement in one direction between the outer element and the inner element and for transmission of a torque in the other direction between the outer element and the inner element, the free wheel including a ring provided with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, substantially aligned on a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the device, and a torque limiting member adapted to limit the torque transmitted by the free wheel, the torque limiting member being arranged radially between said ring and the outer element or the inner element in contact with said ring and said element. |
| US08123009B2 |
Small bag connector assembly
A connector with a flexible arrangement for attaching one or more small or mid-sized bags is described. The connector provides a shoulder strap or handle that allows the user to conveniently carry the assemblage. The connector may include slotted top and bottom rails vertically displaced from each other, where mounting tabs on the small bags may be threaded through the slots to attach a bag to the connector. Slotted sheets of material may be placed between a top and bottom rail, or the entire connector may be made of one or more sheets of fabric or other flexible material. Again the mounting tabs may be threaded through the slots to secure the bags. The vertical edges of the sheets may be folded and sewn of bonded to better form supports for the connector, and combinations of rails, vertical supports and sheets of fabric of other such materials may be used. |
| US08123006B1 |
Lightweight gas spring design with volume compensator incorporated into a suspension fork for two wheeled vehicles
A lightweight gas spring with a volume compensator, which is incorporated into a fork leg of a two-wheel vehicle fork. The fork leg includes a housing having an upper inner telescoping hollow rod with a closed top and bottom end which is partially inserted into a lower outer telescoping rod having a closed bottom end. The inner upper telescoping rod inside includes a stationary volume compensator, a reciprocating piston, a first expandable and contractible gas chamber between the volume compensator and the piston which functions as a positive gas spring, and a second expandable and contractible gas chamber between the piston and the bottom end which can function as a negative gas spring, an air bypass channel which is longitudinally positioned on the inner surface of the inner telescoping rod may open to the first and second gas chamber. |
| US08123003B2 |
Arrangement and method for determing the position of an elevator car using consecutive magnetic areas with magnetic poles of any two immediately adjacent consecutive magnetic areas of opposite directions to each other
An arrangement and a method are provided for determining the position of an elevator car in the elevator hoistway. The arrangement includes a measuring apparatus fitted in connection with the elevator car. The measuring apparatus is arranged to form an electromagnetic radio-frequency measuring signal, for determining the position of the elevator car. The arrangement also includes a position identifier fitted in a selected location in relation to the elevator hoistway. The position identifier is arranged to connect inductively to the electromagnetic radio-frequency measuring signal, and also after it has connected to send a determined pulse pattern using the electromagnetic radio-frequency measuring signal. |
| US08123001B1 |
Modular platform/ scaffolding
A combination of parts for and method of constructing a modular platform. A frame beam connector member is connected to respective end portions of a pair of frame beams while the pair of frame beams are in substantially a side-by-side relation. One of the frame beams is then swung relative to the other to a co-axial position of the frame beams relative to each other. Then another frame beam connector member is connected to the respective end portions of the frame beams while the frame beams are in the co-axial position thereby to maintain the pair of frame beams in the co-axial position. A deck support beam is connected to a frame beam while in substantially a side-by-side relation therewith. The deck support beam is then swung to a position normal to the frame beams. The deck support beam is then connected to another frame beam. |
| US08122999B2 |
Multistory building fast escape and rescue device
An escape and rescue device used in a multistory building during a terrorist threat or a fire to: a) evacuate a person or persons attached to an expandable disc support with an attachment that is lowered from an upper level of a building through a vertical tube, by using a lesser pressure at the top of the tube and a higher pressure at the bottom of the tube, using a door at the top or a door at the bottom to maintain pressure or by artificial air pressure, thereby permitting the fast evacuation of many people in a short time, b) it can be used by firemen in training in its use and benefits, c) also at amusement parks, where there would be a ride that would teach the users about its reliability and safety, and d) to transport firemen in a fast way from the ground to the upper floors without interfering with the evacuation in process at the congested stairways of the building. |
| US08122996B2 |
Diaphragm for speaker, frame for speaker, dust cap for speaker, speaker and apparatus using them, and method for manufacturing component for speaker
A speaker diaphragm is configured by a compound mixed with resin and bamboo fiber. The diaphragm satisfying the advantage of the bamboo fiber of high sound quality and a large degree of freedom in the setting of the characteristic value of the diaphragm and the advantage of the diaphragm made of a resin with improved humidity resistance reliability and strength, excellent external appearance, and enhanced productivity and dimension stability is obtained. |
| US08122994B2 |
Method and device for operating a vehicle with a steering system, and a steering system
A steering system arranged in a vehicle having a steering wheel, a steering system control unit and a steering assistance unit with an electric motor. The steering system is designed to assist, by the motor of the steering assistance unit, a predefined steering movement of a driver at the steering wheel for steering steerable wheels of the vehicle and to steer the steerable wheels in accordance with the predefined steering movement. In this context, the steering wheel is mechanically coupled to the steering assistance unit. The steering system is also designed to block a predefined steering movement at the steering wheel, and therefore to block steering of the steerable wheels by the steering assistance unit, in a predefined state of rest of the vehicle. |
| US08122991B2 |
Drivetrain, hybrid vehicle, and operating methods therefor
A drivetrain for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission and electric machine, and an electrical energy store. The electric machine is usable as a generator for charging the electrical energy store and/or as a motor while discharging the electrical energy store. The electrical energy store is implemented as a flywheel mass accumulator having an assigned second electric machine. The flywheel mass accumulator is able to be mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine via a separate clutch, and thus also is mechanically chargeable and dischargeable. |
| US08122990B2 |
Radiator mounting structure for motorcycle
A radiator mounting structure for motorcycle, in which a radiator is disposed forward of a water-cooled engine mounted on a body frame and an upper portion of the radiator is attached to the body frame, in which running-air that passes the radiator is not directed to a rider. The radiator is reliably supported so as not to be affected by heat from the engine with an increase in the number of parts avoided. A shroud for covering the radiator from behind is attached the radiator and has at an upper portion thereof attachment arm portions attached to a body frame. Attachment portions fastened to stays provided on the body frame are provided at a rear lower portion of the shroud. |
| US08122988B2 |
