最新美国发明专利第2012-03-13期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08133416B2	Ultraviolet shielding compound The ultraviolet shielding compound is highly transparent in the visible light spectrum and shields approximately 100% of ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation. The ultraviolet shielding compound is formed from polyvinyl alcohol (PYA) doped with phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40). Preferably, the ratio of phosphotungstic acid to polyvinyl alcohol is 1. The ultraviolet shielding compound may be formed by first making a polymeric solution of polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in deionized water. Next, phosphotungstic acid is dissolved in deionized water to form an acidic solution. The acidic solution is added to the polymeric solution to form a mixture. The mixture is then thickened and cast. The cast mixture may then be dried to produce the ultraviolet shielding compound in the form of a flexible film.
US08133415B2	Ink composition for manufacturing color filter Provided is an ink composition for manufacturing color filters. The ink composition includes an acrylic binder resin obtained by polymerizing the group of monomers containing a compound represented by Formula 1. The ink composition has good chemical resistance and adhesive properties and is used for manufacturing color filters exhibiting a high contrast ratio: (where Ra is —H, or —CH3, and Rb is an alkyl group having 6-30 carbon atoms).
US08133411B2	Fluorescent polymers soluble in an aqueous solution and a method for the production thereof The invention relates to fluorescent polymers soluble in an aqueous solution carrying at least 5 fluorophores which are distributed on the polymer and which exhibit the following properties: the fluorophores are water-soluble, the fluorophores are not self-associated in water at a concentration of less than or equal to 10−4 mol/l, preferably at a concentration of less than or equal to 10−3 mol/l, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a molar extinction coefficient of greater than 1000 M−1·cm−1, preferably greater than 5000 M−1·cm−1, the fluorophores which are free in the aqueous solution have a quantum yield of greater than 0.3, preferably greater than 0.6, said polymers having a fluorescence amplification factor of greater than or equal to 0.35 per kg/mol of polymer, preferably greater than 0.45 per kg/mol of polymer.
US08133410B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced concerning at least two characteristics. The invention is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that contains a specific five-membered ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08133409B2	Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes preparing at least a first substrate, coating an alignment material on at least the first substrate, aligning a main chain of the alignment material in a predetermined direction, and irradiating polarized ultraviolet (UV) rays onto the alignment material whose main chain has been aligned in the predetermined direction to form an alignment layer.
US08133407B2	Sesquiterpene stabilized compositions Provided is a composition comprising (a) at least one halogenated compound selected from the group consisting of C3-C5 hydrofluoroolefin, CF3I, and combinations thereof, and (b) an effective stabilizing amount of a sesquiterpene selected from the group consisting of farnesol, farnesene, and mixtures thereof.
US08133404B2	Electromagnetic wave shielding material and sheet An electromagnetic wave shielding material and a sheet using the same are described. Also described is a gel state electromagnetic wave shielding material including an ionic liquid, and fine particles capable of reflecting, suppressing or absorbing an electromagnetic wave suspended in the ionic liquid. The electromagnetic wave shielding material may provide both high electromagnetic interference shielding ability and flexibility when used in sheet form, and in some applications, may provide flame and heat resistance.
US08133403B2	System and method for controlling the application of acid etchers or cleaners by means of color-changing dye An acidic etcher solution for etching a substrate's surface. The acidic etcher solution includes an acid and a pH indicator, the pH indicator having at least one color transition at a pH below 7. The acidic etcher solution having an initial color at an initial pH when applied to the surface to allow determination of the evenness of the coating and the etcher having a second color at a second pH higher than the first pH wherein visual inspection allows for a determination that the etcher is substantially finished reacting.
US08133402B2	Pattern forming method, charged particle beam writing apparatus, and recording medium on which program is recorded A pattern forming method includes performing a first resist development during a first time period to a substrate obtained by coating a resist film having a predetermined thickness onto a predetermined film to be etched, measuring the film thickness of the resist film after the first resist development, writing a predetermined pattern corrected in dimension on the basis of an amount of reduction in thickness of the resist film on the resist film by using a charged particle beam, performing a second resist development during a second time period which is longer than the first time period to the substrate after writing the pattern, and etching the predetermined film to be etched by using the resist film after the second resist development as a mask.
US08133400B2	Portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquid A portable ozonation apparatus for storing and purifying liquids includes a container having an opening for receiving a liquid and a treatment cap. The treatment cap is preferably detachably mounted to the container at the opening. Preferably, the treatment cap includes a main body portion having provided therein an electricity generating device and an ozone generating device. With this arrangement, un-purified liquid, such as water, is introduced into the container. The container is then inverted to bring the un-purified liquid into contact with the ozone generating device. At this point, the electricity generating device is activated to deliver an electrical current to the ozone generating device. Once powered, the ozone generating device produces ozone which is introduced into the liquid container. The ozone gas transforms un-purified liquid into a purified liquid suitable for consumption.
US08133386B1	Biological waste digester and method of operation A method of mixing liquid waste material in a digester tank by extending a supporting beam between opposing walls of the tank, securing a paddle to the supporting beam, fixturing the paddle for rotation about the supporting beam, securing a pair of inflatable air sacks to the paddle at opposing ends, and selectively inflating and deflating the sacks to force the paddle to tilt in cyclic motion thereby mixing the liquid waste containing bacteria, waste material, and oxygen uniformly throughout the digester tank.
US08133385B2	Grey water treatment system A grey water treatment system for use in conjunction with a water softener, including a grey water holding tank including a first inlet configured to receive grey water and a second inlet configured to receive spent brine from the water softener. The spent brine is mixed with the grey water in the holding tank to flocculate suspended solids in the grey water for subsequent removal.
US08133383B2	Localized corrosion monitoring device for limited conductivity fluids A localized corrosion monitoring (LCM) device is modified to obtain polarization resistance (Rp) from electrical resistance of a probe having a strip of metal under investigation (test electrode), a reference electrode and a temperature sensor (e.g. thermocouple). This configuration allows the probe to be used in areas where only a thin film of conductive fluid is available or required to provide potential monitoring. Thus, the applicability of the LCM technique is broadened. All the above devices are expected to be configured in one item of equipment, except for the probe which may be remotely located from the rest of the equipment.
US08133378B2	Solid polycrystalline potassium ion conductor having a β″-Al2O3 structure, its production and the preparation of potassium metal using this potassium ion conductor A solid polycrystalline potassium ion conductor having a β″-Al2O3 structure, its production, and the preparation of potassium metal using this potassium ion conductor.
US08133377B2	Method and apparatus for producing conductive material A photosensitive film, which has a transparent support and a silver salt emulsion layer containing a silver salt formed thereon, is exposed and developed to form a metallic silver portion. The base material to be plated is electrified in an electrolytic solution free of plating substances, using the metallic silver portion as a cathode. Then, the electrified base material is subjected to an electroless plating treatment to form a first plated layer only on the metallic silver portion. The base material is subjected to an electroplating treatment to form a second plated layer on the first plated layer, further form a third plated layer on the second plated layer.
US08133375B2	Method of surface printing and plating A method of surface printing and electric plating, it is to perform pre-plating to form a pre-plated layer firstly on a surface of a metallic or non-metallic article to be plated, thereby the metallic or non-metallic surface will not be oxidized, and to perform printing and then electric plating to make the plated layer higher than the electric printed layer, thus an effect of 3 dimensions can be resulted; and the printing oil ink is protected in the plated layer, thereby it is not subjected to being stripped off by abrasion.
US08133373B2	Electrochemically driven pump A continuous electrochemical pump comprising a water generator compartment, an anode compartment on one side of said generator compartment, a cation exchange barrier, separating the generator compartment from the anode compartment, a first electrode in electrical communication with the anode compartment, a cathode compartment adjacent the generator chamber, an anion exchange barrier, separating the generation compartment from the cathode compartment, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the cathode compartment. Use of the pump as a sample concentrator. A feedback loop for the pump. A reservoir, with or without an intermediate piston, on the output side of the pump.
US08133371B2	Scodaphoresis and methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles Methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles apply an alternating driving field and an alternating field that alters mobility of the particles. The driving field and mobility-varying field are correlated with one another. The methods and apparatus may be used to concentrate DNA or RNA in a medium, for example. Methods and apparatus for extracting particles from one medium into another involve applying an alternating driving field that causes net drift of the particles from the first medium into the second medium but no net drift of the particles in the second medium.
US08133368B2	Encapsulated sputtering target Embodiments of the invention provide encapsulated sputtering targets and methods for preparing such targets prior to a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. In one embodiment, an encapsulated target for PVD is provided which includes a target layer containing lanthanum disposed on a backing plate and an encapsulation layer containing titanium disposed on or over the target layer. In one example, the target layer contains metallic lanthanum or lanthanum oxide and the encapsulation layer contains titanium. The encapsulation layer may have a thickness within a range from about 1,000 Å to about 2,000 Å. In another embodiment, a method for preparing an encapsulated target prior to a PVD process is provided which includes positioning an encapsulated target within a PVD chamber and exposing the encapsulation layer to a plasma while removing the encapsulation layer and revealing an upper surface of the target layer.
US08133363B2	Dual magnetic tunnel junction sensor with a longitudinal bias stack A dual magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor is provided with a longitudinal bias stack sandwiched between a first MTJ stack and a second MTJ stack. The longitudinal bias stack comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic layers. The first and second MTJ stacks comprise antiparallel (AP)-pinned layers pinned by AFM layers made of an AFM material having a higher blocking temperature than the AFM material of the bias stack allowing the AP-pinned layers to be pinned in a transverse direction and the bias stack to be pinned in a longitudinal direction. The demagnetizing fields of the two AP-pinned layers cancel each other and the bias stack provides flux closures for the sense layers of the first and second MTJ stacks.
US08133362B2	Physical vapor deposition with multi-point clamp A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber having side walls, a cathode inside the vacuum chamber, wherein the cathode is configured to include a sputtering target, a radio frequency power supply configured to apply power to the cathode, an anode inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber, a chuck inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber, the chuck configured to support a substrate, a clamp configured to hold the substrate to the chuck, wherein the clamp is electrically conductive, and a plurality of conductive electrodes attached to the clamp, each electrode configured to compress when contacted by the substrate.
US08133361B2	Thin film coating system and method A method and system for depositing a thin film on a substrate. In the system a target material is deposited and reacted on a substrate surface to form a substantially non-absorbing thin film. The volume of non-absorbing thin film formed per unit of time may be increased by increasing the area of the surface by a factor of “x” and increasing the rate of deposition of the target material by a factor greater than the inverse of the factor “x” to thereby increase the rate of formation of the volume of non-absorbing thin film per unit of time.
US08133360B2	Prediction and compensation of erosion in a magnetron sputtering target When a magnetron is scanned about the back of a target in a selected complex path having radial components, the erosion profile has a form depending upon the selection of paths. A radial erosion rate profile for a given magnetron is measured. Periodically during scanning, an erosion profile is calculated from the measured erosion rate profile, the time the magnetron spends at different radii, and the target power. The calculated erosion profile may be used to indicate when erosion has become excessive at any location prompting target replacement or to adjust the height of the magnetron above the target for repeated scans. In another aspect of the invention, the magnetron height is dynamically adjusted during a scan to compensate for erosion. The compensation may be based on the calculated erosion profile or on feedback control of the present value of the target voltage for a constant-power target supply.
US08133355B2	Method for use in the wet end of a paper machine, cardboard machine or an equivalent web forming machine The invention relates to a method in the wet end of a web forming process. In the method, at least one electrode pair (102, 103) is placed in the wet end. The electrode pair (102, 103) is supplied with a current/voltage from a power source (100), so that an electric field is set up between the electrode pair (102, 103), causing the material particles in the pulp suspension in the wet end to be electrically charged in a desired manner and to move in a desired manner in the pulp suspension in the wet end. The current/voltage of the power source (100) is controlled by means of a measuring and control unit (101) so as to cause the material particles in the pulp suspension to be electrically charged and to move in a desired manner, thus allowing the retention, formation and orientation of the material particles in the pulp suspension to be substantially improved.
US08133349B1	Rapid and uniform gas switching for a plasma etch process An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber in which a semiconductor substrate is processed, a substrate support, a dielectric window forming a wall of the chamber, an antenna operable to generate and maintain a plasma in the processing chamber, and a showerhead plate of dielectric material adjacent the dielectric window. The showerhead plate includes gas holes in fluid communication with a plenum below the dielectric window, the plenum having a gas volume of no greater than 500 cm3. The gas holes extend between the plenum and a plasma exposed surface of the showerhead plate and the gas holes have an aspect ratio of at least 2. A gas delivery system is operable to supply an etching gas and a deposition gas into the processing chamber through the showerhead plate while the semiconductor substrate is supported on the substrate support. The plasma processing apparatus can rapidly replace the etching gas in the plenum with the deposition gas within about 200 milliseconds and vice versa. The plasma processing apparatus is operable to etch silicon on the semiconductor substrate at a rate of 10 μm/minute or higher.
US08133348B2	Plasma generating apparatus and plasma treatment apparatus A plasma generating apparatus includes a coaxial convertor for coaxial-converting a microwave, a generally annular ring slot that passes the coaxial-converted microwave, and a dielectric window that propagates the microwave passed through the ring slot. A plasma is produced by the microwave propagated through the dielectric window. This enables stable formation of a plasma having a uniform distribution over a large area.
US08133346B2	Medical device having bonding regions and method of making the same Medical devices comprised of bonded joints are disclosed. The bonded joints comprise two surfaces bonded by a layer of phenoxy resin therebetween. In the preferred embodiments, bonded surfaces are comprised of materials that are suitable for medical devices. Most preferably, Nitinol comprises at least one bonded surface, however, other preferred materials may include, but are not limited to cobalt chromium, stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, and plastic. An intraluminal device comprised of a plurality of locations with a phenoxy resin layer is also disclosed wherein the phenoxy resin is further comprised of a radiopaque additive, a lubricious additive, or both radiopaque and lubricious additives. Also disclosed is an intraluminal device comprised of contiguous heterogeneous structural elements comprised of metallic members and non-metallic sections that are bonded together by a layer of phenoxy resin therebetween.
US08133344B2	Process for production of hollow-fiber membrane bundles The present invention relates to a method of producing a hollow fiber membrane bundle having an end fixed with a casting material wherein the ends of hollow fiber membranes are fixed with the casting material in a condition that an insert is placed inside a hollow fiber membrane bundle at a position inner than a region where a fixing portion is formed, and then the insert is removed from the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle; and relates to a method of producing a hollow fiber membrane filter element through this method. The hollow fiber membrane bundle produced by the method of the present invention can be used in various types of filtration treatment such as external pressure filtration.
US08133340B2	Method of manufacturing a universal door skin blank A universal door skin blank comprises an exterior side and an interior side for securing to a frame member, first and second molded, spaced stiles, and a flat planar portion disposed between the stiles and lying on a plane spaced from the plane of the stiles. An interface portion is disposed between and contiguous with the stiles and the flat planar portion. The invention also relates to a door having at least one universal door skin blank, with at least two separately formed rails secured to the planar portion of the blank at opposite ends thereof.
US08133339B2	Bonding of elastomeric substrate under stretched conditions A method of bonding material in a process system for producing a bonded product includes the steps of loading a plurality of rolls of elastomeric material in an unwind system; programming a controller with an unwind speed and a rewind speed, the controller in communication with the unwind system and a rewinder disposed downstream from the unwind system for respective communication of the unwind and rewind speeds to the unwind system and the rewinder; unwinding a quantity of material from the plurality of rolls of elastomeric material into a pressure bonder disposed upstream of the rewinder, the pressure bonder and the rewinder operating faster than the unwind system operating at the unwind speed to generate a speed differential, wherein the speed differential imparts a stretch state to the quantity of material; and bonding the stretched quantity of material with the pressure bonder.
US08133336B2	Tissue-adhesive materials A multi-lamellar tissue-adhesive sheet comprises a structural layer or laminate conjoined to a tissue-contacting layer. The structural layer or laminate comprises one or more synthetic polymers having film-forming properties, and the tissue-contacting layer of material contains tissue-reactive groups. The synthetic polymers having film-forming properties are preferably biodegradable polyesters, and the tissue-reactive groups are most preferably NHS-ester groups.
US08133332B2	Method for preparing FePt media at low ordering temperature and fabrication of exchange coupled composite media and gradient anisotropy media for magnetic recording A method includes: constructing a multilayer structure including a first layer of Pt, a first layer of A1 phase FePt on the first layer of Pt, and a second layer of Pt on the layer of FePt, and annealing the multilayer structure to convert the A1 phase FePt to L1o phase FePt.
US08133330B2	High yield ratio and high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet excellent in workability and production method thereof A high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel sheet excellent in workability according to the present invention: contains C, Si, Mn and other elements; has a dual phase structure containing ferrite and martensite as the metallographic structure; and, in the ferrite structure, satisfies the expression 0.2≦(Lb/La)≦1.5 when the length per unit area of the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is defined as La and the length per unit area of the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are less than 10 degrees is defined as Lb, and further satisfies the requirements that the average value of D is 25 μm or less and the area ratio of crystal grains satisfying the expression D≦30 μm in the ferrite grains surrounded by the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is 50% or more when the circle equivalent diameter of each of ferrite grains surrounded by the grain boundaries of crystal grains the crystal orientation differences of which are 10 degrees or more is defined as D; and has a tensile strength of 980 MPa or more.
US08133329B2	Selective sintering of compacted components One embodiment includes compacting a powder material using at least a first magnetic field to form a compact and selectively sintering a first portion of the compact and leaving a second portion of the compact unsintered to form a component.
US08133328B2	Rotary apparatus and method for cleaning liquid storage tanks A rotary apparatus and method is provided for cleaning liquid storage tanks, particularly above ground tanks. The rotary cleaning apparatus includes a Tee housing that is rotated around a vertical axis and a nozzle housing mounted to the Tee housing for rotation around a horizontal axis, resulting in a 360° spherical spray pattern. A set of downspray nozzles is mounted to the Tee housing at an angle to the vertical axis to rotate with the housing and generate a conical spray pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus draws liquid stored in the tank through a filter and pumps the filtered liquid through the rotary cleaning apparatus.
US08133325B2	Dry cleaning method for plasma processing apparatus This dry cleaning method for a plasma processing apparatus is a dry cleaning method for a plasma processing apparatus that includes: a vacuum container provided with a dielectric member; a planar electrode and a high-frequency antenna that are provided outside the dielectric member; and a high-frequency power source that supplies high-frequency power to both the high-frequency antenna and the planar electrode, to thereby introduce high-frequency power into the vacuum container via the dielectric member and produce an inductively-coupled plasma, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a gas including fluorine into the vacuum container and also introducing high-frequency power into the vacuum container from the high-frequency power source, to thereby produce an inductively-coupled plasma in the gas including fluorine; and by use of the inductively-coupled plasma, removing a product including at least one of a precious metal and a ferroelectric that is adhered to the dielectric member.
US08133324B2	Methods for removal of polymeric coating layers from coated substrates The invention provides a method for the at least partial removal of one or more polymeric coating layers from a coated substrate having at least one coated surface. The method includes generating at least one reactive species in an ionized gas stream discharged at atmospheric pressure; and placing the coated surface in the ionized gas stream. The at least one reactive species reacts with the one or more polymeric coating layers such that one or more coating layers is at least partially removed from the coated surface of the substrate at atmospheric pressure.
US08133322B2	Apparatus for inverted multi-wafer MOCVD fabrication A semiconductor fabrication reactor according to the invention comprises a rotatable susceptor mounted to the top of a reactor chamber. One or more wafers are mounted to a surface of the susceptor and the rotation of the susceptor causes the wafers to rotate within the chamber. A heater heats the susceptor and a chamber gas inlet allows semiconductor growth gasses into the reactor chamber to deposit semiconductor material on said wafers. A chamber gas outlet is included to allow growth gasses to exit the chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet is at or below the level of said wafers and the outlet is preferably at or above the level of the wafers. A semiconductor fabrication system according to the invention comprises a source of gasses for forming epitaxial layers on wafers and a source of gasses for dopants in said epitaxial layers. A gas line carries the dopant and epitaxial source gasses to a reactor for growing semiconductor devices on wafers, and the source gasses in the gas line are injected into the reactor chamber through a reactor inlet. The reactor comprises an inverted susceptor mounted in a reactor chamber that is capable of rotating. One or more wafers are mounted to a surface of the susceptor, the rotation of the susceptor causing the wafers to rotate within the chamber. A heater heats the susceptor and the source gasses deposit semiconductor material on the wafers.
US08133319B2	Production process of periodic table group 13 metal nitride crystal and production method of semiconductor device using the same A Periodic Table Group 13 metal nitride crystal is grown by causing a reaction of a Periodic Table Group 13 metal phase with a nitride-containing molten salt phase to proceed while removing a by-product containing a metal element except for Periodic Table Group 13 metals, from the reaction field. According to this process, a high-quality Periodic Table Group 13 metal nitride bulk crystal can be produced under low pressure or atmospheric pressure.
US08133314B2	Ink composition, recording method using the same, and recorded matter An ink composition includes at least a pigment, a humectant, and water in from 10 to 60% by weight to the total amount of ink. The humectant is a mixture of (A) at least one compound selected from glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol; (B) either trimethylol propane or trimethylol ethane, or a mixture thereof; and (C) at least one compound selected from betaines, saccharides, and ureas and having a molecular weight in the range of from 100 to 200, at a content weight ratio of (A):(B):(C) of 1.0:0.1 to 1.0:1.0 to 3.5.
US08133311B2	Pigment dipsersions comprising functionalized non-polymeric dispersants The present invention relates to pigment dispersions comprising a liquid vehicle, a pigment, and a non-polymeric dispersant comprising at least one functional groups. Various embodiments of the functional group are disclosed. For each of these embodiments, preferably the functional group has a defined calcium index value. Also disclosed are various uses for these dispersions, including inkjet ink compositions.
US08133310B2	Method and apparatus for in-situ testing of filtration systems Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for certifying a filter in a containment system without decontaminating the containment system prior to certification. The apparatus generally comprises a valve assembly selectable between at least three operational states. A first state prevents flow from prevents flow through a port of a housing. A second state fluidly couples the port to test equipment necessary to test a filter disposed within the housing. A third state seals the port but fluidly couples the test equipment to a decontamination system.
US08133308B2	Sorbent fiber compositions and methods of temperature swing adsorption The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
US08133306B2	Gas diffusion substrate A gas diffusion substrate includes a non-woven network of carbon fibres, the carbon fibres are graphitised but the non-woven network has not been subjected to a graphitisation process. A mixture of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer is disposed within the network. The longest dimension of at least 90% of the graphitic particles is less than 100 μm. A process for manufacturing gas diffusion substrates includes depositing a slurry of graphitised carbon fibres onto a porous bed forming a wet fibre network, preparing a suspension of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer, applying onto, and pulling the suspension into, the network, and drying and firing the network. Another process includes mixing a first slurry of graphitic particles and hydrophobic polymer with a second slurry of graphitised carbon fibres and liquid forming a third slurry, depositing the third slurry onto a porous bed forming a fibre-containing layer, and drying and firing the layer.
US08133305B2	Removal of carbon dioxide from air The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a contaminant, such as carbon dioxide, from a gas stream, such as ambient air. The contaminant is removed from the gas stream by a sorbent which may be regenerated using a humidity swing, a thermal swing, or a combination thereof. The sorbent may be a substrate having embedded positive ions and individually mobile negative ions wherein the positive ions are sufficiently spaced to prevent interactions between the negative ions. Where a thermal swing is used, heat may be conserved by employing a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the regenerated sorbent to an amount of sorbent that is loaded with the contaminant prior to regeneration.
US08133303B2	Apparatus and method for controlling mercury pollution from a cement plant A method and apparatus for reducing discharges into the atmosphere of mercury pollutants associated with dry process, precalciner cement manufacturing is shown. Raw feed meal used in cement production is heated in a special heating chamber to drive off volatile mercury pollutants, such as elemental mercury and mercury oxides. Preferably, the feed meal is heated to a temperature of at least 175° C. The gases that are driven off flow are then cooled to condense the mercury pollutants causing them to be adsorbed on carbon particles injected into the gas flow. The carbon particles containing the condensed mercury pollutants are then filtered out of gas flow, for example, using a fabric filter. The gas flow may be burned to destroy other volatile pollutants such as hydrocarbons and/or ammonia.
US08133301B2	Porous nanohybrid materials formed by covalent hybridization between metal-organic frameworks and gigantic mesoporous materials Disclosed herein is a nanoporous hybrids formed by covalent bonding between a crystalline organic-inorganic hybrid and a gigantic mesoporous metal oxide, containing organic groups on the surface thereof, having a size of 10 nm or more. Since the covalently-bonded hybrid nanoporous composite has a large surface area, a multiple microporous structure, a large pore volume and includes an organic-inorganic hybrid having backbone flexibility, the covalently-bonded hybrid nanoporous composite can be used as materials for storing liquids and gases, such as hydrogen, methane and the like, and can be used as adsorbents, separating materials, catalysts, and the like. Further, the covalently-bonded hybrid nanoporous hybrids can be used in the application fields of biomolecule supporting, drug delivery, harmful material removal, nanoparticle supporter, sensors, catalysis, adsorbents, fluorescent materials, solar cells, and the like.
