| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08142191B2 |
Ceramic/metallic dental abutment
A ceramic/metallic dental abutment for use with an implant, the abutment generally including a ceramic body portion having a base region, a transgingival region, and a supragingival region. The base region includes an anti-rotational implant interface, such as an external polygonal fitting, for engaging a cooperating internal polygonal fitting of an implant to prevent relative rotation between the abutment and the implant. The ceramic abutment body portion additionally includes a metal implant contact portion for contacting the implant and providing a load-bearing, metal-on-metal interface between the abutment and the implant. |
| US08142187B2 |
Method and apparatus for digitally evaluating insertion quality of customized orthodontic arch wire
A method and apparatus is provided for digitally checking the insertion quality of a target customized virtual arch wire designed during treatment planning prior to actually manufacturing the target arch wire. The method includes the steps of digitally simulating the insertion of the customized target virtual arch wire into the virtual brackets placed up on virtual teeth of a patient in an initial state of interest for checking if the arch wire could be inserted into the virtual brackets without conflicts or collisions. The initial state may be a malocclusion state or any intermediate treatment state of the patient. In the event the target virtual arch wire would cause conflicts, then the simulation optimizes the arch wire design in an attempt to eliminate the conflicts. In another aspect, a method is provided for selecting the recommended starting point for inserting the customized arch wire in the brackets placed on the dentition of the patient in the initial state. |
| US08142185B1 |
Injection mold forming a product having a barbed structure
A mold for making a product having a barbed structure at an intermediate position thereof has a stationary mold including a fixing board, a mold board, a core, an oblique block, a limiting element, and an elastic element. The mold board has a trough and a limiting chute. The core has a cavity and a slide chute. The oblique block having a hole communicating the cavity is movably disposed in the slide chute. An end of the block is extendable out of the cavity and an opposite end forms an accommodating hole. The limiting element includes a limiting end extending into the accommodating hole and a fixing end movably disposed in the limiting chute. The elastic element of which one end is against the accommodating hole and an opposite end is set against the trough is disposed in the accommodating hole. |
| US08142183B2 |
Hot runner including nozzle-support structure
Disclosed is a hot runner (100), including: a first plate (102) having a first-plate alloy; a second plate (104) having a second-plate alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the first plate (102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate (102) defining a manifold pocket (213); a manifold (224) being supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle assembly (400) being supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold (224); and a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly (400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load (150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104). |
| US08142179B2 |
Stereolithography apparatus
A stereolithography apparatus that is configured to fabricate a three-dimensional model by forming a cured layer by irradiating an interface of a photocurable resin with light corresponding to sectional data of the three-dimensional model and stacking the cured layers includes a container holding the photocurable resin and having a constraining window configured to constrain the interface of the photocurable resin; a vertical movement table movable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the interface of the photocurable resin; an optical system configured to form the cured layer between the vertical movement table and the constraining window by irradiating the interface of the photocurable resin with light through the constraining window; and a position constraining mechanism configured to substantially flatten the constraining window by applying a force to the constraining window from the outside of the container when the cured layer is formed by the optical system. |
| US08142169B2 |
Variable geometry ejector
An ejector for a turbine engine is described herein. The ejector may include a variable geometry motive nozzle and a variable geometry mixing tube positioned downstream of the variable geometry motive nozzle. |
| US08142168B2 |
Vibration-driven droplet transport devices having textured surfaces
Methods and devices for moving a droplet on an elongated track on a textured surface using vibration. The elongated track on the textured surface includes a plurality of transverse arcuate projections such that a droplet on the surface is in the Fakir state and when the surface is vibrated the droplet is urged along the track as a result of an imbalance in the adhesion of a front portion of the droplet and a back portion of the droplet to the textured surface. |
| US08142157B2 |
Separable blade for wind turbine
To provide a light and economical separable blade for a wind turbine that is also equipped with a lightning rod function. A separable blade for a wind turbine wherein the blade as a whole is assembled by connecting two electrically non-conductive part blades 1T and 1R in the lateral direction, comprising metal fasteners 4, 5, 6, and 7 for fastening together the two adjacent part blades, and lightning discharge conductive wires 8 and 9, provided in an inner blade portion. The fastener 4 is exposed on the blade surface of the part blade 1T, and is connected to the lightning discharge conductive wire 9 through the other fasteners 5, 6, and 7, or a lightning discharge conductive wire 8. The lightning discharge conductive wire 9 extends to the blade root. |
| US08142146B2 |
Steam turbine
A steam turbine has a stationary section, a turbine rotor, nozzle diaphragms, and a nozzle box. The stationary section includes a casing. The turbine rotor includes moving blade stages arranged in an axial direction. Each of the moving blade stages is provided with moving blades arranged in a circumferential direction, and rotatably provided in the casing. Each of the nozzle diaphragms has turbine nozzles arranged in the circumferential direction provided substantially coaxially with the turbine rotor by being secured to the stationary section. The nozzle box is supported on the stationary section and arranged at an upstream part of the moving blade stages substantially coaxially with the turbine rotor so as to lead steam flowing toward the turbine moving blades. The nozzle box holds at least two stages of the nozzle diaphragms. |
| US08142145B2 |
Riser clamp for pumps for pumping molten metal
This disclosure features a transfer pump for pumping molten metal having a riser with a reusable socket. The pump includes a motor, support structure above a molten metal bath, a motor driven shaft and an impeller on an end of the shaft rotatable in a base. A riser made of refractory material extends from a transfer opening in the base to the support structure. The riser has a passageway for molten metal along a length of the riser. A clamp has a first clamp portion fixedly connected to the support structure and a second clamp portion that is pivotable with respect to the first clamp portion. A fastener is used to open and close the clamp. Sections of a split socket each have a flange and a body portion. The socket is received in the clamp such that the flanges of the socket are disposed above the clamp, and when the clamp is closed the socket holds the riser. |
| US08142144B2 |
Turbine engine for aircraft
Disclosed is an aircraft turbine engine. The turbine engine includes an air intake having a tubular internal wall and a fan enclosed by a tubular fan casing, and the rear end of the said air intake internal wall and the front end of the fan casing are joined together by at least one fastener. The air intake internal wall, the fan casing, or both, are comprised of a resin/fiber composite. The rear end of the air intake internal wall and the front end of the fan casing are uniform, and have no projections that join the internal wall and casing together. |
| US08142142B2 |
Turbine transition duct apparatus
A gas turbine transition duct apparatus is provided comprising first and second turbine transition ducts and a strip seal. The strip seal may comprise a sealing element and a spring structure. |
| US08142140B2 |
Fan unit, electronic apparatus with fan unit, method of opening/closing shutter of fan unit, and shutter
There is provided a fan unit including a shutter capable of closing the shutter despite a change in installation direction of the fan unit, an electronic apparatus including such fan unit, a method of opening/closing the fan unit, and the shutter. In the fan unit with the shutter, the shutter is opened and closed in different directions according to the installation direction of the fan unit. |
| US08142135B2 |
Semi trailer dolly
A dolly is disclosed for a semi-trailer that has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. The semi-trailer dolly can also be used to extricate a semi-trailer stuck under a bridge without damaging the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the dolly is configured to provide transverse support of a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of the semi-trailer and the front of the semi-trailer. More particularly, the dolly is configured to provide a uniform transverse lifting force to a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of a semi-trailer and the front of a semi-trailer where a structural failure of the semi-trailer is likely to occur. The semi-trailer dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled cart that includes lifting mechanisms. The removable saddle can be removed from the wheeled cart and positioned under the trailer. Tow truck boom winches connected to opposite sides of the saddle can then be used to lift the saddle and thus the trailer to enable the wheeled cart to be put in position under the saddle. Once the wheeled cart is positioned under the saddle, adjustable lifting mechanisms on the wheeled cart enable the height of the saddle to be varied. The lifting mechanisms are then used to level the floor of the semi-trailer and provide support for the floor of the semi-trailer 24 so that the breached semi-trailer can be transported by a tractor. The wheeled cart may include self steering wheels which facilitate transport of the breached semi-trailer by a tractor. |
| US08142134B2 |
Transportable bin or like object
A transportable apparatus has a main body in a working position with a bottom end resting on the ground. The bottom end of a frame is pivotally attached to the main body above the bottom end of the main body and the frame is aligned with a side of the main body. An actuator pivots the frame downward about the pivot axis to a transport position where the frame extends substantially horizontally away from the main body. Wheels support the frame and a hitch at a top end of the frame is adapted for connection to a tow vehicle when the frame is in the transport position. When the frame is connected to a tow vehicle, the actuator can be operated to pivot the main body downward about the pivot axis to a lowered transport position where the main body rests on the frame for transport on the wheels. |
| US08142133B2 |
Integrated tray converter
A method and system for converting mail between trays in a multiple pass mail sorting system using a plurality of different tray types. Mail from a first type of tray is unloaded and stacked along with mail from other trays to form a large stack. The large stack of mail is then broken down into smaller stacks which are transferred to one of several outputs where the mail is loaded into different types of trays. |
| US08142129B2 |
Method and apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a laundry treatment device, in particular a mangle
Items of laundry have to be stretched out by a spreading device (14) before they are inserted into a mangle or any other laundry treatment device. To this end, the spreading device (14) has spreading clips (15) which can be moved away from one another. In the case of relatively large items of laundry, the spreading clips (15) have to cover a relatively large distance in order to spread out the item of laundry. This reduces the insertion rate. The invention provides for the items of laundry to be preliminarily spread out before being passed to the spreading clips (15), so that the spreading clips (15) receive the item of laundry in a state in which it is already virtually spread out. The spreading clips (15) only have to cover a small residual distance in order to spread out the item of laundry completely. As a result, the spreading device (14) can spread out the item of laundry very quickly. It is particularly advantageous to measure the width of the item of laundry and to then preliminarily spread out the item of laundry as far as possible as a function of the measured width. |
| US08142126B2 |
Multi-piece fastener with self-indexing nut
According to a preferred embodiment, a multi-piece fastener with self-indexing nut is disclosed. The multi-piece fastener is designed for use in low clearance areas such as aircraft wing side-of-body joint locations. The multi-piece fastener comprises a stud comprising an elongated part extending between a first end face and a second end face, a threaded head fastener, a threaded tail fastener, and a wrenching feature. A self-indexing feature is provided on the stud and head fastener which allows automatic orientation of the head fastener with respect to the stud. |
| US08142124B2 |
Methods and systems for captive fastening
Methods and systems for an integrated captive fastener system is provided. A system includes an integrated nut assembly configured to be tethered to a first structure, the nut assembly including at least one of a lock washer and a flat washer coupled to a nut using a retainer, and a bolt configured to be tethered to at least one of the first structure and a second structure, the nut assembly configured to be threadably couplable to the bolt. |
| US08142122B2 |
Plastic anchor for drywall, plaster, brick and concrete
An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material. |
| US08142120B2 |
Large tower railroad transportation system and method
A system for transporting tower with a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion, using a railcar with a deck for carrying a load. The system includes a first support means for disposition between the railcar and the tower at a first location, and that is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a first saddle assembly with a base for resting upon the deck of the railcar, and a saddle that conforms to the shape of a large tower. The saddle assembly is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a spacer assembly, for disposition between the saddle of the first saddle assembly and a second location along the elongated portion of the tower, and that has a saddle rest that conforms to the shaped of the saddle, and that has a spacer saddle that conforms to the shape of the elongated portion of the tower at the second location. |
| US08142117B2 |
EZ key registration assembly
A locating system and method for accurately positioning key blanks with respect to a key cutter where the key head is clamped between opposing jaws with the key blade working edges projecting therefrom, the key head is provided with shaped recesses having at least a partially specifically shaped edge wall and wherein at least one jaw member is provided with a projection having a correspondingly shaped sidewall, the pin being positioned with respect to the clamp such that when the key blank head is abutted against the pin with the key blank edge configuration mating to the pin sidewall configuration, the key blade will project from the jaw in a proper position for engagement by either the bitting follower or bitting cutter respectively. |
| US08142116B2 |
Tool for rotary cutting machining
A tool for rotary cutting machining includes a tool body and a replaceable cutting head detachably attachable to the tool body. At its front end, the tool body is provide with two coupling legs projecting in an axial direction. The respective coupling leg is provided with a stop surface for transferring torque from the tool body to the cutting head, which stop surface is designed for abutment against a corresponding stop surface of the cutting head. The respective coupling leg is provided with a shoulder protruding from the stop surface of the coupling leg. The cutting head is provided with two shoulders facing the front end of the cutting head and arranged on opposite sides of the center axis of the cutting head, which shoulders border on a respective one of said stop surfaces of the cutting head and are arranged to extend in under a respective one of said shoulders of the coupling legs of the tool body when the cutting head is attached to the tool body, so as to thereby present the cutting head from being displaced in axial direction away from the tool body. The invention also relates to a tool body and a cutting head included in such a tool. |
| US08142114B2 |
Stationary power drill
A stationary power drill has a drill unit disposed in a tool housing is connected to a base vertically adjustably via a guide column and is vertically adjustable along the guide column by means of a drive unit. The drive unit includes a rotating drive shaft, and a compensation spring element engaging the drive shaft and braced on the other end on the tool housing. |
| US08142110B2 |
Anchor fixing agent, anchor fixing agent ampule, and method for fixing anchor
Provided are an anchor fixing agent which can fill up fine concave and convex portions present on the inner surface of a hole formed in a base material and can maintain great strength, in particular, even after the lapse of a long period of time; an anchor fixing agent ampule; and a method for fixing an anchor. An anchor fixing agent which comprises an alumina cement, a lime and/or a portland cement, and water. Preferably, it further comprises an agent for the retardation of setting and light magnesia. The anchor fixing agent ampule holds a solid component and a liquid component in the anchor fixing agent in the state wherein the components are separated from each other. |
| US08142109B2 |
Corrosion-protected, self-drilling anchor and anchor subunit and method for the production thereof
A corrosion-protected, self-drilling anchor and an anchor subunit and to a method for the production thereof is provided. A self-drilling anchor of the invention includes a number of anchor subunits, each with a hollow bar element, which are connected together by the formation of an axial bell butt joint to form a connected pull and pressure member. The first subunit t its end has a drill bit and the subunit is connected non-rotatably with its end to a drilling and injection device. It is provided according to the invention that each hollow bar element is surrounded by a sheathing except for its end sections and the annular gap between the sheathing and hollow bar element is grouted with a first corrosion protection compound. A coupler in the area of the bell butt joint fits tightly against the sheathings of the two hollow bar elements which are part of the bell butt joint. The hollow space between the coupler and hollow bar elements is filled with a second corrosion protection compound. A method of the invention provides for the prefabrication of a number of anchor subunits at the factory to drill these into the substrate at the site of the anchor to be produced and thereby for connecting them together with the formation of bell butt joints, whereby in the area of the bell butt joint a coupler fits tightly against the ends of two neighboring sheathings and the hollow space between the coupler and hollow bar element is filled with a second corrosion protection compound. |
| US08142100B2 |
Animal crossing warning zone and method of applying it to a roadway
This invention pertains to an animal crossing warning zone wherein a motorist is alerted that he or she is entering, passing through, and then exiting a section of roadway where wild animals, such as whitetail deer, have a tendency to cross the road. A method of applying the animal crossing warning zone onto, into or out of an upper surface of a roadway is also disclosed. |
| US08142098B2 |
Assembly member and method of manufacturing assembly member
Technology which enables a first member and a second member to be firmly fastened together is provided. A bar-shaped section is formed on the first member, a hole is formed in the second member, and the bar-shaped section of the first member is pressure fitted into the hole of the second member. Here, peak sections which extend intermittently in the axial direction or peak sections which extend obliquely with respect to the axial direction are formed in a repeating fashion in the circumferential direction, on the side face of the harder of the bar-shaped member and the hole. |
| US08142097B2 |
Ball joint
A ball joint comprises a ball stud having a stud portion at a middle thereof, a ball portion and a screw portion at opposite sides of the stud portion, and a seat surface portion facing the screw portion between the respective portions, and a bearing member into which the ball portion is slidably fitted so as to universally pivotably-support the ball stud, so that the stud portion is inserted through a mounting member, and a nut is screwed with the screw portion projected from the mounting member, and the seat surface portion abuts and is fastened to the mounting member by fastening the nut to the mounting member. The seat surface portion abutting the mounting member is subjected to a co-rotation preventing process which prevents the ball stud from co-rotating along with the nut when the nut is fastened. |
| US08142095B1 |
Sponge with soap sleeve and method of use thereof
A sponge-like device with an internal cavity for receiving a carrier for liquid and solid soaps. The exterior of the carrier has a variety of design models and shapes; however, the carrier is sized to receive a conventional solid bar of soap or an amount of liquid soap. The carrier has a plurality of drain holes to allow the soap solution, as it mixes with the water during bathing, to drain onto the sponge. The use of the device is for washing oneself, children, invalids, as well as for scrubbing household surfaces like decks and siding, and also for cleaning motor vehicles all without the disadvantages associated with separate sponges and soap material. |
| US08142091B2 |
Writing implement
A writing implement capable of eliminating troubles associated with the adoption of a grip member having an end surface inclined from a vertical surface perpendicular to a central axis of a shaft tube. The inclination angle α of a step-facing surface 5A of the grip member 5 is made smaller than the inclination angle β of an inclined step surface 12 of the shaft tube 10. A gap G is partially formed between the step-facing surface 5A and the inclined step surface 12 when a compressive force is not applied to the grip member 5. When the grip member 5 is compressed, the whole of the step-facing surface 5A is further inclined and comes into contact with the inclined step surface 12. Accordingly, even when the step-facing surface 5A of the grip member 5 is inclined for imparting excellent design to the writing implement, an acute-angled tip-end portion of the grip member 5 is prevented from moving along the inclined step surface 12 and rising from the surface of the shaft tube 10, thereby preventing the occurrence of the troubles. |
| US08142089B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet containing apparatus
A protecting member is detachably mounted to an inside of an apparatus main body so as to protect a protected member in the apparatus main body during transportation. A fixing member fixes a protecting member in a position to protect the protected member. The fixing member fixing the protecting member covers a part of an indicating portion, which displays operating instructions of the apparatus main body. |
| US08142087B2 |
Printing device with paper width detector mounted to carriage and method of controlling the printing device
An image printing device and a method of controlling the image printing device are provided. One embodiment of an image printing device includes a load unit that loads a plurality of overlapped printing media, a printing unit that performs a printing process for the printing media transported from the load unit, a moving unit that is movable in a predetermined main scanning direction, a printing medium detecting unit that is mounted to the moving unit and detects a signal relating to a presence of a printing medium, a position detecting unit that detects a position of the moving unit, and a control unit. |
| US08142084B2 |
Method for manufacture of dome cover, dome cover, and dome-type camera
A dome cover (6) is manufactured by injection molding by steps of: forming a cavity (14) having the shape of the dome cover (6) between an upper mold (12) and a lower mold (13) for an injection molding die (11), providing a gate port (16) for injecting melt resin at a position (of the upper mold (12)) corresponding to the zenithal portion (15) of the dome cover (6), and injecting the melt resin into the cavity (14) through the gate port (16). The resin injected from the center portion (the portion corresponding to the zenithal portion (15) of the dome cover (6)) of the cavity (14) flows uniformly toward the circumference of the cavity (14). Therefore, variations in pressure and temperature of the resin in the cavity (14) are restrained and, consequently, molding irregularity of the manufactured dome cover (6) is restrained. According to the method of manufacturing the dome cover as described above, generation of the partial molding irregularity on the manufactured dome cover is restrained. |
| US08142080B2 |
Sealed rolling bearing
A radially outer portion of the seal member is fitted in each of a pair of seal grooves formed in the radially outer surface of an outer ring at both ends thereof. A seal lip formed at the radially inner portion of each seal member is brought into elastic contact with an inner seal surface of each of annular grooves formed in the radially outer surface of an inner ring at both ends thereof. The contact portion of the seal surface that is in elastic contact with the seal lip has a circumferential flatness of 5 to 20 μm. With this arrangement, it is possible to improve sealability at the contact portions, thereby preventing entry of e.g. muddy water into the bearing. |
| US08142077B2 |
Bag structures and methods of assembling the same
A bag structure includes, in an example embodiment, a bag body including side walls having inner and outer surfaces, and the bag body further includes a top end and a bottom end. A closure member is coupled to the top end for opening and closing the bag body. A sealing material is applied to an area proximate at least one of a top edge of the side walls and a bottom edge of a portion of the closure member. An adhesive member is secured to the bag body. The adhesive member includes a reinforced section and an adhesive section. The adhesive member is configured to retain the top end of the bag body in a folded over relationship until the adhesive member is severed along the reinforced section. |
| US08142075B2 |
Foldable blank in use with a bag material for securing and retaining articles of evidence in tamper-evident fashion and including side configured evidence re-entry locations with additional tamper evident reclosure and recording features
A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured to first selected lacing surfaces of the pivotally connected panels and such that an interior of the bag is communicable through an aperture defined between the panels. The first and second panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items placed within the bag enclosure. Additional tamper-evident resealing structure is located along at least one facing side of the associated bag material, allowing documentable re-entry of the pre-sealed evidence bag. The tamper-evident resealing structure includes a re-closable and adhesives peel away flap, a reverse face of includes recordable information fields for documenting the particulars of the re-entry and subsequent tamper evident-resealing event. |
| US08142074B2 |
Radiation sensing device and holder
A system for holding and aligning a radiation sensing device is described. The system includes a radiation sensing device having a sensor engagement member. The system also includes a holder having a retention member including first and second retention guides connected with opposing ends of a back plate. The first retention guide also includes a complementary holder engagement member configured to mate with the sensor engagement member at a preset position. |
| US08142073B2 |
Snap-fit sensor assembly
A two-piece sensor assembly is disclosed comprising a sensor body insert having a thermoplastic sensor body molding that can be snap-fit into a thermoplastic sensor housing a spherical-type snap-fit eliminating leak paths or openings that may damage the sensor body. |
| US08142072B2 |
External stimulus indicator and indication method using the same
The invention provides an indicator excellent in constitutional simplicity and capable of indicating both the temperature of an article to be indicated and elapsed time at that temperature, as well as an indicator of simple constitution capable of indicating the level of deformation of the article by external force. Disclosed is an external stimulus indicator including a polymer composition composed of a polymer and a dye, wherein the polymer composition has the dye fixed in a specific molecular dispersion state in the polymer, and when kept at a temperature not lower than a specific temperature for at least a predetermined time or deformed to at least a certain level by external force, changes its color to a hue different from the initial hue thereof. |
| US08142070B2 |
Timepiece crown including an uncoupling mechanism
Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (32) including an uncoupling mechanism (1) comprising a rigid drive ring (4, 400) secured to the crown (32) and cooperating with at least one elastically deformable element (2; 200) secured to a pipe (12) to one end of which a winding stem is secured, the rigid ring (4; 400) driving the deformable elastic element (2; 200) in at least one rotational direction until the resistant torque opposed by said elastic element (2; 200) exceeds a threshold value beyond which said elastic element (2; 200) is deformed so as to interrupt the drive connection thereof with the rigid ring (4; 400), the elastically deformable element (2; 200) therefore having means for temporary coupling said element to said rigid drive ring (4; 400), the crown (32)) being characterized in that the elastically deformable element (2; 200) includes means for centering said element relative to the rigid drive ring (4; 400). |
| US08142066B2 |
Mixing device for synthetic leather to joint with a solid powder material
A mixing device for synthetic leather to joint with a solid powder material includes a material mixing unit and a stirring and conveying unit. The material mixing unit includes a mixing body and two feeders. The mixing body is connected with the two feeders and has a mixing chamber therein which is intercommunicated with the two feeders. The stirring and conveying unit is connected with the material mixing unit and has a stirring and conveying chamber therein which is intercommunicated with a solid material container and the mixing chamber. Thereby, a solid powder material, a first material and a second material are respectively disposed in the solid material container and the feeders, and then guided into the mixing chamber to be well mixed for forming a mixture. The mixture is manufactured to form synthetic leather containing the solid powder material. |
| US08142065B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device having the same
A backlight assembly includes at least one light-generating board, a light source driving board and a coupling board. The light-generating board generates light. The light source driving board provides control signals to the light-generating board. The coupling board is coupled via slot connectors to the light-generating board and the light source driving board to electrically connect the light-generating board and the light source driving board to each other. Thus, manufacturing efficiency may be improved in comparison with electrically connecting the light-generating board and the light source driving board through wires. |
| US08142061B2 |
Light guides, illuminated articles and devices
A side-emissive flexible polymeric light guide 1 is formed with a main body portion 6 and an integral attachment or anchoring element 7 that extends along its length for attaching the light guide 1 to an item. The attachment element 7 may be in the form of a flat strip of material which may be stitched to an item or may be formed for a snap-fit or in any other appropriate form, e.g. a rib and groove profile. The attachment element 7 is preferably opaque and co-extruded with the main body portion. The light guide may provide effective and simple to use trim and piping and may be used with bags, mobile phone pouches, clothing, furniture and signage. Various new mobile phone alert and signage systems are also disclosed which may, but need not, include a light guide having an integral attachment element. |
| US08142060B2 |
Light source and vehicle lamp
The disclosed subject matter includes light sources that have high use efficiency and a favorable bright distribution, and includes vehicle lamps that have both a favorable light distribution pattern and a capability of being simply composed by using the LED light sources. The light source can include a base board, at least one die bonding pad and wire bonding pad on the base board, at least one LED chip mounted on the die bonding pad and connected to respective bonding pads, and an encapsulating resin over the LED chip. The at least one LED chip can emit a uniform light with a distribution electrode on a top surface thereof and can form a favorable light distribution using a shield electrode on the top surface. The vehicle lamp can include the light source and an optical lens selected according to a kind and/or design of a vehicle lamp. |
| US08142052B2 |
Medical light solidifying device
A medical light solidifying device includes a housing box, a rotary work table, a lighting source reflection body, and an LED lighting source set. The rotary work table is rotatably located in the housing box for being placed with a target material. The lighting source reflection body includes at least two reflection masks. Each mask has a reflection wall surrounding the rotary work table. Each of the reflection walls of the two reflection masks respectively has at least one reflection surface. The LED lighting source set is located above the rotary work table and the lighting source reflection body, and includes a plurality of LED units for emitting a beam with a specific wavelength for solidifying the target material. Thereby, the dead zone of the LED lighting source set is reduced so that the usage efficiency thereof is increase, and furthermore the target material can be efficiently and uniformly solidified. |
| US08142051B2 |
Systems and methods for converting illumination
An illumination system according to the principles of the invention may include a first LED and a carrier material. The carrier material may be comprised of plastic, synthetic material, polymer, latex, rubber or other material. The carrier material may also contain a phosphor, fluorescent material, organic fluorescent material, inorganic fluorescent material, impregnated phosphor, phosphor particles, phosphor material, YAG:Ce phosphor, or other material for converting electromagnetic radiation into illumination or visible light. |
| US08142046B2 |
Combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle
A combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle, particularly a power generator of a bicycle combined with a lamp provides two or three other functions in addition to supplying a power source. The device is a standalone device hung on or installed at an external end of the bicycle wheel axle. Unlike a traditional way of rubbing with a tire, or a traditional hub type power generator, the combined power generation and light device has the features and advantages of an easily installation, a high efficiency, a low resistance, a low cost, a low failure rate, an integrated structure, a hidden electric wire and an adjustable angle. |
| US08142043B2 |
Planar light source apparatus having reflective surfaces
A planar light source apparatus includes a number of lighting elements disposed in a common plane, and a number of mirror reflectors arranged perpendicular to the common plane and facing the lighting elements. The mirror reflectors each have a reflecting surface facing the lighting elements. The light elements are arranged in a lattice such that the distance from one of the reflectors to the nearest lighting element is a maximum of the half the distance between two adjacent lighting elements. |
| US08142037B2 |
Ribbon cable lighting for a water-bearing household appliance
A water-bearing household appliance such as a dishwashing machine is provided with a housing having a housing edge which defines a washing compartment opening and with a washing compartment which is enclosed by the housing and which is defined by the housing. A seal is provided onto which a device door can be closed to abut the seal and the dishwashing machine has lighting elements arranged in the area between the housing edge and the seal for illuminating the washing compartment. |
| US08142036B2 |
Keypad device with light source and reflector
A device is disclosed having a keypad and an adjacent light guide with at least one light source. At least one reflector is provided, having at least an area thereof adjacent to the light source. At least a portion of the reflector is located either between the light source and the keypad or between the light guide and the keypad. |
| US08142035B2 |
Mirror with selectively oxidized areas for memory effect and method of making same
A coated article such as a mirror or window is provided, the coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate. The coating may include at least a reflective layer in certain example embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, the reflective layer and/or a layer proximate thereto is selectively oxidized or oxidized in areas corresponding to draw lines or other non-uniformities in the glass substrate. This permits reflections from the coated article to be more uniform and/or less distorted. |
| US08142031B2 |
Image display apparatus and light source unit
An image display apparatus includes: a plurality of laser beam sources which emit different color light beams; a plurality of light modulators which modulate the light beams emitted from the laser beam sources; and a projection element which projects the light beams modulated by the light modulators, wherein the light modulators are disposed such that the light beams are incident from different directions, and the laser beam sources are concentrated in a single position. |
| US08142027B2 |
Electronic device and method for controlling the same
The disclosure refers to an electronic device and methods for cooling an object within the electronic device. In one example, an electronic device includes a cooling fan for cooling an object. An air-quantity measuring device measures a quantity of cooling air sent by the cooling fan. An ambient-temperature measuring device measures an ambient temperature around the electronic device. A control unit is configured to control the electronic device. The control unit includes an object-temperature calculating section configured to calculate a temperature of the object from the measured air quantity and the measured ambient temperature. An operation control section is configured to control the cooling fan according to the calculated temperature of the object. |
| US08142026B2 |
Projector alignment in a multiple-projector projection system
Projector alignment in a multiple-projector projection system is checked by determining a location of at least a portion of a boundary of an image field projected by at least one of the projectors and comparing the determined location of the at least the portion of the image field to a system-calibrated reference location of the at least the portion of the boundary of the image field. |
| US08142024B2 |
Image display device and adjustment method thereof
An image display device includes: an optical modulator; and an optical compensation element configured to cancel out phase difference generated within the optical modulator; wherein the optical compensation element is installed in a state in which the brightness of a projected image corresponding to a region having relatively great phase difference within the optical modulator becomes a minimal value, at the minimum driving voltage to be applied to the optical modulator. |
| US08142022B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes an illumination optical system that includes first and second beam splitting units, a first polarization conversion element, third and fourth beam splitting units, a second polarization conversion element, a first beam combining unit configured to combine a plurality of first polarized light beams with a plurality of second polarized light beams, a third polarization conversion element configured to convert a plurality of combined light beams into a plurality of polarized light beams, and a condensing unit configured to superimpose the plurality of polarized light beams onto the image display element, wherein each of the first and third beam splitting units includes a cylinder lens array. |
| US08142019B2 |
Dolly and track system
A dolly and track system is provided that includes a dolly assembly configured to enable tripod-mounted camera angles as well as low profile camera mountings. The camera plate can be positioned at prescribed locations on the dolly assembly to enable optimum view angles without concern for capturing the track or dolly in the field of view, particularly when shooting from a low profile. In this manner, the system provides users with multiple filming options, to include tripod use and low-profile filming, in a compact system. |
| US08142018B2 |
Reflectance measurement of macular pigment using multispectral imaging
Imaging apparatus and filters are provided for accurately imaging, assessing and measuring a patient's macular pigment. A multi-band filter is employed in combination with a color digital fundus camera to provide a method that operates with a single imaging exposure. The multiband filter has bandpass regions within spectral ranges of the red, green and blue detectors of the CCD array employed within the fundus camera, the bandpass regions being sufficiently sharply defined so as to avoid regions where the CCD detector responses spectrally overlap. This provides three discrete channels of grayscale data corresponding to the bandpass regions of the multiband filter, which can be used to calculate macular pigment topographically. Methods are also disclosed for calculating the optical density of the macular pigment and advantageously displaying the resulting data. |
| US08142014B2 |
Safety eyewear
The present invention relates generally to safety eyewear and more particularly to a safety eyewear having a horizontal ledge defined within a lens of the safety eyewear for attaching the nose piece structure. The safety eyewear includes a frame and a lens. The nose piece structure configured for attachment to a central portion of the lens. The nose piece structure having a channel defining horizontal ledge indents for mating engagement with horizontal ledge protrusions defined within the central portion of the lens. The central portion of the lens defining horizontal ledge protrusions for inserting within the ledge indents of the nose piece structure when the nose piece structure and the lens are attached together. In another embodiment, the channel of the nose piece structure defines horizontal ledge protrusions for mating engagement with horizontal ledge indents defined within the central portion of the lens. |
| US08142013B2 |
Glasses structure
A glasses structure includes a frame, two temple arms and a bridge. The frame has two end portions arranged at lateral sides thereof and a middle portion connecting the two end portions. Each temple has a elastic engagement member at a front end thereof for clamping the respective end portion of the frame. The bridge has a elastic clip member clamping the middle portion of the frame. Therefore, the temple arms and the bridge could link to the frame without screw members. |
| US08142009B2 |
Inkjet printer and printing method
An inkjet printer including an inkjet head unit having inkjet heads for ejecting UV inks, an UVLED unit having a UVLED for emitting ultraviolet light, and a control unit for controlling the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit. The control unit controls the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit to move in the scanning direction, controls the inkjet heads to eject UV inks, and controls the UVLED to emit ultraviolet light of a first light quantity. After that, the control unit controls the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit to move in the direction opposite to the scanning direction and controls the UVLED to emit ultraviolet light of a second light quantity. |
| US08142003B2 |
Inkjet printer system and ink supply apparatus
An inkjet printer system includes a print head and a sub tank. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is provided above the print head and connected to the print head via a head-side supply passage. The sub tank has a first supplying hole and a second supplying hole which are connected to the head-side supply passage. A position of the first supplying hole is higher than a position of the second supplying hole. |