Vehicular cooling device supporting apparatus
A vehicular cooling device supporting apparatus has a radiator support lower 14 formed with a plurality of support-side connecting portions 32 and 34 for altering connecting positions to radiator support sides 16 and 18. This enables a layout position of a radiator main body 20 to be altered depending on size of an engine to use component parts in common. Placing the radiator main body 20 in a rearward position when the engine is small in size can suppresses damage to the radiator main body 20 upon collision of a vehicle at a low vehicle speed. In this case, it is suffice for the connecting positions of the radiator support lower 14 to the radiator support sides 16 and 18 to be altered in a vehicle fore and aft direction. Thus, the cooling device supporting apparatus can be constructed simply at the low cost with a minimum number of component parts. |
| US08122987B2 |
Vehicle having a wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor
A vehicle including a wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor that reduces the rate of output of the in-wheel motor using a reduction mechanism, which includes a counter gear mechanism and a planetary gear set, and drives a wheel and is structured such that the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of a counter gear mechanism in a left wheel is opposite the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of the counter gear mechanism in a right wheel, and the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the left wheel is the same as the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the right wheel. |
| US08122985B2 |
Double-ended inverter drive system for a fuel cell vehicle and related operating method
Systems and methods are provided for a double-ended inverter drive system for a fuel cell vehicle. An electric drive system for a vehicle comprises an electric motor configured to provide traction power to the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A fuel cell is coupled to the first inverter to provide power flow from the fuel cell to the electric motor. A second inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. An energy source is coupled to the second inverter to provide power flow between the energy source and the electric motor. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter, and is configured to provide a constant power from the fuel cell during operation of the electric motor. |
| US08122979B1 |
Offset rock bit with pull back adapter
An offset rock bit (12) has a steering face (28) and a shoe (30) provided by a recess formed into the steering face (28). A slot (66) formed into the shoe (30) for receiving a pull back adapter (50) in a centrally located position in the forward end of the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) has a pull back eye (52) with a central axis (62) which is aligned with a centrally disposed longitudinal axis (20) of the offset rock bit (12) and the tool string (10). This aligns the pull back eye (52) of the pull back adapter (50) with a borehole formed using the offset rock bit (12). The pull back adapter (50) also includes side edges (54, 56) which are configured for centering the pull back adapter (50) and pull back conduit within the borehole. |
| US08122977B2 |
Cutting device with multiple cutting structures
A cutting device for downhole operations includes a first cutting structure, and a second cutting structure, wherein at least the second cutting structure is selectively presentable for operation. A method of performing a downhole cutting operation comprises running into a well bore a cutting device including a plurality of cutting structures, performing a first cutting operation with a first cutting structure of the cutting device, moving the first cutting structure to selectively present a second cutting structure of the cutting device, and performing a second cutting operation with at least the second cutting structure. The method may further include aligning movable cutting structures of the cutting device to allow the second cutting structure to be selectively presented. |
| US08122976B2 |
Valve, core sampling apparatus and method
A selectively operable downhole valve for use with core sampling apparatus, the valve comprising a throughbore through which a first body may pass, and an obstructing member which is capable of selectively obturating the throughbore, the obstructing member being arranged to open or close the throughbore by movement of the first body with respect to the valve. A core sample of the formation may then be obtained and retrieved from the bore under pressure since the valve seals the bore downhole. Retrieving the sample under pressure maintains the integrity of the core sample so that subsequent analysis of the sample will more closely reflect the true characteristics of the formation. |
| US08122975B2 |
Annulus pressure control drilling systems and methods
In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes an act of drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, the tubular string comprising a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to a surface of the wellbore via an annulus defined by an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of measuring a first annulus pressure (FAP) using a pressure sensor attached to a casing string hung from a wellhead of the wellbore. The method further includes an act performed while drilling the wellbore of controlling a second annulus pressure (SAP) exerted on a formation exposed to the annulus. |
| US08122974B2 |
Apparatus for drilling machine alignment
Apparatus for controlling a drilling machine to drill a series of parallel holes, where the drilling machine comprises a carrier vehicle movable over the terrain, a boom mounted on the vehicle for movement side to side on the vehicle, a mast carried on an outer end of the boom and movable about two separate axes relative to the end of the boom, includes a first sensor responsive to an azimuth angle relative to the earth's magnetic north direction and two additional sensors, which are used to measure the two inclinations relative to two vertical planes transverse to and longitudinal of the boom. The sensor system is mounted in an housing on the mast close to the longitudinal center of the mast and offset to the side. A controller calculates from the sensed values of the azimuth and inclination angles required target angles for the mast for drilling each hole. |
| US08122966B2 |
Total in place hydrocarbon recovery by isolated liquid and gas production through expanded volumetric wellbore exposure +
Higher volumetric hydrocarbon exposed original or restored by miscible gas injection, solution gas saturated oil is recovered through enlarged expandable liner, sand screened wellbores by controlled wellbore to formation pressure maintained above recovering oils critical bubble point. Exclusively hydrocarbon formation liquids are differential pressure forced through centralizer held larger outer diameter liquid displacer into the production tubing, while maintaining gas volume, pressure, and solution gas saturation in the formation, for higher volume flow for total in place oil recovery. Injected downstructure waterdrive pressure (WDP) into oil or gas formations augments oil and/or gas production and recovery. Complete gas well de-liquefying is attained by flowing gas recovery through enlarged expandable liner and sand screened wellbores and up the wellbore annulus dry, while producing all liquids separately through the larger outer diameter liquid displacer into the production tubing, to be artificial lifted to surface, while waterdrive pressure (WDP) augments natural gas recovery. |
| US08122961B2 |
Apparatus and method for discharging multiple fluids downhole
An apparatus and a method are provided for discharging a plurality of fluids downhole. In one aspect, the apparatus may include a first chamber and a second chamber separated by movable barrier, wherein draining the fluid from the first chamber causes the barrier to move and allow an actuating member to drain the second fluid from the second chamber. |
| US08122958B2 |
Method and device for transferring signals within a well