US08133298B2	Blast furnace iron production with integrated power generation An integrated system for blast furnace iron making and power production based upon higher levels of oxygen enrichment in the blast gas is disclosed. The integrated system leads to; 1) enhanced productivity in the blast furnace, 2) more efficient power production, and 3) the potential to more economically capture and sequester carbon dioxide. Oxygen enhances the ability of coal to function as a source of carbon and to be gasified within the blast furnace thereby generating an improved fuel-containing top gas.
US08133295B2	Method and apparatus for lead smelting A method for producing lead involves feeding lead concentrate, flux and solid fuel passing to a feed preparation unit. The prepared, mixed feed is then passed to a lead smelting furnace, such as an ISASMELT furnace or other top entry, submerged lance furnace. Air or oxygen, is injected into the molten charge in the ISASMELT furnace via the submerged lance. The feed mixture is converted into lead bullion and a lead-containing slag. The slag removed from the furnace is formed into lumps having a desirable size range. The slag lumps, together with coke and flux are fed into a blast furnace. In the blast furnace, the slag is converted into lead bullion and discard slag. The lead bullion removed may be subsequently fed to a lead refinery for further treatment.
US08133292B2	Air cleaner assembly for a small V-type engine, engine incorporating same, and motorcycle incorporating same An air cleaner for a V-type internal combustion engine includes a filter housing with introduction ports formed in both left and right lateral walls communicating with respective air intake ducts and a pair of cleaner elements fixedly disposed in the filter housing to partition the inside thereof into an upper unfiltered air chamber communicating with both the introduction ports and a filtered air chamber disposed below the unfiltered air chamber. The cleaner elements are disposed on both sides of a vertical plane passing through a vehicle body centerline, extend forward and rearward of the air introduction ports, and are inclined to be gradually lowered as they extend away from the vertical plane to face the respective air introduction ports.
US08133291B2	Air filtration for aircraft ground support equipment Air filtration devices and systems are provided to filter conditioned air after air exits an air conditioner module located on a ground support equipment unit but prior to entering a grounded aircraft. Disclosed embodiments include a system with the air filtration unit located along a hose originating from an aircraft ground support unit and a system with the air filtration unit located along a hose originating from an aircraft. Certain embodiments of the air filtration unit include a diffuser, which is configured to couple to a filter and direct air through the filter during operation.
US08133289B2	Method for the synthesis of 5-alkoxymethyl furfural ethers and their use Method for the manufacture of 5-alkoxymethylfurfural derivatives by reacting a fructose and/or glucose-containing starting material with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic or sub-stoechiometric amount of solid (“heterogeneous”) acid catalyst. The catalysts may be employed in a continuous flow fixed bed or catalytic distillation reactor. The ethers can be applied as a fuel or fuel additive.
US08133288B2	Aqueous borohydride compositions An aqueous fuel for generating hydrogen includes alkaline aqueous composition of about 17 to 37 mole percent of a sodium borohydride, and from about 0.001 to 1 mole percent of sodium hydroxide.
US08133287B2	Method of controlled cell-level fusing within a battery pack A method is provided that achieves improved battery pack performance, system reliability and system safety while impacting only a small region of the battery pack/battery module, and thus having only a minor impact on battery pack cost, complexity, weight and size. The battery pack/battery module is designed such that the fusible interconnects associated with a single battery, or a specific fusible interconnect associated with a single battery, will be the last interconnect(s) to fuse during a short circuit event. The risk of sustained arcing for the predetermined interconnect(s) is minimized through the use of rapid clearing interconnects. As a result, the risk of damage and excessive heating is also minimized.
US08133279B2	Methods for treating an annulus defect of an intervertebral disc A system for treating an annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided. The system comprises a cannula for accessing a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, an expandable spacing device, and a material delivery instrument. The expandable spacing device has a first deflated position and a second inflated position. The spacing device is sized to pass through the cannula when in the first deflated position and the spacing device has a predetermined shape in the second inflated position. The material delivery instrument is adapted to inflate the spacing device from the first deflated position to the second inflated position by injecting a biocompatible material into the spacing device. In another aspect, a method of treating at least one annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided.
US08133278B2	Medical devices having electrodeposited conductive polymer coatings According to one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise a substrate and a coating over the substrate that comprises at least one type of conductive polymer and at least one type of additional polymer.
US08133274B2	Photochromic intraocular lenses and methods of making the same Intraocular lenses containing a photochromic agent, are disclosed. Specifically, the foldable intraocular lens of the present invention comprises an optic body made from a crosslinked material comprising at least one monomer, a crosslinker, a UV absorber, and a photochromic agent which has a maximum absorption peak of about 400-500 nm in its excited state. The lens has a glass transition temperature of about 37° C. or lower. Methods for making these intraocular lenses are also taught.
US08133272B2	Apparatuses and methods for heart valve repair A medical device for treating a heart having a faulty heart valve is disclosed. The medical device comprises a ligature including a first anchoring member and a second anchoring member is used. The ligature is percutaneously deployable into a patient with a faulty heart valve wherein the first anchoring member to anchor to a first tissue area of the heart and the second anchoring member to anchor to a second tissue area of the heart.
US08133265B2	Guide catheter, and stent delivery system This stent delivery system includes: a guide catheter inserted inside a stent, and inserted into the interior of the living body with the stent by a guide member inserted inside the guide catheter; a guide member inserted inside the guide catheter, and which guides the guide catheter and the stent to the interior of a living body; a pusher catheter inserted into the interior of the living body with the guide catheter in a state where the guide catheter is inserted inside the pusher catheter, and which pushes the stent along the guide catheter; and an engaging portion disposed on a head section of the guide catheter protruding from the stent, which engages with the stent in a state where the guide member is inserted into the head section, and which releases the stent in a state where the guide member is retracted away from the head section.
US08133261B2	Intra-facet fixation device and method of use A implantable interference device configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint is provided. The device includes a shank capable of engaging opposing faces of the facet joint. The shank can further include a head extending from a proximal end of the shank wherein the head is configured to engage and/or buttress opposing faces of the joint, and also configured for preventing over-insertion of the device. Optionally, at least a portion of the shank can include or be formed of a fusion-promoting bioactive material. Further, a method for providing fixation of a facet joint by intra-facet placement of an interference device within the facet joint is provided.
US08133260B1	Chiropractic table apparatus and method of use A chiropractic table has a base, a table support member connected to the base and extending upward from the base, an axial-lateral-tilt mechanism laterally connected to table support member, a cephalad section connected transversely to and being supported by the table support member above the base, a head section connected to and extending longitudinally from a first cephalad section end of the cephalad section, and a caudal section interconnected with the axial-lateral-tilt mechanism and the table support member and being positioned longitudinally adjacent a second cephalad section end of the cephalad section where the axial-lateral-tilt mechanism has an axial pivot mechanism configured to axially pivot the caudal section through a predefined arc around a longitudinal pivot axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chiropractic table, the longitudinal pivot axis being located a predefined distance above the top surface of the chiropractic table.
US08133255B2	Minimally invasive surgical assembly and methods A minimally invasive surgical assembly includes an outer hollow needle which may be used in puncturing skin to insert and advance the surgical instrument into the body, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The outer diameter of the needle may be dimensioned such that a wound formed from the hollow needle puncturing the skin is capable of being closed independent of stitching, and may be approximately 2 mm or smaller. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.
US08133246B1	Safety lancet assembly Disclosed is a safety lancet assembly configured to pierce a patient's skin. The safety lancet comprises a housing and a lancet disposed with the housing. The lancet includes both a block and a piercing tip attached to the block. The lancet is disposed within the housing such that the lancet may move from a retracted position to the piercing position. Additionally, the safety lancet includes a use indicator to alert a user or patient if the lancet is currently in the retracted position or if the lancet has been previously released to the piercing position.
US08133244B2	Medical instrument A medical instrument has a shaft. The shaft has an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The outer shaft encloses the inner shaft. The medical instrument further has an actuator for rotating the inner shaft about a longitudinal axis relative to the outer shaft, arranged at a proximal end region of the shaft. The medical instrument has at least two tappet elements for transferring a rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft, which are engaged interchangeably with the inner shaft for transferring the rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft. The tappet elements reach through peripherally limited openings in a proximal end region of the outer shaft, which openings are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction.
US08133243B2	Device for unblocking an occluded vessel, and a method for unblocking an occluded vessel A device for unblocking an occlusion (3) in an occluded vessel (2) comprises a catheter (5) having an inflatable balloon (19) located at a distal leading end (8) thereof so that by inflating the balloon (19) the leading end of the catheter (5) may be anchored in the occluded vessel (2) or in a vessel adjacent the occluded vessel (2) with the leading end adjacent the occlusion (3). A guide wire (12) terminating in a pointed distal tip (18) is urgeable through a bore (10) in the catheter (5) for engaging and penetrating through the occlusion (3). A leading portion (17) of the guide wire (12) is externally threaded at (26), and is engageable with an internally threaded portion (25) of the bore (10) adjacent a leading portion (9) of the catheter (5), so that when the catheter (5) is anchored by the balloon (19) with the leading portion (9) of the catheter (5) adjacent and abutting the occlusion (3) with the external threads (26) of the guide wire (12) engaging the internal threads (25) of the catheter (5), rotation of the guide wire (12) urges the distal tip (18) of the guide wire (12) into engagement with the occlusion (3) and to penetrate through the occlusion (3).
US08133241B2	Articulated elements and methods for use The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.
US08133237B2	Biological unit removal tools with concentric tubes Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.
US08133235B2	One-way bearing cable tensioning tool An orthopedic tool having a one-way lock bearing and a one-way actuator bearing for tensioning surgical cables around a bone and a method for using the same.
US08133228B2	Chisel system for osteochondral implants and a surgical procedure involving same A chisel system for harvesting an implantable graft from an area of a human having a cartilage overlying a condyle, according to which a module is provided that has one end connected to a handle. A cutting surface is formed at the other end of the module that cuts through the cartilage and condyle.
US08133222B2	Tissue ablation apparatus and method using ultrasonic imaging A coaxial cable apparatus which transmits radio frequency (RF) energy for the ablation of biological tissues has inner and outer coaxial conductors extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion. An RF antenna is disposed at the distal portion of the cable and transmits RF energy for ablation of a tissue region to be treated. At least one ultrasonic transducer is also disposed at the distal portion of the cable to direct ultrasonic frequency energy to a tissue region. The ultrasonic transducer detects reflected ultrasonic signals from the tissue region and provides a signal output which varies dependent on the density of tissue over the monitored tissue region. The reflected ultrasonic signal can be monitored before, during, and after ablation treatment.
US08133221B2	Energy based devices and methods for treatment of anatomic tissue defects Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve positioning a distal end of an elongate catheter device at the site of the anatomic defect, exposing an expandable housing and energy transmission member out of the distal end of the catheter device, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, applying suction to the tissues via the housing to bring the tissues together; and applying energy to the tissues with the energy transmission member to substantially close the anatomic defect acutely. Apparatus generally include an elongate catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, and an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, the energy transmission member having at least one substantially planar surface.
US08133220B2	Enhanced ablation and mapping catheter and method for treating atrial fibrillation A catheter for measuring electrical activity and ablating tissue is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated generally-tubular catheter body. A non-retractable electrode assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly comprises a generally tubular ablation electrode formed of a material having shape-memory having a generally straight exposed region and at least one irrigation port in the exposed region through which fluid can pass from the inside to the outside of the ablation electrode. The exposed region is generally transverse to the catheter body. The electrode assembly further comprises a tip at the distal end of the electrode assembly comprising a generally ball-shaped exposed region. First and second distal mapping electrodes are mounted distal to the exposed region of the ablation electrode. At least the first distal mapping electrode, and optionally the second distal mapping electrode, is incorporated into the generally ball-shaped exposed region of the tip. The catheter further comprises an infusion tube extending through the catheter body and having a distal end in fluid communication with the proximal end of the ablation electrode.
US08133218B2	Electrosurgical medical system and method A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.
US08133216B2	Methods and devices for treating tissue The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08133214B2	Material removal catheter and method A catheter device and methods useable to extract material from a body conduit, e.g., a blood vessel, are provided. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the body conduit, an opening in a wall of the catheter in fluid communication with a material collection chamber, and a controllably arcuate segment near the distal tip of the catheter and the opening. The catheter may include a sliding member, located within a lumen of the catheter, used to move the material entering the catheter through the arcuate segment opening, into the material collection chamber and away from said opening. The catheter may include a single mechanism utilized to both generate a vacuum to cause material to enter the catheter at the arcuate segment opening and also cause the sliding member to travel, inside the catheter, moving material away from the opening and into the material collection chamber.
US08133205B2	Fluid delivery system having a plurality of resilient pressurizing chambers A fluid delivery system includes a fluid container, two or more pressurizing chambers in fluid connection with the fluid container, a drive mechanism in operative connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers to pump fluid from the fluid container and an outlet in fluid connection with the two or more pressurizing chambers. Each of the two or more pressurizing chambers is formed from a flexible, resilient material that is adapted to be compressed to pressurize fluid therewithin.
US08133204B1	Medicament dispenser A dispensing device for dispensing medicaments to a patient comprising a plurality of threadably interconnectable sub-assemblies. One of these sub-assemblies houses a novel collapsible fluid reservoir defining component that is carried by a carriage while another comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control means that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoir of the collapsible reservoir defining component toward the patient via a plurality of fluid flow control passageways. In one form of the invention the collapsible fluid reservoir is filled at time of manufacture. In another form of the invention the collapsible fluid reservoir can be filled in the field using a syringe assembly.
US08133203B2	Method of injecting fluids from a dual syringe injector system Embodiments of an injector, syringe, syringe interface, syringe adapter, and piston/plunger assembly for an injector (of contrast medium, for example) are described. Preferably, the syringe is adapted to engage a syringe interface mechanism such that the syringe may be connected to an injector without regard to any particular orientation of the syringe to the injector or to the piston/plunger assembly. The injector piston or drive member includes a sensing pin positioned at a forward end thereof to sense contact with the syringe plunger during advancement of the piston or drive member to contact the plunger. The piston can be advanced automatically upon connection of, for example, the syringe to the injector, or piston advance can be automated to occur after operator initiation. The injector may include or be adapted to accommodate two syringes, which for example provide for simultaneous injection of fluid into separate injection sites on a patient.
US08133194B2	System and method for delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation to extracorporeal blood circuits The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.
US08133192B2	Leg and foot massage device capable of achieving foot swing The present invention relates to a massage device, and more particularly, to a leg and foot massage device capable of achieving foot swing. The device includes an electrical machinery deceleration element, a wobbler machine element and an air inflatable bag massage element. The electrical machinery deceleration element drives the air inflatable bag massage element through the wobbler machine element, and the electrical machinery realizes the one-off deceleration. Therefore mechanical transmission steps are simplified and transmission noise obviously dropped, wobbler machine element cooperates with air inflatable bags' inflation and deflation, generating many kinds of different massage motions and obtaining a comprehensive massage effect on leg and feet muscles and joints.
US08133191B2	Method and apparatus for treatment of adipose tissue The invention provides methods and apparatuses for the treatment of adipose tissue. The methods comprise application of ultrasound energy to a region of adipose tissue, and the apparatuses comprise at least one source of ultrasound energy configured to direct ultrasound energy through a skin surface into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In one embodiment, a pressure gradient is created in the region generating relative movement between fat cell constituents having different densities. In another embodiment, a protrusion of skin and underlying adipose tissue containing is formed and ultrasound energy is radiated into the adipose tissue in the protrusion. In another embodiment, an RF electric field is generated inside a region of adipose tissue together with the ultrasound energy.
US08133187B2	Implantable medical device with heart condition detection A method for detecting a condition of a heart of a patient using an implantable medical device, including the steps of sensing acoustic signals indicative of heart sounds of the heart of the patient; extracting signals corresponding to a first heart sound (S1) and a second heart sound (S2) from sensed signals; calculating an energy value corresponding to a signal corresponding to the first heart sound (S1) and an energy value corresponding to the second heart sound (S2); calculating a relation between the energy value corresponding to the first heart sound and the energy value corresponding to the second heart sound for successive cardiac cycles; and using at least one relation to detect the condition or a change of the condition. A medical device for determining the posture of a patient and a computer readable medium encoded with instructions are used to perform the inventive method.
US08133186B2	Implantable sensor lead In an implantable sensor lead for sensing mechanical cardiac activity of a heart, as well as a sensing method and a cardiac stimulator embodying such a sensor lead, multiple cardiac activity sensing elements are distributed along a portion of a length of the lead body of the implantable lead. The sensing elements sense or detect mechanical cardiac activity and respectively emit electrical signals corresponding to the detected mechanical cardiac activity. The delivery of cardiac stimulation pulses can be controlled dependent on an analysis of the detected mechanical cardiac activity.
US08133183B2	Method for processing of continuous pressure-related signals derivable from a human or animal body or body cavity This invention describes methods for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. The major aspect of the invention relates to methods for obtaining new and improved information from said pressure signals. The analysis output of said method may be presented in a variety of ways such as numerical values; trend plots of numerical values, histogram presentations or as a quantitative matrix, the presentation as a quantitative matrix is highlighted. Thereby completely new information about pressures is obtained. In particular, information about intracranial compliance is derived from the intracranial pressure (ICP) signal itself.
US08133179B2	Method of displaying an elastic image A method of displaying an elastic image, comprising: a) performing transmission/reception of an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines set on a target object to obtain first ultrasound data, the target object including a plurality of tissues; b) performing transmission/reception of an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines set on the target object by applying a stress to the target object to obtain second ultrasound data; c) calculating displacements of the tissues based on the first and second ultrasound data; d) calculating strains in the tissues based on the calculated displacements; e) forming an elastic image based on the calculated strains and a graph indicating changes of the tissues for the respective scan lines; and f) displaying the elastic image together with the graph.
US08133178B2	Analyte sensor The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08133176B2	Method and circuit for indicating quality and accuracy of physiological measurements Sensors and monitors for a physiological monitoring system having capability to indicate an accuracy of an estimated physiological condition. The sensor senses at least one physiological characteristic of a patient and is connectable to a monitor that estimates the physiological condition from signals detected by the sensor. The sensor includes a detector for detecting the signals from the patient which are indicative of the physiological characteristic. The sensor is associated with a memory configured to store data that defines at least one sensor signal specification boundary for the detected signals. The boundary is indicative of a quality of the signals and an accuracy of the physiological characteristic estimated from the signals by the monitor. The sensor further includes means for providing access to the memory to allow transmission of the data that defines the at least one sensor boundary to the monitor.
US08133175B2	Device for temporarily immobilizing tissue in the area of a pulsating blood vessel A device serves for temporarily immobilizing a tissue in an area of a pulsating blood vessel during a cardiac and thoracic surgical intervention. A pod of the device can be placed onto a tissue beneath a pulsating blood vessel. The pod has a rigid holder supporting a flexible element. The flexible element has suction openings in an area of contact with said tissue. The pod has a connector piece for the connecting to an underpressure source. A flexibility of said flexible element is in that said flexible element adapts to a shape of said tissue in said area of contact when placed on said tissue.
US08133169B2	In-vivo image acquiring system capable of controlling illuminating unit and determining whether to wirelessly transmit image information based on estimated distance An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control.
US08133168B2	Remediation of functional cardiac mitral valve regurgitation A dynamic device for reducing functional mitral regurgitation is described. The device is disposed externally to the heart and effectively acts as a splint for reducing further dilation of the heart in patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and for reducing tethering of the papillary muscle on the mitral valve. The device does not require cardiopulmonary bypass for its installation since it is attached to the outside of the left ventricle, thereby reducing surgical risk, and is not exposed to the patient's blood once installed, thereby reducing the risk of thromboembolic disease.
US08133167B2	Apparatus and method for radiation distribution mapping An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source or providing feedback of sensed radiation. The catheter may also be a mammosite type catheter. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers. The output may then be used to measure and compute radiation distribution maps using Monte Carlo reconstruction simulation. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.
US08133166B2	Apparatus and method for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body The invention relates to an apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body comprising: a group of n hollow treatment channels being inserted at one or more pre-planned positions in said pre-selected anatomical portion; a group of m delivery channels to be connected to a corresponding number m from said group of n hollow treatment channels with m being 2 or more and n being 1 or more; identifying means for identifying which one of said m delivery channels is being connected with which one of said n hollow treatment channels, said identifying means comprising a tracking element accommodated in a tracking channel, said tracking element being intended to be displaced from said tracking channel through each of said interconnected m delivery channels and m treatment channels; storage means for storing k energy emitting sources in a corresponding source-channel, with k≦m; delivery means for temporarily inserting said k energy emitting sources from their source-channels through a corresponding one of said interconnected m delivery channels and m treatment channels towards one of said pre-planned positions in said anatomical portion; coupling means for coupling at least one of said m delivery channels with a corresponding treatment channel.
US08133165B2	Expandable processing and expression chamber A flexible processing and/or expressor chamber for a biological cell processing apparatus is provided which may include a first side and a second side and having a expandable wall, wherein a first end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the first side of the flexible chamber and a second end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the second side of the flexible chamber. Either or both sides of the chamber may include an axial opening.
US08133164B2	Transportable systems for treating drilling fluid A system for well fluid treatment, the system being transportable, the system including a base, a support structure on the base, a brace apparatus connected to the base and to the support structure for bracing the support structure during movement of the system, the brace apparatus releasably secured to the support structure and releasably secured to the base, at least one holding tank on the base for holding well fluid to be treated, from an active rig well fluid system and the well fluid to be treated including solids, centrifuge apparatus for centrifuging a mixture of well fluid and solids from the at least one holding tank, producing reusable fluid, a first pump apparatus for pumping well fluid and solids from the at least one holding tank to the centrifuge apparatus, and a centrifuge support on the base for supporting the centrifuge apparatus.
US08133163B2	Apparatus for forming a barrel from a blank A barrel formed from a sheet of blank material includes a plurality of side wall panels for forming sides of the barrel including a front panel, a rear panel, two opposing end panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel, at least one bottom flap for forming a bottom of the barrel, and a plurality of top flaps for forming a top of the barrel including a top front flap foldably connected to the front panel, a top rear flap foldably connected to the rear panel, and two opposing top end flaps each foldably connected to one of the end panels. The top front flap and the top rear flap include at least one closure slot. Each of the two opposing top end flaps includes at least one locking finger. The locking fingers are inserted within the closure slots for securing the top of the barrel in a closed position.
US08133161B2	Conductive member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus A conductive member includes a conductive support and an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive support. The electrical resistance adjusting layer includes a thermoplastic resin, a polymeric ion conductive material, and a graft copolymer which is compatible with both of the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material. The electrical resistance adjusting layer is formed in a sea-island structure formed from a sea portion made of the polymeric ion conductive material and island portions made of the thermoplastic resin, the island portions being dispersed in the sea portion and each of the island portions is formed in an elongate shape. A layer made of the graft copolymer is formed at boundaries between the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material.
US08133160B2	Low impact inertial exercise device In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an inertial exercise device has an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions, and a sleeve movably coupled to the elongate member and disposed between the first and second end portions of the elongate member. A first elastic resistance element interfaces between the elongate member and the sleeve. A user-induced rhythmic movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first elastic resistance element to alternately compress and extend as the first and second end portions of the elongate member oscillate relative to the sleeve.
US08133157B2	System and method to reduce stall during deceleration fuel shut off A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold.
US08133150B2	Drive system for an industrial truck with an internal combustion engine A drive system with either a four-shaft epicyclic gearing consisting of two fixed links or one fixed link. A first shaft is coupled to an engine and a second shaft is connected to a first electric motor. The electric is coupled to the power supply of the industrial truck. A brake is coupled to a third shaft of the gearing , while a fourth shaft is coupled to a change gear. The change gear is coupled to a summing gear, the other input shaft connected to a second electric motor connected to the power supply. The output shaft is coupled to a driven wheel of the truck. A sensor device detects the speed of the engine and of the two motors. A control and regulating device sets the speeds and/or torque of the motors and of the engine according to setpoint signals and the output signals of the sensor device.
US08133149B2	Continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
US08133146B2	Gear train with split torque A gear train is provided that includes at least one side gear comprising a helical face gear and a plurality of helical pinions in meshing engagement with the helical face gear. The gear train may further include an absorber configured to provide an axial force on at least one of the plurality of helical pinions. A differential may also be provided including a differential case and a gear train disposed in the differential case. The gear train includes at least one side gear comprising a helical face gear and a plurality of helical pinions in meshing engagement with the helical face gear. The gear train in the differential may further include a means for providing an axial force on at least one of the plurality of helical pinions.