| US08142002B2 |
Rotating coanda catcher
A catcher includes a housing and a drop contact structure. The housing defines a liquid removal conduit. The drop contact structure includes a moveable surface that delivers collected liquid drops to the liquid removal conduit of the housing. |
| US08141999B2 |
Valve mechanisms and ink cartridges
A valve mechanism includes a particular wall having a first opening formed therethrough, and a tube member including a particular surface which contacts the particular wall, and a central axis. The valve mechanism also includes a lid member configured to selectively cover and uncover the first opening, and a flexible inner wall positioned in an interior of the tube member. The flexible inner wall extends from the tube member to the lid member in a direction which intersects the central axis, and the flexible inner wall has a second opening formed therethrough. Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of the flexible inner wall in a particular plane is bent, and the central axis lies on the particular plane. |
| US08141997B2 |
Ink supply system
An ink supply system including a reservoir and a foam regulator. The reservoir is configured to hold a volume of ink and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid ejection structure. The foam regulator is operable in a first state in which the foam regulator permits application of negative pressure through the foam regulator to apply negative pressure to the fluid ejection structure and to the reservoir, and a second state in which the foam regulator blocks passage of ink foam through the foam regulator. |
| US08141991B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and piezoelectric actuator
A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure generating chamber that communicates with a nozzle opening and a piezoelectric element that includes: a first electrode; a piezoelectric body layer that is formed on the first electrode and which has a perovskite structure with a general formula of ABO3, and a second electrode that is formed the piezoelectric body layer. There is lead in a B site of the piezoelectric body layer, and the peak position of A1(3LO) for a Raman shift of the piezoelectric body layer that is acquired by Raman scattering is 710 cm−1 to 712 cm−1. |
| US08141986B2 |
Heating element
A heating element of a fluid ejection device includes an insulative layer, a resistor portion interposed between and spaced apart from a pair of conductive portions, and an upper structure defining a fluid chamber above the resistor portion. The insulative layer defines a shoulder portion adjacent a side edge of the resistor portion, the shoulder portion vertically spaced below a top surface of the resistor portion by a distance of no more than twice a thickness of the resistor portion. |
| US08141985B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method for manufacturing liquid ejecting head
A liquid ejecting head is provided which ejects liquid from nozzle openings by driving pressure generating elements, and includes: at least two rows of lead electrodes that supply an electrical signal to the pressure generating elements; and at least two wiring boards for supplying the electrical signal to the lead electrodes, wherein: the wiring boards respectively have individual wires which are electrically connected to the pressure generating elements, respectively, via the lead electrodes, and common wires which are electrically connected in common to a plurality of pressure generating elements via the lead electrodes; and, the wiring boards are formed such that a spacing between the respective common wires of the two opposing wiring boards is narrower than a spacing between the respective individual wires of the two opposing wiring boards. |
| US08141982B2 |
Color imaging apparatus having yellow nozzle array and magenta nozzle array on same head and shifted relative to each other by a half-pitch
An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes plural heads that are arranged in a main scanning direction, the heads including plural nozzle arrays that are arranged in the main scanning direction and configured to discharge droplets of recording liquids in at least three different colors including a yellow recording liquid. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge the yellow recording liquid are separately arranged in at least two of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a first recording liquid of the recording liquids in a first color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a second recording liquid of the recording liquids in a second color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads. |
| US08141979B2 |
Ink jet recording head and method for manufacturing ink jet recording head
A manufacturing method for an ink jet recording head including the steps of preparing a recording element substrate provided with an ejection outlet array for ejecting ink; preparing a supporting member, provided with a plurality of ink supply passages, for supporting the recording element substrate; and connecting the recording element substrate to the supporting member with an adhesive material. The supporting member has an adhesive material application region surrounding adjacent ink supply passages, and a part of the adhesive material application region which extends along the ejection outlet array has a width larger than another part of the adhesive material application region. |
| US08141977B2 |
Inkjet head module and method of aligning inkjet head using the same
An inkjet head module and a method of aligning inkjet heads using the inkjet head module are disclosed. The inkjet head module can include a frame, which can be attached to and detached from an inkjet apparatus; a multiple number of heads, which may be coupled to the frame, and which may each have at least one nozzle formed for ejecting ink; a multiple number of support racks, each of which may be interposed between the frame and a head, and which may support the head such that the head is movable in relation to the frame; and a multiple number of piezoelectric motors, which may move the heads to align the heads in relation to one another. Certain embodiments of the invention make it possible to reduce the size of the overall inkjet apparatus, as well as to align a multiple number of inkjet heads with higher precision. |
| US08141971B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a recording section having a head holding member holding a plurality of head units ejecting ink, and a position adjusting mechanism including position adjusting members, each being provided for each head unit, for adjusting a position of the head unit relative to the head holding member according to movement thereof, a driving mechanism for generating a force moving the position adjusting member, and transmission mechanisms, each being provided for each position adjusting member, for transmitting the force generated by the driving mechanism to the position adjusting member, the driving mechanism selecting the transmission mechanism to be transmitted with the force from the plurality of transmission mechanisms to supply the force to only the selected transmission mechanism. |
| US08141970B2 |
Method and device for decorating an uneven surface of a dimensionally stable object
A method for decorating an uneven surface of a dimensionally stable object is disclosed. According to the method, the object to be decorated and a digital, contactless printing head are moved in relation to one another during the printing operation and the printing head is controlled by a control unit in order to dispense ink. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a control program is created to control the printing head in accordance with the height profile of the uneven surface to be decorated of the object; the position of the surface to be decorated is detected in relation to the printing head; and the digital printing head is controlled using the program that has been created. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method. |
| US08141969B2 |
Print control apparatus, print control method, and program therefor
Provided is a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that is able to perform color printing by using coloring agents of a plurality of colors. The print control apparatus includes: a residual amount acquisition section that acquires residual amounts of the coloring agents; a print instruction receiving section that receives instruction for printing an image; a required amount information acquisition section that acquires information on required amounts of the coloring agents required for the image instructed to be printed; and a control section that performs a residual amount precedence print control for controlling the printing apparatus to preferentially perform printing of the image, among a plurality of images instructed to be printed, which requires the smaller amount of the coloring agent having the smallest residual amount on the basis of the acquired information on the required amount and the residual amounts of the coloring agents. |
| US08141968B2 |
Support beam for a cabinet drawer
A cabinet drawer support beam is provided, and may include on an upper part of such beam, a rail or longitudinal sliding mechanism. An alignment mechanism may be fastened to the rail or longitudinal mechanism. The alignment mechanism may include a pinion that runs in the rack of the lower part of the support beam, and the support beam may be fastened to the cabinet wall by way of barrels and/or fasteners. At least two beams per cabinet may be included. |
| US08141967B2 |
Display device with moving controller, the controller capable of moving horizontally
An exemplary display device (2) includes a display body (22) and a support body (23) configured for supporting and moving the display body. The support body includes at least one trolley wheel assembly (28) capable of moving horizontally, and at least one stopper (380) corresponding to the trolley wheel assembly, which is capable of braking the trolley wheel assembly. The display body is moved horizontally when the trolley wheel assembly is moved horizontally. |
| US08141966B2 |
Telescopic pull-out arrangement
A telescopic pull-out arrangement for a refrigerator is provided that includes two telescopic pull-out mechanisms each provided with a stationary rail on a common frame and a movable rail, and a storage part retained on the movable rails by a pair of identical adapters. The storage part has a first engagement contour cooperating with a first adapter of the couple and a second engagement contour cooperating with the second adapter of the couple. Each adapter is provided with a third and a fourth engagement contour. The first engagement contour of the storage part and the third engagement contour of the first adapter engage into one another with less tolerance transverse to the pull-out direction than the engagement of the second engagement contour of the storage part and the fourth engagement contour of the second adapter engage into one another. |
| US08141960B2 |
Motor vehicle braking assembly
A vehicle braking assembly comprising a master cylinder (10) with no central valves, a brake fluid reservoir (62) mounted separately from the master cylinder (10), pumps (50) for pressurizing the brake fluid and first solenoid valves (68) in pipes (66) connecting the brake fluid reservoir (62) to the inlets of the pumps (50). According to the invention, a calibrated orifice (76) and a nonreturn valve (78) which are connected in parallel are mounted in these pipes (66). |
| US08141956B2 |
Chair foldable from a single sheet of planar material
Chair folded from a single sheet of planar material that is made to measure to a predefined contour cut, and that is provided with predefined first fold lines along which the material is bendable into a ready-to-use shape or form of the chair and wherein same is unfoldable to the original single sheet so as to facilitate the ease of storing and transportation of said chair. |
| US08141951B2 |
Child safety seat
A child safety seat includes a seat body, an engaging board, a backrest, and an engaging mechanism. The engaging board is connected to the seat body. A tooth-shaped structure is formed on the engaging board. The backrest is movably disposed on the engaging board. The engaging mechanism is disposed between the engaging board and the backrest. The engaging mechanism includes an engaging member and a driving device. The engaging member is pivotally connected to the backrest for engaging with the tooth-shaped structure. The driving device is pivotally connected to the engaging member and movably connected to the backrest. When the driving device moves between a locking position and a releasing position relative to the backrest, the driving device drives the engaging member to rotate relative to the backrest. |
| US08141949B2 |
Computer display viewing support
A computer display viewing support having a display positioning tray, including a vertical unit having a substantially vertical orientation adapted to vary a vertical location of the display tray between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, the vertical unit terminating in horizontal base and a tray pivoting unit supported by the vertical unit and adapted to pivot the display tray from a plurality of pivoting positions between a closed position to an open position. |
| US08141948B2 |
Seat back entertainment system
A seat back entertainment system includes a seat panel connected to a frame of a vehicle seat. A video unit provides a video signal. A display device is mounted to the seat panel. The display device displays the video signal provided by the video unit. One or more compartments formed in the seat panel. |
| US08141945B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat includes a first sensor that is disposed inside a seat back and is capable of detecting a back-side collision of a vehicle when pressed by a body of a sitting passenger, and a second sensor that is capable of detecting the back-side collision of the vehicle based on a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A head rest is constructed to be moved forwardly based on detection signals when both of the sensors detect the back-side collision of the vehicle. |
| US08141943B2 |
Children's chair
Children's chair having a height adjusting device and a folding device completes folding up by height adjusting. A first leg frame of the children's chair includes a first upper leg and a first lower leg capable moving relatively. When operating the height adjusting device to adjust the first upper leg relative to the first lower leg, an actuator on the first upper leg pushes a slider of the folding device, which locates at the pivot of the first leg frame and a second leg frame. The slider then interferes with a coupler locating at the second leg frame to disengage from a base mounted on the first leg frame. The second leg frame is then rotatable relative to the first leg frame and may be folded to a folding position. The children's chair is easy to perform height adjustment and folding movement by simply operating a button at the handle. |
| US08141942B2 |
Motor vehicle body with an adapter carrier for a roof module
A motor vehicle body is proposed with a roof-carrying frame, upon which an adapter carrier is placed and secured for holding roof windows, sliding roofs, roof opening systems and/or roof module variants, and an adapter carrier suitable for installation in a motor vehicle body according to the invention. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also proposed for a motor vehicle body with a roof-carrying frame. |
| US08141941B2 |
Slidable window assembly with retractable sunshade
A slidable window assembly mounted within the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The roof includes an opening and the slidable window assembly includes a window panel having a catch. The window panel is slidably mounted within the roof and slidable between an open position and a closed position. The slidable window assembly further includes a sunshade disposed beneath the window panel. The sunshade is also slidable between an open and closed position. The sunshade has a first surface facing the window panel and a stop mounted on the first surface. The catch is operable to engage the stop so as to move the sunshade from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08141940B2 |
Headliner assembly having a reinforcement member and subcomponent routing aid
A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point. |
| US08141939B2 |
All terrain vehicle with lower portion protector
A protector includes: a protector main body covering the lower portion of the vehicle body and a fixing plate for fixing the protector main body to the vehicle body. The protector main body has a surface portion and a recessed portion recessed from the surface portion to the vehicle body. The fixing plate has a plurality of the first insertion holes through which the fastening members for securing the protector main body to the vehicle body are passed. The recessed portion has second insertion holes through which fastening members are passed. The fixing plate is disposed in the recessed portion. The plurality of the first insertion holes are formed apart from one another. |
| US08141937B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body structure capable of preventing a bumper beam of another vehicle from riding over the rear part of the vehicle body. A vehicle body structure (10) is provided with a rear side door (13) located forward of a rear wheel (17) with respect to the vehicle body, and the rear side door is provided with a rear door beam (21) extended in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle body structure is provided with a side member upper section (56) extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from a rear wheel arch (33) and provided on a line extended from the rear door beam (21), and also with a side member lower section (57) extending on a down grade from the rear section (67) of the side member upper section toward a lower rear section (33c) of the rear wheel arch (33). |
| US08141934B2 |
Mount for an armrest in the interior of a motor vehicle
A mount (22) for an armrest (14, 14a, 14b) in the interior of a motor vehicle is distinguished by the fact that the mount (22) is designed to react differently to forces that act on the mount (22) from different directions (18, 20). |
| US08141933B2 |
Vehicle door and method of manufacturing same
A vehicle door, such as a tailgate (1), having a pull pocket (P) on which a hand is put when the door is manipulated includes a door panel (2), a lining (3), and a pull pocket member (4). The lining (3) is provided over an inside of the door panel (2) facing toward a vehicle cabin when the door is mounted to a vehicle body. The pull pocket member (4) is a member formed independently of the lining (3) and mounted to the lining (3). The pull pocket member (4) includes a recessed portion (41) which is recessed toward the door panel (2) and configured to form an undercut at a face (3a) of the lining (3) facing toward the vehicle cabin when the pull pocket member (4) is mounted to the lining (3). |
| US08141931B1 |
Movable roof for transportable tank
A moveable roof for a transportable tank for fish includes a roof platform attached to spaced roof joists secured at opposing ends to parallel headers laterally spaced and traversing a length of the roof platform. At least two pair of support arms is included, with each pair mounted on opposite sides of the tank. Further, each support arm has an upper support arm portion and a lower support arm portion. The upper and lower support arm portions are attached at a support arm pivot point. The lower support arm portion is pivotally attached to the corresponding sidewall of the tank and the upper support arm portion is pivotally attached to the header above said corresponding sidewall. Still further, a crank is positioned between the support arms of each pair of support arms. The crank has crank cables attached to each support arm of the corresponding pair of support arms, so that winding the crank pulls the upper and lower support arm portions to a vertical position to unfold the support arms and elevate the roof above the transportable tank. Stabilizing shafts can be included to further support the roof. |
| US08141929B2 |
Power operated retractable tailgate assembly
A power operated retractable tailgate assembly for a vehicle that includes a tailgate with opposite end edges thereof connected via sliding pivots to a respective one of a pair of elongate slide rails. The slide rails mount in lateral spaced apart relation on the underside of the floor of the cargo carrying box on the vehicle. A first extendible and retractable assembly, having relatively movable respective first and second portions, has the first portion anchored to the vehicle and a second portion that is hingedly connected to the tailgate proximate a lower marginal edge thereof. A power means is operatively connected to the extendible and retractable assembly and is operable from within the cab of the vehicle selectively to extend and retract the tailgate by moving the tailgate along the slide members. A second power operated extendible and retractable assembly is connected to the tailgate to move the same from its open position wherein it is horizontally disposed and projects rearwardly from the vehicle to a raised closed position wherein it is disposed vertically. Each of the extendable and retractable assemblies include a hydraulic cylinder unit operatively associated with a motor-driven pump. An alternate method of opening and closing the tailgate uses an electric motor directly driving a cable system which opens and closes the tailgate utilizing for example a winch unit comprising an electric motor driving a cable drum rather than the use of a screw drive or hydraulic means to control the cables. |
| US08141927B2 |
Control of a slide-out room
A control system for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a number of room slides which move the slide-out room between retracted and extended positions. If multiple room slides are used, a controller synchronizes the movement of the room slides to prevent damage to the components of the system. The retracted and extended positions of the slide-out room can be reset by the end user. The controller is also capable of detecting faults and communicating faults to the user via LEDs on a control panel. The controller automatically stops the motion of the slide-out room if a fault is detected. The control system includes a lock which is automatically disengaged before motion of the slide-out room. The lock is also automatically engaged when the slide-out room moves to the retracted position. |
| US08141922B2 |
Pick-and-place apparatus
A pick-and-place apparatus for transferring and loading semiconductor devices between first and second loading elements is provided. The pick-and-place apparatus includes a multiplicity of picking unit modules, each of which has at least one or more picking units, and an interval regulation apparatus for regulating intervals between the picking unit modules at the first to third modes. The first to third row interval values are different from each other. The intervals between the picking unit modules are all regulated to be identical to the first row interval at the first mode, are alternately regulated to the second row interval and the third row interval in turn at the second mode, and are alternately regulated to the third row interval and the second row interval in turn at the third mode. |
| US08141921B2 |
Dumpster
Several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability are disclosed. In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck. |
| US08141918B2 |
Pedestrian bumper system and method
A pedestrian bumper system and method can include an attachment bumper and an attachment bracket for connecting the attachment bumper to the existing vehicle bumper or existing vehicle frame. The attachment bumper can be configured to conform to the existing vehicle bumper such that the frontal crash mode of the vehicle is substantially unchanged. In addition, the attachment bumper can create a new front surface area that includes an area that is lower than the front area of the existing vehicle bumper. Thus, the bumper system can be configured to contact a pedestrian at a lower location to minimize injury during an accident. The bumper system can also be configured to be easily adapted to existing vehicles by either the consumer or the vehicle manufacturer to take advantage of easily modifying vehicles for different market and/or consumer requirements and tastes. |
| US08141908B2 |
Security device and method
A security device comprises a substrate having a viewing region. A first pattern of a first color and a second pattern of a second color are printed on one side of the viewing region. A third pattern of the first color and a fourth pattern of the second color are printed on the other side of the viewing region. The first and second patterns on the one side of the viewing region overlap the fourth and third patterns respectively on the other side of the viewing region whereby a) when each side of the viewing region is viewed in reflected light, the patterns on that side can be distinguished by at least their colors, and b) when the viewing region is viewed in transmitted light, from either side of the substrate, the viewing region is sufficiently transparent that subtractive color mixing between the overlapped different colors results in a perceived single resultant color being visible. |
| US08141904B2 |
Energy absorbing structure for a vehicle
A frontal collision energy absorbing structure includes a pair of left and right main frames. A front cross member and a rear cross member each connect the left and right main frames. A suspension tower and an engine mount bracket may each be attached to each main frame. Each front suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the front cross member and the main frame. Each rear suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the rear cross member and the main frame. Each of engine mount bracket is longitudinally spaced apart from the following joints: the front cross member and the main frame; the rear cross member and the main frame, and the suspension tower and the main frame. |
| US08141902B2 |
Airbag device
An airbag (10) has a vent hole (18) in one side end portion. One end of a third base fabric (20) is sewn to the airbag (10) through a first sewn portion (23) that closes the vent hole (18), and the other end of the third base fabric 20 is sewn to the other side end portion of the airbag (10) through a second sewn portion (24). The first sewn portion (23) has weaker binding force by sewing than the second sewn portion (24) so that the first sewn portion (23) is separated to open the vent hole (18) when tension force is applied from the third base fabric (20) to the first and second sewn portions (23) and (24). |
| US08141901B2 |
Valve assembly for gas generating system
A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member. |
| US08141898B2 |
Airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing
An airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator fastened to a module housing is provided. Said tubular gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof and can be fastened to the module housing by means of only a clamping ring that is movable over the tubular gas generator and over a section of the module housing. The clamping ring has in axial direction elongated sections being separated from each other and continuing axial in the opposite direction. The module housing has in its bottom an opening for inserting the tubular gas generator, wherein on the module housing below this opening a support for the tubular gas generator is provided. The clamping ring is designed such that said clamping ring reaches below the support after positioning the tubular gas generator with the elongated section by axial moving in direction of the center of the tubular gas generator. |
| US08141897B2 |
Guide plate for side air bag
There is provided a guide plate for a side air bag. The guide plate includes a fastening member fastened to an inner surface of a vehicle body, a support member bent from a lower end of the fastening member and extending toward a passenger space of a vehicle, and a retaining member extending from a surface of the fastening member toward the passenger space of the vehicle. As the guide plate prevents a side air bag tube from being deployed in an upward direction, force for deploying the side air bag tube is not spread but concentrated to allow the side air bag tube to be properly deployed by opening a head liner. |
| US08141895B2 |
Collapsible stroller and method of operating the same
A stroller comprises a support frame and a handle, and a seat assembled between the support frame and the handle. A front leg is coupled with a rear leg via a first pivot link, and a side segment of the handle is movable relative to the front and rear leg. The seat has a front portion pivotally connected with the front leg, and a rear portion pivotally connected with the side segment of the handle. The side segment is in stable abutment against a contact region of the support frame adjacent to the first pivot link for supporting the seat. For folding the stroller, the handle is moved in a first direction that raises the side segment above the support frame for displacing the contact region of the support frame in a forward direction to a disengaged position out of reach for the lower end portion of the side segment. |
| US08141894B1 |
Custom cylinder grate assembly (CCGA)
An invention apparatus designed to serve as a functional add-on accessory for V-twin cylinder motorcycle engines. The invention Custom Cylinder Grate Assembly (CCGA) is configured to perform three functions simultaneously as the invention protects V-twin engine cylinders from damage, reduces the risk potential burn injuries to motorcycle operators and provides an attractive custom appearance for the V-twin engine cylinders. Components of the invention are designed to encircle the V-twin engine cylinders shielding the cylinders from damage caused by flying road debris and exposure to environmental elements. The invention serves as a physical barrier between hot V-twin engine cylinders and the motorcycle operator. The inventions barrier prohibits the motorcycle rider from direct contact with the hot V-twin engine cylinders, mitigating the risk of burns or injury to the rider. The invention replicates the silhouette of V-twin engine cylinders, masking unsightly V-twin engine cylinders while providing a cosmetic custom appearance for the motorcycle and the V-twin engine cylinders. |
| US08141893B2 |
Folding apparatus for a bicycle frame
A folding apparatus for a bicycle frame includes a bicycle frame and at least one engaging device assembled on the bicycle frame. The bicycle frame includes at least one first tube and at least one second tube. Each of the at least one engaging device includes a stationary sleeve disposed on the second tube and has a series of second tooth formed thereon. A rotary sleeve is fixed to the first tube and rotatably mounted on the second tube. The rotary sleeve has a series of first tooth formed thereon for correspondingly engaging with the stationary sleeve. A locking device is movably mounted on the second tube for securely retaining the rotary sleeve firmly engaging with the stationary sleeve. When the locking device is released, the rotary sleeve and the first tube rotate relative to the second tube, and the bicycle frame is folded. |
| US08141891B2 |
Friction control apparatus for vehicle suspension
A vehicle suspension friction control apparatus includes a first link having a first end and a second end, and a second link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link is mounted to one of a steering knuckle or a lower control arm connected to a lower part of the steering knuckle. The first end of the second link is mounted to the other of the steering knuckle or the lower control arm. A friction control joint connects the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link for controlling friction between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm. |
| US08141888B1 |
Surfboard transportation device
A surfboard transportation device for allowing a user to transport a surfboard comprising a first vertical support component connected to a second vertical support component via a first telescopic center support bar and a second telescopic center support bar. Attachment ropes can be attached to the first and second vertical support components to secure the surfboard in the device. |
| US08141887B1 |
Game gurney system
A tubular frame has leading and trailing sections. The leading section has a leading end with parallel rearwardly extending legs. The trailing section has a trailing end with parallel forwardly extending legs receiving the rearwardly extending legs. An axle has central and end sections with wheels rotatably mounted on the end sections. A riser plate has a lower edge pivotably coupled to the axle. The riser plate has an upper edge with a concave curve. The riser plate is pivotably coupled to the frame. A handle assembly has a tubular grip with parallel downwardly extending arms. The handle assembly also has parallel upwardly extending arms receiving the downwardly extending arms. The upwardly extending arms are pivotably coupled to the axle. |
| US08141885B2 |
Rack with wheels
A rack includes a chassis, and a plurality of wheel assemblies secured to the chassis. Each wheel assembly includes a bracket, a wheel, and a handle. The bracket is rotatable relative to the chassis between a first position and a second position. Each wheel is capable of rotating about an axis. A distance between the axis and the chassis when each bracket is in the first position is less than a distance between the axis and the chassis when the bracket is in the second position. The handle is secured to the bracket and configured to rotate the corresponding bracket, and extends inside the chassis. |
| US08141884B2 |
Clamping device
The invention relates to a clamping device which comprises a base, having a center holding fixture for a structural component to be clamped and a plurality of cavities arranged around the holding fixture. The base can be elastically deformed in such a manner by radial compressive forces applied from the outside in the area of the cavities that a structural component to be clamped can be inserted in the holding fixture and can be elastically returned to its former shape by reducing or releasing the radial forces, thereby establishing a pressure connection with the structural component to be clamped. The invention is characterized in that centrifugal counterweights are provided inside the cavities. |
| US08141883B2 |
Self-locking mechanism of manually tightened drill chuck
The present invention publicly discloses a self-locking mechanism of a manually tightened drill chuck, including a ratchet wheel, a clamp bearing, at least one resilient pawl, and a clip ring, wherein said ratchet wheel is fixed in connection with the main unit of said manually tightened drill chuck, and on its back there are provided ratchet teeth facing the end surface of said main unit; said clamp bearing is fixed in connection with the outside surface of a screw ring on said manually tightened drill chuck, and the end surface of this clamp bearing is provided with at least one ratchet wheel slot; said resilient pawl is fixed on said ratchet wheel slot, and it includes a protuberance and a tooth piece; and said clip ring includes at least two arc segments that can mutually antagonistically snap onto the front end position of said main unit, the outer perimeter surface of this clip ring is fixed in connection with a front cap of said manually tightened drill chuck, said clip ring is connected with said clamp bearing and drives said clamp bearing to rotate, and the end surface of said clip ring is provided with deep and shallow recesses for receiving the protuberance on said resilient pawl. |
| US08141881B2 |
Seal and seal arrangement
A seal is disclosed, for sealing a seal surface (5) between two machine parts (6, 7) which move relative to each other, wherein a seal body of the seal (1) comprises a retainer piece (10), arranged towards the groove base in a groove (8) in one of the machine parts (7), a sealing part (11), arranged in the groove (8) facing the sealing surface and a resilient connector part (12) between the sealing part (11) and the retaining part (10). The seal (1) has a recess (21) between the retainer part (10) and the connector part (12) and a further recess (20) between the connector part (12) and the sealing part (11). The seal (1) has spacer elements (25), said spacer elements (25) extending into at least one of the recesses (20, 21), preferably at least into the recesses (20) between the sealing part (11) and the connector part (12). |
| US08141880B2 |
High pressure sealing apparatus
There is provided a high pressure sealing apparatus including: a top adapter including a packing receiving recess having an inverted V-shaped section; a bottom adapter including a packing supporting wall having an inverted V-shaped section; packing members each having an inverted V-shaped section, and interposed between the top adapter and the bottom adapter; and backup rings each having an inverted V-shaped section, and alternately overlapped with the packing members. The packing members are made of hard synthetic resin. A deformation allowing gap is formed on at least two facing walls of a top wall or a bottom wall of the packing member, and a bottom wall of the top adapter, a top wall and a bottom wall of the backup ring, or a top wall of the bottom adapter to be closed owing to compaction force in an axial direction X. |
| US08141879B2 |
Seals for a turbine engine, and methods of assembling a turbine engine
A side seal for sealing the side edges of adjacent combustors of a turbine engine include extended ends. The extended ends of the side seal abut and seal against inner and outer circumferential seals to prevent leakage of combustion gases. |
| US08141877B2 |
Method of playing a modified poker based wagering game with side wager
Some embodiments are directed to a method of playing a wagering game which comprises the steps of: receiving an ante wager from a participating player; delivering a partial hand of playing cards to the participating player; providing a community group of playing cards of unknown value; conducting one or more game events so long as there is at least one playing card of unknown value remaining among the community group of playing cards, wherein each game event comprises revealing the value of at least one playing card in the community group to the participating player and receiving a game event wager from the participating player thereafter; revealing the value of the at least one remaining unknown playing card among the community group; determining a final hand rank for the participating player, wherein the final hand rank is based on the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the community group of playing cards; comparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria, wherein the preset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on final hand ranks; and paying a game award payout to the player if one of the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the game award payout is at least partially based on the total amount wagered, and wherein the total amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum of all the game event wagers received during the one or more game events. |
| US08141875B2 |
Card handling devices and networks including such devices
Devices for handling playing cards comprise a card infeed tray, a card output tray, and a movable card storage device with multiple compartments. At least one compartment of the multiple compartments comprises a preselected and designated bonus card compartment configured for storing bonus cards. A card sensing system is configured to detect a presence of bonus cards to be transferred into the movable card storage device. A control system is programmed to selectively transfer only bonus cards into the at least one designated compartment in response to detection of bonus card presence by the card sensing system and to selectively transfer playing cards into compartments of the multiple compartments separate from the at least one designated compartment. |
| US08141871B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a conveyance unit; a motor; a stop order unit that orders stoppage of the motor; a detection unit, which detects a rotated number of the motor or a conveyance distance during a post-order period, and the post-order period being a period from when the stop order unit ordered stoppage of the motor until when the motor stops; a storage unit; a sensor, which detects passage of the recording medium; a timing determination unit, which determines a pre-order period as a appropriate order timing, wherein the pre-order period is calculated from dividing a difference between a first distance and a second distance by a conveyance speed, wherein the first distance is the conveyance distance stored in the storage, and the second distance is a distance between a position where the sensor detects passage of the recording medium and the target stoppage position. |
| US08141869B2 |
Arrangement for stacking sheets
The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for conveying of sheets (2a, b), comprising upper and lower receiving rolls (3, 4), an upper belt element (5) and a receiving surface (6). The belt element (5) extends in a region above the receiving surface (6). The sheets (2a, b) are conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction of movement (7) towards the receiving rolls (3, 4), which receiving rolls (3, 4) during rotation move the sheets (2a, b) one after another between and past the receiving rolls (3, 4), during which the respective sheet (2a, b), after passing between and past the receiving rolls (3, 4), are situated between said receiving surface (6) and upper belt element (5). The sheets (2a, b) between the upper belt element (5) and the receiving surface (6) are placed on one another such that a rear edge (8) of a sheet (2a) passing through and between the receiving rolls (3, 4) is overlapped by a front edge (9) of a following sheet (2b). A lifting means (10) situated in the sheet movement direction (7) after the receiving rolls (3, 4) is adapted to acting upon sheets (2a, b) passing through the receiving rolls (3, 4) and over the lifting means such that the front edge (9) of a sheet (2b) which has passed over and past the lifting means (10) assumes a shape which strengthens the sheet (2a, b) in the sheet movement direction (7). |
| US08141867B2 |
Medium delivery device and medium processing apparatus with a pressing unit
A medium delivery device comprising a medium insertion section into which a sheet-shaped medium to be delivered is inserted in a stacked state, first and second medium guide surfaces that are opposed to each other to guide the sheet-shaped medium to the medium delivery port, a feed roller that is disposed at a side of the first medium guide surface and delivers the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section, to the medium delivery port, a first pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the feed roller, a second pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the first medium guide surface at a position deviating from the feed roller, and a driving mechanism that drives the first pressing member in directions in which the first pressing member moves close to and away from the feed roller. |
| US08141863B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus
The sheet processing apparatus is provided with: a sheet aligning part that accumulates and aligns sheets so as to generate a bundle of sheets; an edge stitching processor that performs an edge stitching process by which the generated bundle of sheets is stitched together at one edge of the bundle of sheets; an apparatus housing that includes an opening portion through which the bundle of sheets is discharged to an outside of the apparatus housing; a saddle stitching processor that performs, outside of the apparatus housing, a saddle stitching process by which the discharged bundle of sheets is stitched together at a center portion of the bundle of sheets in a transporting direction of the bundle of sheets; and a stacking tray that is provided below the opening portion and outside the apparatus housing, and on which the bundles of sheets subjected to the edge stitching process and the saddle stitching process are capable of being stacked. |
| US08141859B2 |
Apparatus and method for effecting pin-to-shoulder tool separation for a friction stir welding pin tool
An apparatus and method for separating a pin tool from a shoulder tool, after the pin tool and shoulder tool have become welded together during a friction stir welding operation. In one exemplary embodiment a frame is used to support the shoulder tool. A fluid pressure actuating assembly is used for gradually exerting a force on the pin tool while the shoulder tool is held stationary within the frame. The gradually increasing force gradually breaks the weld and separates the pin tool from the shoulder tool without damaging the pin tool. |
| US08141858B2 |
Clamp
A clamp adapted to be removably fixed to a further object. The clamp includes first and second clamp members, each being configured to apply a clamping force to the further object to which the clamp is removably fixed. One clamp actuator is adapted to drive movement of both the first and second clamp members with respect to each other along respective first and second axes. The first axis intersects the second axis. |
| US08141853B2 |
Connector for an insulator to be connected to a support member
A connector for an insulator to be connected to a support member is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a plurality of divergent arms. This connector may include a main body, and at least two side wings extending from the main body where each the side wing is configured to engage with at least one of the divergent arms of the support member. The connector may further include at least one strap engagement element configured to engage at least one strap to secure the connector to the support member. |
