| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08128571B2 |
Sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer includes a cuff block having a cuff for restricting flow of blood and a base block, to which the cuff block is pivotably connected, having an elbow support for supporting an elbow of a user who inserts his/her arm into the cuff block. The sphygmomanometer further includes a compensating unit to compensate a change of distance from one end of the cuff block to the elbow support, which is caused by a pivotal movement of the cuff block with respect to the base block. |
| US08128566B2 |
Enhanced intraluminal flow measurement method using pulsed signals
An enhanced intraluminal flow measurement system and method is conducive for a low-power ultrasonic system that can use continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sensing and wireless RF telemetry. Applications include measurement of blood flow in situ in living organisms. Implementations include an extraluminal component located outside of a body, such as a human or animal body, containing a lumen. The extraluminal component can be wirelessly coupled via an RF magnetic field or other RF field to an implantable intraluminal component. The intraluminal component (i.e. implant) is implanted inside of the lumen of the body such as a heart or elsewhere in a vasculature (such as in a dialysis shunt). The intraluminal component can telemeter, via RF electromagnetic signals, flow data directly out of the body housing the intraluminal component to be received by the extraluminal component. |
| US08128565B2 |
Heat reducing ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a continuous wave Doppler mode. A line switching section is provided between an array transducer and a unit which has a CW transmission section and a CW reception section, for changing a transmitting and receiving aperture pattern. When a first transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, a first aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a second aperture functions as a receiving aperture. When a second transmitting and receiving aperture pattern is set on the array transducer, the second aperture functions as a transmitting aperture and a first aperture functions as a receiving aperture. The patterns are switched whenever predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a prescribed event such as a pattern change, resumption of continuous wave reception, and so on. As such, localized heat generation or deterioration on the array transducer can be prevented. |
| US08128564B2 |
Apparatus and method for imaging shear modulus within a body
An apparatus and method for imaging a shear modulus within a body is disclosed. A method for imaging a shear modulus in accordance with the present invention includes generating an elastic wave inside an object to be measured; detecting the elastic wave ongoing inside the object to be measured; calculating a shear modulus of the inside of the object to be measured, based on a value obtained by differentiating the detected elastic wave one time; and imaging the inside of the object to be measured, based on the calculated shear modulus. |
| US08128563B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing size of ultrasound transducer cable
Ultrasound transducer comprises an array of elements forming rows and columns and wires within a transducer cable configured to connect at least a portion of the elements to an ultrasound system. The array comprises a central row and at least first and second outer rows positioned along opposite sides of the central row. First set of lines electrically connects elements within a first portion of the central row to one of the wires. First portion comprises less than a total number of elements within the central row. Second set of lines electrically connects at least a portion of the elements within first and second outer rows that are in the same column and electrically connects elements within a second portion of the central row to elements that are in the same column. Each line within the second set of lines is connected to one of the wires. |
| US08128561B1 |
Hydration and composition measurement device and technique
A hydration and composition measurement device and technique that in one embodiment includes a microcontroller; a phase lock loop frequency synthesizer controlled by the microcontroller to generate radio frequencies; a cavity for use in resonating at a set of frequencies; a radio frequency power detector for measuring perturbed cavity resonance; and an analyzer. The hydration and composition measurement device may further include a circulator, which receives frequencies from the phase lock loop frequency synthesizer, and an antenna connected to the circulator and cavity. The cavity may be defined by a metallic material or members, and the cavity includes a hole configured to provide access of tissue to be tested to the cavity. |
| US08128557B2 |
Endoscope with heat dissipating handle
An endoscope (1) is provided having a handle (2) and a probe part (3) that can be connected thereto, with an illumination system comprising at least one light emitting diode (6) and a video system having an image receiver being arranged in the handle (2). A carrier element (12) made of a heat-conducting material is provided for at least one light emitting diode (6) inside the handle (2), to which the light emitting diode (6) is directly connected. The carrier element thermally contacts the housing parts and/or installation parts of the handle (2) and the probe part (3) for heat conductivity and/or dissipation. |
| US08128554B2 |
System for introducing a pelvic implant
A system for supporting an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant for providing support to the anatomical structure of the pelvis. The surgical implant includes a first tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, a second tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, and a sub-urethral support having first and second ends, the first and second tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support. The system also includes an introducer for delivering the first tissue anchor to a desired anchoring site of the pelvis. |
| US08128552B2 |
Surgical instrument for treating female pelvic prolapse
A surgical instrument for treating female pelvic prolapse comprising a mesh sling for implanting into the pelvis of a female, which provides support to the urethra, the anterior vaginal wall, and the posterior vaginal wall with the sling defining a tissue-anchoring segment attached to opposite ends of the mesh sling. The mesh sling is surgically positioned using a tissue anchor applier instrument. The tissue anchor segment is positioned to attach to durable fascia that is located anatomically to support the sling. The durable fascia anchored vaginal wall support sling is positioned to provide support to the urethra for surgical management of female urinary incontinence, support to the anterior vaginal wall for surgical management of female cystocele, and support to the posterior vaginal wall for surgical management of female rectocele. |
| US08128545B2 |
Machine for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch
A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg. |
| US08128544B2 |
Low inertia roll
A roll for a rotary printing press having a first web disposed along a helical path and a plurality of first tabs disposed one after the other on the first web and extending from the first web at an angle relative to a surface of the first web. The first web forms one of a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall. |
| US08128543B1 |
Twist exerciser
A twist exerciser includes a base, a first gear unit, a second gear unit, a seat, a feet rest and a handle unit. The first gear unit includes a first shaft rotatably connected to the base and a first gear is fixed to the first shaft and co-rotated with the first shaft. The second gear unit includes a second shaft rotatably connected to the base and a second gear is fixed to the second shaft and co-rotated with the second shaft. The seat is connected to a top end of the first shaft and co-rotated with the first gear. The feet rest has a first end fixed to the first shaft and a second of the feet rest has a transverse bar. The handle unit has a handle and drives the second shaft. The exerciser is easily operated and has simple structure and less noise. |
| US08128542B2 |
Exercise grip device
An exercise grip device for use on a handle of a sport instrument which is to be swung and has a predetermined exterior size and configuration for a predetermined sport of the type swung to strike an object, wherein the handle has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration includes a generally tube-like member with a lengthwise opening and having about hand-width to permit grasping thereabout with one's hand and wherein the tube-like member includes a spring aspect which is preformed to an open relaxed position has an inner surface having a cross-sectional configuration which is larger than the predetermined cross-sectional configuration of the handle and is compressible to a closed position where the inner surface is maintained in contact with the handle to exert a force on one's hand and arm muscles and wherein the surface includes a nonmetal material which in the closed position engages the handle to prevent sliding movement therebetween by virtue of a non metal to handle contact of the grip device with the handle and while engaged by one's hand in a continuous compressed manner prevents sliding movement through the non metal to handle contact and concurrently works one's hand and arm muscles throughout a swing exercise employing the device on the instrument. |
| US08128539B2 |
Technique plates
An apparatus for weightlifting. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of technique plates. Each technique plate of the plurality of technique plates is an Olympic weightlifting technique plate. Each technique plate is formed as one piece of solid plastic-based composite, wherein a given technique plate is a different color from other technique plates of a different weight. Each technique plate has a color that is provided by the solid plastic-based composite. Each technique plate comprises a hole that is configured to receive a bar, wherein the hole of a given technique plate is rugged due in part to the given technique plate being one piece and made of solid plastic-based composite, wherein the hole of each technique plate has a hole tolerance and hole width that maintains sliding with ease and minimum teetering of the technique plate on the bar. Each technique plate is secure on the bar preventing damage to the technique plates when dropped on the floor. The plurality of technique plates being rugged, ease of use, and secure on the bar enables a user to focus on technique during weightlifting. |
| US08128532B2 |
Workout processing system
There is provided a physical fitness workout processing methodology and system for enabling remote scheduling and set-up of workout sessions for individual gym members or groups. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual or member is enabled to schedule a workout session in advance by using a wireless device or a personal computer from a location remote from the gymnasium where the workout session is to occur. The individual or user is enabled to schedule the use of various kinds of workout stations and equipment to insure that the proper equipment is available for use by the individual at the time during a workout session when it is needed. When the member enters the gym, his or her presence is detected and the member is tracked throughout the workout session. Messages are displayed on display devices by workout stations to announce that the equipment has been reserved for the member at the appropriate time. In one implementation, the member carries a membership card which transmits signals used to determine the member identification and location within the gym. When the member enters a workout station area, the member's individual settings for the exercise equipment at the workout station are automatically set and the workout data are automatically measured and entered into the member's physical fitness database which is maintained in storage at the gym server. |
| US08128530B2 |
Method for automatically controlling a neutral position and a parking lock of a motor vehicle transmission
A method of automatically controlling a neutral position and parking lock of an motor-vehicle transmission to immobilize the vehicle depending on a drive position of the transmission selected by the driver with a selector device and subject to other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. Only when simultaneously the vehicle is essentially stationary, an ignition circuit is electrically interrupted and the selector device is in a “Neutral” position, can an Neutral-holding phase be activated, in which the transmission is in a non-frictionally engaged neutral position as long as the parking lock of the transmission has not yet been engaged. If the Neutral-holding phase has not been activated, the transmission remains non-frictionally connected in the Neutral position until the driver at least intends to exit the vehicle, at which time the parking lock of the transmission is automatically engaged. |
| US08128529B2 |
Stabilizing a planetary pinion carrier of an automatic transmission
An assembly for stabilizing a gear unit of a transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a first component fixed against displacement along an axis, a carrier facing the first component, supported for rotation about the axis, and supporting planet pinion thereon, and springs located between the first component and the carrier, producing axial forces distributed angularly around the axis and applied to the carrier. |
| US08128528B2 |
Planetary gear set and method for producing the same
A planetary gear set includes a sun gear; pinions that are positioned around the sun gear and that mesh with the sun gear; and a ring gear that is positioned on the outer side of the pinions and that meshes with the pinions. Each pinion has a plurality of teeth on the outer surface thereof. Each tooth has a first tooth surface and a second tooth surface on opposite sides of the tooth, which can contact tooth surfaces of the sun gear and the ring gear. The deviation of the first tooth surface from the corresponding reference surface differs from the deviation of the second tooth surface from the corresponding reference surface. |
| US08128523B2 |
Sportsball with improved spiral rotation
A sportsball, such as a football, is preferentially constructed to enhance spiral rotation when thrown or kicked, allowing enhanced stability and distance. |
| US08128522B1 |
Variable length fletching system and method for using the same
An arrow fletching system having a continuous roll or individual lengths of base material to which is applied a series of fins or vane segments. The benefit of this fletching system is that an arrow can be fletched with an equal number of vane segments in each fletching area without measuring and/or weighing each of the sections. This results in a balanced arrow which can be easily modified to add or reduce the number of segments. Fins or vane segments may by slitted for greater flexibility along their top edges. |
| US08128520B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a tracking system
A tracking system and associated methods for locating animals, such as wounded/downed game animals or non-game animals such as research animals, and/or projectiles configured to be shot at an animal are disclosed. The system includes a transmitter and one or more radio frequency reflectors that are coupled to a projectile. After the projectile is shot, a user utilizes the transmitter to locate the reflector. In some cases, the reflector is integrally coupled to the projectile to allow the user to locate the projectile. In other cases, the reflector is selectively coupled to the projectile so as to be removed from the projectile and attached to the animal when the projectile hits the animal. In such cases, the user may use the transmitter to locate the animal. In still other cases, at least one reflector is integrally coupled to the projectile while another is selectively coupled to the projectile. Accordingly, the user can locate the projectile and the animal. |
| US08128519B1 |
Soccer goal structure
The present invention is a system for joining tubes in a structure. The system includes hollow tubes and pressure assemblies. The tubes have tool holes spaced from the ends which are to be joined together. The pressure assemblies include members which can be spread apart by threaded inserts threaded into one of the members. The threaded inserts are spaced to correspond to the spacing between the tool holes as occurs when the tube ends are placed together. Accordingly, a pressure assembly can be inserted into adjacent tube ends and then expanded with sufficient expanding force for joining the tube ends in a rigid, strong joint. The system of the present invention may be used to make highly versatile and portable structures such as soccer goals, American football uprights and basketball goals. |
| US08128517B2 |
Basketball coaching system
The present disclosure generally provides an integrated basketball return, coaching, and training system. In one embodiment, the present disclosure aids in, for example, returning basketballs to the players accurately in any position on the court, announcing scoring results, providing coaching tips and feedback information, and providing an efficient system for maximizing practice times for each player. |
| US08128515B2 |
Golf ball with multiple cover layers
A golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers, wherein the multiple cover layers are formed from materials that are substantially the same composition with the same Shore hardness, but are modified in some way to alter the processing or performance characteristics of the golf ball, or the layers have the same hardness and at least one cover layer is formed of a polymer blend including a polyurethane composition, and at least one cover layer is formed of a different polymer blend. |
| US08128513B2 |
Golf club head having a grooved and textured face
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio. |
| US08128511B2 |
Golf club head having a grooved and textured face
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing and surface roughening to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio. |
| US08128508B2 |
Shaft set for golf clubs and club set including the same
A shaft set includes plural shafts used for wood-type golf clubs each having a length of 40 inches to 48 inches. Among the plural shafts, a shaft used for a longer club has a smaller amount of change Δ1 in bending stiffness in a section from 600 mm to 800 mm from a tip of the shaft. Among the clubs using the plural shafts, the amount of change Δ1 in bending stiffness decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.7×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch to 1.6×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch per inch increase in club length, and the bending stiffness at a position 800 mm from the tip of the shaft decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.1×106 kgf·mm2/inch to 0.4×106 kgf·mm2/inch per inch increase in club length. |
| US08128506B2 |
Golf club
A golf club having a head with a face configured to contact a ball and a shaft attached to the head at a first end such that the first end extends into and is received within the head. The shaft is gripped by a golfer at a second end so as to be swung by the golfer to head strike the ball. The head is configured to provide the golfer with a visual indication of the position of the first end of the shaft such that the position of first end of the shaft is monitored during the swing. The visual indication can be provided by a transparent region and highlighting the first end of the shaft. |
| US08128505B2 |
Golf putter head including a cantilevered alignment aid
A putter head including a fore body and an aft body. The fore body includes a planar front strike face, heel and toe side walls, a rear wall, a top surface and a generally planar sole. The top surface includes a sight line. The sight line extends along a first plane that is perpendicular to the strike face and to the sole, and is substantially evenly spaced from the heel and toe side walls. The aft body is coupled to the fore body and includes a rear main portion and an overhang. The rear main portion is engaged to the rear wall of the fore body, and has a central region positioned between first and second end regions. The overhang forwardly extends from the central region. The overhang includes an elongate slot extending along the first plane, and is positioned over at least a portion of the sight line. |
| US08128503B1 |
Systems, methods and computer software for live video/audio broadcasting
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to computer software for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). |
| US08128501B2 |
Method and device for generating a game directory on an electronic gaming device
A method and a device for simplifying the forming of game parties in wireless communication networks is provided. A game directory is generated comprising all available (multi-player) games on a mobile device and exchanging said information between different gaming devices. Said game directory is generated by querying a memory accessible by said electronic gaming device for electronic games available for execution on, and generating a game directory having entries for each electronic game which is determined. Said game directory is then exchanged to visualize all available games to all potential game partners. |
| US08128499B2 |
Game device, game control method, and information storage medium
There is provided a game device capable of provoking a competing mood between players in a music game. In order to show each of a first and a second player the timing when a game operation is to be performed, reference arrow marks (46, 48) and a special timing guide arrow mark (61) gradually approaching the reference arrow marks (46, 48) are displayed. According to an evaluation result of game operation by the actual players, the display position of the special timing guide arrow mark (61) is gradually moved toward the display position of the reference arrow marks (46, 48) relating to the battle partner so as to impose a new game operation timing to a competing opponent. |
| US08128498B2 |
Configure offline player behavior within a persistent world game
A mechanism is provided for configuring offline player behavior within a persistent world game. A player agent for an offline player includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent may generate game events on behalf of the offline player. The player agent may also receive messages from an offline player. The messages may include commands for adding, removing, or editing offline player rules. A message may also include a command to view a list of rules or fire a one-time execution of a rule upon receipt. Therefore, a player may contribute to the persistent virtual world even when offline by sending commands using a messaging client or Web browser. |
| US08128495B2 |
Method for interacting a display with mechanical reels
Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen. |
| US08128489B2 |
Slot machine having multiple progressive jackpots
A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In the preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts. |
| US08128486B2 |
Wagering game with wager manipulation
Wagering game terminal and method of operating same are disclosed that increases the excitement and entertainment value over existing gaming terminals. The wagering game terminal manipulates the player's wagers instead of his winnings so that any winning outcome resulting from the wagers is increased. This allows the player to feel as if he has already won “free money” before the game has even started. Such an arrangement may increase the overall excitement felt by the player and may encourage the player to wager more. And since only some wagers will result in a winning outcome, it is possible to perform the wager increases without significantly changing the underlying mathematics of the game. |
| US08128475B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating a graphical transformation of an input number for use in a gaming application
One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for use in a gaming application. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving a non-predictable input number, K; and an output for presenting a graphical selector comprising N options. The graphical selector is configured to step in sequence through the N options in accordance with the received number K to select one of the N options. This therefore transforms the non-predictable input number K into a selection of an output option for use in the gaming application. |
| US08128474B2 |
Computer graphics processing methods and systems for presentation of graphics objects or text in a wagering environment
Computer graphics processing systems and methods are provided for the presentation of graphic objects or text in a wagering environment. In at least one embodiment, the systems and methods present graphic objects on a graphic user interface screen that includes at least one of a plurality of betting lines, including a reference betting line, such as a market betting line having a value that corresponds to a value of a reference variable associated with an object, a high line having a value corresponding to an amount above the reference variable value, a low line having a value corresponding to an amount below the reference variable value, etc. The market, high, and low lines may be arranged spatially on the interface screen based at least on the values of each of the lines. The interface screen includes a least one computer generated graphic object associated with each of the betting lines that is selectable for submitting at least one of an up bet request and a down bet request. The at least one graphic object may be rotating or moving based on the tradeable state associated with the graphic object. |
| US08128469B2 |
Media system and method
An interactive media system configured to present a substantially real-time simulation of an actual live event involving a moveable object in an arena, the system comprising: a tag attachable to a moveable object involved in an actual live event in an arena; one or more base stations located relative to the arena and operable to receive a signal from the tag; a location platform configured to determine the location of the tag in the arena based on the signal received from the tag by the or each base station, and to output location data representing a location of the tag in the arena; a virtual world environment unit to simulate the actual live event including the arena, the object, and movement of the object in the arena using the location data for the tag; and an access interface in communication with the virtual world environment unit, the access interface being arranged to provide a user with access to the simulated arena and to permit the user to observe the simulated event in substantially real-time. |
| US08128468B2 |
Game device, input method and input program for game device
The icon 348 of a graphic user interface indicates the magnitude of an inputted impact by an impact pointer 348d which moves as the time elapses and receives input of the impact. Magnitude of the impact received by a GUI 34 is retained in the impact data as a product of the moving amount of the impact pointer 348d and a scale factor, of which the value can be switched together with the indication form of a gauge 348c depending on the movement of a slider 348a. Consequently, more realistic regulation of impact, e.g., half shot, can be attained when a ball is hit in a sport simulation game such as a golf game. |
| US08128467B2 |
Crop residue chopping and spreading arrangement for a combine harvester
A crop residue chopping and spreading arrangement is described with a straw chopper (60) and an impeller blower (100) arranged downstream of the straw chopper (60). The impeller blower comprises impeller paddles (102) that can be set in rotation about a rotational axis (108) and an end-side cover (128) arranged directly adjacent to the impeller paddles (102). The impeller paddles (102) receive crop residue in a take-up region from the straw chopper (60) and discharge it in a discharge region onto a field. The end-side cover (128) is provided in front of the discharge region, with respect to the direction of rotation of the impeller paddles (102), with an opening (194) through which, during operation, the impeller paddles (102) take in air and discharge it in the discharge region, wherein this arrangement increases the throwing range of the impeller blower (100). |
| US08128464B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing pad
A chemical mechanical polishing pad used for chemical mechanical polishing comprises a polishing surface, a non-polishing surface that is provided opposite to the polishing surface, a side surface that connects an outer edge of the polishing surface and an outer edge of the non-polishing surface, and a plurality of grooves formed in the polishing surface. The side surface has a slope surface that is connected to the polishing surface, and a depth of the grooves is equal to or smaller than a height of the slope surface. |
| US08128463B2 |
Method and device for trimming a lens by cutting said lens
The present invention relates to a device and to a method for shaping an optical lens. According to the invention, a selection is provided between either a first tool (50) for machining the edge face of the lens, and a cutter tool (637) for cutting through the material of the lens, for the purpose of performing at least one given shaping operation. The invention also provides a method of shaping an optical lens coated in a treatment with low surface energy, the method including cutting through the material of the lens. |
| US08128459B2 |
Polishing holder for workpiece end surface
A holder for workpieces with end surfaces thereof being polished comprises a main body and a framework in which the main body is provided with a plurality of fixtures for holding the workpieces and the ring-shaped first supporting portion, and the framework is provided with the second supporting portion surrounding the outer side of the first supporting portion. The second supporting portion limits the angular movement of the first supporting portion to enable the main body to keep parallel to the polishing surface during the end surface of the respective workpiece is brought into contact with the polishing surface. The structure of the holder is capable of reducing the fabrication time and cost of the first supporting portion tremendously. |
| US08128458B2 |
Polishing apparatus and substrate processing method
A polishing apparatus detects the escape of a substrate from a top ring during polishing. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a polishing pad, a top ring, and a substrate escape detection section for detecting escape of the substrate from the top ring. The detection section includes a light irradiation member for irradiating an area of the upper surface of the polishing pad with light, a controller for controlling the light irradiation of the light irradiation member, an image-taking member for taking an image of the area irradiated with the light, and an information processing member for processing information outputted from the image-taking member. The controller controls the light irradiation member in such a manner that it performs light irradiation at least for a period of time during which the substrate is regarded as being in contact with the polishing pad. |
| US08128449B2 |
Method of making electronic device with frit seal and frit sealing apparatus
Disclosed is a frit sealing apparatus and method of using the same, the apparatus being capable of irradiating infrared rays only to a frit portion of a substrate. The apparatus includes a first chamber, a second chamber positioned inside the first chamber, a lamp positioned inside the second chamber, a stage positioned outside the first chamber to receive and fix a first mother substrate and a second mother substrate, an emitting part formed in the first chamber and the second chamber and positioned to direct heat supplied by the lamp to the stage. The apparatus also includes a mask positioned over the substrates, the mask including one or more transmitting portions positioned over regions containing the frit, and one or more interrupting portions positioned at other regions. |
| US08128445B2 |
Cold weather survival apparatus
Apparatus for cold weather survival comprises an elongated belt body comprising a piece of buoyancy-providing material. The belt body is sized such that end portions thereof overlap when the belt body is wrapped around a user's waist. The belt body has an inner side which faces the user and an outer side which faces away from the user. One or more fasteners are provided for holding the belt body in place around the user's waist. A plurality of flotation devices and a plurality of pockets are attached to the outer side of the belt body. A sleeve is attached to the outer side the belt body, and positioned such that when the belt body is wrapped around the user's waist, the sleeve is horizontally-oriented and located in front of the user. A telescoping pole is held by the sleeve across the front of the user. |
| US08128441B2 |
Terminal fitting connecting structure
A connecting structure has a male terminal (10) including a tab (13) and a female terminal (20) including a rectangular connecting tube (23) that receives the tab (13). A louver spring (30) is housed in the connecting tube (23) and has two spaced apart contact piece rows (31) each including juxtaposed resilient contact pieces (35) with contact portions (36) facing each other. The tab (13) resiliently contacts the contact portions (36) by being inserted between the contact portions (36) while resiliently displacing the contact piece rows (31) at the opposite sides. Inclined surfaces (15, 16) are formed adjacent a tip of the tab (13) of the male terminal (10) to gradually thin the tab (13) toward the tip. The inclined surfaces (15, 16) are formed so that the positions of base end edges (15A, 16A) connected to flat surfaces 14A differ in forward and backward directions. |