US08133144B2	Planetary transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio A planetary transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio. The transmission includes two sun wheels having sun wheel circumferential surfaces, and that are axially spaced and rotatable independently of each other around the same axis of rotation. A ring wheel is situated on the same axis as the sun wheels and has an internal circumferential surface. Planet wheels are provided having planet wheel circumferential surfaces that are in frictional contact with the internal circumferential surface of the ring wheel and the sun wheel circumferential surfaces. A web element is also provided, and the planet wheels are each rotatable about an associated planet wheel axle, which is guided in the web element so that it is movable in the radial direction relative to the transmission longitudinal axis.
US08133142B2	Belt pulley for the output shaft of a gear, gear, electric motor, and output shaft The invention relates to a belt pulley for the output shaft of a gear being driven by an electric motor, with a support for a drive belt at the outer periphery and a receptacle for an axle in the centre, where the receptacle for the axle involves a first region, the profile of which is in such a way noncircular, that between an axle being insertable therein and the belt pulley no slip is possible, and wherein the receptacle for the axle involves a second region including at least one recess apt to allow an elastic part of the axle to snap in a form-fit way when inserted into the belt pulley through the first region. The invention further relates to a gear, to an electric motor, and to an output shaft.
US08133141B2	Hydraulic system The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a continuously variable belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having two conical pulleys encircled by an endless torque-transmitting means, each of which comprises two conical disks, one of which is axially movable depending on the pressure in an associated pressing chamber, and having a torque sensor which includes a torque sensing chamber that is connected to a hydraulic energy source and is linked with the pressing chambers.The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressing chambers are connected via a first hydraulic resistance element to the torque sensing chamber, and via a second hydraulic resistance element to an additional pressure chamber, in which a lower pressure prevails than in the pressing chambers and/or the torque sensing chamber.
US08133139B2	Panel configuration for a game ball A game ball, which may be a soccer ball or a variety of other types of ball. The game ball includes a plurality of pentagonal panels, with each of the pentagonal panels having five convex edges. The game ball also includes a plurality of hexagonal panels, with each of the hexagonal panels having three substantially linear edges and three concave edges. The pentagonal panels and the hexagonal panels are connected along abutting concave edges and convex edges, and the hexagonal panels are connected each other along abutting linear edges.
US08133138B1	Archery broadhead A broadhead is formed from a ferrule, at least one blade pivotally coupled to the ferrule, and a biasing member positioned under the blade between the ferrule. The biasing member applies pressure upward to a trailing edge of the blade, which is prevented from pivoting forward beyond a pre-determined angle in relation to the ferrule by a point coupled to the ferrule.
US08133137B2	Pitching machine having optimal adjustability A pitching machine configured for adjustment by a user, and including a pitching head, a first macro-adjustment device and a first micro-adjustment device. The pitching head is situated atop a stand. The pitching head includes a first wheel spaced apart from an opposing surface and a first motor for driving the first wheel. The first macro-adjustment device is coupled to the pitching head and includes a first locking assembly that, when loosened, allows manual rotation of the pitching head about a first pivot axis. The first micro-adjustment device is coupled to the pitching head, and includes a first adjusting element that, when repositioned, incrementally rotates the pitching head about the first pivot axis. The first micro-adjustment device configured for operation by a single hand of a user, and the first macro-adjustment device retaining the pitching head in a secure position during adjustment of the first micro-adjustment device.
US08133136B2	Multi-piece solid golf ball The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The respective initial velocities (m/s) of the core, a sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball satisfy formula A below, and the respective deflections (mm) of the core, the sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball, when compressed under a final load of 130 kg from an initial load of 10 kgf, satisfy formula B below: (initial velocity of core−initial velocity of sphere I)2+(initial velocity of sphere I−initial velocity of golf ball)2<0.40; Formula A: 0.30<(deflection of core−deflection of sphere I)2+(deflection of sphere I−deflection of golf ball)2<0.70. Formula B: The golf ball of the invention has a good feel, an excellent spin performance on approach shots and an excellent distance, in addition to which it has an excellent scuff resistance and durability.
US08133135B2	High moment of inertia wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body including heel, toe, crown, sole, and weighted rear portions; and (b) a variable thickness ball striking face. The club head body parts and weighted portion(s) may be arranged such that the club head has a moment of inertia about a vertical axis passing through the club head center of gravity of at least 5000 g-cm2. Such club heads may include: (a) a cup face member including a ball striking face portion and a return portion; (b) sole and crown portions engaged with the return portion; (c) a rear body member engaged with the crown and/or sole portions; (d) a weight member at the club head rear; and/or (e) a hosel member engaged with the cup face member, the crown portion, and/or the sole portion.
US08133133B2	Forged iron-type golf clubs Forged cavity back iron-type clubs and oversize clubs are disclosed. These forged clubs have thin, durable hitting face and relatively large cavity volumes. These clubs have high rotational moments of inertia to minimize distance and accuracy penalties associated with off-center hits. Long irons with hitting face of about 0.100 inch thick are achievable by the present invention. Also disclosed are forged irons made from stainless steels and annealed to achieve the desired hardness and ductility. Further, an interchangeable pin suitable for use in the manufacture of any of a set of iron-type clubs without re-tooling is disclosed. The pin is sized and configured to fit within a through-bore such that an adhesive such as a flexible epoxy may be placed within the gaps to provide a vibration dampening effect.
US08133128B2	Golf club head and system A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head system includes two or more rear or secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a front or main body member. Each rear body member may have a different external shape, and each rear body member may have a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. The system further includes a detachable attachment element for interchangeably and detachably attaching the rear body members to the front body member. The system may further include the front body member, wherein the front body member has a striking surface.
US08133127B1	Sports training device and methods of use The various embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, sports training devices that are beneficial for training in activities requiring swinging motions (e.g., the game of golf). The device may be used without hindering any portions of a natural swing. The invention also contemplates continuous tactile feedback to the user, and is both foldable and transportable, while also being economical.
US08133125B2	Leverage discs A golf or tennis training apparatus for helping a player to improve his/her balance while practicing a swing using a disc shaped member of flexible material with an opening located in the top surface of the disc shaped member and a fluid located in the disc shaped member. The disc shaped member is an unstable support for a golf or tennis player to stand on to help improve the player's balance when swinging a golf club or a tennis racket.
US08133124B2	System and method for a golf tournament The present invention enhances a golf tournament using novel tournament scoring and novel rules that include allowing viewer interaction with a live tournament to affect the outcome of the tournament. In a match play golf tournament, the number of tournament points awarded to a match winning team is directly proportional to a sum of the difference in the number of holes won and the number of holes left to play. In addition, elected spectators of the event may participate in a team's compliance with one or more of the tournament rules, such as selecting a player whose results will be counted double. The tournament is preferably based on the Ryder cup format, but condensed into a single day.
US08133120B2	Wagering game with alternating picks Method and system are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment over existing wagering games. The method and system involve a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank controller. Each wagering game terminal allows players to play a basic wagering game that is independent of other wagering game terminals. The wagering game terminals also allow players to play a bonus game where players take turns playing to win a portion of a jackpot. The portion awarded to each player may be the actual amount won by that player, or it may be a percentage of the entire jackpot based on the actual amount won by the player relative to other players. In one implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game.
US08133115B2	System and method for recording and displaying a graphical path in a video game A system and method for recording and displaying a graphical path in a video game is provided. Upon initiation of a time-trial run, the player views a color-coded previous game path that dynamically changes color based upon a current elapsed time associated with the time-trial run, elapsed times associated with the previous game path, and character states associated with the previous game path. The previous game path may include, but is not limited to, a “best time” path, a “worst time” path, and an “average time” path. In one embodiment of the invention, the player may gauge game progress as measured against the “best time” path as displayed via a series of path markers, and subsequently varies player character input controls to optimize performance against a player character associated with the “best time” path.
US08133110B1	Slot machine games A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a slot machine game with cascading reels. Reels and further reels can be spun, allowing for a plurality of lines.
US08133107B2	Methods and devices for operating a modified bingo game Aspects of the present inventions concern methods and devices for operating a Bingo game. Such aspects include: assigning to each of a first set of real or virtual balls a number selected from a group within a predetermined numerical sequence; assigning a non-numerical designation to only a second set of real or virtual balls within the predetermined numerical sequence, wherein the second set of real or virtual balls is a subset of the first set of real or virtual balls; providing each of one or more players with at least one real or virtual player card having a randomly assigned field of spaces each space of which includes a number within the predetermined numerical sequence given for the first set of real or virtual balls, wherein there are fewer spaces than numbers in the predetermined numerical sequence.
US08133104B2	Poker online playing system The online poker gaming system comprises a live or recorded poker game, and at least one gaming terminal. The live or recorded poker game involves a group of players sitting around a table. Each player is playing for prize money so there is a cash incentive for each to win. The player terminal displays images of the live or recorded game being broadcast for view by an online player. The player terminal also includes a schematic of the game for presenting in a concise and visual way, the game status and gaming data of the live or recorded game. The player terminal also includes a keypad, enabling the online player to select one or more players to win, and select a value for each selection. So while the online player cannot make gaming decisions—fold, call, check, and raise—the online player can participate by making selections, much as one would make selections at a racetrack. The online player can make multiple playing selections unavailable to the player sitting at the table.
US08133103B2	Amusement pod entertainment center An amusement center has at least one game cell. The game cell has a first video game console system including at least one controller; a first projection screen; a first video game; and a first decor themed to correspond to the subject matter of the first video game.
US08133100B2	Combine harvester processing system having adjustable concaves on a suspension system A combine harvester where opposing concaves on either side of a rotor of a processing system substantially simultaneously travel symmetrical paths. The concaves of the processing system may be supported on a suspension system such that the concaves are pivotally supported from a common axial location at one end and translationally adjusted at another end to move the concaves generally radially toward or away from the rotor.
US08133099B2	Reciprocating drive mechanism of abrasive band grinding machine The present invention provides a reciprocating lifting motion of abrasive band grinding machine, wherein two control boxes are arranged correspondingly at lower part of the grinding mechanism of the grinding machine; the grinding mechanism is driven by the drive axle of the control box; a motor is coupled below the control box, and the control box is provided with a lifting mechanism, which is adapted with the cam via a main drive axle with worm gear; based on the eccentric rotation characteristic of the cam, the main drive axle could generate reciprocating lifting motion, driving the continuous operation of the grinding mechanism for uniform grinding of the abrasive band surface.
US08133096B2	Multi-phase polishing pad An article of manufacture, a method, and an apparatus for use in a chemical mechanical polishing system is provided. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including a polishing article having a polishing surface, the polishing surface including a first polishing portion having a first polishing material of a first hardness for polishing a first portion of the substrate, and a second polishing portion having a second polishing material of a second hardness for polishing a second portion of the substrate. The article of manufacturer may be disposed on a rotatable, stationary, or linear platen for processing a substrate. In another aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate, including providing a platen containing the polishing article disposed on the rotatable platen, delivering a polishing composition to the polishing article, and contacting a substrate on the polishing article.
US08133090B2	Dolls and doll stands A toy product including a doll and a display device that may be used with the doll is disclosed. The doll may have one or more movable features and may be releasably coupled to the display device. The display device may include an actuating assembly and a folding assembly with enclosure pieces that may alternately enclose and reveal the doll within the display device. The assemblies may communicate with each other and with movable features of the doll through selectively actuable components. A locking member may engage and releasably retain the folding assembly in a retracted position and may return the folding assembly to an extended position upon disengagement. In the embodiments in which the enclosure pieces resemble flower petals, the movement of the enclosure pieces may have the effects of a flower bloom closing and opening up to respectively surround and reveal the doll.
US08133087B1	Cooling water distribution system with debris evacuation capability An outboard motor cooling water distribution system directs water from the water jacket of an engine through a container in which a conduit has a first inlet opening that is configured to cause a water stream to entrain debris from a region near a drain opening of the container and prevent the debris from building up in the vicinity of the drain opening. Debris which is heavier than the water is drawn upwardly through the first inlet opening of the conduit and conducted away from the container. Debris which is lighter than water is entrained in a second water flow and conducted through a second inlet opening of the conduit so that it can be drawn into the conduit and conducted away from the container. The creation of the first water flow maintains the area around the drain opening in a clean condition as a result of the velocity and direction of the water flow caused by the position and size of the first inlet opening of the conduit. The primary function of the present invention is to prevent a buildup of debris in the area around the drain opening and the potential blockage of the drain opening that could result from that type of buildup.
US08133082B2	Electrical conductor and method for manufacturing an electrical conductor An electrical conductor, e.g., a terminal pin, includes a conductor body, a first layer at least partially applied to the conductor body, and a second layer at least partially applied to the first layer, the material of the second layer containing thiol, and the material of the first layer containing nickel.
US08133079B2	Connector having improved housing to position contacts thereof reliably An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing having a base portion, and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion, the base portion defining a cavity recessed from an upper surface thereof and communicating with a mating port, a bottom wall below the cavity and having a plurality of receiving slots, and a plurality of retaining slots which each is communicated with each two adjacent receiving slots. A plurality of first contacts each has a contact portion, a retaining portion extending rearwardly from the contact portion, and a pair of projections protruding outwardly from two lateral sides of the retaining portion along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The retaining portions are received in the corresponding receiving slots downwardly. The projections are positioned in the corresponding retaining slots to prevent the first contacts from moving along the front-to-back direction.
US08133078B2	Electrical connector featured USB/eSATA interfaces An electrical connector includes a housing and a set of first terminals for eSATA and a set of second terminals for USB. The housing defines a mating cavity with a front opening and a mating tongue in the mating cavity, the mating tongue defines a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Each of the first terminals includes a first contacting section disposed on the first mating face, a second contacting section bending from the first contacting section to be in the second mating face and a leg portion. Each of the second contacts includes a contacting section disposed on the second mating face and a leg portion.
US08133077B2	Shield connector A shield connector (C) includes a tubular metallic shield shell (30) integrally attached to the outer circumferential surface of a housing (10) made of resin by insert molding. The shield shell (30) is formed with a cut (32) extending between opposite ends in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of opening preventing pieces (34A, 34B) which extend radially inward or outward, circumferentially face each other and can come into contact with each other when edges (33A, 33B) at the opposite sides of the cut (32) are displaced in directions away from each other are provided on the opposite edges (33A, 33B) of the shield shell 30 facing each other with the cut (32) therebetween.
US08133074B1	Guided missile/launcher test set reprogramming interface assembly J2 connector clamp A guided missile/launcher test set reprogramming interface assembly J2 connector clamp includes a frame having an upper side, a lower side, and at least one aperture with a threaded portion that extends through the frame and is adapted to threadingly associate with threads on a connector. Rotational torque is transferred away from the frame and connector when a securing mechanism is actuated.
US08133072B2	Cable assembly with improved coupling structure A cable assembly includes a cover, a first connector, a cable, and a second connector. The first connector includes a housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing, and a metal shell. The cable includes a first end electrically connected to the first connector and a second end. The second connector is electrically connected to the second end of the cable. The first connector is attached on the cover and includes a mating surface parallel to the cover. The first end of the cable is arranged on one side of the first connector and the second connector includes a mating surface perpendicular to the cover.
US08133071B2	Cable assembly with flat cable A cable assembly includes an electrical connector, a flat cable, a flexible printed circuit electrically connecting the flat cable to the electrical connector, and a spacer fastened on the electrical connector for supporting the flexible printed circuit. The electrical connector includes an insulation housing and a plurality of terminals receiving in the housing and each of which has an tail exposed out of the housing. The flexible printed circuit includes a vertical connecting portion connected to the terminals of the electrical connector and a horizontal connecting portion separated from the vertical connecting portion and connected to one end of the flat cable.
US08133070B2	SATA electrical connector and assembly thereof A SATA electrical connector extends a lateral rib and a longitudinal guiding portion from a base surface of an insulator. The insulator and the terminals have intimate engagements, for minimizing height and width of the entire structure. The electrical connector can be joined to another electrical connector for forming an electrical connector assembly.
US08133069B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector for transmitting data signals between the insulated conductors of a first data cable and corresponding insulated conductors of a second data cable, including a socket shaped to at least partially receive a plug of said first data cable; a plurality of insulation displacement contact slots shaped to receive end sections of the conductors of the second data cable; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts including resiliently compressible spring finger contacts extending into the socket for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the first cable; insulation displacement contacts seated in corresponding insulation displacement contact slots for effecting electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the second data cable; and mid sections extending therebetween; and a plurality of capacitive plates coupled to respective ones of said mid sections of the contacts by electrically conductive stems, wherein the capacitive plates are arranged side by side and extend in a substantially common direction.
US08133068B2	Current connection apparatus for tanks A current connection apparatus for a pressure tank is provided. The current connection apparatus includes a tank flange mounted on a tank and an opening that leads into the tank. Electrical connection cables are installed in this opening for connecting with an external electrical apparatus. An electrical lead having one or more conductors, which are electrically insulated relative to a metal flange, and a protective casing. The electrical lead is disposed between the tank flange and the protective casing and is tightly fastened to the tank flange. A plug body, which has plug elements corresponding to conductors of electrical lead, is inserted into the tank opening in the tank flange. The protective casing also has a plug body inserted therein, where the plug body has plug elements.
US08133065B2	Lever-type connector A lever-type connector has a device-side housing (11) and a wire-side housing (41) to be connected with the device-side housing (11). Cam pins (15) project from the wire-side housing (11). Levers (60) are supported rotatably on the wire-side housing (41) and include cam grooves (62) engageable with the cam pins (15). A holder (70) is held on the wire-side housing (41) slidably in a connecting direction and an opposite direction thereof and includes coupling grooves (74) engageable with coupling pins (63) on the lever (60). The holder (70) can be moved in the connecting direction to move the lever ((60) and pull the housings (11, 41) together. The holder (70) has resilient pieces (75) with engaging surfaces (75B) and the levers (60) have engaging claws (66) for engaging the engaging surfaces (75B) to prevent rotation of the levers (60).
US08133062B2	Electrical connector assembly having tubular contact pin plugged at open end An electrical connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, a center pin having a first end protruding out of the insulative housing and a second end disposed in the insulative housing, a metallic sleeve enclosing the center pin for forming a receiving room therein and a protection member. The center pin is configured as a hollow structure and defines a center space therein with an opening at the second end thereof. The metallic sleeve comprises a solder portion disposed in the insulative housing. The protection member completely blocks the opening of the center pin.
US08133055B2	Refreshable braille display device Disclosed is a refreshable Braille display device comprised of a rotary character display assembly which can display a refreshable Braille character in the plane of the rotary display assembly. Also disclosed is a method of displaying a refreshable Braille character.
US08133042B2	Chemical liquid supplying apparatus and pump assembly A chemical liquid supplying apparatus, which can discharge chemical liquid with high precision, is provided. A pump assembly is detachably mounted in a pump case in which liquid inflow and discharge ports are formed. The pump assembly includes: a cylindrical body in which a piston is slidably incorporated axially; an elastically deformable bellows forming a pump chamber in the pump case and forming a drive chamber in which an indirect medium is enclosed; and an axially elastically-deformable bellows cover continuing with a sliding surface of the piston and forming a seal chamber in which the indirect medium is enclosed, and the pump assembly is unitized. The pump assembly is coupled to a drive shaft via a connecting member, and by axial-directional reciprocating movement of this drive shaft, the piston causes the bellows to perform a pump operation, whereby the chemical liquid is discharged from a liquid discharge portion.
US08133041B2	Subsea chemical injection system and pumps therefor A high pressure pump for use in the injection of liquid chemicals into subsea oil or gas wells, and intended to be positioned in the subsea environment adjacent to the wellhead, comprises a piezoelectric actuator (19) for reciprocating a plunger (22) which acts to compress and expand the effective volume of a pumping chamber (29) having a valved inlet (15) connected to a source of the liquid and a valved outlet (16) to lead the liquid to the well. The device has a minimum of moving parts and in particular avoids the need for any rotating parts and attendant high performance bearings and seals.
US08133040B2	Fuel pump and method of manufacturing the same A fuel pump includes a case member defining a fuel passage and a discharge-side cover connected to the case member and defining an outlet port. A pump section has an inlet port and is connected to the case member. A motor section is housed in the case member for driving the pump section. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are supported by an insulative terminal support member fixed to the discharge-side cover. Base portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals are covered by insulative portions. The insulative portions are fitted in fitting holes of the discharge-side cover. The discharge-side cover has guide portions on its inner surface. The terminal support member has engagement projections on opposite side walls thereof. The engagement projections are guided by the guide portions to restrict the discharge-side cover from rotating with respect to the terminal support member.
US08133038B2	Hermetic compressor A hermetic compressor having a frame, a cylinder provided at one side of the frame and having a compression chamber, a cylinder head coupled to the cylinder so as configured to hermetically seal the compression chamber and having a refrigerant discharge chamber to receive a refrigerant discharged from the compression chamber, a damping discharge chamber provided at the other side of the frame, a discharge guide path formed in the frame connecting the refrigerant discharge chamber and the damping discharge chamber, a discharge pipe having an entrance end connected to the damping discharge chamber, and an extension tube provided in the damping discharge chamber. The extension tube has an entrance end connected to an exit end of the discharge guide path, an exit end being spaced apart from an entrance end of the discharge pipe.
US08133036B2	Fluid powered motor A low pressure fluid powered motor or pump comprises a non-rotatable cover (k); an undulating lobe cam track (e) attached to the cover (k) and defining multiple crests and troughs; a rotatable cylinder block (c); at least three reciprocating pistons (d) each housed within a bore of the cylinder block (c) and each providing at one end a crown (d1), and at the other end a spherical seating cup (d2); a ball (f), adapted to engage with the cam track (e); a non-rotatable manifold block (n) incorporating a plurality of ports (s), each being radially disposed at equal intervals in an end face of the manifold block adjacent the pistons (d), with the ports (s) linked to galleries connected to a higher pressure delivery circuit, and a lower pressure return circuit, with the angular arrangement of the ports (s) being such that the higher pressure is supplied to the crown (d1) of each piston (d) only while the piston (d) is moving from a crest to a trough of the cam track (e), with a switch to the lower fluid pressure circuit as continued rotation of the cylinder block (c) moves a piston (d) from a trough to a crest; an output/input shaft (a) connected to the cylinder block (c); and a rotary shaft-mounted, spring biased commutation, multi-ported face plate (i) interposed between the cylinder block and the manifold block.
US08133031B2	Lightning protection device of windmill blade The present invention proposes a lightning protection device of a windmill blade, comprising a tip receptor assembly having receptors which are mounted, in particular to, the tip end part of the blade where the blade profile becomes smaller, and having a simple structure so as to be readily assembled, and an intermediate receptor assembly having a receptor which is set at the outer surface of the blade so as to exhibit an effective countermeasure against increasing of the air pressure in the blade upon a lightning striking upon the blade, a lightening current being discharged to the ground from the receptors through connection equipment such as lead wires laid through the inside of the blade the windmill body and bypass brushes, characterized in that a base plate made of an electrically conductive material and connected thereto with the lead wires is embedded in the blade, and the receptors are secured and supported to the base plate, being exposed at the outer surface of the blade. Further, the present invention also proposes a method of assembling the lightning protection device.
US08133029B2	Rotor blade attachment The invention relates to a rotor blade attachment (17), in particular of a wind power plant (1), for the connection of a rotor blade (5) with an attachment device (4), including a transverse pin (20, 20′) and a connecting device (13, 21), which can be brought together to establish an operative connection, wherein the connecting device (13, 21) defines a longitudinal axis. The rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pin (20, 21′) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connecting device has a higher bending stiffness than transversally to the longitudinal axis (18). An alternative rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pins (20, 20′) are arranged in at least two rows (33, 34), wherein at least a first row (33) is arranged closer to the blade-root-side end (19) of the rotor blade (5) than at least a second row (34). Another rotor blade attachment (17) is characterized in that the transverse pin (20, 20′) is completely encapsulated by the rotor blade (5).
US08133026B2	Fixed horizontal axis-mounted wind turbine blade with an independently rotating pressure cambered fin A fixed horizontal axis-mounted wind turbine blade impelled by an independently rotating, pressure cambered fin includes a wind turbine blade comprised of a solid, rigid leading edge and trailing edges. The blade is triangular in shape, the base of the triangular blade is attached to a center, longitudinally fixed, horizontal, primary rotating axis and the point opposite the base is most distant from the horizontal rotating axis. The wind turbine blade base and length are aligned mutually perpendicular to the primary horizontal axis of rotation. A triangular fin is attached to the trailing edge of the blade end most distant from the base. The base of the attached fin is coincident to a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary axis of rotation allows the fin to rotate past either side of the plane of primary blade revolution in response to wind pressure.
US08133023B2	Wind turbine with variable area propeller blades An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.