| US08141851B2 |
Portable vehicle lift
A portable lift including a pair of elongate rails adapted for being located underneath corresponding lift points associated with a vehicle to be elevated. A pair of cross members fixedly securing at opposite ends to spaced apart locations associated with the rails and in order to construct a frame. Scissor jacks are associated with end location of the first and second rails. A drive shaft communicates to one or more of the scissor jacks, and responsive to a converted rotary input, actuates the jacks, separately or in unison, thereby causing the rails to vertically displaced for elevating and/or lowering the vehicle. |
| US08141841B2 |
Machine foot
The invention includes a method for manufacturing a machine foot (1) and a machine foot (1). A machine foot (1) of the present type consists of a spindle (8), which is in the top screwn into the device which is to be supported and is in the bottom fastened to a base part (20). The spindle (8) can be turned in relation to the base part (20) in an angle (10). It is characteristic of the invention that the spindle (8) in the end, which is situated in the base part (20) is enclosed by a ball part (6,7), which consists of an upper part (7) and a lower part (6) and is fastened to the ball part (6,7) by engagement with a locking ring (11) which is also enclosed by the ball part (6,7). The ball part (6,7) is cast into a polymer material (3) whereby the end of the spindle (8) in the base part (20) is efficiently enclosed and closed from access of impurities, filth or bacteria. The machine foot (1) can thereby be cleaned by external washing only and is therefore especially suited for application in environments, which have high demands for hygiene and e.g. demand a compliance with the standard “3-A® Sanitary Standard for Machine Leveling Feet and Supports”. |
| US08141836B2 |
Adjustable computer component mounting system
An adjustable system for mounting a computer component to a surface, including an adjustable horizontal assembly with swiveling mounting structure and an adjustable vertical assembly featuring two sliding extrusions and a stopper wedge engaged with a long screw for efficient mounting of computer components within workplaces. |
| US08141834B2 |
Test head positioning system
An apparatus (1) for manipulating a load includes a first support structure (60) for supporting the load and a second support structure (4) for supporting the load. The apparatus also includes a coupling (3) coupled between the first support structure (60) and the second support structure (4). The coupling (30) includes a compliant mechanism (340a) for providing a compliant range of motion to the load about a rotative axis where a center of gravity of the load is located away from the rotative axis. The rotative axis is a non-vertical axis. |
| US08141832B2 |
Snap-on hook and cover for sunshade
A one-piece molded holder clip is provided for retaining an associated sunshade rod. The clip has a body in which a hook element is formed with the body and having a generally C-shaped conformation to receive the rod therein. A sunshade guide surface is formed in the body and extends substantially tangentially from the hook element. A fastener is formed with the body and extends from a rear surface of the sunshade guide surface. First and second legs are received over a bracket extending from the automotive vehicle frame and at least one of the legs includes a locking tab dimensioned for snap-fit engagement with an associated bracket. A cover is formed with the one-piece body and extends from the hook element, and covers the fastener to provide an aesthetically pleasing design. |
| US08141831B2 |
Hanger connector for flexible tubing
A connector for attaching a piece of flexible tubing to a pair of parallel brackets includes an arcuate bend support, front and rear clamping members, and at least one fastener interconnecting the front and rear clamping members. The clamping members are positioned on opposite sides of the brackets. The bend support includes a head rotatably received in a receiver in the rear clamping member. The head includes a collet sized to receive the tubing. A wedge is formed on the front clamping member in a position to engage the collet. As the fastener is tightened, the clamping members are drawn against the brackets and the wedge engages the collet to constrict the collet inwardly against the tubing. |
| US08141826B1 |
Pipe holding bracket
A mounting bracket is provided for mounting pipes between studs of a building. An elongated support member has two elongated sides generally perpendicular to each other and has opposing ends adapted to fasten the support member to studs of a building. A locking bracket encircles the support bracket. The locking bracket has four segments comprising a first base segment, a second flange segment, a third intermediate segment and a fourth distal segment. A flexible hinge line is formed at least between the flange and intermediate segment. The base segment and flange either abutting or are close to adjacent sides of the elongated support member during use with the intermediate segment spanning the distal edges of the sides of the support member. The fourth distal segment overlaps and nests with the first base segment to restrain motion in the plane of the base segment. A latch mechanism restrains the projection from disengaging. The projection is preferably forced against the support member by the latch mechanism. |
| US08141824B2 |
Method and device for piloting an aircraft about a piloting axis
The flight-control device (1) makes it possible, by offsetting part of a flight command according to a particular flight path, to obtain the same control as is obtained with usual flight control, but without flexible excitation that generates discomfort in the aircraft. |
| US08141822B2 |
Autophagous multifunction structure-power system
A vehicle including at least one bladder for containing a two-phase liquid-gas fuel at a predetermined pressure, with a bladder outlet arranged to releasing vapor fuel from the bladder. The fuel provides energy for propulsion of the vehicle, and the vapor pressure of the fuel provides initial structural integrity of the vehicle, by rigidizing and stiffening the beam assembly to resist inward buckling until the liquid fuel is expended. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. A combustion chamber and thermoelectric conversion module can generate electricity for a propeller and battery. |
| US08141821B1 |
Aircraft
An aircraft capable of hovering, and having a fuselage in turn having a nose, a tail portion at the opposite end to the nose, and a cabin interposed between the nose and the tail portion; the cabin has a loading opening at the opposite end to the nose, and a first wall movable between a closed position engaging at least one portion of the loading opening, and an open position allowing free access to the portion of the loading opening; and, working from the tail portion towards the nose, the first wall in the open position extends on the opposite side of a first edge of the loading opening with respect to a second edge, opposite the first edge, of the loading opening. |
| US08141818B2 |
Ram door assemblies
A ram door assembly is provided for an intake opening of an intake duct of an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft. The ram door assembly includes a ram door hingeably mounted adjacent to the intake opening and moveable between an open position to a closed position. The ram door has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The ram door assembly further includes a fairing positioned on the interior surface of the ram door. |
| US08141811B2 |
Shock wave modification method and system
A shock wave in a gas is modified by emitting energy to form an extended path in the gas; heating gas along the path to form a volume of heated gas expanding outwardly from the path; and directing a path. The volume of heated gas passes through the shock wave and modifies the shock wave. This eliminates or reduces a pressure difference between gas on opposite sides of the shock wave. Electromagnetic, microwaves and/or electric discharge can be used to heat the gas along the path. This application has uses in reducing the drag on a body passing through the gas, noise reduction, controlling amount of gas into a propulsion system, and steering a body through the gas. An apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08141809B2 |
Cross-cutting and roll-changeover apparatus for continuous moving web
An apparatus for winding a flexible web continuously moving in a longitudinal travel direction as rolls onto sleeves has a winding station for holding a sleeve and rotating it about an axis for winding the web onto the sleeve. Upstream of the winding station at a changeover station a fresh sleeve is held adjacent the continuously moving web. A shell juxtaposed with the fresh sleeve in the changeover station forms therewith a gap. A cross-cutter for the web is provided adjacent an end of the gap and can form on the web a trailing end and a leading end so that the trailing end travels to the winding station for winding on the sleeve therein. Air is drawn air into the end of the gap to aspirate the leading end into the gap. This leading end is electrostatically adhered to the fresh sleeve in the changeover station. |
| US08141804B1 |
Curved hammer
The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a curved hammer for comminuting various materials. The illustrative embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The curved hammer includes a connection portion having a rod hole therein, a contact portion for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a curved neck portion affixing the connection portion to the contact portion. In other embodiments, a shoulder is positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, a neck reinforcement is positioned along a portion of the neck for increased strength. A weld or plurality of welds may be affixed to various surfaces of the contact portion to aide in comminuting and/or longevity of the curved hammer. |
| US08141800B2 |
Pulveriser mill
The invention provides a method of improving an existing pulverizer mill by provision of an improved port ring located around the circumference of a grinding ring of the mill for common rotation therewith. The conventional port ring has openings separated by thin vanes. The improved port ring has wider openings now separated by lands. The wider openings can pass more unground materials back through the port ring as rejected material but the overall air mass flow can be kept unchanged. |
| US08141798B2 |
High velocity low pressure emitter with deflector having closed end cavity
An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface having a closed end cavity. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized. |
| US08141796B2 |
Laser nozzle and iodine injection for coil
An improved nozzle and iodine injector system for use in a COIL are disclosed. The improved nozzle is a two-dimensional, minimum length nozzle with a curved sonic line. The iodine injection system utilizes a series of slender struts for iodine injection into the oxygen stream through a series of small orifices that are located along the base of each strut. The struts are located within the nozzle such that the need for a diluent gas for the iodine is reduced. The use of the nozzle and iodine injection system, particularly when combined with the SOG disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/453,148, have the potential for yielding a highly efficient, high power, optically superior COIL device that is compact, scalable, can operate in space, and has good pressure recovery potential. |
| US08141795B2 |
Aerosol dispensing device and method
A method for delivering an aerosol, especially an aromatic aerosol, comprising the steps of contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, with a liquid source, whereby at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site; applying a voltage to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site; and applying a ground reference at a location external to the EHD comminution site, wherein at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate and a device therefor. |
| US08141794B2 |
Vehicle windshield cleaning system
Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. |
| US08141788B2 |
Thermostatic control device
A thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature of a food preparation or sanitation appliance comprises a temperature sensor, a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, and means for operatively connecting the controller to the appliance. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or greater than a maximum threshold temperature, the controller shuts-off the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is present. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or less than a minimum threshold temperature, the controller starts-up the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is absent. |
| US08141786B2 |
Thin smart card module having strap on carrier
A Smart Card module with flip-assembled chip (101) on a metallic strap (112) adhering to an insulating substrate (111). Chip (101) is in the gap (122) of a metal carrier (120), strap (112) conductively attached to the carrier. Carrier (120) is designed to practically surround the chip, and has a thickness about equal to the chip thickness. Overall module thickness is less than 250 μm without dangerously thinning the chip. Additional strength may be acquired by filling any space of gap (122) not occupied by chip (101) with encapsulation compound (150). Metal carrier (120) further provides contact areas (120a, 120b) for higher level system interconnection (stacking of modules). |
| US08141779B1 |
Sensor and markers for speed feedback in a hand-operated document reader/imager
A hand-operated document processor includes a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized, and a manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem. The subsystem includes a MICR read head. Movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. The base further includes a series of embedded markers that may be magnetic or optical. A speed sensing sensor is positioned such that the speed sensing sensor passes over the series of markers as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head and the signal from the speed sensing sensor to provide position feedback information to the logic for use during character data recognition. |
| US08141776B2 |
System and method for implementing a virtual automated teller machine
Method and system for implementing a virtual automated teller machine (“VATM”) system are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a VATM host connectable to each of a plurality of disbursement entities (“DEs”) via a secure connection. The system further includes an accessing computer connectable to the VATM host via a secure connection, the accessing computer comprising a device for acquiring user account information and having installed thereon VATM client software executable by the accessing computer to interact with the VATM host to validate the acquired user account information and an associated PIN provided by the user. Responsive to the validation, the user is presented with a list of DEs and prompted to select one DE from the list of DEs from which funds are to be disbursed to the user and specify an amount of funds to be disbursed. The VATM host sends a disbursement order to the selected DE indicating the specified amount of funds to be disbursed. |
| US08141775B1 |
Systems and methods for gesture-based interaction with computer systems
The present disclosure facilitates gesture-based interaction with a computer-system. The method may comprise pairing a transaction account with a likeness, receiving the likeness and a transaction request based upon the location of a marker in three dimensional space, retrieving the transaction account paired with the likeness, and approving the transaction request at least partially based upon the transaction account and the likeness. |
| US08141772B1 |
System and method of reconciling currency and coin in a cash handling device
A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes a system and method for counting and/or reconciling cash, including currency and/or coin, in a cash drawer or till. The cash drawer may be inserted into a cash handling device and the amount of cash in the drawer may be determined, i.e., using scales to weigh the cash. In some arrangements, the cash may be removed from the cash drawer. In other arrangements, some or all of the cash (i.e., the coin or the currency) may remain in the cash drawer for use in a subsequent shift, workday, etc. |
| US08141769B2 |
Process for repairing a component comprising a directional microstructure by setting a temperature gradient during the laser heat action, and a component produced by such a process
In one aspect, a repair method for repairing components comprising a base material with a directed microstructure is provided. The repair is performed in such a way that the repaired location correspondingly has a directed microstructure like the surrounding base material. A solder is applied in the region of a location to be repaired and is soldered to the component via heat exposure, a temperature gradient, i.e., for instance a temperature variation from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, is thereby produced in the region of the location to be repaired. |
| US08141768B2 |
Application of high integrity welding and repair of metal components in oil and gas exploration, production and refining
A method for welding and repairing cracks in metal parts is provided by subjecting the metal parts to be welded to friction stir welding and the cracks to be repaired to friction stir processing under conditions sufficient to provide a weld joint or crack repair having a preselected property or set of properties based upon the intended use of the weldment. The FSW and FSP methods are advantageous in joining and repairing metal structures and components in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants. |
| US08141767B2 |
Method for making transmission electron microscope micro-grid
A method for making a TEM micro-grid is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector are provided. The carrier defines a first through opening. The protector defines a second through opening. The protector, the carbon nanotube structure and the carrier are stacked such that the carbon nanotube structure is located between the carrier and the protector. The second through opening at least partly overlaps with the first through opening. The carrier and the protector are welded with each other. |
| US08141763B2 |
Anvil assembly with improved cut ring
An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The anvil assembly includes a cut ring assembly having a body and a cover. The cover has a first layer of material having a first hardness to allow penetration by a knife of a surgical stapler and at least one additional layer of material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness to minimize penetration of the cover by a knife of a surgical stapler. |
| US08141758B2 |
Holster for small arms
A holster for retaining a pistol has a frame configured to receive a pistol, with a first pistol retention facility on the frame. The first pistol retention facility has a secure condition and a release condition, and operates operable to prevent extraction of a pistol from the holster when in the secure condition, and to enable extraction of the pistol when in the release condition. The first pistol retention facility includes a first actuator operable in response to deliberate user force to set the first pistol retention facility in the release condition. The holster has a second pistol retention facility on the frame, and having a secure condition and a release condition, and operable to prevent extraction of a pistol from the holster when in the secure condition, and to enable extraction of the pistol when in the release condition. The second pistol retention facility includes a second actuator operable in response to deliberate user force to set the second pistol retention facility in the release condition. The actuators may be adjacent to each other to enable simultaneous actuation, and operation of one actuator may operate the other. |
| US08141757B2 |
Belt convertible to backpack
The belt, convertible to a backpack, is worn about the waist of a person and includes an elongated strap, free end sections and a belt latch. The belt-backpack also includes a sack attached to the strap mid-section. The sack has an opening to permit access to its interior and a closure system (zipper, velcro, etc.,) for closing the sack opening. A pair of elongated extension panels is longitudinally affixed to an outer surface of the sack and each panel has an opposing free side edge. Each opposing free side edge has a complimentary closing system (preferably zipper) such that the extension panels and the strap form a pouch within which is disposed the folded sack and, in an opened condition, the sack is unfolded to expose the closable opening of the sack. The free end sections form backpack straps which permits the user to carry the sack. |
| US08141755B2 |
Regulated fluid dispensing device and method of dispensing a carbonated beverage
A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element. |
| US08141751B2 |
Dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder-or paste form
A dosage-dispensing device, for substances in powder- or paste form, includes a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head that is connected or connectable to the supply container. A housing has an outlet orifice of circular cross-section and a delivery- and closure element with a closure portion serving to close off the outlet orifice. The device further has a conveying tool with at least one conveying element that serves to direct the substance to the outlet orifice, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head. The conveying tool is rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and the at least one conveying element is designed to move on a circular path about the central lengthwise axis. The delivery- and closure element includes a delivery portion which serves to deliver a substance that is to be dispensed, and the delivery- and closure element is configured to be rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and to be capable of translatory displacement along the central lengthwise axis relative to the outlet orifice. The at least one conveying element of the conveying tool which serves for the delivery of substance is slanted in the direction of its rotation at an acute angle to the plane of its circular path. |
| US08141750B2 |
Storage container for granular fuel, a device and a method for feeding the fuel forward
A storage container for granular fuel, comprising a lower, essentially horizontal, limiting surface and at least one adjoining lateral limiting surface, a feeding out device with an axial extension that considerably exceeds its radial extension, the feeding out device being arranged along at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and even more preferred at least 90% of the axial extension of said lower limiting surface, a forward-feeding device arranged to transport said fuel in a direction towards said feeding out device, comprising a flexible bag that via a pressurized air inlet is inflatable and that is arranged in connection with at least a portion of the storage container's lower limiting surface and its adjoining lateral limiting surface, the feeding out device being arranged inside said storage container and the bag also comprising at least one outlet for pressurized air, whereby a flow of pressurized air is allowed through the bag during the inflation thereof. |
| US08141749B2 |
Foam soap dispenser control valve
An improved assembly of a foam soap dispenser control valve includes a lower casing, an upper casing and a valve body. In addition, a spring is installed in a protruding tube of the valve body, and a steel ball is disposed at the tip of the spring, and a bushing is sheathed onto the external periphery of the protruding tube for abutting the steel ball tightly against the top of the protruding tube and the internal side of the upper edge of the bushing, and a hollow joint bushing is protruded from the top of the upper casing, and the top of the joint bushing is a closed end, and a soap feeding inlet is disposed on a side of the bottom of the joint bushing, such that the upper casing and the lower casing can be engaged by screws to form the improved assembly of the soap dispenser control valve. |
| US08141747B2 |
Dispenser related technology
A food storage apparatus enables dispensation of contents (e.g., ice and/or water) stored in the food storage apparatus and collects residual contents after the dispensation of the contents. |
| US08141744B2 |
Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized cartridge
A foam dispenser having a selectively pressurized cartridge that includes a dispenser housing maintaining a motor driving an air compressor with a compressed air conduit extending therefrom. Also maintained within the dispenser is a foam generating head that receives air and liquid conduits that include dispensing valves. A control circuit controls the motor and dispensing valves, and further is interconnected with a hand sensor positioned in association with the dispensing head. In one embodiment of the invention, a disposable and replaceable cartridge of liquid soap or the like is adapted to sealingly and removably receive the compressed air conduit as well as the liquid and air outlet conduits, along with a vent valve and a pressure sensor, the vent valve and pressure sensor communicating with a control circuit. In another embodiment, the various conduits, valves and sensors, as well as the dispensing head, comprise a portion of the cartridge. The control circuit, upon sensing the presence of the user's hands, activates the motor and air compressor to generate a pressure head in the cartridge and the dispensing valves are activated when the pressure sensor determines that a pressure head sufficient for dispensing has been generated. The motor and compressor are turned off at an appropriate time in association with the activation of the dispensing valves. The vent valve is activated at the end of the dispensing cycle. |
| US08141737B1 |
Mesh container
A mesh container includes a bottom meshwork, a side meshwork and a frame. The side meshwork is arranged around a periphery edge of the bottom meshwork. The side meshwork has a bottom edge which is connected with the periphery edge. The side meshwork has a top edge which stretches outwardly along a direction parallel to the bottom meshwork. The frame is arranged around the side meshwork. The frame clamps the top edge of the side meshwork. The frame has two reverse edgings and a crease so as to increase strength of the frame. As such, the container has a stable frame. |
| US08141733B2 |
Beverage container having circular arcs
A plastic beverage container that can withstand deformation by positive pressure and that can be stably stored lying on its side is provided. The beverage container for storing a product under positive pressure includes a body portion having an outer wall made of plastic, and the body portion has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape formed by a plurality of circular arcs. |
| US08141732B2 |
Bottle and cup/lid combination
A bottle. The bottle may include a cup with a number of first conical sections, a lid with a number of second conical sections, and a closure positioned on the lid. The upper conical sections mate with the lower conical sections. |
| US08141731B2 |
Closure with lid and slidable latch system
The present dispensing closure system includes a closure base, which can be configured for securement to an associated container, and a lid hingedly connected to the closure base for movement between closed and open positions, wherein in the closed position of the lid, the lid coacts to close and seal a dispensing orifice defined by the closure base. Convenient manipulation of the lid between its closed and open positions is facilitated by the provision of a sliding element mounted on the closure base for sliding, reciprocable movement generally laterally of the closure base. Notably, the sliding element includes a latch portion which coacts with the lid to positively retain the lid in its closed position until manipulation of the sliding element by a user to unlatch the lid. The sliding element includes one or more camming surfaces which coact with the lid to urge it from its closed position to its open position. |
| US08141726B2 |
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 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 cover. The rear draft stop extends longitudinally inboard past the truck center. The couple arrangement includes an AAR Type E shank with an AAR Type F coupler 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 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. |
| US08141724B2 |
Double sided bin holder assembly
A double sided bin holder assembly comprises four upstanding posts and at least one horizontal H-shaped frame including two spaced apart parallel side bars and at least one middle bar connected between the side bars. A collar is positioned at each end of the side bars for adjustable connection to the upstanding posts. At least one upwardly extending flange on the middle bar functions to receive and support a plurality of bins with undercut portions thereon that fit over the upwardly extending flange on the middle bar on the H-shaped frame. |
| US08141721B2 |
Jewelry organization, storage, and transportation assemblies and methods
Jewelry support assemblies are provided that can include a substantially planar base portion having a member extending therefrom, the member including a plurality of openings; a plurality of arms extending from the openings, individuals ones of the arms being associated with individual ones of the openings; and a plurality of rods extending from the arms, the rods being staggered along the length of the arms. Other assemblies are also provided that include: a rod extending from a first end to a second end; flexible material at least partially wrapping the rod and extending therefrom, the material including multiple layers of overlapping material; and wherein exposed overlapping portions of material include openings. Jewelry storage assemblies are provided that can include: a case comprising at least two components configured to be coupled when in a closed position; and one of the two components configured to house a jewelry support assembly. |
| US08141714B2 |
Linear motors for shaker motion control
Embodiments relate to a vibratory screen separator and methods for using a vibratory screen separator. The vibratory screen separator may have a stationary base, a movable basket, and at least one linear motor for imparting motion to the movable basket, and methods for using the vibratory screen separator. The linear motor may include a stationary component and a moving component, wherein the moving component is coupled to the movable basket, and wherein the stationary component is coupled to the stationary base. The method may include passing a material including solid particles onto the screen, and moving the basket with at least one linear motor having a movable component coupled to the basket and a stationary component coupled to a base. |
| US08141712B2 |
Thin wafer insert
A plastic insert is configured to provide support of thin wafers in wafer carriers configured to provide peripheral wafer support. The invention includes the insert, the insert in combination with a wafer carrier, and the methods of supporting the thin wafers as provided by the insert and the wafer carrier. The inserts, in preferred embodiments, utilize tabs that fit into the side wall recesses and have an interference fit in said recesses to secure the insert in place. In preferred embodiments the inserts have a top surface with a plurality of ribs positioned inwardly from the wafer periphery for supporting the wafers with minimal contact. In preferred embodiments the insert has a lower surface having strengthening structure providing rigidity to the insert. The top surface ribs may preferably be oriented parallel to the insertion and withdrawal direction of the wafers and extend upwardly to position the supported wafer in the slot immediately above the slot defined by the recesses in which the tabs are positioned. Thus, the inserts may be inserted into alternate slots in the carrier. The insert, in preferred embodiments may have an h-shape offering an optimal combination of support of each wafer and precise positioning of the wafer while minimizing the amount of plastic and correspondingly the weight of the insert. |
| US08141706B2 |
Patch package structure
The present invention relates to a patch package structure which includes: a package including a first sheet material and a second sheet material, the first and second sheet materials being sealed together in peripheral parts thereof; and a patch disposed in the package, the patch contains a backing, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on at least one side of the backing, and a release liner which protects a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the release liner having on a surface thereof a cut line supporting a peel-off of the release liner at the time of using the patch, the patch being disposed in the package so that the release liner faces the inner surface of the first sheet material, the first sheet material having a first region in which the inner surface of the first sheet material faces the cut line of the release liner, the first sheet material having in the first region a minimum first distance between the inner surface of the first sheet material and the surface of the release liner, and the inner surface of the first sheet material being spaced from the surface of the release liner at the minimum first distance in the first region. |
| US08141704B2 |
Convertible golf club carry bag/golf cart bench mat
This invention is a convertible golf club carry bag/golf cart bench mat. The device is a single unit that is easily converted from a bag to a mat and vice versa. In a folded, zipped position it may be utilized as a golf club carry bag. In an unfolded, unzipped position it may be utilized as a mat to place on a golf cart bench seat for comfort. To add or remove clubs, the zippers are opened partially or fully to gain access to the clubs, according to the golfer's preference. The mat is held in place on a golf cart by unzipped side openings surrounding the cart railings. |
| US08141700B2 |
Bottle cap for dispersing powdered supplement in situ
A dispensing cap system for dispensing a supplement material through a bottle neck opening and into the bottle. An exemplary embodiment includes a cap member configured for connection to beverage bottle necks of different sizes. A seal member is arranged to provide a liquid seal against the neck opening. A valve member passes through a storage member attached to the cap member, and is configured for movement between a storage position and a dispensing position, in which passage is permitted of the supplement material from the storage member into the bottle. A nipple member may be positioned over the valve member to allow the bottle contents to be utilized or consumed. |
| US08141696B2 |
Replaceable sound dampening conveyor chain flight
A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support. |
| US08141695B2 |
Clean conveyor sensing system
A conveyor maintenance system and method determines when a conveyor requires cleaning by determining when the conveyor is soiled beyond a predetermined threshold level. The system comprises a detector that collects optical data indicative of the amount of soil on a conveyor, a memory that stores reference data indicative of a clean conveyor, and a controller that compares the optical data indicative of the amount of soil on the conveyor to the reference data and determines whether the conveyor requires cleaning based on the comparison. |
| US08141694B2 |
Apparatus for the production and/or machining of panels
A method and apparatus for producing and/or machining panels. The apparatus includes a transport device for transporting a panel along a transport path and a machining device for machining the panel as it moves via the transport device. The transport device includes a plurality of positioning devices arranged one behind the other and spaced apart by a distance along the transport path. Each positioning device includes upper and lower abutment mechanisms arranged opposite one another and on opposite sides of a panel plane, and being spaced apart by a distance. An adjusting device is used for setting the distance between the upper and lower abutment mechanisms. An actuating arrangement is structured and arranged to actuate the adjusting device of at least two of the plurality of positioning devices. An arrangement is used for independently adjusting each of the upper and lower abutment mechanisms of at least one of the plurality of positioning devices. |
| US08141693B2 |
Combined traffic flow and maintenance information display for a passenger conveyor
A display device (40) for use with a passenger conveyor (20) provides a traffic flow direction indicator and visible maintenance information. One example includes a display panel (42) supported on a surface (38) that is conveniently positioned between a handrail (28) and a landing (24). In one example, a single display panel (42) alternatively provides the traffic flow direction indicator or the maintenance information. In another example a first display panel (42) and a second display panel (48) are supported on a plate (43) that is selectively moveable into different positions, depending on which display panel should be visible. One example includes a remote signaling device (62) that allows an individual to control the information shown on the display device (40). |
| US08141691B2 |
Mechanism for adjustment of vehicle operating lever
An operating lever, for example for use in a vehicle, is provided. The operating lever may comprise a lever holder, and an operating component pivotably coupled to the lever holder. Manipulation of the operating component may regulate or control a “pulling margin” of a wire that operates a device such as a clutch. The operating component and the lever holder may contact each other circumferentially at a contact portion. At the contact portion, projections on respective surfaces of the operating component and lever holder may engage each other in such a way that when the operating component is turned to regulate the pulling margin, the operating component undergoes elastic deformation in a radial direction. In this way, a definite operating feel is transmitted to a person operating the operating component. |
| US08141687B2 |
System for identifying tire position
A system includes a first detector, second detector and processor section. The first detector is provided to a first wheel in a first position in a vehicle. The second detector is provided to a second wheel in a second position in the vehicle. The vehicle includes a brake system configured to brake the first wheel in response to a signal designating the first position. The first detector is assigned with a first identifier and the second detector is assigned with a second identifier. The first detector is configured to output the first identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the first wheel. The second detector is configured to output the second identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the second wheel. The processor section is configured to output the signal to the brake system, to associate the first identifier and a first position data indicating the first position and to identify a first tire mounted on the first wheel based on the first identifier. |
| US08141683B1 |
Expandable platform
An expandable platform for use within an elevator hoistway is provided. The expandable platform includes a plurality of corner members slidably connected to a plurality of side members. The corner members and the side members form an adjustable frame assembly. A plurality of extension members is connected to opposing side members. The extension members are configured to support a plurality of support surfaces. A depth and a width of the adjustable frame assembly can be adjusted to fit elevator hoistways having various depths and widths. |
| US08141682B2 |
Security cone-door for a ladder
A first embodiment of the security apparatus comprises a retaining collar; a plurality of segments forming a generally frusta-conical enclosure, with one or more of the segments having an access opening therein; and a lockable access door covering the opening. The retaining collar is separable into portions that conforms to the shape of the periphery and are coupled together around the structure. The segments have an upper portion that attaches to the collar; and have a bottom portion that extends radically downwardly from the collar at an angle of about 30 degree; with the radial edges interconnected forming the enclosure.A second embodiment of the apparatus secures a ladder supported on a wall and a retaining bar; a plurality of segments forming a generally semi-frusta-conical enclosure, with one or more of the segments having an access opening therein; and a lockable access door covering the opening. |
| US08141677B2 |
Ring shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker
Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°. |
| US08141676B2 |
Compound membrane and acoustic device using same
The present invention provides a compound membrane and an acoustic device including such a compound membrane. The compound membrane includes a central layer, a first glue layer attached to one side of the central layer, a second glue layer attached to another side of the central layer, an upper layer provided on the first glue layer, and a lower layer provided beneath the second glue layer. The anti-fatigue performance of the compound membrane is desirable. |
| US08141672B2 |
Canister layout structure in motorcycle
A canister layout structure in a motorcycle includes a swing arm vertically swingably supported to a rear portion of a body frame and supporting a wheel, a canister located below the swing arm for trapping an evaporative fuel evaporated in a fuel tank, and a center stand pivotably supported to a lower portion of the body frame for making the body frame stand on a road surface when parking. The center stand is retractable to keep a horizontal position substantially parallel to a road surface during running. The canister is located above the center stand in its retracted condition. |
| US08141670B2 |
Radiator attachment structure for saddle-ride type vehicle
A radiator attachment structure for a motorcycle in which a down tube is formed in a shape having a curved portion, and a radiator can be disposed in a less visible manner while being erected. An upper portion of each of down tubes is formed as a curved portion curved in a side view. A lower portion of each of the down tube is formed as a linear slope portion extending linearly downwardly from a corresponding one of the curved portions in the side view. A radiator is disposed while being overlapped with the linear slope portions of the down tubes in the side view. |
| US08141661B2 |
Enhanced oil-based foam drilling fluid compositions and method for making and using same
New oil-based foam drilling fluids for oil and/or gas wells include a base oil, a foaming agent and a polymer including at least one aromatic olefin monomer and at least one diene monomer. The polymer improves foam properties rendering a foam stable at temperatures at or above 350° F. |
| US08141658B2 |
Tilted drive sub
A tilted drive sub is disclosed with a center line of the internal diameter (ID) offset at an angle from the center line of the outer diameter (OD) starting at a point near to a top end of the tilted drive sub. This results in the ID being at an angle to the OD, with the OD of the tilted drive sub remaining straight. The offset ID has the same threads of a mud motor without a tilted drive sub. The tilted drive sub replaces the outer bearing housing of a normal performance mud motor. |
| US08141651B1 |
Thatch rake with flexible thatching assembly
A thatch rake comprising a handle, a body assembly comprising two side plates, a belt drive system comprising first and second rotating pulley wheels, a motor, a flexible thatching assembly comprising two thatching rods, and a guide arm situated in between the two side plates. Each thatching rod is situated between a side plate and the guide arm. A universal joint is located between each side plate and a thatching rod and between each thatching rod and the guide arm. Each thatching rod comprises a plurality of outwardly extending tines. The guide arm has two ends and is pivotally attached to the body assembly on one end and attached to a center wheel on the other end. |
| US08141650B2 |
Automatic depth correction based on blade pitch
A vehicle includes a blade, a lifting mechanism configured to raise and lower the blade, and a pitching mechanism configured to pitch the blade forward and backward. A control system of the vehicle is configured to automatically maintain at least one of a depth of the blade during pitching of the blade and a pitch of the blade during lifting of the blade. |
| US08141648B2 |
Multiple-positioning mechanical shifting system and method
A multiple-positioning mechanical shifting system including for used in hydrocarbon wells. The system includes a shifting tool capable of selectively positioning a mechanical sliding sleeve valve in multiple operational positions that varying the flow rate and/or volume of tubing string fluid flowing to the well annulus. The system also includes a multiple position mechanical choke valve. A method of operating the mechanical choke valve using the shifting tool is described. |
| US08141645B2 |
Offshore gas recovery