| US08128439B2 |
Connecting device for connecting an electrical conductor to a solar module and method for the production thereof, together with a solar module with such a connecting device
A connecting device that connects to at least one external electrical conductor of a photovoltaic solar module. The connecting device includes a plurality of busbars, a support element, a housing, a diode and a contact. The plurality of busbars are arranged next to one another, while the support element is attached to the plurality of busbars and includes a bottom face to be positioned on the solar module. The housing is positioned over the support element and the plurality of busbars and includes an edge surrounding the support element and the plurality of busbars when the overhousing is positioned on the solar module. The diode fits onto the plurality of busbars and includes diode leads that fit onto one of the plurality of busbars, such that the plurality of busbars are connected together through the diode. |
| US08128438B2 |
Device having a housing with a drainage opening and an elongated terminal passing through an insulating interface for connecting a servomotor to an electrical cable
A device for connecting a servomotor to at least one electrical cable includes an external housing with at least one cable input, blocked by the cable in operation, and an opening closed by an electrical connection element and forming an interface with the servomotor. The electrical connection element includes a wall of an insulating material and elongate electrical contacts that extend through the wall in a direction substantially orthogonal to the wall, each electrical contact including an inner end inside the device for connection to an electrical cable, and outer end outside the device for being connecting to a corresponding electrical contact of the servomotor. The external housing includes an opening for draining fluid from inside the device in the operational configuration device, and the wall of the electrical connection element extends along a portion of the inner end of the electrical contacts. |
| US08128433B2 |
Modular jack having a cross talk compensation circuit and robust receptacle terminals
The present invention is direct to a modular jack (10) having improved cross talk compensation performances. A printed circuit board (30) is inserted into the housing (20) of the modular jack (10). Robust receptacle terminals (11 to 18) and a multi-stage time delay and cross talk compensation circuitry are disposed on the circuit board (30) to reduce cross talk induced between receptacle terminals. Each robust receptacle terminal (11-18) comprises first and second legs (11a, lib; lid) located over one another with one end of each leg joined to the other leg by a bent portion (lie). The first leg (11a, lib) ends in a free end and the second leg (lid) extends from the base end (11f) to the bent portion (lie) to form an acute angle with the circuit board (30). The bent portion (lie) of each receptacle terminal is cantilevered to engage the circuit board at least when one or more of the receptacle terminals (11-18) is contacted by the terminal of a modular plug. |
| US08128426B2 |
Electrical terminal device
An electrical terminal device includes an insulation displacement connector section and a terminal section. The insulation displacement connector section has a connector slot formed therein which is configured to receive a first wire conductor. The terminal section is connected to the insulation displacement connector section and includes at least two beams configured to receive a second wire conductor. A distal end of at least one beam is displaced from a first position to a second position upon receipt by the at least two beams of the second wire. The at least one beam has a spring memory urging the distal end thereof toward the first position so that the at least two beams cooperate to hold the second wire. The insulation displacement connector section and the terminal section are made of a conductive material to provide an electrical connection between the first and second wires. |
| US08128423B2 |
Visible open for switchgear assembly
An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a connector end, a linking assembly connecting the conductor receiving end to the connector end, and a visible open port positioned in the connector body for viewing at least a portion of the linking assembly. The linking assembly may include a rearward conductive end conductively coupled to the conductor receiving end, a flexible conductor conductively coupled to the connector end, and a linking pin coupled to the flexible conductor and movable between a first position and a second position. The first position maintains the conductor receiving end electrically isolated from the connector end, and the second position conductively couples the conductor receiving end to the connector end. |
| US08128421B2 |
Electrical receptacle for outward facing ground plugs
A multiplex electrical receptacle adapted for receiving at least a pair of power cords, such that the ground prongs of the power cords are directed outward from the center of the multiplex electrical receptacle in a “grounds out” configuration. The electrical receptacle of this invention includes an electrical outlet receptacle having a receptacle body, a conductive mounting strap, a conductive live blade receiving assembly, a conductive neutral blade receiving assembly, and a nonconductive housing. |
| US08128418B1 |
Thermal expansion compensator having an elastic conductive element bonded to two facing surfaces
A thermal expansion compensator is provided and includes a first electrode structure having a first surface, a second electrode structure having a second surface facing the first surface and an elastic element bonded to the first and second surfaces and including a conductive element by which the first and second electrode structures electrically and/or thermally communicate, the conductive element having a length that is not substantially longer than a distance between the first and second surfaces. |
| US08128417B2 |
Methods and apparatus for connecting printed circuit boards using zero-insertion wiping force connectors
A circuit board assembly includes a primary board, and a connector mounted to a mounting location of the primary board. The connector includes compliant conductors, each compliant conductor having a first end and a second end. The connector further includes a connector body supported by the primary board. The connector body constrains the first end of each compliant conductor at the mounting location and the second end of each compliant conductor at an interface location. The connector further includes a movable member which is capable of moving relative to the connector body along an axis extending between the mounting location and the interface location. The movable member is constructed and arranged to control tension of the compliant conductors while the connector body constrains the first end of each compliant conductor at the mounting location and the second end of each compliant conductor at the interface location. |
| US08128415B2 |
Online test proctoring interface with test taker icon and multiple panes
An aspect of the present invention relates to an online test platform adapted to facilitate the development, delivery, and management of educational tests with interactive participation by students, teachers, proctors, and administrators even when some or all of them are remotely located. The platform may include administrator interfaces, test proctor interfaces, and test taker (e.g. student) interfaces to allow each participant to view, navigate, and interact with aspects of the online test platform that are intended to meet their needs. |
| US08128412B2 |
Model human eye
A model human eye is disclosed. The model human eye comprises a extended hemispherical-shaped assembly comprising a center point, an open end defined by a first continuous distal end, a cornea portion symmetrically disposed around the center point, and a sclera portion disposed between the cornea portion and the first continuous distal end. The extended hemispherical-shaped assembly comprises an integral molding. The model human eye further comprises a lenticular bag disposed within the extended hemispherical-shaped assembly. The model human eye further comprises a base comprising a bottom and one or more walls attached to that bottom and extending outwardly therefrom, where the one or more walls comprise a second continuous distal end. The first continuous distal end is attached to the second continuous distal end to define an enclosed space. The lenticular bag separates the enclosed space into an anterior chamber and a posterior chamber. |
| US08128408B2 |
Door breach training system
A door breach training system comprising a first restraint assembly connecting a door to a frame. The door is attached to a lock jamb of the frame with a first restraint assembly that exposes a shear joint to impact from a projectile, such as shotgun round. Another embodiment further comprises attachment of the door to the hinge jamb with at least one second restraint assembly that functionally simulates a typical door hinge and exposes a shear joint to impact from a ballistic round. The preferred embodiment includes replaceable lock panels and hinge panels that are designed to break in a known manner in order to replicate those same failure modes for both door locks and door hinges in typical residential and commercial construction environments. |
| US08128407B2 |
Method and system for teaching math
A method and device for teaching mathematics comprises a plurality of elongated members used to teach mathematics concepts. Each of the plurality of elongated members represent an associated numerical value. At least some of the plurality of elongated members are of different lengths, wherein the length of each of the plurality of elongated members is proportional to the numerical value represented by the elongated member. A plurality of retention members configured to receive the elongated members. Each of the plurality of retention members is configured to receive at least two of the plurality of elongated members. The device also comprises a numberline associated with the plurality of retention members. When the elongated members are placed on the retention member, various mathematical concepts may be shown. |
| US08128406B2 |
Predictive assessment of reading
Methods and systems for predicting future and concurrent reading ability are provided. A first variable comprising a measurement of picture vocabulary, a second variable comprising a measurement of phonemic awareness, a third variable comprising a measurement of rapid naming, and a fourth variable comprising a measurement of single letter or word naming are detected. An assessment of concurrent or future reading ability is generated from the first, second, third and fourth variables. The assessment of concurrent or future reading ability may be carried out with an empirically-based model of actual clinical experience or a regression model. |
| US08128405B2 |
System, method and apparatus for relaying simulation data
An apparatus for communicating simulation data is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly for mounting the apparatus on an edifice. The apparatus further includes a receiver for receiving simulation data from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice and for receiving simulation data from a central controller. The apparatus further includes a transmitter for transmitting simulation data to the plurality of players and to the central controller, wherein simulation data is transmitted to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs. In one alternative, the apparatus further includes an infrared camera for capturing video and still images of simulation events. In another alternative, the apparatus includes an infrared radiator for producing infrared light for illuminating video and still images captured by the infrared camera. |
| US08128401B2 |
Cannula for a combined dental irrigator and vacuum device
A cannula assembly is removably mountable to a syringe body having a pair of side-by-side chambers; there being an opening into each chamber at a bottom of the syringe. The cannula assembly includes a connector and a dual lumen assembly extending from the connector. The dual lumen assembly includes a pair of tubes defining two fluid paths. The connector includes fluid paths which, when the cannula assembly is mounted to the syringe, place the fluid path of one of the tubes in fluid communication with one of the syringe body chambers and the fluid path of the other of the dual lumen tubes in fluid communication with the other of the syringe body chambers. |
| US08128400B2 |
Debonding pliers
An instrument for debonding an orthodontic bracket from a tooth surface includes first and second plier portions coupled for relative pivotal movement. A lever arm pivotally movable relative to the first and second plier portions has a tooth engaging member on a first end. The tooth engaging member may be positioned on the lever arm for movement between a jaw of the plier portions and the tooth surface when a second end of the lever arm is pivotally manipulated in a direction toward a handle of the plier portions. At least part of at least one plier portion may be flexible relative to the lever arm such that the lever arm moves the tooth engaging member relative to a jaw of the plier portions after the bracket engaging portions are engaged with the orthodontic bracket and the handles and lever arm pivotally manipulated toward one another. |
| US08128399B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling gas flow patterns inside a heater chamber and equalizing radiant heat flux to a double fired coil
A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of combustion air, fuel and products of combustion in a heater and equalizing radiant heat flux by providing a structure on one or more of the heater walls that attaches the boundary layer and main flow to the heater wall and increases wall surface area and view angles. |
| US08128397B2 |
Cross-over nozzle system for stack molds
A crossover nozzle system for transferring molten plastic from an inlet at the center of the stationary platen of an injection machine to the main manifold of the molding chambers of the stack molds of the injection molding machine. The crossover nozzle system incorporates liquid cooling to create a high viscosity viscous seal from molten plastic at a parting line between moveable components. Accordingly, no other seal is required between the components. |
| US08128396B2 |
Reusable sealing device
A sealing device for forming an airtight seal between a first body, such as a cure tool, and a second body, such as a vacuum bag, without the use of adhesives. The sealing device may comprise an outer surface attached to the second body, an inner surface configured to face the first body, and two cusps located at opposite edges of the inner and outer surfaces. The sealing device may form a continuous boundary around an area of any shape or size. The sealing device may have a substantially crescent-shaped cross-section, allowing the sealing device to suction to the first body when compressed against the first body. The sealing device may also comprise a tab portion protruding from the inner surface between the first and second cusp for providing a more secure seal between the sealing device and the first body. |
| US08128395B2 |
Honeycomb segment-forming die and method for manufacturing honeycomb structure
A honeycomb segment-forming die includes: an introducing portion provided on an introduction face side and having a plurality of back holes, and a forming portion provided on an formation face side and having slits communicating with the back holes. The forming portion has a polygonal outer peripheral shape and forms a prismatic honeycomb segment by passing kneaded clay for forming which is introduced from the back holes of the introducing portion through the slits of the forming portion, and a gap between slits formed in each of corner portions including a vertex of the polygonal forming portion is larger than a gap of slits formed in the central portion of the forming portion. This enables to form a honeycomb segment having high compressive strength. |
| US08128390B2 |
Portable concrete moulding machine
A portable concrete molding machine can extrude concrete moldings of a range of widths by the provision of one or more tunnel plates within the mold, the machine being provided with respective pusher plates that have pusher faces of widths complementary to the effective widths of the mold. A pair of links connect a gearbox to the pendulum arms of the pusher means to ensure even driving force applied to the pusher plates as they undergo reciprocating movement to allow concrete to flow from a hopper through a mouth of the mold and to extrude the concrete from the mold, the machine being advanced in an extrusion direction by the extrusion of the concrete from the mold. |
| US08128389B2 |
Positive-displacement machine design (variants)
In the first variant, the device comprises a stator and a rotor eccentrically mounted in the stator. A planetary train consists of large and small gear wheels. The large gear wheel is fixedly arranged on the outside of the small gear wheel and it is enabled to run around the small gear wheel of the planetary train. The stator is coupled with the large gear wheel and the rotor is coupled with the small gear wheel. In the second variant, the device comprises a stator and a rotor. The small gear wheel is fixedly arranged and the large gear wheel is enabled to run around the small gear wheel of the planetary train. The stator is coupled with the small gear wheel and the rotor is coupled with the large gear wheel. The equations describing the outlines of the stator and rotor are disclosed for the first and second variant. |
| US08128384B2 |
Tube loading assembly for peristaltic pump
A spring mounted tube pressing member for peristaltic pumps allows loading and unloading of an elastic tube section between the tube pressing member and a continuously revolving rotor assembly by selectively moving between a locked position for fluid transfer and an open position for unhindered mounting and demounting of the tube section or a replaceable tube cassette. Not only is the pressure on the tube pressing member adjustable by the spring used, its dynamic pressure distribution on the tube section also prolongs the tube flex life and reduces fluid back mixing and pulsation in the tube. |
| US08128383B2 |
Top seal assembly
A downhole sucker rod pump including a brush disposed between the downhole pump barrel and the well tubing to provide an effective seal which is not damaged during the insertion and/or withdrawal of the pump. The bush has a sufficient density and stiffness, such that it provides a sufficient interference fit between the pump barrel and the well tubing, that which retains its integrity with damage during the insertion and withdrawal process of a deep well. |
| US08128371B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate increasing turbine rotor efficiency
A method facilitates assembling a turbine. The method includes coupling buckets to a turbine wheel. The method also includes coupling a first end of a cover plate to the turbine wheel such that at least one projection extending from the turbine wheel retains the cover plate in position relative to the turbine wheel and inserting a fastening mechanism through an opening defined in the turbine wheel to secure the cover plate against the turbine wheel. The cover plate facilitates reducing dovetail leakage across the buckets coupled to the turbine wheel. |
| US08128370B2 |
Blade structure for torque converter and process of producing the same
A blade structure for a torque converter is produced as follows. A flat sheet is stamped into a shape including: a holding section; an inner connecting section located around the holding section, and held by the holding section; an outer connecting section located around the inner connecting section; and a plurality of blades connected between the inner connecting section and the outer connecting section. Then, the blades are bended into a curved shape between the inner connecting section and the outer connecting section. Then, the blades are angled by a predetermined angle with respect to the inner connecting section and the outer connecting section. Then, the holding section is displaced with respect to the inner connecting section perpendicularly of the sheet so as to shrink the sheet toward the holding section and shrink spaces between the blades. Then, the displaced holding section is removed from the sheet. |
| US08128368B2 |
Apparatus for the ventilaton of a rotor hub of a wind energy plant
Apparatus for the ventilation of a rotor hub of a wind energy plant, with a cup-shaped ventilation cap, which has a circumferential side wall and a base portion, wherein the side wall has at least one bore for draining water and the base portion has at least one bore for ventilation, a pipe-shaped connection piece, which has an air entrance opening which runs out into an interior space of the rotor hub, wherein the ventilation cap is arranged before the air entrance opening and the at least one bore for ventilation is arranged in the ventilation cap outside of the air entrance opening of the pipe-shaped connection piece such that the air entrance opening is covered up by the ventilation cap. |
| US08128364B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blade with porous window and controllable cover member
A wind turbine blade includes a porous window defined in the suction side of the blade. The porous window is permeable to airflow from within an internal cavity of the blade through the suction side. A deployable cover member is configured with the porous window and is variably positionable from a fully closed position wherein airflow through the porous window is blocked, to a fully open position wherein airflow is established through an entirety of the porous window. An actuating mechanism is disposed within the internal cavity of the blade and is configured with the cover member to move the cover member between the fully closed and fully open positions in response to a control signal. |
| US08128359B2 |
Air fan module and a flow directing blade assembly thereof
An air fan module and a flow directing blade assembly thereof aim to reduce noises generated during operation of the air fan caused by friction between blades and air and improve cooling efficiency. The air fan module includes a fan frame which has an air inlet, an air outlet and a housing space formed between them to hold a flow directing blade assembly. The flow directing blade assembly has an axis and a plurality of blades mounted onto the axis. Each blade has a first end surface and a second end surface. The first and second end surfaces have respectively a plurality of first flow directing portions and second flow directing portions that are respectively spaced from each other and formed in an asymmetrical manner. Air can form steady airflow by channeling of the first flow directing portions and the second flow directing portions of two neighboring blades. |
| US08128357B2 |
Stator blade segment of a thermal turbomachine, associated production method and also thermal turbomachine
The invention relates to a guide blade segment of a thermal turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, comprising a number of profiled blades which are arranged on a platform. A plurality of securing elements for securing the guide blade segment to an associated guide blade support are arranged on the side of the platform which is oriented away from the blade. The aim of the invention is to provide a guide blade segment which can be produced in a simple and economical manner avoiding casting problem areas enabling the guide blade segment to be attached in a particularly reliable and secure manner to the associated guide blade support. According to the invention, at least one section of at least one of the securing elements is a separately produced component which is rigidly connected to the platform or to an additional section of the securing element. |
| US08128355B2 |
Fan for a gas burner system
A fan for a gas burner system where at the outflow side of the fan a combustion gas is fed in, in order to form a flammable mixture of gas and air, the fan comprising a spiral-shaped fan housing having a rotational axis and an air outlet; the air outlet of the fan housing widening like a snail shell towards the outflow side of the fan; an impeller that is arranged concentric to the rotational axis in the interior of the fan housing; and an electric motor for driving the impeller, which is integrated at the center of the impeller. |
| US08128351B2 |
Seals in steam turbine
A seal structure for a steam turbine is provided, which is capable of suppressing transfer of heat generated by a friction between a rotating portion and a fixed portion to the rotating portion and of suppressing an increase in the temperature of the rotating portion. A labyrinth seal device serves to suppress the amount of steam leaking from a clearance present between each stator blade (fixed portion) of the steam turbine and a rotor (rotating portion). The seal structure for the steam turbine is formed to ensure that permeable spacers made of a permeable metal are provided on the rotor and a seal stationary body and face respective seal fins provided in the labyrinth seal device. |
| US08128347B2 |
Aeroengine bleed valve
A bleed valve for a gas turbine engine, the valve comprises a diffuser having a plurality of holes through which a bleed fluid flows and into a fluid stream. The diffuser is characterized in that at least some of the holes are at least partially tangentially angled relative to the bleed fluid flow through the valve so that the bleed air forms a vortex to enhance mixing with the fluid stream. |
| US08128345B2 |
Centrifugal impeller/propeller pump system
A housing includes a major component. The major component has a planar section. The planar section has an aperture constituting an inlet. The major component has a generally cylindrical peripheral section. A tangential extension is provided. The aperture constitutes an outlet. The housing also includes a minor component. The minor component has a planar section. The planar section has an aperture. The aperture constitutes an outlet. A tangential extension is adapted to overlie the major component for creating a chamber. A rotatable assembly includes an annular plate. The annular plate has an aperture. Spaced impeller segments are provided. A propeller is also provided. The propeller has an axial bore. Propeller blades are provided. Openings are provided between the blades. The bore is adapted to receive a drive shaft of a motor. In this manner the propeller and the annular plate and the impeller segments are rotated. |
| US08128344B2 |
Methods and apparatus involving shroud cooling
A turbine cooling component comprising a circumferential leading edge, a circumferential trailing edge, a pair of spaced and opposed side panels connected to the leading and trailing edges, an arcuate base connected to the trailing and leading edges having a fore portion, a midsection portion, an aft portion, opposed side portions, an outer surface partially defining a cavity operative to receive pressurized air, and an arcuate inner surface in contact with a gas flow path of a turbine engine, a first side cooling air passage in the base extending along the first side portion from the fore portion to the aft portion, and a fore cooling air passage in the fore portion of the base communicative with the side cooling air passage and the cavity, operative to receive the pressurized air from the cavity. |
| US08128341B2 |
Steam turbine
Disclosed is a steam turbine with a casing, wherein a turbine shaft having a thrust-compensating piston is rotatably mounted inside the casing and directed along a rotation axis, wherein a flow passage is formed between the casing and the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft has in its interior a cooling line for directing cooling steam in the direction of the rotation axis. The cooling line, on one end, is connected to at least one inflow line for the inflow of cooling steam into the cooling line from the flow passage, and on the other end, is connected to an outflow line for directing cooling steam onto a lateral surface of the thrust-compensating piston. An essential aspect is, the cooling steam discharging onto the lateral surface of the thrust-compensating piston mixes with some of the live steam and is directed back into the flow passage via a return line arranged in the casing. |
| US08128339B2 |
Bearing support structure and gas turbine
To provide a bearing support structure and a gas turbine that prevent damage of device induced by a rotor shaft when the rotor shaft is unbalanced, the bearing support structure and the gas turbine includes: a casing (7) formed in a cylindrical shape; a bearing unit (8) formed in a cylindrical shape and housed in the casing (7); a rotation shaft (5) rotatably supported by the bearing unit (8); and a reaction-force decreasing unit (13) that connects the casing and the bearing unit, and is configured to decrease a radial reaction force on the bearing unit side. |
| US08128337B2 |
Omnidirectional vertical-axis wind turbine
A two-stage, omnidirectional vertical axis wind turbine includes a first chamber in which a plurality of angularly spaced horns guide wind from any side of the wind turbine into a chamber to rotate a first rotor. Wind exiting the first rotor passes through a diverter to produce laminar flow. A fan attached to the shaft intercepts this laminar flow to add additional torque to the shaft. |
| US08128335B2 |
Disc turning device
A disc turning device is formed with at least one support portion at one side of a center of gravity of the disc to make a disc turn over automatically by gravity by turning about the support portion, thus achieving the objectives of automatically turning over a disc by gravity, and saving energy. |
| US08128330B2 |
Fastening apparatus
One embodiment of this fastening apparatus comprises a body with a passage through its length, a threaded member, a locking member, and a bowed ring. The threaded member is retained by the locking member in the passage. The bowed ring is disposed on the body and is configured to be flexible. This body may be fabricated of graphite in one instance. |
| US08128328B2 |
Fastening element
A fastening element (11) for anchoring in a borehole (7) with a hardenable compound (31) has a shaft (13) extending along a longitudinal axis (12), a mixing element (22), and a profiling element (26) with radially protruding profiling sections. |
| US08128321B2 |
Drilling templates
A drilling template for use in jointing workpieces, the template consisting of a substantially rectilinear bar with through holes through which holes can be drilled in the workpieces to effect said jointing, a locating device for locating the template relative to the workpieces when the though holes are being drilled, and spacers for spacing the locating device from the bar to enable the position of the through holes to be adjusted relative to the workpiece. |
| US08128316B1 |
Method of restoration of a highly saline lake
A method of restoring a lake that has a high saline level is disclosed herein. In order to restore the lake, a series of concentric dikes or levees are provided that separate the lake into a plurality of smaller lake sections, each having a water surface. The smaller lake sections include an outer lake section which is next to the periphery of the lake and one or more inner lake sections. Each dike and each smaller lake section water surface have an elevation. Water is flowed from an influent source to the outer lake section and then to each of the inner lake sections. The outer lake section surface has a higher elevation. The inner lake section surfaces have cascading lower surface elevations. At a central area, a breathing brine area is provided that is surrounded by the smaller lake sections to provide an area that can be used to concentrate brine. The smaller lake sections can have differing salinity levels for sustaining diverse marine and plant life. |
| US08128309B2 |
Lifting device for the backrest of a chair
A lifting device for the backrest of a chair includes a fixed member, a movable member movably mounted on the fixed member and having an elongate slideway and a plurality of locking grooves, a locking bolt extending into the slideway of the movable member and detachably locked in one of the locking grooves of the movable member, a slide secured on the locking bolt to move the locking bolt, and an elastic member biased between the slide and the fixed member to push the locking bolt toward one of the locking grooves. Thus, the movable member is moved relative to the fixed member to adjust the height of the backrest so that the height of the backrest can be adjusted according to a user's requirement, and the backrest can support the user's back efficiently. |
| US08128306B2 |
Regulating device
A regulating device for gymnastic machines and the like, includes at least a lever (2) for manual selective lock and release, associated with a first member (3), at least a toothed rod (4), associated with a second member (5) slidable relative to said first member (3), and a pawl (6) mechanically interlocked with the lever (2) and selectively engageable in one of the teeth (7) of the toothed rod (4) to block rigidly the second member (5) with respect to the first member (3) in any position by a user the lever (2) being selectively movable from at least a first position of sliding of the second member (5) relative to the first member (3), wherein said pawl (6) can be released from said toothed rod (4), to at least a second position of blocking said second member (5) relative to said first member (3), wherein the pawl (6) is rigidly engaged in one of the teeth (7) of the toothed rod (4), to at least a third position of substantial clearing of the mechanical backlashes between the second member (5) and the first member (3). |
| US08128294B2 |
Interface converter for SC fiber optic connectors