US08133019B2	Discrete load fins for individual stator vanes An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a turbine engine having a circumferential casing with a circumferentially extending slot formed in an inner wall. A radially inwardly facing fin-ring is disposed in the slot and has a radially inwardly projecting fin extending axially there across. A radially inwardly extending stator blade has a base and an airfoil. The base is disposed in the casing slot, radially inwardly of the fin-ring. A complementary base slot is disposed in the stator blade base and is configured to receive the fin therein for the transfer of a circumferential force, applied to the stator blade, to the fin-ring.
US08133011B2	Device for stiffening the stator of a turbomachine and application to aircraft engines The invention concerns a novel type of turbomachine. The stator of the turbomachine comprises a plurality of profiled members forming stiffeners arranged on the blade stage. The profiled members are distributed uniformly at periphery of the blade stage and individually between two consecutive blades. The stiffeners are fixed to the internal and external ferrules of the stator in order to uniformly increase the axial and radial stiffness of the stator in normal operation of the turbomachine and to allow the internal ferrules to have a limited displacement during the normal functioning of the turbomachine. This makes it possible to reduce the axial sizing of the turbomachine, and consequently its mass.
US08133003B2	Magnetic adjustment of turbomachinery components Disclosed is a seal for a turbomachine including at least one fixed component located proximate to a rotating component of the turbomachine defining a clearance therebetween. At least one magnet is located at the at least one fixed component. The at least one magnet is, when activated, capable of moving the at least one fixed component thereby adjusting the clearance between the fixed component and the rotating component. Further disclosed is a turbomachine utilizing the seal and a method for adjusting a position of at least one fixed component of a turbomachine.
US08133001B2	Device for overturning containers The invention relates to a device (1) for overturning containers (2), particularly roller bottles intended for cell cultures, characterized in that it comprises a rotation actuator (3) associated by means of a transmission shaft (13) to a reducer (4) and a dynamic brake (5), a support (17) and rods (7) gripping the container (2), said support (17) being joined to the rotation actuator (3) by means of a shifter (16) of the transmission shaft (13) of the mentioned rotation actuator (3), the rotation actuator (3) being actuated by means of a pneumatic foot pedal (18), and the mentioned rotation actuator (3) in turn being associated to a timer (19) indicating the end of the overturning time of the container (2).
US08133000B2	Boat loading and unloading system A system for loading, unloading and carrying a boat, upright with motor, on a vehicle includes a raised carrying rack positioned at an incline above the vehicle and a loading arm extending rearwardly from the back of the vehicle and supported in cantilever fashion by cables. A winch, cable and pulley system pulls the boat out of the water, onto the loading arm, up onto rollers at the rear of the carrying rack, and to the forward end of the carrying rack where it is secured. The loading arm may be folded upright after the boat is loaded on the carrying rack.
US08132992B2	Fastening assembly A fastening assembly is provided for fixing an object to a profiled element with flanges which bound a longitudinal slot between them. The fastening assembly includes a metal washer element having a bearing face arranged for resting against the outside of the profiled element, and an elongated metal anchoring member situated on the underside of the bearing face of the washer element. The assembly furthermore includes a support connected to the washer element and supporting the anchoring member. The support includes a head with one or more connecting members engaging with the washer element, and legs, each extending from the head in a direction away from the washer element to a bottom end of the corresponding leg situated below the anchoring member. The support below the anchoring member includes one or more spring members supported upon the bottom ends of the legs and resiliently supporting and engaged with the anchoring member from underneath.
US08132991B2	Protection device for a motor spindle The invention relates to a protection device for a motor spindle (1) arranged in a housing (2), particularly of a machine tool, having an inner ring (6) fixedly joined to the motor spindle (1) and an outer ring joined to the housing (2). The inner ring (6) is arranged in the outer ring (7) in a way permitting axial motion and a tilting motion, and is placed under elastically resilient preload against the outer ring (7) by means of preloading members (8).
US08132985B2	Armor unit Armor units for rubble mound structures including breakwaters, revetments, groins, jetties, and the like. Embodiments are appropriate for ocean, river, lake and reservoir structure armoring, to prevent erosion from damaging hydrodynamic forces resulting from waves and water currents, and the like. An embodiment includes a central rectangular section, three “half H-shaped” appendages, two identical frusta (end members), and a flat bottom with two extrusions, nominally smaller than other appendages and frusta. An embodiment is symmetric about two perpendicularly intersecting vertical planes extending through the centroid of the unit. The three half H-shaped members are connected to outer parts of a side defined as the top and the two longitudinal sides of the central section. The three half H-shaped members and the two end members comprise four-sided frusta that taper from a base at the central rectangular section to four-sided distal ends. For select embodiments, the frusta are generally symmetric.
US08132982B2	Dust suppression agent A composition for dust suppression including an acrylic polymer, a polyvinyl acetate polymer, glycerin, and water is herein disclosed.
US08132981B2	Artificial flagstone for providing a surface with a natural random look An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of generally congruent irregularly-shaped first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle α of approximately 120°; a second pair of generally congruent irregularly shaped third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle β of approximately 120°; a third pair of generally congruent irregularly shaped fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex and being rotationally spaced from each other by an angle ω of approximately 120°; wherein the sides of each of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, whereby in use in combination with other flagstones, each one of the sides is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of sides of a neighboring flagstone.
US08132976B2	Reduced impact keyboard with cushioned keys A keyboard for use with a computing device and a method of manufacturing a keyboard key are provided. One disclosed keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a key cap including a perimeter wall and a void positioned within the perimeter wall and opening to a top of the key cap. Each key further includes a cushion having a top portion configured to be contacted by a digit of a user and a bottom portion configured to be fitted within the void in the key cap. The cushion being may be configured to absorb an impact force directed against the key during a keystroke.
US08132975B2	Keyboard stiffening system A keyboard stiffening system comprising a keyboard assembly having a plurality of key assemblies coupled to a support plate, the support plate having at least one extension extending from a bottom surface thereof to engage a support pan of the electronic device to secure the keyboard assembly to the support pan of the electronic device.
US08132973B2	Camera shutter A camera shutter comprising a shutter driving means which does not immediately start an operation to provide stable movement even though an operation signal is output. A camera shutter comprises a base plate having a shutter opening; a shutter blade for opening and closing the shutter opening; and a driving means for driving the shutter blade, wherein the driving means comprising a swingably journaled swinging lever having an arm portion connected to the shutter blade, a permanent magnet provided on the arm portion, restraining members comprising a magnetic material that face each other at least at one of both end positions of an operating range of the swinging lever and a magnet coil fixed so as to face the permanent magnet; the swinging lever is operated by attractive force toward or repelling force against the permanent magnet that is generated by conduction of electricity to the magnet coil to drive the shutter blade; and an operation of the swinging lever is restricted by the restraining member at an operation stop position and/or a fully open position of the shutter blade under the magnetic force of the permanent magnet.
US08132970B2	Optical fiber connector An optical fiber connector in accordance with the present invention prevents moisture from entering the optical fiber connector and comprises a core tube, a tightening assembly, a connecting ring, a water-resistant ring, a compressing tube, a water-resistant tube and an end tube. The tightening assembly is mounted tightly on the core tube and comprises a first tightening component and a second tightening component. The connecting ring is mounted on the second tightening component. The annular gasket is mounted on the first tightening component and in the connecting ring. The compressing tube is mounted on the second tightening component. The water-resistant tube is mounted on the compressing tube and the second tightening component. The end tube is mounted on the water-resistant tube.
US08132966B2	Rotary flexure and air bearing support for rotary indexing system A highly position-stabilized indexable table or “dial” in which the dial is supported relative to a steel surface on a frame by one or more air bearings. A flexure mechanically connects the indexing motor to the dial in such a way as to be torsionally non-compliant, but axially compliant to decouple the dial from the motor shaft along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, the air bearings are mounted to the frame at uniformly angularly displaced positions under the dial. In another embodiment, the bearings are partially integrated into the dial. Negative (suction) preload can be used in either embodiment to increase air bearing stiffness and/or to allow inverted processing; i.e., mounting part fixtures on an undersurface of the dial.
US08132962B1	Asymmetric specific heat meter An asymmetric heat flux sensor has two sensing surfaces separately thermally coupled to the end plates of a thermoelectric module so that one is heated and the other cooled. The heated sensing surface is constrained to have a wettable area much larger than the area of the cooled sensing surface. This allows the heated sensing surface to be nearly the same temperature as the fluid ambient while providing a relatively large temperature differential. Because bubbles, which degrade a heat flux measurement, form preferentially on a heated surface, the asymmetric design avoids bubble formation and hence provides enhanced accuracy.
US08132961B1	Flow plug with length-to-hole size uniformity for use in flow conditioning and flow metering A flow plug of varying thickness has a plurality of holes formed therethrough. The plug fits in a conduit such that a fluid flow in the conduit passes through the plug's holes. Each hole is defined by a parameter indicative of size in terms of the cross-sectional area thereof. A ratio of hole length-to-parameter is approximately the same for all of the holes.
US08132951B2	Endoscope system An endoscope system comprises first and second emitters, a fiber, and a controller. The first emitter emits illumination light to a photographic subject. The second emitter emits infrared light. Emission intensity of the second emitter is stronger than that of the first emitter. The fiber has a tip which moves in a spiral when viewed from the photographic subject during scan periods. The controller controls emission timing of the first and second emitters. Light emitted by the first and second emitters is cast from the tip of the fiber onto the photographic subject. The second emitter emits in a predetermined period of one of the scan periods, based on control of the emission timing, so as to shine infrared light with the second emitter to at least one part of the photographic subject, in order to perform marking.
US08132949B2	Film illumination system An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
US08132947B2	Vehicle head light device A vehicle head light device includes an inner housing attached to front of an outer housing and having an upper casing and a lower casing located within the outer housing, and the casings each include a reflective member, two circuit boards are attached to the casings and each include one or more light members directed toward the reflective members for generating lights toward the reflective members which reflect the lights to form a high beam and a low beam respectively, a control device is disposed in the outer housing and electrically coupled to the circuit boards for controlling the light member to generate the lights toward the reflective members of the casings respectively.
US08132946B2	Automobile headlamp adjuster An adjusting apparatus for an automobile headlight or similarly situated work piece comprising a housing with a first opening and a second opening, a thread-less drive shaft extending through said top opening and having one end having a drive shaft connector connected via a first stop bolt to a first end of a pivot arm and the second end of said drive shaft for connection with said automobile headlight, a threaded input shaft extending through said second opening engaging an input shaft mounting bracket with a threaded portion of said threaded input shaft wherein said input shaft mounting bracket is further connected via a second stop bolt to a second end of said pivot arm, wherein said pivot arm is secured to said housing via a central pivot bolt, wherein a rotational adjustment of said input shaft will alter the position of said input shaft mounting bracket thereby altering the position of said second end of said pivot arm thereby altering the position of said first end of said pivot arm thereby causing said drive shaft to move forward or backward, wherein said input shaft mounting bracket engages said threaded portion of said input shaft as to prevent undesired movement of said drive shaft.
US08132942B2	LED devices for offset wide beam generation A light source is combined with an optic and a reflector. Light incident onto to the reflector is reflected with a single reflection. The reflector occupies a portion of a solid angle around the light source to the exclusion of the optic at least with respect to any optical function. The reflector directly receives a second portion of light. The optic occupies substantially all of the remaining portion of the predetermined solid angle to directly receive a first portion of light from the light source. A reflected beam from the reflector is reflected into a predetermined reflection pattern. The inner and/or outer surface of the optic is shaped to refract or direct light which is directly transmitted into the optic from the light source from a first portion of light and/or reflected into the optic from the reflector from the reflected beam into a predetermined beam.
US08132941B2	Portable terminal having transparent cover member Disclosed is a portable terminal having a transparent member at an outside thereof, including a terminal body having at least one light emitting member, and a transparent cover member partially forming an outer appearance of the terminal body and transmitting light from the light emitting members to the outside. The transparent cover member includes a light diffusion pattern portion for scattering light from the light emitting members so as to minimize an occurrence of a case in which a specific position where the light emitting member is formed is brightly illuminated but other position is dimmed.
US08132940B2	Lamp unit, illumination device, and display apparatus In a lamp unit (1), a conductive section (2) is formed by directly extending a layer structure of a reflective member (42) from (i) one end of a square U-shape of a part of the reflective member (42) that is closest to a power feeding section for feeding power to the lamp unit (1) toward (ii) a light emission side of the lamp unit (1) and further folding back the extended portion 180 degrees in a direction opposite to the direction that it extends from the reflective member (42). The conductive section (2) is provided with a screw hole (2a) through which the reflective member is connected to another object. This achieves a lamp unit in which, even if a reflective member is fixed to another object with a screw for conduction with an external conductor, a reflective layer is less likely to peel off.
US08132937B2	Lighting apparatus having a plurality of retractable means and method of manufacturing the same A lighting apparatus including at least two lighting members and a retractable housing member having at least two distinct retractable wires slidingly guided therethrough. The retractable housing member is positioned directly between the at least two lighting members to provide operable communication therebetween. The at least two lighting members are energized via the electrical power source while in a depressed position or in an expanded position.
US08132934B2	Light emitting device and light unit having the same Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light unit having the same. The light emitting device includes a body; a first light emitting diode for emitting a light having a first main peak in a wavelength range of a first color; a second light emitting diode for emitting a light having a second main peak in the wavelength range of the first color; and a plurality of lead electrodes electrically connected to at least one of the first and second light emitting diodes on the body. The first main peak of the first light emitting diode and the second main peak of the second light emitting diode have a wavelength difference of at least 75% based on the wavelength range of the first color.
US08132928B2	Stretched membrane solar collector An improved solar reflector utilizing a tensioned reflective membrane. The reflector structure includes a membrane attached on the outer surface of a metal strap that is positioned on an end form by means of a curved-face tensioning block.
US08132927B2	Display device with homogenising attentuating filter A display device includes a display arrangement and an optical attenuator arrangement. The display arrangement has inherent non-uniformity of an output intensity across the display area. The optical attenuator arrangement is positioned in front of the display arrangement and in registration with the display area. The optical attenuator arrangement has a light attenuation characteristic that varies across the display area and is adapted to optically reduce the inherent non-uniformity of the output intensity.
US08132926B2	Electro-optic device and an electronic apparatus An electro-optic device includes an electro-optic element and a dust-proof substrate which is joined to at least one surface of the electro-optic element. The dust-proof substrate has a plurality of protrusions on a surface opposite to the surface of the electro-optic element to which the dust-proof substrate is joined.
US08132921B2	Projection display apparatus having a cooling fan and controlling method for projection display apparatus having a cooling fan According to one embodiment, a projection display apparatus comprises an optical system configured to modulate light from a light source in accordance with an input image signal and to project modulated light onto a screen, a cooling fan configured to cool the optical system, an error detector configured to detect a driving error of the cooling fan, a target rotation speed setting unit configured to set a target rotation speed of the cooling fan, and a target rotation speed controller configured to increase the target rotation speed of the cooling fan when the error detector detects a drive error of the cooling fan.
US08132920B2	Thin microprojector with switched beam bender and method of operating the same A video projector includes a reduced size spatial light modulator (400) that spatially modulates light from a light source (502) according to only a portion (e.g., ½) of a video frame at a time. A beam steerer (508, 600, 1600) steers spatially modulated light from the spatial light modulator to a correspond region (e.g., upper half, lower half) of a projection screen/surface (512) and one or more lenses (506, 510, 702, 802, 1002, 1008, 1100, 1300, 1502) insure that the spatially light modulator (400) is imaged onto the projection screen/surface (512).
US08132919B2	Digital projector using arrayed light sources A beam alignment chamber extending in a length direction comprising a base having a front edge, and two side edges, first and second opposed side walls connected to the base, and extending along the length of the base, a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further comprises a plurality of arrays of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each reflector being paired with a corresponding array of light sources, the base-mounted reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams.
US08132918B2	Illumination apparatus, projector, and polarization conversion element An illumination apparatus includes a light source device adapted to emit light having an asymmetric intensity distribution and a polarization conversion element adapted to align polarization states of the light emitted from the light source device. The polarization conversion element includes a splitting section adapted to split incident light input from the light source device into transmitted light and reflected light having the polarization states different from each other in a direction in which an intensity distribution of the incident light is asymmetric, a conversion section adapted to convert the polarization state of one of the transmitted light and the reflected light into the polarization state of the other of the transmitted light and the reflected light, and a mirror system.
US08132917B2	Projection type display device with a phase modulating unit A projection type display device includes: a light emitting unit that includes at least one light source for emitting a coherent light. An image light generating unit modulates the light emitted by the light emitting unit to generate an image light. A projecting unit projects the image light. A phase modulating unit is arranged either between the light emitting unit and the image light generating unit or between the image light generating unit and the projecting unit and has an area where at least one of a retardation value and an azimuth direction of a slow axis is distributed respectively in different directions or values in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis.
US08132911B2	Fundus photo-stimulation system and method An eye examination device has a fundus observation system and an optical stimulation system. The optical stimulation system has an optical targeting subsystem and an optical stimulation subsystem, wherein the optical stimulation system is structured to be used to provide light stimulation to a portion of a fundus of an eye targeted by the optical targeting subsystem in conjunction with observations made with the fundus observation system.
US08132910B2	Contrast sensitivity testing and/or training using circular contrast zones The contrast sensitivity of an individual may be tested and/or trained using a plurality of circular contrast zones. The individual may select the circular contrast zone having a different degree of contrast than the other circular contrast zones. For example, the individual may select the circular contrast zone having the highest or lowest contrast of a displayed plurality of circular contrast zones. A plurality of circular contrast zones may be displayed with a spatial arrangement that facilitates inputting a selection of one of the plurality by the individual. A variety of input devices may be used to receive a selection from an individual. Both the accuracy and speed of an individual's contrast sensitivity may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention.
US08132902B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a recording head including an introduction section, a discharge section and nozzles; a first liquid chamber connected to the introduction section; a second liquid chamber connected to the discharge section; a first buffer tank which is connected to the first liquid chamber and an interior of which is open to air; a second buffer tank which is connected to the second liquid chamber and an interior of which is open to air; and a pressure control device which sets target pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber in such a manner that a prescribed back pressure is applied to the liquid inside the nozzles of the recording head while a prescribed pressure differential is provided between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, and controls driving of the first pump and the second pump in accordance with determination results of the pressure determination device in such a manner that the internal pressures of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber remain constant at the target pressures, wherein the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank are connected via a flow channel, and at least one of a filter and a deaeration device is provided in the flow channel.
US08132899B2	Ink tank for inkjet printers The present invention relates to an ink tank for an ink jet printer. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the ink tank, as well as well as a method of refilling the ink tank. The ink tank includes an ink tank body and an ink tank lid bonded to the ink tank body at a bond joint. The ink tank lid comprises an opening that leads to a holding area that is adapted to contain a capillary media therein. The holding area comprises a wall that forms a boundary between the capillary media and an enclosure defined by the ink tank body and the ink tank lid. The opening is sized to permit an insertion and removal of the capillary media to and from the holding area when the ink tank lid is bonded to the ink tank body at the bond joint.
US08132894B2	Method and inkjet printing apparatus ejecting ink in deflected fashion A method and an inkjet printing apparatus for ejecting ink in a deflected manner are provided. The inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet printhead having a passage plate, an electrostatic-force-application unit, and a heating unit. The passage plate includes ink chambers that hold ink and nozzles that eject the ink from the ink chambers as ink droplets. The electrostatic-force-application unit applies an electrostatic force. The heating unit heats up a portion of the ink inside the nozzles. The heating unit can include heaters disposed around each nozzles or a laser diode disposed outside the inkjet printhead. The electrostatic force forms a meniscus at the surface of the ink inside the nozzle. When a portion of the ink inside the nozzle is heated by the heating unit, the shape of the meniscus is changed and the direction in which the ink droplets are ejected through the nozzles is deflected.
US08132893B2	Printhead assembly with molded ink manifold having polymer coating A printhead assembly includes: a molded ink manifold having a plurality of ink outlets defined in a manifold bonding surface; and printhead integrated circuits bonded to the manifold bonding surface. The manifold bonding surface includes a polymer coating, which plugs fissures in the molded ink manifold.
US08132892B2	Maintainable coplanar front face for silicon die array printhead A full width array printhead is provided having a continuous maintainable printhead surface and method of forming the same. The printhead includes a substrate and an array of die modules mounted thereon with a front face of each die module exposed. A hardened fill material surrounds the array of die modules to define a continuous surface coplanar with the front face of the array of die modules.
US08132891B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus including an ink-jet head having four ink supply passages, manifold passages communicating with the respective ink supply passages, and individual ink passages extending from the common passages to nozzles open in an ink ejecting surface, wherein groups of the nozzles communicating with the respective manifold passages are open in respective unit areas u1-u4 arranged on the ink ejecting surface. The apparatus further includes a wiping member which is moved by a moving mechanism to wipe the unit areas, an ink supply device for selectively supplying the ink supply passages with an ink to perform a purging action for discharging the ink from the nozzles, and a control device controlling the moving mechanism and the ink supply device such that before a wiping action of the wiping member in each unit area is initiated, the purging action in the following unit area as seen in a wiping direction has been initiated and such that the purging action in each unit area is completed immediately before the wiping action in that unit area is initiated.
US08132887B2	Universal closed loop color control A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a universal closed loop color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system may be run in a “Color Bar Mode” and scan simple rectangular color patches corresponding to each ink key in the print units, or can run in “Gray Spot Mode” and maintain overall target ink density values on the substrate as well as gray balance if the job has critical half tone images, or if the color bar is obtrusive on the job.
US08132878B2	Ink jet printing apparatus, ink jet printing method, and data generating apparatus An ink jet printing apparatus, an ink jet printing method, and a data generating apparatus are provided in which an image performance such as an abrasion resistance can be improved and a printing head can have a longer life by ejecting processing liquid at an appropriate time. The processing liquid is ejected, to a predetermined area on a printing medium in which the formation of a image by ink is completed, from a printing head in two or more scannings in five scannings of the printing heads.
US08132875B2	Three-sectional rail structure A multiple steps rail arranged in the two opposite sides of a frame includes a retainer, a first sliding unit, and a second sliding unit in each side. The retainer is approximately a concave body and a plurality of stopping units are formed on proper positions thereof. The first sliding unit is approximately a bow body and can be sliding arranged into the retainer. The first sliding unit further has a dip switch and a double-side stopping unit on a side facing the retainer. The second sliding unit is sliding arranged into the first sliding unit and can be fixed to a case body with a side thereof. When the case body is drawing out, the second sliding unit will slide out from the first sliding unit and the first sliding unit will slide out from the retainer in order.
US08132869B2	Fastening device and a computer case having the fastening device A fastening device is provided on a side wall of a positioning frame for fastening of an electronic device disposed in the positioning frame. The fastening device includes a limiting component and a positioning component. The limiting component includes a connecting part connected to an outer face of the side wall, and a limiting part extending from the connecting part and spaced apart from the side wall. The positioning component includes a rod body, and two positioning parts extending respectively from two ends of the rod body. Each of the positioning parts extends into a respective one of two holes in the side wall and a respective one of two blind holes in the electronic device. The rod body is limited from movement in a direction away from the side wall by the limiting part.
US08132866B2	Brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus for motorcycle and brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus for vehicle A brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus is provided with wheel cylinder pressure inference value acquisition means (step 402) for acquiring an inference value of the wheel cylinder pressure, master cylinder pressure inference value acquisition means (step 404) for acquiring an inference value of the master cylinder pressure by utilizing a wheel cylinder pressure inference initial value, reaction force compensation amount acquisition means (step 406) for acquiring a reaction force compensation amount which is a value depending on the variation of the master cylinder pressure caused by the flowing of brake fluid during an ABS control, and differential pressure inference value acquisition means (step 410) for acquiring an inference value of the differential pressure between the master cylinder pressure and the wheel cylinder pressure by adding the reaction force compensation amount to the difference between the master cylinder pressure inference value and the wheel cylinder pressure inference value.
US08132863B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat has a seat base and a seatback. The vehicle seat has as a permanent feature a pair of seat belt guides positioned such that when a lap portion of a seat belt webbing is received in both of the seat belt guides the lap portion of the seat belt webbing intersects the seat belt guides at a selected distance from a forward face of the seatback. Each of the seat belt guides restricts movement of the lap portion of the seat belt webbing away from the forward face of the seatback. The seat belt guides direct the lap portion of the seat belt webbing across the seat base along a path such that the lap portion of the seat belt webbing interacts with the lower body of a child when the vehicle seat is occupied by a child aged three to twelve years and under 150 cm in height.
US08132861B2	Adjustable sliding armrest An adjustable sliding armrest that may be extendable in length and varied in rotational position is provided. The armrest generally includes a support member, a slide member, a locking mechanism, and a tilt adjusting mechanism. The support member and slide member are in slidable communication with one another, and the locking mechanism may serve to lock the position of the slide member with respect to the support member. Moreover, the tilt adjusting mechanism may be utilized to selectively increase or decrease the tilt angle of the armrest. Such features allow users of various arm lengths to adjust the armrest to their comfort.