During an Extended Well Test or Early Floating Production at an offshore hydrocarbon production site, where oil and gas hydrocarbons are produced by a production vessel, applicant stores the natural gas as pressured gas in a storage tank and occasionally transfers the pressured gas to a shuttle vessel which carries the gas to a site where it is used, as by pumping it into a natural gas pipeline. The transfer of natural gas to the shuttle can be accomplished by pumping it through a conduit extending between the vessels to a second tank on the shuttle, or can be accomplished by moving a gas-filled tank on the production vessel to the shuttle. |
| US08141641B2 |
Backup safety flow control system for concentric drill string
A technique is presented for providing a double-barrier to formation fluids during drilling operations with a concentric drill string having an inner bore and an annulus. A primary flow control system is used to provide a first barrier to formation fluids in the inner bore and annulus of the drill string. A backup flow control system is used to provide a second barrier to formation fluids. The backup flow control system comprises a backup inner bore shutoff valve and a backup annulus shutoff valve. The backup inner bore shutoff valve is dropped from the surface through the inner bore of the drill string. The backup inner bore shutoff valve has spring-biased tabs that are configured to extend outward to contact an inner surface profile of the inner bore of the drill string. The backup annulus shutoff valve may be provided with the profile to receive the spring-biased tabs from the backup inner bore shutoff valve. When the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are disposed opposite the profile, the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are extended outward into the profile by a spring assembly, securing the backup inner bore shutoff valve within the drill string. |
| US08141640B2 |
System, method and apparatus for enhancing wellbore treatment fluid flexibility
A method includes performing a chemical process to create a chemical product and an amount of heat, and transferring the heat to a first fluid. The method further includes hydrating a polymer in the first fluid, and adding the chemical product from the chemical process to the first fluid to create a treatment fluid. The method further includes diluting the treatment fluid with respect to at least one constituent of the treatment fluid. The method includes treating a formation of interest in a wellbore with the treatment fluid. The method includes changing a formulation of the treatment fluid during the treating. The method also includes extending the treating beyond a design amount, or ending the treatment before the design amount and preserving some reagents of the chemical process. |
| US08141638B2 |
Fracturing method and apparatus utilizing gelled isolation fluid
A method and apparatus for fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of (a) injecting a gel into the wellbore; (b) permitting the gel to increase in viscosity and (c) fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the gel. |
| US08141636B2 |
Method and system integrating thermal oil recovery and bitumen mining for thermal efficiency
Thermal oil recovery operations, such as SAGD, result in waste heat that is typically released to the environment. Bitumen mining operations require heat input for heating fluids used in the mining process. A method and system of recovering heat from a thermal recovery operation for use in bitumen mining operation may include a heated donor fluid from a thermal recovery operation which heats an acceptor fluid for use in bitumen mining via proximal heat exchange using a power cycle or heat exchange module, such as an ammonia and water based Kalina® Cycle. |
| US08141630B2 |
Sucker rod string
An improvement in a sucker rod having an elongated metal body with opposed ends and threaded couplings positioned at each of the opposed ends comprises a thread form on the threaded couplings defining at least two concurrent helixes. Each of the at least two helixes has a different starting position on a circumference of the threaded coupling. |
| US08141628B2 |
Downhole deburring tool
A downhole deburring tool is equipped with retractable cutters which permit it to fit through restrictions in a wellbore—e.g., a subsurface safety valve—and subsequently expand to deburr or scrape a section of tubing having an internal diameter greater than that of the restriction. In one preferred embodiment, tapered surfaces on the tool act to effect retraction of the cutters during withdrawal of the tool from a wellbore. Deburring operations with the tool may increase the effectiveness of bridge plugs and/or ball sealer systems to permit chemical treatment of selected zones. Scraping operations with the tool to remove scale, corrosion and other material from the inner surface of a well tubular can increase the effective diameter of the tubing thereby allowing greater production. |
| US08141623B2 |
Automatic switching two pipe hydronic system
Disclosed is an automatic switching two pipe hydronic system for conditioning a space. In one embodiment the two pipe hydronic system enables automatic switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation or vice versa in a reduced span of time. The present invention saves fuel, energy and water, when there are lower load conditions that affect boilers, chillers, and cooling towers. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for simultaneously heating and cooling a first portion and a second portion of a space by utilizing a plurality of boilers, chillers, heat exchangers, condenser pumps and closed loop pumps by using a plurality of sensors indicating the temperatures inside and outside the space and a controlling module controlling the operation of the system. The present invention can be easily achieved by making minor configurational modifications to existing systems thereby increases system versatility. |
| US08141622B2 |
Console air conditioner for vehicle
A console air conditioner includes an evaporator, a heater, a face vent, a floor vent, and a vent door for controlling the opening degrees of the face vent and the floor vent and is installed in the console space between front seats of a vehicle. Both sides of the air mixing zone where a cool air passageway meets a warm air passageway in the console air conditioner are connected to a pillar duct extending toward the middle pillar of the vehicle. A temperature control door controls the opening degrees of a cool air passageway and a warm air passageway of the air conditioner case and is installed such that rotational trace of the temperature control door is overlapped with a pillar vent area that is defined between the pillar ducts. |
| US08141621B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing in situ cooling of computer data centers during service calls
An apparatus and method for cooling electronic components housed in a computer rack while performing maintenance operations is provided. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a heat exchange assembly disposed within an outlet door cover of the computer rack, having one or more perforations. One or more air moving device(s) are also disposed on the outlet door and activated by an activator when the door is opened such that the devices when activated force hot air into the heat exchanger. Cool air is then exhausted through a planar containment plate having a plurality of edges. The plate is secured to top of the outlet door along one of its edges. |
| US08141619B2 |
Fin inspection method of a heat exchanger
A fin inspection method comprising a step of having an imaging device capture an image of the core and inputting into an image processing device the image data for storage, a step of setting a first region in the image data in which an image of the entire core is captured and setting a second region in which an image of at least a portion of all of the tubes is captured so as to identify position information of the tubes, a step of setting a third region for fin detection between adjacent tubes based on the identified position information of the tubes, a step of performing binarization and noise removal in the third region to obtain an image of the fins and identifying from the image of the fins the edge position information of the fins along a long direction of the tubes, and a step of performing statistical processing of the pitch intervals based on the edge position information of the fins and judging fin defects. |
| US08141615B1 |
Aluminum engine cylinder liner and method
A method has been found for centrifugal casting engine cylinders. A mold is charged with molten aluminum alloy and particulate silicon monoxide having an average size of 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm. The mold is rotated at a velocity and period of time to distribute the particulate silicon monoxide on an inner cylinder surface. The mold is allowed to cool until the aluminum alloy solidifies. A casting is demolded characterized in a uniform inner cylinder surface of the particulate silicon monoxide in an amount of 25 volume % and thickness 1 to 5 millimeters. The engine cylinders are distinguished in resistance to wear. Cylinder liners show no appreciable wear for over 100,000 miles of use. |
| US08141609B2 |
Extendable welding machine
A welding machine having a frame that includes end supports spanned by a top beam with a truncated V-shaped cross-section. A vacuum track assembly disposed vertically beneath the top beam retains fabrics to be welded on a perforated surface using suction. A welding head travels along the top beam and applies heat and pressure to the surface to weld the fabrics together. The top beam and vacuum track assembly are extendable by including additional unit segments from which the beam and assembly are constructed. |
| US08141607B2 |
Optical component lens assembling apparatus
An object is to provide an optical component lens assembling apparatus which is capable of automating the assembly of an optical component having a minute lens and an optical fiber. This apparatus includes: a fiber block fixing device 20 that fixes in position a fiber block 13 on which an optical fiber 11 is provided; a lens grasping device 21 for grasping the outer peripheral side surface of a lens 12 supplied to a lens supply position; an adhesive applying device 22; a lens moving device 23 for placing the one end surface of the lens 12, to which the adhesive has been applied, at a predetermined position of the fiber block 13; and an optical axis alignment state detecting device 24 for detecting the optical axis alignment state of the optical fiber 11 and the lens 12. |
| US08141605B2 |
Device for preventing slipping of vehicle
A device for preventing slipping of a vehicle is disclosed, which improves a vehicle slipping prevention device in which a plurality of spikes connected with a connection member are inserted into a gap between double wheels disposed at a rear side of a large size vehicle at regular intervals for preventing slipping. In the present invention, a structure contacting with a tire surface along with a spike is newly improved, and a structure of an engaging member used for maintaining the tensional force of a plurality of spikes connected by means of a connection member is newly improved. It is possible to achieve a fast and simple engaging and disengaging work and to keep a substantial tensional force so that a vehicle slipping prevention device is not disengaged even during a long time drive of a vehicle. |
| US08141602B2 |
Rotation system for a felling head
A rotation system for a felling head mounted to a boom, the rotation system including: an adapter which is pivotally mounted to the boom; a housing fixed to the adapter; a gear system enclosed between the housing and the felling head and operable to allow the felling head to rotate with respect to the housing about an axis of rotation; and a plurality of actuators mounted to the housing and engaging the gear system, the plurality of actuators being operable to drive the rotation of the felling head, the plurality of actuators engaging the gearing system at positions below the axis of rotation so as to provide a vertical support therefor. |
| US08141589B2 |
Fluid flow labyrinth
A labyrinth channel for reducing pressure and/or flow rate in a liquid flowing in the channel, the labyrinth channel having a bottom surface and first and second opposing walls and comprising: a first array of spaced apart first baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the first wall towards the second wall to terminate in an end; and a second array of spaced apart second baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the second wall towards the first wall to terminate in an end; wherein baffle teeth in different arrays have a substantially same shape and upstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different and/or downstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different. |
| US08141587B2 |
Duckbill type check valve with curved and resiliently biased closing seal
A check valve is provided comprising a conduit for conveying a fluid, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit having a first region adjacent the outlet (13) comprising a flexible wall, two opposing sides of the flexible wall converging towards each other to form a closed geometry when the pressure of the fluid upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the outlet are substantially equal, the closed geometry comprising each of the opposing sides (23, 24) being arcuate in cross-section and lying against each other in a substantially sealing relationship (21, 22). Preferably, two connecting regions of the wall connecting the two opposing sides (15, 16) are biased towards each other by a biasing means. Preferably, the biasing means comprises one or more flexible ring members (25) encircling the flexible wall attached at points (25A and 25B). Preferably, the conduit takes the form of a duck beak valve (20). The figure shows an end view onto the check valve outlet. |
| US08141584B1 |
Water collection, storage, and distribution system
A water collection, storage, and distribution system includes one or more individual water storage tanks. Each water storage tank has its own microprocessor that controls the operation of the storage tank so that each storage tank can operate either as a stand-alone storage tank or can be integrated into a series or a daisy chain of storage tanks. Each individual storage tank monitors its water level, its temperature, and its flow rate. When a risk of freezing exists, based on time and temperature, the storage tank can dump water. When the water in the storage tank is approaching stagnation, based on flow rate and time, the storage tank can dump water. When a storage tank is part of a daisy chain of storage tanks, each individual tank monitors not only its own water level but also the water level of the next downstream storage tank and pumps water to the downstream storage tank as required. |
| US08141583B2 |
Valve controller
A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft. |
| US08141580B2 |
Pressure reducer
A pressure reducer for fluid lines, with a sealing piston (70, 110) as stop element, with an equalization piston (20a, 190) as a means for pressure equalization, with a single-part or multi-part connecting means (20b, 90, 200) by which the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190) are rigidly connected with one another, with a valve seat, in conjunction of which the sealing piston (70, 110) defines a flow-through opening, against which the sealing piston (17, 110) seals when the valve is closed and which the connecting means (20b, 90, 200) penetrates, and with guide means (20c, 210) which are directly or indirectly rigidly coupled with the connecting means and guide an arrangement composed of at least the equalization piston (20a, 190), connecting means (20b, 90, 200) and sealing piston (70, 110) in each operating position, wherein the guide means (20c, 210) are arranged in the region of the valve seat between the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190). |
| US08141577B2 |
Liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for petroleum underground storage tanks
A liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for underground storage tanks has a body having an inlet coupled to the UST and an outlet coupled to atmosphere. The valve has a suction zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the inlet. The valve has a pressure zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the outlet, with the suction zone in fluid communication with the pressure zone. The valve has a separator disposed in fluid communication with the outlet and the pressure zone, and a fluid that flows between the suction zone and pressure zone. The flow of fluid is determined by an increased force due to a pressure differential between the suction zone and pressure zone. |
| US08141576B2 |
Float valve device
Provided is a float valve device which allows a valve to be quickly opened when, in a state in which a float has been raised as a result of a rise in fuel liquid level to close the valve, the fuel liquid level is lowered again. The float valve device includes a housing, a float accommodated in the housing, a movable valve adapted to abut a valve seat to close an opening, and a retention frame to retain the movable valve so as to allow the movable valve to ascend/descend by a predetermined distance and to incline with respect to the float. Further, a circumferentially uneven protrusion is formed on a portion where the retention frame and the movable valve abut each other. When the float is lowered in a valve-closed state, the protrusion first abuts the movable valve to impart a lowering force thereto. |
| US08141571B2 |
Supplemental medical gas system
A supplemental medical gas system and method utilizes a wheeled handcart, a reel disposed thereon having a length of the hose disposed thereon and extendable therefrom. Couplings are provided and disposed on opposite end of the hose for establishing connection with a gas supply and a hospital conduit system. In addition, at least one berm disposable on the handcart and deployable therefrom is provided for overlaying the extended hose for enabling the vehicular travel thereacross. |
| US08141568B2 |
Breakaway knuckle for arm of a car wash
A breakaway knuckle for an arm of a car wash is disclosed. The knuckle allows the arm of a car wash to receive an impact from a vehicle without breaking and return the arm to its original position automatically. The knuckle preferably comprises a joint having a series of inclined grooves and corresponding balls. The knuckle is spring loaded to actuate the return of the arm to an in-use position after an impact, and the balls roll into the grooves to hold the arm in place. |
| US08141566B2 |
System, method and apparatus for maintaining separation of liquids in a controlled meniscus
A system and method of forming and using a proximity head. The proximity head includes a head surface including a first zone, a second zone and an inner return zone. The first zone including a first flat surface region and multiple first discrete holes connected to a corresponding first conduit and arranged in a first row. The second zone including a second flat region and multiple second discrete holes connected to a corresponding second conduit. The inner return zone being disposed between and adjacent to the first zone and the second zone and including multiple inner return discrete hole connected to a corresponding inner return conduit and arranged in an inner return row. The first row and the inner return row are parallel. A portion of an edge of each of the inner return discrete holes is recessed into the head surface. |
| US08141565B2 |
Lotion, soap or cream applicator or appliance
The appliance includes a two-piece elongated handle with first and second handle pieces rotatably hinged via a locking stop which locks the handle upon full extension. A head piece rotatably mounted on the second handle piece with a coupling rotatably linking the head to the handle. The head piece is biased to a set position with a spring or torsion loadable stem such that upon rotation, the head returns to the set position. The front face of the planar plate has spaced hook ended pins upon which is releaseably mounted a removable cream bearing pad. The bearing pad includes a sponge pad for the lotion, soap or cream and a thin interfacing cloth attached to the rear of the bearing pad. The interfacing cloth has a multiplicity of loops which cooperate with the hooked pins for removable attachment of the bearing pad on the head piece. |
| US08141564B2 |
Article for precise application of makeup
A lightweight, portable article for precise application of makeup is placed upon a user's eyelid skin, preferably the bottom eyelid skin, adjacent to the eyelashes. With this placement, a user can readily apply mascara and/or eyeliner without contacting the delicate eyelid skin. The article has a handle portion and an arcuate top portion. The arcuate top portion includes an applicator rim with rounded lateral edges and an arced central section, both of which are covered with the rubber guard. The rubber guard contiguously traverses the entire surface area of the applicator rim, resulting in a device yielding a high degree of safety. The article is formed of a smooth polymeric or metal material. It is compact, easily cleaned and enables application of mascara in a safe, hygienic manner. |
| US08141562B2 |
Cosmetic container system including tab-hinged cover
A container system for a cosmetic product and/or a cosmetic product applicator may include at least one base including a receptacle having an opening. The receptacle may be configured to contain a cosmetic product and/or an applicator for applying a cosmetic product. The system may also include a device including a cover configured to close the opening, and a tab hingedly associated with the cover. The tab may include a connecting portion configured to removably connect the tab to the base. |
| US08141560B2 |
Apparatus for fixing a wig and method for fixing a wig using the apparatus
An apparatus for fixing a wig to head of a user, including a flexible plane sheet including a first opening and a second opening, a plurality of monofilaments each including a swollen head and protrusively provided on a first side of the flexible plane sheet, a first adhesive layer provided so as to cover the monofilaments, a net member provided on a second side of the flexible plane sheet, and a second adhesive layer provided on the net member of a first half area, the flexible plane sheet being divided into the first half area and a second half area by a line bisecting the flexible plane sheet. |
| US08141557B2 |
Method of oscillatory thermotherapy of biological tissue
A method for thermotherapy of a biological tissue by determining the temperature at which to heat a target site to be treated to provide a temperature to the site to effect therapy, the temperature above body temperature but below a protein denaturation temperature, as determined by a patient's experience of a sensation of pain. Thermotherapy is effected in the absence of coagulative effects by providing oscillatory energy at the predetermined temperature. |
| US08141555B1 |
Backboard cover and associated methods
A backboard cover includes a sheet of flexible material having an upper portion for covering a backboard top surface. The sheet has a lower surface with a non-skid region for retaining the sheet's upper portion in position atop the backboard. The sheet has a plurality of apertures positioned and dimensioned for communicating with handholds in the backboard. The sheet has a portion that can extend over to the bottom surface of the backboard, for retaining the sheet on the backboard. The backboard cover further includes an absorbent pad affixed atop the sheet for absorbing and retaining bodily or other fluids that may be exuded during the patient's residence thereon. An affixing element such as, but not intended to be limited to, a hook-and-latch pad, is affixed adjacent a top edge of the sheet, for serving as a fixation site for at least a pillow thereto. |
| US08141552B2 |
Respiratory anaesthesia apparatus with device for measuring the xenon concentration
Apparatus for respiratory anaesthesia of a patient by administration of a gas containing gaseous xenon, with a main gas circuit which is open or closed and has an inhalation branch and an exhalation branch, means for supply of gaseous xenon to the inhalation branch of the main circuit, and means for determining the xenon concentration. The means for determining the xenon concentration comprise at least one hot-wire sensor having at least one electrically conducting wire in direct contact with the gaseous flow containing the xenon, calculating means that cooperate with the hot-wire sensor(s) in order to determine the xenon concentration (Xe %) in the flow, means for generating an electrical current in order to generate a current in at least one hot wire, and means for voltage measurement that can measure at least one voltage value at the terminal of at least one hot wire or at least one resistance arranged in series with at least one hot wire. The calculating means cooperate with the voltage measurement means in such a way as to determine the xenon concentration (Xe %). |
| US08141549B2 |
Appliance with a vacuum-based reverse airflow cooling system using one fan
An appliance includes a housing having an airflow channel communicating with outside of the appliance; a first chamber in the housing and having a first opening; a first door for selectively closing the first opening, the first door having a first airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; a second chamber in the housing and having a second opening; a second door for selectively closing the second opening, the second door having a second airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; and a fan in the airflow channel. The airflow channel includes a central segment disposed between the first and second chambers and communicating with the first and second airways. When activated, the fan causes ambient air to pass through the first and second airways before entering the central segment so that the first and second doors are cooled off by the ambient air. |
| US08141546B2 |
Bowstring drawing assembly for a bow
A bowstring drawing assembly for a bow has a mounting frame, an operating device and a connecting belt. The mounting frame has a bottom bar, two supporting shafts and two pulleys. The supporting shafts are connected to the bottom bar. The pulleys are connected to the supporting shafts to hold the bow. The operating device is mounted on the mounting frame and has a holding seat, a rotating rod, a worm wheel, a worm shaft and a crank shaft. The holding seat is mounted on the bottom bar. The rotating rod is rotatably connected to the holding seat. The worm wheel is mounted around the rotating rod. The worm shaft is rotatably connected to the holding seat and engages the worm wheel. The crank shaft is connected securely to the worm shaft. The connecting belt is connected to the rotating rod of the operating device to mount around the bow. |
| US08141542B2 |
Method for the cold start of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine associated with a starter for driving the engine when starting the latter and to means for adapting the amount of injected fuel. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: during a first start operation, counting the number of revolutions (PMH) of the engine when it is driven by the starter; during a second starting operation following the first operation, adapting the amount (Q) of injected fuel based on the number of revolutions (PHM) counted during the first starting operation. |
| US08141539B2 |
Controller and control method for internal combustion engine
An ECU controls an adjusting mechanism adjusting an output of an engine, such as a throttle valve, a swirl control valve, an ignition plug, an intake valve, and an ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System) changing the length of an intake manifold, in accordance with a ratio between a maximum value KL(MAX) of load factor and the load factor required of the engine by the driver and by the system mounted on the vehicle at current engine speed NE. |
| US08141537B2 |
Controlling device and method of estimating valve opening for internal combustion engine
A controlling device for an internal combustion engine includes an estimating portion to calculate an estimation value relative to an open degree of a valve based on a predetermined estimation formula. A signal of a sensor is changed, when the valve has a predetermined open degree defined between a full close and a full open. The estimating portion determines that an actual open degree of the valve is smaller than the predetermined open degree, in a case that the signal of the sensor is not changed when the estimation value becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined open degree. |
| US08141536B2 |
Air cleaner for stratified-scavenging two-stroke internal combustion engine
ObjectIt is intended to prevent intrusion of air-fuel mixture into an air cleaner by blow-back in an air-fuel mixture passage of a stratified-scavenging two-stroke engine.SolutionThe air cleaner (24) includes a guide member (30). A blow-back flow of air (20) flowing back to the air cleaner (24) through a first air opening (23A) due to blow-back of air is induced to a vicinity of a second air opening (23M) by the guide member (30). A blow-back flow of air-fuel mixture (21) occurring in an air-fuel mixture passage (2) prior to the blow-back phenomenon in an air passage (3) collides the air flow 20 moving toward the vicinity of the second air opening (23M), and retains the air-fuel mixture near the second air opening (23M). |
| US08141533B2 |
Control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a stop request to an engine, a throttle closing control unit that, when the stop request is detected, adjusts an opening amount of a throttle valve to an engine-stop throttle valve opening amount smaller than a current opening amount an engine stop detection unit that detects a stop of the engine, an engine-stop exhaust valve control unit that adjusts an opening/closing characteristic of an exhaust valve of a cylinder that will be placed initially in an intake stroke when the engine is restarted so that, when the opening amount of the throttle valve is adjusted to the engine-stop throttle valve opening amount and a stop of the engine is detected, the exhaust valve has an engine-stop exhaust valve opening/closing characteristic by which a closing timing of the exhaust valve is more delayed than a current closing timing of the exhaust valve. |
| US08141532B2 |
Spark plug
A peripheral wall extending portion is formed in such a manner that a front end side of a cylindrical hole of a metal shell projects forward in an axis O direction, and the peripheral wall extending portion comprising: a projecting portion formed into a projecting shape, and a connecting portion which connects between the projecting portions. A fuel injected from an injection orifice of an injector strikes against the projecting portion and is unlikely to directly reach to a spark discharge gap formed between a noble metal tip and a front end portion of a ground electrode. The fuel that strikes against the projecting portions without striking against the projecting portion is separated into a droplet-like incompletely vaporized fuel that adheres to the projecting portions and a vaporized fuel being reflected to a perimeter of the spark discharge gap. |
| US08141527B2 |
Camshaft adjuster having a variable ratio gear unit
A camshaft adjuster (1) having a variable ratio gear unit (2). Usually, a drive movement of an electrical actuating assembly (7) is transmitted into a variable ratio gear unit (2) of a camshaft adjuster (1) on the side which faces away from the camshaft (6). According to the invention, the abovementioned drive movement is transmitted in from the side of the variable ratio gear unit (2) which faces the camshaft (6). As a result, a further assembly, for example a vacuum pump, can be driven by the variable ratio gear unit (2) on the side of the variable ratio gear unit (2) which has become free and faces away from the camshaft (6). An actuating shaft (4) of the actuating assembly (7) is preferably mounted via a bearing (34) which is supported on a circumferential face of the camshaft (6). This results in a reduced axial overall size of the camshaft adjuster and extended possibilities for the arrangement of an actuating assembly and the connection of additional assemblies. |
| US08141526B2 |
Camshaft adjuster
Impurities of a lubricant in traditional camshaft adjusters can cause a problem, leading to impairment in the function and service life of the camshaft adjuster. In order to address this, flow channel areas are provided in the lubricant circuit, which include a dead chamber (37) where impurities can be deposited as a result of centrifugal force. Alternatively or additionally, a labyrinth is used to deposit impurities. |
| US08141524B2 |
Cooling system having variable orifice plates
A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have an engine, a pump configured to receive coolant from the engine and generate a flow of coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to receive the coolant flow. The cooling system may also have a plurality of orifice plates located between the pump and the heat exchanger. At least one of the plurality of orifice plates may be adjustable to control the flow of the coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger. |
| US08141520B2 |
Livestock sterilizing method, livestock sterilizing apparatus, and livestock or livestock meat
By effectively inhibiting ozone escape from ozonized water, a livestock sterilizing method which does not have the possibility of having an adverse effect on man and livestock is provided. Sterilizing of livestock is performed by including an ozonized water producing step of producing ozonized water with a particle size R of a contained ozone bubble satisfying 0 |
| US08141519B2 |
Animal enclosure
An animal enclosure is provided which is particularly adapted for cat. The animal enclosure includes a housing having a base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the base, a hollow interior space surrounded by the sidewall, an access opening in the sidewall to permit an animal to enter and leave the hollow interior space. A frame is attached to an interior surface of said sidewall, and a corrugated bundle is removably retained by the frame. The animal enclosure is collapsible and is capable of being shipped and stored in a compact configuration but which is capable of being erected on site to create an animal enclosure. |
| US08141516B2 |
Pig-raising method utilizing combustion ash in blended feed and floor covering
A pig-raising method is provided that decreases the bad odors of pig excreta, improves pig-raising efficiency, and stimulates the growth of the pigs so as to improve the quality of their meat so as to enable pig farmers to obtain good-quality meat. With the pig-raising method of the present invention (1) a pig house is provided with a water-supply system that passes water through first ceramic particles, with said activated water then supplied to pigs for drinking, and (2) pigs are fed a blended feed that consists of ordinary feed and second ceramic particles whose main component is silica obtained from plant materials and which constitutes 0.1%-3.0% of the weight of said blended feed. Further, there is spread over the floors of the pig houses a floor covering that consists of a mixture of sawdust and the second ceramic particles, with said second ceramic particles constituting 1.0%-10% of the weight of said floor covering. |
| US08141511B1 |
Stable maritime vehicle platform
Systems and methods for a stable maritime platform are disclosed. The platform is pivotally supported by a superstructure of a floating vessel, the platform to receive a downward force from an object. A platform trunnion is connected to the platform to convert the downward force on the platform into rotational movement. A counterweight axle is connected to the platform trunnion to transform the rotational movement into angular displacement that moves a counterweight away from the superstructure of the floating vessel. Thus, the downward force of the object may be counteracted to balance the floating vessel. |
| US08141508B2 |
Barge arrangement and method for operation of a barge arrangement
The invention relates to a barge arrangement comprising a barge unit with a first end (11) and a second end (12) and a tug unit provided with a propulsion unit, which barge unit is adapted to receive the tug unit at one end. In order to achieve an efficient vessel combination for loading, transport and unloading of cargo the barge unit (102) is adapted to receive a first tug unit (2) at its second end (12) in order to be pushed by the first tug unit (2) with the first end (11) of the barge unit (1) in a forward direction (F) of motion. Further, the barge unit (101) is adapted to receive a second tug unit (3) at its second end (12) in order to be pulled by the second tug unit (3) with the second end (12) of the barge unit (1) in the forward direction (F) of motion. |
| US08141506B2 |
System and method for control of the backing feed for a tufting machine
A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect. |
| US08141501B2 |
Method and facility for disposing wet sludge
A wet sludge disposal facility is capable of smoothly transferring wet sludge to a kiln inlet part of a dry process kiln by a low feeding pressure and without substantially increasing the moisture content in the wet sludge. The disposal facility is used in a cement clinker manufacturing facility having a preheater for preheating a cement raw material, and a dry process kiln connected to the preheater at the kiln inlet part of the dry process kiln. Wet sludge is transferred to the side of the kiln inlet part by feeding water between the wet sludge and the inner wall surface of the pipe by a water injection apparatus in at least one place between the pressure feed pump and the kiln inlet part. |
| US08141499B2 |
Wireless actuator
A wireless actuator includes a track rail, a slide member movable along the track rail, a driver which is mounted on the slide member and which allows the slide member to travel with respect to the track rail, a radio receiver portion which is mounted on the slide member and which receives a drive control signal for the driver, a control unit which generates the drive control signal and transmits the drive control signal to the radio receiver portion, and a non-contact power supply which includes a primary side member provided to the track rail and a secondary side member provided to the slide member and supplies electric power from a side of the track rail to the driver and the radio receiver portion which are mounted on the slide member. |
| US08141498B2 |
Rail car extension system
A rail car extension system including a first main rail section, a second main rail section and a plurality of bow structures. The first main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the first side wall. The first main rail section includes a first upper rail portion and a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion. The second main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the second side wall. The second main rail section includes a second upper rail portion and a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion. The plurality of bow structures are each attached to and extend between the first main rail section and the second main rail section. |
| US08141496B2 |
Device for detecting a risk of derailment and the release of debris or objects onto a vehicle rail guideway
A sliding body (25) which includes an electrical contact shoe (32) that moves on a guide rail (5) along the length thereof. The sliding body (25) is mounted to the front of a guiding assembly, in the direction of movement of a vehicle, and articulated with the assembly by a connecting rod (26) that is designed to rupture upon exceeding a pre-determined limit. The sliding body (25) includes a device (43), which is located on at least one of the sides of the body, for lifting and releasing objects or debris. The loss of electrical contact between the shoe and the rail enables a risk of derailment to be detected. The invention is suitable for rail-guided vehicle manufactures. |
| US08141495B2 |
Amusement park ride with vehicles pivoting about a common chassis to provide racing and other effects
A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent. |
| US08141492B1 |
Insulated secondary charges
A means of increasing the velocity of projectiles using multiple charges ignited at different times to facilitate a sustained pressure pulse in the barrel is provided. The propellant charges are separated with one or more rigid barriers and ignited in series; igniting the propellant nearest to the projectile first and the propellant that is farthest from the propellant last. By timing the ignition of the charges a higher average pressure is sustained in the gun tube without risking a breach blow. After the peak pressure of the first propellant charge is reached the second propellant is ignited. The energy of the second propellant causes the pressure in the gun tube to fall more gradually. Thus the average pressure that acts on the projectile is safely increased. The following includes several methods of accomplishing this. |
| US08141491B1 |
Expanding tube separation device
A separation device for separating parts along a seam includes a frangible structure and a pressure tube assembly within the frangible structure. The pressure tube assembly includes a pressure tube which contains an explosive detonation assembly/cord that can be initiated to expand the pressure tube, and break the frangible structure with a shock force. The pressure tube assembly also includes a explosive manifold that is recessed in the frangible structure, not protruding from an outer surface of the frangible structure. The explosive manifold receives the ends of the pressure tube, and includes a detonator for detonating the explosive detonation assembly/cord. The explosive manifold has circular-cross-section fittings for accepting a circular ends of the pressure tube. By not having any part of the pressure tube assembly protrude from the frangible structure, improved performance may be achieved. Having circular fittings also improves the seal between the pressure tube and the explosive manifold. |
| US08141485B2 |
Printing machine system
A printing system is provided with a first printing machine that includes at least one printing unit and a first folding funnel which is located at an exit of the printing unit. A second printing machine, with a second printing unit and a drier, together with a folding funnel at its exit, is also part of the printing system. The first and second folding funnels differ from each other in the number of formers that are placed next to each other in a machine plane, or vary in an effective width of one or more folders. A web, or a partial web, which is printed by the second printing unit, and which is guided through the drier, can be guided either to the second folding funnel structure, or can be guided to the first folding funnel structure, which differs from the second funnel structure in at least one of numbers and width. |
| US08141481B2 |
Compacting bin
A bin suitable for mounting within a rigid enclosure, such as a cupboard, includes; a first section, which may be mounted within an enclosure, connected via a hinge to a second section, onto which a cupboard door may be mounted. Contents placed between first section and second section, when in the open position, are then compacted as second section is rotated closed. The invention may include a magnetic closure mechanism that offers a strong retaining force compared to that required to open the bin, and does so in a way that does not affect the external appearance of door mounted upon second section. |
| US08141480B2 |
Automatic bale size calibration on round balers
A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating a bale size indicator by using inputs from existing bale wrapper material monitors to determine the linear amount of wrapping material necessary to encircle the bale one time. Balers with wrapping mechanisms may include a sensor for measuring the linear amount of wrapper dispensed as a means to alert the operator when the supply of wrapper material is low. Such balers may also have additional sensors for verifying that wrapping material completely encircles the bale prior to allowing the bale to be ejected from the baler. Using inputs from each of these sensors, a control system on the baler can determine the amount of wrapping material necessary to cover one revolution of the bale, also an indication of the bale circumference, and use the measurement to calibrate the display of bale diameter also generated from the control system. The automated capability eliminates the need for an operator to manually measure the diameter of a completed bale and enter that measurement into the indicator control system. |
| US08141479B2 |
Cooking device for arrangement on a horizontal work surface
A cooking device disposable on a horizontal surface. The cooking device includes a support mechanism that is movable by a drive, in a direction substantially vertical to the surface, between an operating position and an inactive position. The cooking device also has a heating unit disposed on the support mechanism and a food tray disposed on the support mechanism. The food tray and heating unit are held on the support mechanism such that the food tray and heating unit are movable relative to one another. In an inactive position of the support mechanism, the food tray has a height position that is lower than a height position of the surface. |
| US08141478B2 |
Grill device with a removable grill plate
A grill member of a grill device includes a housing, a grill plate, a heating unit, and a handle unit. The housing is formed with a latch hole. The grill plate is made of a heat-conductive material and is disposed removably on the housing. The heating unit is mounted on the housing and is operable so as to generate heat that is conducted to the grill plate. The handle unit is movably retained on the grill plate and is operable so as to engage releasably the latch hole in the housing, thereby locking releasably the grill plate on the housing. |