An interface converter is provided for mechanically and optically coupling a fiber optic connector with an adapter port. In a preferred embodiment, the interface converter attaches to an SC fiber optic connector and together form a converted fiber optic connector compatible with the adapter port. In certain embodiments, a retractable release sleeve may be removed from the SC fiber optic connector prior to attaching the interface converter. In certain embodiments, the interface converter may be inserted into the adapter port prior to being attached to the SC fiber optic connector. |
| US08128288B2 |
Adaptable gift bag
The Adaptable Gift Bag is a bag made of relatively opaque, stretchy material, not paper or netting, so that it can fit over various sizes and shapes of gift items and present a smooth, attractive appearance. The Adaptable Gift Bag is typically made of a single sheet of material folded over and sewn along one or two sides so that it has one open end, but in alternate embodiments it could have two open ends. The open end can be closed around the gift by gathering and tying with traditional ribbon or cord, by attaching a drawstring, or alternatively can be twisted and stretched back over the gift for a unique finished appearance. The Adaptable Gift Bag may be lined (e.g., with a different material), may include a zipper for easier removal from the gift item, and/or may include strategically placed elastic bands in its interior for a better fit (esp. at the corners). Using a shimmery, sparkly, or iridescent material provides a festive appearance for the finished gift. |
| US08128285B2 |
X-ray position fixture and cassette holder for children
A fixture for use in taking X-ray images of children comprising; a base including cylinder having a height adjustable piston, and at least one mounting arm. The mounting arm including a first end connected to the front wheel of a bike and a second end connected to a rear wheel of the bike. The bike including a first seat; a second seat portion supported by the mounting arm, the second seat including a back portion that is transparent to X-rays. An x-ray cassette is mounted on a swivel arm and can be positioned to take typical x-ray images of a child's torso including anterior, posterior, left lateral and right lateral. The fixture can work with any x-ray source and can work with wall mounted x-ray cassettes as well. |
| US08128284B2 |
Transmitter and method for producing a transmitter
A transmitter, in particular for mounting on the head of a process thermometer, has an upper part, a lower part, at least one connection unit and at least one electric contact element. The connection unit is arranged on the inside of the upper part and can be electrically contacted via the contact element from the outside of the upper part. The lower part is integrally formed using thermoplastic plastic and the upper part and the lower part are force-fit and/or form-fit with one another. A method for making the transmitter is also disclosed. |
| US08128278B2 |
Methods and apparatus for thin metal film thickness measurement
A method for measuring a metal film thickness is provided. The method initiates with heating a region of interest of a metal film with a defined amount of heat energy. Then, a temperature of the metal film is measured. Next, a thickness of the metal film is calculated based upon the temperature and the defined amount of heat energy. A chemical mechanical planarization system capable of detecting a thin metal film through the detection of heat transfer dynamics is also provided. |
| US08128277B2 |
Magnetic agitator
A contactlessly, inductively, or magnetically drivable agitator (1) for fluids, in particular for agitating sterile fluids which is equipped with a separating vessel (10) and an agitator head (2), which is supported thereon in an axially and radially movable fashion and is for supporting agitating elements (5). The novel agitator (1) includes structures for hydrodynamically generating a fluid film from the medium to be agitated and during operation, the fluid film is formed between at least one stationary part of the separating vessel (10) or a container bottom (11) and at least one part of the rotationally movable agitator head (2) that is equipped with the hydrodynamically acting structures. During operation, the fluid film eliminates essentially all of the pressure on the bearing, drastically reduces the wear, and as a result, practically no further abraded material gets into the fluids to be agitated. Such agitators permit maximum speeds of up to 3000 rpm. The agitators are suitable for installation in conventional metal receptacles, but it is preferable to use plastic nonreusable agitators in nonreusable containers. |
| US08128276B2 |
Device at bone cement mixer
A bone cement mixer (1) includes at least one mixing space (5) for mixing powder and liquid components (2, 4) to make bone cement. The powder component (2) is placed in the mixing space (5) and the liquid component (4) in a liquid container (3). The liquid component (4) is sucked out from the liquid container (3) to the mixing space (5) by means of a vacuum generated in the mixing space. The liquid container (3) is a tube (15) that has a connecting element (16) for connecting it to the bone cement mixer (1). The connecting element (16) is adapted to be opened when it is connected to a corresponding connecting element (17) on the bone cement mixer (1). The metal material of the tube has a thickness such that the volume of its liquid containing space (18) is brought to decrease when the vacuum in the mixing space (5) is brought to prevail therein. |
| US08128272B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material is disclosed. The waveguide material is capable of propagating light generated by light emitting source(s), such that at least a portion of the light is diffused within the waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of its surface. |
| US08128268B2 |
Light-emitting device, and lens used in the same
A light-emitting element 1 has a rod-shaped light-emitting element 3, an LED lamp 10, and a lens 20 for converging light from the LED lamp to an end face of the rod-shaped light-emitting element. The lens 20 has a scattering area around the centerline of an extremity thereof, and the scattering area scatters light in proximity to the centerline, thereby irradiating an inner peripheral surface of the rod-shaped light-emitting element 3 with the light. |
| US08128267B2 |
Light source and illumination device comprising at least one light-emitting element
A light source comprising a light engine (10), especially with at least one LED and/or at least one laser light emitting element, and further comprising a light guide (11) and an out-coupling structure (12) is proposed. By this, a flexible scheme to tailor the source size and radiation characteristic of an LED- or laser based system is provided. The size and the position of the out-coupling structure (12) can be chosen to be comparable to the size and position of the filament or arc of a conventional light source like an incandescent-, halogen- or gas discharge burner. The disclosed LED/laser light source is retrofit from an optical point of view so that it can replace a conventional light source like an incandescent-, halogen- or gas discharge bulb or burner in an illumination device. |
| US08128266B2 |
Edge-light backlight assembly
An edge-light backlight assembly is provided, which includes a light guide and a protruding part. The protruding part is provided for receiving light from various directions. The light received by the protruding part directly enters or is reflected to enter the light guide, and then the light leaves the light guide to provide backlight. Light sources are arranged to project light to the protruding part in different directions, such that the light sources can be disposed dispersedly to reduce the thickness of the light guide and heat generated is distributed over a large area. |
| US08128261B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting element array, backlight unit, and liquid crystal display
An LED package housing member that includes a light emitting chip has a missing portion in its side walls. |
| US08128257B2 |
Curved compact collimating reflectors
An LCD can include a Compact Collimating Reflector (CCR), is configured to be located downstream in a light path from an LCD light source, where the CCR is configured to reflect light from the LCD light source to provide collimated light downstream from the CCR. A light diffusion film is located downstream from the CCR and is configured to receive the collimated light from the CCR. An LCD panel is located downstream from the CCR. |
| US08128255B2 |
Structure for securing conductive strip of flashlight
A structure for securing a conductive strip of a flashlight includes a flashlight main body formed therein with a receiving space for receiving batteries. The receiving space has a lateral surface formed with a groove whose cross-section tapers toward the center of the receiving space and is configured for receiving the conductive strip coupled to a switch assembly, along with an insulating element corresponding in width to the conductive strip and having a predetermined length. Once installed in the flashlight main body, the conductive strip is separated from the batteries in the receiving space, thereby preventing the batteries from overheating, which might otherwise result from direct contact with the conductive strip. The main body further has a rear end coupled with a pressing portion formed of a pliable material such that a switch of the switch assembly is switched on or off by pressing the pressing portion. |
| US08128254B2 |
Flush-mounted flashing light
The invention relates to a flush-mounted flashing light for approach guidance of aircraft, having a housing which has a housing pot (10) which can be inserted below ground level (F) and a housing cover (12) which covers this approximately at ground level (F) and having an optical system, which is arranged in the housing for controlled production and directed emission of light flashes, which comprises a light source (20) for production of light flashes and a prism (40) for varying the direction of the beam direction of the light flashes, with at least one light outlet opening (13) being provided in the housing cover (12) for light flashes to emerge from in a predetermined emission direction. The external dimensions as well as the total weight of the flashing light can be reduced considerably because the light source (20) is elongated and designed to emit a light over a length (L) of less than 100 mm, and because a lens (42) for focusing the light which is emitted from the light source (20) is arranged on a light inlet surface (41) of the prism (40). |
| US08128250B2 |
Articulating drill with illumination
The present invention is an articulating hand power tool which in one embodiment includes a head portion including a head housing configured to articulate with a main housing, a bit holder rotatably positioned within the head housing, and a lighting assembly configured to emit a first elongated beam pattern from the head portion. |
| US08128247B2 |
Illumination device for flash photography
The invention relates to an illumination device for flashlight photography comprising at least one reflector chamber which, in use, can be arranged in the direction of an object being photographed, having at least one reflector and at least one flash element arranged in the reflector chamber as first light source, as well as at least one UV filter element which, in use, covers the reflector chamber on a radially extending outer face in the direction of the object being photographed, the filter element having at least one ventilation opening. By means of the arrangement, an illumination device suitable for all fields of application is to be provided, a particular objective being to generate flash series of any desired length and at the same time to provide optimum UV protection on the illumination device. Uses of such an illumination device are also defined. |
| US08128246B1 |
Fast steering mirror
An apparatus for tilting a mirror. The apparatus includes a plate for supporting the mirror and a diaphragm sandwiched between the mirror and the plate. The diaphragm includes cutout portions forming a pattern in the diaphragm. As the plate provides tilt motion to the mirror, the pattern in the diaphragm stabilizes the tilt motion of the mirror. |
| US08128244B2 |
Exterior sideview mirror system
An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. |
| US08128243B2 |
Exterior sideview mirror system
An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a single mirror backing plate element within a mirror housing. A main plano mirror element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are supported by the backing plate element. The backing plate element has a generally flat portion for supporting the main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. The curved portion may be angled relative to the generally flat portion in a manner such that, when a driver of the vehicle aligns the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element may be aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side. The main plano mirror element includes a generally flat reflector-coated glass substrate or a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof. |
| US08128240B2 |
Optical unit and projector apparatus
An optical unit includes a frame; an optical member having a rectangular plate-shape; and a pair of mount portions formed in the frame, each holding a side of the optical member. Each of the mount portions includes an insertion slot into which an end of the optical member in the width direction is inserted. The insertion slot is formed between first and second walls of the frame. The first wall includes a thickness direction positioning surface that is in contact with one of the surfaces of the optical member in a thickness direction. The second wall includes an inclined surface. The optical member is fixed to the frame using an adhesive in a state in which the one of the surfaces of the optical member is pressed against the thickness direction positioning surface and an end of the optical member in the height direction is pressed against the inclined surface. |
| US08128238B2 |
Projection optical system and image displaying apparatus
Disclosed is a projection optical system including a projection surface configured such that an image conjugate to an object is projected, plural optical elements having a refractive power, and a deflecting element having no refractive power configured to deflect an optical path of a light beam and to pass the light beam having a deflected optical path between the plural optical elements, wherein a normal line of the projection surface at a center of the projection surface does not pass through the plural optical elements or between the plural optical elements. |
| US08128235B2 |
Illuminating device and projecting apparatus using the same
An illuminating device adapted to a projecting apparatus including a lamp module, a power module, and a fan is provided. The lamp module is separately disposed in the projecting apparatus. The lamp module has a lamp, an igniting module and a plate. The igniting module is capable of generating a high voltage signal to drive the lamp. The plate is disposed between the lamp and the igniting module for shielding radiating heat generated by the lamp. The power module is capable of generating a low voltage signal transmitted to the igniting module through a low voltage power line. The igniting module transforms the low voltage signal into the high voltage signal to drive the lamp. The fan is disposed at a first side of the lamp for cooling the lamp. |
| US08128234B2 |
Position adjustment device for integration rod
A position adjustment device for an integration rod includes a fixed plate, two resilient members, and two adjusting screws. The first resilient member is positioned between the fixed plate and the rod for exerting an elastic force on the rod in a first direction, and the second resilient member is positioned between the fixed plate and the rod for exerting an elastic force on the rod in a second direction different from the first direction. The first adjusting screw is inserted through the part of the housing and has a first end surface that presses against one side surface of the rod opposite the first resilient member. The second adjusting screw is inserted through the part of the housing and has a second end surface that presses against one side surface of the rod opposite the second resilient member. The first and the second end surface are arc surfaces. |
| US08128233B2 |
Illuminating optical system for projector including condenser lens and field lens
An illuminating optical system for a projector including a light source and a plurality of display panels. The optical system includes a first integrator, which includes a plurality of lens cells that divide a luminous flux emitted by the light source into a plurality of partial luminous fluxes and that condense the respective partial luminous fluxes, a second integrator, which includes a plurality of lens cells on which the respective partial luminous fluxes are incident, a polarization converting element, which uniformizes polarizing directions of the luminous fluxes having passed through the respective lens cells of the second integrator, and a color separating unit, which separates each of the luminous fluxes from the polarization converting element into a plurality of color lights of different wavelengths. A field lens and a condenser lens are arranged between the polarization converting element and the color separating unit. The field lens superimposes, on the plurality of display panels, the luminous fluxes having passed through the respective lens cells of the first integrator. |
| US08128224B2 |
Injection molding of lens
A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating. |
| US08128219B2 |
Elastic miniaturized hinge for a flexible temple element of the glasses
The present invention is an elastic miniaturized hinge for flexible temple elements or “flex temples” with a box provided with at least a guiding zone for the connection of the articulation to a seat joined to the front of the glasses. The hinge includes a box, along the temple or lug of the glasses, and a housing along the box containing the articulation trolley. The articulation trolley includes at least one spring, contained inside the box, while the portion that includes the articulation exits from the front end of the box. Peripherally with respect to the opening at the front end of the box, at least one guiding zone is obtained, including a cheek of a protrusion longitudinally projected. The cheek is parallel and orientated toward at least one of two lateral faces of the articulation. Furthermore, the protrusion is provided with a guiding seat with an opening. |
| US08128218B2 |
Safety eyewear including a prescription insert
Safety eyewear has a frame and a lens carrier permanently or removably attached to the frame. The lens carrier includes a prescription insert. The safety eyewear may further include an adjustable length strap and a strap attachment device for attaching the strap to the frame. In some embodiments, the frame may include a vent. |
| US08128216B2 |
Transfix roller load controlled by force feedback
A printing device has an image receptor adapted to have an image formed thereon. The printing device also includes a transfer roller and a motor. A transfer roller load mechanism moves the transfer roller into contact with the image receptor in response to the motor output. A controller manipulates the motor in conjunction with a feedback signal from a load detector and regulates the load of the transfer roller. |
| US08128215B2 |
Ink jet printer, ink jet recording method, and recorded matter
The present invention provides an ink jet printer having an ink-contacting member which is in contact with an ink until the ink is injected from a print head and which contains an antioxidant, wherein the ink-contacting member has a concentration of a compound represented by the following formula (1) of 100 ppm or less: Further, an ink jet recording method using the ink jet printer and recorded matter recorded by the ink jet recording method are also disclosed. According to the invention, there is provided an ink jet printer using an ink-contacting member which inhibits the formation of a crystalline molecular complex. |
| US08128213B2 |
Liquid ejector
A liquid cartridge which is used and is in the empty state is attached to the second cartridge attaching unit. When the attachment detector has detected that the liquid cartridge is attached to the second cartridge attaching unit and the second empty detector has detected that the liquid cartridge is in an empty state, the control unit controls the pump in such a way that a predetermined conveyance amount of the liquid is conveyed to the liquid cartridge attached to the second cartridge attaching unit after the liquid is conveyed from the discharge path to the liquid cartridge until the second empty detector detects that the liquid cartridge is no longer in the empty state. |
| US08128211B2 |
Ink-cartridge for printers
The present invention relates to an ink-cartridge for printers comprising a body formed having a filling hole on an upper surface thereof; a plurality of filling chambers inside of the body divided by a partition having a connecting hole; a discharging chamber connected to the filling chamber; an air chamber connected to the filling chamber via an air transferring channel so as to supply air to the filling chamber; an air suction valve installed in the air chamber; an air inducing channel inducing external air to the air suction valve; a blocking film attached to one surface of the body; and a cover installed in the other side surface of the body; and a pressure regulating part formed in a surface of an outer wall of the body and communicating with the filling chamber. |
| US08128208B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and actuator
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow passage forming substrate that includes a plurality of pressure generating chambers juxtaposed to each other and each in communication with a nozzle for ejecting droplets, and piezoelectric elements disposed on the flow passage forming substrate with a diaphragm interposed therebetween. The piezoelectric elements include a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode. The piezoelectric layer tapers downward at its ends. The lower electrode has a width smaller than the width of each of the pressure generating chambers. The piezoelectric layer has a larger width than the lower electrode to cover end faces of the lower electrode. The diaphragm has a top layer formed of a titanium oxide (TiOx) insulator film. The lower electrode has a top layer formed of a lanthanum nickel oxide (LaNiyOx) orientation control layer. The orientation control layer and at least part of the piezoelectric layer disposed on the orientation control layer are formed of perovskite crystals having a (111) preferred orientation. |
| US08128200B2 |
Fluid ejecting apparatus and method of ejecting fluid
The first head includes first nozzle rows each having a nozzle for ejecting a fluid of a first color and a nozzle for ejecting a fluid of a second color lined up in a color order in a cross direction. The second head includes second nozzle rows each having the two nozzles lined up in a color order in the cross direction. The controller controls a nozzle to dispose a plurality of color-overlapped dots to form a raster line, such that a ratio of A1 to “A1+A2” is larger than a ratio of B1 to “B1+B2” to form the raster line, where A1 and A2 donate amounts of a fluid of the first color from the first and second nozzle rows, respectively, and B1 and B2 donate amounts of a fluid of the second color from the first and second nozzle rows, respectively. |
| US08128193B2 |
Printer
A cleaning mechanism has a slider moving together with a carriage and a suction cap provided on the slider to cap one of print heads mounted on the carriage to perform suction therefrom. A first contact portion and a second contact portion are provided in each of the carriage and the slider, and a third contact portion and a fourth contact portion are provided in the slider. In the case that the suction cap performs suction from a black head, when the carriage moves toward the cleaning mechanism side, the first contact portion and the third contact portion come into contact with each other to position the carriage and the slider in such a manner that the suction cap faces the black head. On the other hand, in the case that the suction cap performs suction from a color head, when the carriage moves toward the cleaning mechanism side, the second contact portion and the fourth contact portion come into contact with each other to position the carriage and the slider in such a manner that the suction cap faces the color head. |
| US08128186B2 |
Non-volatile memory data integrity validation
The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system including print mechanism configured to receive the replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component includes an electrical storage device responsive to printing system control signals for selectively storing information received from the print mechanism, the electrical storage device includes a storage portion containing data associated with the replaceable printing component, and first and second validation fields configured to store error detection codes relatable to the data contained in the storage portion to determine whether the data is valid. Wherein the electrical storage device is configured, prior to a first transfer of data from the print mechanism to the storage portion, to receive and store in one of the first and second validation fields an error detection code related to the data currently contained in the storage portion, and the electrical storage device is configured to receive and store in the other of the first and second validation fields an error detection code related to the data that will be contained in the storage portion after the first data transfer. |
| US08128185B2 |
Universal inkjet printer device and methods
A signal converter that may perform functions to enable a thermally based technology to be used with a piezo-electric printhead. The signal converter and piezo-electric printhead may optionally be used in conjunction with a chassis assembly having an adjustable vertical member for sizing the chassis assembly to a printer. Methods of using a piezo-electric printhead in a printer having a thermal printhead configuration may include the steps of coupling the printhead to the printer and performing conversion functions. |
| US08128182B2 |
Reversible wall track system for office furniture
A wall track system is provided with overhead storage cabinets or other furniture components to accommodate mounting of the furniture components in multiple configurations in a minimum of space. This system includes wall tracks which have two opposite side faces with two different slot patterns that accommodate two different mounting orientations for the furniture components. |
| US08128175B2 |
Suspension seating
A suspension seating structure having a body support assembly which includes a membrane formed from at least one strap spanning across an opening. Each strap is coupled to a frame member through a retaining structure. The retaining structure is coupled with or forms part of each frame member and provides a structurally secure body support assembly. A cushion material encapsulates the membrane, where the cushion material contains relief channels to permit the membrane to respond more freely in response to a load. |
| US08128173B2 |
Chair that is assembled and disassembled easily and quickly
A chair includes a backrest frame, an armrest frame detachably mounted on the backrest frame and a seat frame detachably mounted between the backrest frame and the armrest frame. Thus, the seat frame and the backrest frame are combined together easily and quickly so that a user can assemble and disassemble the chair by himself without needing aid of any hand tool, thereby facilitating the user assembling and disassembling the chair. In addition, the armrest frame, the seat frame and the backrest frame are detached from and laminated with each other before assembly so as to reduce the whole volume of the chair and to decrease the cost of packaging, storage and transportation of the chair. |
| US08128170B2 |
Reclining device of seat for vehicle
A reclining device of a seat for a vehicle is disclosed. With the disclosed device it is possible to prevent unexpected pivot of a seatback and improve the passenger's safety by maintaining the engagement of a sector tooth 20 and a pawl tooth 70 even if the pawl tooth 70 is separated from a rotational center protrusion 11 by a relatively large external force applied to the seatback. |
| US08128153B2 |
Front section for a motor vehicle body
A front section of a motor vehicle body encompasses a bumper and bumper bracket that are designed to retreat during a collision while absorbing energy and momentum, a fresh air passage and a sealing element situated behind the bumper for modulating the throughput of the fresh air passage, which can be dragged along by the retreating bumper or bumper bracket. The sealing element has situated upstream from it a gap that allows the bumper and bumper bracket to retreat without simultaneously taking the sealing element with it. |
| US08128152B2 |
Handle for door trim
A handle for a door trim is provided, which includes a grip handle having a lower end on which a fastening portion is formed to be mounted on an armrest of the door trim and an upper end which is formed in the shape of a grip to project from the upper end. The design of the handle for the door trim is greatly changed to improve the sense of beauty, and the stiffness of the handle is increased by adding a reinforcement material to the grip handle and the door trim to heighten the durability, so that the productivity and stability of the handle can be improved. |
| US08128150B2 |
Underrun prevention member for vehicle bumper beam
An underrun prevention member for a vehicle bumper beam including a substantially vertical outer side wall faced an area outside the vehicle and a horizontal wall provided so as to be extended substantially horizontally from an end of the outer side wall in a top-bottom direction toward an inside of the vehicle, disposed at a front portion or a rear portion of the vehicle so as to be extended substantially horizontally in a vehicle widthwise direction, and integrally fixed to the bumper beam so as to protrude in the top-bottom direction beyond the horizontal wall to prevent an underrun of the bumper beam under an object outside the vehicle or the object outside the vehicle under the bumper beam. |
| US08128145B2 |
Tethered fastener apparatus and method
A tether fastening device includes a tether clip and a strap to couple a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis, and a second engagement structure, such as a body panel. The strap is coupled to the tether clip and couples the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure to allow for controlled detachment. When attached, the tether clip fastens the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure. For example, the tether clip and first engagement structure may detach from the second engagement structure; however, the strap controls the acceleration, speed and distance displaced between the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure. According to one embodiment, the tether clip may further include a tether cap integrated with the strap and a fastener clip operative to couple to the tether cap. |
| US08128142B2 |
Clamp
A clamp for holding containers, having two rigid gripping arms that are pivotably supported about at least one axis in opposite direction and have clamp structures at one end, a force accumulator which is operative between the gripping arms, gripping-arm closing levers as extensions of the gripping arms towards the other axis side, a closing cam which is rotatable between the closing levers, with at least one closing lever being actuatable by the closing cam via an elastic deformation area, the deformation area is a section of an arm which acts on the closing cam and which is constructionally separated from the gripping arm and which is positively coupled with the gripping arm for joint pivotable movement, and a defined deformation space is provided at least in a substantially undeformed state of the section between a stop on the closing lever and the section. |
| US08128134B2 |
Door jamb finger guard
The present invention related to a door jamb finger guard. The finger guard comprises a door lock for preventing closure of the door, a housing for the door lock and a spring activated plate. The spring activated plate is activateable by a door closing obstacle for automatically moving the door lock between an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, the door lock is recessed within the housing, while in the active position, the door lock projects from the housing to prevent closure of the door. |
| US08128129B2 |
Double-ended flexible pipe joint having stacked co-axial primary and secondary annular elastomeric flex elements
A double-ended flexible pipe joint has first and second extension pipes extending from opposite ends of an outer housing, and first and second primary annular elastomeric flex elements mounting the first and second extension pipes to the outer housing. An inner housing is disposed in the outer housing, and first and second secondary annular elastomeric flex elements disposed in the inner housing mount the first and second extension pipes to the inner housing. Tension upon the first and second extension pipes places each of the first and second primary flex elements and each of the first and second secondary flex elements in compression. The first and second secondary flex elements contain fluid pressure within the first and second extension pipes so that the first and second primary flex elements are not subjected to the fluid pressure within the extension pipes. |
| US08128125B1 |
Menu, photo, or card display mount
A menu, photo, or card display mount includes, low profile article holder corner tabs positioned in pockets. |
| US08128119B2 |
Stroller with foldable frame and adjustable handle