A method and device for a running tool for drilling or cleaning and setting a lining and a completion string in an underground borehole. The running tool comprising a drilling tool, an expandable casing, an expansion tool, a packer arranged to seal against the wall of the casing, and at least one conduit extending up to the surface. The drilling tool is releasably connected to the lower portion of the expanding casing, and the expansion tool and the packer are releasably connected to the upper portion of the expanding casing. The running tool is arranged to communicate with the surface through at least one pipe conduit. |
| US08122957B2 |
Sand control method using porous particulate materials
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems. |
| US08122955B2 |
Downhole burners for in situ conversion of organic-rich rock formations
A method for in situ heating of a selected portion of a targeted organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method includes the steps of providing casing in a wellbore extending to a depth within or below the selected portion of the organic-rich rock formation, and also providing a tubing within the casing. An annular region is formed between the tubing and the surrounding casing. Air or other oxidant and a combustible fuel are injected into the wellbore. Either the air or the combustible fuel is in stoichiometric combustion excess. The method also includes providing hardware in the wellbore so as to cause the air and the combustible fuel to mix and to combust at substantially the depth of the organic-rich rock formation. The hardware may include more than one burner. Insulation may be placed along the tubing adjacent the first burner in order to reduce the heat transfer coefficient within the tubing and to provide a more uniform temperature within the annulus. |
| US08122954B2 |
Downhole depth computation methods and related system
A method for determining depth in a wellbore uses inertial navigation in conjunction with a database having one or more measured parameters correlated with depth. The measured parameter may be the lengths of stands forming a drill string, prior survey data relating to a naturally occurring feature such as formation lithology, or data relating to a human made feature such as collars in a casing string. The downhole processor may use accelerometer measurements to calculate a measured depth of a BHA and access the database to retrieve a predicted depth that corresponds with one or more sensor measurements (e.g., motion indicating the addition of a stand to a drill string). Thereafter, if the downhole processor determines that the predicted depth is in agreement with the calculated depth, the processor stores the predicted depth and/or associates the predicted depth with directional surveys taken along the wellbore. |
| US08122946B2 |
Heat exchanger with multiple channels and insulating channels
An inexpensive heat exchanger is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is made up of a plurality of plates and each plate has at least one channel defined in the plate. The plates are stacked and bonded together to form a block having conduits for carrying at least one fluid and where the exchanger includes an expansion device enclosed within the unit. The plates include construction to thermally insulate the sections of the heat exchanger to control the heat flow within the heat exchanger. |
| US08122945B2 |
Heat dissipation device with base having fasteners
A securing device includes a securing member defining a securing hole therein, and a fastener extending through the securing hole. The fastener includes a spring, and a bolt having a main portion, a bottom fixing portion, and a top head portion. The securing hole includes a large portion, a small portion, and a concave around the small portion. A diameter of the small portion is greater than the main portion and smaller than the fixing portion. A diameter of the large portion is greater than the fixing portion and smaller than the spring. The main portion extends through the small portion with the fixing portion tightly abutting the securing member. The spring is mounted around the main portion and received in the concave. The spring is compressed between the head portion and a step of the securing member in the concave. |
| US08122942B2 |
Casting processes and yttria-containing facecoat material therefor
A slurry suitable for forming facecoats, facecoats formed by such a slurry, and processes using such facecoats. The slurry is formed of a particulate refractory material, an aqueous suspension containing a particulate inorganic binder, a thixotropic organic binder, a dispersant, and possibly optional constituents excluding particulate refractory materials and inorganic binders. The particulate refractory material constitutes at least about 60 weight percent of the slurry and consists essentially of yttria. The aqueous suspension containing the particulate inorganic binder constitutes at most about 35 weight percent of the facecoat slurry. The dispersant is present in the slurry in an amount sufficient to stabilize the slurry at a pH of up to about 10, and has the general formula Hx[N(CH2)yOH]z, where x has a value of 0, 1 or 2, y has a value of 1 to 8, and z=3−x. |
| US08122939B2 |
Method for the layered construction of models
Described is a procedure for layered composition of models, whereby at least a first material is applied to an assembly platform, followed by selective application of a second material layer; these two application steps are repeated until the required model is achieved and both materials form a solid structure in an appropriate mixture ratio. The first material comprises a molding sand; the first and/or second material comprises a bonding agent encompassing a salt-crystal binder and/or protein binder. |
| US08122937B2 |
Method of forming textured casting rolls with diamond engraving
A method of forming a textured casting roll may include a step of forming a plurality of contiguous rows of gravure cells on the surface of a casting roll, removing portions of the cells to leave raised portions corresponding to raised portions of the gravure cells not removed. The gravure cells may be formed by diamond engraving, and the step of removing portions of the gravure cells may be accomplished by engraving or etching. |
| US08122930B2 |
Labeling apparatus having porting arrangement and related methods
A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, and bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel. The rotary bellows wheel and adjacent portions of the housing may define a porting arrangement for selectively connecting the rotary bellows wheel to a fluid flow to selectively control internal fluid pressure for the bellows so that each bellows is movable between a retracted label pick-up position and an extended label-applying position and so that a peak negative internal fluid pressure is applied at the label pick-up position and a peak positive internal fluid pressure is applied at the label-applying position. |
| US08122929B2 |
Machine for the production of sheet elements from composite material
The machine (1) has a heated plate (5), conveyor means (6) for conveying the elements (4) along a conveyor path leading across the heated plate (5), a top part (8) which can be moved vertically with respect to the heated plate (5), a membrane (9) disposed on the top part (8) and a separating film (10) disposed between the membrane (9) and the heated plate (5) which can be moved synchronously with the conveyor means. The separating film (10) is divided into sections (11) and every section (11) is retained exclusively by a single edge oriented transversely to the conveying path by retaining means (32). The sections (11) therefore sit loosely on the elements (4) free of tension. The membrane (9) lies against a peripherally extending peripheral face (46) of the top part (8) facing the heated plate (5) and can be moved directly onto the plane of the surface of the heated plate (5) in order to form a closed chamber with it. Finally, the membrane (9) is connected to clamping means (25, 26, 27). |