| US08141476B2 |
Durable piston and a ring unit for the durable piston
A durable piston is applied in a cylinder of an engine to output internal exploding power and has a piston head and a durable ring unit. The piston head is mounted in the cylinder of the engine, is driven for outputting kinetic energy and has a ring unit mount. The durable ring unit is mounted around the ring unit mount and has a distal ring and a proximal ring. The rings are mounted around the ring unit mount. An inner edge of the distal ring and the proximal ring are separated from the piston head of the piston so forming a first airway and a second airway. When the engine operates, high-pressure air fills the airways and presses the rings against the cylinder. Consequently, the airways maintain contact between the durable ring unit and the cylinder tight to prevent air leakage. |
| US08141475B2 |
Piston machine
A piston machine comprises a housing, in which at least one first piston is arranged which can be moved to and fro between two end positions in order to periodically increase and reduce the size of a working chamber adjoining a first end face of the at least one first piston, the at least one first piston having at least one guiding member, which is in engagement with a control curve which is formed on a curve member arranged in the housing, the curve member extending concentrically and circumferentially in the housing, all the way round an axis of revolution which is fixed relative to the housing, and being arranged radially to the outside of the piston in relation to the axis of revolution, a second piston being situated opposite the at least one first piston and performing opposing reciprocating movements relative to the first piston, the second piston having a second end face, which faces the first end face of the first piston, and the working chamber being situated between the end faces. The curve member is mounted in the housing in such a way that it can revolve about the axis of revolution, while the at least one first piston and the second piston cannot revolve about the axis of revolution, with the result that the at least one first piston and the second piston perform reciprocating movements in a plane of movement which is fixed relative to the axis of revolution when the curve member revolves about the axis of revolution. |
| US08141473B2 |
Apparatus for synthetic weapon stabilization and firing
In methods and apparatuses, a weapon includes a trigger module for sensing trigger input from a shooter and generating a trigger signal, and a firing module for controlling firing of a projectile responsive to a fire control signal. The weapon also includes an image sensor configured for mounting on the weapon and sensing a series of images over a time period of interest while the trigger signal is in a motion-estimation state. A controller is configured for determining when to fire the weapon by receiving the images from the image sensor and generating a motion estimation history over the time period of interest responsive to changes in the images. The controller is also configured for determining a centroid of the motion estimation history and asserting the fire control signal when the trigger signal is in a fire-enable state and a current image is within an offset threshold from the centroid. |
| US08141468B2 |
Adjustable bomb carrier
According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structural body, one or more attachment couplers, and an adjustable store coupler. The structural body comprises a cylindrical portion and one or more end portions coupled to the cylindrical portion. The attachment couplers are configured to be coupled to a bomb rack of an aircraft. The adjustable store coupler has attachment points arranged in a substantially linear manner. The attachment points are configured to couple one or more store systems to the adjustable store coupler. |
| US08141467B1 |
Bullet sizing and lubricator apparatus and method
A bullet sizing and lubrication device for use with reloading presses for improved operation and durability having a sizing die, lube valve, and lube actuator member. The sizing die has a centering portion for centering bullets to be sized and lubricated and at least one lube opening. The lube valve and lube actuator member has a first position where fluid is blocked from entering the at least one lube opening and a second position where fluid is communicated through the at least one lube opening. The principle use is for sizing and lubricating cast bullets, however, other components will benefit from this invention. For example, any number of applications where devices need to be sized and lubricated, such as, shafts and pins will benefit from this application. |
| US08141466B2 |
Punch device for piercing hydro-formed member
A piercing device for hydro-formed members comprises a punch having a cutting surface and a guide bore, a support member having a guide post complementary in shape to the guide bore and drive passages, and a drive member having two arms forming U-shaped members. The arms of the drive member extend through the drive passages of the support member to transfer a force between a ram and the punch. |
| US08141464B2 |
Milling cutter of crank shaft miller, and cutter tip and cutter tip set for milling cutter of crank shaft miller
A vertical outer circumferential cutter tip, which has an approximate hourglass shape that is narrower at its middle than at its ends, and all of its eight corners are acute angles. Both sides of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip are relieved at an angle α. When performing cutting processing upon the side surface of a counter weight with the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip, excessive friction is prevented. The shapes of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip are formed so as to be very gently convexed, and with a relief of an angle β. Abrasion of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip is prevented before the acute angled corner used for cutting is damaged. |
| US08141458B1 |
Hammer head with recessed traction striking surface
A hammer head includes a centrally located traction surface surrounded by a peripheral striking face. The portion of the hammer head forming the traction surface is comprised of a harder material than the surrounding portion of the hammer head, such that wear to the traction surface is inhibited. The centrally located region may be formed as a separate disk with a knurled outer surface that is press fit into a cavity formed in the hammer head main body. The traction surface is preferably recessed relative to the surrounding portion of the hammer head but may also extend flush therewith. |
| US08141456B2 |
Multipurpose pedal
A multipurpose pedal includes a spindle assembly and a pedal pivotally assembled with the spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes a spindle adapting to assemble with a bicycle crank and a tube sleeved on the spindle. The pedal includes a first frame and a second frame mounted in the first frame. Multiple stubs are mounted between the first frame and the second frame. The multiple stubs are replaceable for providing multipurpose. |
| US08141451B2 |
Shift drive device
A shift drive device with a shift arm having one end secured to a shift spindle with a guide hole for receiving a pin, provide to project therefrom, inserted therethrough and engaged therewith. A turn-restriction hole receives a restriction pin provided on a transmission case. A space that is needed for turning the shift arm is reduced. A turn-restriction hole is provided in a shift arm so as to be disposed on a straight line connecting an axial line of a shift spindle with the center of a guide hole. |
| US08141446B2 |
Speed changing transmission mechanism of sheet laminating apparatus
A speed changing transmission mechanism of a sheet laminating apparatus includes a reverse module, a power output shaft, a first power output roller, a second power output roller, a first belt, a second belt, a power input module and a shift module. Utilizing the reverse module, the power input module and the shift module, the speed changing transmission mechanism is capable of hot laminating the sheet article and withdrawing the jammed sheet article. |
| US08141442B2 |
Pipe scanner
A pipe scanner for non-destructively scanning an extended length of the circumference of a pipe along an axial dimension. The pipe scanner includes a collar sized to fit around the outer circumference of the pipe. Wheels supported on the collar ride on the surface of the pipe while maintaining a space between the inner surface of the collar and the outer surface of the pipe. A track extends circumferentially around the collar for guiding a circumferential drive unit that rides on the track and carries a non-destructive sensor for monitoring the surface of the pipe as the circumferential drive unit moves around the track. An axial drive unit is connected to the collar, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive wheels in contact with the pipe for moving the collar along the extended length. |
| US08141431B2 |
Load sensor having load detection element and support element and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a load sensor including a load detection element and a support element is provided. The support element includes a base and a spring. The spring includes a support portion, a connection portion bonding to the base, and a connecting member coupling the support portion and the connection portion. The support element transmits a detection load to the load detection element via the base and the spring. The method includes: sandwiching the load detection element between the base and the support portion; bonding the connection portion on the base so that the connecting member is deformed beyond the elastic deformation region to reach the plastic deformation region; pressing the support portion so that a contact surface of the support portion is plastically deformed; and returning deformation of the connecting member to be in the elastic deformation region. |
| US08141429B2 |
High temperature capacitive static/dynamic pressure sensors and methods of making the same
Disclosed are capacitive pressure probes or sensors for high temperature applications. The capacitive pressure sensors of the present invention include, inter alia, a sapphire diaphragm which is disposed within an interior sensing chamber of the probe housing and has a first electrode formed on a central portion thereof. The central portion of the diaphragm and the first electrode are adapted and configured to deflect in response to pressure variations encountered within an interior sensing chamber and by the pressure sensor. A sapphire substrate which has a second electrode formed thereon is fused to the sapphire diaphragm about its periphery to form a sapphire stack and to define a reference chamber therebetween. Prior to fusing the sapphire diaphragm to the sapphire substrate, all contact surfaces are chemically treated and prepared using plasma activation, so as to create a bonding layer and to reduce the temperature required for the fusion. |
| US08141423B2 |
Electronic device including two electronic components connected with each other and output terminal and method of manufacturing same
An electronic device includes a first electronic component having a terminal member and a second electronic component connected with the first electronic component. The terminal member includes a trunk portion, an external terminal portion that extends in a straight direction from the trunk portion to be connected with a lead wire at its connection end and a U-shaped internal terminal portion that has one side extending from the trunk portion and the other side extending in a direction opposite to the straight direction and connected with the second electronic component at its connection end. |
| US08141421B2 |
Tank measurement system using multiple sensor elements
A tank or vessel volume measurement apparatus that includes multiple buoyancy elements. The buoyancy elements can be placed within a perforated tube to reduce any effects from turbulent flow within the tank. The multiple buoyancy load sensors are each made of different density or cross sections to cancel out any accumulation of contamination that may collect on the buoyancy elements placed within the fluid and to determine the density or specific gravity of the fluid within the tank. The buoyancy elements are attached to a load sensor or strain gauge that measures the weight or load from the buoyancy element. Temperature of other sensors can be placed on the buoyancy elements or within the tank to collect other readings or to adjust for temperature variations. The buoyancy elements can be fabricated in pieces and assembled on site or within the tank to accommodate taller tanks or height restrictions. |
| US08141416B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying wind turbine performance inefficiency
The present disclosure relates to an approach by which low-performing turbines may be identified from among a plurality of wind turbines, such as may be present at a wind power plant. In accordance with one embodiment, low-performing turbines are identified from among pairs of turbines and based upon a comparison of the observed and expected performance of the turbines within each pair. |
| US08141415B2 |
Tire testing device
A tire testing device which can improve reliability in measurement of loss in tire is provided. The tire testing device can include a tire motor connected with the rotational shaft of the tire, a tire shaft torque meter for detecting torque applied to the rotational shaft of the tire, a roller on to which the tire is pressed to be contact with, a roller motor connected with the rotational shaft of the roller, and a roller shaft torque meter for detecting the torque applied to the rotational shaft of the roller. The device measures loss of power in tire from the difference in power of the tire obtained by adding the torque measured by the tire shaft torque meter and the difference in power of the roller obtained by adding the torque measured by the roller shaft torque meter. |
| US08141414B2 |
Apparatus for determining the condition of a tire tread of a vehicle wheel
A method and apparatus for determining the condition of a tire tread of a vehicle wheel including a rim and a tire configured to perform the steps of: (1) emitting an electromagnetic radiation towards the tread of the tire, (2) receiving a reflected electromagnetic radiation from said tread of the tire in response to the emitted radiation, (3) processing the reflected radiation to obtain height data including respective heights of a plurality of points located on the tread of the tire, (4) repeating the steps (1) to (3) in successive time intervals within which the vehicle wheel has driven a predetermined distance, and storing the respective height data, particularly average values of the height data, each in dependence of the driven distance, and (5) deriving from the succession of the stored height data a residual mileage of the tire. |
| US08141412B2 |
Method of detecting dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler and a detecting apparatus therefor
A method of detecting the dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, comprises: first, by detecting and/or calculating, obtaining volume flow of wet steam, corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour; and then obtaining the dryness of wet steam of the once-through steam injection boiler, X, according to the following relationship equation: X = ; wherein are the volume flow of wet steam, the corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and the corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour respectively. A detecting apparatus for detecting dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, specifically comprises: a data detecting module 1, a data processing module 2, and a data displaying module 3, wherein the data processing module 2 connects the data detecting module 1 and the data displaying module 3. |
| US08141408B2 |
Holder for press dies
A press die holder holds an upper die with its receiving structure above the die body. This configuration allows the die to be removed from the holder in the configuration in which it will be loaded into the press. The operator does not have to flip the die over before loading the die into the press. The holder may be configured to hold a lower die with its receiving structure disposed below the die body. This also prevents the lower die from being flipped over when it is removed from the holder and loaded into the press. One configuration of the invention provides a holder having a pair of fingers that engage the pair of continuous grooves defined by the receiving structure of the die so that the die hangs from the fingers. |
| US08141405B2 |
Method for producing ultra thin wall metallic tube with cold working process
An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method for producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by cold working method with significant wall thickness reduction. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a cold pilger mill according to the invention, cold rolling is performed while tube diameters are being expanded using rolls having tapered groove dies whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a drawing machine according to the invention, cold drawing is performed while the tube diameters are being expanded using a solid die whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side and a plug of a tapered mandrel bar whose diameters increase from an entry side of the die toward an exit side. In the metallic tube producing method, a maximum diameter of the plug or tapered mandrel bar may be larger than an outside diameter of the mother tube. |
| US08141402B2 |
Pretension loading method for power transmission chain and pretension loading apparatus
There is provided a pretension loading method for a power transmission chain, in which a chain with an endless loop shape having a plurality of laminated link plates bendably connected to each other by pin members is wound around a plurality of rollers and the chain is endlessly rotated while a load is loaded on the chain so as to load pretension on the chain, the method including the steps of: (a) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of at least one of the plurality of rollers while endlessly rotating the chain; (b) measuring a length of the chain in the tension state; (c) stretching the chain to a target length by controlling a displacement of the at least one of the rollers; (d) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of the at least one of the rollers; and (e) measuring the length of the chain in the tension state. At this time, the steps (c) to (e) are repeated until a difference between the target length and the length of the chain which is measured in the step (e) is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08141401B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing a layer of metal-working liquid
In a shaping process a metal strip is passed in a rolling direction through shaping rolls and a layer of treatment liquid is applied to a surface of the strip upstream of the shaping rolls. Measurement variables of the liquid on the surface are analyzed by laser-induced, time resolved fluorescent spectroscopic analysis or spectroscopic analysis in the infrared band. |
| US08141399B2 |
Electromechanical cylinder plug
An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder. |
| US08141397B2 |
Key regulating device
A driving section and a regulating member are easily mounted to a subject of assembly. In an interlock unit, a solenoid, a shaft, a link, a release link, and a torsion spring are integrated together by means of a unit box. By the interlock unit being mounted to a lock body, the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be mounted to the lock body. For this reason, it is not necessary that the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring are separately mounted to the lock body, and the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be easily mounted to the lock body. |
| US08141396B1 |
Lock box assembly
A lock box assembly includes a lock box which includes a first casing and a second casing pivotally coupled to the first casing. The first casing has a combination lock disposed thereon. A protective shell is coveringly and detachably assembled with the first casing. The protective shell includes a cover panel shielding the first casing. A plurality of side panels extend from the cover panel for enclosingly forming a receiving space adapted for accommodating the first casing. At least one buckle is formed on the plurality of side panels. The cover panel has an opening defined therein and corresponds to the combination lock of the first casing. A lid is pivotally hinged to an edge of the opening for selectively shielding the opening. The protective shell and the lid protectively prevents the first casing the combination lock from exposing to weathering. |
| US08141393B2 |
Glass fibers having improved durability
A glass fiber and a method of manufacturing a glass fiber for reinforcing a transparent composite matrix is disclosed. The glass fiber includes a first glass material having a first refractive index, a first modulus, and a first durability characteristic and a second glass material having a second refractive index, a second modulus, and second durability characteristic. The second durability characteristic is greater than the first durability characteristic. Durability characteristic is selected from the group comprising resistance to chemical attack, resistance to acid attack, resistance to fading from exposure to ultra-violet radiation, and resistance to mechanical abrasion. |
| US08141389B2 |
Crucible lift device and method for taking-out crucible
A crucible lift device for taking a crucible out of a mold is provided with a lid member which closely contacts a limb portion defining an opening of a crucible; a decompressing mechanism which decompresses an internal space of the crucible sealed with the lid member; and a vertically-moving mechanism for the lid member. The crucible lift device includes a stand, and the vertically-moving mechanism includes a crane device which is fixed to a beam provided on an upper end of the stand and vertically moves the lid member. The decompressing mechanism includes a suction duct which penetrates the lid member to open into the internal space of crucible, and a decompressor which is connected to the suction duct. The vertically-moving mechanism can integrally lift the crucible in which the internal space is decompressed together with the lid member. |
| US08141384B2 |
Methods of making LED extractor arrays
A molding operation produces an extractor array by providing a mold having a plurality of cavities therein, each cavity being adapted to form an extractor suitable for coupling to an LED die; filling the mold with a plurality of glass particles; heating the glass particles above glass transition temperatures thereof so that the particles are reshaped to conform to the cavity shapes; and forming a land layer that extends between the cavities. The land layer maintains the extractors in a fixed spatial relationship with each other for subsequent handling or processing, such as a simultaneous polishing operation or in attaching the extractor array to a corresponding LED array. |
| US08141383B2 |
Engine-machine and expander heat exchanger unit
A heat exchanger unit is disclosed, the heat exchanger unit including a first tube element unit, a second tube element unit, and an engine machine apparatus having an expansion step unit and a compression step unit. Each of the tube element units is adapted to condition a fluid flowing therethrough. Desirably, the fluid is compressed in the compression step unit and expanded in the expansion step unit in such a manner that technical operation is transferred from the expansion step unit to the compression step unit so that an inner recovery of energy is made possible. |
| US08141379B2 |
Hybrid solar air-conditioning system
The hybrid solar air-conditioning system includes an air intake having an air drying system that uses a liquid desiccant to dry ambient air, a desiccant regeneration system that uses a heat exchanger having oil heated by solar energy to remove water from the desiccant, an indirect evaporative air conditioner that uses an air-air heat exchanger to cool the dried air indirectly with evaporatively cooled air, a distilled water recovery system to recover water from the desiccant and from the evaporatively cooled air in the form of distilled water, and a microprocessor-based controller to control room temperature and relative humidity, and to regulate air intake and the flow of desiccant and oil in the system. The hybrid system enables the use of evaporative cooling in regions having high humidity. |
| US08141370B2 |
Methods and apparatus for radially compliant component mounting
Methods and apparatus for a mounting assembly for a liner of a gas turbine engine combustor are provided. The combustor includes a combustor liner and a radially outer annular flow sleeve. The mounting assembly includes an inner ring surrounding a radially outer surface of the liner and including a plurality of axially extending fingers. The mounting assembly also includes a radially outer ring coupled to the inner ring through a plurality of spacers that extend radially from a radially outer surface of the inner ring to the outer ring. |
| US08141363B2 |
Apparatus and method for cooling nozzles
A nozzle includes a nozzle body and a cavity defined at least in part by the nozzle body. A plenum extends through the nozzle body into the cavity. At least one passage through the plenum provides fluid communication between the plenum and the cavity. Orifices through the nozzle body and circumferentially spaced around the nozzle body provide fluid communication through the nozzle body. A method for cooling a face of a nozzle having a nozzle body that defines a cavity includes flowing a fuel through the cavity and inserting a plenum through the nozzle body into the cavity. The method further includes flowing a fluid through the plenum so that the fluid impinges on the face of the nozzle to remove heat. |
| US08141359B2 |
System and method for locomotive exhaust gas recirculation cooling and catalyst heating
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an intake, an exhaust, and a turbocharger including a turbine and a compressor, the compressor coupled to the intake and the turbine coupled to the exhaust, the engine further having an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the exhaust upstream of the turbine and coupled to the intake downstream of the compressor, the method including transferring heat via a heat exchanger from the exhaust gas recirculation system to downstream of the turbine. |
| US08141356B2 |
Ethanol separation using air from turbo compressor
Methods and systems for separating fuel and supplying the separated fuel to an engine are disclosed. In one example, alcohol is separated from a blend of alcohol and gasoline. The methods and systems may improve fuel separator operation by adjusting separator operation in response to engine operating conditions. |
| US08141354B2 |
Torque converter with stator shaft one-way clutch
A hydraulic torque converter including a stator, a stator shaft, a one-way clutch including blocking elements and being connected to the stator shaft, a stator hub connecting the stator to the one-way clutch, and axial bearings supporting the stator hub, an axial length of the blocking elements being larger than an axial length between the bearings. Embodiments with blocking elements in a pump hub with an inner race with a radius similar to the stator shaft and with adjacent blocking elements are also disclosed. |
| US08141344B2 |
Control apparatus and control method of an internal combustion engine
An individual exhaust passage is provided independently for each cylinder group in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder groups each having a plurality of cylinders. A first catalyst is provided in each of the individual exhaust passages. Downstream of those first catalysts, the individual exhaust passages merge to form a common exhaust passage in which a second catalyst is provided. When control of the internal combustion engine is switched from cylinder group-specific control to stoichiometric control, an air-fuel ratio control portion makes the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder group in which the air-fuel ratio was made rich by cylinder group-specific control lean for a predetermined period of time, and makes the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder group in which the air-fuel ratio was made lean by the cylinder group-specific control rich for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08141343B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus is basically provided with an exhaust system, a pair of sensors and a controller. The exhaust system includes an exhaust channel having a main catalytic converter, a bypass channel having a bypass catalytic converter, and a valve mechanism disposed in the exhaust channel to switch a pathway for exhaust gas from the exhaust channel to the bypass channel. The sensors output signals indicative of air-fuel ratios of exhaust flowing in their respective channels. The controller has first and second air-fuel ratio control sections that control an engine air-fuel ratio based on outputs of the sensors, respectively. The controller has a control mode switching section that switches control from the first air-fuel ratio control section to the second air-fuel ratio control section after a prescribed interval of time has elapsed from when the valve mechanism is switched from a closed state to an open state. |
| US08141342B2 |
Control device and control method for internal combustion engine
In a region where the engine load is less than a first predetermined value, only a second exhaust valve that opens and closes a second exhaust passageway that bypasses a turbine of a supercharger is opened. In a region where the engine load is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value, both the second exhaust valve and a first exhaust valve that opens and closes a first exhaust passageway that leads to the turbine are opened. In a region where the engine load is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, only the first exhaust valve is opened. A predetermined value for the time of lean combustion is set lower than a predetermined value for the time of stoichiometric combustion. |
| US08141340B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for determining the degradation of an SCR catalyst
According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for determining the degradation of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst of an engine exhaust aftertreatment system includes a system properties module configured to store at least one system dynamics property value of the exhaust system at a first time and receive the at least one system dynamics property value of the exhaust aftertreatment system at a second time subsequent to the first time. The apparatus also includes a system dynamics module configured to determine a storage capacity of the SCR catalyst based on a comparison between the at least one system dynamic property value at the first time and the at least one system dynamic property value at the second time. Additionally, the apparatus includes an SCR catalyst degradation factor module configured to determine an SCR catalyst degradation factor based at least partially on the storage capacity of the SCR catalyst. |
| US08141339B2 |
Injector assembly having multiple manifolds for propellant delivery
There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid. |
| US08141335B2 |
Intake air heating control device for gas turbine
Extremely cold (e.g., −20° C.) air A is heated by a heat exchanger 30, which is supplied with steam S via a control valve 32, and heated air A′ is taken into a gas turbine 10. The valve opening degree of the control valve 32 is feedback-controlled so that the deviation between the measured temperature t1 and the target temperature TO of the heated air A′ is eliminated. Further, when the number of revolutions, N, of the gas turbine 10 increases, or when an IGV opening degree OP increases, the valve opening degree of the control valve 32 is feedforward-controlled in accordance with the increase in the number N of revolutions or the increase in the IGV opening degree OP. By so doing, the temperature of air A′ can be maintained at a temperature enabling stable combustion without delay in control, and intake air can be heated without delay in control, even at the start of the gas turbine or during change in the opening degree of an inlet guide vane. |
| US08141333B2 |
Chain assembling-disassembling structure
A chain assembling-disassembling structure includes an assembling base, a first clamping component, a second clamping component, a penetrating shaft and a driving shaft. The assembling base has a fixing portion and the fixing portion has a concave edge for receiving a bushing of the chain section. And, the assembling base includes a first portion and a second portion vertically formed at two opposite ends thereof for respectively engaging with the first and second clamping components. Here, the first and second clamping components together clamp and restrict the chain. The second clamping component has a tubular shape for being inserted by the penetrating shaft, and then, the driving shaft can further be locked into the second clamping component. By turning the driving shaft, the penetrating shaft can be forced to push out a pin, which is used for jointing the inner and outer link plates of the chain. |
| US08141332B2 |
Chopper assembly for a harvesting implement
A chopping assembly for a harvesting implement having a blade assembly, a housing, and a guide. The blade assembly is disposed within the housing and the guide directs cornstalks toward an input port on the housing. The blade assembly not only cuts the cornstalk from its root but also chops the stalk into stover. A fluid dynamic force is created by the blade assembly to direct the stover with the aid of the housing to an output port. |
| US08141330B2 |
Systems and methods of automated tablet dispensing, prescription filling, and packaging
Systems and methods of automatically dispensing tablets are disclosed. The systems and methods of the invention provide a highly secure, highly accurate and rapid means of dispensing tablets. The system includes an automatic dispensing tablet dispensing system as shown in the Figures and provides a means of lowering errors while preventing unauthorized tampering by non-authorized personnel. Moreover, the invention relates to systems and methods for packaging vials, packaging items from totes, and packaging items from totes with vials. |
| US08141328B2 |
System and method for free-standing storage of agricultural commodities using a hermetic lightweight sleeve
A system and method for free-standing hermetic storage of bulk, boxed or bagged commodities including the use of a thin, lightweight ultra low permeability loadable sleeve, and optionally a UV-, wind- and rodent-resistant cover on top of the sleeve. For bagged or boxed commodities, loading may be done manually or with a forklift while the sleeve and/or cover is held open. For bulk commodities, the cover is used to prevent tearing of the sleeve during loading and as such, is placed over the sleeve prior to loading of the sleeve via a pneumatic grain conveyor or similar device. |
| US08141327B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispensing an amount of film relative to load girth
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of pre-stretched film based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt. A film dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring includes a pulley that connects to the belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched film to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum film use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched film that is between approximately 100% and approximately 130% of load girth. Once the amount of film to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a mechanical ratio of ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolution/ring rotation) can be set. Thus, for the at least a portion of a revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, a predetermined amount of film is dispensed and wrapped around the load. |
| US08141326B2 |
Water balloon tool
A water balloon fill and knot device has a housing, a hose connector disposed on the housing and also a connector base. A plurality of flanges or noses are disposed on the housing and flanges may include a flange sidewall and a flange bottom wall. A stem has a water channel formed through the stem terminating at a stem opening. The plurality of noses can be two noses placed at 120° from each other or three noses placed at 120° from each other. A ball pivot valve formed on the stem is ball shaped and forms a ball pivot face that pivots relative to a housing pivot lower face. A ball cap fits over the ball pivot valve, and the ball cap has a ball cap lower surface forming a ball cap face. The ball cap face is spherical in profile. |
| US08141325B2 |
Composite panel assembly
A composite panel assembly includes: a first composite panel having first and second contact surfaces, and including upper and lower protective layers, and a first core; and a second composite panel having third and fourth contact surfaces, and including upper and lower protective layers, and a second core. The first contact surface of the first composite panel is disposed above and abuts against the third contact surface of the second composite panel, and the second contact surface of the first composite panel is disposed below and abuts against the fourth contact surface of the second composite panel. |
| US08141324B2 |
Structural attachment media
A structural adhesive tape includes a closed cell silicone foam support and a structural adhesive composition on opposing sides of the closed cell silicone foam support. The structural adhesive composition may be a condensation reaction curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The structural adhesive tape is useful in structural glazing applications, such as curtain wall applications. |
| US08141316B2 |
Pre-fabricated curved profile architectural element and method for pre-fabricating the same
A pre-fabricated architectural element and method of fabricating that same. A first step involves providing a piece of drywall having a first edge and a second end, the second edge being opposed to the first edge. A second step involves cutting two parallel ninety degree “V” grooves in a face of the piece of drywall. A third step involves folding a portion of the piece of drywall as dictated by the “V” grooves and securing the folded portion, thereby forming a square corner at the fold. A fourth step involves bending the piece of drywall to a desired radius of curvature. |
| US08141314B2 |
Expansion joint for modular flooring system
An expansion joint for a modular flooring system in disclosed, which includes the slidable engagement of two subsections of the expansion joint. The expansion joint is sized such that it is equivalent in overall dimension to the intended adjacent modular floor tiles of which it will form a part within a matrix of such interlocked modular floor tiles. The expansion joint is provided with at least one slot on one module, corresponding to at least one locking pin on the other module. The slot receives and restrains the locking pin and permits the slidable engagement along the longitudinal axes thereof. |
| US08141313B2 |
Interlocking roofing panel system
A roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panel assemblies. Each roofing panel assembly includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein the base is attached to the lower flanges of the plurality of I-joists, and a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flanges of the plurality of I-joists. The plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist. A first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap. A second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist. Adjacent roofing panel assemblies are attached such that the second edge of the cap engages the portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist not covered by the cap. |
| US08141311B2 |
Panel equipped with metal fabric
A panel includes a metal fabric and fixers, such as two plates, assembled by glue. The metal fabric may be a screen having rod elements and a chain having wire elements. The glue may be constituted from an epoxy resin base and a modified amine hardening agent. The panel may be made by assembling two plates on a fabric by gluing. The panel may also be made by coating two plates with glue, positioning fabric on the rear plate, and positioning the front plate on the fabric and the rear plate. |
| US08141309B2 |
Energy absorptive impalement protective cover apparatus
An energy absorptive impalement protection system is utilized in preventing impalement and minimizing injuries due to impact with the end of a concrete reinforcing bar or other similar type of bar. The energy absorptive impalement protection system is comprised of a protective cover apparatus that has a simplified construction comprised of a base that is removably attached to an end of a reinforcing rod, a metal band on the base that surrounds the rod end and reinforces the base against side-to-side movement relative to the rod in response to an impact force, a metal impact plate on the base that absorbs and distributes the force of impact, and a resilient, compressible and stretchable cover on the base that together with the base encloses the band and cover in the apparatus and also absorbs some of the force of impact. |
| US08141307B2 |
Hybrid composite beams and beam systems
The present application includes disclosure of various embodiments of composite construction beams and beam systems. In at least one exemplary embodiment of a composite construction beam of the present disclosure, the beam comprises an elongated shell having a length, a first relative end, and an interior volume, wherein the elongated shell defines a first aperture. An exemplary construction beam further comprises a first conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the first conduit extending along a longitudinal direction of the beam and curving upward from the first relative end, and a second conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the second conduit extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongated shell, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are in communication with one another. In at least one embodiment, a construction beam of the present disclosure comprises a first flange positioned upon the elongated shell relative to the first aperture. |
| US08141306B2 |
Solar battery module device and method of installing the same
A solar battery module device (14), wherein an bottom-side end part (22) is fixed onto a placing surface (23) by fitting the top-side end part (19) as one-side of a rectangular shape of a rectangular flat plate-like solar battery module (16) to the engagement part (20) of an upper frame (21) forming a frame (17) from the lower side of a roofer and by fitting a fixing cover (27) to a lower frame (24) in a state in which the bottom-side end part (22) as the opposite-side of the rectangular shape of the solar battery module (16) is placed on the placing surface (23) of the lower frame (24) forming the frame (17). According to the solar battery module device of the present invention, operations such as installation work and maintenance and inspections for the device can be easily and safely performed without damaging the solar battery module (16). |
| US08141305B2 |
Side seal members for a dock seal
Side seal member for a loading dock seal are disclosed. An example truck loading dock seal comprising a resiliently compressible side pad supported by a relatively rigid backer and encased within a pliable cover includes at least one flexible lip protruding from the cover to seal a gap that might exist between the backer and the wall to which the backer is mounted. In some cases, the lip is part of the cover and is located where a rear vertical edge of the side pad meets the wall. The flexibility of the lip enables the lip to sealingly conform to a wall having an irregular surface. For additional sealing, a back sheet of the pliable cover includes a touch-and-hold fastener and/or overlapping layers of material that can provide a compressible seal between the wall and the backer. |
| US08141301B2 |
Externally braced inflatable structures
An inflatable structure is augmented with transverse frames and bracing cables to make a truss-like structure. This feature is adaptable for adding strength to a plain inflatable structure and to an inflatable structure forming a structural arch. It can also be incorporated into an inflatable wing. |
| US08141298B2 |
Removable draft blocker having an end retaining element
A removable draft blocker, for blocking drafts by sealing a gap between a bottom surface of a door and an underlying floor surface, includes first and second elongated draft blocking bodies, a base member extending between a bottom of the first draft blocking body and a bottom of the second draft blocking body to join the first and second draft blocking bodies in a spaced apart parallel relationship, and a retaining member disposed between ends of the first and second draft blocking bodies. The draft blocker is adapted to be positioned at the bottom of a door, with the draft blocking bodies on opposite sides of the door, and with the retaining member engaged behind or against a side edge of the door, such that the draft blocker is prevented from moving out of position as the door is opened and closed. |
| US08141297B2 |
Dual action power drive unit for a vehicle door