A stroller includes a frame having a frame leg and a frame joint at which the frame leg is coupled to the frame. The frame joint is configured to allow retraction of the frame leg to a folded position. A handle is attached to the frame at a pivot joint, the pivot joint being configured for rotation of the handle between first and second operational orientations. The pivot joint is further configured for rotation of the handle from the first or second operational orientations to a storage position aligned with the folded position of the frame leg. In some cases, a front frame leg and a rear frame leg are coupled to the frame joint, the frame joint being configured to allow the front frame leg and the rear frame leg to retract to respective folded positions in which the stroller is supported in an upright orientation. |
| US08128118B2 |
Adjustable activity stroller
A stroller for a young child comprising a frame mounted on a plurality of wheels and a seat mounted in the frame. The seat is adjustable between a first position where the child is retained in a reclined or semi-reclined orientation, and a second position where the child is retained in an orientation that permits them to sit and stand. The seat includes a bottom that is pivotally attached to a back. A sling member is secured between the frame and back such that when the bottom is pivoted out of the way, the sling supports the child in the seated or standing position. |
| US08128117B2 |
Tool-free adjustable binding for sports board
A binding is adapted for coupling footwear, such as a boot, to a sports board. The binding permits easy adjustment of the binding's position on the board, while also allowing for removal of the binding from the board for improved utility of storage or transport. Adjustment, engagement between binding and board, and removal functions may be accomplished without the use of tools or ancillary components. The binding includes a movable coupler element or elements that removably couple to a retaining disc to secure the binding to the retaining disc and the board. |
| US08128115B2 |
Garbage can cart
A garbage can cart having a rectangular platform base and back, front and side walls in which one or more garbage cans may be placed for storage and transport for disposal. The platform base is supported by a pair of wheels at the rear and a U-bar below the front of the base. A handle bar protrudes upward from the rear wall and curves rearward past the wheels for manually moving the cart. A tow adapter comprising a pair of straps is connected to the rear wall below the handle, the straps extending to distal tow block(s) that may be placed in the trunk of a vehicle and secured therein by closing the trunk. Pulling the tow straps tilts the cart backward about its wheels and lifts the U-bar support from the ground until the handle abuts the tow straps, thereby allowing towing of the cart behind the vehicle. |
| US08128111B2 |
Scooter and pedal drive assembly
An improved two wheeled reciprocating pedal driven scooter has a frame, front steering wheel, rear drive wheel, and rear wheel drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has two reciprocating foot pedals straddling the frame and extending to a forward hinge attachment location on the frame. The hinge location is at or above a drive axle. Each foot pedal has a short portion and an intersecting long portion forming a bend. The bend angle is 90 degrees or greater and is located at or below the frame. The attachment location of the foot pedal to the drive mechanism is at or near the bend. When the long portion of one foot pedal is at the bottom of the foot pedal stroke it is substantially horizontal, while the long portion of the other pedal is at the top of the stroke and is inclined to a maximum stroke angle of less than 35 degrees. |
| US08128107B2 |
Passively steerable module axle
In conventional vehicle cranes it is usually necessary in consideration of current safety regulations to provide at least two separate steering circuits for all steered axles so that, in the event of a failure of one circuit, the vehicle crane can continue to be steered by way of the other. In order to avoid that in accordance with the invention at least one steered rear axle of a vehicle crane (1) is provided with a caster (a) so that at least one axle (11-16), in the event of a steering failure, remains steerable passively by utilizing the caster friction. That principle is applied in a similar manner to a module axle (2) which can be mounted to the vehicle crane (1) and which can be required for transporting additional equipment or an additional counterweight which is possibly required. |
| US08128102B1 |
Kneeling/sledding snow board apparatus
A kneeling/sledding snow board apparatus provides a retention device connecting to a gliding board. The retention device has a tray mounted to a mounting device connected possibly with snow board binding connections. The tray receives a knee pad having a seat extension extending up from a mid portion of the knee pad. Cutouts allow the rider's legs to extend therethrough. A lap and knee straps restrain the legs of a rider along with vee straps. The tray preferably tapers upwardly and outwardly from a base to provide somewhat of a U-shaped cross section which may assist in deflecting snow and providing increased comfort to a rider. |
| US08128101B2 |
Clamping device
The invention relates to a clamping device for clamping workpiece, which comprises a base in which a center holding fixture for the shank of a tool to be clamped and an annular damping cavity surrounding the fixture or a plurality of damping cavities arranged around the fixture and set off from each other are configured. Every damping cavity is open towards the front face of the chuck base facing the workpiece. The clamping device is characterized in that the open end of every damping cavity is at least partially closed by respective covers which are inserted into the respective damping cavity from the open front face and are fixed inside the damping cavity. |
| US08128096B2 |
Mechanical seal assembly
A mechanical seal assembly to be used in sterile applications comprises a pair of co-operating seal rings (2, 5), one of which is held rotationally fixed and the other of which is provided to rotate together with a rotating component, wherein one of the seal rings is axially movable and biased by a spring against the other seal ring, a retainer housing (1) at which the rotating seal ring is retained near an axial end thereof, a mounting member (12) which may be mounted rotationally fixed at the rotating member, and a rotatory force transmission device (10) for transmitting a rotatory force between the mounting member and the retainer housing. The rotatory force transmission device (10) comprises a transmitting ring (15) retained in press-fit at the retainer housing (1) near the other axial end thereof, the transmitting ring including at least one protruding engagement member (20) engaging in an aligned recess in the mounting member. The retainer housing may therefore feature a desired smooth outer periphery without any dead spots. |
| US08128094B2 |
Bullet trap
A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap. |
| US08128087B2 |
Power transmitter for image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same
A power transmitter for an image forming apparatus transmitting power to a plurality of feeding rollers, including a plurality of feeding roller rotation shafts rotatably mounted at certain distances from one another and forming a feeding path of a printing medium by a plurality of feeding rollers which are coaxially mounted therewith; a driving unit rotating one of the plurality of feeding roller rotation shafts; and a feeding gear train mounted on the feeding path of the printing medium to transmit a rotational force of one of the plurality of feeding roller rotation shafts being rotated by the driving unit to the other feeding roller rotation shafts. |
| US08128082B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus with lifting and air blowing units
A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing unit in which sheets are stacked; a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the sheets; an air blowing unit that blows air to an end faces of the stacked sheets; a feeding roller that is pressed against an upper surface of an uppermost sheet of the sheets and feeds the uppermost sheet by rotating; and a supplying roller that supplies the uppermost sheet, wherein the lifting unit is driven so that height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is blown by the air blowing unit, is set to be lower than height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is not blown by the air blowing unit. |
| US08128080B2 |
Spring loaded corrugated stitcher head and method of stitching
A stitching head is provided for stitching books or printed products. The stitching head includes a supporter and a driver. The supporter has a corrugated supporter surface including first ridges and first grooves. The driver interacts with the supporter and has a channel and a corrugated driver surface which includes second ridges and second grooves. The first grooves and first ridges of the supporter mesh with the second ridges and first grooves of driver and the channel supports stitching material between the corrugated supporter surface and the corrugated driver surface. A method is also provided. |
| US08128077B2 |
Reconfigurable tooling system for supporting a workpiece
This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails. |
| US08128075B2 |
Fluid-filled cylindrical vibration-damping device
A fluid filled cylindrical vibration damping device having a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting an inner shaft member and an intermediate cylindrical member, wherein base wall portions of either of a pair of pocket portions are constituted by the main rubber elastic body to actively rise opposing positive/negative pressure fluctuations in a pair of fluid chambers at times of vibration input across the inner shaft member and the outer cylindrical member; a low-frequency orifice passage and a high-frequency orifice passage are provided; and the high-frequency orifice passage is provided in an aperture section thereof leading to at least one of the pair of fluid chambers with a moveable film adapted to limit fluid flow through the high-frequency orifice passage on the basis of displacement and/or deformation thereof. |
| US08128074B2 |
Automatic tensioning mount for belts
Systems, methods and apparatus are described in which in some embodiments, an automatic tensioner employs a puller assembly with a first indicia coupled to a fix base by a movement mechanism, a belt side assembly with a second indicia attached to one end of a belt, and a spring mechanism having a first end coupled to the puller assembly and a second end coupled to the belt side assembly. In some embodiments, the movement of the puller assembly in a first direction increases tension on the belt and movement of the puller assembly in a second direction decreases tension on the belt. In some embodiments, the spring mechanism compressed to exert a force in the first direction. In some embodiments, a movement mechanism is then adjusted until the first indicia and the second indicia are coincidental. |
| US08128072B2 |
Deflecting system for column trays
A gas-liquid contact column tray has a section including a gas pathway (SAA) and a liquid pathway section (SD) delimited by at least one downspout, wherein a deflecting system including a roof is included, located above the liquid gas interface at the level of the liquid pathway section (SD), in order to apportion the gas phase over a surface section greater than the section including the means of gas pathway (SAA). In a method for gas-liquid contact in such a column, most of the gas phase part is redirected and apportioned over the whole pathway section available for gas, corresponding to the tray section provided with the gas pathway (SAA), increased by the liquid pathway section (SD), using a deflecting system consisting of the roof located higher than the gas-liquid interface level of the liquid pathway section (SD), and the liquid collected is evacuated toward the lower tray. |
| US08128066B2 |
Door and board lifting device
A door and board lifting device comprising a foot operated lever and locking means wherein said locking means is operative to releasably secure the lever in a substantially fixed position. |
| US08128063B2 |
Erosion resistant power generation components
A power generation system valve stem comprising a nickel-based substrate and a WC-based coating thereon, wherein the WC based coating comprises WC particles in a matrix of Ni and/or Co wherein the average interfacial spacing between the WC particles is between 5 microns and about 20 microns on average. |
| US08128062B2 |
Valve with self-aligning shaft seal
A valve design that enables a positive shaft seal to be obtained in an inexpensive manner by reducing the need for close tolerances heretofore required in prior art designs. This unique valve design employs a shaft seal that is adapted for transverse and/or angular movement during assembly of the valve for aligning to the shaft at an alignment position in which it is held after assembly of the valve by a holding device such as a seal nut or spring. |
| US08128055B2 |
Mold for producing a silica crucible
A mold for the production of a silica crucible by heat-fusing silica or quartz powder attached onto an inner wall of a rotating mold, wherein a ring-shaped heat insulating barrier material having a specified inner diameter is disposed on an inner peripheral wall of an upper opening portion of the mold corresponding to an upper region of the silica crucible. |
| US08128051B2 |
Seat sliding apparatus for vehicle
A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes lower rails, upper rails, screw mechanisms provided between the upper rails and the lower rails, the screw mechanism including a screw shaft and a nut which is engaged with the screw shaft, one of the screw shaft and the nut being mounted to the upper rail so as to rotate, the other of the screw shaft and the nut being fixedly mounted to the lower rail, and a slide driving mechanism including a driving motor, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotational force outputted from the driving motor to one of the screw shaft and the nut so as to rotate, a bracket having the driving motor and the transmission mechanism mounted thereon and connecting the upper rails, and a protection cover attached to the bracket for covering at least lower and bottom sides of the driving motor and the transmission mechanism. |
| US08128050B1 |
Ultrasound scanner support devices
Ultrasound scanner support devices and associated methods are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, an ultrasound scanner support device can include a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The ultrasound scanner support device can further include a recess having an interior surface between the first and second surfaces and a sidewall extending from the first surface to the interior surface. The recess can be shaped to releasably retain an ultrasound scanner connector. The ultrasound scanner support device can further include a peripheral channel extending around a perimeter of the body. The peripheral channel can have a curve at each directional change. Additionally, the ultrasound scanner support device can include a holder coupled to the body and configured to releasably retain an ultrasound scanner. |
| US08128041B2 |
Adjustably positionable display and lighting arrangement
An electronic display and lighting arrangement for viewing by, and illumination for, a person in a resting position includes: an electronic display assembly including a first carriage movable along a translation axis, a first pivot arm coupled to the first carriage with the first pivot arm pivotable about a first pivot axis, and an electronic display coupled to the first pivot arm; and a lighting assembly including a second carriage movable in a direction parallel to the translation axis, and a light coupled to the second carriage and adjustably positionable by movement of the second carriage. The electronic display is adjustably positionable both along the translation axis by movement of the first carriage, and about the first pivot axis by movement of the first pivot arm about the first pivot axis. |
| US08128038B2 |
High-lift device for an aircraft
An aircraft comprises a wing (2) defining an aerofoil surface, the wing (2) comprising a drooped leading edge flap (1) being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing (2) is so arranged that during flight when the high-lift device is in the deployed position, air may flow through an opening (7) in the wing (2) and over the aerofoil surface. During flight, air preferably flows into the boundary layer (13) on the upper surface of the wing (2). This energises the boundary layer (13), aft of the trailing edge of the drooped leading edge flap increasing its stability allowing the maximum achievable lift coefficient to be increased and hence reducing aircraft take-off and approach speeds. |
| US08128036B2 |
Vernier active flow control effector
Methods and apparatus for controlling the attitude of a mobile platform with a resolution suitable for vernier attitude control. In one embodiment a method includes flowing fluid through an orifice of an aerodynamic surface. The method also includes modifying a boundary layer of the aerodynamic surface with the flowing fluid. Another embodiment provides an aerodynamic member of a mobile platform. The aerodynamic member includes an aerodynamic surface, an orifice, an actuator, and a fluid moving member. The orifice is in the aerodynamic surface and the actuator is subject to friction and backlash. The fluid moving member communicates with the orifice and causes the fluid to flow through the orifice to modify the boundary layer of aerodynamic surface. |
| US08128035B2 |
Winglets with recessed surfaces, and associated systems and methods
Winglets with recessed surfaces, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a wing having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, and further includes a winglet coupled to the wing at the outboard portion. The winglet can have a first surface facing at least partially inboard and a second surface facing at least partially outboard, with the first surface including a recessed region. |
| US08128030B2 |
Line system for an aircraft
A line system for an aircraft, in particular an airplane, having multiple assemblies, in particular multiple fuselage sections of a fuselage cell and multiple wing shells, the line system including multiple lines for transmitting power and/or information, wherein the lines are integrated on and/or in a support layer, the support layer being situated on and/or in the shell-shaped assemblies. |
| US08128029B2 |
Ventral fairing for an aircraft
Ventral fairing for an aircraft provided between a left wing and a right wing, which comprises a lower central section of convex transverse cross-section located between the left lower surface of the left wing and the right lower surface of the right wing, and with an angle between the cross-section of the fairing and the line of cross-section corresponding to the lower surface of each wing of less than 90 degrees, separate left and right lower lateral sections of concave transverse cross-section which are respectively extended between the lower surface of each wing and the central section; separate first lines of inflection between the lower surface of each wing and the corresponding lateral section; separate second lines of inflection between the lateral sections and the central section. |
| US08128028B2 |
Internally stiffened composite panels and methods for their manufacture
Internally stiffened composite panels and associated manufacturing methods. An internally stiffened composite panel can include a first face sheet, a second face sheet offset from the first face sheet, and at least one core portion sandwiched between the first and second face sheets. The composite panel can further include a stiffener disposed between the first and second face sheets adjacent to the core portion. The stiffener can have a first attachment portion attached to the first face sheet, a second attachment portion attached to the second face sheet, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions. One or both of the first and second attachment portions can be configured to engage a fastener, such as a blind fastener, for attaching a part to the composite panel. |
| US08128026B2 |
Removable cargo pod with lifting mechanism and open top
A removable cargo pod for attachment to an aircraft fuselage; a mechanism in said pod to raise and lower it into and from engagement with the fuselage; and an open top so as to provide access to the interior while it is vertically displaced or removed from the fuselage. |
| US08128011B2 |
Method for comminuting material to be ground using a roller mill
The invention relates to a method for comminuting material to be ground having a roller mill which has a mill platen, at least one mill roller and at least two drives for driving the roller mill, with there being provided a power compensation control system for the drives which controls the power of the drives at a predetermined ratio relative to each other by the speed of at least one drive being controlled. |
| US08128009B2 |
Fuel injection valve
The objective of the present invention is to realize the structure, of a fuel injection valve, in which bouncing of the needle can be suppressed and the armature position can be fixed while the valve is closed, without increasing the number of components and the number of processes. In a fuel injection valve including an armature that is repelled or attracted by a core, by de-energizing or energizing a coil; a needle that opens or closes a valve seat in accordance with a reciprocal travel of the armature; and a valve-closing spring that biases the needle so as to close the valve, when the coil is de-energized, the needle and the armature are fixed in such a way that the armature can travel in an axis direction by a predetermined amount with respect to the needle, and the coil is preliminarily energized while the fuel injection valve is closed by the needle. |
| US08127998B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided, which includes an antenna, a first circuit (a boosting circuit), a second circuit (a reference voltage supply circuit), and a third circuit (a voltage comparison circuit). The first circuit is electrically connected to the antenna, and includes at least a first charge pump, a second charge pump, and a first switch disposed between the first charge pump and the second charge pump. The second circuit is configured to generate a reference voltage in accordance with a first output voltage supplied from the first charge pump. The third circuit is configured to compare the reference voltage, the first output voltage, and a second output voltage supplied from the second charge pump. |
| US08127995B2 |
Filter-free projector
A filter-free projector includes a light source unit to generate light beam with different color and a color control module couple to the light source unit for switching the light source unit to emit one color light at a time. A digital mirror device panel having a plurality of mirror elements is provided so as to reflect light fed from the light source unit. Projection lens is positioned in the reflected light path from the digital mirror device panel to project image. |
| US08127991B2 |
Removable media spindle and antenna assembly for printer
A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer. |
| US08127989B2 |
Apparatus and method of automating arrival and departure procedures in airport
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of automating arrival and departure procedures in an airport, by which the forgery of a passport, the identity of a passport bearer, the arrival or departure permission according to a result of arrival and departure examinations, and the carry-on of prohibited items on the plane are automatically checked. The apparatus for automating arrival and departure procedures according to the present invention includes an exit gate, a departure automation apparatus, and may further include an entrance gate and a scanner. In the apparatus for automating arrival and departure procedures according to the present invention, a departure area entry procedure, a security screening procedure, and a departure examination procedure for departure passengers, which are conventionally performed separately in different areas, may be incorporated in the same area and performed therein. |
| US08127988B2 |
Calculator device having a USB connection
A method for transferring a signal between a calculator device having a USB connector and a remote device is described. The method includes: connecting the calculator device with the remote device using the USB connector; transmitting a signal from the remote device to the calculator device using the USB connector; and receiving the transmitted signal from the remote device. A calculator device having a USB connector is described. The calculator device includes a processor for executing one or more instructions, a memory connected with the processor and storing data and instructions for execution by the processor, and a USB connector connected with the processor and connectable to a remote device for transferring a signal between the calculator device and the remote device. The calculator device is responsive to a signal received over the USB connector. |
| US08127984B2 |
Emulated radio frequency identification
A mobile communication device is equipped with hardware and/or software components to enable the device to output a data in a form of a radio frequency signal, emulating outputting of the data by either an active or a passive RFID transponder. The data may be a security key or an identifier. Emulation of an active RFID transponder includes facilitating selection of the data and instruction to output by a user. Emulation of a passive RFID transponder includes detecting for proximal presence of a RFID reader. Either case, provision of the data to the mobile communication device may include provision of associated signal attribute(s). |
| US08127982B1 |
Parental controls
Various techniques are provided for establishing financial transaction rules to control one or more subsidiary financial accounts. In one embodiment, a financial account management application stored on a processor-based device may provide an interface for defining financial transaction rules to be applied to a subsidiary account. The financial transaction rules may be based upon transaction amounts, aggregate spending amounts over a period, merchant categories, specific merchants, geographic locations, or the like. The device may update the financial transaction rules associated with a subsidiary account by communicating the rules to an appropriate financial server. Accordingly, transactions made using the subsidiary account by a subsidiary account holder may be evaluated against the defined rules, wherein an appropriate control action is carried out if a financial transaction rule is violated. |
| US08127975B2 |
Staple drive assembly
A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing. |
| US08127974B2 |
Electrical motor driven nail gun
The new invention is a portable tool, specifically directed electric motor driven nail gun. It has a nail push system, also a motor. The motor uses a flywheel as a speed reduction mechanism, the main characteristic is that the drive unit of the driving mechanism is connected to a pitman by a pin axis on one end, and the other end is connected to the pin axis which does the arc movement. The end of the drive unit props up the long slot by a spring and enclosed by the long slot in a sliding movement. The rectilinear reciprocating drive unit is governed by a clutching mechanism mounted on the speed reduction mechanism. The new invention can provide a powerful impacting force. The clutch bar of the driving mechanism has an outer bulge and inner bulge, it controls the tension spring which makes the drive unit impact nails and recover after impacting nails, without any memory of the rotating state. |
| US08127968B2 |
Aerosol actuator
An actuator is disclosed for actuating an aerosol valve for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container. The actuator comprises an actuator button being rotatable relative to a base for movement between a locked rotational position and an unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is tiltable relative to the base for actuating the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product when the actuator button is rotated into the unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is inhibited from tilting relative to the base when the actuator button is moved into the locked rotational position. |
| US08127962B2 |
Lid opening and closing device for opening and closing an opening of a housing by a lid
A lid body is constituted so as to enable to selectively take a lid closing preparation position wherein the lid body is moved forward to a housing frontward side with an approximately horizontal condition and projects to a housing front, a lid closed position closing an opening portion of a housing with an approximately vertical condition, and a lid open position wherein the lid body is moved to a housing backward side with an approximately horizontal condition. |
| US08127960B2 |
Holding device for securing the top mounting section of a container
A holding device for securing the top mounting section of a container is disclosed. The holding device the top mounting section of the container including a received section, the top mounting section in engagement with the receiving section, characterized in that the receiving section is pivotally sealed at the lower edge of the top mounting section and the circumferential edge of the top mounting section is a pivot point connecting with the receiving section, the receiving section has a funnel shape extended downward and the extension is a guiding hole. |
| US08127959B2 |
Closing device for a filler neck disposed on a container
The invention relates to a closing device for a filler neck situated on a container, in particular for a container situated on a rail or road vehicle, which may be supplied to a loading station for loading with powdered or granular bulk goods. At least one filler neck (3), which is provided with a through opening and connected to the container interior (6), and a pivot device (30), which comprises two pivot arms (31, 61) mounted thereon, are situated on the container (5), using which two closure elements (35, 60) situated thereon are pivotable in relation thereto around a shared axis (Z) for the exterior and interior closing or opening of the through opening. At least one seal, which is provided with a pressure chamber oriented around the circumference, for example, and which may be impinged with pressure in the closed position and relieved of pressure to pivot the closure elements, is situated on the closure elements (35, 60) and/or on the filler neck (3). |
| US08127956B2 |
Collapsible structure
A collapsible structure having an open top, a relatively rigid handle frame member, and a handle member used for ease in transporting goods, along with a method of collapsing same. |
| US08127953B2 |
Refill bottle comprising a container, the container having a bottle and a cap
A refill bottle that includes a refill and an enclosure having a body and a cap engaging through an attachment device. The cap has three parts, an external cap with an enveloping skirt, an internal cap provided with a locking mechanism, and an actuation ring able to move about the spout of the refill. The attachment device includes a fixed hook on the body and a pivoting hook on the internal cap, the pivoting hook being disposed on a lever of the first type that pivots about a hinge integrated in the molding, and the actuation ring acts by rotation of the end of the lever opposite to the hook. Application to cosmetics bottles. |
| US08127951B2 |
Telescopic crane boom
A telescopic crane boom including a plurality of telescopically assembled tubular box sections including a base box section and an innermost box section having an open cross-section, and a boom head with a frame fixed to the outside circumference of the innermost box section. The head has a plurality of deflecting pulleys mounted on the frame, but no part extending inside the open cross section on the innermost base box section, whereby at least one additional box section can be inserted into the innermost box section in order to extend the boom. |
| US08127942B2 |
Sanitizing rack
An apparatus for draining liquid from wet items is provided. The apparatus comprises opposing sidewalls, a rear wall, a front wall; a sloped floor positioned at an inclined angle between the two opposing sidewalls such that surface of the sloped floor meets the rear wall at a first position and the front wall at a second position, such that the first position is lower in altitude relative to the second position, wherein an opening formed in the apparatus allows for wet items to be placed in between the sidewalls on the sloped floor; one or more receiver partitions formed on the sloped floor to receive the wet items; and a gutter running along at least a portion of the sloped floor approximately at the first position where the sloped floor meets the rear wall, wherein the gutter is configured to collect liquid drained from the wet items. |
| US08127938B2 |
Apparatus and process for treating a hydrocarbon stream
One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140-about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone. |
| US08127937B2 |
High performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes
In the present invention high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes and methods for making and using these membranes have been developed. The cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes are prepared by: 1) first synthesizing polyimide polymers comprising pendent functional groups (e.g., —OH or —SH) ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen and cross-linkable functional groups in the polymer backbone; 2) fabricating polyimide membranes from these polymers; 3) converting the polyimide membranes to polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by heating under inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or vacuum; and 4) finally converting the membranes to high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by a crosslinking treatment, preferably UV radiation. The membranes can be fabricated into any convenient geometry. The high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations. |