US08132858B2	Vehicle seat with cushion plate A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08132857B2	Vehicle seat with cushion plate A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08132856B2	Seating furniture with media storage An article of furniture for storing and powering electronic equipment including a seating area, at least one slidable drawer located under the seating area, and a power source located within the drawer.
US08132849B2	Auxiliary door latch system A door latch apparatus is described that is installable on a door of, for example, a camper, to make it easier for kids, small adults, those in wheelchairs and the like, who may have difficulty reaching a conventionally located door handle, to open the door from the outside. Kids or short adult will no longer need to climb up steps to open the door or ask an adult for assistance, and make it easier to gain access without walking up and down camper steps. The door latch apparatus includes a second exterior door latch mounted lower on the door which is linked to a first or upper door latch. Either latch can be used to open the door.
US08132845B2	Vehicle door structure An outer door panel 2 defines a lower edge of a door window portion 8. An outer waist reinforcement 4 is disposed along the lower edge of the door window portion 8 on the inner side, in a vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2, and fixed onto the inner side surface, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2. A door beam 5 is disposed in a front-rear direction below the outer waist reinforcement 4, and fixed onto the inner side surface, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2. A mirror-support stay is disposed on the outer side, in the vehicle-width direction, of the outer door panel 2, and supports a mirror. A mirror mounting member 30 is fixed to a front end portion of the outer waist reinforcement 4 and a front end portion of the door beam 5 while straddling these two front end portions to connect the two, and supports a lower end of the mirror-support stay.
US08132841B2	Convertible with a sunroof part A convertible vehicle has a movable top with a sunroof part that is movable with respect to the surrounding top region. The sunroof part has a closed position and an open position, as well as an interference-preventing position and an intermediate position. The sunroof part is moved to the interference-preventing position during at least part of the movement of the top from the top closed position to the top open position and is moved to the intermediate position when in the top open position.
US08132839B2	Recreational vehicle cover A recreational vehicle cover is provided which is compact and easy to use. The cover has an attached storage pouch, and remains attached to the vehicle during use.
US08132836B2	Ball collecting device A ball collecting device comprising a drum and a control element. A first cover and a second cover are installed at both ends of the drum respectively to form a containing space in the drum. The first cover and the second cover are hollow and connected to at least one ring-shaped body with an interval apart. Each ring-shaped body comprises at least one elastic element installed around the ring-shaped body. The first cover, the second cover and the ring-shaped bodies are connected by at least one rod. The control element is connected to the drum and provided for a user to hold and push the drum to roll. An elastic element installed around the second cover is provided for pushing at least one ball to shift and enter into the containing space for storage, so as to provide a convenient way of collecting balls.
US08132830B2	Security and/or valuable document The invention concerns a security and/or value document, in particular a banknote. The security and/or value document has a support (1) of a paper material and an in particular strip-form or thread-form film element (2) which contains one or more optical security features. The support (1) has one or more window-shaped openings (35) which are closed by means of the film element (2) which projects beyond the openings on all sides. Applied to the side of the support (1) of a paper material, which is in opposite relationship to the film element (2), is a sealing layer (4) which covers the surfaces of the film element (2) at least in the region of the openings.
US08132829B2	Pretensioner In the pretensioner, a guiding wall is provided in a generator-side passing portion of a gas passing portion, and an inner portion of the generator-side passing portion at a portion where the guard wall is set is located to a base end rather than a tip end of a wire protective cylinder. Further, a gas generator mounting hole and the generator-side passing portion is inclined to be directed the base end of the wire protective cylinder. For this reason, gas that is jetted from a gas generator is blown to the base end of the wire protective cylinder or a surrounding portion thereof. As a result, even though the thickness of the wire protective cylinder is not set to be large, it can be against pressure of the blown gas.
US08132827B2	Vehicle A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. The ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features enhance the utility of the vehicle.
US08132825B1	Fifth wheel hitch A fifth wheel hitch apparatus for connecting a kingpin to a towing vehicle includes a mounting mechanism having plate and skirt portions with an opening for ingress and egress of the kingpin, and a clamping mechanism having opposing first and second clamp elements. A first resilient device biases first and second lever arms of the respective first and second clamp elements to displace the first and second clamp elements into an opened configuration. Direct contact of the kingpin with the first and second clamp elements pivotally and positively displaces the first and second clamp elements from the opened configuration to a closed configuration to cooperatively capture the kingpin therebetween. A biased locking mechanism is releasably retained in an unlocked configuration and locks the first and second clamp elements in the closed configuration. In a modified embodiment, the first and second clamp elements are connected together to also pivot relative to each other about a common third pivot axis.
US08132822B2	Compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system A compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system is useful for damping compressive and torsional shock encountered by freewheeling front caster wheels of a professional landscape lawn mower. The freewheeling caster wheels are mounted with an offset from a vertical pivot axis attached to the lawn mower frame. The compression and torsion damping wheel suspension system comprises two tubes one having internal extending projections and the other having external extending projections The smaller tube is turned within the larger tube, leaving behind several spaces within which are contained four elastomeric elements. When the caster wheel rides over a rock or bump, the elastomeric elements are compressed, damping compression shock. Caster wheel resistance is felt; the elastomeric elements experience torsion and are damped, providing a smooth ride for the operator.
US08132821B2	Axle bracket for motor vehicle The invention relates to an axle bracket for the rear axle of a motor vehicle, as an assembled structural unit comprising a single profiled transversal carrier (1) and consoles (2, 3) fixed to the end regions of the structural unit. Said consoles are each provided with molded binding positions (A, B; C, D; E; F; G, H) for at least three of the following units—the upper transverse links (6), the lower transverse links (4), the track rods (5), and the spring or damping unit (7)—and each comprise at least two molded binding positions (G, H) for attaching the axle bracket to the bodywork.
US08132820B2	Lower arm mounting unit for multi-link suspension system A lower arm mounting unit for a multi-link suspension system having a knuckle rotatably supporting a wheel, and first and second lower arms connecting the knuckle to a vehicle body, may include a pair of mounting protrusions formed to the knuckle, a first ball stud connecting an end portion of the first lower arm to the pair of the mounting protrusions, and a second ball stud connecting an end portion of the second lower arm to the pair of the mounting protrusions and the first ball stud by inserting the end portion of the second ball stud between the pair of the mounting protrusions, the end portion of the first ball stud, and the knuckle.
US08132818B2	Binding components for a gliding board A snowboard binding and hold-down device that may flex or move with the snowboard when ridden to minimize any impact on flex characteristics. The snowboard binding may be compatible with a variety of snowboard binding mount arrangements.
US08132815B1	Card seal for a turbine A card seal with an annular arrangement of cards that form the card seal, where the cards each form an L-shape cross section with a wide front face and a narrow side face, where the side face has a constant width from a top end to a location greater than a mid-point, and from this point decreases in width to zero width at the bottom end. The side faces form a blockage against leakage flowing between adjacent cards in a cards seal assembly.
US08132811B2	Drive nip release apparatus An energy storage apparatus has one or more camshafts, one or more cams connected to the camshaft, one or more followers contacting the cam, one or more biasing members connected to the follower, and one or more tracks connected to the follower. With embodiments herein the track limits movement of the follower to a constrained path intersecting the axis about which the camshaft rotates. Alternatively, the biasing member itself can limit the movement of the follower to this linear path. The biasing member can comprise any force member such as a spring, a piston, a flexible member, a compressible member, etc. that has the ability to bias the follower toward the axis of the camshaft. The embodiments herein store and transfer potential energy to reduce the total reflected torque on the motor.
US08132809B2	Feeder and image forming apparatus A feeder that stores a sheet used to form an image in an image forming apparatus main body and that is configured to be drawn out from the image forming apparatus main body in a perpendicular direction to a sheet conveying direction. The feeder includes: a separation member that is in press-contact with a sheet feed member disposed in the image forming apparatus main body for separating a stored sheet in cooperation with the sheet feed member; an arm part that is attached to the separation member, the separation member being rotatably attached through the arm part; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the separation member downward through the arm part and releases the press contact with the sheet feed member when the feeder is drawn out from the image forming apparatus main body.
US08132808B2	Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus incorporating same A sheet conveying device includes a controller having a processing unit to cause a first detector to detect an uppermost sheet, an elevator to lift and stop a sheet stack at a reference position, and a second detector to detect and store the position. In a primary operation of the controller, the uppermost sheet is attracted and conveyed for a given number of times while the second detector contacting it, a variation amount of angle is calculated and converted to a thickness of M sheets. With a driven contact roller retracted in a secondary operation, the sheet stack is lifted each time the uppermost sheets by a thickness of N sheets are attracted and conveyed based on the stored thickness of M sheets under N=XM (“M” represents a positive number, “N” represents a positive integer, and “X” represents a positive number of 1 or greater).
US08132806B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding device includes: a lift-blowing unit which blows air to a plurality of sheets stacked on a tray to lift an uppermost sheet from the sheets; a sheet absorbing unit which absorbs the sheet lifted by the lift-blowing unit by a negative pressure; an air suctioning unit which supplies the negative pressure to the sheet absorbing unit by air suction; a handling-blowing unit which handles the sheets by blowing air to the sheets absorbed onto the sheet absorbing unit; and a sheet transporting unit which transports the absorbed sheet, wherein the handling-blowing unit adjusts a volume of air blown thereby.
US08132805B2	Method and apparatus for feeding sheets to a processing machine In a method and an apparatus for feeding sheets to a processing machine, in particular a printing press, provision is made for the sheet to be accelerated to processing speed by use of at least two acceleration stations arranged one after the other. One of the acceleration stations is arranged such that the acceleration station can be displaced in order to align the sheet.
US08132804B2	Sheet processing apparatus In a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing for sheets after image formation such as sorting or stapling of the sheets, sheets conveyed into a waiting tray are temporarily stopped while being kept clamped by a driving roller and a pinch roller in the waiting tray and the clamping is once released. A waiting tray unit on a left side is shifted to a right side by a predetermined amount, whereby an end of the stacked sheets is pushed and shifted by a lateral wall on the left side. Thereafter, the sheets are clamped again by the roller pair and discharged.
US08132800B2	Clamp apparatus A lock mechanism includes a casing that is fixed to a side surface of a body, a handle disposed rotatably on the outside of the casing, and a transmission section, which is capable of transmitting a drive force applied by the handle. An end of a guide rod making up the transmission section is connected in a body surrounding groove of a piston rod disposed inside the body. In addition, by rotating the handle, the guide rod of the transmission section is displaced vertically (upward and downward), such that an arm is rotationally displaced through a toggle link mechanism by displacement of the piston rod along the axial direction.
US08132798B2	Pin clamp A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes a longitudinally extending slot. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending arcuate slot. The cam pin is coupled to the housing. The cam pin engages the slot. An electrical driven actuator includes an electric motor that rotates to move the locating pin linearly to rotate the twist pin.
US08132783B2	Dynamic orifice valve apparatus and method In a fluid transmission line, a valve comprising a housing that establishes a lumen for transmission of a fluid through said valve; a drive mechanism and a drive gear mounted in said housing to be selectively driven in a first or second rotational direction by said drive mechanism. The drive gear has a central throughhole and a plurality of pins around the central throughhole. A plurality of leaves are pivotally mounted on the pins, and oriented to extend radially inward into said central throughhole. A fixed extension has an annular aspect disposed in the drive gear, and has a plurality of engagement members disposed to operatively engage one of said leaves. The engagement members bias the leaves to close an orifice when said drive gear rotates in said first direction and to open the orifice when said drive gear rotates in said second direction. Each of the leaves maintains a substantially sealing engagement with each adjacent leaf throughout a range of motion of the leaves.
US08132778B2	Remote control water valving system for shower or sink A remote controlled valve for cessation of water flow from an outflow component such as a showerhead or faucet during periods where water flow is not required by the user to provide for water conservation. The device features a remote control having a large contact area for contact with the user's arm or leg or hip to allow for activation without the use of their hands and fingers. The large size also renders the remote control unit easily located by sense of touch and without the user's eyesight to encourage use by users who might otherwise be concerned about reinitiating water flow during shampooing or while using the device on a sink with their hands wet or occupied.
US08132773B1	Passive thermal control of negative-stiffness vibration isolators A passive thermally responsive element (TRE) is used to eliminate or substantially reduce the sensitivity of the axial (vertical) position and axial (vertical) natural frequency of a negative-stiffness vibration isolator to changes in temperature. The TRE will compensate for the inherent thermal sensitivity of the isolator without this added element. The TRE can be a thermally responsive spring that produces forces in response to temperature changes to keep the isolator at or near its ideal equilibrium operating position in order to control the equilibrium position and also to maintain the low natural frequency characteristic of the negative-stiffness vibration isolator.
US08132771B2	Portable spacing member During shipping, it is not uncommon to have loads shift in transit. To help alleviate this problem, a portable bulkhead or spacing system is provided. The system is nestable for easy storage, lightweight, durable, and cost effective. The combination of these factors, thus, allows for shipping efficiencies to drastically increase so that products can be effectively shipped resulting in an overall lower cost to the consumer and generating an advantage over competition.
US08132770B2	Stemware holder A stemware holder maintains a piece of stemware in an upright position even during turbulent conditions. An embodiment has a base extending downward from a cap. The cap has a lower portion with a flat surface and an upper portion with two prongs that define a slot. A wall extends around part of the perimeters of the upper and lower portions and has a front opening. The upper and lower portions, partial perimeter wall, and front opening define a groove. The groove narrows slightly from the front to the rear. The stemware holder base is insertable into the recess of a standard cup holder. The base of a piece of stemware can be slid into the groove through the front opening with the stem extending through the slot. The prongs and groove collectively assist in maintaining the stemware upright. Another embodiment employs a similar cap that is fixable directly to a surface without insertion into a cup holder recess.
US08132769B2	Stand for a surgical microscope A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested, comprising a vertical support, at least one horizontal support, a first vertical articulation unit that is connected the horizontal support, a second articulation unit determining an oblique pivot axis, a displacement unit that is attached to the second articulation unit and has multiple degrees of freedom for displacement and balancing of an optics carrier carrying the surgical microscope, at least one pivot support encompassed by the displacement unit, and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to the oblique pivot axis. The pivot support comprises a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction.
US08132764B2	Quick-release adjustable mounting bracket A quick-release adjustable mounting bracket to be detachably connected to, for example, a handlebar of a bicycle to permit, for example, a bright flashing light source to be attached to and removed from the handlebar without the use of tools so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use. The mounting bracket includes a grip to engage a portion of the handlebar and a light stand pivotally coupled to the grip. The light source is removably received by the light stand so that the light stand and the light source received thereby are rotatable relative to the grip. The grip includes a hook-shaped locking catch, a coupling cavity within which a plurality of spaced, parallel-aligned coupling pin retaining slots are formed, and a flexible clamping band. A locking latch pivotally coupled to a first end of the flexible clamping band is pulled towards and rotated into locking engagement with the locking catch. The flexible clamping band is adapted to be bent over the locking bar, whereby a coupling pin carried by the opposite end of the clamping band is releasably connected to one of the plurality of coupling pin retaining slots in the grip depending upon the size (e.g., diameter) of the handlebar to which the mounting bracket is to be detachably connected.
US08132760B2	Parachuting aid method and device A parachuting method may include: (1) determining a release point where parachute items must be released from an aircraft, (2) determining a first end point that is located on a straight reference line downstream of the release point where the release of parachute items must stop, (3) determining a second end point that is located on the straight reference line downstream of the first end point where parachuting is ended, (4) performing a first parachuting sequence by guiding the aircraft along the straight reference line and releasing some of the items to be parachuted between the release point and the first end point, (5) determining a flight circuit for the aircraft to return from the second end point to follow the straight reference line until it reaches the second end point, and (6) performing additional parachuting sequences.
US08132759B2	System and method for facilitating aerial refueling A refueling system and method for use with a refueling tanker aircraft. The system and method involves the use of a camera system to provide imaging information concerning a receiver aircraft to the processor. The processor uses the imaging information to derive closure rate and distance information for the receiver aircraft as it approaches a refueling envelope prior to contact with a refueling boom. The processor also makes use of information from a look-up table to generate commands that are tailored to the specific type of aircraft being refueled. The commands are applied to a pilot's director lights display that generates visual commands or signals (e.g., “UP”, “DOWN”, “LEFT”, “RIGHT”) that assist the pilot of the receiver aircraft in guiding his/her aircraft toward and into the refueling envelope at a desired closure rate. The system and method eliminates potential error in the pre-contact phase of a refueling operation by eliminating judgment decisions by a boom operator when generating the commands for the pilot's director lights display.
US08132757B2	Pitch-oscillation limitation system applied to an aircraft A pitch-oscillation limitation system, applied to an aircraft having main landing gear located toward the center of the aircraft and forward landing gear located under the nose of the aircraft, wherein the system includes means for automatically applying, in the event of sudden braking, time-deferred braking between the wheels of the landing gear under the wings and the wheels of the landing gear under the fuselage, so as to reduce the amplitude of the aircraft's pitching motion.
US08132755B2	Engine exhaust system with directional nozzle An exhaust system for an aircraft has a primary exhaust duct for communicating exhaust gas from an engine exhaust exit and is configured for movement with the engine. A secondary exhaust duct is in fluid communication with the primary exhaust duct and is movably mounted to the airframe. The secondary duct has a portion selectively rotatable relative to the remainder of the secondary duct for directing the exhaust gas vector. The system has means for maintaining a generally consistent relative alignment between the primary duct and the secondary duct.
US08132753B2	Filament spool and filament spool container, and methods of use thereof A filament spool for use in a filament spool container, where the filament spool comprises a first rim and a second rim offset by an axial shaft, and a series of grooves extending along a first portion of the first rim and configured to receive a filament of a material while the filament is wound around the axial shaft in a first rotational direction.
US08132751B2	Conical-shaped impact mill An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.
US08132750B2	Force monitor for pulverizer integral spring assembly A pulverizer 60 includes a spring assembly 10 that urges a grinding roller 72 of a journal assembly 68 onto a grinding surface 66 of a grinding table 64. The force applied is monitored by a load cell 32 located within spring assembly 10 that creates an electronic signal. A controller 83 receives the electronic signal and stores and/or displays it and alternatively acts to adjust the applied force to a desired value. Alternatively, adjustable forces or mechanical dampening may be applied to journal assembly 68 by controller 83. Alternatively, additional sensors may measure displacement of the journal assembly and rotation of the grinding table for other calculations.
US08132745B2	Showerhead with tube connectors Output of a showerhead system is selectable between a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system also includes an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe to pivotably adjust the position of the showerhead. The showerhead system also has dual support structures in the form of arms extending between the control mode selector and the showerhead. The dual arms each house one or more hoses that may be flexible and transport water from the mode selector can be adjusted to direct water to individual hoses or simultaneously to multiple hoses.
US08132744B2	Miniature aerosol jet and aerosol jet array A miniaturized aerosol jet, or an array of miniaturized aerosol jets for direct printing of various aerosolized materials. In the most commonly used embodiment, an aerosol stream is focused and deposited onto a planar or non-planar target, forming a pattern that is thermally or photochemically processed to achieve physical, optical, and/or electrical properties near that of the corresponding bulk material. The apparatus uses an aerosol jet deposition head to form an annularly propagating jet composed of an outer sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow. Miniaturization of the deposition head facilitates the fabrication and operation of arrayed deposition heads, enabling construction and operation of arrays of aerosol jets capable of independent motion and deposition. Arrayed aerosol jets provide an increased deposition rate, arrayed deposition, and multi-material deposition.
US08132737B2	Aircraft air-conditioning system for an aircraft cabin having a plurality of zones An air-conditioning system and associated method for air-conditioning an aircraft cabin including a first zone and a second zone of variable length and at least one intermediate zone is provided. The intermediate zone is selectively associated with the first zone or the second zone. Air at a first set temperature is supplied to the first zone, and air at a second set temperature is supplied to the second zone. Likewise, air at a third set temperature is supplied to the intermediate zone. A regulating device regulates the third set temperature such that if the intermediate zone is associated with the first zone, the third set temperature corresponds substantially to the first set temperature; but if the intermediate zone is associated with the second zone, the third set temperature.
US08132734B2	Financial transaction card with storage chamber A financial transaction card includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a soft and pliable material and defines a chamber configured to maintain at least one item. The account identifier is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The account identifier is configured to link the housing to a financial account or a financial record. Other embodiments of financial transaction cards, financial transaction card assemblies, and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08132724B2	Vehicle unit, vehicle system and program for same A portable terminal receives a settlement record information instruction from a user for reading settlement record information, and requests a vehicle unit for an output of corresponding information represented by the user instruction. The vehicle unit then reads the corresponding settlement record information from among all information readable by the portable terminal, and transmits the information to the portable terminal. The settlement record information becomes therefore more accessible for the user without compromising privacy.
US08132723B2	System and method for immediate issuance of transaction cards A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card.
US08132719B2	Prepaid payment device admission ticketing A prepaid payment device is used to by a consumer as a ticket to a future performance event as well as to conduct a transaction with a merchant. The consumer operates a user interface of a kiosk to select admission to the future performance event and a monetary amount to be added thereto. Payment is submitted to the kiosk for both the admission price and the monetary amount. The prepaid payment device is associated with an account that is credited with the payment. Stored on the prepaid payment device is information which includes the associated account and authorization for admission to the selected future performance event. The payment credited to the account can be for both the transaction with the merchant offering admission to the future performance event and also for an additional transaction with another merchant who may be at the venue of the future performance event.
US08132715B2	Automated transaction machine An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.
US08132713B2	System and method for automated selection of testing criteria for payment devices System and methods for generating one more tests to be performed on a payment device are provided. A vendor selects one or more features to be included in his payment device and provides that information to the system. The system analyzes the information and provides a list of tests to be performed on the reference payment device. In addition, the system also provides a list of one or more reference payment device configurations provided for testing purposes.
US08132710B2	Deconstructable assembly and method An assembly (10) that can be both joined and parted by temperature processing. A parting member (20) captured between two members of the assembly exhibits a state change as a function of temperature such that the two members can be joined with a meltable joining material (18) at a joining temperature, operated at an operating temperature lower than the joining temperature, and then separated at a parting temperature higher or lower than the operating and joining temperatures as a result of a parting force caused by the state change of the parting member. In one embodiment, the parting member has a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the assembly members such that differential thermal expansion causes the parting member to expand across the interface (16) between the members to generate the parting force.
US08132709B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor element having electrodes, a metal member, wires that electrically connect the semiconductor element and the metal member and/or electrodes within the semiconductor element, wherein the wires constitute at least a first wire loop and a second wire loop, the first wire loop is bonded at one end to a first bonding point and at the other end to a second bonding point, and has a flat part which includes the surface of a boll part and the wire located contiguously the ball part surface, and the second wire loop connects the surface of the ball part and a third bonding point.
US08132705B2	Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
US08132699B2	Shoulder strap for bag The invention relates to an improved shoulder strap for use in combination with any type of bag that is designed for carrying over a shoulder of a user. The shoulder strap includes: first and second half-straps each having a first end and a second end, the second end having a connector adapted for coupling to a bag; a pad; and at least one elastic member held on one side of the pad and being extendable independently of the pad, the at least one elastic member coupling the first end of the first half strap to the pad and the first end of the second half strap to the pad.
US08132698B2	Method and system for supporting and/or aligning components of a liquid dispensing system In a liquid dispensing system having a dispensing module and a gun manifold, the gun manifold includes a shelf portion that extends outwardly from its front face and the dispensing module includes a correspondingly shaped aperture configured to engage the shelf portion so that the dispensing module rests, or hangs, on the gun manifold without being held into place. From this position, the module can be easily and readily attached to the manifold. The shelf and aperture have complementary shapes and can be keyed so as to require the mating of the manifold and module in only one orientation. Additionally, an adaptor can be provided between the module and manifold so that smooth face manifolds and modules can still be coupled to corresponding manifolds and modules having shelves or apertures.
US08132697B2	Dispensing mechanism using long tubes to vary pressure drop A fountain-style carbonated soft drink dispenser includes a housing adapted to attach to a beverage container, an actuator for selectively opening a fluid conduit, and one or more long tubes that vary a pressure drop across the dispensing assembly and convey fluid. The resistance through the tube(s) is decreased as the pressure within the container decreases so as to maintain a substantially constant flow rate throughout dispensing.
US08132693B2	Adhesive dispenser system A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.
US08132691B2	Vending machine dispensing system A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.
US08132690B2	Universal box top lid A universal box top lid is adapted to be attached to the opened top of a variety of different sizes of food packaging boxes. The lid is designed to fit over the opened box top with an opened bag containing the food product inside the box being held open by an apron formed on an inner wall of the lid. The lid is provided with a cap closure that can be opened when it is desired to dispense the food product contained in the packaging box and bag, and can be closed to preserve the food product.