| US08122928B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes bead units and a carcass layer at least. The bead units includes an inside bead core and an inside bead filler located in an inside under an equipment on a vehicle, and an outside bead core and an outside bead filler located in an outside. The carcass layer includes a main body and turnbacks. The main body extends from the inside bead core to the outside bead core. Each of the turnbacks is turned back from the inside bead core or the outside bead core to an internal side of a belt layer. Here, each edge of the turnbacks provided at a tire inner peripheral side of the belt layer is located inside from each edge of the belt layer in a tread width direction. In addition, a height of the outside bead filler is lower than a height of the inside bead filler in a cross section along the tread width direction. |
| US08122927B2 |
Inner-tube assembly for bicycle wheel
An inner-tube assembly that includes an inner-tube and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is configured to facilitate the inflation of the inner-tube, and the valve assembly includes a valve core and a valve housing. The valve housing has a lower portion coupled to the inner-tube and an opposite upper portion. At least part of an exterior surface of the lower portion is threaded and at least part of an exterior surface of the upper portion is unthreaded. In another aspect, the inner-tube assembly includes the inner-tube and a valve assembly. An attachment member couples the valve assembly to the inner-tube. The attachment member has a length and a width defining an aspect ratio of width/length, and the aspect ratio is less than about 0.50. |
| US08122926B2 |
Apparatus and systems for integration of a central tire inflation system manifold into a wheel
This CTI Valve manifold of this invention creates a wheel-manifold-CTI Valve combination such that an air passageway coming from the wheel hub through the manifold brings air to the valve, and an airway from the valve through the manifold provides air to the tire cavity, preferably via an air passageway in the wheel. The manifold also allows for the CTI valve to deflate the tire, a typical operational requirement for central tire inflation systems. |
| US08122923B2 |
Safety drug handling device
A drug mixing system including at least one receptacle port adaptor adapted to be inserted into a port of a fluid receptacle, at least one syringe adaptor adapted to be attached to a syringe and to the at least one receptacle port adaptor and at least one vial adaptor adapted for connection to a vial containing a drug and adapted for connection to the at least one syringe adaptor, the system being characterized in that at least one of the receptacle port adaptor, the at least one syringe adaptor and the at least one vial adaptor being vented to the atmosphere in a manner which prevents release to the atmosphere of possibly harmful contents of the vial in a liquid, solid or gaseous form. |
| US08122918B2 |
Pressure differential system for controlling high pressure refill gas flow into on board vehicle fuel tanks
A high pressure fuel flow control device wherein pressure sensors are interposed on either side of the main restriction point of a refueling depot when the vehicle tank(s) to be refilled are interconnected in a flow circuit that connects the refilling depot and the vehicle tanks. The sensors measure pressure on the side of the depot tank[s] and pressure on the side of the vehicle tank at a restriction point in the gas flow circuit. Flow from a tank is complete and a tank is switched when the difference in the pressures sensed on opposite sides of the restriction point approaches zero or slightly greater than zero. |
| US08122917B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing foam
A foam transfer device is described, for use with aerosol canister apparatus for producing a sclerosant foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins. The device enables diversion of an initial quantity of below-specification foam from the canister to waste, e.g. to an integral waste chamber, before dispensing a further quantity of foam for use in treatment. The switching of the flow from the waste chamber to a different outlet for use is accomplished without interrupting the flow from the aerosol canister since this would cause the foam to drop below specification again. The waste chamber may be transparent so that the foam entering it can be observed and a decision made by a user when to stop diverting foam to waste. Alternatively, the foam may be diverted automatically e.g. when a set time has elapsed or a set volume of foam dispensed. The foam for use is normally dispensed into a syringe for subsequent injection into a varicose vein of a patient. |
| US08122912B2 |
Gas flow restrictor
The gas flow restrictor includes a cylindrical body having threads for mounting the body in a gas flow line. One end of the body is closed and includes a plurality of angularly spaced plugs having a predefined diameter that may be the same or different from each other. Each plug is selectively removable from a correspondingly sized orifice, singly or in combination, to set the desired gas flow and thereby reduce incoming gas flow pressure through the lines. |
| US08122907B2 |
Motor assembly for pneumatic tool
A valve arrangement includes an inlet conduit defining an inlet passage adapted for communication with a supply of pressurized motive fluid, a first planar surface spaced radially from the inlet conduit, first and second supply passages communicating through the first planar surface, and a rotary valve. The rotary valve includes a second planar surface abutting against the first planar surface and a valve passage communicating through the second planar surface. The rotary valve is rotatable to place the inlet passage in communication with a selected one of the first and second supply passages through the valve passage, and is adapted to conduct the pressurized motive fluid from the inlet passage to the selected one of the first and second supply passages. |
| US08122901B2 |
System and method for microfluidic flow control
A system and method for controlling fluid flow within a microchannel includes a fluid circuit comprising a fluid outlet well and one or more fluid inlet wells, all in communication with a microchannel. A negative pressure differential is applied to the outlet well and fluid flow from an inlet well into the microchannel is controlled by opening or closing the inlet well to atmospheric pressure. To stop fluid flow from the inlet well, a negative pressure differential may be applied to the inlet well to equalize pressure between the inlet and outlet wells. By sequentially opening and closing different inlet wells to atmosphere, controlled amounts of different reagents can be serially introduced into the microchannel. |
| US08122898B2 |
High-pressure apparatus and method for removing scale from a tank
A rotating and telescoping cleaning system improves high pressure water cleaning of the inner surfaces of vessels or tanks. Vessels can be vertically divided with dividing plates with centered through-holes. Synchronized and controlled transverse and rotary movements of water jets result in a controlled spiral or helical cleaning track along the vessel walls. The water jets are directed at a pre-adjusted distance from the vessel wall and the travel speed of the water nozzle jets is exactly controlled allowing the removal of very hard deposits. One pass with the tool carrier with operating water jets along the length axis of the vessel results in a thoroughly cleaned vessel wall. The tool unfolds and folds inside of the vessel powered by the flow of the high pressure cleaning water. |
| US08122897B2 |
Resin pellet storage apparatus and method of cleaning the same