| US08127935B2 |
Filter module and process for manufacture of same
A filter module comprises a body of wound layers of sheet material, the body having inner and outer peripheral surfaces, a winding axis and a passage extending along the axis and in fluid communication with the inner peripheral surface, the sheet material having openings forming two channel types extending from the inner to the outer peripheral surfaces, a first channel type open at the outer peripheral surface and closed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface, a second channel type open at the inner peripheral surface, in fluid communication with the passage and closed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface, the two channel types separated from each other by sheet material, one channel types being inlet channels communicating with a fluid inlet, the other channel types being outlet channels communicating with a fluid outlet, wherein the surface of at least one channel type supports a precoat. |
| US08127930B2 |
Amine-aldehyde resins and uses thereof in separation processes
Amine-aldehyde resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants, for example in the beneficiation of value materials (e.g., bitumen, coal, or kaolin clay) to remove impurities such as sand. The resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water. |
| US08127927B2 |
Erectable packaging, particularly for a bottle
Erectable packaging including a bottom, first and second parallel lateral walls (3, 4), and third and fourth mutually opposite lateral walls (5, 6), with the third and fourth lateral walls able to be displaced between a storage position and an erected position. The bottom and the lateral walls are made from a cruciform blank, the lateral walls including two flaps (16-19) articulated on each lateral wall. The flaps are all folded parallel to the first and second lateral walls and include slits (21) and lugs (23) that engage by being fitted together so as to limit the displacement of the third and fourth lateral walls. The bottom and the lateral walls are connected to each other in a leak proof way by a flexible membrane (20). |
| US08127926B2 |
Patch package structure
A patch package structure which includes: a package including a first sheet material which is planar and a second sheet material which has been molded, a peripheral area of the first sheet material having been sealed to a peripheral area of the second sheet material to constitute the package, and a patch disposed in the package; in which the patch includes a backing, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on at least one side of the backing, and a release liner which protects the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the release liner having a weakening line for assisting a removal of the release liner; and in which the second sheet material has specific first protrudent part, second protrudent part, third protrudent part and elevated part in a central area thereof except the peripheral area thereof. |
| US08127924B2 |
Dispensing system for double stack carton
The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open. |
| US08127921B2 |
Package for an optical storage medium
A package for an optical storage medium, comprising first and second parts; a window located in the first part; a third part sandwiched in a region between the first and second parts; wherein the first, second and third parts define a receptacle in a further region where the third part is not sandwiched between the first and second parts; wherein the window and the third part are arranged such that when the optical storage medium is placed in the receptacle, the optical storage medium abuts the third part and a predefined area of the optical storage medium is perceptible through the window. |
| US08127919B2 |
Scissors lift guard for a sheet material conveyor
A conveyor lift table for a conveyor system comprises a conveyor including a frame and a plurality of rollers for supporting a load thereon and a lift mechanism connected to one end to said frame and configured to move the conveyor with a load supported thereon from an uppermost position to a lowermost position. A guard assembly is provided that includes plurality of U-shaped panel sections, each of the panel sections defining a successively larger perimeter. The panel section having the smallest perimeter is attached to the conveyor frame. Each panel section is connected to the next larger perimeter panel section by a plurality of slide members so that the guard assembly is configured to telescopically completely enclose the lift mechanism on three sides as it moves between its uppermost and lowermost positions. |
| US08127918B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring a conveyor belt
A method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a detection system configured to detect transverse displacement of each edge of a portion of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt travels past the detection system, and determine, using the transverse displacements of the edges of the conveyor belt and one or more operating rules, if an operating irregularity of the conveyor belt has occurred. |
| US08127915B2 |
System and method for separating a cluster of interconnected food products
A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a suction subsystem, and a sensor. The first conveyor includes a discharge end and a first permeable conveyor belt. The second conveyor, in series with the first conveyor, includes an intake end and a second permeable conveyor belt. The first and second conveyors are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem, which includes an intake portion proximate to the discharge end and the intake end, is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt at a first region proximate to the discharge end and through the second permeable conveyor belt at a second region proximate to the intake end. The sensor is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system. |
| US08127911B2 |
Clutch actuation guide sleeve and release bearing assembly for a dual clutch transmission
An actuation system for a double clutch. The actuation system has a guide sleeve disposed around transmission input shafts of a double-clutch transmission which is connected downstream and two cylindrical elements which are disposed on the sleeve axially displaceably by an actuator unit, each for actuating the clutches. The cylindrical elements can be displaced independently from each other, are locked into position, and overlap each other. |
| US08127910B2 |
Latching frictional engagement assembly using a check valve
A frictional engagement assembly for an automotive device, including: at least one frictionally engageable plate; a first piston plate displaceable in a first axial direction to urge the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact; a first resilient element engaged with the first piston plate and urging the first piston plate in a second axial direction substantially opposite the first axial direction; a check valve controlling fluid flow to displace the first piston plate; and an accumulator. As fluid from a chamber, at least partially formed by the first piston plate, discharges through the check valve, the accumulator controls fluid volume in the chamber to maintain a distal portion of the first piston plate, urging the at least one frictionally engageable plate into frictional contact, in a furthest position in the first axial direction. |
| US08127904B2 |
System and method for tuning the resonance frequency of an energy absorbing device for a structure in response to a disruptive force
The invention is a system and method for automatically adjusting the resonance frequency of an energy absorbing device in response to a disruptive force. By configuring an energy absorbing device for automatic response tuning, utilizing a controller coupled to one or more sensors for processing a determination primarily based on sensing data, the natural period of an overall structure may be adjusted (i.e. increased or decreased) so that the acceleration response of the structure is decreased upon being subjected to a disruptive force, for example, high winds, a blast from an explosion, or a seismic force caused by an earthquake. |
| US08127898B2 |
Brake device and motor with speed reducing mechanism
A brake device arranged between a drive shaft and a driven shaft arranged coaxially with the drive shaft is disclosed. The brake device includes a first rotor, a second rotor, an engagement member, a braking mechanism, and a cam mechanism. The braking mechanism includes a movable friction member rotatable integrally with the second rotor, a fixed friction portion, and an urging member that urges the movable friction member toward the fixed friction portion. When rotational force is provided from the drive shaft to the first rotor, the cam mechanism permits transmission of rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft. When the rotational force is provided from the driven shaft to the second rotor, the cam mechanism restricts rotation of the driven shaft. The cam mechanism is provided independently from the engagement member. |
| US08127897B2 |
Caliper brake system
A caliper brake system includes a housing, a bore within the housing, and a piston slidably positioned within the bore. The brake system also includes a spring assembly, a fluid chamber defined by the bore and the piston, and a hydraulic fluid supply network. The spring assembly provides a biasing force to maintain the piston in an actuated position engaging a stator which engages the rotor of a vehicle. The hydraulic fluid supply network provides pressurized fluid to the fluid chamber to selectively overcome the biasing force of the spring assembly and move the piston to an unactuated position to release the rotor. Thus, the caliper brake is spring actuated and hydraulically released. |
| US08127896B2 |
Cantilever brake device
A cantilever brake device is disclosed having a pair of opposing brake arm assemblies with cable tension or the traction point at the distal end of the body members at the bottom trunk portions rather than at the upper level by the adjustable arm members. By moving the cable tension and traction point to the bottom level of the body members, the brakes are applied more evenly and uniformly against and onto the rim surface for greater braking power and mechanical advantage. The cantilever brake device is also disclosed having a shoe housing member that is easily adjustable on a y-axis for height adjustment of the brake shoes since the brake shoes are each mounted on the shoe housing member and allows uniform adjustment of both shoe housing members holding the brake shoes. The shoe housing member is easily rotatable to modify the pitch angle of the brake shoes on a pivotal, horizontal axis to align the brake pads squarely against the rim surface so that the top and bottom portions of the brake pads touch the rim surface equally and uniformly when brakes are applied. Consequently, all of the vertical, horizontal, roll angle, pitch angle, and toe-in adjustments are easily achievable for fine tuning the brakes by using the present cantilever brake device. |
| US08127892B2 |
Rope ladder
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a flexible ladder for traversing a structure that addresses problems common with conventional rope ladders. |
| US08127891B1 |
Ladder mounted foot rinsing system
A ladder mounted foot rinsing system includes a ladder that has a pair of legs and a plurality of rungs attached to the legs. A conduit apparatus comprises a pair of lateral tubes each has a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of horizontal tubes is attached to and extends between the lateral tubes. The horizontal tubes and the lateral tubes are fluidly coupled together. Each of the horizontal and lateral tubes has apertures extending therein. A water inlet is fluidly coupled to the conduit apparatus. The water inlet is fluidly couplable to a water supply to supply water to the conduit apparatus. Water supplied to conduit apparatus is ejected outwardly of the apertures. A plurality of couplers couples the conduit apparatus to the conduit apparatus to the ladder. Feet of a person placed on the rungs are cleaned by water is ejected by the apertures. |
| US08127886B2 |
Noise suppressor, electronic apparatus, and noise suppression characteristic control method
A noise suppression characteristics adjustment method includes adjusting noise suppression characteristics of a noise suppressor, which includes a muffler having a reflection plate for reflecting sound from the cooling fan, the reflection plate being provided at a position in the cooling duct confronting an intake plane of the cooling fan and formed substantially parallel to the intake plane. A sound-absorbing part of the muffler is provided on the reflection plate. A distance d between the reflection plate and the intake plane is set such that d |
| US08127880B2 |
Mechanical system for tilting cab of a vehicle
According to the present invention mechanical system for tilting cab of a vehicle, the rotational motion of the detachable handle (12) is transmitted to the worm shaft (14) through the engaging clip (15). The worm shaft (14) rotates the worm (11) which in turn rotates the nut (10). The nut (10) being restrained for translational motion, pushes the screw (9) upward. The screw (9) gets a translational motion and is raised. The clevis joint (8) on the top of the screw (9) forces the link arm (7) upwards. The link arm (7) also rotates about the clevis joint (8) due to the revolute joint. The link arm (7) transmits this motion through the bush (13) and the bush bracket (6) to the suspension bracket (3) of the cab (1). As a result the cab (1) tilts about its transverse axis (5). |
| US08127872B2 |
Transmission device for work vehicle
A transmission device for a work vehicle, comprising a travel drive system for transmitting engine power to a travel device; an implement drive system for transmitting engine power to an external power take-off shaft; braking operation tools for a braking operation; a stop operation mechanism provided to the travel drive system and capable of interrupting the transmission of power to the travel device; and a hydraulically operated PTO clutch for interrupting the transmission of power to the external power take-off shaft, the PTO shaft being provided to the implement drive system; wherein the stop operation mechanism and the PTO clutch are linked with the braking operation tools so that the stop operation mechanism is operated to a power transmission stopping position and the PTO clutch is disengaged along with a pressing operation of the braking operation tools, and the PTO clutch is engaged along with a press-releasing operation of the braking operation tools; and an operation timing is set so that the PTO clutch is disengaged after traveling is detected to have stopped when the braking operation tools are operated in the pressing direction, and that the PTO clutch is engaged before traveling is started when the braking operation tools are operated in the press-releasing direction. |
| US08127871B2 |
Frame walker predicated on a parallel mechanism
A frame walker robot based on two sections connected by a parallel mechanism is described. The walker can step in any direction and can pose its free section in any orientation. Prismatic, rather than revolute, joints are used, leading to a scalable design. |
| US08127870B2 |
Lifting and transportation device
An improved lifting and transportation device including an attachment means adapted to engage a wheeled device to be transported; and one or more driving wheels adapted to engage the ground to propel said lifting and a transportation device, whereby, said lifting and transportation device is steerable by the independent engagement of said driving wheels; and a controller adapted to control the motion of said driving wheels and control the operation of said attachment means. The attachment means may be an attachment assembly with laterally opposed attachment brackets adapted to engage said wheeled device, whereby, a vertical actuator is used to adjust the vertical height of said attachment assembly and a horizontal actuator is used to adjust the horizontal separation of said laterally opposed attachment brackets |
| US08127869B2 |
Earth-boring tools, methods of making earth-boring tools and methods of drilling with earth-boring tools
Earth-boring tools comprise a body having a face at a leading end. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed over the face and configured as a plurality of kerfing pairs comprising two or more cutting elements disposed at substantially the same radial position relative to a bit axis, wherein each of the at least two cutting elements follows substantially the same cutting path when the bit is rotated about its axis. Earth-boring tools are further configured so that a summation of a lateral force generated during drilling by each cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements is directed toward a side of the body. |
| US08127860B2 |
Residential dry sprinkler design method and system
A method of designing a residential fire protection system in a residential dwelling unit are shown and described. The residential dwelling unit has a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, 13R. The method can be achieved by: determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers required to determine a hydraulic demand calculation of the residential fire sprinklers of a piping network filled with water and arranged to protect the plurality of compartments; and specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers in a piping network filled with a gas. Various aspects of the invention are also shown and described. |
| US08127859B2 |
Use of swellable material in an annular seal element to prevent leakage in a subterranean well
A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string and a surface in a well may include: positioning a seal element in the annulus with a swellable material of the seal element positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well may include the steps of: positioning an annular seal element in the well, wherein the element may include a swellable material; and flowing cement into at least one channel formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings may include: providing multiple arcuate segments that may include a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, wherein each of the segments may occupy a respective circumferential portion of the annulus. |
| US08127857B2 |
Single trip, tension set, metal-to-metal sealing, internal lockdown tubing hanger
A system, apparatus, and method to apply tension to completion tubing in a wellbore. The system, apparatus, and method comprises an inner and outer tubing hanger, with the string of tubing attached to the inner tubing hanger. A running tool lands the outer tubing hanger on a landing shoulder and continues to lower the inner tubing hanger into the wellbore until the lower end of the inner tubing hanger latches into a retaining device. The running tool then sets a seal which holds the outer tubing hanger in position and causes a ratcheting mechanism to move to an engaged position. The running tool then withdraws the inner tubing hanger a predetermined distance until the inner tubing hanger engages the ratcheting mechanism. |
| US08127856B1 |
Well completion plugs with degradable components
A downhole tool for use in completing a well includes a plug body selectively securable to a wellbore at a desired elevation and having a flowbore. A non-dissolvable flow restrictor is operably disposed in the flowbore and operates to restrict fluid flow through the flowbore, and a time-dissolvable retainer or spacer is operably coupled to the flow restrictor to retain the flow restrictor in a first position within the flowbore. The retainer is dissolvable within a predetermined passage of time to release the flow restrictor to move between the first position and a second position within the flowbore to control the flow of fluid through the downhole tool. |
| US08127855B2 |
Artificial lift system for stripper and marginal wells
A fluid extraction system and method for the removal of fluid from subterranean wells. The system comprising: an upper extraction unit; an extraction container; a valve assembly engaged to the extraction container; a drainage tray engaged to the upper extraction unit; a curvilinear gear engaged to the upper extraction unit and the drainage tray; and, a linear gear engaged to the extraction container. |
| US08127853B2 |
Internal tieback for subsea well
A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly. |
| US08127842B2 |
Bitumen production method
A method for the production of a CO2 rich stream for sequestration in depleted oil sand reservoirs. The method comprises the steps of: a) purging non-condensable gases from an oil sand reservoir with steam; b) contacting a gaseous oxidant stream comprising oxygen, carbon dioxide, and steam with bitumen in an oil reservoir; c) separating the production well product from the oil sand reservoir into bitumen, water, sand and fuel gas streams; d) producing a carbon dioxide rich gas by combustion of the said fuel gas with substantially pure oxygen; e) utilizing substantially pure oxygen and a portion of said carbon dioxide rich gas as constituents of said gaseous oxidant stream; and f) sequestering a balance of said carbon dioxide rich gas into a depleted oil said reservoir. |
| US08127841B2 |
Method and system for monitoring the incursion of particulate material into a well casing within hydrocarbon bearing formations including gas hydrates
A method and system for monitoring any incursion of particulate matter from a gas hydrate formation into a well casing used for the production of the gas hydrate and determining the degree of incursion of particulate material within the distal end of the well casing. |
| US08127840B2 |
Conductive heating by encapsulated strontium source (CHESS)
The present invention deals with a method to liquefy the viscous oil of oil wells and also to clean the paraffin off the walls of tubing and other production equipment. The method consists in using heat produced by a thermal generator, and also using steam produced by the contact between the thermal generator and water. The thermal generator is a metallic shielded container of cylindrical shape holding individual units of already encapsulated Strontium-90 sources able to generate a temperature of 100 degree Celsius or a combination of encapsulated Strontium-90 sources able to generate 100 degree Celsius each in order to obtain, according to necessities, up to or over 600 degree Celsius. The thermal generator is transported in a metal housing. |
| US08127838B2 |
Stuffing box leak containment apparatus
An apparatus for containing leaks from a stuffing box on a wellhead production assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises a containment vessel consisting of two half shells that are joined below the stuffing box. The apparatus further comprises a seal subassembly. The components of the seal subassembly are positioned one the nipple and pumping tee below the stuffing box. The half shells are positioned about and joined to the seal subassembly in a manner that provides a liquid tight seal. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a transparent topper having an upper opening to receive a polished rod extending from the stuffing box. The topper is secured to the containment vessel in a liquid tight manner such that the stuffing box is substantially isolated from the environment. As such, any leaks originating from the stuffing box will be contained in the apparatus. |
| US08127837B1 |
Sealed well cellar
A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The well cellar system also includes at least one substantially inflexible side member attached to the base, the at least one side member and the base defining a cavity. A seal between the at least one side member and the base substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the at least one side member and the base. The attachment between the base and the conductor pipe substantially prevents the flow of fluids between the base and the conductor. An additional embodiment incorporates an extension ring to minimize/eliminate runoff entering the cellar. One version of the extension ring includes a telescoping section which moves between an extended and retracted position representing its to operative positions. Yet a further embodiment provides a rain cap to reduce the amount of precipitation which enters the cellar and becomes hazardous waste. A still further embodiment is configured with cement ports for securing a conductor pipe in an oversized whole. This embodiment also has a grout port to restabilize the cellar following soil subsidence. A final embodiment is configured as a sectional version which can be more easily installed or placed in an existing well cellar to seal it. |
| US08127835B2 |
Integrated cable hanger pick-up system
A hanger system is provided for supporting a cable-supported dewatering pump in a gas well. A dewatering pump is supported in a downhole location by a cable. A cable hanger bears the weight of the cable and the weight of the dewatering pump. A pulling tool is configured to detachably connect to the cable hanger and to support the weight of the cable hanger, cable and gas well dewatering system as it is pulled out of a seated position in the well. |
| US08127834B2 |
Modular electro-hydraulic controller for well tool
An actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached externally to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line. A method of constructing an actuator control system includes the steps of: assembling a modular controller, the modular controller including a control valve therein for controlling operation of an actuator via a hydraulic line; testing the modular controller, including functionally testing the control valve; and then attaching the modular controller to a housing assembly having the line formed therein. Another actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached separately to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line via a manifold of the modular controller, the manifold including a concave interface surface which receives the housing assembly therein. |
| US08127832B1 |
Well stimulation using reaction agents outside the casing
Methods and apparatus for stimulating oil or gas wells using material cemented outside the casing. Reaction agents, usually comprising oxygen-rich material and a coil of high order explosive, are positioned around the outside of the well casing at a desired level in a carrier and reacted later. The stimulation operation is initiated by firing a shaped charge into the high order explosive material. The combination of the explosive force of the high order explosive and burning of the oxygen-rich material fractures and cleans the formation adjacent to the well casing. The reaction agents may be provided in a sleeve supported on the casing joint at the time it is inserted into the well. In another embodiment, all components would be cemented externally to the casing and reacted remotely by a coded signal. |
| US08127831B2 |
Wellbore method and apparatus for sand and inflow control during well operations
Method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons including a wellbore that accesses a subsurface reservoir; a production tubing string disposed within the wellbore; and sand control devices coupled to the production tubing string. At least one of the sand control devices includes a first tubular member having a permeable section and a non permeable section; a second tubular member disposed within the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a plurality of openings and an inflow control device that provides a flow path to the interior. The sand control devices include a sealing mechanism disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to provide pressure loss during gravel packing operations that is less than the pressure loss during production operations. |
| US08127829B2 |
Metal foam heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes one or more passages and one or more metal foam sections adjacent the passage to promote an exchange of heat relative to the passage. The metal foam section includes a nominal thermal conductivity gradient there though to provide a desirable balance of heat exchange properties within the metal foam section. |
| US08127826B2 |
Method for producing a cast steel strip
The invention relates to a method for producing a cast steel strip of preferably hot crack-sensitive or hot-brittle steel quality by means of a strip casting plant and to a strip casting plant for carrying out this method. In this case, steel melt is conducted into a melt space formed by two casting rolls and two sideplates, slab shells are formed in the melt space on cooled surface areas of the casting rolls and are brought together in the strip forming cross section between the casting rolls to form an at least partly solidified steel strip, the cast steel strip is then guided along the surface area of one of the two casting rolls from a vertical casting direction into an essentially horizontal transport direction, and the cast steel strip is supplied essentially horizontally on a transport device to a strip winding device and is wound there into a coil. In order in this case to minimize susceptibility to crack formation, the cast steel strip, during its transport movement along the surface area of one of the two casting rolls, is guided in a transport channel without the application of deformation forces influencing the strip thickness and is subjected in this region to strip cooling of less than 200 K/s. |
| US08127824B2 |
Automatic pouring method and device
An automatic pouring method without using a servomotor having a vertical output shaft, establishing the pouring at a low level, eliminating the unstable pouring, sand inclusion, and gaseous defects. An automatic pouring method using a ladle to be tilted for pouring molten metal into a pouring cup of a flaskless or tight-flask mold in at least one pouring device movable along an X-axis parallel to a molding line in which the mold is transferred, wherein the ladle is moved along a Y-axis perpendicular to the molding line in a horizontal plane and is tilted about a first axis of rotation and further about a second axis of rotation. |
| US08127823B2 |
Ingot-casting apparatus using uranium deposits
A casting apparatus includes a hermetically sealed chamber, wherein the chamber includes: a melt-heating portion to melt external uranium deposits, the melt-heating portion being tiltable to allow the resulting liquid molten material to be discharged to the outside, an ingot-forming portion to receive the molten material discharged from the melt-heating portion and to cool-solidify the molten material, and a salt-capturing portion provided on the melt-heating portion, to solidify a salt gas produced when the uranium deposits are molten, and thereby recover the salt gas, wherein the ingot-forming portion includes: a horizontal turn-table rotated by an operating means, and a plurality of molds mounted on the edge of the turn-table, each containing the molten material, which is then cooled. |
| US08127822B2 |
Manufacturing method of tire forming mold and tire forming mold
A manufacturing method of a tire forming mold in which an annular mold portion is constituted by a combination of sectors includes a step of manufacturing a circular arc shaped inner segment provided with a concavo-convex shape, a step of dividing the inner segment by a non-flat surface division so as to obtain a first segment piece and a second segment piece, and a step of incorporating the first segment piece into an inner peripheral side of a back segment of one sector out of a pair of sectors which are adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction, incorporating the second segment piece into an inner peripheral side of a back segment of the other sector, and arranging the non-flat surface divided surface in an end surface of the sector. |
| US08127818B2 |
Method and apparatus of jointing cord fabric and jointing holder in calender line
A method of jointing a cord fabric when the cord fabric for topping is alternately drawn from two supply positions for continuous supply. During drawing to supply of the cord fabric on one side, a start end portion of the cord fabric on other side is locked to hold by a locking pin of a jointing holder, and is set to a jointing mounting portion in a state where an unvulcanized jointing rubber member is pasted thereto. When a final end of the cord fabric on the one side comes closer, a finish end portion thereof is pasted to the start end portion of the cord fabric held by the holder by interposing the rubber member therebetween. The finish end portion and the start end portion are squeezed for joint from upper and lower sides by press members, thereafter, the holder is removed, and the cord fabric on the other side is drawn to supply continuously to the cord fabric on the one side. |
| US08127816B2 |
Machine for producing a corrugated cardboard web lined at least on one side
A machine for producing a corrugated cardboard web lined at least on one side has a pressing device, which has a tension roller for guiding a pressing belt. The tension roller is formed from a core and an outer jacket surrounding the said core. The core and the outer jacket are connected to one another only in the region of their longitudinal center and are respectively separated from one another towards their outer ends by an annular space. |
| US08127811B2 |
Sipe blade and tire molded using the same
A sipe blade for forming a sipe with one end opened and the other end closed in a land portion on a tread surface of a tire includes a front-end portion that forms the closed end of the sipe and a connection-end portion that forms the open end of the sipe being connected to a rib that forms a groove. A first thickness of the front-end portion is larger than a second thickness of a thinnest portion. A third thickness of the connection-end portion is 3 mm or less and is the largest thickness in a portion between the front-end portion and the connection-end portion, and the ratio of the third thickness with respect to the second thickness; i.e., the third thickness/the second thickness is 1.2 to 3.0. |