US08132689B2	Cookware handle with a hollow structure A cookware handle designed to be grasped by a user's hand, consisting of a rigid structure attached to the cookware and a flexible grip surrounding the rigid structure. The rigid structure contains at least one hollow cavity positioned directly underneath the grip, facing the hand support area.
US08132686B2	Collapsible liquid tank A collapsible liquid storage tank for use in a freight container for selectively carrying solid freight and bulk liquid freight includes a substantially rigid gantry having a plurality of support posts, a first frame, a second frame suspended from the gantry, a substantially inelastic flexible fabric container having sidewalls connected between the first frame and the second frame, a water impermeable elastic bladder disposed within the fabric container, and a hoist coupled between the gantry and the second frame for lifting the second frame towards the first frame.
US08132684B2	Child-resistant closure, package and method of making A closure includes a skirt and internal lugs on the skirt. The skirt has an undulating circumferential contour that includes alternate outwardly convex and outwardly concave portions, with the internal lugs being disposed within the outwardly concave portions of the skirt. The skirt preferably is sufficiently flexible to allow the outwardly concave portions of the skirt to assume an outwardly convex geometry as a result of outward pressure on the internal lugs during demolding of the closure. The closure thus may be simply axially stripped from the mold core during the demolding operation without requiring movement of portions of the mold core to clear a path for travel of the lugs. The lugs preferably are shaped as an inverted U that opens toward a free edge of the skirt, further to facilitate demolding of the closure.
US08132682B1	Absorbent device for an infant feeding bottle An attachable absorbent cloth cover for an infant feeding bottle is herein disclosed, comprising a rectangular shape approximately ten (10) inches in length. The middle portion of the cloth body is fitted with an elastic band. The cloth cover is slipped over a bottle such that the elastic band firmly grips the lid of the bottle at the base of the nipple. As such, it is not necessary for the infant to wear a bib, as any spilled liquid is immediately absorbed since the cloth is right below the infant's lower lip and chin. The cloth cover is envisioned to be made of soft, absorbent material similar to that used for re-usable diapers and is provided with an internal wire frame to support a desired position while in use and external raised graphic designs to sooth the baby. When finished, the cloth cover is simply lifted off and machine washed, thus ready for use again.
US08132680B2	Cigarette display system, frame unit, tray unit, magazine unit, and slider unit An apparatus main body of a frame structure and an apparatus main body of a wall structure are formed separately, tray units 200 are attached to the frame main body and the wall main body, and magazine units 100 which are held by the tray unit 200 hold cigarette packs T. Since the two types of main bodies use the tray units 200 and the magazine units 100, the cigarette packs T can be displayed in various ways without decreasing productivity. In this way, the present invention provides a cigarette display system 1000 having a structure which can display the cigarette packs T in various ways without decreasing productivity.
US08132674B1	Continuous cleaning tramp metal separation device A tramp metal separation device includes a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first drawer and a second drawer. The first drawer and the second drawer each have a plurality of magnets and a wiper assembly, where each drawer is supported with respect to the first housing such that each first drawer is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the magnets of the respective drawer are positioned within the first housing and are adapted to be in contact with the stream of raw materials. In the retracted position, the magnets of the respective drawer are positioned outside of the first housing. The wiper assembly of each drawer removes contaminants from the magnets as the respective drawer moves from the extended position to the retracted position. Each of the first drawer and the second drawer is restrained against movement from the extended position to the retracted position when the other of the first drawer and the second drawer is disposed in the retracted position.
US08132671B2	Blister card for child-resistant package A slide card (10) for use with a sleeve of a unit dose packaging system, comprises a base panel (40) adapted for receiving unit doses of a medicament (90), a locking panel (20) joined by a hinge (30) to the base panel (40) and fold-resisting mechanism (30), (70), (80) for inhibiting substantially parallel alignment between the base panel (40) and the locking panel (20) when folded over with respect to one another so as to promote engagement of the locking panel (20) with at least one locking element of the sleeve, thereby inhibiting undesired removal of the base panel (40) from the sleeve when the base panel (40) is attempted to be withdrawn from the sleeve.
US08132661B2	Device for diverting products sideways from a conveyor The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the diverter element as well during the pivoting movement of the diverter element from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.
US08132657B2	Torque limited decoupler A decoupler assembly with a torsional damping system and a torque limiter. The torsional damping system has a torsion spring that facilitates transfer of rotary power into a hub. The torque limiter is wrapped about the torsion spring and radially expands with the torsion spring as a magnitude of the rotary power transmitted through the torsion spring increases. Contact between the torque limiter and another structure in the decoupler assembly halts radial expansion of the torsion spring.
US08132656B2	Ratchet one way clutch with hardened blocking plate A one-way clutch, including: a first annular element; a second annular element arranged to lockingly engage with the first element for relative rotation of the second element, with respect to the first annular element, in a first rotational direction; a third annular element at least partly rotatable about the axis and axially disposed between the first and second elements; and a fourth annular element at least partly rotatable about the axis and including a radially disposed body and an axial protrusion extending from the body and connected to the third element. The axial protrusion forms a portion of a space arranged to at least partially enclose fluid to dampen energy associated with the locking engagement of the first and second annular elements, and the first or second element is axially disposed between the third and fourth elements.
US08132648B2	Adjustable tree stand An adjustable tree stand includes a support unit that includes a support platform having two lateral parts, and that further includes first and second mounting structures, each mounted to a corresponding one of the lateral parts of the support platform. The adjustable tree stand further includes a cable unit that includes a cable, a first attachment member connected to one end of the cable, and a second attachment member connected to the other end of the cable for releasably coupling with the second mounting structure.The adjustable tree stand also includes a control unit including a threaded rod mounted non-rotatably to the first mounting structure, and a slide seat connected to the first attachment member of the cable unit and coupled movably to the first mounting structure for sliding movement therealong.
US08132643B2	Sound barrier for audible acoustic frequency management A sound barrier comprises a substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium.
US08132642B2	Speaker system Normally a speaker is used by attaching to a sealed or semi-sealed cabinet so that vibration generated at the front and the back of a diaphragm does not mutually interfere. Therefore, a certain depth and a volume are necessary, and in a limited location such as a front panel of a device, there is a case that it cannot be attached to the most suitable position for a listener. As a means to solve that, a method that a speaker sound at a distant position is led to a front panel by a waveguide is practically used. However, still it has limitations in depth and attaching position, and good results cannot be obtained also in efficiency.A speaker is attached so that a sound generated at the front of the speaker attached to a cabinet is led to a plane such as a front panel of a device by a waveguide, and the opening surface of the waveguide is almost perpendicular to the plane. Since a good sound field is generated on the opposite side to the plane, on a horizontal surface to the opening surface of the waveguide, a high efficiency speaker system having no limitation in the attaching position of a speaker can be obtained.
US08132639B2	Nozzle actuated system for disabling a vehicle A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a substance in a storage tank includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving a nozzle in fluidic connection to the storage tank when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable the at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.
US08132630B2	Reverse circulation pressure control method and system A system for reverse circulation in a wellbore includes equipment for supplying drilling fluid into the wellbore bit via at least an annulus of the wellbore and returning the drilling fluid to a surface location via at least a bore of a wellbore tubular. The system also includes devices for controlling the annulus pressure associated with this reverse circulation. An active pressure differential device may increase the pressure wellbore annulus to at least partially offset a circulating pressure loss. Alternatively, the system may include devices for decreasing the pressure in the annulus of the wellbore.
US08132628B2	Methods for increasing oil production A method of recovering petroleum from dormant oil wells or increasing the production of oil wells. An alkali or alkali earth carbonate is introduced into a water layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir and/or an explosive composition is introduced into an oil layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir. CO2 gas is produced by reacting the alkali or alkali earth carbonate with an acid and/or by detonating the explosive composition. An explosive composition can be introduced and detonated to achieve sufficient CO2 gas production to increase pressure within the subterranean petroleum reservoir.
US08132627B2	Downhole tubular expansion tool and method A tool 10 is provided for radially expanding a downhole tubular C, and includes a central tool mandrel 12 which functionally is part of a drill string or work string, a tubular expander 48 at the lower end of the tubular, and a downhole actuator 15 for forcibly moving the expander axially within the downhole tubular. Slips 20 are positioned for securing the tool within the tubular, so that the slips may be set, and the tool subsequently stroked to move the expander 48 and radially expand a length of the tubular. Upward pull on the work string may expand long portions of the downhole tubular.
US08132625B2	Dual action jet bushing An eductor sub is used as a portion of a downhole debris removal apparatus. It features an eductor outlet port that is selectively closed for run in to allow flow pumped through a tubing string to all go to the lower end of the debris removal tool to fluidize the debris and help prevent the tool from getting stuck on the way to the desired depth. When the desired depth is reached a ball lands on a seat that is connected to a sleeve that is displaced to move the sleeve away from the eductor outlet so that future flow coming down the casing string will create a reduced pressure within the tool to draw some of the exiting flow after the eductor exit in a downhole direction along an annular space to the debris removal tool entrance for debris removal.
US08132622B2	Surface instrumentation configuration for drilling rig operation Methods and systems for a surface instrumentation configuration for drilling rig-related operations are described. In one embodiment, pack off material is positioned in an annulus between a casing along sides of a borehole and a drill tubing in the borehole, wherein the pack off material includes surface instrumentation with an acoustic receiver. The acoustic receiver receives acoustic signals transmitted from the downhole instrumentation.
US08132621B2	Multi-zone formation evaluation systems and methods A formation evaluation system and method. A formation evaluation system includes an assembly interconnected as part of a tubular string and displaceable to multiple positions proximate each of multiple zones intersected by a wellbore. The assembly includes at least one formation evaluation instrument for determining a characteristic of formation fluid, and a pump which draws the fluid into the assembly. A method of evaluating multiple subterranean zones during a single trip into a wellbore includes the steps of: interconnecting a formation evaluation assembly in a coiled tubing string; for each of the multiple zones, displacing the formation evaluation assembly to a position proximate the respective zone, receiving formation fluid from the respective zone into the formation evaluation assembly, and determining at least one characteristic of the formation fluid; and performing the multiple displacing, receiving and determining steps during the single trip of the coiled tubing string into the wellbore.
US08132612B2	Brake caliper for disc brake assembly and method and apparatus for producing same This invention relates to a brake caliper adapted for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly and method and apparatus for producing the same. The method for producing the brake caliper comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mold member having at least two mold sections; (b) providing a core member having at least a first male extension which is adapted to form an integrally cast locating recess in the brake caliper which is used as a locating surface for subsequent machining of the brake caliper; (c) disposing the core member in the mold member in a predetermined position; (d) supplying a suitable material to the mold member so as to form a brake caliper within the mold; (e) removing the brake caliper from the mold, wherein the brake caliper includes an integrally cast locating recess formed therein by the first male extension of the core member; and (f) machining the brake caliper using at least the integrally cast locating recess formed therein as a locating surface.
US08132609B2	Roller shade system having a pleated fabric A pleated roller shade system allows a thin flexible shade fabric, such as, for example, silk, to be wrapped around a roller tube. The system comprises a pleating bar mounted parallel to the roller tube and having a fabric-receiving opening that defines, for example, a serpentine path. The shade fabric is received through the fabric-receiving opening and is folded by the pleating bar, such that the shade fabric is wrapped around the roller tube in folds as the roller tube rotates. The shade fabric is neatly wrapped around the roller tube (i.e., bunching of the shade fabric is avoided) and is stored out-of-sight when rolled up.
US08132607B2	Tire pressure control system, tire pressure control device and tire pressure control method A tire pressure control system that controls the tire pressure in the tire at each wheel of a vehicle includes: a wheel-side tire pressure sensor; a transmitter that transmits the detected tire pressure; a receiver that receives the tire pressure information from the transmitter; a tire pressure regulating device; and a control unit that drives the tire pressure regulating device based on the tire pressure information. The control unit drives the tire pressure regulating device regardless of whether the tire pressure information is received if a reception-incapable condition, in which the receiver is unable to receive the tire pressure information, has occurred.
US08132606B2	Run-flat support system for a pneumatic tired wheel and method for installing same A run-flat support system and method for installing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the run-flat support system includes a torque assembly removably coupled to a split wheel rim of a pneumatic tired wheel. A plurality of support segments are adapted for attachment to the torque assembly in order to support the pneumatic tired wheel in a flat condition such as an under-inflated condition or deflated condition.
US08132601B2	Tote bag for being partitioned or alternatively expanded A tote bag for being partitioned or alternatively expanded. The bag has a partition mode and an expansion mode and includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of side panels. The front panel is attached to the rear panel by the pair of side panels. The pair of side panels fold and attach to each other to form a partition thereby dividing the tote bag into a pair of compartments when the tote bag is in the partition mode thereof and separate from each other and unfold to eliminate the partition thereby expanding the tote bag when the tote bag is in the expansion mode thereof.
US08132600B2	Container closure with overlying needle penetrable and resealable portion and underlying portion compatible with fat containing liquid product, and related method A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.
US08132596B2	Bead weaving device An apparatus and method of using a bead weaving device for assisting manufacturing by jewelry makers and facilitating the positioning, stringing, cross-weaving, peyote chain maille, and accurate sizing for but not limited to necklaces, bracelets, and other hand woven beaded products. The bead weaving device includes the following components: an inclined sizing plate optionally including an imperial-measure graduated scale and/or a metric-measure graduated scale, a brass toggle half securer, a stabilizer, a support base and removably couplable peyote block attachment and a support arm. The support base of the device is adapted for use on the lap of a user or on the surface of a substrate such as a table.
US08132594B2	Hydraulic valve actuated by piezoelectric effect A valve-actuator includes a chamber, a spool that opens and closes connections between ports in the chamber, an actuator including a housing containing a piezoelectric stack having a bore, and a spring contacting the spool through the bore and forcing the stack toward the chamber, the stack expanding and contracting in response to a voltage, the spool moving in the chamber in response to said expansion and contraction.
US08132593B2	Pilot-operated three-port valve A pilot-operated three-port valve includes three ports, two valve seats that are concentric and opposite each other, a poppet-type valve member that is disposed between these two valve seats, and a pilot operating portion that opens and closes the valve member using a rod. Seat surfaces of the two valve seats and a first seal surface and a second seal surface of the valve member are flat. The valve member is attached to an end of the rod coaxially with the rod and so as to have a degree of freedom of inclination from the axis of the rod.
US08132589B2	Regulating valve for the discharge of liquid The invention concerns a regulating valve for the discharge of liquid from a container comprising a movable main valve body for opening and closing an outlet opening for the liquid to be discharged, and a movable pilot valve body for controlling the main valve body, characterized in that the main valve body and the pilot valve body are mechanically coupled together at least in one position relative to each other.
US08132587B2	Apparatus and method for introducing air into a hydropneumatic reservoir Apparatus for introducing air (3) into a hydropneumatic reservoir (1) connected to pipework (2) comprising a sensor (6) of the pressure in the reservoir, a valve (9) controlled by a signal from the sensor and opening into the open air on one side, a tube (8) connected at one end to the valve and at the opposite end to the pipework (2), a first check valve (11) arranged in the tube to prevent liquid from travelling towards the open air, and a second check valve (5) arranged in the pipework between the reservoir (1) and the tube (8), the second check valve (5) being in the closed state when the pressure in the pipework (2) on the side nearest the tube (8) is less than the pressure in the reservoir (1).
US08132585B2	Collapsible food protective enclosure A collapsible enclosure for protecting food from pests and debris comprises in one configuration at least two flexible structural beams, a cover having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least one opening and at least one flap attached above the opening. The flap is substantially larger in length and width than the opening and has ballast along its base to hold it flush against the at least one opening. In another configuration the collapsible protective food enclosure comprises three or more resilient structural frame loops, a cover having at least one opening and a flap. The structural frame loops are affixed within the cover forming walls. The flap is attached above the opening and has a resilient structural frame loop affixed along its perimeter to allow the flap to fit flush against the at least one opening.
US08132583B2	Method of forming a raintrough for a recreational vehicle awning A raintrough support clip includes a generally cylindrical main body made from an elastically resilient material, and having a circumferential gap to facilitate mounting of the main body around the awning reel of a recreation vehicle awning assembly of the type having a flexible valance sheet extending downward from the outer edge of the awning reel. The raintrough support clip also has an outrigger member extending outwardly from a lower region of the main body, with an upturned portion forming a generally U-shaped space between the outrigger and the main body. When a suitable number of the raintrough support clips are mounted along the length of the awning reel, the valance sheet may be readily deformed to form a rainwater drainage trough for receiving runoff from the awning. The drainage trough thus formed will carry runoff to one or both ends of the awning reel, thereby preventing the runoff from falling over the awning reel and forming a runoff curtain therebelow.
US08132580B2	Substrate processing system and substrate cleaning apparatus including a jetting apparatus A substrate processing system that enables foreign matter adhered to a rear surface or a periphery of a substrate to be completely removed. A substrate processing apparatus performs predetermined processing on the substrate. A substrate cleaning apparatus cleans the substrate at least one of before and after the predetermined processing. A jetting apparatus jets a cleaning substance in two phases of a gas phase and a liquid phase and a high-temperature gas towards the rear surface or the periphery of the substrate.
US08132575B2	Hair holder A hair holder including a tube configured to allow a hair bundle to be inserted from a one-end opening toward an other-end opening. The hair holder is designed to allow hair treatment to be applied inside the tube to the hair bundle by supplying a hair treating agent into the tube. A hair-treating-agent leak-prevention member is provided on an inner-surface side of the tube in the vicinity of the one-end opening, the hair-treating-agent leak-prevention member achieving an effect of preventing leakage of the agent when pressed against the hair bundle.
US08132568B2	Paired artificial nails A preformed artificial nail assembly having a pair of artificial nails sized to correspond to at least a portion of said natural nail, and an application tab assembly extending between the pair of artificial nails. The application tab assembly includes a body portion and a neck portion adjacent each said artificial nail, said neck portion being disposed between the body portion and the distal end of the artificial nail. The application tab assembly may include an area of weakness that allows the assembly to be separated into two separate tabs, one adjacent each of the artificial nails of the pair. The user may utilize the application tab assembly as a single unit to place the nails, or separate the assembly into to separate tabs to allow the user to place the nails utilizing separate tabs.
US08132567B2	Sleep appliance A dental oral appliance for use with patients who suffer with sleep disorders, to reduce or eliminate snoring or obstructive sleep apnea and to open the airway for a sleeping patient. Retention for the appliance is provided by an occlusal coverage of the upper or lower teeth. A raised incisor ramp that extends from the incisal tip of the incisors toward the lingual, or posterior ramps, separate the posterior teeth to open the airway. A transpalatal member, which extends from the lingual of the right molars to the lingual of the left molars, inhibits the upward and backward movement of the tongue. The transpalatal member may be curved and may slidably fit in the body of the appliance. A posterior tongue restrainer may be attached to the transpalatal member.
US08132565B2	Inhaler for powdery substances The invention relates to an inhalator (1) for powdery substances (33), especially medical substances. The inhalator comprises a substance reservoir chamber (27) and a metering chamber (34). The metering chamber is configured as a crossbore (35) of a rod (36) and can be displaced from a filling position (B) to a discharge position (E), in which discharge position (E) the metering chamber (34) is positioned in an air flow channel (21). The aim of the invention is to improve said inhalator, especially with regard to the filling or emptying of its metering chamber, even when particles of smallest dust-like grain size are used. For this purpose, at least a part of the reservoir chamber wall (28) is displaced in the direction of the rod (36) when the inhalator (1) is actuated.
US08132556B2	Ignition energy management with ion current feedback to correct spark plug fouling A system and method for operating an engine having ionization signal sensing include detecting plug fouling and controlling the engine using progressively more aggressive control strategies if the fouling condition persists. A first control strategy may be used when the number of engine starts or running time are below corresponding thresholds and a second strategy otherwise. The first strategy may employ progressively more aggressive control procedures to eliminate spark plug deposits that may include repetitive sparking, exhaust cycle sparking, increasing engine loading, advancing spark timing, increasing air/fuel ratio, and increasing idle speed, for example. The second strategy may include similar corrective actions employed in a different order and/or to a lesser degree in an attempt to eliminate plug fouling without any noticeable change in engine operation or performance as perceived by the vehicle operator. The control strategies may be applied to individual cylinders, cylinder banks, or all cylinders.
US08132553B2	Recoil starter system A recoil starter system and method. The system may include a drive member, a pulley member, and a spring member. The drive member may include a first retainer, and the pulley member may include a second retainer, the retainers being engageable to connect the drive member and the pulley member and to inhibit relative axial movement between the pulley member and the drive member. The spring member may be configured to absorb and limit the variations in the pulling torque produced by the engine resulting in a smooth and constant pull force.
US08132550B2	Roller bearing, camshaft support structure, and internal combustion engine A needle roller bearing (21) as a roller bearing comprises an outer ring (22) formed by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped outer ring members in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of needle rollers (23) arranged along the inner diameter surface of the outer ring (22), and an oil groove (22i) extending in a circumferential direction so as to contain a position opposed to an opening (13e) of an oil path of a housing is formed in the outer diameter surface of the outer ring member.
US08132548B2	Engine valve control system and method A method of operating an engine including at least a cylinder and a valve controlled by an electric valve actuator is disclosed. In one example, a valve holding current is determined during movement of the valve. The method may be useful for determining individual holding currents for specific valve actuators.
US08132546B2	Control strategy for multi-stroke engine system An engine system and a method of operation are described. The engine may be operating in two-stroke and four-stroke modes while still maintaining a target exhaust air-fuel ratio.
US08132541B1	Rotating hairbrush device A rotating hairbrush device featuring a base; a brush component, the bottom portion pivotally attached to the base, the brush component can pivot in a first direction and a second direction and be secured in various positions forming an angle with respect to the base; a shell with bristles removably attachable to the upper portion of the brush component; a guard component attached to the bottom portion of the brush component, the guard component extends outwardly from the brush component and together with the brush component the guard component sandwiches a portion of the bristles, wherein teeth are disposed on a first side edge of the guard component; and a motor disposed and flexible drive shaft that function to drive rotation of the upper portion of the brush component.
US08132540B1	Trimmer Disclosed is a palm-held device having a cutting assembly which exposes blades on two edges simultaneously to enable a user to cut a target's hair or fur with either edge by moving the device in the desired direction.
US08132534B2	Overflow device for water tank An aquarium overflow device is capable of preventing inadvertent supply of water in an aquarium from being supplied to an outside during, e.g., power failure. An aquarium overflow device is for supplying the water in an aquarium to an external device outside the aquarium. The device is equipped with a reversed U-shaped siphon pipe for supplying the water in the aquarium to an outside of the aquarium, the siphon pipe having an inlet side end portion disposed in the aquarium and an inlet side end portion disposed with the outlet side end portion disposed outside the aquarium, a suction device for sucking an inside of the siphon pipe, the suction device being connected to an upper portion of the siphon pipe, and an air introduction device for introducing air to an upper portion in the siphon pipe when suction by the suction device stops.
US08132533B2	Overflow device for water tank An aquarium overflow device capable of preventing adverse effects by suction noise of an overflow pipe. The aquarium overflow device according to the present invention is equipped with a water storing portion 52 for storing water W in an aquarium, an overflow pipe 54 extended upwardly in the water storing portion 52 and having an upper end opening for introducing the water W stored in the water storing portion 52 and a lower end opening for discharging the water which is open to a bottom wall side of the water storing portion 52, and a sound preventing cover 47 provided in the water storing portion 52 so as to cover the entire region of the above-water portion of the overflow pipe 54.
US08132529B2	Applicator for automatic discharge of a corrosion preventative to a sensor surface An applicator and method of discharging a corrosion preventative. The applicator controllably and uniformly applies a corrosion preventative to a surface that has a sensor instrument mounted thereon. The applicator comprises a reservoir block that defines an interior reservoir that is configured to contain an amount of the corrosion preventative. The applicator further comprises a plate attached to the top of the reservoir block. The plate includes a sensor guide that extends outward from the top surface which is configured to engage the surface. Discharge tubes attach to the plate and extend outward from the plate in a pattern around the sensor instrument, wherein the tubes operatively communicate with the reservoir. A proximity sensor which is positioned within the sensor bore is configured to sense and to signal a presence of the sensor instrument positioned within the sensor bore. In response to the signaling of the sensor instrument position within the sensor bore, the discharge tubes uniformly discharge controlled amounts of the corrosion preventative onto the surface.
US08132528B2	Rotary pan Described is a rotary pan (1) of the type comprising a central hollow cylindrical body (3) with end portions (4, 4′) shaped substantially like truncated cones, and mixing/deflecting means (7) attached to at least one inside surface of the pan (1) itself; the peripheral inside cylindrical surface (5) of the hollow body (3) comprises an extended zone (A) defined by a uniform distribution of through holes (6) and at least one zone (B) within the zone (A) forming an area by which the mixing/deflecting means (7) are attached or fixed to the peripheral surface (5).