There is here disclosed a resin pellet store device including a silo (1) in which resin pellets are stored; an discharge route for ON-SPEC products (2) through which resin pellets having a low content of foreign substances stored above the vicinity of the lowermost part in the silo (1) are discharged as ON-SPEC products from the silo (1); and another discharge route for OFF-SPEC products (3) through which resin pellets having a high content of foreign substances accumulated in the vicinity of the lowermost part in the silo (1) are discharged as OFF-SPEC products from the silo (1). In consequence, the resin pellets having a high content of foreign substances to be treated as the OFF-SPEC products are clearly sorted out in the silo and discharged therefrom to reduce the content of the foreign substances in the ON-SPEC products. Moreover, the OFF-SPEC products are discharged through another route to avoid the contamination of a downstream facility. |
| US08122895B2 |
Applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes
The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, the applicator comprising: a stem; a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, the distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element; applicator elements carried by the core; the applicator elements extending in at least three different directions around the core; wherein the applicator elements define an envelope surface that increases, and then decreases, on going towards the distal end of the applicator, and defines a peak ridge; the total length qmax along the longitudinal axis of the envelope surface being less than or equal to twice the greatest diameter dmax of the cross-section of the envelope surface; and the angle α formed by the slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge in at least one longitudinal section being greater than 120°. |
| US08122893B2 |
Machine for manufacturing pouches of cohesionless material
Pouches (2) of a smokeless tobacco product are manufactured on a machine comprising an intermittently rotatable dispensing disc (3) with peripheral cavities (4), a station (5) at which each cavity (4) is filled with a given quantity of tobacco equivalent to a single portion, a push rod mechanism (12) by which the portions of tobacco are ejected from each cavity (4) of the disc (3) at a transfer station (6), and a connecting duct (8) through which the portion of tobacco ejected by the push rod from each cavity passes directly to a wrapping station (7) where the pouches (2) are formed, filled with the tobacco product and sealed. |
| US08122890B2 |
Methods and systems for saliva management with an oral device
An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source. |
| US08122889B2 |
Methods and systems for improving airway patency
An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source. |
| US08122888B2 |
Arm positioner for diagnostic procedure
An arm positioning system for a diagnostic procedure such as an MRI can include a positioning block and a retention device (such as a thumb strap). The retention device and the positioning block can be coupled together (e.g. by hook and loop fasteners) to allow them to position a patient's arm in various desired positions. The retention device and positioning block can be composed of materials that do not interfere with the diagnostic device. The retention device and positioning block also can be configured to accommodate left and right arms and variation among arm, hand, and digit sizes of patients. |
| US08122886B2 |
Respiratory mask assembly with vent
A mask (10) for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal's airways. The mask (10) includes a mask shell (12) which is, in use, in fluid communication with a gas supply conduit (30), and a gas washout vent assembly (20). At least the region of the mask shell (12) or conduit (30) surrounding or adjacent the vent assembly is formed from a relatively flexible elastomeric material. |
| US08122885B2 |
Adjustment of ventilator pressure-time profile to balance comfort and effectiveness
The invention is a ventilator whose servo-controller adjusts the degree of support by adjusting the profile of the pressure waveform as well as the pressure modulation amplitude. As the servo-controller increases the degree of support by increasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more square, and therefore efficient, pressure waveform; when the servo-controller decreases the degree of support by decreasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more smooth and therefore comfortable pressure waveform. |
| US08122882B2 |
Rainout reduction in a breathing circuit
A breathing circuit includes inspiratory and expiratory limbs, each having a respective electrically energizable heating circuit. The heating circuits are independently and selectively electrically energized through separate power circuits such as to control the temperature in each limb in a desired fashion so as to reduce rainout in the breathing circuit and particularly in the expiratory limb. |
| US08122880B2 |
Inhaler that uses focused acoustic waves to deliver a pharmaceutical product
An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication. |
| US08122873B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation system
An actuator includes an electric motor and a drive force transmitting mechanism. The drive force transmitting mechanism includes a rotary gear and a rotary cam. The rotary gear transmits a drive force of the electric motor to an EGR valve to drive the same. The rotary cam transmits the drive force of the electric motor to a mode change valve to drive the same. The rotary cam is releasably linkable to the rotary gear to receive the drive force of the electric motor through the rotary gear. |
| US08122872B2 |
Fuel pump module for ethanol fuel vehicle
A fuel pump module for an ethanol fuel vehicle, which is mounted on a fuel tank for storing ethanol fuel and is provided with a pump and a supply portion for pressure-feeding the ethanol fuel stored in the fuel tank to an engine, may include a heater unit that is disposed therebetween and is fluid-communicated to the pump and the supply portion through a connection hose so as to heat by electrical resistance the ethanol fuel supplied to the heater unit through the pump. |
| US08122870B2 |
Blowby gas returning apparatus
A blowby gas returning apparatus is mounted in an engine provided with a turbocharger in an intake passage and provided with a blowby gas returning passage for flowing blowby gas generated in the engine to return to the engine. This apparatus comprises an intake bypass passage connecting an upstream side and a downstream side of the intake passage with respect to the turbocharger, and a jet pump for generating negative pressure in the intake bypass passage. An exit of the first blowby gas returning passage is connected to the intake bypass passage through the jet pump. The apparatus further includes a second blowby gas returning passage connecting the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve to a head cover. In the head cover, a PCV valve is placed at an entrance of the second blowby gas returning passage. |
| US08122868B2 |
Method and system for estimating and reducing engine auto-ignition and knock
A control system for an engine includes a heat-release rate (HRR) module, a first filter module, a second filter module, an auto-ignition energy determination module, and a corrective action module. The HRR module generates an HRR signal based on in-cylinder pressures of a cylinder of the engine. The first filter module generates a first filtered HRR signal indicative of a first HRR due to combustion in the cylinder by filtering the HRR signal. The second filter module generates a second filtered HRR signal indicative of a second HRR due to auto-ignition in the cylinder by filtering one of the HRR signal and the first filtered HRR signal. The auto-ignition energy determination module determines an auto-ignition energy of the cylinder based on the first and second filtered HRR signals. The corrective action module selectively adjusts auto-ignition of the engine based on the auto-ignition energy. A related method is also provided. |
| US08122866B2 |
Acoustic bumpers with engine front cover hidden mounting