| US08127809B2 |
Energy efficient wheel system
A vehicle wheel assembly and a method of making the wheel assembly. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly may include a rim, a hoop member, and a resilient member. The hoop member may be disposed around the rim and spaced apart from the rim. The resilient member may be disposed around the hoop member, and portions of the resilient member may protrude through openings in the hoop member toward the rim. A tying member may tie each protruding portion to the rim, and the tying members may remain in tension while the wheel assembly is unloaded. In other embodiments, the wheel assembly may also include a second hoop member, or a traction layer, or both. |
| US08127808B2 |
Planer and thicknesser
A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passageway that substantially extends through the frame. The planer and thicknesser further comprises an upper table having front and rear sections mounted on the frame, wherein a slot is located between the front and rear sections of the upper table, and a lower table moveably mounted within the passageway. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that a portion of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a portion of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it covers a portion of the cutting drum to a second position where it does not cover a portion of the cutting drum. |
| US08127807B2 |
Pour connector and pour port structure of liquid container
A guide piece having a guide surface is integrally formed in a body portion so as to protrude from an inner circumferential wall surface of a pour passage toward the center thereof. A gas guide portion is formed in a portion of the pour passage in which the guide piece is formed. The gas guide portion is defined by a lower surface of the guide piece and the inner circumferential wall surface of the pour passage. When the pour connector is connected to the pour port of the liquid container to use the same, a projection edge of the guide piece is positioned below its base portion on the inner circumferential wall surface of the pour passage in the gravitational direction, so that the liquid poured into the pour passage can flow toward the center while it is guided by the guide surface, whereas the gas guide portion is positioned above the projection edge of the guide piece in the gravitational direction, so that gases in the container can be discharged from circumferential ends of the gas guide portion in a direction opposite to the pour direction. |
| US08127800B2 |
Fire protective hose assembly
A flexible hose for conveying fluids and suitable for high temperature environments, in one embodiment the hose assembly comprises a thermal paint coated nipple, a core tube, a thermal insulating layer surrounding the core tube, a cover layer surrounding the thermal insulating layer, and a vented jacket surrounding the cover layer. The thermal insulating layer may be a fibrous material such as a silica fiber. The cover layer may be thermally stable up to 750° F. or higher. The vented jacket may be a wire braid having interstices therein and formed from a corrosion resistant material. |
| US08127798B2 |
Turning vane for air duct
An air turning vane and rail assembly including a pair of rails, a plurality of tabs having a height distance H, a plurality of air turning vanes, each of the turning vanes including a single sheet of metal that is folded in a U-bend to form elongated generally rectangular upper and lower walls, each wall having opposite end edges, the upper wall in end view defining an arc of a first radius of curvature, and the lower wall in end view defining an arc of second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature, and a plurality of crimp spots spaced apart from each other in the lengthwise direction extending transversely through the marginal portions of the upper and lower walls, each two adjacent crimp spots being spaced apart from each other in the lengthwise direction a distance L which is less than the distance H. |
| US08127795B2 |
Flue gas diverter damper seal land
A diverter damper seal land for installation in a flue gas duct defined by a casing wall, the diverter damper seal land includes: a front seal land and a rear seal land, the front seal land is mountable in the duct by a connection between the base edge and the casing wall and the rear seal land is connected at its base edge to the inner edge of the front seal land and spaced back and radially inwardly from the front seal such that it protrudes radially inwardly behind the front seal land. Another diverter damper seal land assembly includes: a seal land including a front seal land and a rear seal land; a first gusset; and a second gusset spaced from the first gusset, the first and second gussets connected to the casing wall and positioned at the back side of the front seal land to support the seal land in an operative position in the duct. |
| US08127785B2 |
Pipeline breakaway coupling
A pipeline breakaway coupling (10) comprising a pair of valve housing members (12,14) fixedly attached to each other by means of one or more breakaway coupling members (16). The valve housing members (12,14) define a hollow bore (18) along which flowable material may flow and the breakaway coupling members (16) permit the valve housing members (12,14) to separate from each other when exposed to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit.An end cap (26) releasably connected to each valve housing member (12,14) to allow connection of the valve housing members (12,14) to respective inlet and outlet pipelines.A valve cassette (20) is releasably retained between each valve housing member (12,14) and the respective end cap (26). Each valve cassette (20) includes a valve member (22) movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position. The valve member (22) when at its valve closed position being sealingly engaged with a valve seat (24) formed in respective valve housing member (12,14), thereby closing the hollow bore in the respective valve housing member (12,14). Each valve member (22) is biased to move to its valve closed position on separation of the valve housing members (12,14). |
| US08127782B2 |
Multi-mode hands free automatic faucet
A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. |
| US08127781B2 |
Automatic opening and shutting umbrella
An automatic collapsible umbrella (100) comprises an idle-popup resistant device (5) to avoid the telescopic stick (3) popping up unexpectedly while folding the umbrella and hurting the person close by. Said idle-popup resistant device (5) consists essentially of a tow rope (51), a ratchet wheel (52), a spiral spring (54) and a pawl (55). The ratchet wheel (52) and the pawl (55) are controlled by a locking head (45). The tow rope (51) passes through the telescopic stick (3) and an end thereof winds the ratchet wheel (52). By the installation of the ratchet and spiral spring (54), the telescopic stick (3) is allowed to move in unidirectional fashion and to be retracted gradually, improving the safety of the umbrella. |
| US08127779B2 |
Dental floss holder
The utility model of a dental floss holder concerns a device to handle dental floss to clean the spaces between the teeth consisting of two interconnected but easily separable holder portions: Portion 1—U shape supporter is provided with a U supporter (1) with two folding legs, connecting part (2) with longitudinal groove (6) and external thread (7), a hole (3) in the rear leg, a groove (4) that goes externally from the end of the front leg to the fixed end of U supporter (1) to hold the dental floss in position during cleaning operation. Portion 2—Hollow grip provided with a fixed side with a longitudinal inner blade (8) and the rotating side with a rotary end (9) and an internal thread (10). These two portions constitute a mechanism that limits the maximum floss tension adjusted by the rotary end (9). The device can operate with a piece of floss or from a floss supplier (12) connected to the rotary end (9). |
| US08127773B2 |
Self-cleaning hair brush with mirror
A hair brush with a cleaning element for removing entwined hair from the brush before or after use. The cleaning element of the brush includes a plate(s) with opening through which the bristles protrude. When the plate is expanded, the plate pushes any hairs entwined in the bristles to the tips of the bristles where they are removed. The brush also has a post mechanism, which allows for the adjustment of the cleaning element to various intermediary positions, effectively adjusting the length of the bristles for use of the brush. A mirror is provided on the back of the brush, on the reverse side from the bristles. |
| US08127771B2 |
Treatment of cellulite and adipose tissue with mid-infrared radiation
A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells. |
| US08127770B2 |
Method of using an implant for treament of ligaments and tendons
A method of treating a ligament or tendon according to the present invention can include inserting a tissue-generating implant into the ligament or tendon to thereby treat the defect. The tissue-generating implant has a plurality of microparticles. The microparticles subsequently form a biological scaffold which operates at least as partial connective tissue in the ligament or tendon giving structural support during regrowth. |
| US08127767B2 |
Device for delivering respiratory gas directly into the nose of a user
A device for delivering respiratory gas directly into the nose of a user, for example for use in the treatment of sleeping disorders, in particular sleep apnea. This device for delivering respiratory gas directly into the nose of a user includes a hollow elastic membrane insertable into a nostril of the user and a part, inserted in the cavity of the elastic membrane, which part has a passage extending from one end to an opposite end of the inserted part, and it is characterized in that the inserted part further includes breathing channels which are located in the wall of the inserted part and extend from one end to an opposite end of the inserted part. The invention also relates to a method for producing the device according to the invention, a set and a system for delivering respiratory gas directly into the nose of a user, and a method for assembling the system according to the invention. |
| US08127763B2 |
Dry powder inhaler with aeroelastic dispersion mechanism
A dry powder inhaler for delivering medicament to a patient includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament, an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber, at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing, and an aeroelastic element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament. A tensioning assembly is configured to apply a first amount of tension to the aeroelastic element such that the aeroelastic element is capable of vibrating in response to airflow through the chamber so as to aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament. |
| US08127762B2 |
Anaesthesia apparatus and method for operating an anaesthesia apparatus
An anaesthesia apparatus has a control unit that controls a gas flow of a flushing gas through at least part of the anaesthesia apparatus so as to flush anaesthetic agent from the apparatus when the apparatus is not connected to a patient. In this way the remaining anaesthetic agent can be removed from the anaesthesia apparatus after use before connecting another patient. Pre-use check of the apparatus can be performed automatically. |
| US08127759B2 |
Wedge shape solar cooker
Developed is a solar cooker with triangle reflective sides. Above and below are two movable solar reflecting panels that can be adjusted to focus light onto a frying pan using a glass lid, an insulating pad, and a surrounding plastic bag to trap solar light for cooking. The triangle reflective sides are used also to adjust and support the two movable solar reflecting panels via movable pegs. In the corners adjacent to the triangle sides, back reflective plate and reflective floor plate is an invented reflective-tilted-equilateral-triangle-plate with each of the three angles at 60 degrees in all three horizontal and vertical dimensions, to capture and reflect light towards the solar cooking area dishware. At night the entire solar cooker can be folded down to form a storage space. The entire solar cooker is foldable for shipping. |
| US08127757B1 |
Outdoor cooking apparatus
An outdoor cooking apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus features a cabinet having a firebox that heats an oven interior within the cabinet. The firebox also cooks food items placed on a grill panel that is supported above the firebox with a grill support frame. The firebox and grill support frame can be removably attachable to the cabinet. |
| US08127754B1 |
Toy multiple barrel gun
A toy gun includes a body, a pinion located in the body and a turning member mounted to rotate about the pinion. A number of barrels each rotate upon the turning member at radial positions. Each barrel has a gear meshing with the pinion. Each barrel has a circular array of projectile-receiving tubes. An indexing mechanism causes the turning member to rotate about the axis whereupon the meshing interaction of the gears with the pinion causes orbital movement of the barrels about the axis as they rotate with respect to the turning member. As a result, each projectile-receiving tube is delivered to the firing position. |
| US08127749B2 |
Crank case ventilation
A crank case ventilation system for ventilation of blow by gases from an internal combustion engine includes a crank case ventilation pipe connectable with a first end to the internal combustion engine for receiving blow by gases from the internal combustion engine and with a second end to an air inlet pipe provided upstream of a turbo and/or a super charger, where the second end of the crank case ventilation pipe is provided for delivering blow by gases to the air inlet. At least a part of at least one heat pipe is provided inside the crank case ventilation pipe, where the at least one heat pipe is provided for transporting compressed air to an inlet downstream the turbo and/or the super charger. |
| US08127747B2 |
Lubrication apparatus of fuel pump driven by fuel pump drive cam
A lubrication apparatus of a fuel pump, which lubricates a tappet and a fuel pump drive cam of the fuel pump, may include a cylinder head having an oil gallery formed therein and a camshaft disposed therethrough, wherein the fuel pump is coupled to the cylinder head, and a penetrating passage penetrating the cylinder head and connected to the oil gallery to supply oil from the oil gallery to the inside of a fuel pump adaptor connected to the fuel pump. |
| US08127746B2 |
Pressure-controlling electromagnetic valve for distinct electromagnetic and hydraulic units
The pressure controlling electromagnetic valve comprises an electric sub-assembly (1) provided with a coil (3) and the yoke thereof (4) associated with a hydraulic sub-assembly (2) provided with a seat (7), which a conduit (9) connecting two high and low-pressure fluid circuits (10, 11), respectively, passes through, sealing means (8) of said conduit (9), a pusher (12) sliding in a pole piece (19) and actuating said sealing means (8), a movable core (13) which is connected to the pusher (12) and whose displacement is controlled by the coil (3), wherein said electric (1) and hydraulic (2) sub-assembly form two distinct unit blocks. Said blocks are rotatably mounted with respect to each other by assembling the hydraulic block (2) in the conduit, which passes through the electromagnetic block (1), a locking washer (23) is arranged on an end of the conduit for preventing any axial displacement of the hydraulic block (2) in one direction and a shoulder (27) is arranged on the other end of said conduit for preventing the displacement of said hydraulic bloc (2) in the other direction by contacting the limit stop (18) thereof and a elastic washer (26) is inserted between the shoulder (27) and the limit stop (18). |
| US08127745B2 |
Method and system for controlling fuel usage
Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel usage while addressing knock by adjusting the use of spark retard and direct injection of a knock control fluid based on engine operating conditions and the composition of the injected fluid. One or more engine parameters, such as EGR, VCT, boost, throttle position, and CMCV, are coordinated with the direct injection to reduce torque and EGR transients. |
| US08127742B2 |
Intake control device for internal combustion engine
An intake control device for an internal combustion engine having a first intake passage (5); a second intake passage (8); an intake passage length-changing valve (11); a partition (14) that partitions the intake passage into two partitioned intake passages (12, 13); and a tumble control valve (17). When one of the partitioned intake passages (12) is closed by the tumble control valve (17), air drawn into a combustion chamber through the open partitioned intake passage (13) forms a tumble flow. The length of the second intake passage (8) is longer than the length of the first intake passage (5) from a surge tank (1) to the connection point (S) between the second intake passage (8) and the first intake passage (5), and the passage cross-sectional area of the second intake passage (8) is smaller than the passage cross-sectional area of the first intake passage (5) from the surge tank to the connection point (S). |
| US08127737B2 |
Unfinished cylinder head casting, cast cylinder head for diesel internal combustion engines, and process for producing an unfinished cylinder head casting
An unfinished cylinder head casting for producing a cylinder head for internal combustion engines powered with diesel fuel includes a sealing surface, intended for mounting in a finished state on a corresponding sealing surface of an engine block, and designed on a sealing surface section of the unfinished cylinder head casting. A thickness of the sealing surface section in a casting state exhibits a machining allowance in relation to its set thickness, obtained after a material-removing finishing of the sealing surface. The sealing surface includes a combustion chamber region, associated with a combustion chamber formed in the engine block. In the case of such a cylinder head, an optimum load-bearing capacity is achieved in a simple manner in that a combustion chamber region sealing surface section machining allowance amounts to a maximum of 15% of the machining allowance of the sealing surface section in the remaining region of the sealing surface. |
| US08127735B2 |
Engine assembly with valve seat vent passages and method of forming
An engine assembly may include an engine block defining a cylinder bore, a cylinder head fixed to the engine block, and a valve seat insert. The cylinder head may include an intake port, defining an inlet in fluid communication with an air source and an outlet in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The valve seat may be defined at the outlet of the intake port and may include a stepped region. The stepped region may define a seating surface extending radially outward from the intake port. The seating surface may include a series of protrusions circumferentially spaced from one another around the outlet and forming a series of recesses therebetween. The valve seat insert may be located within the stepped region and may include a first axial end surface abutting the protrusions on the seating surface. |
| US08127727B2 |
Variable valve actuating mechanism with summation cam
A mechanism for actuating a poppet valve (28) of an internal combustion engine, comprises two coaxially mounted cams (12,14), cam followers (18,20) in contact with the respective cams (12,14) mounted on a common summation lever (16) which is movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams (12,14), and a rocker (24) pivotably connected to the summation lever (16) and serving to open the engine valve (28). The rocker is pivotable about a pivot (126) having a fixed preset position and a control spring (134) is provided between the summation lever (16) and a fixed point on the engine to urge the rocker (24) into contact with the tip of the valve (28) and the pivot (126) while the valve is closed. |
| US08127723B2 |
Cooling circuit of engine
A cooling circuit of an engine may include a water pump provided at a coolant circulation line, an engine provided with a water jacket forming a pathway through which a coolant supplied from the water pump passes, and having a coolant inflow line and a coolant exhaust line, a radiator connected to the coolant exhaust line, a thermostat selectively connecting the radiator with the water pump to control a coolant flow, a first cooling line connecting the coolant exhaust line to a heater, a first return line connecting the heater to the water pump through the thermostat, a second cooling line connecting the coolant exhaust line to a throttle body, a third cooling line connecting the throttle body to an oil cooler, and a second return line connecting the oil cooler to the first return line to guide a coolant exhausted from the oil cooler to the first return line. |
| US08127721B2 |
Surgical isolator
This invention is directed to a surgical isolator and cradle, suitable for the use in a surgical method involving the removal of prematura eggs from birds in order to generate germ-free eggs and birds. In particular, the surgical isolator is used in the generation of birds of specified germ-free status. |
| US08127718B2 |
Kennel with automatically opening door
The general goal of the present invention is to prevent damage to property resulting from the animal's separation anxiety which typically is a consequence of the pet owner's departure while minimizing the period of time the dog is confined. The most obvious objective is to restrain the animal until it calms down. A similar approach would be to reward the animal with a treat once it has calmed down.We have invented a device that incorporates an automatically releasing door of the kennel. For instance, the owner of a canine would place the dog in a kennel prior to leaving his or her residence. The owner would initiate a timer on the kennel, and the kennel door would automatically open after a pre-determined amount of time, for instance 30 minutes, or some other amount of time that was sufficient to calm the canine's emotions. After the door is automatically open, the canine would be free to exit the kennel for exercise, to access water and/or food, or otherwise explore the dwelling or its surroundings. |
| US08127716B2 |
Nipple-type poultry drinker
The invention relates to a nipple drinker formed by; a) the body of the nipple (1) which has multiple sections including an upper section formed by a dome (9) having a central circular groove (10), three hollow cylindrical sections (11) of different diameters, which are stepped one under another, and a lower frusto-conical section (12), the inner surface of which is provided with a small circular flange (13); a tubular pin (2) having a lower solid cylindrical portion (14); c) two spheres (3 and 6); d) two maximum-precision washers (4 and 7); e) a hollow, cylindrical inner seal holder (5), the upper outer portion of which is provided with a washer (15), leaving a space between the two portions of 0.3 mm, in which the washer (4) is housed; and f) a cylindrical outer seal holder (8), the lower portion of which is provided with a small frusta-conical section (16) that is inclined slightly by 17° towards the center. |
| US08127713B2 |
Multi-channel developer system
An apparatus for dispensing fluid during semiconductor substrate processing operations comprises an enclosure having a first side and a second side. The enclosure comprises a first processing station and a second processing station. The second processing station is positioned adjacent to the first processing station. In addition, the substrate processing apparatus includes a first dispense arm configured to deliver a fluid to the first processing station wherein the first dispense arm is positioned between the first side and the first processing station and a second dispense arm configured to deliver the fluid to the second processing station wherein the second dispense arm is positioned between the second side and the second processing station. The substrate processing apparatus also comprises a first rinse arm configured to deliver a rinsing fluid to the first processing station and a second rinse arm configured to deliver the rinsing fluid to the second processing station. |
| US08127712B2 |
Vacuum coating system comprising a transport unit for transporting substrates
A vacuum coating unit having a pair of side by side transport devices for transporting substrates in a transport direction. Each transport device includes at least one first endless conveyor running in the transport direction and having a conveying element guided around at least two guide rollers or pulleys. The conveying element is located at a distance from a guide device extending in the transport direction parallel to the conveying element in such a way that the ends of the substrates can be introduced into the gap between the conveying element and the guide device of the transport devices and can be moved in the transport direction by the displacement of the conveying elements. |
| US08127707B2 |
Location indicator device
There is provided a object locator device, convertible between an undeployed state and a deployed state, comprising an inflatable portion (2) of at least two linear portions arranged such that the angle between them is less than 180° when the device is in the deployed state, each linear portion being attached to an indicator portion (15) formed by a sheet, means for attachment of the device to the object at one or more pivot points and means (62) for inflation of the inflatable portion. |
| US08127704B2 |
Submersible vehicles and methods for transiting the same in a body of liquid
A submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid includes a vehicle body, a pair of fins coupled to the vehicle body on opposed sides thereof, and a dihedral angle control system. The dihedral angle control is system operative to vary a fin dihedral angle of each of the fins. |
| US08127703B2 |
Device closely contacting object surface and movable
A device capable of adhering to and moving along the surface of an object, comprising: the main casing comprising an outer casing and an inner casing; an outer sealing member mounted at the opening of the outer casing, part of which is caused to contact the surface of the object; an inner sealing member mounted at the opening of the inner casing, part of which is caused to contact the surface of the object; and a means for moving along the surface of the object while maintaining the distance between the main casing and the surface of the object at a certain distance; wherein the outer casing, the outer sealing member and the inner sealing member, together with the surface of the object, define Area I, and the inner casing and the inner sealing member, together with the surface of the object, define Area II; wherein the pressure of fluid in Area I is maintained at a lower level than the pressure of fluid surrounding the Device, and the pressure of fluid in Area II is maintained at a higher level than the pressure of fluid in Area I. |
| US08127699B2 |
Monitoring apparatus
The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the yarn or yarns in a carpet making machine or the like, a so-called tufting machine, in which the yarn or yarns are applied on a bed material, e.g. a bed weft, during movement of the yarn or yarns from a yarn magazine, e.g. a creel with a number of yarn bobbins (B) on a number of posts (S) in one or more storeys, to the bed material each through its transparent or translucent tube (R), e.g. a hose, at least one light emitter (4) and one light receiver (6) being positioned at each tube (R) for yarn which is to be in motion and to be monitored, and the light receivers (6) are rehearsed to convert received light into an electric signal which is connected to an electronic circuit for triggering an alarm and possible stoppage of the machine when the electric signal indicates that the yarn in its tube (R) is not in motion. |
| US08127698B1 |
Yarn tensioning mechanism
A yarn tensioning apparatus is supplied with a yarn clamping position and a positive yarn engaging position to precisely meter yarns to tufting machine needles and especially to more uniformly advance pneumatically supplied yarns to hollow needles. |
| US08127689B2 |
Play-ble multifunctional recreational system
The system is composed of two separate assemblies, each including a surface cover cap which can be removed to create an aperture dimensioned to allow a projectile to pass entirely through it. The assemblies are capable of being separated and inclined at a 45° angle to be used to play the popular multiplayer game, beanbag toss. Additionally, the underside of each assembly is equipped with collapsible legs, which allow each assembly to become an independent freestanding table. When configured as freestanding tables, the assemblies may be arranged together in one of three ways: connected perpendicularly to form an L-shaped table, placed side-by-side to form a square table, or connected end-to-end to create a long table that can also be used to play the popular recreational game referred to commonly as beer pong. |
| US08127687B2 |
Material handling system including dual track assembly and method of operating same
A material handling system includes a first independent track assembly configured to transport a forward trolley along a first path, and a second independent track assembly configured to transport a trailing trolley along a second path. The second path is substantially parallel to the first path. A carrier is configured to support an article and has a first end pivotably supported by the forward trolley and a second end pivotably supported by the trailing trolley. The material handling system also includes a third independent track assembly configured to transport the forward trolley and the trailing trolley along a third path. Each of the first independent track assembly, the second independent track assembly, and the third independent track assembly includes an independent drive system for independently moving a respective one of the forward trolley and the trailing trolley and a station control system including a microprocessor in communication with the independent drive system. |
| US08127685B2 |
Modification of a projectile for stacking in a barrel
An existing projectile (21) is modified by adding a tail piece (22) to enable axial stacking of multiple projectiles (20) in a common barrel. Propellant for each modified projectile (20) is contained in respective chambers located external to the barrel and connected to the bore of the barrel through associated ports. Tail piece (22) aligns with a respective port and provides a space between consecutive projectiles (20) into which the propellant gas expands after ignition. Separate claims are directed to tail assembly (22), modified projectile (20), the barrel assembly having a plurality of projectiles (20) stacked in end-to-end relation, and to an external initiation system for the barrel assembly (see FIGS. 4, 7). |
| US08127684B2 |
Charge mount
The following invention relates to a mount for holding a charge in a breech. The mount attaches, or is integral to, a charge and is provided with a dilation means which rests within a breech of a gun to prevent the charge from sliding back out of the breech when the gun is held at a high angle. The dilation means is fabricated from a material which, when the gun is fired, combusts to leave negligible debris in the breech. |
| US08127680B2 |
Method and apparatus of controlling quality of printed image for color printing press
A method and an apparatus of the present invention is capable of matching an image of a printed matter with a desired image with high accuracy by adjusting tints even when tints change while printing. There are provided a measurement means that measures gray Lab values of a printed matter, a calculation means that calculates ΔL, Δa, and Δb that are differences between the measured Lab values and predetermined target gray Lab values, a first correction value calculation means that corrects Δa based on Δb, a second correction value calculation means that corrects ΔL based on a corrected value Δa1 that has been calculated by the first correction value calculation means, a halftone density difference calculation means that calculates halftone density differences of C, M, and Y based on Δb, Δa1 and ΔL1 obtained by correcting ΔL, an ink density difference conversion means that converts the calculated C, M, and Y halftone density differences into ink density differences, and an ink feed amount adjustment means that adjusts the ink feed amount for the ink fountain keys based on the ink density differences. |
| US08127679B2 |
Printing unit of a printing press, comprising at least two frame parts, the position of which relative to one another can be changed
A printing unit of a printing press is comprised of at least two frame parts, the position of at least one of which, relative to the other, can be changed. Cooperating ones of these frame parts are placed against each other along a common joining surface, in a first operational position. These frame parts are separated from each other in a second operational position. An interstice, that is partly defined by these frame parts, is formed between the separated frame parts in the printing unit. At least one of the cooperating frame parts is supported so that it is movable along an adjustment path. At least one sensor is provided and is usable to monitor the interstice. The sensor has orientation characteristics or a sensory range along the joining surface. An aperture width of a first angular aperture of the orientation characteristics or of the sensory range is smaller than a respective aperture width of a second or third angular aperture of the orientation characteristic or sensory range. The aperture width of the first angular aperture of the orientation characteristic or the sensory range is oriented parallel to the adjustment path of the movable frame path. The aperture width of the second angular aperture of the orientation characteristic or the sensory range is oriented in an axial direction of at least one printing group cylinder which is mounted on the movable frame panel. An aperture width of the third angular aperture of the orientation characteristic or the sensory range is oriented in the direction of a height of the movable frame panel. |