US08132525B2	Ocean thermal buoyancy and propulsion system A water navigable vessel or glider can transport cargo across oceans and other bodies of water without the use of fossil or nuclear fuels. The vessel includes a housing, a cargo or payload area within the housing, one or more control fins attached to the housing, a ballast within the housing, an expandable and contractible container configured to receive a clathrate and maintain a minimum amount of pressure on the clathrate within the housing in proximity to the ballast, and an intake valve coupled to the ballast. The clathrate changes state, thereby changing the buoyancy of the glider, and causing the glider to move through the body of water.
US08132522B2	Method and device for processing belt material The present invention relates to a method and to a device for processing highly flexural material in strip form. In order to provide a method and a corresponding device for processing highly flexural material 2 in strip form with optimization of working processes and increased production reliability, it is proposed that, in a method for processing highly flexural material 2 in strip form with a first and a second end region 10, 16, in particular of textile belt material 2, the two end regions 10, 16 of the highly flexural material 2 are essentially processed simultaneously, wherein one of the types of processing includes at least one sewing operation. In this case, ensured and consistent quality is achieved with a shortened working cycle time.
US08132521B2	Volumetric metering system with sectional shut-off A volumetric metering system for a seeding machine is provided with movable gates disposed downstream from the meter roller but before the product enters a distribution system to selectively stop the flow of product through sections of the metering system. By placing the shut-off gate after the meter but before product enters the distribution system, there will not be a delay in stoppage of product flow while the meter empties of product. Furthermore, by locating the gate before the distribution system, the metered product is not mixed with the air stream or with additional products, causing a need for product redirection into a pressurized tank or separation of multiple products.
US08132520B2	Method and device for cooling a layer of bulk material on a conveyor grate A conveyor grate for the transport and cooling of bulk material, for example cement clinker, comprises a grate floor having multiple planks (12), adjacently situated transverse to the direction of transport on associated support structures and operationally moved longitudinally relative to one another individually or in groups, with moving gaps (14) designed as blow openings situated therebetween, and a method for operating such a conveyor grate. The mutually facing side edges or side edge regions of two adjacent planks (12) form two complementary, mutually engaging profiles between which the moving gap (14) is formed. In the method according to the invention, at least a quantity of the cooling air is blown through the moving gaps (14) which is sufficient to blow the moving gaps (14) completely open.
US08132519B2	Interlocking, interchangeable support base system A support system comprises a hub comprising a channel, a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel, and a washer that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel, wherein a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection therebetween when the hub, the leg, and the washer are connected together. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprises inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween, connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel, and exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub.
US08132518B2	Substantially linear vertical lift system A substantially vertical lift system is disclosed herein. The substantially vertical lift system is comprised of a platform, base, and a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is designed to displace the platform in a substantially linear manner, and if desired, in a position parallel to the base. Multiple lifting mechanisms may be used, and displaced either in a side-by-side or stacked orientation. The configuration of the lifting mechanism is implementation dependent.
US08132517B2	Foldable table and a foldable bench A supporting portion for a foldable table or a foldable bench is described. The supporting portion includes a V-shaped assembly and a supporting brace. The V-shaped assembly includes two connecting rods and a sliding sleeve. Each of the connecting rods has a disconnected end and a connected end. The connected ends are connected to opposite sides of the sliding sleeve to form a unitary block. The sliding sleeve includes a front ring, a rear ring and a middle piece. The middle piece has a locking hole. The disconnected ends are rotatably connected to a pair of legs respectively. One end of the supporting brace is connected to the undersurface of the table or bench top, and the other end is adapted to slide through the sliding sleeve. The supporting brace has an elastic pin proximate to the other end. When the foldable table or bench is in unfolded position, the elastic pin is inserted into the locking hole.
US08132515B2	Railroad gondola car structure and mechanism therefor A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.
US08132514B2	Lap bar assembly with locking mechanism with locking in lap bar and grab bar positions A lap bar assembly with dual lap bar and grab bar functions. The assembly includes a locking mechanism and a lap bar pivotally mounted to the locking mechanism via a support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a ratchet wheel affixed to the support shaft. A pawl is pivotally supported within the locking mechanism on a pawl support axle parallel to and spaced apart from the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a trip cam pivotally attached to the lap bar support shaft. The locking mechanism includes a cam follower that selectively engages the pawl. The locking mechanism is configured to automatically first lock in a first position (or ride position) with the pawl engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel and then second lock in a second position (or released position) with the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel on an uplock surface spaced apart the ratchet teeth.
US08132513B2	Amusement park ride with a vehicle drive that decouples upon loss of power An amusement park ride with one or more evacuation zones. The ride includes a track with a rail defining a ride path. The ride path includes at least one evacuation zone along a first length of the track at a first height and a non-evacuation zone along a second length of the track with one or more portions at a second height greater than the first height. The track is sloped in the non-evacuation zone toward the evacuation zone. The ride includes a vehicle supported on the rail via roller elements such as load bearing wheels. The ride includes a drive assembly that provides a driving force to selectively move the vehicle along the ride path. The drive assembly is adapted to automatically disengage from the vehicle upon loss of power. The vehicle is free rolling upon loss of power to travel to the evacuation zone based on gravity.
US08132511B2	Tapered compressed powder charge for muzzleloader and black powder firearms A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.
US08132509B2	Color misregister amount detection method and apparatus for printed report In a printed product color misregister amount detection method, a reference register mark including a first color area portion with a predetermined width and a blank portion in contact with the first color area portion is printed in a reference color on a printed product to be printed by a multi-color printing press. A positional shift detection register mark including a second color area portion with a width smaller than that of the first color area portion of the reference register mark is printed in a color other than the reference color to have as a target position a position where the width of the second color area portion falls within the width of the first color area portion of the reference register mark. Density information representing a density of a color component which is of the same color as that of the positional shift detection register mark within a target range including the first color area portion and the blank portion in contact with the first color area portion of the reference register mark where the positional shift detection register mark has been printed is measured. A positional shift amount between the reference color and the color other than the reference color as a color misregister amount is obtained on the basis of the measured density information.
US08132506B2	Media processing device and control method for a media processing device A control method for a publisher that has a media drive for writing data to one side of a target disc, a label printer for printing on the other side of the target disc, media stacker for storing the target discs, and a media transportation mechanism for transporting the target disc at least any one of the media drive, the label printer, and the media stacker in response to a command from a host computer reports an error to a host computer when the target disc cannot be transported as instructed by the host computer.
US08132502B2	Cutting device for block-shaped food The present invention relates to a cutting device for block-shaped food, comprises a container main body, a tube-shaped cutting mechanism having a grinding plate, an extruding mechanism composed by a screw rod and an extruding sheet, and a sealing cover connected to the top end of the container main body. An accommodating chamber having a polygonal cross section shape provided inside the container main body is served to accommodate block-shaped food; the tube-shaped cutting mechanism is connected to the bottom end of the container main body so the grinding plate thereof is provided adjacent to an opening at the bottom end of the container main body, and the bottom end and the top end of the screw rod are respectively fastened and pivotally connected to the grinding plate and the sealing cover, and the screw rod is screw-fitted with the extruding sheet in the accommodating chamber; when a relative movement is generated between the container main body and the cutting mechanism, the extruding sheet is downwardly moved along the screw rod, so the food is pressed toward the grinding plate and the food is cut to a power, strip or thin-sheet status; when the extruding sheet is upwardly moved along the screw rod and the resilient buckling member is buckled on the buckling flange provided inside the sealing cover, when the sealing cover is separated from the top end of the container main body, the extruding sheet is also separated from the screw rod, so block-shaped food is able to be refilled.
US08132501B2	Complex high-density soybean grinder A complex high-density soybean grinder comprises a first filter unit and a second filter unit; a suction unit having a feeding tube for supplying soybeans; a lateral side of the suction unit being installed with a blower and a sound canceller so that soybean can enter into the suction unit; a feeding unit connected to the suction unit and the first filter unit; an electric controller serving to control the feeding unit; a regeneration barrel set connected to the first filter unit and the second filter unit for mixing and agitating soybean dregs from the first filter unit with water; and then the mixed dregs and water being fed into the second filter unit; a reuse barrel set connected to the first filter unit for feeding liquid from the second filter unit to the regeneration barrel set and then to the first filter unit through a pump.
US08132500B2	Humidity controlled food warming cabinet A humidified food warming apparatus is disclosed having a cabinet, a humidity sensor configured to measure a humidity level in the cabinet and a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature level in the cabinet. A humidity and a temperature controller is also included. A warming element warms the cabinet as well as a warming element cover configured to rest adjacent to the warming element. A water dispensing device controllably releases a quantity of water onto the warming element cover when the humidity sensor senses that the humidity level within the cabinet has decreased and when the warming element cover is sufficiently warm to evaporate the quantity of water released onto the warming element cover.
US08132497B2	Hydraulic machine, in particular hydraulic motor, and metering device comprising such a motor A hydraulic machine includes a casing with a body and a cover; a separation member which can make a reciprocating movement and defines two chambers; hydraulic switching elements including a distribution member; a compartment in the body of the casing connected to a pressurized-liquid inlet, and initiating elements including a pusher connected to the separation member, these initiating elements being able, at the end of the stroke, to cause a sudden change in the position of the switching elements, under the action of an elastic member to reverse the stroke. The distribution member has a distribution slide valve applied against a flat plate which is fixed relative to the body of the casing, the slide valve being able to slide in a fluid-type manner, without a seal, against the plate, which has orifices connected respectively to the chambers and to a liquid outlet orifice.
US08132495B2	Multilayer armor system for defending against missile-borne and stationary shaped charges An armor system for defeating rocket propelled grenade-type missiles and/or high velocity jets created by shaped charges directed at a vehicle includes a grid layer such as a net and/or an array of slats or bars (“RPG”) spaced from an outer surface of the vehicle by support members. The grid layer has a characteristic mesh size or bar/slat spacing to disrupt the missile firing mechanism. The system also has a shaped layer having a plurality of tapered members formed from a fiber-reinforced material, the tapered members positioned between the grid layer and the vehicle outer surface and having respective apex ends proximate the distant the grid layer and base ends, the tapered members defining with adjacent tapered members a plurality of depressions opening in a direction to receive an incoming conical portion of an unexploded RPG-type missile, or a jet emanating from an exploded RPG or other anti-armor device, and a layer of fiber-reinforced material abutting the base ends of the tapered members. The system may further include reactive elements disposed on surfaces of the tapered members defining the depressions to deflect impinging jets. The system may still further include one or more metal armor layers and one or more additional fiber-reinforced material layers disposed between the shaped fiber-reinforced material layer and the vehicle surface.
US08132494B1	Ballistic resistant composite article having improved matrix system An impact resistant rigid composite article comprising a fibrous layer comprising a network of filaments dispersed in a rigid matrix comprising one or more thermosetting resins and one or more thermoplastic resins which preferably include one or more initiating/compatibilization agents.
US08132488B2	Sheet cutting device and sheet post-processing device A sheet cutting device, including a cutting blade for cutting a bundle of sheets, while moving in a slanted direction compounded by a direction perpendicular to the surface of sheet and a direction parallel to the sheet surface; a supporting member for supporting the bundle of sheets in the vicinity of a cutting position; a pressing section to press the bundle of sheets against the supporting member in a direction reverse to a moving direction of the cutting blade and perpendicular to the sheet surface, and the pressing section to receive the cutting blade at the time when the cutting blade cuts the bundle of sheets; a cutting blade driving section to drive the cutting blade; a pressing section driving section to drive the pressing section; and a control section to release pressing of the bundle of sheets and retract the cutting blade, after the bundle of sheets is cut.
US08132487B2	Cutting sequence for net trimming a composite layup at an oblique angle To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.
US08132484B2	Sprocket cover arrangement for a hand-held chain saw A sprocket cover arrangement for a hand-held chain saw has a housing and a sprocket cover that has an opening and is connected to the housing. At least one stud bolt having a first end secured to the housing and having a second end that is a free threaded end is provided. The free threaded end projects through the opening of the sprocket cover to an exterior side of the sprocket cover when the sprocket cover is positioned in an operating position on the housing. A nut is screwed onto the free threaded end of the at least one stud bolt on the exterior side of the sprocket cover so as to secure the sprocket cover on the housing. The nut is secured captively, rotatably and with play in the opening of the sprocket cover.
US08132481B2	Parallel mechanism A parallel mechanism includes a base, actuators attached to the base, a plurality of arms coupled together in parallel, and a sensing device. Each of the arms has a first link, one end of which is coupled to the actuator, a second link through which the other end of the first link and a bracket are coupled together, a ball joint through which one end of the second link and the other end of the first link are swingably coupled together, and a ball joint through which the other end of the second link and the bracket are swingably coupled together. Each of the ball joints includes a ball stud including a ball-shaped head, a socket swingably holding the ball-shaped head of the ball stud, and a conductive member interposed between the ball-shaped head and the socket. The sensing device senses when at least one of the plurality of ball joints is loose, based on whether or not the ball stud and the socket are electrically continuous with one another.
US08132478B2	Motion guide apparatus A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves for receiving ball bearing elements, and a ball coupler including a flexible coupling member having a number of openings formed between spacers for receiving ball bearing elements, the ball bearing element is contacted with the ball nut at a contact point which is spaced from the inner peripheral surface of the ball nut for a spacing distance, and the ball bearing element is contacted with the screw shaft at a contact point which is spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft for a spacing distance that is preferably smaller than the spacing distance between the contact point of the ball bearing element and the ball nut.
US08132477B2	Ball screw device A ball screw device having a novel ball circulation structure suitable for a screw shaft with a large lead, optimum for downsizing and weight saving of a nut member, capable of being manufactured at low cost, and capable of exhibiting high reliability even under severe use conditions. In a ball screw device where a screw shaft and a nut member are screwed to each other through an intermediation of a large number of balls, a no-load ball path which forms an infinite circulation path for the balls is constituted by a no-load ball groove spirally formed in an inner peripheral surface of a through-hole of the nut member and by a pair of direction change grooves which communicatively couple a load rolling groove and the no-load ball groove to each other so as to complete the infinite circulation path as a closed loop.
US08132469B2	Ultrasonic flow meter with transducer assembly having a rotatable receptacle and elbow connector An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline. In an embodiment, the flow meter comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending to the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port. The transducer assembly comprises a piezoelectric capsule including a piezoelectric element. Further, the transducer assembly comprises a transformer capsule including a transformer. The transformer capsule is coupled to the piezoelectric capsule. Still further, the transducer assembly comprises a receptacle capsule coupled to the transformer capsule. The receptacle capsule includes a receptacle housing and a receptacle coaxially disposed within the receptacle housing. The receptacle is electrically coupled to the transformer. Moreover, the receptacle is rotatable relative to the receptacle housing between a first position and a second position.
US08132468B2	Flexural deformation sensing device and a user interface using the same A sensing device is provided for measuring flexural deformations of a surface. Such a sensing device may be used as a user interface in portable electronic devices. The sensing device comprises at least one cell. The cell comprises a first electrode, a central electrode, a second electrode, a first piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the first electrode and the central electrode, a second piezoelectric sensing layer placed between the central electrode and the second electrode, and a circuit connected to the first, second and the central electrodes. The circuit is configured to measure a first electrical signal between the first electrode and the central electrode, and a second electrical signal between the second electrode and the central electrode. At least one of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal is responsive to an external stress applied on the sensing device.
US08132467B2	Apparatus and method for monitoring wear of components A structure and method for instrumenting a component for monitoring wear in a coating. The method includes depositing a first thin layer of electrically insulating material, depositing a thin electrically conductive layer over the first electrically insulating layer, depositing a second thin layer of electrically insulating material over the electrically conductive layer. An overlying thickness of the coating material is deposited over the second thin layer of electrically insulating material. The thicknesses of the insulating and conducting layers is controlled to be small enough such that the overlying coating surface exposed to mechanical wear retains a desired degree of smoothness without the necessity for a separate planarization step.
US08132460B1	Laser induced bond delamination Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for creating bond delaminations in a controlled fashion within adhesively bonded structures. In one embodiment, a system for inducing a defect in a bond of a bonded article includes a laser and a laser processor head. The laser processor head includes a housing, a lens disposed within the housing, at least one magnet disposed within the housing, and at least one sensor disposed within the housing. The system is capable of applying a laser pulse of sufficient energy fluence to cause localized weaknesses in the bond.
US08132459B2	System and method to determine mechanical resonance of an accelerometer Systems and methods are provided for determining mechanical resonance of a sensor. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a bias voltage source configured to apply a bias voltage impulse signal to a terminal of the sensor and a zero crossing detector configured to detect zero crossing cycles of a sensor output signal response to the bias voltage impulse signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to determine the resonance frequency of the sensor based on the detected zero crossing cycles of the sensor output signal response.
US08132457B2	Nano-porous alumina sensor A nano-sensor including a substrate including pores formed thereon and a detecting mechanism for detecting changes in capacitance due to the presence of a substance. A method of measuring humidity by sampling air with the nano-sensor, detecting changes in capacitance, and determining the relative humidity of air. A method of detecting the presence of a substance by taking a sample with the nano-sensor, detecting changes in capacitance, and determining the presence of a substance. A method of making the nano-sensor by forming nano-pores on a substrate, and forming, on the surface of the substrate, a detecting mechanism for detecting changes in capacitance due to the presence of a substance.
US08132454B2	Sensor and device for examining sheet material, and sensor maintenance method Sensor components having sides facing the sheet material have one or a plurality of front elements which are detachable and replaceable with low effort. So in the case of wear of the sensor fronts, entire sensor components no longer have to be replaced but only individual front elements of the sensor component are replaced. The front elements do not contact the inner area of the housing and the sensitive measuring elements arranged therein. When the front elements are detached from the housing for maintenance, the measuring elements remain dustproof encapsulated in the housing of the sensor component. The front elements preferably have a comb structure which improves the transport of the bank notes at the transition between the sensor components.
US08132453B2	Method for analysis of pressure response in underground formations A reservoir pressure in an underground formation surrounding a well is analyzed based on a direct measurement of the pressure at the wall of the well using the permeability of mud cake on the wall of the well in the region in which the pressure measurement is made; determining the thickness of mud cake on the well of the well; determining the hydrostatic pressure in the well in the region in which the pressure measurement is made; calculating a pressure decay index from the mud cake permeability and thickness, the hydrostatic pressure and the measured pressure; and using the pressure decay index to analyze the measured pressure to derive the reservoir pressure.
US08132452B1	Method for sampling fluid from a well with a gas trap A low maintenance adjustable method for sampling fluid from a well using a gas analyzer, a fluid conditioner, and a gas trap. The gas trap can have a plurality of couplings, a plurality of hammer unions, a plurality of base manifold pipes, a base manifold flow line, a chimney pipe connected to the base manifold flow line, a controllable valve, a reducer connected to the chimney, an expansion chamber component connected to the reducer, a restrictor mounted to the expansion chamber component, and a conduit connection connected to the restrictor for engaging a conduit to flow a gas sample from the gas trap to a gas analyzer.
US08132448B2	Steam turbine test facility, low-load test method, and load dump test method A steam turbine test facility 1 includes a test steam turbine 2 which simulates the behavior of a real steam turbines 11 included in the steam turbine plant 10, and a motor-generator 4 connected to the test steam turbine 2. A control unit 5 included in the motor-generator 4 controls the motor-generator 4 to change the rotational speed of the test steam turbine 2 based on an arbitrarily set speed change pattern. The speed change pattern is set such that the test steam turbine 2 in the load disconnection state simulates a time-profile of the rotational speed of the steam turbines 11 with the load disconnected.
US08132443B2	Microfabricated gas chromatograph The present invention is generally directed to a microfabricated gas chromatograph column having two patterned substrates, each optionally having a stationary phase material coating, bonded together to provide a continuous flow channel. The flow channel can have a serpentine arrangement or a modified serpentine arrangement comprising alternating series of consecutive turns in one direction where each series has enough turns to move carrier gas and analyte molecules from the center of the column cross section to an outer wall of the channel or from one outer wall of the channel to the opposite outer wall. Different portions of the substrates can be coated with differing thicknesses of stationary phase material and/or with different stationary phase materials. The column can have a circular cross-section or a semi-circular cross-section where the flat portion of the cross-section has grooves. Also disclosed is the related method of making the microfabricated gas chromatograph column.
US08132440B2	Roll bending device The invention relates to a roll bending device for the control of profile and flatness in the rolling of metal plates or strips. In particular the invention relates to the well known principle of roll bending by using hydraulic cylinders to modify the load distribution between rolls of a rolling mill stand and a rolled stock e.g. a metal plate or a strip in order to control the profile and flatness of the metal plate or strip. A special design to allow safe roll bending even at large roll gauges is presented. The new design allows safe operation even at large roll gauges and high side loads.
US08132436B2	Device for locking and unlocking a plug on a frame using a wrench The invention relates to a secured device for locking and unlocking a plug on a frame with a wrench. The device has an obstructing component that is mobile with respect to a plug and can be brought from an obstructing position to an unobstructing position in which the wrench can engage a rotor of a bolt when an identification code of the wrench, read by a reader, is in agreement with the code stored in an electronic module that is associated with the plug.
US08132431B2	Knitting machine Knitting machine, method of guiding a guide bar and guide bar drive for a knitting machine. Knitting machine includes a shogging drive, a swing-through drive, and at least one guide bar, which is moveable by the shogging drive in a shogging direction and by the swing-through drive perpendicular to the shogging direction. Further, a slide surface pairing has two slide surfaces oriented perpendicularly to the shogging direction, and the shogging drive acts on the guide bar via the slide surface pairing.
US08132429B2	Method for fabricating an optical fiber, preform for fabricating an optical fiber, optical fiber and apparatus The method for fabricating an optical fiber comprises the steps of inserting a primary optical fiber preform (11) having a first primary axis (x1) and an outer surface (111) into an overcladding tube (12) having a second primary axis (x2) and an inner surface (120), so that said outer surface and inner surface define an interior space (15); holding the primary preform (11) in a centrally inserted position within the overcladding tube (12) with said first and second primary axes (x1, x2) in substantial alignment with each other; supplying overcladding grain (13) into the interior space (15) that is limited at the lower end of the overcladding tube (12) by means of a closure (125); generating a condition of reduced pressure within the interior space (15) that is limited at the upper end of the overcladding tube (12) by means of an adjoiner (3), which holds the primary optical fiber preform (11) and the overcladding tube (12) in position; and heating the unprocessed secondary preform (1), that consists of the primary preform (11), the overcladding tube (12) and the overcladding grain (13), at its lower end to a softened state and simultaneously or subsequently drawing an optical fiber therefrom.
US08132427B2	Preventing gas from occupying a spray nozzle used in a process of scoring a hot glass sheet A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The scoring is conducted by a high energy means such as a laser. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in liquid used to quench the glass located in the nozzle (e.g., water). The gas (e.g., air bubbles) is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet, such as using a traveling anvil machine at the bottom of the draw. The spray nozzle (purge nozzle) has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location. The purge nozzle can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening in the nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway that enables a coolant to travel along the coil. This cools the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increases the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid in the nozzle. A gas filter can receive gas-rich quenching liquid from the pressurized quenching liquid source, remove gas from the liquid, and send gas-depleted quenching liquid to the spray nozzle.
US08132422B2	Cogeneration system A cogeneration system includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant is circulated for conducting a heat exchange with an exhaust heat generated by a power generation unit, a buffer tank provided at the coolant circuit and storing the coolant, a heating circuit including a heating power source and a heating terminal, the heating power source generating a heating water that is circulated to be supplied to the heating terminal, a heating water bypass circuit bypassing a flow passage of the heating circuit at a portion between an exit of the heating terminal and the heating power source, and a heat exchanging device performing a heat exchange between the heating water flowing through the heating water bypass circuit and the coolant.
US08132420B2	Variable evaporator water flow compensation for leaving water temperature control A method of controlling a refrigerant chiller system is particularly suited for chillers where the water being chilled (or some other liquid) flows through the chiller's evaporator at a flow rate that is variable and is not directly known. To effectively control the chiller and maintain the temperature of the water leaving the evaporator at a desired target temperature, the cooling capacity of the chiller's evaporator is estimated based the degree of valve opening of an expansion valve, a pressure differential across the expansion valve, and a change in enthalpy per unit mass of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. In some embodiments, the chiller system includes multiple refrigerant circuits that are hermetically isolated from each other.
US08132415B2	Fuel nozzle of gas turbine combustor for DME and design method thereof Disclosed herein are a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor for dimethyl ether (DME, CH3OCH3) and a design method thereof. The fuel nozzle includes a pilot fuel injection hole formed at the center of the nozzle and a plurality of fuel injection ports formed at equiangular positions around the pilot fuel injection hole to inject DME. Each of the fuel injection ports includes a pair of upper and lower DME injection orifices communicating with a fuel-air mixture injection swirler. The upper DME injection orifice becomes gradually wider, whereas the lower DME injection orifice becomes gradually narrower. Thus, DME can be optimally combusted in the gas turbine combustor, thereby achieving cost reduction of power plants, enhancement in reliability of the power plants, and diversification of usable fuel.