The present invention provides novel acoustic bumpers that can dampen vibrations and control noise transmission from an engine front cover, or other component. In one embodiment, the front cover carries a water pump and internal water distribution passages and covers an overhead camshaft drive mechanism and an oil pump mounted on the engine block. Noise control of unsupported cover central portions is provided by acoustic bumpers carried on inside cover bosses and engaging surfaces in accessible locations on the engine block front face or on associated components. The acoustic bumpers may be doughnut shaped annular rings having identical coaxial locating recesses on opposite sides for error-free installation. A central web between the recesses includes an axially located retainer hole. Each bumper may be mounted on a pillar on the inside cover face that includes a fastener receiving blind hole centrally located on a raised circular boss. |
| US08122857B2 |
Control architecture and optimal strategy for switching between 2-stroke and 4-stroke modes of HCCI operation
Engine correction inputs to control oscillation in an engine output in a transition between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine cycle modes of an HCCI engine are determined as follows: for each mode, valve timings which modify the engine output the most upon switching are determined, and a linear engine system model is defined at least partially based on the determined valve timings, which model provides mappings relating initial conditions of the engine and the engine correction inputs to outputs of the engine; initial conditions of the engine corresponding to a switching point for switching between the two modes are determined; desired engine output conditions upon switching between the two modes are specified; and the engine correction inputs are determined by using the determined initial conditions, the desired engine output conditions, and the linear engine system model corresponding to the engine cycle mode in effect upon switching. |
| US08122856B2 |
Steam generator pipe, associated production method and continuous steam generator
Disclosed is a steam generator pipe which can be produced in a simple and economical manner and which has a particularly good heat transitional behavior having a large band width with various operational conditions. According to the invention, at least one insert is arranged in the inner chamber of the pipe in order to form a swirl-generating inner profile. The insert comprises a plurality of wires which wind, in a screw-like manner, along the inner wall of the pipe in the form of a multi-path thread. |
| US08122855B2 |
Boiler
The invention relates to a boiler comprising a combustion chamber which is surrounded at least in part by a combustion gas flue that is embodied as a primary heat exchanger. The combustion gas flue is enclosed at least in part by a water-conducting housing while a water-conducting secondary heat exchanger that is hydraulically connected to the housing is mounted downstream of the combustion gas flue. According to the invention, the combustion chamber is surrounded at least in part by the secondary heat exchanger. |
| US08122854B2 |
Chicken-loading vehicle
A fowl-loading vehicle is described, the vehicle comprising: a chassis, wheels or tracks for supporting the chassis relative to the ground; a pick-up conveyor belt for picking up fowl from the ground and a storage conveyor belt which receives fowl from the pick-up conveyor belt and which is movable in the same direction as the pick-up conveyor belt, the speed of the pick-up conveyor belt, during loading of the fowl, being greater than the speed of the storage conveyor belt. |
| US08122852B2 |
Pet paw washer
A pet paw washing apparatus is disclosed. The pet paw washing apparatus includes a basin and a partition disposed in the basin separating a first chamber from a second chamber. A receptacle may be in the second chamber for receiving a paw through a lid for washing the paw in the receptacle. Water may be transferred via tilting motion using handle from the first chamber to the second chamber through a notch in the partition. Dirty water in the receptacle may be transferred via tilting motion using handle out of the receptacle and into the second chamber through a spout. |
| US08122844B2 |
Freeze indicators with a controlled temperature response
A freeze indicator can include an indicator dispersion having an aqueous liquid medium and organic material indicator particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium. The indicator dispersion can have an initial appearance before freezing and an irreversibly different appearance after freezing and can exhibit a freeze-onset temperature of about −1.9° C. or higher. Some factors helpful to providing a relatively high freeze onset temperature are employment of a proteinaceous ice-nucleating agent, control of pH, use of a protein stabilizer and control of the ratio of protein stabilizer to ice-nucleating agent. |
| US08122836B1 |
Tilt table system
A primary work board has upper and lower surfaces. Bearing sleeves depend downwardly from the lower surface. A base has horizontal rods and a vertical rod. A support tube extends laterally from the vertical rod. Vertically extending parallel side walls extend upwardly from the primary work board to form a lower chamber there between. A secondary work board has upper and lower surfaces. Side, front and rear walls extend upwardly from the secondary work board to form a secondary chamber there between. Lower hinges pivotally couple the secondary work board and one side wall of the primary work board. |
| US08122835B2 |
Undercarriage for a rail vehicle
An undercarriage (1) for a rail vehicle has an undercarriage frame (2) comprising two longitudinal supports (3) and at least one transverse support (4) connected thereto. The undercarriage has at least two wheelsets (7) supported in wheelset bearings (6), each wheelset having a wheelset shaft (8) and two wheels (5). The wheelset bearings (6) are connected to the undercarriage frame (2). The undercarriage (1) has at least one drive (9) accommodated in the undercarriage frame (2) for driving one wheelset shaft (8) each. The at least one drive (9) is suspended in a movable fashion on the at least one transverse support (4). According to the invention, the at least one transverse support (4) can be connected in an articulated fashion to a locomotive or railcar body (16) via at least one tension/pressure element (41, 42) disposed in an articulated fashion on a top side (OS) and a bottom side (US) of the transverse support (4). |
| US08122834B2 |
Suspension type robot whose robot body runs along traveling rail
A suspension type robot comprises posts, support arms having apical ends, a traveling rail mounted between the apical ends of the support arms and robot body. Each of the support arms has at the apical end a U-shape-cut portion providing a U-shape opening and a U-shape upper surface surrounding the U-shape opening. The traveling rail has an attachment portion comprising a first cylinder portion and a second cylinder portion. The first cylinder portion is inserted into the U-shape-cut portion. The second cylinder portion is disposed on the first cylinder portion, engaged with the U-shape upper surface, and is larger in diameter than the first cylinder portion. The first cylinder portion is inserted deep into the U-shape-cut portion, and both sides of the U-shape opening of the U-shape-cut portion are extended from the plane of projection of the second cylinder portion. |
| US08122833B2 |
Reactive material enhanced projectiles and related methods
A munition, such as a projectile formed of at least one reactive material, is provided. In one embodiment, the projectile includes a body portion formed of at least one reactive material composition wherein the at least one reactive material composition defines at least a portion of an exterior surface of the projectile. In other words, a portion of the reactive material may be left “unbuffered” or exposed to the barrel of a gun or weapon from which it is launched and similarly exposed to a target with which the projectile subsequently impacts. In one embodiment, the projectile may be formed with a jacket surrounding a portion of the reactive material to provide additional structural integrity. The projectile may be formed by casting or pressing the reactive material into a desired shape. In another embodiment of the invention, the reactive material may be extruded into a near-net shape and then machined into the desired shape. |