| US08127675B2 |
Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and an image recording layer capable of drawing an image by exposure with an infrared laser, wherein the image recording layer contains (A) an infrared absorbent and (B) an iodonium salt represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each represents a benzene ring which may have a substituent, provided that two benzene rings are differing in the substituent from each other and a total of Hammett's σ values of substituents on at least one of the benzene rings is a negative value, and Z represents a counter anion. |
| US08127672B2 |
Method and device for controlling at least one rotating component of a printing press
At least one rotating component of at least one printing unit is regulated to a target value for a temperature, representing the component temperature, by a temperature controller. At least one drive of an assembly of the printing machine is regulated or controlled, on the basis of a target value for a rotational speed prescribed by a command level, with respect to a rotational speed to be maintained. For at least an operating phase transient, relative to the rotational speed, a target value prescribed by the command level, is modified. This is done by considering at least one member of a route and/or a control model characterizing the temperature controller and/or by using a rule (F2(θ)) for a dependence of a rotational speed on a temperature. The modified target rotational speed serves as a prescribed value for the rotational speed of the drives. |
| US08127671B2 |
Printing unit of a printing machine, and method for using a printing unit
A printing unit of a printing machine is configured having at least two frame parts, a spacing between which can be modified. Several form cylinders and several transfer cylinders, which cooperate to print a web, are located on each of the at least two frame parts. The distance between the two frame parts is less when the printing unit is closed than it is when the printing unit is open. The printing unit includes at least two web guiding elements. A first tangent is established by a transfer cylinder of a stationary one of the frame parts. A second tangent is established by the at least two web guiding elements. The first tangent and the second tangent are spaced from each other at a distance. |
| US08127659B2 |
Compressible fluid pressure actuator driving mechanism and control apparatus thereof
Fluid pressures of a plurality of compressible fluid pressure actuators that drive a joint through antagonistic driving are controlled by a main-fluid pressure control device, and at the time of applying quick brake upon collision, a proximate fluid pressure high-speed control device, disposed closely to the actuators, carries out pressure application or pressure reduction at a high speed on the actuators so as to be quickly accelerated or decelerated. |
| US08127656B1 |
General purpose pneumatic power module
A pneumatic launch system includes a manifold that stores pressurized gas and releases the pressurized gas on command to sequentially open the store retention hooks and eject the store. The manifold includes an eject valve whose main chamber is part of the high pressure gas storage. A hook release valve is controlled by the eject valve for sequential operation of hook opening and store ejection. A manually selectable pitch valve provides pitch setting to proportion the gas delivered to the ejector cylinders. The manifold minimizes flow path restrictions and provides a fast actuation response with minimum variability to unlock the hooks and quickly eject the store. |
| US08127654B2 |
Perforating guns with reduced internal volume
A perforating device has an elongated tubular housing and a loading device supporting a plurality of shaped charges. The loading device and the shaped charges are located inside the housing. A volume reduction device is adapted to fit within the loading device and to conform to the profile of the shaped charges thereby filling open volume in the housing. |
| US08127653B2 |
Device and method for braiding fibers into a braided structure
The invention relates to a device for braiding fibers into a braided structure, the device comprising a braiding machine, comprising a continuous track plate, a forming device, comprising a forming ring, a braiding mandrel about which the braiding machine braids at least one layer of the braided structure, and positioning means to effectuate relative movement of the mandrel and the braiding machine during braiding. The continuous track plate and/or the forming ring are build up of at least two parts that may be separated and reattached to each other, the parts being arranged such as to allow the track plate and/or the forming ring to enclose the mandrel. The invention further relates to a method for braiding fibers into a braided structure. |
| US08127651B2 |
Multi-pattern material punch
A system for punching one or more patterns selected from a plurality of related patterns into a workpiece (typically paper or similar materials). The system comprises a punch element having a plurality of cutting surfaces arranged at discrete heights relative to each other, and a means for selecting a discrete distance that the punch element travels through the workpiece. |
| US08127650B2 |
Miter saw
A miter saw includes a base unit, a cutting unit having a rotary cutting blade, a motor for driving the rotary cutting blade, and a housing having a blade cover for covering a part of the cutting blade and a motor housing connected to the blade cover, a supporting unit supported to the base unit for pivotably supporting the cutting unit, the supporting unit being configured to move the cutting unit toward and away from the base unit in a first direction, the supporting unit including a guide unit supported with respect to the base unit, and a sliding unit having a pivot shaft pivotably supporting the cutting unit, the sliding unit being slidable on the guide unit to move between a front position and a rear position in the second direction and the pivot shaft extending in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions. |
| US08127649B2 |
Paper pushing device
According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can comprise a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a retaining board. The paper pushing device can comprise a head connected to the shaft. The paper pushing device can comprise an arm that extends from the head at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The paper pushing device can be used in various tool and die, stock manipulating operations. |
| US08127647B2 |
Protective tape cutting method for semiconductor wafer and device of the same
A cutter blade is relatively moved along an outer periphery of a semiconductor wafer, and dust generated at a tape cutting site by the cutter blade and attached to an upper surface of the protective tape is collected with a dust collecting member which relatively moves with the cutter blade with respect to the semiconductor wafer, and the dust collected at a predetermined portion is suctioned and removed with a suction nozzle after the completion of tape cutting. |
| US08127646B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing bone grafts, including grafts for cervical interbody fusion
A base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of upright fingers, and a blade guide that can be adjustably positioned along the planar surface. The blade guide can be biased toward the upright fingers to secure a section of donor bone between the blade guide and the upright fingers. Aligned openings in the blade guide and planar surface, as well as the gaps between the upright fingers, permit precision cutting of a donor bone section to prepare a graft having a desired size and/or configuration. |
| US08127645B1 |
Method and apparatus for machining parts of partial revolution
A machine and method for machining parts of partial revolution. The machine has a driving sheave rotatable about a first axis and a first driven sheave rotatable about a second axis fixed relative to the first axis. An eccentric link is rotatably connected to the first driven sheave at a pivotal connection that is spaced a predetermined distance from the second axis. A belt is wrapped around the driving sheave and the first driven sheave so that rotation of the driving sheave causes the first driven sheave to rotate. A second driven sheave is rotatable about a third axis fixed relative to the second axis. A second driven sheave contacts with the eccentric link. The eccentric link moves in a reciprocating motion when said first driven sheave is caused to rotate and causes reciprocating rotary motion in the second driven sheave, which is transferred to a part being machined. |
| US08127643B1 |
Methods, devices and systems for screw feeding by vacuum and gravity
An electric screwdriver assembly includes a body portion, a screwdriver and a vacuum coupling assembly. The body portion defines a screw conduit therethrough which has a distal end and at least one opening spaced apart from the distal end. The screwdriver is disposed within the body portion and includes a free end facing the distal end of the screw conduit that defines a screwdriver bit. The screwdriver bit is moveable through the screw conduit between a position proximal from the opening and a position distal from the opening. The vacuum coupling assembly is configured to couple to a vacuum generator to the body portion in order to generate a partial vacuum within the screw conduit through the opening to substantially align the screw with the at least one opening. |
| US08127642B2 |
Fuse barrel component handling device
A fuse barrel component handling device is configured to engage and support both load break and non-load break fuse barrel components. The fuse barrel component handling device includes a hollow cavity capable of receiving a portion of a fuse barrel. In addition, the handling device has a projection bar, which may be integral with or attached to the device, and at least two slots and a notch within the wall of the device. The projection bar, at least two slots, and notch receive and support a fuse barrel component, e.g. a pull ring of a non-load break component or a hook member of a load-break component. The fuse barrel component handling device may be used with a hot stick to remove and/or install a fuse barrel. |
| US08127640B2 |
Detachable coupling
A detachable coupling for connecting a pull cable connected to a shift actuator to a shifting cable connected to an internal gear hub for transmitting a shifting movement of the shift actuator to the internal gear hub. The detachable coupling includes an internal gear hub casing having a cable guide extending therefrom and a connecting sleeve having a contoured slot configured to be removably attachable to the cable guide. An end of the shifting cable is configured to be removably coupled to an end of the pull cable for transmitting the shifting movement along a cable transmission path. |
| US08127637B2 |
Gear change arrangement and a gearbox
A control device for controlling engagement of desired gears of a gearbox. The control device includes a holder unit and at least one control rod which has a relating locking arrangement and is arranged for linear movement in the holder unit. The control rod is provided with one or more recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod relative to the holder unit. The locking arrangement includes a locking device which is movable, substantially perpendicularly to the control rod's longitudinal axis, between a first position in which the locking device engages in one of the recesses in the control rod, and a second position in which the locking device does not engage in any of the recesses in the control rod. A wire spring fastened in a holder arrangement is firmly connected to the holder unit. The locking device is mounted on or forms part of the wire spring and is movable from the first position to the second position against the action of the spring force of the wire spring. A gearbox comprising such a control device is disclosed. |
| US08127634B2 |
Driving device
A driving device with a first and second fastening device which can be connected to a stationary base part, particularly a vehicle body, or can be connected to a movable structural component part, particularly a hatch or door of a vehicle, a spindle drive which has a threaded spindle and a spindle nut arranged on the threaded spindle and by which the first fastening device and the second fastening device are movable axially relative to one another, and a rotary drive which drives the spindle drive in rotation by an overload protection device, and the rotationally rigid connection thereof can be canceled when a determined torque is exceeded. The overload protection device is a ring element arranged on a driveshaft of the rotary drive. |
| US08127633B2 |
Linear actuator
By a linear actuator of the type comprising a driven spindle with a spindle nut, the outer positions and possibly also the intermediate positions of the spindle nut can be determined by a specially designed switch construction. This switch comprises an elongated conductor (8a), and next to this at least one other short conductor (8b), and where a connection element (10) for the spindle nut is equipped with an electric conductive element (9), for creating contact between the two conductors (8a, 8b). With two short conductors at the end of the elongated conductor end-stop switches for the nut are achieved and with more short conductors between the two end conductors the position of the spindle nut between its outer positions can be determined. |
| US08127631B2 |
Rotor assembly including strain relief feature
A rotor assembly is provided for deployment within the inner gimbal assembly of a control moment gyroscope (CMG). In one embodiment, the rotor assembly includes a rotor shell, a rotor shaft fixedly coupled to the rotor shell, and a rotor rim. The rotor rim includes an annular body and a strain relief member. A first end portion of the strain relief member is fixedly coupled to the annular body, and a second end portion of the strain relief member is fixedly coupled to the rotor shell to form a rim-shell joinder interface. The strain relief member has a flexibility sufficient to reduce the mechanical stress experienced by the rim-shell joinder interface during operation of the CMG. |
| US08127625B2 |
Sight glass with liquid separator
A liquid separator with at least one flow passageway is used to detect and remove the presence of entrained liquids from natural gas during spot sampling procedures prior to analysis of the sample by a gas chromatograph. In one embodiment, the at least one flow passageway directs at least a portion of the gas flow to impinge upon the inside surface of a sight glass and swirl around in a chamber which may cause droplets of liquid to coalesce on the inside of the sight glass and may cause a fog to form inside the chamber, all of which make it easier to see the existence of liquids in the natural gas. The at least one flow passageway is less expensive to fabricate than some prior art flow directing elements. |
| US08127623B2 |
Capacitive tactile tile sensor
A capacitive tile tactile sensor is described and includes several groups of individual sensors each controlled by a dedicated IC. Individual sensors are formed by sensing electrodes on one side of the sensor and a single ground electrode on the other side, the ground electrode is separated from the sensing electrodes by a compressible dielectric layer. A single electrical connection between the ground electrode and the sensing electrode layer allows for routing of all electrical connections including individual electrodes and a ground electrode to appropriate ICs within the same layer using conductive ink or other similar techniques. Stand-alone configurations are described as well as those adapted for communicating with outside control means including a personal computer. Arranging groups of sensors in parallel with each other creates a matrix of sensors while arranging them along a single line creates a linear strip sensor. Using off-the-shelf capacitance-sensing ICs to control a limited number of capacitance sensors allows reducing the number of electrical connections to the sensor array and increasing its reliability. |
| US08127622B2 |
Electromagnetic flowmeter having a detachable measuring tune from the body
An electromagnetic flowmeter is equipped with a pipe unit including a pipe through which a fluid to be measured flows, a pair of electrodes adhered to the pipe, and substrate holders that retain substrates therein and which are disposed so as to cover the electrodes. In addition, the pipe unit is accommodated inside a body through a first opening, which opens on one side of the body. A solenoid unit including coils is installed on the pipe unit after being inserted into the interior of the body through first and second openings. |
| US08127619B2 |
Pressure sensor including switchable sensor elements
A semiconductor device includes a first sensor element in a first branch of a Wheatstone bridge and a second sensor element in a second branch of the Wheatstone bridge. The semiconductor device includes a first reference element in the first branch and a second reference element in the second branch. The semiconductor device includes a circuit configured to switch the first sensor element to the second branch and the second sensor element to the first branch. |
| US08127605B2 |
Food product measuring vessel with integrated scale
The present invention comprises a portable measuring vessel with a removably attached digital measuring device. The digital measuring device includes one or more load cells, one or more processors, an input unit, and an output unit. Preferably the input unit is one or more finger-actuatable switches and the output unit is a visual display, such as an LCD. The processor is connected to the input, output, load cell and power source, thereby making a convenient, portable and easily used product. |
| US08127600B2 |
Monitor for manual trailer brake activation
In a highway tractor trailer vehicle, a brake control sensor is operative to detect each activation of the manual trailer brake control, and a recorder receives and stores data comprising a speed of the tractor at each manual trailer brake control activation. Trailer brake wear is reduced by penalizing an operator of the tractor for each unauthorized activation of the manual trailer brake control. Testing of the connection of the tractor to the trailer is encouraged by tracking the activation of the manual trailer brake control and penalizing the operator for failure to test the connection. |
| US08127596B2 |
Method for verifying the tightness of a tank bleeding system without using a pressure sensor
In a method for verifying the tightness of a tank bleeding system with a tank bleeding valve, a stop valve for air-tightly closing the tank bleeding system relative to an atmosphere prevailing outside the motor vehicle, and a bistable pressure switch whose switched condition indicates whether a predefined switching pressure is exceeded or not reached in the tank bleeding system, in order to be able to determine the tightness of the tank bleeding system without using a pressure sensor, the following steps are carried out: waiting until the vehicle speed drops below a certain threshold; opening the tank bleeding valve; closing the tank bleeding valve when a negative pressure has been attained which lies below the switching pressure; measuring the duration from the time an initial pressure lies below the switching pressure until the moment the switching pressure is exceeded again; and assessing the tightness is assessed based on the measured duration. |
| US08127588B1 |
Apparatus and methods for forming a finger-engaging portion in a stay-on-tab of a lid of a container
An apparatus for forming a finger-engaging portion in a stay-on-tab of a lid of a container includes a support, a fixture mounted to the support for movement between a first position and a second position in opposition to stay-on-tab of the lid of the container, and an abutment mounted to the fixture for movement between an open position and a closed position in opposition to the fixture and the stay-on tab in the second position of the fixture to bend the stay-on-tab between the fixture and the abutment to form in the stay-on-tab a finger-engaging portion that is upturned relative to the lid of the container. |
| US08127584B2 |
Prestressed rolling mill housing assembly with improved operational features
The present invention provides a Cluster mill which utilizes a Cluster mill gauge control system, has a high mill stiffness, a large work roll gap for threading, a rapid work roll gap opening, accurate roll force computation, side to side tilting, and utilizes work rolls over a much wider diameter range. |
| US08127583B2 |
Coiler mandrel
A mandrel for winding sheet metal has a generally tubular mandrel body extending along and centered on an axis and formed at one end with a plurality of radially throughgoing and angularly spaced apertures each having a pair of closed and axially confronting end faces, a spreading bar extending axially inside the body and having a respective pivot adjacent each of the apertures, respective rigid links extending through the apertures and having inner ends carried on the respective pivots and outer ends projecting outside the body, and respective segments outside the body and each pivoted on the outer end of a respective one of the links. Respective pressure plates are operatively connected at the one end between the segments and the mandrel body. |
| US08127576B2 |
Laundry machine
A laundry machine is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine includes a drum rotatably provided in a cabinet, a substance supply device provided in the cabinet and supplying moisture to the drum, a water supply device supplying water to the substance supply device, and a valve unit provided in the water supply device, to selectively allow water from the water supply device to be supplied to the substance supply device. |
| US08127574B2 |
Method for producing mineral wool
The invention relates to a method for producing mineral wool, wherein a mineral base material is melted in a cupola furnace having a shaft to hold the base material, the lower section of said shaft being provided with a grate, and beneath said grate there is a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is heated by one or a plurality of burners, the burner or burners being run on liquid or gaseous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. The burners are operated such that the length of the flames occurring during combustion of the fuel with the oxygen-containing gas is between 60% and 100% of the combustion chamber diameter. |
| US08127573B2 |
Mold cooling system for I.S. machine
A mold cooling system for an I.S. machine wherein cooling air is supplied to vertical cooling holes defined in the molds either at their ends or midway along their length. |
| US08127571B2 |
Method of refining a lithium aluminosilicate glass and glass-ceramic obtained
The present invention relates to a method of refining lithium aluminosilicate glass capable of being controllably ceramized and free of arsenic oxide, antimony oxide and tin oxide, in which at least 0.05% by weight of at least one sulfide is added to the glass batch materials and said materials are melted at a temperature below 1750° C. The invention also relates to the glass-ceramics obtained from said colored glass, especially glass colored by vanadium oxide, and cooktops and cooking utensils including such glass-ceramics. |
| US08127570B2 |
Optical glass
A high-refractivity low-dispersion optical glass that can be stably supplied and has excellent glass stability and that has coloring reduced, comprises, by mass %, 5 to 32% of total of SiO2 and B2O3, 45 to 65% of total of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3, 0.5 to 10% of ZnO, 1 to 20% of total of TiO2 and Nb2O5, 0 to 15% of ZrO2, 0 to 2% of WO3, 0 to 20% of Yb2O3, 0 to 10% of total of Li2O, Na2O and K2O, 0 to 10% of total of MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO, 0 to 12% of Ta2O5, 0 to 5% of GeO2, 0 to 10% of Bi2O3, and 0 to 10% of Al2O3, wherein the mass ratio of the content of SiO2 to the content of B2O3, (SiO2/B2O3), is from 0.3 to 1.0, and the mass ratio of the total content of Gd2O3 and Y2O3 to the total content of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3, (Gd2O3+Y2O3)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3), is from 0.05 to 0.6, the optical glass having a refractive index nd of 1.89 to 2.0 and an Abbe's number νd of 32 to 38 and having a coloring degree λ70 of 430 nm or less. |
| US08127569B2 |
Cooling tube mechanism for an I.S. machine
An I.S. machine has a blow station where a parison is blown into a bottle. The parison is blown with a blow head at the “on” position on the blow mold and following the blowing of the parison, the blow head is lifted away from the blow mold. The spacing between the blow head and the mold is defined by a Pressure Profile which is responsive to the sensed pressure within the mold. |
| US08127564B2 |
Cooling system
A cooling system has a configuration in which a cooling system for an inverter device and a motor generator also serves as a cooling system for a battery. In this configuration, a control device performs temperature-raising control of the battery when a battery temperature is below a prescribed temperature lower limit value. The control device controls an operation of a switching valve such that cooling water from a cooling medium path is outputted to a bypass path. Further, if a cooling water temperature is lower than a prescribed temperature, the control device controls the inverter device such that a power loss during a switching operation in a switching element included in the inverter device becomes larger than a power loss during normal control. As a result, the cooling system having a small-sized, low-cost configuration rapidly recovers capacity decline of the battery, which occurs at low temperatures. |
| US08127561B1 |
Vacuum compartment in refrigerator
A refrigerator comprises a vacuum source and a food storage compartment including a drawer unit having a storage space. The food storage compartment is operable between a substantially air-tight retracted position and an open extended position. A vacuum source is in communication with the storage space of the drawer unit and is operable to reduce air pressure inside the drawer unit during an evacuation event. A sealing unit includes a base connected to the drawer unit. A sealing bracket is hingedly-connected to the base and operable between a raised position and a lowered position, the sealing bracket adapted to abut the base when in the lowered position. A heat sealing bar is disposed on one of the base and the sealing bracket. A control system is operable to activate the vacuum source and initiate the evacuation event when the drawer unit is in the air-tight retracted position. |
| US08127560B2 |
Machined spring with integral retainer for closed cycle cryogenic coolers
A retainer and spring with threaded end are machined from a single piece of material for threading to a piston in a closed cycle cryogenic cooler. Since the machined retainer and spring are a unitary part, they cannot rub against each other during operation of the piston which reduces debris generation. The spring is preferably formed as a double start helix which further increases axial stability and reduces side loading. The spring extends into an integrally formed, threaded end at the end thereof opposite the retainer. |
| US08127556B2 |
Method for operating a turbomachine having a syngas fuel supply system and a non-syngas fuel supply system
The present invention provides a method of controlling a turbomachine having at least one fuel supply system that uses an unchoked valve. Here, the method may determine the flow characteristics of a fuel in a fuel supply system without using a flow meter. The present invention also provides a fuel supply system with a configuration comprising at least one unchoked valve. The fuel system may not require the use of a flow meter. |
| US08127554B2 |
Quench jet arrangement for annular rich-quench-lean gas turbine combustors
An outer liner of a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of liner regions arranged adjacent one another and separated by boundary lines; and a plurality of air admission holes formed in the liner regions. The air admission holes within each liner region form a V-pattern. |
| US08127543B2 |
Methods of manufacturing highly integrated SMA actuators
A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly is provided that includes an SMA component. The SMA component is used to impart motion in an output shaft. Also provided is a return force component that provides a variable, tailored return force to the SMA component. Additionally, a variety of protective mechanisms are disclosed and utilized to prevent damage to the internal workings and components within the SMA actuator assembly as well as provide protection and safety for external workings. |
| US08127540B2 |
Exhauster for motorcycle and motorcycle including exhauster
An exhauster for a motorcycle with a reduced number of components and reduced cost in a structure containing a variable passage area valve. An exhaust chamber has a box-shaped chamber main body, a plurality of expansion chambers a through c formed by sectioning the interior of the chamber main body with partitioning walls, and communication passages for connecting the expansion chambers a through c with one another. A variable passage area valve that controls passage area is contained in the communication passage. |
| US08127534B2 |
Pellet loaded attitude control rocket motor
There is disclosed a solid fuel rocket motor which may include a case and a nozzle coupled to the case. A plurality of fuel pellets may be disposed within the case. An igniter may be disposed to ignite at least a portion of the fuel pellets. A pellet retainer may be positioned within the case to retain the plurality of fuel pellets within the case. The pellet retainer may be perforated to allow exhaust gases to flow from the ignited fuel pellets to the nozzle while preventing unburned fuel pellets from being expelled through the nozzle. |
| US08127531B2 |
Radially translating fan nozzle nacelle
A variable area nozzle system for a turbofan gas turbine engine comprises a fan duct inner wall, a fan duct outer wall and a fan nozzle. The fan duct outer wall is disposed in radially-spaced relation to the fan duct inner wall. The fan nozzle defines at least a portion of the fan duct outer wall and has a nozzle aft edge defining a fan duct throat area relative to the fan duct inner wall. The fan nozzle is configured to move outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis during axial aft translation thereof in order to vary the fan duct throat area. |
| US08127528B2 |
Auxiliary propulsor for a variable cycle gas turbine engine
A core engine of a variable cycle gas turbine engine includes a low pressure spool for generating streams of bypass air and pressurized air, and a high pressure spool for further pressurizing the stream of pressurized air to generate streams of combustion air and supercharged auxiliary air. A peripheral case surrounds the engine case to form a peripheral duct. An auxiliary combustor and propulsor are positioned within the peripheral duct. A bleed duct extends from the high pressure spool to the auxiliary combustor. Variable ductwork directs airflow through the bleed duct and peripheral duct in two modes. A first mode comprises directing the stream of auxiliary air to the auxiliary combustor, and directing stream of inlet air through the peripheral duct. A second mode comprises directing the stream of auxiliary air into the stream of bypass air, and preventing inlet air from entering the peripheral duct. |
| US08127527B2 |
Methods and systems for operating oxidizer systems
A method and system for operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The system includes in serial flow arrangement, at least one compressor, a combustor, and at least one turbine. The method includes compressing atmospheric air in the gas turbine engine, channeling at least a portion of the compressed air from the turbine engine flowpath to an oxidizer supply system, and channeling an oxygen-depleted flow of the compressed air from the oxidizer supply system to the gas turbine engine flowpath. |
| US08127526B2 |
Recoatable exhaust liner cooling arrangement
A gas turbine engine includes an exhaust liner having cold and hot sheets radially spaced from one another and interconnected by a band arranged in a cavity between the hot and cold sheets. In one example, the band is Z-shaped to permit thermal growth of the hot sheets relative to the cold sheets in the axial and radial directions. The hot sheets include axially adjacent portions that provide slots that are in fluid communication with the space. Cooling fluid is provided to the cavity through impingement jets in the cold sheet. The slots are arranged radially between the hot sheet portions. |
| US08127525B2 |
System for dissipating energy in the event of a turbine shaft breaking in a gas turbine engine
A device for, in a gas turbine engine, braking a turbine including a rotor, having at least one disk with a rim driving a shaft and capable of rotating with respect to a stator, is disclosed. The device is for the event of the shaft breaking and includes a first braking member, secured to the rim and provided with at least one cutting element, and a second braking member secured to the stator downstream of the rim and including a ring-shaped element made of a material that can be cut by the cutting element. The two braking members coming into contact with one another through axial displacement of the rotor once the shaft has broken. The cutting element of the first braking member cuts the ring-shaped element of the second braking member. |