A power drive unit system includes a vehicle door, a slide member, a motor, first and second cable guide members, first and second cables, an external spool, a door inner panel and one guide track. The internal spool unit includes an internal spool. The motor operatively communicates with the internal spool. The first cable guide member is associated with a first cable and the external spool. The first cable is attached to the internal spool and the external spool. The second cable guide member is associated with a second cable and the external spool. The second cable is attached to the internal cable spool the external spool, which in turn communicates with an output gear. The motor actuates the internal cable spool to pull the second cable, thereby causing rotation of the external spool and the drive shaft. The rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the door relative to the body; after which the door slides open. |
| US08141288B2 |
Rugged low light reflectivity electrical contact
The Low Reflectivity Contact has a low coefficient of light reflection, is rugged with respect to harsh ambient environmental conditions, provides a low resistance electrical connection, and is adapted for use in quick-connect applications. Light reflectivity of the contact is minimized by the use of a conductive mesh that is used to implement the electrical contact. The weave density and wire diameter of the conductive mesh maximizes the attenuation of reflected light in the visible spectrum, yet maintains high electrical conductivity and a lack of sensitivity to contamination via the choice of materials used to implement the Low Reflectivity Contact. |
| US08141282B2 |
Filing device with retractable tabs
A filing device having retractable tabs is disclosed. The tabs are movable between a retracted position and an extended position, such as to selectively position tabs that are extended along an edge of a folder or divider. |
| US08141280B2 |
Date cycling storage calendar
A calendar comprising a backing member and a plurality of detachable storage trays is disclosed. The calendar further comprises a plurality of backing securing mechanisms, each of which is associated with a calendar position on the backing member. Each of the detachable storage trays includes a plurality of storage compartments and a tray securing mechanism. Each storage compartment has an associated calendar identifier. The tray securing mechanisms are configured for quick-release attachment to and quick-release detachment from the backing securing mechanisms associated with the calendar positions. |
| US08141277B2 |
Shoe with sensors, controller and active-response elements and method for use thereof
Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include a plurality of sensors, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response element is a lateral adjuster having an upper bracket located in the laces area and a lower bracket affixed to the side of the sole, brackets supporting a plurality of electrostrictive polymer bands. |
| US08141274B2 |
Rowing shoe
A rowing shoe includes a shoe sole and a shoe upper portion. The shoe sole has a cleat mounting portion configured so that a cleat structure is mountable thereto for releasably attaching to a binding structure of a rowing boat. The shoe upper portion includes at least one fixing strap configured to secure the shoe upper portion to a wearer's foot. The fixing strap has a proximal end fixed to the shoe upper portion and a free end having at least one aperture configured so that a pull rope can extend therethrough. |
| US08141270B2 |
Gas flow rate determination method and apparatus and granular material dryer and method for control thereof
Methods and apparatus for determining flow rate of air or other gas through a conduit independently of conduit cross sectional area include providing apparatus for and measuring temperature of the air or other gas at a first position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and heating the air or other gas in the conduit of the location downstream from the first position by application of a known power level to the air or other gas in the conduit; providing apparatus for and measuring air or other gas temperature at a second position downstream of the heating position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and subtracting air or other gas temperature at the second position from air or other gas temperature at the first position to obtain a temperature difference and thereafter providing apparatus for and dividing power applied to heat the air or other gas by the product of the temperature difference and the specific heat of the air or other gas. |
| US08141269B2 |
Expandable/collapsible enclosure for a clothes refresher
An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures. |
| US08141268B2 |
Collapsible drying bag
The present document describes a bag for storing and drying garments or sports equipment. The bag comprises an external envelope substantially made of flexible resistant material. The bag further comprises a frame supporting the external envelope and comprising frame sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the frame occupies more space than in the retracted position. The bag further comprises a tubular structure for hanging the garments or sports equipment and through which air can be blown for drying the hung garments or sports equipment. The tubular structure is mounted on the frame and comprises tube sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the tubular structure occupies more space than in the retracted position. |
| US08141264B2 |
Length reference bar system and method
A length reference bar system and method that compensates for thermal expansion and allows for testing whether an instrument is working properly using only an inferometer. The length reference bar system has a bar portion with end caps for target positions on either end of the bar portion that extend inward toward each other such that, if a length of the bar portion changes due to a temperature change, a length of the end caps also changes but in an opposite direction to counteract the bar portion length change. As such, any target positions mounted on the end caps remain at a constant distance from each other regardless of the temperature thereby canceling out the effect of thermal expansion. The end caps also provide multiple target positioning capability so that any targets mounted thereon may be positioned in various configurations to provide a user with increased versatility for applications such as checking calibration. |
| US08141258B1 |
Neck razor
A safety neck razor to be used on the back of a person's neck includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being generally flat and having an opening adapted to releasably secure a razor blade therein. Right and left side contoured edges extend upwardly from the bottom surface and an undulating protuberance extends upwardly from the center of the top surface. The protuberance has a right and a left side with a first well formed between the right side of the protuberance and the right side contoured edge and a second well formed between the left side of the protuberance and the left side contoured edge. The protuberance fits between the fingers of a person's hand and is gripped by the person's fingers so that the fingers rest completely within a respective well. |
| US08141255B2 |
Multi-impact hand tool
A multi-impact hand tool comprises a sleeve, a tool head, a movable rod, a spring and an impact block. With only one impact operation, the multi-impact hand tool can provide a multi-impact effect, thus improving the working efficiency. In addition, the impact force can be directly transferred to the tool head for performing the chiseling operation, thus improving the working efficiency. |
| US08141254B2 |
Reciprocating type electric shaver
A reciprocating type electric shaver having a trimmer blade, which is substantially reverse L-shaped in cross section and installed in a shaver head of a shaver main body, wherein the trimmer blade comprises a stationary outer cutter that is bent in substantially a reverse L shape and a movable inner cutter that makes sliding contact with the inner surface of the stationary outer cutter; and in the horizontal bent part at the upper end of the outer cutter is formed with first slits that open toward the open end side and second slits that open toward the opposite bent corner side of the horizontal bent part; so that the outer cutter works together with the reciprocating inner cutter to cut the hair that enters the slits. |
| US08141253B2 |
Personal care assembly
A personal care apparatus includes a handle housing a rechargeable battery and a plurality of operating heads such as a vibrating safety razor head and a hair trimming device exchangeably mountable on the handle for assembling different hand-held appliances for performing respective body treatments. A base is included for storing the components of the apparatus when not in use and forms a battery charging device with a socket into which the handle plugs for recharging the battery. The operating heads include electrical devices, in particular electric motors, powered by the battery. |
| US08141248B2 |
Method of making a pump
A method of making a pump (10) including a polymeric pump housing (12) and a drive shaft (14) mounted for rotation in a bearing (16), the bearing (16) having on an exterior surface at least one engagement formation (44), —the method including the step of molding the pump housing (12) around the bearing (16) such that the housing (12) co-operates with the engagement formation (44) to restrict movement of the bearing (16) with respect to the housing (12). |
| US08141245B2 |
Method of forming a circuit board with improved via design
A circuit board or each circuit board of a multi-layer circuit board includes an electrically conductive sheet coated with an insulating top layer covering one surface of the conductive sheet, an insulating bottom layer covering another surface of the conductive sheet and an insulating edge layer covering an edge of the conductive sheet. An insulating interlayer can be sandwiched between a pair of adjacent circuit boards of a multi-layer circuit board assembly. A landless through-hole or via can extend through one or more of the circuit boards for connecting electrical conductors on opposing surfaces thereof. |
| US08141237B1 |
Flexible printed circuit connector assembling fixture
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector assembling fixture is provided for assembling an FPC connector. The assembling fixture includes a base that is set horizontally. A lower slidable carriage is slidably coupled to the base. Upper and lower molds are respectively and rotatably coupled to an upper slidable carriage and the lower slidable carriage. A terminal fitting mechanism and a cover mounting mechanism are respectively mounted to the upper and lower molds. Guide posts are mounted to the base. The upper mold is slidably coupled to the base with the guide posts. The lower mold forms an accommodation chamber. The cover mounting mechanism includes a push rod and first and second slide channels. The second slide channel is in communication with the accommodation chamber and the first slide channel. The push rod is received in and slidably coupled to the second slide channel. |
| US08141235B1 |
Method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording transducers
A method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording transducer is described. A metallic underlayer, an insulator on the metallic underlayer, and a metal mask on the insulator are provided. The metal mask has an aperture therein. A trench is formed in the insulator. The trench's bottom is narrower than its top and includes part of the metallic underlayer. The top has a width of not more than 0.28 micron. A nonmagnetic seed layer that substantially covers at least the trench bottom and sides and that has a thickness of at least five hundred Angstroms is provided. A perpendicular magnetic pole material is plated on at least part of the seed layer. A CMP is performed, removing part of the perpendicular magnetic pole material. A remaining portion of the perpendicular magnetic pole material forms a perpendicular magnetic recording pole. The nonmagnetic seed layer is a stop layer for the CMP. |
| US08141230B2 |
Press-hardened component and process for producing a press-hardened component
A press-hardened component and a method for producing press-hardened components, in particular a bodywork component, from a semi-finished product made from unhardened, hot-formable steel sheet. Various process steps are carried out in the process. A component blank is formed from the semi-finished product by a cold-forming process, in particular a drawing process. The component blank is trimmed at the margin side to a margin contour which approximately corresponds to the component to be produced. The trimmed component blank is heated and press-hardened in a hot-forming tool, and then the press-hardened component blank is covered with a corrosion-prevention layer in a coating step. |
| US08141229B2 |
Element attachable by riveting to a sheet metal part and also a component assembly and a method for the production of the component assembly
An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, in particular an element in the form of a centering bolt, having a shaft part and a head part, wherein the head part has at its side confronting the sheet metal part an at least approximately ring-like ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which in turn merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part, is disposed within a ring-like contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface, is characterized in that at least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present ring-like base surface of the ring recess. A component assembly comprising the element and a sheet metal part and also a method for the manufacture of such a component assembly are also described. |
| US08141225B2 |
Method of manufacturing a component by consolidating powder material
A method of manufacturing a blisk comprising a disc joined to an aerofoil, wherein a union piece of partially sintered powder and having an alignment feature is provided. The union piece is connected between the disc and the aerofoil, which is aligned relative to the disc by the alignment feature of the union piece. Heat and pressure is subsequently applied to consolidate the first workpiece, union piece and second workpiece. |
| US08141224B2 |
Patch panel labelling system
The present invention provides a patch panel labelling system for mounting to a telecommunications rack. The system comprises a connector module mounted to the rack and having a front face with a plurality of connectors. A labelling plate is mounted to the module for movement about a first pivot axis between a first position where the plate is substantially parallel to the front face of the module and a second position where the plate is pivoted away from the front face for providing access to the connectors. The plate can be further pivoted about a second pivot axis to selectively hide or reveal the labels provided thereon for identifying the connectors. The plate can be also be slid underneath the module for storage. |
| US08141222B2 |
Method of assembling a blowing insulation machine
Methods of assembling machines for distributing loosefill insulation from packages of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a chute having an inlet end, the inlet end configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation, providing a lower unit including a shroud, the lower unit being configured to be attached to the chute to form the machine, the lower unit having an outlet for the discharge of loosefill insulation, installing a plurality of shredders in the lower unit, the shredders being configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation, installing a discharge mechanism in the lower unit, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the outlet of the lower unit, providing a bottom wall structure, the bottom wall structure having a first bottom wall spaced apart from a second bottom wall and connecting the bottom wall structure to the shroud. |
| US08141219B2 |
Tool for assisting in cutting the conductors of an electrical cable to a precise length
A tool for assisting in cutting the conductors of an electrical cable to a precise length includes a body, the body being pierced with a channel which is orthogonal to a reference face and which is equipped with a shoulder. The distance between the shoulder and the reference face is equal to the desired length of the end portions of the conductors of the electrical cable outside the outer insulating sheath thereof. |
| US08141215B2 |
Apparatus for arranging fiber bundles
A connection pipe 40A is fit in an introduction pipe 34A. A guide groove 342 extends on the side of the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction. A guide screw 41 is screwed on the peripheral face of the connection pipe 40A to penetrate through a peripheral wall of the connection pipe 40A. A distal end of the guide screw 41 enters the guide groove 342. The distal end of the guide screw 41 is movable in the Z-axis direction in the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A is movable relative to the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction within the range of the length of the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A and the guide pipes 31A are moved in the Z-axis direction with an air cylinder 43. Accordingly, when fiber bundles are arranged using a plurality of guide pipes, the guide pipe is prevented from being caught by a fiber bundle drawn out of another guide pipe. |
| US08141214B2 |
Patterning technique
A method of making a textile pattern includes forming a design module having a substantially square shape, forming a motif from the design module by repeating the design module to form a unitary array of design modules, where the design modules of the unitary array of design modules have various orientations with respect to one another in fixed positions within the unitary array, and repeating the motif along a length and a width of a continuous textile web so that the continuous textile web comprises a first occurrence of the motif and a second occurrence of the motif. |
| US08141209B2 |
Vibration dampening handle for a powered apparatus
A vibration dampening handle for a powered apparatus includes an elongate gripping member including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, and a wall defining an inner bore and having an inner surface. The inner bore extends along the longitudinal axis at least partially through the gripping member, and opens on at least the first end of the gripping member. A weighted mass is disposed at the second end of the gripping member. An elongate elastic beam member is one of attached to and integral with the gripping member. The beam member extends along a region of the longitudinal axis and a portion of the beam member is disposed within the inner bore and is spaced apart from the inner surface. The beam member further includes a first end that extends beyond the first end of the gripping member and includes a fastening member adapted to connect the handle to the powered apparatus. |
| US08141205B2 |
Hinge mechanism and portable electronic device using the same
A hinge mechanism comprises a follower, a cam and a first spring. The first spring is spiral, one end of the first spring is mounted to the follower, another end of the first spring is mounted to the cam. The cam rotates relative to the follower about a rotating axis, the first spring is compressed to accumulate elastic force, until the line connecting two ends of the first spring is parallel to the rotating axis where the first spring is mostly compressed to accumulate maximum of the elastic force and the hinge mechanism is in an intermediate state. Once the cam is rotated over the intermediate state, the first spring is expanded under previously accumulated elastic force, which drive the cam continuously rotated relative to the follower. |
| US08141198B2 |
Windscreen wiper arm
The invention relates to a windscreen wiper arm (10) comprising a wiper bar (40), to which a wiper blade (6) can be attached with or without a spoiler. Said bar is composed of a freely projecting, first arc-shaped wiper bar section (1) with a first curvature variation, to which the wiper blade (6) is attached and of at least one second arc-shaped wiper bar section (2) with a second arc-shaped curvature variation, which adjoins the first wiper bar section (1), to form a snap-off point (12). |
| US08141196B2 |
Clean device with decorating strip
A clean device with decorating strip includes a belt and at least one decorating strip received in the belt. The belt is composed of elastic nets and has a hollow oblong shaped structure. At least one decorating strip is inserted into the hollow structure of the belt and received in the belt. A lateral side of the belt including the at least one decorating strip are reiteratively overlapped to form a folded structure having multiple layers formed on two ends of the folded structure. A fastening means is tightened a middle section of the folded structure. |
| US08141192B2 |
Oral-care device and system
A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof. |
| US08141190B2 |
Walk-up workstation employing ionizing air nozzles and insulating panels
A walk-up, user accessible cleaning workstation having a sensor and ionization nozzle arranged on a frame. The frame mounts the sensor in a fixed position to the nozzle in operative proximity to a cleaning area. The frame partially encloses the nozzle's electrode. The sensor detects manual workpiece placement into the cleaning area to open the gas valve and activate the power supply. The panel deflects dust flying off the workpiece from reaching the user's face. The workstation improves safety in the cleaning and destaticizing of ophthalmic lenses. |
| US08141189B2 |
Formed front header for a dock leveler
A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed. |
| US08141187B2 |
Sleepy head's/neck pillow invention
The present invention is related to a supportive head and neck pillow with a supportive bone structure inside the pillow. The invention is used for head and neck support, and comfort while sleeping sitting up during transportation. It can also be used for head and neck support for people who have neck injuries, or to prevent neck injuries during transportation. The main components are made up of two things; a pillow with a bone structure support inside the pillow and a clip/strap system. |
| US08141185B2 |
Self-sustaining washroom for mobile use
A sanitary device for autonomous operation for a conveyance. The sanitary device has a sanitary module and a supply system. The sanitary module is set up replaceably in a cabin area of the conveyance. The supply system is set up in the sanitary module to supply it. The sanitary module is autonomously operable. |
| US08141184B2 |
Portable personal hygiene apparatus
A portable personal hygiene apparatus, includes a water-impermeable user support shaped to support a person in a reclined posture, including a support surface contoured to receive a person's body thereon and a raised side surface extending continuously from the support surface completely around upper and lateral side edges of the support surface such that water discharged onto a person seated on the support surface is contained by the user support and flows downwardly to a front lower edge of the support surface, and a support frame fixed to the user support and having at least one wheel permitting rolling movement of the apparatus. The raised side surface of the user support is narrow in width such that an overall width of the user support substantially corresponds to a width of the support surface. Also, a basin may be provided that is selectively positionable in a retracted position beneath the user support and an operative position extending forwardly of the lower front edge of the support surface such that any water flowing off of the support surface collects in the basin. |
| US08141183B2 |
Method for manufacturing a prefabricated modular shower curb and associated modular shower curb
A prefabricated modular curb suitable for attaching to a sidewall of a prefabricated shower module for constructing a tiled shower includes a mounting wall, an exterior wall, and a top wall extending from the upper edge of the exterior wall to the upper edge of the mounting wall in a plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting wall and to the exterior wall, or pitched downward from the exterior wall toward the mounting wall. In one embodiment, the modular curb further includes at least one reinforcing curb rib connected to the top wall, the mounting wall, and/or the exterior wall. In another embodiment the top wall terminates beyond the outer surface of the mounting wall in a ledge having a width substantially equal to the width of the sidewall of the shower module. |
| US08141181B2 |
Neck jet pillow for whirlpool tub or spa
A neck jet pillow for a spa or whirlpool tub removably mountable. The pillow has a soft membrane area occupying a central portion thereof, a first mounting member fixedly mountable onto a fluid jet, a second mounting member fixedly attached to the pillow and slidably and removably mountable onto the first mounting member, and a hole in the second mounting member coinciding with the membrane area whereby the jet can direct a fluid stream onto the backside of the membrane area. The first and second mounting members, when mounted together and onto the pillow and jet, define a water-tight cavity there between having a jet inlet and a discharge opening whereby spent fluid from the jet is discharged downward into the tub or spa. The mounting members may be sliding members. |
| US08141179B2 |
Water saver toilet with uniform water spot
A toilet has a source (42) that applies a vacuum to a trapway (14) at the beginning of a flushing to immediately flush the toilet bowl (12). As a result, water from the water tunnel 26 and the toilet bowl top channel 28 flow into the bowl after the flushing to create a large water spot (98) in the toilet bowl. A low water flush (e.g. 1½ liters to flush urine) can be obtained by not letting water flow out of a secondary volume (63) that lies outside a divider (140) in an isolator (40). |
| US08141176B2 |
Pants having body-shaping function
Provided is pants having a body-shaping function including; an elastic fabric included in the pants, and having a boundary that is partially fixed on the pants to elastically support hips of a wearer; and a hip-up band fixed on the elastic fabric to push the hips up so as to make contours of the hips more voluminous or compression bands on lower side portions of the elastic fabric in order to compress thighs of the wearer so as to make the thighs look thin, or a pair of pads having predetermined thicknesses and disposed on the elastic fabric to make the hips of the wearer look more attractive. Therefore, since the elastic fabric is integrally fixed in the pants for shaping the hips, the conventional girdle is not required. In addition, since the girdle in the pants only compresses the hips, it does not affect blood circulation around the belly, and is easily wearable. Also, the contours of the hips look more attractive due to the pads. |
| US08141174B2 |
EL power unit
A safety vest is sized to be worn by a human, wherein the vest has a front and back and left and right sides each having a shoulder portion. An EL strip is provided on each side of the vest extending from the bottom of the vest upwards toward the shoulder portion. A power source is supported by the vest and connected to the EL lamp strips to supply electrical energy to the strips so that they emit EL light, wherein the EL light emitted by the EL strip is a safety yellow color, and wherein other portions of the vest are a safety orange color. Further safety articles of clothing and devices are also described, including a power pack unit. |
| US08141172B2 |
Isolation gown with quick waist and neck closures
A medical gown (100) is configured for quick donning and removal. A neck closure includes an insertion strap (109) and a fastening strap (110). The insertion strap (109) can be preconfigured with at least a portion thereof inserted into a fastening head (111) of the fastening strap (110). A wearer (700) passes the head through a neck opening (105) and cinches the neck closure by pulling the insertion strap (109) through the fastening head (111). A coupling tab (108), where provided, can then be wrapped about the wearer's torso and adhesively affixed to the medical gown (100). The medical gown (100) can be made from a non-woven material that is configured to be easily tearable by the wearer (700). Accordingly, the wearer (700) can remove the medical gown (100) by tearing the non-woven material. |
| US08146167B2 |
Use management method for peripheral device, electronic system and component device thereof
Managing the use of an optical disc drive by a program at high security. An OS of a host apparatus 100 sends one user certificate incorporating the policy information defining the use contents permissible for the optical disc drive 200 and a user key to the optical disc drive 200 under a secure environment (S3). On the other hand, the program running on the OS is authorized, and the user key is passed to the authorized program (S6). The optical disc drive 200 authorizes the program using the user key within the user certificate and the user key for the program and specifies the policy information corresponding to the user key (S7). Thereafter, the optical disc drive 200 permits the application program to gain access to the self-resource within the limits of the contents defined in the policy information (S8). |
| US08146166B2 |
System and method for providing content in two formats on one DRM disk
A DRM disk such as a Blu-ray stores content in a high resolution version for playing by a disk player. The disk also stores the same content in a lower resolution version for playing by a secondary device such as a Playstation Portable (PSP). The disk can be engaged with the disk player and the lower resolution format transferred to the secondary player through a mechanism such as a removable medium (e.g., a Sony Memory Stick®) or a USB connection or other means in accordance with DRM restrictions on the disk. |
| US08146160B2 |
Method and system for authentication event security policy generation
A method and system allows for the deployment of security policies into the higher layers of the OSI model. Specifically, it allows for the establishment of security policies at layer 4 and higher, by monitoring authentication flows and using these flows as the basis for establishing security policies which then can be used as a basis for assessing the operation of the network. |
| US08146159B2 |
Methods for inspecting security certificates by network security devices to detect and prevent the use of invalid certificates
Disclosed are methods and media for inspecting security certificates. Methods include the steps of: scanning, by a network security device, messages of a security protocol between a server and a client system; detecting the messages having a security certificate; detecting suspicious security certificates from the messages; and aborting particular sessions of the security protocol associated with the suspicious certificates. Preferably, the step of scanning is performed only on messages of server certificate records. Preferably, the method further includes the step of: sending an invalid-certificate notice to the server and the client system. Preferably, the step of detecting the suspicious certificates includes detecting a use of an incorrectly-generated private key for the certificates. Preferably, the step of detecting the suspicious certificates includes detecting an unavailability of revocation information for the certificates. Preferably, the step of detecting the suspicious certificates includes detecting a use of an invalid cryptographic algorithm for the certificates. |
| US08146156B2 |
Archive of text captures from rendered documents
A facility for storing a text capture data structure for a particular user is described. The data structure comprises a number of entries. Each entry corresponds to a text capture operation performed by the user from a rendered document. Each entry contains information specifying the text captured in the text capture operation. |
| US08146154B2 |
Method and system for using shared secrets to protect access to testing keys for set-top box
Certain aspects of a method and system for using shared secrets to protect the access of testing keys for a set-top box may comprise receiving within a security processor within a set-top box a plurality of secret keys from a plurality of users. A password may be generated utilizing secret sharing based on the received plurality of secret keys. The generated password may be compared with a generated response. The plurality of users may be authenticated access to the set-top box based on the comparison. |
| US08146150B2 |
Security management in multi-node, multi-processor platforms
Multi-node and multi-processor security management is described in this application. Data may be secured in a TPM of any one of a plurality of nodes, each node including one or more processors. The secured data may be protected using hardware hooks to prevent unauthorized access to the secured information. Security hierarchy may be put in place to protect certain memory addresses from access by requiring permission by VMM, OS, ACM or processor hardware. The presence of secured data may be communicated to each of the nodes to ensure that data is protected. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08146146B1 |
Method and apparatus for integrated network security alert information retrieval
A method and apparatus are disclosed whereby databases containing information related to an IP address are accessed directly from within a threat management software tool. When an alert is generated, an element within that alert, such as an IP address, is linked to one or more databases internal to an organization containing information related to the location or identity of a user or computer at a particular IP address. If no matches for that element are found in internal databases, a search of a registry of IP addresses is conducted. Finally, if the searches of internal and external databases are inadequate, an active scan of the device at that particular IP address or a router associated with that IP address is conducted. In this way, information related to a security threat is easily and efficiently obtained to enable a security analyst to better isolate that threat. |
| US08146142B2 |
Device introduction and access control framework
In an embodiment, a method includes registering applications and network services for notification of an out-of-band introduction, and using the out-of-band introduction to bootstrap secure in-band provisioning of credentials and policies that are used to control subsequent access and resource sharing on an in-band channel. In another embodiment, an apparatus implements the method. |
| US08146137B2 |
Dynamic internet address assignment based on user identity and policy compliance
In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for a method presenting a client, providing client information and requesting an IP address from a DHCP server, where the DHCP server may formulate a first IP assignment and a first multiple DHCP options. A policy management facility may be associated with the interception of the first IP assignment and the first multiple DHCP options, which may result in the first IP assignment and the first multiple DHCP options not being sent to the client. The method may send client information to the policy management facility. The policy management facility may formulate a second multiple DHCP options and may send it to the DHCP server. The DHCP server may change first IP assignment and first multiple DHCP option to a second IP assignment and the second multiple DHCP options. The second IP assignment and the second multiple DHCP options may then be forwarded to the client. |
| US08146135B2 |
Establishing and enforcing security and privacy policies in web-based applications
Method, system, and computer code for implementing privacy protection in a web application, wherein the web application is executed in a web application language execution environment within a web server, the method containing the steps of: establishing at least one inbound tagging rule for tagging objects entering the web application language execution environment, referred to as inbound objects, according to a respective source of each of the inbound objects; assigning a tag to at least one of the inbound objects being operated on by the web application language execution environment based on the at least one inbound tagging rule; establishing at least one privacy rule for performing privacy actions on at least one object that is outbound from the web application language execution environment, referred to as outbound objects, according to a respective tag of each of the outbound objects; and performing a privacy action on the at least one outbound object being operated on by the web application language execution environment based on the at least one privacy rule. |
| US08146133B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing P2P traffic
The invention relates to a P2P traffic management apparatus and method. A P2P flow agent monitors an executed application program to extract a P2P application program, adds application identifiers to packets generated by the application program according to a set policy, and transmits the packets. In this case, a P2P security gateway monitors the inflowing packets from the P2P flow agent to extract packets having the application identifiers, uses the extracted application identifiers to inquire and acquire a related policy, and controls the packets according to the acquired policy. |
| US08146125B2 |
Computerized device and method for analyzing signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MOCA) network and similar TDM / encrypted networks
The present invention relates to testing signals on a coaxial home network that carries a digital video signal. It has direct application to testing so-called Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards-compliant networks and applies to similar networks. In one mode, a computerized device joins the MoCA network and relays signals intended for a set-top-box to the STB. In another mode, the computerized device joins the MoCA network instead of the STB and tests signal strength, attenuation and similar physical layer characteristics. |
| US08146120B2 |
Multi-criteria rating and searching system
A method and apparatus to provide a multi-criteria rating and search system is described. Users can provide ratings along multiple axes, which can then be used for searching. |
| US08146118B2 |
Recording medium having a data structure for managing reproduction of menu data and recording and reproducing apparatuses and methods
The recording medium includes a data structure having a menu data area and a menu management area. The menu data area stores one or more thumbnail pictures as menu data. Each thumbnail picture is stored as a block of menu data. The menu management area stores menu management information. The menu management information provides an index to each thumbnail picture in the menu data area. |
| US08146108B2 |
Driver assisted asynchronous command processing
A method for assisting multi-threaded command execution by a driver in a multi-core computer system, is disclosed. The method includes distinguishing asynchronous commands from synchronous commands, buffering the asynchronous commands in a buffer, processing the synchronous commands directly in a CPU driver thread, processing the asynchronous commands from the buffer by one or more CPU work threads, wherein multiple threads of the multi-core computer system can be utilized at the same time; and managing the buffer after the buffer is processed by the CPU work thread, wherein the command executions appear to be just like single-threaded to application software. |
| US08146106B2 |
On-demand emulation via user-level exception handling
Methods and apparatuses enable on-demand instruction emulation via user-level exception handling. A non-supported instruction triggers an exception during runtime of a program. In response to the exception, a user-level or application-level exception handler is launched, instead of a kernel-level handler. Then the exception handler can execute at the application layer instead of the kernel level. The handler identifies the instruction and emulates the instruction, where emulation of the instruction is supported by the handler. Emulating the instructions enables the program to continue execution. Repeated instruction emulation is amortized via dynamic binary translation of hot code. |
| US08146105B2 |
Image-forming device, control method thereof, and storage medium of storing program to execute control method
An image-forming device comprises: a notification unit to notify another device of an event generated in the image-forming device; a registration unit to register a notification destination of the notification unit; a first determination unit to determine, in a case where a request for registering a notification destination is received from a first information-processing device, validity duration of the registration based on the request; and a second determination unit to determine, in a case where a request for registering a notification destination is received from a second information-processing device, validity duration of the registration based on the request, on the basis of the validity duration determined by the first determination unit. |
| US08146100B2 |
System and method for event-based information flow in software development processes
A method including receiving a plurality of event descriptors, each event descriptor of the plurality of event descriptors corresponding to a respective event relevant to a software development process, transmitting the plurality of event descriptors to a subscriber; and receiving a subscription message from a subscriber, the subscription message including an indication of an event descriptor selected from the plurality of event descriptors. |
| US08146099B2 |
Service-oriented pipeline based architecture
Service-oriented systems employing pipeline architecture to accommodate third party extensions for extending existing functionality or providing additional functionality are provided. User or third party provided plug-ins are registered through metadata and executed in a pipeline along with platform operations. The pipeline is extendable on the fly with newly uploaded plug-ins. Dependency analyses for ordering synchronous or asynchronous pipeline operations enable multiple parties to extend the system and operate predictably. Loop detection mechanisms prevent misuse of system resources through accidental or malicious creation of infinite loops with exceptions for non-degenerate infinite loops. |
| US08146095B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for managing persistence in a messaging network
Provided are method, apparatus and computer program product for managing persistence in a messaging network. A determination of whether to save data relating to a message-based communication to persistent storage at a message server is made with reference to characteristics of at least one messaging client involved in the message-based communication. The characteristics may include, for example, connection reliability information for the client's previous connections to the message server, such as numbers of disconnections within a defined period or average connection duration, for a messaging client to which at least one message is to be transmitted by the message server. The characteristics may represent a number of matching subscribers per publication. These and/or other example characteristics may be captured in a database at the message server and may be evaluated (for example by SQL queries applied to the database) to determine whether a persistent save operation is required or can be omitted. |
| US08146087B2 |
System and method for enabling micro-partitioning in a multi-threaded processor
A system and method for allowing jobs originating from different partitions to simultaneously utilize different hardware threads on a processor by concatenating partition identifiers with virtual page identifiers within a processor's translation lookaside buffer is presented. The device includes a translation lookaside buffer that translates concatenated virtual addresses to system-wide real addresses. The device generates concatenated virtual addresses using a partition identifier, which corresponds to a job's originating partition, and a virtual page identifier, which corresponds to the executing instruction, such as an instruction address or data address. In turn, each concatenated virtual address is different, which translates in the translation lookaside buffer to a unique system-wide real address. As such, jobs originating from different partitions are able to simultaneously execute on the device and, therefore, fully utilize each of the device's hardware threads. |
| US08146086B2 |
Gathering operational metrics within a grid environment using ghost agents
A method for gathering operational metrics can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host can be a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The ghost agent can replicate actions of the host. Operational metrics for at least a portion of the replicated actions can be determined. The operational metrics can be recorded. The host can move within the grid environment. The ghost agent can responsively move in accordance with movement of the host. |
| US08146082B2 |
Migrating virtual machines configured with pass-through devices
Virtual machines that utilize pass-through devices are migrated from a source host computer to a destination host computer. During preparation for migration, the pass-through device is substituted with an emulation handler that simulates the pass-through device experiencing errors. Upon successful migration, an error reporting signal is triggered to cause the device driver in the virtual machine to initiate a reset of the pass-through device at the destination host computer, upon which the pass-through device is mapped to the migrated virtual machine. |