| US08122832B1 |
Projectiles for shotgun shells and the like, and methods of manufacturing the same
Shot projectiles are disclosed that are not completely spherical. The shot may have a protruding ring, an elongated configuration, flat or concave surfaces, or other configurations that may affect the spreading distribution of the shot when fired or the ability to cause damage to a target. |
| US08122831B2 |
Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition
A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a press-fitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile. |
| US08122830B2 |
System and method for tracking identifiable initiators
A system and method of tracking an identifiable initiator comprising providing an initiator comprising: an initiator casing, an explosive composition confined within the initiator casing, and a firing signal receptor for receiving a firing signal and conveying said firing signal to initiate the explosive composition, wherein the initiator is provided with a first identification means disposed internally of the initiator casing and a second identification means disposed externally of the initiator casing, wherein the first and second identification means are identical and unique to the initiator; prior to dispatch of the initiator, recording and storing the unique identity of the initiator as retrievable data in a database; after dispatch of the initiator, reading the first and/or second identification means of the initiator to determine the unique identity of the initiator; retrieving data from the database; and matching the unique identity of the initiator to the retrieved data. |
| US08122829B2 |
Safety lighter for pyrotechnic device
Embodiments of the invention relate to a safety lighter intended to initiate the combustion of a pyrotechnic device, the lighter including a lighter body (10) having a cylindrical void (12) of axis XX′, and a pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) including pyrotechnic means (70, 74, 30) of initiating the combustion of the pyrotechnic device, the pyrotechnic slide-in module (14) being able to be displaced in the cylindrical void, from a so-called safety position (Ps), providing isolation between the pyrotechnic means of the slide-in module and the pyrotechnic device to be initiated, to a so-called initiation position (Pi), intended to provoke the combustion of the pyrotechnic device. |
| US08122824B1 |
Pneumatic can crushing apparatus
The present invention features a pneumatic can crushing apparatus for compacting cans comprising a pipe having a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly is connected to an air compressor via hoses and valves. Compressed air causes the piston assembly to move and crush a can or bottle inside the pipe. |
| US08122823B2 |
Space-saving in-flight trash compactor
A space-saving in-flight trash compactor, comprising a trash chute, a compactor mechanism, and a storage chamber that includes an interface for the trash chute. Trash deposited in the trash chute is channeled into the storage chamber. Either or both of the compactor mechanism and the storage chamber are rotatably attached to one or two axles. During maintenance or trash removal, the compactor mechanism or storage chamber may swivel around an axle to permit ease of access. |
| US08122820B2 |
Food processor with dicing tool
A food processor defining a food processing path through which are movable a cutting tool and a dicing tool for processing a food item. The dicing tool has multiple dicing elements selectively movable through the food processing path, between the cutting tool and the receptacle, to dice the food cut by the cutting tool. |
| US08122819B2 |
Machine for injecting liquids
A machine for injecting liquids is disclosed including use of at least one air pump in fluid communication with at least one injection head having apertures for nozzles. High-pressure injectate flows from the air pump into the head, preferably through a threadlessly mounted filter located within the injection head. To further minimize contamination, fluid that enters the injection head will not contact any threading present in either the head or the nozzles. An air pressure regulator is included to ensure a steady stream of injectate of a desired pressure is delivered to an injection subject via each injection head and also helping to eliminate hesitation in delivery of the fluid by the air pump. Cleaning of the machine is simplified by moving sensitive components into a sealed enclosure, removing them from a wet working environment. |
| US08122814B2 |
Beverage maker comprising a floating member for determining when a water pumping action needs to be terminated
A beverage maker (1) comprises a water tank (20) for containing and supplying water during a beverage making process, and a pump (40) for pumping the water out of the water tank (20). In order to terminate a pumping action at a predetermined point, the beverage maker (1) comprises a switch (64) which is arranged in a pumping circuit (41) for energizing the pump (40), a float (70) which is located in the water tank (20), and a coupling arm (71) attached to the float (70). During a pumping action, when a water level (21) in the water tank (20) is above a predetermined minimum level, the coupling arm (71) couples the float (70) to the switch (64), and the switch (64) is held in a closed position. However, as soon as the water level (21) reaches the minimum level, the coupling of the float (70) to the switch (64) is lost, and the switch (64) switches back to an opened position, as a result of which the pumping action is terminated. |
| US08122812B2 |
Piston and cylinder unit
A piston and cylinder unit (1) includes a cylinder housing (2), a piston (7), a piston rod (18) and a securing element (20). The piston (7) includes an opening (13), at least one piston seal (11) and an inner thread (15) being located in the opening (13). The piston rod (18) has an axis (9) and includes a protrusion (21), an outer thread (23) and a second thread (27). The outer thread (23) is located on the protrusion (21). The second thread (27) is located at the piston rod (18). The piston (7) and the piston rod (18) are connected by the inner thread (15) and the outer thread (23). The securing element (20) is designed and arranged to substantially extend in the direction of the axis (9). The securing element (20) includes a thread (24), the securing element (20) and the piston rod (18) being connected by the thread (24) of the securing element (20) and the second thread (27) of the piston rod (18). The securing element (20) is designed and arranged to be active in an axial direction in a way to prevent rotational movement of the piston (7) in a loosening direction. The threads (15, 23) of the piston (7) and of the piston rod (18) are designed and arranged to be operated in a direction opposite to the threads (24, 27) of the securing element (20) and the piston rod (21). |
| US08122811B2 |
Fuel injection pump and method for assembling the same
A housing has a cylinder and a compression chamber. A plunger is slidable in the cylinder and configured to pressurize fuel in the compression chamber. A cam is eccentric with respect to a shaft center axis of a camshaft and integrally rotatable with the camshaft. A sliding member is slidable around an outer circumferential periphery of the cam and configured to revolve around the shaft center axis in conjunction with rotation of the camshaft. The plunger is slidable on the sliding member and configured to convert the revolution into a linear movement. The cam and the sliding member are accommodated in the housing. The sliding member has an opening through which the outer circumferential periphery is partially exposed. |
| US08122810B2 |
Rocket propelled barrier defense system
A system providing a physical-barrier defense against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The system is suitable for use on aircraft, ground vehicles, and ships. |
| US08122804B2 |
Slicing guide device for preparing texture slices, texture slices preparing device, and method for preparing texture slices