| US08127523B2 |
Link made from a D-profile steel length for use in a hoist chain
A link made from a D-profile steel length, that can be used to form a hoist chain including a substantially planar outer circumferential area and two side flanks opening into the same, each flank comprises a first planar flank section which is substantially perpendicular to the outer circumferential area. The flank section is connected on each side flank with the outer circumferential area via an adjacent planar bevel area which is inclined under a bevel angle obliquely in relation to the same in the direction towards the other side flank. |
| US08127516B2 |
Method for preparing rapidly disintegrating formulation for oral administration and apparatus for preparing and packing the same
A method and packaging machine for preparing rapidly disintegrating formulations for oral administration are disclosed. The present invention is characterized in that a powdery mixture including a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a sugar or a sugar alcohol powder is filled into a packaging material and, thereafter, the mixture, filled in the packaging material, is heated. The present invention can simply and economically prepare an oral formulation which undergoes rapid disintegration in the oral cavity and provides for high-quality administration to patients. |
| US08127513B2 |
Mounting system for roofs and the like
A mounting system for mounting a plurality of panels to a roof structure includes a plurality of rows of panels wherein at least some of the rows are arranged in overlapping fashion. Spacer structure is provided between the rows of panels to maintain vertically adjacent panels out of contact with each other to create an open area for an air layer between the vertically adjacent panels. |
| US08127511B2 |
Molded fiberglass sidelite assembly
A sidelite assembly including first and second panels with an opening for receiving a window or glazing is provided. The first and second panels include inner and out edge portions with ridges and/or channels that allow for the alignment and attachment of the first and second panels to one another. |
| US08127510B2 |
Insulation containing inorganic fiber and spherical additives
The present invention provides thermal insulation products such as loose fill, bats and boards, such as duct boards and duct liner. The insulation products include randomly distributed inorganic fibers which are supplemented with at least about five weight percent microspheres, macrospheres, or both, preferably include hollow microspheres, which boost the insulation value of the fiberglass thermal insulation by at least about 0.5 R. |
| US08127509B2 |
Composite building and panel systems
A building panel structure is disclosed, in which composite building panels are used to form a structure. A composite building panel is disclosed which includes a core and a coating applied over the core. In some embodiments the core consists of a frame and one or more than one insulating structural block. The insulating structural blocks can be encapsulated polystyrene (EPS) foam blocks. In some embodiments the coating includes an inner scratch layer and an outer main brown layer. The inner scratch layer can be formed of at least two layers. The outer main brown layer can include a fiberglass mesh embedded into the outer main brown layer. A method of forming a building panel structure is disclosed which includes forming a core using a frame and one or more than block, applying an inner scratch layer to the core, and applying an outer main brown layer over the inner scratch layer. |
| US08127502B2 |
Building structure configured to exhibit a prescribed load-deflection relationship when a force is applied thereto
A structure, including: at least two structural members; a joining element connected to the at least two structural members; and at least one active element within the joining element, or between the joining element and at least one of the structural members, wherein a force applied to one structural member passes at least partially through the active element and into the other structural member, the active element being configured such that the structure exhibits a prescribed load-deflection relationship when a force is applied thereto. |
| US08127501B2 |
Vehicle door having a garnish
A garnish has an upper mounting projection concealed by a corner pad and a lower mounting projection concealed by a lower end of a vertical sash portion. The upper mounting projection is mounted in an upper mounting hole of the vertical sash portion. The lower mounting projection is mounted in a lower mounting hole of an outer panel. The upper mounting hole is concealed by the corner pad, and the lower mounting hole is concealed by the lower end of the vertical sash portion. This ensures a high quality appearance of the garnish without employing additional materials or components. Also, the garnish is mounted in a front door without reducing the surface area of the corresponding window of the vehicle. |
| US08127498B2 |
Sliding window assembly and method of forming the same
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes first and second fixed window panes spaced from each other defining an opening therebetween. A sliding window pane is moveable relative to the first and second fixed window panes for covering and uncovering the opening. First and second tracks are spaced from each other and are connected to the first and second fixed window panes. The first and second tracks are coupled to the sliding window pane for guiding movement of the sliding window pane relative to the first and second fixed window panes. The first track and the second track are rigidly interconnected only by the first and second fixed window panes. |
| US08127496B2 |
Wire type window regulator
In a window regulator 10, when a pin bolt 42 provisionally attached to a pulley 22 and a pulley support 54 is fastened to a door panel 14 by a nut 52, the pulley 22 and the pulley support 54 are supported on the pin bolt 42 and attached to a predetermined position on the door panel 14. Here, in the above-described provisionally attached state, the pin bolt 42 is held in the pulley 22 by pin member holding claws 74 of the pulley 22, and the pulley 22 is held in the pulley support 54 by pulley holding claws 68 of the pulley support 54. Consequently, when the pin bolt 42 is to be fastened to a body panel, the pulley 22, the pulley support 54, and the pin bolt 42 can be handled as a single part. Thus, the work of attaching a pulley and a pulley support to a body panel of a vehicle can be facilitated. |
| US08127492B1 |
Compound barrier mechanism for passageway control
A barrier mechanism for providing selective access to a passageway on the floor of a lobby, room or pavilion. It utilizes a frame and carriage assembly thereon, a panel which is swivelable to selectively overlie and block the passageway, and an electric motor which powers the carriage assembly and moves the panel. A group of power components, including a driver operated by the motor and other linkages on the frame, provide simultaneous translating movement of the carriage assembly and panel and swiveling of the panel, synchronized to bring about a “wrap-around” effect to the latter. Optionally, the panel can be locked in either its blocking or its access position. Important safety features are incorporated in the mechanism, to prevent inadvertent injury to passageway personnel. |
| US08127486B1 |
Air-actuated wing assemblies
An air-actuated wing assembly includes an assembly base having a generally elongated, flat, planar base panel; a wing body carried by the base panel of the assembly base and at least one generally elongated, cupped half-wing portion extending from at least one side of the wing body. The half-wing portion is adapted to oscillate within a plane perpendicular to a plane of the base panel of the assembly base. An attachment mechanism carried by the wing body. The attachment mechanism is sized to attach to a decoy during use. |
| US08127482B2 |
Safety system for firearms
A firearm enabling and disabling electronic system comprising a base unit (1) and a safety device (4) adapted to be incorporated into a firearm (7). Each of the base unit (1) and the safety device (4) has a transmitter and/or receiver (2, 5) adapted to exchange and process wireless command signals with each other. The safety device (4) has an actuating circuit (6) which is controlled by the transmitter and/or receiver (5) of the safety device (4) and is adapted to actuate a locking mechanism (8), wherein in the locking mechanism is operable to prevent a firearm from firing. The wireless command signal (9) is operable within a predetermined distance between the base unit (1) and the safety device (4) so that when the safety device (4) is located within the predetermined distance from the base unit (1), transmitters and/or receivers (2, 5) exchange the wireless command signal which causes the transmitter and/or receiver (5) of the safety device (4) to prompt the actuating circuit (6) to actuate the locking mechanism (8) thereby causing the locking mechanism (8) to assume a locking mode in which a firearm (7) is prevented from firing. |
| US08127478B2 |
Messaging sign having plates and reversible locking system
The invention relates to a nurse messaging system having a rotating cover, which allows the user to move informative indicia plates externally from the frame into a displayed position using a reversible locking system. The messaging sign having a base and a frame, the frame is layered to form slots on an outer surface of the sign and openings on an inner body of the frame. Plates are positioned in the openings and moveable through the slots. Each plate is automatically lockable into a displayed position using a locking member arranged on the frame, and a cover rotatably mounted to the base. |
| US08127475B2 |
Ground engaging tool system
A ground engaging tool system comprises a ground engaging tool such as a tip, an adapter mounted to or part of a work tool, and a rotating lock member. The ground engaging tool is attached to the adapter, and a post portion of the adapter slides into a slot provided on the lock. The lock is rotated so that the entrance to the slot is blocked and the post cannot slide out of the slot. The lock in this position is in a locking position, and the retention of the post in the slot of the lock retains the ground engaging tool to the adapter. |
| US08127474B2 |
Dredging apparatus
In embodiments of the invention, a dredging head assembly uses vacuum only, or a combination of vacuum and flexible PVC tines, rather than the harsh digging and/or scraping features of conventional dredging equipment. Embodiments of the invention also provide a dredging head assembly that may be used in very shallow water. An embodiment of the invention includes a hose and wand to enable vacuuming around obstacles. |
| US08127473B2 |
Suction tube device provided with drive systems and method of repairing same
A suction tube device having a frame, a tube, a centrifugal pump which cooperates with the tube, and a cutter head at one end of the tube. The tube, centrifugal pump, and cutter head are supported by the frame. The centrifugal pump and the cutter head are each provided with a drive system, the drive systems of the centrifugal pump and of the cutter head each having at least one motor. A motor of the drive system of the cutter head and a motor of the drive system of the centrifugal pump are interchangeable with respect to each other. |
| US08127472B2 |
Zero clearance attachment
A device that allows safe and complete clearing of snow or other material away from obstacles such as, buildings, doors, vehicles, machinery, etc. The device attaches to and guides material into a plow, bucket, blower, snow blower, or other equipment allowing the machine operator to physically contact an obstacle being cleared around without causing harm or damage to the obstacle. The soft moveable flex edge of the device can touch and slide along the obstacle allowing more complete snow or other material removal. The flex edge can deflect back and away from an obstacle preventing damage to the obstacle. The device comprises a rigid frame with a flex edge on the outward end of the frame. The flex edge can embody many designs including but not limited to, a spring resistance deflection mechanism, a pivot mechanism or a retracting mechanism. |
| US08127463B2 |
Vacuum drying apparatus of circulative preheating type
A vacuum drying apparatus of a circulative preheating type comprises a working area, containing a material-filling-preheating sub-area, a heating sub-area, a drying sub-area, and a material-discharging sub-area; a rotatable frame, rotatably installed in the working area and having four accommodating spaces corresponding to the sub-areas of the working area, respectively; four cylinders, installed in the accommodating spaces of the rotatable frame and corresponding to the sub-areas of the working area; and a driving assembly, connected to and thereby driving the rotatable frame to rotate; wherein when the rotatable frame rotates, each of the cylinders is moved from a currently corresponding sub-area to an adjacent said sub-area. Thereby, since the cylinders have been preheated in the material-filling-preheating sub-area before receiving a heating procedure in the heating sub-area, a required duration of the heating procedure can be reduced. |
| US08127460B2 |
Tool for use in marking tiles
A tool suitable for holding a ruling tile for using in making a cutting line on a cutting tile. The tool comprises a tile receiving means and a support means for the tile receiving means. The tile receiving means is adapted to space the ruling tile at a desired distance from a boundary of an area to be tiled. The ruling tile overlies the cutting tile. Optionally a laid tile is provided beneath the cutting tile. A method of marking and cutting a tile using such a tool. |
| US08127456B2 |
Apparatus and method for cutting rubber portion of conveyer belt
An apparatus and method for cutting a rubber portion of conveyer belt using a splitting member having a triple blade consisting of a V-shaped thin blade and a V-shaped double holder blade, in which the V-shaped thin blade is disposed within the V-shaped double holder blade so as to protrude from the V-shaped double holder blade, and a cutting member having a cylindrical blade consisting of two straight thin blades and two semicylinder blades, and a double holder, where the straight thin blades are disposed within the semicylinder blades so as to protrude from both side edges of the semicylinder blades, and the double holder is disposed so as to attach to the straight thin blades and to have the cylindrical blade replaceable therefrom. |
| US08127455B2 |
Portable implement
A portable implement is provided that includes a guide rod having a tool element arranged on one end and a motor for driving the tool element arranged on the other end. A holding element for holding the portable implement is arranged between the tool element and the motor. A connecting element is arranged on the guide rod or on the holding element, for connecting the holding element with the guide rod. The connecting element, in a first position of an operating element, is connected with the guide rod displaceably in a longitudinal direction on the guide rod. The connecting element, in a second position of the operating element, is releasably fixed on the guide rod. |
| US08127450B2 |
Method for producing a sandwich construction, in particular a sandwich construction for the aeronautical and aerospace fields
The present invention provides a method of producing a construction, in particular a sandwich construction for the aeronautical and aerospace fields, comprising the following steps. A heating material is initially applied on one side of a core construction material. In a further step a reinforcing element is introduced into the core construction material and the heating material in such a way that the reinforcing element extends through the core construction material and the heating material and has a portion which projects beyond the heating material. The heating material is then heated to soften the projecting portion at least in regions and said projecting portion is subsequently deformed using the softened region as a pivot point to engage the core construction material from behind and to form the construction. This method is distinguished in particular by the fact that it allows the portions to be heated substantially simultaneously, and not sequentially as in the state of the art. The time saved as a result in turn has a positive effect on production costs. |
| US08127443B2 |
Method of fabricating a rocket engine nozzle using pressure brazing
A method of fabrication of a rocket engine nozzle assembly using pressure brazing generally includes initially assembling a rocket engine nozzle liner into a rocket engine nozzle jacket for a rocket engine nozzle assembly. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may then be sealed. Prior to pressure brazing the rocket engine nozzle assembly, pressure brazing parameters may be determined. The pressure brazing may be performed with the determined pressure brazing parameters to complete the fabrication of the rocket engine nozzle. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may include a rocket engine nozzle jacket and a rocket engine nozzle liner having a plurality of channels, with the space between each channel defining a land, and the rocket engine nozzle liner having at least a pair of endlands disposed at each end thereof. The rocket engine nozzle liner is bonded to the rocket engine nozzle jacket by the endlands being bonded to the nozzle jacket and the lands being pressure brazed to the nozzle jacket. |
| US08127441B2 |
Method of manufacturing ceramic/metal composite structure
A method of manufacturing a ceramic/metal composite structure includes the steps of: providing a ceramic substrate; forming a metal interface layer on the ceramic substrate; placing a copper sheet on the metal interface layer; heating the ceramic substrate, the metal interface layer and the copper sheet so that the metal interface layer forms strong bonds with the ceramic substrate and the copper sheet. Multiple stages of pre-oxidizing processes are performed on the copper sheet at different temperatures and in different atmospheres with different oxygen partial pressures before the copper sheet is placed on the metal interface layer. The metal interface layer provides a wetting effect for the copper sheet to the ceramic substrate at a high temperature so that the copper sheet wets a surface of the aluminum oxide. |
| US08127438B2 |
Wiring substrate, method of manufacturing wiring substrate, and electronic apparatus
A method of manufacturing a wiring substrate includes the steps of bonding a first substrate, which includes a pixel area and a drive area located around the pixel area, and is provided with a protruding section formed in the pixel area, to a second substrate on which a peripheral circuit is disposed, so that the peripheral circuit faces the drive area, and separating the second substrate from the first substrate while leaving the peripheral circuit on the first substrate. In the step of bonding the first and the second substrates, the peripheral circuit is pressure-bonded to the first substrate, and the protruding section is made abut on the second substrate in the pixel area. |
| US08127432B2 |
Process for fabricating an origami formed antenna radiating structure
A process for fabricating an origami formed antenna radiating structure is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for precisely fabricating a radio frequency (RF) antenna structure, the process including providing a flexible circuit substrate, forming a plurality of parallel channels in the flexible circuit substrate in a first direction, mounting the flexible substrate to a precision die, pressing the flexible substrate into the precision die using an elastomeric material thereby sandwiching the flexible substrate between the elastomeric material and the precision die, and applying heat to the flexible substrate sandwiched between the elastomeric material and the precision die. |
| US08127431B2 |
Method of resin sealing permanent magnets in laminated rotor core
A method comprising: a first process of placing a laminated rotor core in a preheating device to preheat the laminated core; a second process of removing the preheated laminated core from the preheating device and disposing the laminated core between upper and lower dies of a resin sealing apparatus; a third process of pressing the laminated core by the upper and lower dies and liquefying resin material in resin reservoir pots by heating; and a fourth process of ejecting the liquefied resin material from the pots into the magnet insertion holes by plungers inserted and moving vertically in the pots and thermally curing the resin material. The method improves efficiency of resin sealing the permanent magnets in the laminated core. |
| US08127424B2 |
Method for assembling components of a microstimulator
An electrode assembly includes an electrode electrically connected to a capacitor with a wire. An assembly carrier may be used to hold and secure at least the wire and capacitor during assembly. A method of assembly for attaching a wire to a capacitor and an electrode may include an assembly carrier for housing and securing the wire, capacitor, and electrode during assembly. |
| US08127419B2 |
System and method for retasking salvaged guardrail materials
An environmentally responsible system and method of reusing discarded guardrail materials to provide affordable, high-strength barriers and fencing. Discarded guardrails, guardrail posts, and guardrail blockouts are resized and reconfigured to provide barriers for use in alternative applications, such as agrifencing, where the high-strength, durability, and low cost of these formerly DOT-approved guardrail materials provide superior performance to wood and thin metal barriers. The invention also greatly increases the return on investment of state DOTs by providing an aftermarket for used guardrail materials, thereby allowing state DOTs to recover much of the initial costs, which can then be used to offset future costs in order facilitate more highway improvement projects. |
| US08127418B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing structures with a continuous sidewall
An apparatus for manufacturing structures having a continuous sidewall includes a stationary inner work station having at least one working level and a stationary outer work station having at least one working level. The outer work station surrounds the inner work station. A shaft is disposed between the inner work station and the outer work. A lift or hoist is provided for raising and lowering a work piece in the shaft as work progresses. |
| US08127417B1 |
Bearing assembly removal system and method
A system and method according to which a bearing assembly is removed from a casing. In several exemplary embodiments, the bearing assembly is removed from a turbine casing such as, for example, a gas-turbine casing in a jet engine. |
| US08127416B2 |
Device for handling an article
The invention relates to a device (11) for handling an article (13) such as a coil spring, and to an installation for handling an article. The device (11) comprises a body (10) having an internal housing (12) suitable for containing said article (13), said housing (12) presenting at least one open end (10A, 10B) and a constriction zone (14) that is suitable in a stable state, in which said constriction zone (14) presents a reduce dimensions (D14X) that is reduced in a first direction (X), for retaining said article (13) inside the body (10), and for being deformed to adopt a deformed configuration enabling said article (13) to be inserted into the housing (12) or enabling said article (13) to be extracted from the housing (12). The installation includes force-application means for acting on the device to change it between its stable state and its deformed configuration. |
| US08127412B2 |
Network context triggers for activating virtualized computer applications
A computer system, comprising at least one controlled execution space hosting an operating system and an application program; a vulnerability monitoring agent coupled to the controlled execution space; one or more vulnerability profiles coupled to the vulnerability monitoring agent, wherein each of the vulnerability profiles comprises an application program identifier, an operating system identifier, a vulnerability specification describing a vulnerability of an application program that the application program identifier indicates when executed with an operating system that the operating system identifier indicates, and a remedial action which when executed will remediate the vulnerability; wherein the vulnerability monitoring agent is configured to monitor execution of the operating system and the application program in the controlled execution space, to detect an anomaly associated with the vulnerability, to determine the remedial action for the operating system and application program based on one of the vulnerability profiles, and to cause the remedial action. |
| US08127411B2 |
Device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll
A device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll. The device includes an impact blade and a stabilizing apparatus. The impact blade is rigid and interchangeable. The stabilizing apparatus stabilizes the impact blade against moving away from the feed roll to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material between the feed roll and the impact blade during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material. |
| US08127408B2 |
Magnetically connected socket joint structures, and items comprising the magnetically connected socket joint structures
Magnetically connected socket joint components comprise one or more paired components so as to form socket joint structures which can form various different articles, such as, for example, articles of jewelry, toys, educational implements, games or amusement devices, instructional aids, eyeglass frames, robotic arms, prosthetic devices, human replacement joints, and the like. The socket joint structures comprise convexly configured male and concavely configured female socket components which may be fabricated from suitable magnetic materials, or alternatively, the convexly configured male socket components may be fabricated from suitable magnetic materials while the concavely configured female socket components may be fabricated from suitable ferromagnetic materials, or vice versa. |
| US08127405B2 |
Reusable hose bundling sleeve
A reusable hose bundling sleeve is provided that is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. The reusable hose is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables to be protected such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Notches can be cut along the length of the reusable hose bundling sleeve to allow for shorter hoses or cables traveling within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying. The reusable hose bundling sleeve is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The reusable hose bundling sleeve can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing the durability of the sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve may be adapted to be secured and/or hanged. |
| US08127403B2 |
Card flat bar for a carding machine, for cotton, synthetic fibers or the like, having a card flat clothing
In a card flat bar having a card flat clothing, the card flat clothing is magnetically attached to the card flat bar body and, in use, lies opposite a clothed roller. In order to hold the clothing element against the card flat bar in a structurally simple way in the event of an increase in force on the clothing, especially to prevent the card flat clothing from making contact with the cylinder clothing, and to allow quick replacement of the card flat clothing strip, on the fibre material inlet side of the card flat clothing—seen in the direction of rotation of the roller—there is associated with the card flat bar a counter-bearing, stop or the like with which a base of the clothing co-operates in the direction towards the cylinder. |
| US08127402B2 |
Attachment for clutchingly covering a major portion of a handle of a plunger, enhancing grip of the handle of the plunger, and absorbing shock from repeated thrusts of the plunger
An attachment for clutchingly covering a major portion of a handle of a plunger, enhancing grip of the handle of the plunger, and absorbing shock from repeated thrusts of the plunger. The attachment includes an end cap and a sleeve. The end cap covers the free end of the handle of the plunger and absorbs the shock from the repeated thrusts of the plunger. The sleeve depends from the end cap, clutchingly covers the major portion of the handle of the plunger, and enhances the grip of the handle of the plunger. |
| US08127391B2 |
Subtrate treatment apparatus
An inventive substrate treatment apparatus includes a substrate rotation unit which rotates a substrate, a brush to be brought into contact with at least a peripheral edge portion of a front surface of the substrate rotated by the substrate rotation unit, and a peripheral rinse liquid ejection unit which ejects a rinse liquid toward a predetermined rinse liquid applying position on the peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the substrate from a position located radially inward of the predetermined rinse liquid applying position with respect to a rotation radius of the substrate, the predetermined rinse liquid applying position being spaced downstream in a substrate rotation direction from a brush contact area of the peripheral edge portion kept in contact with the brush. |
| US08127387B2 |
Multi-purpose firefighting tool
A manually held firefighting tool has an elongated staff section having a first working member at one end and a second working member at the other end. The first working member has a claw element and a spike element, each extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the staff section and protruding from the staff section in opposite directions. The second working member extends from the second end of the staff section and has a U-shaped yoke element supporting an arcuate cross bar element positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the staff section. The second working member has its own claw element at one end and a spike element at the other end. A flat bar element is affixed perpendicularly to the cross bar element between its two ends. The firefighting tool is configured to be used in a variety of firefighting applications, allowing the firefighter to carry a single tool rather than a multitude of tools performing different functions. |
| US08127386B2 |
Air mattress
In an air mattress (1) including a plurality of levels of air mattress layers (5, 7) which are vertically stacked, in each of the levels of air mattress layers (5, 7), flexible hollow air cells (43, 23) each extending along the width of the air mattress (1) are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress (1), air cells (43, 23) in each of the upper air mattress layer (7) and the lower air mattress layer (5) are divided into a plurality of groups such that the air cells (43, 23) are expanded or contracted in units of the groups by supplying or discharging air to/from these air cells (43, 23). |
| US08127384B2 |
Infant lulling device
A device for lulling infants to sleep comprising a pillow with a receptacle and closure, wherein the middle portion of the sides of the pillow are curved inwards to form four corner sections, and wherein the corner sections of the pillow are puffed up compared to the rest of the pillow, so that the pillow can be easily used in conjunction with cradles, bassinets, strollers, and similar baby gear;. The device further comprises a battery-operated sound/vibration generating instrument received within the receptacle. The instrument can be operated to produce either sound or vibrations, or both. The sound comprises a simulated mother's heartbeat or a lullaby. |
| US08127382B1 |
Portable compact pillow system
A portable compact pillow system includes a travel carrier having a first half and a second half and also including a latching feature to secure the first half to the second half in a manner defining a hollow interior. A pillow is removably secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the first half, and a resilient member is secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the second half. The first half and the second half are attached one to the other on at least one side with a hinge such that the first half is separable from the second half and is pivotal about the hinge for substantially three-hundred-sixty degrees. The first half in its pivoted position is securable to the second half with the latching feature. |
| US08127381B2 |
Collapsible litter apparatus, system and method
A collapsible litter carrier apparatus, system and method. Generally, the litter apparatus includes a frame assembly having a plurality of hingedly connected, longitudinally adjacent sections that are foldable or collapsible, accordion-like, into a compact arrangement when the carrier is not in use or being stored. Releaseably attached to the frame assembly is a body-supporting bed or sheet. Additionally, the frame assembly is provided with a plurality of foldable handles that are hingedly connected to the outer corners of the extended frame. |
| US08127380B2 |
Hospital beds with a rotating sleep surface that can translate into a chair configuration
A vehicle for use in hospitals, and the like, giving better mobility, steering, braking and passenger handling while providing comfort to the passengers from the time they lay down until they are standing on the side through the rotation and tilting ability of the frame. |
| US08127375B2 |
Low profile helmet vents and venting system
A motorcycle helmet vent and venting system that is low profile and does not take up much space on the helmet shell. A motorcycle vent that pivots internally to allow air flow and pivots such that the vent tab may penetrate the outer plane of the helmet shell. A motorcycle helmet with raised portions in its shell rearward of vents in the helmet shell. |