| US08146080B2 |
Tessellated virtual machines conditionally linked for common computing goals
In a computing environment, an association and layout of virtual machines exist as a system of multiple applications instantiated for a common computing goal, such as providing a data center with an email system for an enterprise. In that every application need not always be operational or have applicability in every scenario, applications are only instantiated upon actionable requests for various services. Representatively, a communication channel is initialized between at least two applications, but instantiation of one of the applications is delayed until an actionable request between the applications occurs. In this manner, policy or governance can be enforced and/or computing resources can be conserved. Various features relate to defined incoming and outgoing connectors of virtual machines of the applications and their functional interaction to satisfy initial connectivity issues and to later instantiate needed applications. Libraries, software program products, and policy management are other features, to name a few. |
| US08146079B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling resource usage by a driver domain on behalf of a virtual machine
A method comprises determining an amount to which resource usage by a driver domain on behalf of a given virtual machine (VM) is to be limited. The method further comprises controlling the resource usage by the driver domain on behalf of the given VM so as not to exceed the determined amount. A system comprises a VM, a driver domain, and a shared resource that is usable by the VM and by the driver domain. The system further comprises a controller for limiting usage of the shared resource by the driver domain on behalf of the VM to prevent the usage of the shared resource by the driver domain on behalf of the VM from exceeding a determined amount. |
| US08146077B2 |
Information management and synchronous communications system with menu generation, and handwriting and voice modification of orders
An information management and synchronous communications system and method facilitates database equilibrium and synchronization with wired, wireless and Web-based systems, user-friendly and efficient generation of computerized menus and reservations with handwritten/voice modifications for restaurants and other applications that utilize equipment with nonstandard graphical formats, display sizes and/or applications for use in remote data entry, information management and communication with host computer, digital input device or remote pager via standard hardwired connection, the internet, a wireless link, printer or the like. |
| US08146074B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium containing application management program, and method and apparatus for application management
A computer-readable recording medium containing an application management program for automatically performing version management to surely manage versions of a client application that communicates with a server application. A communication request monitor acquires a communication request issued from a terminal device to a server, and extracts version information of a client application from the communication request. An upgrade determination unit determines whether the extracted version information shows the latest version, and determines that upgrade is necessary if the version is not the latest version. A setting file transmitter sends the communication request to the server if the upgrade determination unit does not determine that the upgrade is necessary. If the upgrade is necessary, on the contrary, the setting file transmitter discards the communication request and sends the client application setting file for the latest version to the terminal device sending the communication request. |
| US08146072B2 |
System and method for updating software on a computer
One aspect of the invention is a method for updating the version of software resident on a computer that includes providing a kiosk in a public place. A communication path is established between the kiosk and a computer to be tested. It is determined, using the kiosk, whether at least one program resident on the computer is a preferred version. |
| US08146071B2 |
Pipelined parallelization of multi-dimensional loops with multiple data dependencies
A mechanism for folding all the data dependencies in a loop into a single, conservative dependence. This mechanism leads to one pair of synchronization primitives per loop. This mechanism does not require complicated, multi-stage compile time analysis. This mechanism considers only the data dependence information in the loop. The low synchronization cost balances the loss in parallelism due to the reduced overlap between iterations. Additionally, a novel scheme is presented to implement required synchronization to enforce data dependences in a DOACROSS loop. The synchronization is based on an iteration vector, which identifies a spatial position in the iteration space of the loop. Multiple iterations executing in parallel have their own iteration vector for synchronization where they update their position in the iteration space. As no sequential updates to the synchronization variable exist, this method exploits a greater degree of parallelism. |
| US08146069B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing non service affecting software upgrades in place
The invention includes a method and apparatus for upgrading software represented as a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions and tokens traverse the graph executing functions. A method includes identifying a target region of the graph, obtaining a new region for the graph, determining a correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph, and replacing the target region of the graph with the new region for the graph using the correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph. The target region of the graph may be replaced by suspending the operation of the target region of the graph, or while the target region of the graph continues running. |
| US08146067B2 |
Efficient data reorganization to satisfy data alignment constraints
Vectorizing misaligned references in compiled code for SIMD architectures that support only aligned loads and stores is presented. In the framework presented herein, a loop is first simdized as if the memory unit imposes no alignment constraints. The compiler then inserts data reorganization operations to satisfy the actual alignment requirement of the hardware. Finally, the code generation algorithm generates SIMD codes based on the data reorganization graph, addressing realistic issues such as runtime alignments, unknown loop bounds, residue iteration counts, and multiple statements with arbitrary alignment combinations. Beyond generating a valid simdization, a preferred embodiment further improves the quality of the generated codes. Four stream-shift placement policies are disclosed, which minimize the number of data reorganization generated by the alignment handling. |
| US08146061B2 |
Systems and methods for graphics hardware design debugging and verification
Disclosed are systems and methods for debugging and analyzing graphics hardware designs. Hardware designs are represented by a software model implemented in a programming language. Graphics operations can be executed in the software model as well as in reference software models to allow a user to analyze the accuracy of a graphics hardware design and/or a device driver implementation. |
| US08146059B2 |
Feeding test metrics into an integrated development environment to aid software developers to improve code quality
An IDE or program operable with an IDE retrieves automated test results for a code sequence. The IDE or separate program detects the code sequence during source code development in an IDE. The test results are then presented in the IDE during source code development. |
| US08146057B1 |
Instrumentation system and method for testing software
One or more test controls within code under test are enabled and then executing the code under test is executed. When enabled, the test control will interact with a tester when the code under test is executed (e.g., by providing data to the tester). The selection to enable the test control can be made based on whether the system accessing the code under test is a tester. If the system is a tester, the test control is enabled. Otherwise, the test control is disabled. The test control can include an execution control, a data definition control, and/or a log control. |
| US08146056B1 |
Debugging a computer program by interrupting program execution in response to access of unused I/O port
A method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for debugging a computer program utilizing breakpoints triggered by accessing a rarely used or unused I/O port is provided. Rarely used or unused I/O ports are identified in a computer system and a debugger program is instructed to halt program execution when an access is made to one or more of the identified ports. An instruction for writing to one of the ports is then inserted in the program to be debugged. When the instruction is executed, the debugger program will cause the execution of the program to stop. When the breakpoint is no longer needed, the debugger program is instructed not to halt when an access is made to the I/O port. |
| US08146052B2 |
Method and system for hierarchical hardware mapping for software design
The present disclosure is directed toward a method for hierarchical hardware mapping in a software design environment. The method comprises the step of providing a software design tool on a graphical interface of a computer system. The method also includes receiving, in the software design tool, graphical representation of at least a portion of software and receiving, in the software design tool, graphical representation of at least a portion of hardware. The method may further include receiving, in the software design tool, one or more bindings between software and hardware, wherein the one or more bindings form a set of bindings, and storing the set of bindings for use in one or more software designs. |
| US08146050B2 |
Graphical program with physical simulation and data flow portions
Various embodiments of systems and methods are described in which system simulation techniques are combined with graphical programming techniques in a common environment. For example, various embodiments of the methods comprise displaying a graphical data flow diagram connected to a system diagram, e.g., where the graphical data flow diagram and the system diagram are displayed together in a compound diagram. In the displayed compound diagram, the graphical data flow diagram may be connected to the system diagram, e.g., by a line or wire. In one embodiment the wire may visually indicate that the graphical data flow diagram is executable to produce a value that is provided as an input signal for a simulation performed based on the system diagram. In another embodiment the wire may visually indicate that the graphical data flow diagram receives an output value from the system simulation as input. |
| US08146042B1 |
Method and system for optimized circuit autorouting
An approach is provided for selectively optimizing a circuit design to be physical implemented. The approach includes generating a circuit routing solution in accordance with a plurality of constraints for parametric resources of the circuit design, with the constraints being defined respectively by a plurality of corresponding constraint instances. Each constraint instance variably indicates an effective constraining limit and degree of consumption for at least one of the parametric resources. At least one of the constraints is selectively adjusted by a predetermined over-constraining amount, and the circuit routing solution is preliminarily modified by applying at least one routing action selected responsive to the constraint adjustment. An automatic evaluation is then made of the potential impact upon constraint compliance. The evaluation includes generating a relative cost measure for the preliminary modification of the circuit routing solution, based at least partially upon each of the constraint instances. Thereafter, the preliminary modification of said circuit routing solution is either discarded or accepted responsive to the evaluation. A number of these operations may be repeated in recursive manner, if appropriate for the given application. |
| US08146036B1 |
Circuit for and method of determining a process corner for a CMOS device
A circuit for determining a process corner for a CMOS device of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a CMOS monitoring circuit comprising an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor of the integrated circuit; reference circuit comprising elements for generating a reference voltage for an NMOS transistor and a reference voltage for a PMOS transistor; a first comparator for comparing a voltage generated by the NMOS transistor monitored by the CMOS monitoring circuit with the reference voltage for a NMOS transistor; and a second comparator for comparing a voltage generated by the PMOS transistor monitored by the CMOS monitoring circuit with the reference voltage for a PMOS transistor. A method for determining a process corner for CMOS devices of an integrated circuit is also disclosed. |
| US08146034B2 |
Efficient Redundancy Identification, Redundancy Removal, and Sequential Equivalence Checking within Designs Including Memory Arrays.
A mechanism is provided for efficient redundancy identification, redundancy removal, and sequential equivalence checking with designs including memory arrays. The mechanism includes an array merging component to optimally merge an array output such that if the address is out-of-bounds or the port is not asserted, the array output is converted to a random output. The mechanism also includes a component for determining the equivalence of enabled array outputs rather than the array outputs directly and creating an enabled array output. The mechanism also includes a component that precludes potentially-redundant array cells from participating in the sequential redundancy removal determination. This component first checks for compatibility of the corresponding arrays, then the corresponding read port enables and addresses, then the corresponding initial values, and finally checking that writes to the corresponding columns yield a compatible set of values. |
| US08146033B2 |
Monitor position determining apparatus and monitor position determining method
A monitor position determining apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires design data concerning circuit elements arranged in a layout of a semiconductor device and for each of the circuit elements, yield sensitivity data indicative of a percentage of change with respect to a yield ratio of the semiconductor device; a selecting unit that selects, based on the yield sensitivity data, a circuit element from a circuit element group arranged in the layout; a determining unit that determines an arrangement position in the layout to be an installation position of a monitor that measures a physical amount in the semiconductor device in a measurement region, the arrangement position being of the circuit element that is specified from the design data acquired by the acquiring unit and selected by the selecting unit; and an output unit that outputs the installation position determined by the determining unit. |
| US08146031B2 |
Method for generating and evaluating a table model for circuit simulation
A method for generating and evaluating a table model for circuit simulation in N dimensions employing mathematical expressions for modeling a device. The table model uses an unstructured N-dimensional grid for approximating the expressions. The method includes the steps of: (a) establishing a function domain having boundary limits in the N dimensions; (b) performing an accuracy partitioning operation to establish accuracy partitions; the mathematical expressions being satisfied within each accuracy partition within a predetermined error criteria; (c) performing a continuity partitioning operation to establish continuity partitions ensuring continuity of solutions of the mathematical expressions across boundaries separating adjacent accuracy partitions; (d) performing a grid refining operation to configure the continuity partitions to assure monotonic solutions of the mathematical expressions in the continuity partitions; (e) if a continuity partition is altered during the grid refining operation, returning to step (c), else proceeding to next step; (f) ending the method. |
| US08146025B2 |
Method for correcting layout pattern using rule checking rectangle
A method for correcting layout pattern is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a layout pattern having at least one segment; forming a rule-checking rectangle from the segment, wherein the rule-checking rectangle comprises at least one square; verifying whether the square of the rule-checking rectangle overlaps other layout pattern; removing the portion of other layout pattern overlapped by the square to obtain a corrected layout pattern; and outputting the corrected layout pattern to a mask. |
| US08146022B2 |
Mask pattern data generation method, mask manufacturing method, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and pattern data generation program
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mask pattern data generation method including: a first step of obtaining a mask data representing from a design pattern by performing a process simulation with a process parameter having a first value; a second step of obtaining a finished pattern from the mask data by performing the process simulation with the process parameter having a different value; a third step of verifying whether a dimensional error therebetween is within an allowable range; and a fourth step of: if the dimensional error is within the allowable range, determining the mask pattern data; and if the dimensional error is not within the allowable range, repeating the above steps by updating the process parameter until the dimensional error becomes within the allowable range. |
| US08146020B2 |
Enhanced detection of circular engagement gesture
The enhanced detection of a circular engagement gesture, in which a shape is defined within motion data, and the motion data is sampled at points that are aligned with the defined shape. It is determined whether a moving object is performing a gesture correlating to the defined shape based on a pattern exhibited by the sampled motion data. An application is controlled if determining that the moving object is performing the gesture. |
| US08146018B2 |
Gesture-based control of multiple game characters and other animated objects
Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of multiple independent animated objects such as characters displayed on a display use zone detection and touch stroke direction. A player wishing to move the digital objects can use a stylus or other touch to draw strokes or gestures on the screen. Different strokes can correspond to different types of control inputs. For example, based on where a stroke begins and ends on the screen relative to character position, different animated characters can be selected and controlled. Some strokes control only one animated character to move in a particular direction, whereas other strokes can control multiple objects to move in a coordinated manner. |
| US08146017B2 |
Declarative data binding and data type propagation in a remote workflow schedule authoring system
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media are provided herein for declarative data binding and data type propagation in a remote workflow schedule authoring system. According to one method, a user interface is provided for binding a parameter in a workflow action rule to a data value provided by a data source. The user interface may include a control for specifying a data source and a data field to which the parameter should be bound. The parameter is bound to the data source and data field selected using the user interface. If the data type of the selected data source is identical to the data type of the parameter, an internal lookup may be performed to retrieve the data value. Otherwise, the data type of the parameter may be propagated to the data source during lookup of the data value. |
| US08146014B2 |
Controlling a message display in an electronic device
A method of controlling a display of an electronic device for displaying a list of electronic messages. The method includes comparing a width of a designated space for a field of the electronic messages to a minimum width to determine if the width is sufficient, and if the width is determined to be sufficient, maintaining the width of the designated space, otherwise increasing the width of the designated space. |
| US08146003B2 |
Efficient text input for game controllers and handheld devices
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates entering a character via an input device. An interface can receive a portion of input data from an input device, wherein the input data is at least one of an analog input from an analog directional input associated with the input device or a button input from a button associated with the input device. An enhanced input component can utilize a user interface (UI) overlay corresponding to the input device to select a character in which the UI overlay includes a segmented ring with each sector having two or more characters. The enhanced input component can enter a character for data entry based upon an analog directional input that selects a sector on the segmented ring and a button input that selects a corresponding character within the segment. |
| US08146002B2 |
Screen sharing session with selective pop-ups
A method, system, and computer program product for providing a pop-up repelling region (e.g., frame) for use in a screen sharing session that includes providing, or creating a region on a screen, during a screen sharing session, that includes a view of at least one application within the region and repelling from the view in the frame of all other applications. |
| US08145999B1 |
System and method for audio creation and editing in a multimedia messaging environment
A system for editing audio objects in which a variety of audio objects are represented as images and laid out in a 2 dimensional visual environment. The system includes a display unit, a processing unit, a user interface unit, and a device for playing/receiving audio. The system has the capability to perform a variety of editing functions, such as the recording and playback of audio content, joining and splitting audio objects, and reordering audio objects. Additionally, the system includes functionality to automatically recording new content when sound is detected above a set threshold. Furthermore, the system includes functionality for linking portions of audio objects to media objects such as HTML documents and video. |
| US08145995B2 |
Scalable display of internet content on mobile devices
Mobile devices enabled to support resolution-independent scalable display of Internet (Web) content to allow Web pages to be scaled (zoomed) and panned for better viewing on smaller screen sizes. The mobile devices employ software-based processing of original Web content, including HTML-based content, XML, cascade style sheets, etc. to enable Web page content to be rapidly rendered, zoomed, and panned. Moreover, the rendered displays provide substantially the same or identical layout as the original Web page, enabling users to easily navigate to selected content and features on literally Billions of Web pages. User input schemes include tap-based context zooming that enables users to selectively zoom in on objects including columns, images, and paragraphs by simply tapping on them. Display lists may also be employed to provide further enhancements in rendering speed. Additionally, hardware-based programmed logic may be employed to facilitate various operations. |
| US08145991B2 |
Methods and devices for optimizing the processing of XML documents
Methods and devices for optimizing the processing of documents of the XML type comprising components are described. After having identified the required XML document and the processing mode that is to be performed on this document, for example forward or backward, the client sends a request comprising this information. On receipt of this request, the server accesses the document identified and the sequencing according to the processing mode that has to be performed before transmitting it. If the processing mode is of the backward type, it is not necessary to process all the document in order to transmit it, it may be transmitted gradually as sequencing takes place. The algorithms for sequencing and processing the components of an XML document are adapted to process the simple components and the components having circular references. |
| US08145990B2 |
Systems and methods to dynamically recognize a database member identifier entered into a spreadsheet cell
According to some embodiments, a system, method, means, and/or computer program code are provided to facilitate use of a spreadsheet application to access information stored in a multi-dimensional data source. Some embodiments include receiving, at an analyzer module, a change indication from the spreadsheet application, the change indication being associated with an identifier entered by a user into a spreadsheet cell. In response to the change indication, a member associated with the identifier in a multi-dimensional data source may be dynamically determined. Information in the spreadsheet may then be replaced with a formula based at least in part on the determined member. |
| US08145984B2 |
Reading memory cells using multiple thresholds
A method for operating a memory (28) includes storing data, which is encoded with an Error Correction Code (ECC), in analog memory cells (32) of the memory by writing respective analog input values selected from a set of nominal values to the analog memory cells. The stored data is read by performing multiple read operations that compare analog output values of the analog memory cells to different, respective read thresholds so as to produce multiple comparison results for each of the analog memory cells. At least two of the read thresholds are positioned between a pair of the nominal values that are adjacent to one another in the set of the nominal values. Soft metrics are computed responsively to the multiple comparison results. The ECC is decoded using the soft metrics, so as to extract the data stored in the analog memory cells. |
| US08145982B2 |
Method and system for redundancy-based decoding of voice content in a wireless LAN system
Aspects of a method and system for redundancy-based decoding of voice content in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system are provided. A WLAN receiver may determine whether a decoded portion of a received packet comprises voice content and may select a redundancy-based decoder to decode a remaining portion of the packet when voice content is detected. The redundancy-based decoder may be a Viterbi decoder. The redundancy-based decoder may be selected to decode a determined number of subsequent packets or to decode subsequent packets for a determined amount of time. After decoding the remaining portion of the packet and any subsequent packets, the WLAN receiver may select a standard Viterbi decoder to decode additional received packets. The WLAN receiver may generate at least one signal to select the redundancy-based decoder and the standard Viterbi decoder. |
| US08145978B2 |
RAID array auto-initialization (RAAI) method
A system and method are provided for efficiently initializing a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). The method monitors host write operations and uses that information to select the optimal method to perform a parity reconstruction operation. The bins to which data access write operations have not occurred can be initialized using a zeroing process. In one aspect, the method identifies drives in the RAID array capable of receiving a ‘WriteRepeatedly’ command and leverages that capability to eliminate the need for the RAID disk array controller to provide initialization data for all disk array initialization transfers. This reduces the RAID array controller processor and I/O bandwidth required to initialize the array and further reduces the time to initialize a RAID array. In a different aspect, a method is provided for efficiently selecting a host write process for optimal data redundancy and performance in a RAID array. |
| US08145977B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing error correction to unwritten pages and for identifying unwritten pages in flash memory
Provided are methods for error correction coding (ECC) for flash memory pages which have been erased but have not been programmed. In one method, each ECC code word is bitwise inverted before being programmed into a page, and bitwise inverted again after being read back from the page before entering the decoder. Thus an unwritten page, whose bits are all ones when random errors are absent, appears to the decoder as all zeros, which form a valid code word(s) in linear block codes. In another method, in both page programming and page read, the parity section of each ECC code word is bitwise XORed with the complement of a parity calculated from a message whose bits are all ones. Thus an unwritten page appears to the decoder as a valid ECC code word(s) when random errors are absent. Further provided is an apparatus for determining after a page read whether or not the read page has been programmed by comparing the number of read code word symbols which do not have the default erased value and the maximum number of symbol errors correctable by the ECC. |
| US08145974B2 |
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching. A reduced-size memory module is employed within a communication device to assist in storage of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) employed in accordance with turbo decoding. This architecture is also applicable to other types of error correction code (ECC) besides turbo code as well. The memory size is selected to match the number of coded bits (e.g., including information bits and redundancy/parity bits) that is included within a transmission. The received signals may be various transmissions made in accordance with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmissions. When the LLRs calculated from a first HARQ transmission is insufficient to decode, those LLRs are selectively stored in the memory module. When LLRs corresponding to a second HARQ transmission is received, LLRs corresponding to both the first HARQ transmission and the second HARQ transmission are passed from the memory module for joint use in decoding. |
| US08145972B2 |
Apparatus and method for coding in communication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for coding in a communication system. The coding method includes generating an information codeword vector from an information vector, generating a first vector in the information vector from an information part of a parity check matrix, generating a first parity codeword vector by performing an exclusive OR operation of the first vector and a second vector corresponding to a cyclically shifted version of the first vector, and generating a second parity codeword vector by performing an exclusive OR operation of the first vector, the first parity codeword vector, and a third vector. The third vector is a cyclically shifted version of a vector resulting from the exclusive OR operation of the first vector, the first parity codeword vector, and a fed-back third vector. |
| US08145970B2 |
Data puncturing ensuring orthogonality within communication systems
Data puncturing ensuring orthogonality within communication systems. Puncturing is employed within communication systems to ensure orthogonality (or substantial orthogonality) of various transmissions between communication devices within communication systems. Any of a variety of types of signals can be employed herein including uncoded signals, turbo encoded signals, turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM) encoded signals, LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) encoded signals, and a RS (Reed-Solomon) encoded signals, among just some types of signals. A first transmission can be made from a first communication device to a second communication device, and the second communication device can sometimes request a subsequent transmission (e.g., a re-transmission) from the first communication device to the second communication device. Oftentimes, different information is sent from the first communication device to the second communication device within the subsequent transmission. Herein, each of these transmissions can be ensured to be orthogonal. |
| US08145969B2 |
Quality manager and method for use in a digital content delivery system
The invention provides a quality manager for use in a digital content delivery system. The digital content delivery system comprises a plurality of user devices, a source unit connected through a communication network to the user devices for delivering digital content to the user devices in the form of bursts of content. The quality manager is connected to the user devices and adapted to receive notifications therefrom, each notification received from a given user device identifying a burst received by the given user device and including a quality indicator related to the quality of the received burst. The quality manager is further adapted to select a set of bursts among the bursts identified by the notifications, based on predefined rules comprising a rule related to the quality indicator included in the notifications, and for sending a request for retransmission of the selected bursts to the source unit. |
| US08145967B2 |
System and method for verifying the receive path of an input/output component
A system and method for verifying the receive path of an input/output device such as a network interface circuit. The device's operation with various different input sources (e.g., networks) and output sources (e.g., hosts, host buses) is modeled in a verification layer that employs multiple queues to simulate receipt of packets, calculation of destination addresses and storage of the packet data by the device. Call backs are employed to signal completion of events related to storage of packet data by the device and modeling of data processing within the verification layer. Processing of tokens within the verification layer to mimic the device's processing of corresponding packets is performed according to a dynamic DMA policy modeled on the device's policy. The policy is dynamic and can be updated or replaced during verification without interrupting the verification process. |
| US08145961B2 |
Fast ECC memory testing by software including ECC check byte
The present invention relates to the architecture and operation of computer hardware memory logic, and in particular to a method and respective system for verifying hardware memory logic, wherein an Error Correction Code (ECC) is used for correcting single-bit or multi-bit errors when the ECC-bits cannot be accessed directly for a read or write process. The system and process employs the selection of data patterns that produce check bits that are all ones to ferret out errors in the ECC circuitry. |
| US08145959B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring soft errors and soft error rates in an application specific integrated circuit
A test system includes a computer and an interface device for accessing a scan chain on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) under test. The computer includes a memory that contains application software that when executed by the computer quantifies soft errors and soft error rates (SER) in storage elements on the ASIC. The interface device receives commands and data from the computer, translates the commands and data from a first protocol to a second protocol and communicates the commands and data in the second protocol to the ASIC. A method for measuring SER in the ASIC includes baseline, comparison, and latch up accesses of data in a scan chain in the ASIC. Between accesses, the ASIC is exposed to a neutron flux that accelerates the occurrence of soft errors due to ionizing radiation upon the ASIC. |
| US08145953B2 |
Programmable unit
A program-controlled unit including a monitoring device, which compares a value, depending on the flow of the program executed by the program-controlled unit, with a preset value, in response to a particular event or in relation to a particular point in time. Errors occurring in a program-controlled unit can thus be detected in a reliable and economical manner under all circumstances. |
| US08145951B2 |
Control device
A control device includes: memory diagnosis means for setting a power-on status when an electric power is turned on and diagnosing an ECC memory; restarting means for restarting the control device when the memory diagnosis means detects a correctable error of the ECC memory during the power-on status of the ECC memory; and operation processing means for resetting the power-on status and performing a normal operation when the memory diagnosis means does not detect a correctable error of the ECC memory, while performing the normal operation when a correctable error of the ECC memory is detected because of the restart of the control device by soft reset after the reset of the power-on status but when the control device is not in the power-on status. |
| US08145947B1 |
User customizable CVFS namespace
An apparatus and method are described for defining, maintaining and displaying a checkpoint result set to facilitate identification of desirable checkpoints during system recovery. The checkpoint result set may be mapped to a user-customizable namespace. The user customizes the namespace by selecting one or more characteristics of desirable file system checkpoints. Being able to customize the namespace in this manner enables the user to be provided a more streamlined checkpoint result set in the event of data corruption. As a result an appropriate checkpoint can be more quickly selected for use in recovery. |
| US08145945B2 |
Packet mirroring between primary and secondary virtualized software images for improved system failover performance
Packet loss at a standby server during failover results when the primary fails. There is currently always some amount of packet traffic that is inbound to the primary that is lost during the failover interval. With existing solutions, this packet loss during failover is inevitable. The problem is that when this information is lost, the standby has the state of the last commit, so the standby will have the state information that is old and representative of system state accurately only to the system state at the time of the last commit. One solution is a method in which all inbound data packets targeted to be delivered to a primary software application, such as a virtualized software application, running in a primary virtual machine, are continuously monitored and copied by a Network Replication Device for simultaneous delivery to a backup image of the software application running on a standby system. |
| US08145943B2 |
State variable-based detection and correction of errors
Embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for detecting errors in a computation using state variables. In various embodiments, corrections of the errors through the state variables are also provided. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques may be used for power and/or energy minimization/reduction, and debugging, among other goals. Other embodiments and/or applications may be disclosed and/or claimed. |
| US08145942B2 |
Methods and systems for troubleshooting remote systems through recreation of remote system scenarios
According to one embodiment, a debugging tool includes a processor and logic, that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive a Volume Table of Contents (VTOC)/INDEX data set for a first VTOC/INDEX data of a remote system, create second VTOC/INDEX data (which is a replicated version of the first VTOC/INDEX data of the remote system) from the VTOC/INDEX data set, execute a second scenario (which is a replicated version of a first scenario that was executed on the remote system using the first VTOC/INDEX data that caused the error) using the second VTOC/INDEX data to reproduce an error, and set up trace points in the second VTOC/INDEX data to start a debugging session while executing the second scenario using the second VTOC/INDEX data. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are also described according to various other embodiments. |
| US08145940B1 |
Method and system for updating a software image
A method and system for updating or recovering a computer device's software image using a single portable operating system image stored on a bootable, secure partition on local storage (hard drive); a method and system utilizing delta image patching technology to allow the single image to work on a large number of diverse computer device platforms; and a method for distributing software patches and updates via a, secure local partition to ensure patches and updates are applied to well known software images that have not been modified to include malicious software and do not include any other undesirable changes that have been made to the primary, running operating system image. |
| US08145939B2 |
Detection and reduction of excessive SNMP traffic
Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software to detect and reduce messages from network entity management clients that are not utilized by a network management system. Once identified, the network management system may send a command to the network entity management clients to no longer send particular message types to the network management system. The network management system may also, or alternatively configured to take no action when such messages are subsequently received. |
| US08145937B2 |
System and method for communication error processing in outside channel combination environment
Provided are a system and method for processing communication errors in an outside channel combination environment. The system includes: first and second outside-affairs servers connected with a plurality of user terminals and having respective outside-affairs processing applications to perform outside affairs associated with a plurality of outside authorities; first and second outside channel combination servers for processing outside affairs associated with the outside authorities, the first and second outside channel combination servers having respective message relaying and communication applications to interwork with the first and second outside-affairs servers; first and second active and standby network devices respectively connected in parallel with the first and second outside channel combination servers, the first and second active network devices performing normal outside affairs, and the first and second standby network devices being activated when a communication error is generated to perform the normal outside affairs; and first and second switching devices respectively provided between the first and second active and standby network devices and the outside authorities to selectively connect the first and second active and standby network devices when the communication error is generated. Thus, communication errors can be minimized and system resources can be efficiently managed by distributing system loads. |
| US08145934B1 |
Soft start sequencer for starting multiple voltage regulators
A soft start sequencer is disclosed for starting a plurality of voltage regulators, the soft start sequencer comprising a first clock for clocking a plurality of soft start circuits, wherein each soft start circuit for ramping a reference signal from a first value to a second value over a ramp time after a delay time. Each soft start circuit comprises a divider operable to divide the first clock by an integer N to generate a second clock, a first counter clocked by the first clock, the first counter operable to time the delay time, and a second counter clocked by the second clock, the second counter operable to time the ramp time after the delay time. |
| US08145928B2 |
Methods and systems for power management in a data processing system
Methods and systems for managing power consumption in data processing systems are described. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a general purpose processing unit, a graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one peripheral interface controller, at least one bus coupled to the general purpose processing unit, and a power controller coupled to at least the general purpose processing unit and the GPU. The power controller is configured to turn power off for the general purpose processing unit in response to a first state of an instruction queue of the general purpose processing unit and is configured to turn power off for the GPU in response to a second state of an instruction queue of the GPU. The first state and the second state represent an instruction queue having either no instructions or instructions for only future events or actions. |
| US08145927B2 |
Operation management method of information processing system
In a computer room including information processing devices and air conditioners, power saving of the computer room by means of optimization of workload allocation to the information processing devices is achieved in a short time. There, a coefficient of air conditioner performance with respect to the information processing device (device-specific COP) is calculated for each air conditioner. Further, a device-associated power consumption expression representing a total of device power and air conditioner power is created for each information processing device. Also, power consumption of the entire computer room is calculated from the device-associated power consumption expression of the information processing devices. Also, workload allocation is determined by using power saving performance evaluation indexes based on the device-associated power consumption expression of the information processing devices. Further, output of the air conditioner is controlled based on a result of the air conditioner power calculation. |