Provided are a cutting guide device for preparing a texture section, which can prepare a texture section manually with a cutting tool such as a pathological knife, in a uniform thickness and in a regular section with neither experience nor skill, a texture section preparing device, and a method for preparing a texture section. The texture section preparing cutting guide device includes a placing base for placing a texture mass directly or indirectly thereon, and a cutting guide cover for preventing the texture mass placed directly or indirectly on the placing base from moving, by holding the texture mass downward. In at least such a portion of the cutting guide cover as to hold the texture mass, there are formed a plurality of slits, into which a knife to be used to cut the texture mass can be inserted. The slits have their intervals set to the thickness of a desired texture section. |
| US08122796B2 |
Multipurpose expansion work device for the cutting or expansion of metal tubes
The multipurpose expansion work device (10), adapted for the cutting, incision or expansion of metal tubes (T), comprises a tubular body (11) of support for a work tool (12) axially insertable in a metal tube (T), the work tool (12) having a plurality of elastically spreadable longitudinal arms (14), externally provided with an operating edge (15) intended to come into contact with an inner surface (T′) of the metal tube (T). The device (10) also comprises an expansion member (16) for divaricating the elastic arms (14), which is provided at a first end with a conical divarication head (17), converging or diverging towards a linear actuator (18) connected at a second end to the expansion member (16). The device (10) moreover comprises manually operable stop means (20) for adjusting the insertion depth of the tool (12) inside the metal tube (T). |
| US08122794B2 |
Torque socket assembly
A torque socket assembly includes a base which has a receiving hole defined therein. A tube sleeves on the base. The tube has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a recess defined in an outer periphery thereof. The first portion partially sleeves on an outer periphery of the base. A torque setting unit includes a first teethed gear disposed in the receiving hole, a second teethed gear meshed with the first teethed gear, a resilient unit abuts against the second teethed gear and the second portion, and a rod passes through the tube. The second teethed gear has an indentation formed on an outer surface thereof. A securing unit includes a pin disposed in the recess. A spring sleeves on the first portion of the tube and contacts with the pin, and an outer sleeve sleeves on outer peripheries of the spring and the tube. |
| US08122791B2 |
Three-way ratchet drive mechanism
A compact, three-way ratchet drive mechanism selectively enables ratcheting operation in a clockwise direction, or an anti-clockwise direction, or disables ratcheting behavior. The mechanism includes a ratchet housing, a drive shaft, a ratchet wheel, J-shaped pawls, and a coaxially fitted selector sleeve for selecting a desired mode of operation. |
| US08122789B2 |
Device for tightening of a gland nut
A device (1) for the adjustment of a gland nut (2), provided with a plurality of gripping means (8) through which said gland nut (2) can be caused to rotate, comprising an engaging member (3) and actuator means (25, 26) to cause the engaging member (3) to effect a working movement from a first position to a second position. The engaging member (3) is capable of effecting one-way engagement with the gripping means (8) to rotate the gland nut (2) through a predetermined angle (α) in the working movement from the first position to the second position. |
| US08122788B2 |
Variable gear ratio ratchet
This invention relates to a fastener driving device including a variable ratio gear mechanism that enables the ratio of the rotation of the handle to the rotation of a driving bit extending from the handle to be varied to allow the bit to rotate at different speeds from the handle. The device includes a gear mechanism disposed within a housing for the device that includes a locking member and a biasing member. The biasing member urges the locking member into engagement with the gear mechanism to lock the gear mechanism in a configuration for a 1:1 gear ratio. A selector switch is secured to the device over the gear mechanism and is operable to move the locking member into and out of engagement with the planetary gears against the bias of the biasing member to provide an increased gear ratio for the gear mechanism when desired. |
| US08122787B2 |
Transmission gear train baffle
A transmission includes a transmission case, a rotatable component disposed within the transmission case, and a sump disposed below the rotatable component for storing a hydraulic fluid. A gear train baffle is disposed between the rotatable component and the transmission case. The baffle includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining a cavity that substantially encircles the rotatable component, and a plurality of tabs disposed radially outward from the outer surface. The plurality of tabs are in contact with the transmission case to prevent the baffle from rotating. A plurality of openings are located at a bottom portion of the baffle. The plurality of openings extend through the baffle between the inner surface and the outer surface. The hydraulic fluid from the rotatable component collects on the inner surface of the baffle and is directed out of the cavity through the plurality of openings into the sump. |
| US08122785B2 |
Rotor balancing system for turbomachinery
The present invention relates to an improved rotor balancing system which allows for fine tune onsite adjustment for turbomachinery. The rotor balancing system comprises a rotor element having a row of locating slots and a device for reducing windage effects caused by the locating slots and protruding anti-rotation pins. In a preferred embodiment, the device for reducing windage effects comprises at least one balancing ring which partially or fully covers the locating slots and internal slots for engaging and disengaging that does not protrude outbound of the ring. Each balancing ring is preferably provided with two integrally formed anti-rotation members for engaging the locating slots. Each balancing ring is also preferably provided with a slot in a weighted portion of the ring for receiving a tool for positioning the balancing ring in a desired position. A method for positioning the balancing ring on a rotor element using the slot and the tool is also described herein. |
| US08122784B2 |
Cover assembly for a motor vehicle gearshift assembly
It comprises a shifter bezel (3) movable between two end positions relative to a base (2) fixed to the vehicle and biasing means for biasing the shifter bezel (3) to one of said end positions and locking means (10) for locking the shifter bezel (3) at any position between said two end positions with respect to the base (2).The shifter bezel (3) may be automatically self-adjusted in the vehicle console through the biasing means. Once the shifter bezel has been properly fitted, its relative position may be easily fixed by the locking means (10). |
| US08122781B2 |
Generator shear gear
A shear gear arrangement with gear teeth on the bearing liner positioned to engage complementary teeth on a shear gear main body. The bearing liner is static, while the shear gear main body mounts on the rotating drive shaft. If a failure occurs, the drive shaft displacement causes the shear gear main body gear teeth to engage the bearing liner teeth, instantaneously loading the shear section of the shaft with a sufficient torque load to shear the section as designed. |
| US08122780B1 |
Explosion proof vehicle for tank inspection
An Explosion Proof Vehicle (EPV) having an interior substantially filled with an inert fluid creating an interior pressure greater than the exterior pressure. One or more flexible tubes provide the inert fluid and one or more electrical conductors from a control system to the vehicle. The vehicle is preferably used in subsurface tank inspection, whereby the vehicle is submerged in a volatile fluid. |