US08132411B2	Rankine cycle for LNG vaporization/power generation process A method and system for generating power in a vaporization of liquid natural gas process, the method comprising pressurizing a working fluid; heating and vaporizing the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in one or more expanders for the generation of power, the working fluid comprises: 2-11 mol % nitrogen, methane, a third component whose boiling point is greater than or equal to that of propane, and a fourth component comprising ethane or ethylene; cooling the working fluid such that the working fluid is at least substantially condensed; and recycling the working fluid, wherein the cooling of the working fluid occurs through indirect heat exchange with a pressurized liquefied natural gas stream in a heat exchanger, and wherein the flow rate of the working fluid at an inlet of the heat exchanger is equal to the flow rate of the working fluid at an outlet of the heat exchanger.
US08132410B2	Methods and systems for the production of hydrogen Methods and systems are disclosed for the production of hydrogen and the use of high-temperature heat sources in energy conversion. In one embodiment, a primary loop may include a nuclear reactor utilizing a molten salt or helium as a coolant. The nuclear reactor may provide heat energy to a power generation loop for production of electrical energy. For example, a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid may be heated by the nuclear reactor via the molten salt and then expanded in a turbine to drive a generator. An intermediate heat exchange loop may also be thermally coupled with the primary loop and provide heat energy to one or more hydrogen production facilities. A portion of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility may be diverted to a combustor to elevate the temperature of water being split into hydrogen and oxygen by the hydrogen production facility.
US08132407B2	Modular exhaust gas recirculation cooling for internal combustion engines An EGR system compensates for differing EGR flows and/or exhaust temperatures and can maintain the cooler exit temperature above the critical temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of EGR cooler fouling. A plurality of exhaust gas recirculation cooler modules is disposed between an exhaust gas passage and an air passage. The cooler modules receive exhaust gas from the exhaust gas passage and supply the received exhaust gas to the air passage for recirculation into an intake manifold. Each of the cooler modules includes a cooler portion, a bypass portion, and a flow control device. The cooler portion and the bypass portion are arranged such that fluid flowing through the cooler portion and the bypass portion flows therethrough without flowing through the other of the cooler portion and the bypass portion. The cooler portion reduces a temperature of the fluid flowing through the cooler portion.
US08132406B2	Tide activated device to operate a turbine generator A tide activated power system has a plurality of horizontally oriented cylinders that each have a pair of chambers. The cylinders are carried on float/weight barges that are located in a lagoon. A plurality of float/weight barges each have at least two cylinders in series. Each cylinder has a chamber holding a piston movable in the chamber defining a pair of variable size chambers: a flood variable size chamber and an ebb variable size chamber. As the float/weight barge rises and falls on the tide in the lagoon, the variable size chambers vary in size and force a working fluid to a turbine generator to create electrical energy. The piston of each of the multiple cylinders of the multiple barges forces combined to move the working fluid above the turbine generator where the flow drives the turbine generator prior to returning to the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, other mechanisms convert the energy from the rising and falling of the flow/weight barges to a non-uniform motion in one direction. The system can accumulate energy from the mechanism for converting the motion and converts the accumulating energy to another form of energy.
US08132403B2	Method of estimating quantity of N2O produced in ammonia oxidation catalyst and exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine An object of the invention is to estimate the quantity of N2O produced in an ammonia oxidation catalyst in a case where the ammonia oxidation catalyst is provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. In a case where an ammonia oxidation catalyst having the function of oxidizing ammonia is provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, the quantity of N2O produced in the ammonia oxidation catalyst is estimated based on the difference between a measurement value of an upstream NOx sensor provided in the exhaust passage upstream of the ammonia oxidation catalyst and a measurement value of a downstream NOx sensor provided in the exhaust passage downstream of the ammonia oxidation catalyst.
US08132399B2	Reflective pulse rotary engine A rotary engine includes a rotor having one or more combustion chambers connected to an exhaust passageway extending radially outward from the combustion chamber to an exhaust port adjacent a peripheral edge of the rotor. The exhaust gas is expelled at an angle to thereby generate cause the rotor to rotate. The housing may include reflective surfaces that reflect shockwaves from the exhaust gas back towards vanes on the rotor to thereby capture additional energy from the exhaust gas. The housing may also include stators that capture additional energy from the exhaust gas and rotate the rotor. An intake port fluidly connected to the combustion chamber is aligned with an opening in the housing as the rotor rotates to thereby allow comprised air to flow into the combustion chamber. As the combustion chamber rotates, it is closed off by a closed portion of the housing, fuel is injected, and ignited, to thereby generate exhaust gases and generate power. The engine does not include reciprocating components, and relatively few moving parts are required.
US08132388B2	Modular concrete building A modular concrete building is made of a plurality of precast concrete panels which may be assembled to provide a building. The panel sections include lower frame panels or support members, wall panels, floor panels, and roof panels. The building may be assembled by securing the floor panels to the support members, securing the wall panels to the floor panels, and securing the roof panels to the wall panels and to adjacent roof panels. The roof panels are made of precast concrete and include stiffening ribs.
US08132379B2	Ceiling panel with enhanced acoustics and texture A ceiling tile and a method of manufacture, wherein the ceiling tile has contrasting colors of texturized woven yarn and a coating, respectively, wherein individual colors of the yarn and coating are at different depths of surface texture, wherein color contrasts accentuate the surface texture depths to be viewed, and provide a desirable, unpredictable randomness of pattern of the color contrasts.
US08132378B2	Glass element for forming glass brick walls, and process for forming walls with said element A glass element for forming glass brick walls, which has an overall parallelepiped shape and side walls shaped to enable insertion-engagement with the adjacent elements.
US08132371B2	Modular furniture system A connector connecting different components of furniture is disclosed. The connector has a frame and an insert connected to the frame. The insert has a body, at least one prong attached to the body and at least one release mechanism attached to the body. The one or more prongs are sized and configured to fit within one or more recesses in at least one component of furniture. The one or more release mechanisms are attached to the body so that actuation of one or more of the release mechanisms causes one or more prongs to move.
US08132370B2	Self-draining threshold assemblies including a reservoir chamber Self-draining panel threshold assemblies including a reservoir chamber are discussed. The threshold assemblies comprise an interior sill portion, an exterior sill portion, and a drop-down chamber therebetween. The interior sill portion may include a condensation channel, which in one example, includes a roller track centrally positioned therein. The exterior sill portion includes a drain chamber and the reservoir chamber, where the reservoir chamber is positioned below and optionally to the exterior of the drain chamber. The drop-down chamber is partially defined by an elongate exposed weather-strip and an elongate covered weather-strip. In varying examples, a reservoir chamber height is equal to or greater than a water head height at a preselected wind load pressure. In certain examples, an effective threshold assembly height is less than or equal to ¾-inch, such as less than or equal to 1/2-inch. Methods and apparatuses related to the threshold assemblies are also discussed.
US08132366B1	Modular germinating apparatus The modular germinating apparatus provides a plurality of rods, each with an extendable insert whereby total length of the rod and insert is adjustable, the adjusted length selectively maintained by dual, outward pressed lock pins. Rods are positioned as chosen both horizontally and vertically between given objects, such as window sills. A plurality of planters with planter inserts is hung as chosen from the rods with extendable inserts, thereby providing for germinating a multitude of plants simultaneously, with great space efficiency. Each insert provides a plurality of individual compartments, each compartment having drain holes for draining excess liquids from the compartments to the planter below, thereby maintaining optimal germinating environments.
US08132362B2	Plant watering systems A system for dispersing water to the root zone of one or more plants beneath the soil's surface, comprising a perforated hollow cylindrical tube, ending in a spike, with an internal filter, which is driven into the ground to deliver water to the root zone of a plant or plants is disclosed.
US08132360B2	Self-watering and rotating Christmas tree stand The present invention provides a Christmas tree stand that is self-watering and rotatable. The self-watering system, that rotates with the tree, mainly includes a water reservoir, a hose, a water tank that holds on to the lower end of the tree, and a valve mechanism that automatically keeps the water in the water tank at optimum level. A rotatable tank assembly is driven by an electric drive motor on a stationary support assembly. Electrical power is passed from the stationary support assembly to the rotatable tank assembly through a slipping-ring connector. In the preferred embodiment, a remote control is provided to supply power for rotation of the rotatable tank assembly, including the tree, and the power receptacle on the rotatable tank assembly for suitable electrical loads, e.g., decorative lights, separately.
US08132359B1	Revolving solar powered flower pot saucer A flower pot saucer for receiving a flower pot or the like is provided. The flower pot saucer comprises a base having an outer surface and a flat annular top surface angled downward toward the outer surface. A revolving saucer is mounted within top surface of the base with the flower pot positionable upon the revolving saucer. At least one solar panel is positioned on the angled top surface of the base. A motor is mounted within the base and powered only by the solar panel with the motor connected between the solar panel and the revolving saucer and the motor causing the rotation of the revolving saucer wherein the junction of the outer surface and the top surface of the base creates an outer edge and wherein the angling of the top surface of the base allows any liquids or other debris spilled on the top surface to drain off the top surface toward the outer surface and over the outer edge.
US08132357B2	Fumigation of containerized cargo An apparatus and method for tarpless fumigation of containerized cargo within a shipping container is disclosed. A portable fumigation containment door is installed in covering relation with main rear opening of a standard cargo container. Pneumatic cylinders are actuated to secure the door in place, and an inflatable gasket extending around the perimeter of the containment door and is inflated to create an airtight seal between the cargo container and the containment door. The door is provided with a series of connection ports for receiving fumigant injection and sampling lines necessary for performing the fumigation process.
US08132356B2	Fishing lure manufacturing method A fishing lure manufacturing method is provided which includes automated and manual manufacturing methods for forming liquid plastic material into a lure having an embedded reinforcement. The method includes a rigid mold with a relief of the fishing lure to be created, and a rigid head pin and two rigid tail pins within the mold for holding an elongated reinforcement therein. A plurality of reliefs are arranged adjacent to one another in a mold. Reinforcement is strung between reliefs and around the pins forming an elongated V-shaped reinforcement within the lure relief. The relief is filled with liquid bait material, and the material encapsulates the reinforcement integrating it in the lure body as the material cures. The exposed reinforcement is cut away and the resulting lure has a head cavity at the base of the V-shaped reinforcement for alignment and insertion of a fishing hook.
US08132354B1	Universal bore sight A bore sight (10) is provided that can be used with many calibers of firearms (12) to align optical devices such as rifle scopes. The bore sight (10) has a housing (22) with a spring loaded arbor (26) extending from one end thereof. The arbor (26) has a tapered face (32) varying in diameter in a range including popular calibers, such as .17 to .50 caliber. The arbor (26) is inserted in the end (20) of the barrel (18) as far as the caliber of the barrel (18) permits. The arbor (26) then starts retracting into the housing (22) against a spring force to allow the magnetic alignment face (24) of the housing to move into contact with the end (20) of the barrel to align the bore sight (10) with the centerline of the bore (16). A laser (30) on the bore sight (10) then projects a laser beam aligned with the bore centerline, allowing alignment of the optical device. Bore sight (100) forms a second embodiment and does not have an arbor (26). The bore sight (100) is hand centered on the end of the barrel and is fixed thereto by the attraction of the magnetic alignment face (24) to the barrel (18).
US08132353B2	Laser sight A laser sight is disclosed, including a housing which defines a first central axis, an objective module, an eyepiece, an erecting system, and an adjusting member. The objective module is fixed to a first end of the housing, and the eyepiece is fixed to a second end of the housing, opposite to the first end. The erecting system is movably disposed between the objective module and the eyepiece and comprises a laser rangefinder defining a second central axis. The adjusting member is movably disposed on the housing and connected to the erecting system. During windage and elevation adjustments, the adjusting member moves with respect to the housing and impels the laser rangefinder, such that the first and second axes form an included angle.
US08132348B1	Muzzle-loaded rifle action breech assembly An action breech assembly features a one-piece action housing movable between a horizontal at rest position and a vertical cocked position to move a cocking plunger rearwardly as a result of a lateral offset between a pivot pin on which the housing is mounted and a plunger stop pin to which the plunger is attached. Pressure relief devices are provided for the powder chamber.
US08132338B2	Energy-efficient yankee dryer hood system A paper machine configured as a swing machine capable of producing both light and heavy grades providing a Yankee hood split into a wet end half and a dry end half, at least one hood half being a flex-hood half wherein the supply for that half is capable of being run with either combustion heat or recycled heat and is capable of either recirculating the exhaust from the hood or discharging it to the atmosphere. The heater for the flex-hood half comprises both a primary combustion heat source and an indirect heat source capable of extracting by-product heat from another operation. The exhaust system for the flex hood half is capable of being run in either a straight through mode or in a recirculating mode.
US08132335B2	Apparatus for checking the accuracy of a circular path of a machine tool performed by a work spindle and/or a machine table An apparatus for checking the accuracy of a circular path of a work spindle or a machine table, in particular an NC-controlled machine tool, includes a clamping element coaxial with the work spindle, a first rotary bearing disposed on the clamping element and coaxial with the rotation axis of the work spindle, a measurement arm with a first pivot bearing having a first pivot axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the clamping element, a length measurement system disposed in measurement arm with a glass rod with a marking and a reading device, an adjusting device receiving the measurement arm and having a second pivot bearing with a pivot axis aligned parallel to the first pivot axis, a second rotary bearing having a second rotation axis aligned parallel to the rotation axis of the work spindle, and a stator supporting the second rotary bearing.
US08132333B2	Pair of compasses Pair of compasses, having a first compass portion and a second compass portion which are connected together via a hinge having a locking device, which hinge comprises a hinge member mounted rotatably relative to the first or second compass portion, the locking device being spaced from the axis of rotation of the hinge member, the locking device having a threaded element generating a clamping force and cooperating with a nut (11, 12) in order to clamp the hinge member (13) in the locked state against the first and second compass portions, the clamping force acting perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hinge member (13).
US08132331B1	U-joint extracting tool and method of use therefor An apparatus that aids in the removal of heavy-duty universal joints or Spicer® joints is herein disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a metal plate approximately four (4) inches long and two-and-a-half (2½) inches wide. Two (2) outer apertures in the metal plate attach to the corresponding retaining bolt holes on an existing universal joint. The inner hole has a driver shaft driven by a three-quarter (¾) inch hex fitting. This driver shaft facilitates the removal of the joint caps of the universal joint. The apparatus is secure and will not slip or reposition itself while in use. When finished, the apparatus is removed from the drive shaft. The use of the apparatus allows for the removal of heavy-duty universal joints in an efficient manner.
US08132330B2	Bearing assembly and method of making a bearing assembly A method of making a bearing assembly and a bearing assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of extruding a support rail, providing a mounting surface on the support rail, mounting a bearing rail on the mounting surface and machining a bearing surface on the bearing rail. The bearing assembly includes an extruded support rail and a bearing rail. The bearing rail is of a harder material than the material of the support rail to which the bearing rail is mounted. The bearing rail further provides a machine polished linear contact.
US08132329B2	Method of assembling the roof of a cabriolet or convertible vehicle using a preassembly work stand that aligns outer roof components with roof frame and linkage components A method and tool for mass manufacturing convertible roofs having an outer shell, a frame and lateral linkage parts for supporting the outer shell, the outer shell including at least two outer shell parts is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an upper tool fixture and a lower tool fixture, aligning and assembling the frame and outer shell in the lower tool fixture such that the frame and outer shell are upside down, aligning and assembling connection members onto the frame part so the roof can fittingly engage the windshield frame when the roof is in a closed position, and lowering the lateral linkage parts onto the assembled frame and outer shell using the upper tool fixture.
US08132328B2	Method of making structural members A method of making a fibrous structural member including first, second, third and fourth portions, including folding first and second portions including continuous filaments about a first common fold such that the first and second portions are adjacent and substantially parallel to each other, folding a third portion about a second fold common with the first portion such that the third portion extends from the first and second portions at an angle thereto, and folding a fourth portion about a third fold common with the third portion such that the fourth portion is adjacent and substantially parallel to the third portion.
US08132325B2	Co-forged nickel-steel rotor component for steam and gas turbine engines A method of forming a rotor for a turbine engine such that the rotor is formed of two materials including: an inner disk formed from a first material, such as steel, and an outer ring formed from a second material, such as a nickel alloy, having a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the first material forming the inner disk. The ring may include an inner aperture having a conical shape, and the disk may have an outer surface with a conical shape and a diameter with a portion that is larger than a portion of the ring. The ring may be heated such that the aperture expands to a size greater than the largest diameter of the inner disk. The ring may be positioned over the disk and allowed to cool to allow the ring to be attached to the disk. The ring and disk may then be co-forged.
US08132319B2	Circuit connecting method The invention provides a circuit connecting method that can satisfactorily reduce connection resistance between circuit electrodes electrically connected via an anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection.The circuit connecting method comprises a step of preparing a circuit member 12 having circuit electrodes 12b formed on a glass substrate 12a, a step of preparing a flexible wiring board 14 having circuit electrodes 14b formed on a base 14a and provided with a solder resist 18 at the sections of the circuit electrodes 14b other than the sections that are connected to the circuit electrodes 12b, and a step of bonding the circuit member 12 to the flexible wiring board 14 via an anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 so that part of the anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 overlaps with part of the solder resist 18. The thickness h3 of the anisotropic conductive film for circuit connection 16 is no greater than the total of the height h1 of the circuit electrodes 12b and the height h2 of the circuit electrodes 14b.
US08132315B2	Method of manufacturing stator coil During sending the combined body 47 to the core member 6, the pre-orientation members 81 are respectively inserted into a plurality of the consecutive clearances 472 of a plurality of the clearances 472 formed between the adjacent straight overlap sections 471 of the combined body 47. By the pre-orientation members 81, the overlap of the straight portions 431 in the straight overlap section 471 and the pitch between the straight overlap sections 471 are aligned in advance.
US08132299B2	Cord safety device for a window covering A cord safety device for a window covering includes a first and a second body. The first body includes: a first pivot portion, disposed on a periphery; a first fixing portion, disposed on a periphery at a predetermined angle with respect to the first pivot portion; a first stop portion, disposed on an inner side of the first body and protruded towards the second body; a first recess, disposed on an upper periphery; and a guiding block, disposed on one end of the first stop portion adjacent to the first fixing portion, in which the guiding block has a guiding surface for guiding the cords. The second body includes: a second pivot portion, disposed corresponding to the first pivot portion; and a second fixing portion, disposed corresponding to the first fixing portion, thereby being separably fixed with the first fixing portion.
US08132296B2	Auxiliary handle device The invention is based on an auxiliary handle device, in particular for hand-held power tools, comprising a fastening unit which comprises at least one fastening mechanism. It is proposed that the fastening mechanism is provided in an axial direction of a fastening axis in order to achieve a positive connection.
US08132294B2	Snap hinge for furniture Snap hinge (10) for furniture comprising two articulated quadrilaterals elastically driven by at least two elastic means wherein at least one of said elastic means consists of a double spiral flexure spring stressed perpendicularly to the winding axis of the double spiral.
US08132293B2	Portable computer clutch structures A portable computer is provided that has a housing. Upper and lower portions of the housing may be joined using a hinge. A clutch mechanism may be associated with the hinge. The clutch mechanism may exhibit asymmetrical friction during opening and closing of the portable computer housing portions. Additional closing force may help to prevent the computer from having a lid that is too easy to close, without overwhelming the clutch with unnecessary friction. The clutch may have a clutch spring that is attached to a clutch shaft using a slot in the shaft. A lobe may be provided in the spring in the vicinity of the slot. A protective cap may be provided over the tip of the shaft to prevent damage to nearby wires. A friction band in the clutch may be used to directly engage an end of the spring.
US08132290B2	Block and tackle balance assembly with rotatable shoe A balance assembly for a sliding sash window, where a spring-loaded pulley arrangement is interconnected between the window frame and the window, to counter the weight of the window, and permit ease of opening and closing the window. The spring-loaded pulley arrangement is located within a housing, which also facilitates attachment of the shoe. The shoe of this balance assembly being rotatable between a first and a second position to permit fitting the assembly into the side of the window frame, when the shoe is in the first position, and to permit final installation of the assembly when the shoe in the second position. The shoe is retained in the first and second positions by detents. This rotatable shoe feature permitting installation, of the Balance Assembly of this invention, into a window frame at later stages of the window assembly sequence.
US08132288B2	Surface treating head assembly A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in the head. A cam arrangement is rotatably driven in the head. The cam arrangement includes a pair of cams, each having a plurality of cam faces, each cam face corresponding to respective predetermined vertical positions of the brush bar. Thus, the height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet.
US08132286B2	String cleaning system An apparatus may include a first support, a first cleaning material coupled to a first side of the first support, a second support rotatably coupled to the first support at a first edge of the second support, the second support defining a first opening disposed adjacent to a second edge of the second support opposite the first edge, a second cleaning material coupled to a first side of the second support, and a latch coupled to the first support, the latch to engage the first opening of the second support to maintain the first side of the first support in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to the first side of the second support.Some aspects include placing a second support between a musical instrument and a string coupled to the musical instrument, the second support defining a first opening disposed adjacent to a first edge of the second support, rotating a first support with respect to the second support to dispose the string between the first support and the second support, the first support coupled to a second edge of the second support opposite the first edge, and engaging a latch coupled to the first support with the first opening of the second support to maintain the first support in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to the second support.
US08132284B1	Toothbrush A toothbrush in which at least some of the bristles are linked together at their ends proximate to the head by a web in the toothbrush head, with a pad of a resilient elastomeric material adjacent to the web. When pressure is applied to the bristles this pressure is communicated to the web, and the web bears upon the pad, and communicates the pressure to the pad of elastomeric material. By the toothbrush excessive pressure between the teeth and the bristles during toothbrushing may be relieved.
US08132283B1	Cleaning apparatus A push broom that is constructed of a broom head that includes a broom plate for supporting bristles or the like and having a rest surface and a bristle support surface; an elongated handle attached to the broom plate of the broom head and for controlling a sweeping action of the broom head and a pivotal coupling member for mounting the elongated handle with the broom head. The pivotal coupling member has separate positions including a rest position in which the broom head rests on the rest surface of the broom plate so that the handle is substantially upright to maintain the broom free-standing and an action position in which the handle is pivoted relative to the broom head so as to enable the sweeping action of the broom head by a user.
US08132281B1	Fold out ramp A ramp assembly for providing a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface includes a ramp position that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is rotatably coupled about an axis to the ramp portion. The ramp assembly further includes a support member that supports a first end of the panel. An actuator drives the ramp assembly through a deployment motion having a first phase and a second phase. During the first phase, the actuator rotates the ramp portion about the axis. During the second phase, the actuator moves the axis in a downward direction.
US08132278B1	Sterile operating table extension A flat table extension is removably attached to one end of an operating table via a support mechanism that is connected with one of the operating table support legs.The support mechanism includes a pair of support posts, one of which is rotated from a first position parallel with the operating table to a second position lower than the operating table to lower the table extension as required.
US08132272B1	Toilet seat lifting system A toilet seat in a generally ring like configuration has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge. A slot has an input opening. The input opening is located adjacent to a peripheral edge of the toilet seat. A lift assembly has an interior section, an exterior section, and an intermediate section. The interior section is positionable into the slot. The exterior section is in a cylindrical configuration. The exterior section extends radially exterior of the toilet seat. The intermediate section is positionable adjacent to the peripheral edge of the toilet seat.
US08132270B2	Headband device for an oxygen mask The invention relates to a headband means (1) used for applying a breathing mask (2) in a user's facial area. Said headband means (1) comprises a flexible band body that is provided with upper and lower band portions (3, 4) and is used for transmitting the mask holding forces required for applying the breathing mask. At least some portions of the band body are made of a foamed plastic material. The invention further relates to an application device (102) for a breathing mask, comprising a headband means which extends around the back of a user's head. The headband means encompasses a supporting structure (S) made of a material that can at least once be temporarily brought into a state in which at least some portions of the headband means can be individually adjusted to the shape of the back of the user's head.
US08132269B1	Matched pair of protective baseball batting gloves for right handed and left handed batters to protect the side of the hand and the wrist facing a pitcher with protective shock absorbing members on the exterior of the glove A novel protective batting glove which is used specifically for protecting the most vulnerable parts of a batter's hands and wrists when the batter is standing at home plate and is gripping the end of a baseball bat and awaiting the arrival of a baseball which is thrown by the pitcher. The invention comprises a unique protective system of a design of a matched pair of batting gloves with one matched pair designed for a right handed batter and one matched pair designed for a left handed batter. For each matched pair of batting gloves, impact and shock absorbing material is incorporated onto selected portions of the exterior of the glove where the grip on the bat causes the hand to be most exposed to a pitch thrown at the batter. Alternatively, the glove has a cuff with an affixed interior impact and shock absorbing material to provide double protection for the ulna bone of an arm.

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