| US08145924B2 |
Storage apparatus and start-up control method for the same
At the time of initial start-up, two or more storage units are started as a start-up control unit so that the total power consumption will not exceed specified electric power.Upon initial start-up of additional chassis, a CPU 214 for a basic chassis 400 selects, based on predicted power consumption for additional chassis 410, 412, etc., N additional chassis as a start-up control unit so that total power consumption for the basic chassis 400 and the respective additional chassis 410, 412 as recognized by an external power source 600 will not exceed the specified electric power; and the CPU 214 then turns on auxiliary power switches 510, 512 for the additional chassis 410, 412 belonging to the selected start-up control unit. |
| US08145922B2 |
System and method for controlling power delivered to a powered device based on cable characteristics
A system and method for discovering a cable type and resistance for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. Cabling power loss in PoE applications is related to the resistance of the cable itself. A PHY can be designed to measure electrical characteristics (e.g., insertion loss, cross talk, length, etc.) of the Ethernet cable to enable determination of the cable resistance. The determined resistance can be used in powering decisions and in adjusting power budgets allocated to power source equipment ports. |
| US08145919B2 |
Power supply apparatus and method using same
A power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. An automated data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more power supply modules removably disposed therein. An accessor movably disposed with an automated data storage and retrieval system comprising a gripper mechanism which can be releasably attached to a power supply module. A method to supply power to an automated data storage and retrieval system. A method to monitor the operation of a power supply module removably disposed within an automated data storage and retrieval system. |
| US08145915B2 |
System and method for platform-independent biometrically secure information transfer and access control
The inventive data processing system and method enable verifiable secure transfer of information between two or more parties, each having access to at least one identity verification system utilizing a platform-independent architecture to enable verification of identities of parties sending and receiving secured information, and ensuring that only an authorized receiving party gains access to the secured information, regardless of the type, model, ownership and/or quantity of biometric identity verification (BIV) systems being utilized by each party. Parties desiring to securely transfer information between one another register at a central security management system, and each provide at least one biometric enrollment to their unique record configured for storing multiple BIV system enrollments for each party. Thereafter, the inventive system also enables any registered party to send, or make available, biometrically (and otherwise) secured information to the other party utilizing any available BIV system (or systems) that is compatible with one or more of their registered biometric enrollments, regardless of BIV system ownership, and without requiring local enrollment. The inventive system and method also provide an adaptive enrollment feature which enables the system to function automatically and transparently with new BIV systems that have not been previously enrolled by the user, if such systems produce enrollments that are sufficiently similar to the ones already stored in the user's record. |
| US08145913B1 |
System and method for password protection
Disclose are system, method and computer program product for protecting passwords from interception. An example method comprise: intercepting a plurality of data entry events generated by a data entry device, wherein the plurality of data entry events comprise a user-entered password; detecting an anomaly event in the plurality of intercepted data entry events; comparing the detected anomaly event with one or more preset anomalies; if the detected anomaly event matches at least one preset anomaly, identifying a replacement character string associated with said at least one preset anomaly; replacing the detected anomaly event in the plurality of intercepted data entry events with the replacement character string to generate a converted password; and sending the converted password instead of the user-entered password to a user authentication device for authentication of the user. |
| US08145905B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient support for multiple authentications
Disclosed is a method for multiple EAP-based authentications in a wireless communication system. In the method, a first master session key (MSK) is generated in a first EAP-based authentication for a first-type access. A first temporal session key (TSK) is generated from the first master session key (MSK). A second EAP-based authentication is performed, using the first temporal session key (TSK), for a second-type access. First-type access and second-type access are provided after the first and second EAP-based authentications are successfully completed. |
| US08145904B2 |
System and method for network edge data protection
Disclosed are systems and methods which examine information communication streams to identify and/or eliminate malicious code, while allowing the good code to pass unaffected. Embodiments operate to provide spam filtering, e.g., filtering of unsolicited and/or unwanted communications. Embodiments provide network based or inline devices that scan and scrub information communication in its traffic pattern. Embodiments are adapted to accommodate various information communication protocols, such as simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), post office protocol (POP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), Internet message access protocol (IMAP), file transfer protocol (FTP), domain name service (DNS), and/or the like, and/or routing protocols, such as hot standby router protocol (HSRP), border gateway protocol (BGP), open shortest path first (OSPF), enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP), and/or the like. |
| US08145902B2 |
Methods and apparatus for secure processor collaboration in a multi-processor system
In a multi-processor system including a plurality of processors capable of being operatively coupled to the main memory and each processor including an associated local memory, and at least one main processor operable to control access by the processors to data within the main memory and within the processors, methods and apparatus provide for: entering a secure mode of operation within at least one of the processors in which no requests initiated by others of the processors for data transfers into or out of the at least one processor are serviced, but such transfers initiated by the at least one processor are serviced subject to the access controlled by the main processing unit; and using the main processing unit to exclude access to data associated with at least one further processor by others of the processors except for the at least one processor. |
| US08145901B2 |
System and method for nodes communicating in a shared network segment
The invention provides a method and system for a network which includes a plurality of nodes, preferably routers, a shared network segment for communication between the nodes, and several multicast channels in the shared network segment on which the nodes, preferably routers, can send multicast messages to the other nodes. A specific multicast channel is provided on which the nodes can send specific start multicast messages to other nodes, wherein a node which starts a protocol application, preferably a routing protocol application such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, is adapted to send a multicast start message on the specific multicast channel. Another node, preferably a router, receiving this start message is adapted to validate the authenticity of the start message and to send a response message. |
| US08145899B2 |
Creation of user digital certificate for portable consumer payment device
A method for creating a digital certificate for a user issued by a reliant party, where the reliant party relies on an established cryptographic infrastructure by a registration or certificate authority is described. The registration authority, typically a large financial or credit institution, has already performed the initial overhead steps necessary for a digital authentication system using a chip card. These steps include minting and distributing the chip card, establishing that the key pair and card are given to the right person, and creating the certificate library. The reliant party leverages this cryptographic infrastructure to issue its own digital certificate and certificate chain to a user already having a chip card from the registration authority. Consequently, a user can have additional digital certificates issued to him without having his chip card modified in any way. All additional digital certificates created for a user are stored at a user-specific memory are in a remote certificate library. |
| US08145898B2 |
Encryption/decryption pay per use web service
A method, system, and computer program product for providing security for files transferred across a network, such as the Internet is provided. In one embodiment, a web service receives a request for content from a partner. The web service contacts a certificate authority to authenticate the partner and retrieves the requested content. The web service then generates a secret key and encrypts the content with the secret key to produce encrypted content. The secret key and the encrypted content are then embedded within a digital certificate issued by the certificate authority by using the public key of a public/private key pair issued by the certificate authority. The digital certificate is then transmitted to the partner where the partner decrypts the digital certificate to obtain the secret key and then uses the secret key to decrypt the encrypted content. A similar process may be used for the partner to send content to the web service. |
| US08145896B2 |
System and method for implementing an enhanced transport layer security protocol
A system and method for implementing an enhanced transport layer security (ETLS) protocol is provided. The system includes a primary server, an ETLS servlet and an ETLS software module. The primary server operates on a computer network and is configured to communicate over the computer network using a non-proprietary security protocol. The ETLS servlet also operates on the computer network and is securely coupled to the primary server. The ETLS servlet is configured to communicate over the computer network using an ETLS security protocol. The ETLS software module operates on a mobile device, and is configured to communicate over the computer network using either the non-proprietary security protocol or the ETLS security protocol. Operationally, the ETLS software module initially contacts the server over the computer network using the non-proprietary security protocol, and subsequently contacts the server through the ETLS servlet using the ETLS security protocol. |
| US08145895B2 |
Information transmission apparatus and method, information reception apparatus and method, and information-providing system
Described herein is an information transmission apparatus for encrypting and transmitting first data and second data, the information transmission apparatus including: encryption element for deriving a second key from a first key by using an irreversible function, encrypting the first data by using the first key to generate encrypted first data and encrypting the second data by using the second key to generate encrypted second data; and transmission element for transmitting the encrypted first data, the encrypted second data and the first key. |
| US08145894B1 |
Reconfiguration of an accelerator module having a programmable logic device
Reconfiguration of an accelerator module having a programmable logic device is described, where the reconfiguration is performed during runtime without rebooting. For example, a computer is put into a sleep mode, the computer having the accelerator module installed therein. A programmable logic device of the accelerator module is reconfigured while the computer is in the sleep mode. |
| US08145893B2 |
Hot-plugging a memory device
An extensible firmware interface (EFI) framework is to enable hot-plugging and hot-removal of memory devices. The security phase of the EFI may enable a cache to operate as RAM (CAR mode) to support execution of pre-EFI (PEI) tasks. In one embodiment, the PEI phase may move the memory reference code (MRC) as a driver to the driver execution phase and hand-over the CAR information to the driver execution environment (DXE). The MRC driver may be registered as a run-time API, which may be called by the operating system to receive a dynamically created memory map. In other embodiment, the PEI phase executes the MRC and may hand-over the memory information and a memory pointer to the MRC to the DXE. The OS may call the DMD driver provisioned in the DXE, which in turn may call the MRC provisioned in the PEI to dynamically create a memory map. |
| US08145891B2 |
Bios-selectable data wiping system
A data storage device includes a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program that, when executed communicates with a basic input/output system (BIOS), receives a user selection from the BIOS to wipe the data storage device and performs a wipe of the data storage device. In an embodiment, the wipe of the data storage device includes writing a series of 1s and/or 0s to substantially all data bits of the data storage device. |
| US08145888B2 |
Data processing circuit with a plurality of instruction modes, method of operating such a data circuit and scheduling method for such a data circuit
A data processing circuit has an execution circuit (18) with a plurality of functional units (20). An instruction decoder (17) is operable in a first and a second instruction mode. In the first instruction mode instructions have respective fields for controlling each of the functional units (20), and in the second instruction mode instructions control one functional unit. A mode control circuit (12) controls the selection of the instruction modes. In an embodiment, the instruction decoder uses time-stationary decoding of the selection of operations to be executed by the execution circuit (18) and the selection of destination registers from the set of registers (19). Mode switching is a more efficient way of reducing instruction time for time stationary processors than indicating functional units for which the instruction contains commands. When instructions are scheduled, constraints are preferably imposed on operations for which operation selection and destination register selection are included on different sides of an instruction mode change. Such operations are avoided in an embodiment. In another embodiment, selected operations are scheduled for which operation selection and destination register selection are included on different sides of an instruction mode change. When an instruction containing a jump is encountered, the mode control circuit sets the instruction mode for subsequent instructions in conformity with information provided by the execution of the jump command. |
| US08145881B2 |
Data processing device and method
A data processing device comprising a multidimensional array of coarse grained logic elements processing data and operating at a first clock rate and communicating with one another and/or other elements via busses and/or communication lines operated at a second clock rate is disclosed, wherein the first clock rate is higher than the second and wherein the coarse grained logic elements comprise storage means for storing data needed to be processed. |
| US08145879B2 |
Computer memory architecture for hybrid serial and parallel computing systems
In one embodiment, a serial processor is configured to execute software instructions in a software program in serial. A serial memory is configured to store data for use by the serial processor in executing the software instructions in serial. A plurality of parallel processors are configured to execute software instructions in the software program in parallel. A plurality of partitioned memory modules are provided and configured to store data for use by the plurality of parallel processors in executing software instructions in parallel. Accordingly, a processor/memory structure is provided that allows serial programs to use quick local serial memories and parallel programs to use partitioned parallel memories. The system may switch between a serial mode and a parallel mode. The system may incorporate pre-fetching commands of several varieties. For example, towards switching between the serial mode and the parallel mode, the serial processor is configured to send a signal to start pre-fetching of data from the shared memory. |
| US08145870B2 |
System, method and computer program product for application-level cache-mapping awareness and reallocation
The present invention provides an improved method, system, and computer program product that can optimize cache utilization. In one embodiment, a kernel service creates a storage map, and sending said storage map to an application. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of the kernel service creating the storage map may further comprise the kernel service creating a cache map. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of the kernel service creating the storage map may further comprise the kernel service creating an indication of one or more storage locations that have been allocated to store information for the application. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of the kernel service creating the storage map may further comprise the kernel service creating the storage map in response to receiving a request for the storage map from the application. |
| US08145864B1 |
Discovering data storage for backup
A method for enhancing computer data backup is disclosed. The method includes storing identifications and corresponding functionalities for a plurality of storage devices in a database. A storage device that is in data communication with a computer that is to be backed up is selected. An identification of the storage device selected for use in the backup is determined. If functionalities for the selected storage device are contained in the database, then at least one of the functionalities for the selected storage device is used to enhance a data backup to the selected storage device if functionalities for the selected storage device are stored in the database. If functionalities for the selected storage device are not contained in the database, then the selected storage device can be queried in an attempt to match it to one of the storage devices contained in the database, so that functionalities for the storage device contained within the database can be used to enhance data backup. |
| US08145863B2 |
Efficient data storage using two level delta resemblance
Storage using resemblance of data segments is disclosed. It is determined that a new segment resembles a second prior stored segment wherein the second prior stored segment is represented as a first stored delta and a first prior stored segment. A second delta between the new segment and the prior stored segment is determined. A representation of the new segment based at least in part on the second delta is stored. |
| US08145862B2 |
Arrangement for exchange of customer data of a franking machine
In a method and an apparatus for exchanging customer data of a franking machine, a data processing device is in communication with a first memory that is permanently connected therewith, and is also in communication with a security module for implementing security-relevant services associated with franking. The data processor stores user data in the first memory that are predetermined by a user. A second memory is connected to the data processor in a manner allowing the second memory to be readily detached. The data processor stores the user data in the second memory for data backup. |
| US08145859B2 |
Method and system for spilling from a queue to a persistent store
Techniques for managing memory usage of a processing system by spilling data from a memory to a persistent store based upon an evict policy are provided. A triggering event is detected. In response to the triggering event and based on the evict policy, it is determined whether data from the memory of the processing system is to be spilled to the persistent storage. The determination is made by comparing a level of free memory of the processing system with a threshold specified by the evict policy. The data is evicted from the memory. |
| US08145845B2 |
Limited life virtual attribute values
A method and apparatus for retrieving data from a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for data in a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) directory. The method may further include checking any one or more of an LDAP cache and an LDAP index for an LDAP attribute pertaining to requested data, the checking comprising determining if a time-to-live for the LDAP attribute or the LDAP index has expired, and returning the data to the client. |
| US08145842B2 |
Management method for a virtual volume across a plurality of storages
To enhance capacity expansion property of a storage system for providing a thin provisioning volume, this invention provides a computer system including: a first storage system; and a second storage system for providing a second volume to the first storage system. The first storage system is configured to: define at least one first volumes; define a first storage pool including the defined first volume and the provided second volume; provide to the host computer a first thin provisioning volume that is recognized as a volume having a capacity equal to or larger than that of storage areas assigned from the first storage pool. The first thin provisioning volume is thus assigned with both storage areas of the first volume and storage areas of the second volume, which are included in the first storage pool. |
| US08145841B2 |
Method and system for initializing storage in a storage system
Embodiments of systems and methods for a storage system are disclosed. More particularly, in certain embodiments desired locations of storage devices may be zeroed out during operation of the storage system and areas that have been zeroed out allocated to store data when commands pertaining to that data are received. Specifically, in one embodiment a distributed RAID system comprising a set of data banks may be provided where each data bank in the set of data banks may execute a background process which zeroes areas of the storage devices of the data bank. When a command pertaining to a logical location is received a zeroed area of the physical storage devices on the data bank may be allocated to store data associated with that logical location. |
| US08145840B2 |
Method and system for storing excess data in a redundant array of independent disk level 6
A method and system for storing excess data in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) level 6 are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for storing excess data in a RAID 6 volume includes writing excess data to Q parity blocks of a first RAID 6 volume when a receipt of the excess data directed to the first RAID 6 volume is detected subsequent to a saturation of the first RAID 6 volume, where the first RAID 6 volume is converted to a pseudo-RAID 5 volume with P parity blocks. The method further includes re-computing the P parity blocks of the pseudo-RAID 5 volume based on data blocks of the pseudo-RAID 5 volume. In addition, the method includes constructing a second RAID 6 volume based on the pseudo-RAID 5 volume when at least one additional drive is inserted to the pseudo-RAID 5 volume. |
| US08145835B2 |
Disk controller configured to perform out of order execution of write operations
A controller for a disk drive including a buffer memory controller and a processor. The buffer memory controller is configured to receive a first write operation and a second write operation in a first order, store the first write operation and the second write operation in a buffer memory, and transfer write data corresponding to the first write operation and the second write operation in a second order that is different than the first order in response to a single command. The processor is configured to arrange the first write operation and the second write operation in the second order and issue the single command according to the second order. |
| US08145831B2 |
Memory system and controller with mode for direct access memory
A memory system, which is connected to a host device, includes a memory, a host interface which receives a command and an address, which are output from the host device, and a controller which operates in one of a first mode in which the controller converts the address which is received by the host interface and accesses the memory by using the converted address, and a second mode in which the host device directly accesses the memory by using the address which is received by the host interface, the controller controlling switching between the first mode and second mode in accordance with the command. |
| US08145826B2 |
Method and system for providing data accessibility and interlinks between a user and a storage device
A new approach to the manipulation of data access of storage that complies with certain mapping interlinks between front-end servers and back-end storage data pool and which lessens the complexity of the interlinks and improves the efficiency of the data accessibility is disclosed. The method allocates multiple user hardware devices and the logical units to a correspondent designated sub-zone so that there is at least one sub-zone associated with two or more logical units, wherein the logical units reside inside the storage hardware or network. The method establishes the data access interlinks within the same sub-zone between users and logical units. A system that substantiates the method is also disclosed. The method and the system together comprise a new storage scheme. |
| US08145822B2 |
Computer system for electronic data processing
One aspect relates to a computer system including a first data processing unit, a second data processing unit and a data transmission/memory device. The data transmission/memory can transmit sets of data from the first data processing unit to the second data processing unit. The data transmission/memory device includes a first memory region and a second memory region. |
| US08145819B2 |
Method and system for stealing interrupt vectors
A system for stealing interrupt vectors from an operating system. Custom interrupt handler extensions are copied into an allocated block of memory from a kernel module. Also, operating system interrupt handlers are copied into a reserved space in the allocated block of memory from an interrupt vector memory location. In response to copying the operating system interrupt handlers into the reserved space in the allocated block of memory, custom interrupt handlers from the kernel module are copied over the operating system interrupt handlers in the interrupt vector memory location. The custom interrupt handlers after being copied into the interrupt vector memory location handle all interrupts received by the operating system. |
| US08145818B2 |
Access right managing method for accessing multiple programs
Provided is an access right managing method for a resource of a storage system, in which a management computer stores access right definition information of the resource, and resource correspondence information including information on a management program which manages another resource related to the resource managed by the management program. In case of which receiving an updating request of an access right of the resource, the management computer updates an access right based on the updating request of the access right, selects a management program of the resource whose access right is requested to be updated based on the resource correspondence information, transmits an updating request of an access right for a relative resource to a management computer which executes the selected management program, and in case of which the access right updating request of the related resource is received, updates the access right of the relative resource. |
| US08145814B2 |
Method and system for a configurable connnector for ethernet
Aspects of a method and apparatus for a configurable connector for Ethernet are provided. In this regard, a configurable Ethernet connector residing in an Ethernet enabled communication device may couple the communication device to one or more twisted pairs and enable communication of Ethernet frames over the twisted pair(s). Conductors of each of the twisted pairs may make contact with adjacent pins of the configurable Ethernet connector. A size and shape of the configurable Ethernet connector may enable housing of more than 48 instances of the configurable Ethernet connector in a single standard size one rack unit face plate of a 19-inch rack. The configurable Ethernet connector may provide mechanical and electrical indications that enable a device coupled to the configurable Ethernet connector to determine configuration information of the configurable Ethernet connector. The information may indicate presence or absence of various components within and/or on the configurable Ethernet connector. |
| US08145811B2 |
Universal serial bus driving device for presetting maximum active transaction number for data request to be synchronously processed by a data transmitter
A universal serial bus (USB) driving device electrically coupled to a data receiver is configured for driving a USB to forward data requests from the data receiver to a data transmitter for processing the data requests. The USB driving device may preset a maximum active transaction number, initialize an active transaction number, and determine if the active transaction number is less than the maximum active transaction number. The USB driving device may drive the USB to forward a data request from the data receiver to the data transmitter if the active transaction number is less than the maximum active transaction number and increase the active transaction number after the USB driving device forwards a data request to the data transmitter. A USB driving method is also provided. |
| US08145810B2 |
System and method for managing communication ports on a computer device
There is provided a system and method for managing communication ports on a computer device. The method comprises the steps of scanning the system file structure, determining port assignments for active devices from a known location in the system file structure, scanning additional locations in the system file structure, determining port assignments for dynamic devices from the additional locations in the system file structure, and displaying the active devices, dynamic devices and the corresponding determined port assignments. The system comprises a memory for storing instructions, and a processor for executing the instructions stored in the memory. The executed instructions generate a system file structure scanner component for scanning the system file structure and generating device data based on the scanned system file structure, a device data structure for storing the device data received from the computer system file structure scanner component, and a port assigner component for assigning communication ports based on the device data structure. |
| US08145807B1 |
Multiplexing application and debug channels on a single USB connection
A computer system for software development and debugging for an embedded system includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a host computer comprising a USB driver interfaced with the USB, wherein the USB driver can multiplex application data and debug data to and from the USB, and an embedded system comprising a USB module interfaced with the USB. The USB module can multiplex the application data and the debug data to and from the host computer via the USB. |
| US08145802B2 |
Extended input/output measurement word facility and emulation of that facility
An Extended Input/output (I/O) measurement word facility is provided. Provision is made for emulation of the Extended I/O measurement word facility. The facility provides for storing measurement data associated with a single I/O operation in an extended measurement word associated with an I/O response block. In a further aspect, the stored data may have a resolution of approximately one-half microsecond. |
| US08145797B2 |
Simultaneous multi-threaded (SMT) processor supporting thread-execution-state-sensitive supervisory commands
A processor supporting thread-execution-state-sensitive supervisory commands provides a mechanism for executing supervisory commands for live threads. The commands may be sent from a service processor or another primary processor in the system or may be supplied by the processor itself through supervisory software control. Since the state of execution of one or more threads may change dynamically within a processor core, an external processor will not know the thread execution state at the time the command operates. The method and apparatus provide a command set and logic that supports selective execution of particular commands directed at “alive” threads (or threads in some other determinable execution state), whereby the command is performed only on resources and/or execution units depending on the actual state of thread execution when the command operates within the processor. |
| US08145791B2 |
Systems and methods to provide assistance during address input
Systems and methods to provide assistance for completion during address input. In one embodiment, a method includes automatically generating profiles for persons identified in messages, such as incoming and outgoing emails. Based on how the addresses of the persons are used in incoming and outgoing messages, the relevancy scores of the addresses are determined. When a user is typing an address, the profiles and the relevancy scores are used to identify and sort suggestions for the completion of the address input. |
| US08145781B2 |
Data distribution system
A data distribution system can select paths easily with flexibility when paths are generated. In the data distribution system, a management device includes a node bandwidth information acquisition unit to acquire and hold information on data transmission-enabled bandwidth of each of the plurality of nodes on the network; a content rate acquisition unit to acquire and hold a bandwidth for content to be distributed; a bandwidth splitting information acquisition unit to acquire and hold bandwidth splitting information, which is a splitting ratio to split the content to be distributed into a plurality of bandwidths; and a connection destination decision unit to determine a connection destination of the content to be distributed, which is split based on the bandwidth split information being held in the bandwidth splitting information acquisition unit. |
| US08145780B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
An apparatus for reliably transferring media over a network from a sending node to a receiving node. The sending node includes a media ascertaining element configured to ascertain if media to be transmitted from the sending node to the receiving node is either time-sensitive or not time-sensitive. The sending node also includes a transmission element that is configured to (i) transmit the non time-sensitive media from the sending node to the receiving node by adjusting the rate of transmission of the non time-sensitive media at the sending node based on network conditions and (ii) transmit the time-sensitive media from the sending node to the receiving node. The receiving node includes a media loss ascertaining element configured to ascertain at the receiving node if a predetermined acceptable network transmission loss level is met. The receiving node also includes a receipt report generator configured to (iii) generate one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing time-sensitive media lost during transmission if the predetermined acceptable network transmission loss level is met and (iv) generate one or more low priority requests for the retransmission of any missing non time-sensitive media lost during the transmission. The transmission element of the sending node retransmits the missing time-sensitive media in response to the low priority requests when bandwidth on the network becomes available in excess of what is needed for the transmission of time-sensitive media. |
| US08145779B2 |
Dynamic server-side media transcoding
Dynamic transcoding of media content based on transcoding parameters. Upon receiving a request for media content to be delivered to a client, various parameters for transcoding the media content are identified. Such transcoding parameters might be tailored to the particular capabilities of the client presentation system. It not already done, the requested media content may then be transcoded in accordance with the identified parameters. The resulting media stream may then be provided to the client presentation device. In one example, if another request for that same media content is made and the transcoding parameters are identified to be the same, a second media stream may be provided to the second client presentation system. |
| US08145776B1 |
Service providing apparatus and method, and information processing apparatus and method as well as program storage medium
The invention provides a service providing apparatus and method and an information processing apparatus and method as well as a program storage medium by which a plurality of users can communicate with each other simultaneously. A plurality of client computers are connected to a shared server over a network and log in a common chat room of a chat system. If a user of one of those of the client computers which are in a group requests for reproduction of a predetermined tune, then the instruction is transmitted to the shared server over the network. The shared server receives the instruction transmitted thereto and reads out music data of the request stored in a music database therein, and transmits the music data to the client computers of the group. |
| US08145772B2 |
Method for sending data, and communication device
The application describes a method for sending data which involves the reception by a communication device of a first piece of information which represents the first change in a data record and of a first data change indicator associated with the first change in the data record, making by the communication device of a second change in the first changed data record to generate a second changed data record, the ascertainment by the communication device of a second data change indicator based on the first data change indicator, and sending by the communication device of a second piece of information which represents the second change in the first changed data record to produce the second changed data record, and of the second data change indicator. |
| US08145771B2 |
Name system in communication network, and naming method
A name system and method in a communication network, includes a technique for implementing naming in which security is ensured in an Internet environment and a personal network in which a user can access his own device or data. |
| US08145770B2 |
Devices, methods, and media for determining and assigning optimal media characteristics in communications sessions
Devices, methods, and media for determining and assigning optimal media characteristics in communications sessions are provided. |
| US08145769B2 |
Method for secure user plane (SUPL) version negotiation
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for negotiating a version of Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) between a network entity and a SUPL enabled terminal. In a particular implementation, a SUPL initiation message is transmitted from a network entity to a SUPL entity, where the SUPL initiation message identifies a plurality of SUPL versions capable of supporting a desired service. A response is received from the SUPL entity that is based, at least in part, on an ability of the SUPL entity to support at least one of the plurality of versions. |
| US08145768B1 |
Tuning of SSL session caches based on SSL session IDS
Methods, systems, and apparatus are directed towards managing a network communication. A Secured Socket Layer (SSL) session identifier (ID) is received within an SSL handshake protocol message for establishing an SSL connection. The SSL session ID is combined with a pre-determined ID associated with a network device to generate another ID. The other ID may comprise a plurality of information associated with an operation for caching the SSL session ID and/or for caching other information usable in re-establishing an SSL session over the SSL connection. The plurality of information may comprise an expiration time, a cache line, a cache ID, and a unique ID. Based on at least a portion of the other ID, a failure statistic associated with re-establishing the SSL session for the SSL connection is determined. A session cache and/or the operation for caching are tuned based on the failure statistic. |
| US08145767B2 |
Sensor device, server node, sensor network system, method of establishing communication path, control program, and storage medium
For the purpose of allowing a sensor device (10) to carry out wireless communication with a server node (11), the sensor device (10) makes an inquiry about the server node (11) connectable to the sensor device (10) (S12). The server node (11) responds to the sensor device (10) (S13). The sensor device (10) transmits a result of the inquiry as a candidate list (S15). The server node (11) transfers the candidate list to a top node (S16). The top node receives key information and selection information selected from the candidate list, and transmits the key information and the selection information to the server node (11) selected (S19). The server node (11) transfers to the sensor device (10) the selection information, the key information, and a building ID and a room ID of the server node (11). The sensor device (10) determines whether the key information received agrees with sensor device key information (S20). When the key information agrees with the sensor device key information, the sensor device (10) notifies, to the server node (11), the agreement and an individual ID of the sensor device (10), and stores the building ID and the room ID (S21). This makes it possible to provide a sensor network system in which a communication path is safely and reliably established even when a different network exists in a communication area and a method of establishing the communication path. |
| US08145766B2 |
Method for pre-fetching data chunks of an email attachment on a portable electronic device
A method for downloading an attachment to an attachment viewer of a portable electronic device includes: sending an initial data request from said attachment viewer to a server in response to receipt of an email message including said attachment by said portable electronic device; accessing a graph structure representing a map of said attachment from said server, said graph structure having been previously built on said server; reconstructing said graph structure in response to said initial request and encapsulating said graph structure in data having an attachment viewer readable format, said data being stored on said server; and i) downloading successive chunks of said data from said server to said attachment viewer responsive to successive user requests; ii) storing each of said successive chunks of said data on said portable electronic device prior to display thereof; iii) displaying said successive chunks of said data on said portable electronic device and automatically downloading respective next chunks of said data from said server; and iv) while said data chunks of said data remain to be downloaded from said server performing steps i) to iii). |
| US08145764B2 |
Network sharing method without conflict
A network sharing method includes steps of generating a random waiting time, assigning a first virtual IP address to the first computer after the random waiting time has elapsed, and discriminating whether a second virtual IP address is detected. If the second virtual IP address is detected, the first virtual IP address is continuously assigned to the first computer. If the second virtual IP address is not detected, the second virtual IP address is assigned to the first computer. |
| US08145763B2 |
System and method for controlling resource revocation in a multi-guest computer system
At least one guest system, for example, a virtual machine, is connected to a host system, which includes a system resource such as system machine memory. Each guest system includes a guest operating system (OS). A resource requesting mechanism, preferably a driver, is installed within each guest OS and communicates with a resource scheduler included within the host system. If the host system needs any one the guest systems to relinquish some of the system resource it currently is allocated, then the resource scheduler instructs the driver within that guest system's OS to reserve more of the resource, using the guest OS's own, native resource allocation mechanisms. The driver thus frees this resource for use by the host, since the driver does not itself actually need the requested amount of the resource. The driver in each guest OS thus acts as a hollow “balloon” to “inflate” or “deflate,” that is, reserve more or less of the system resource via the corresponding guest OS. The resource scheduler, however, remains transparent to the guest systems. |
| US08145758B2 |
Concurrent processing with untrusted beings
This document describes tools for 1) structuring concurrent programming with untrusted beings; 2) creating multi-threaded programming in concurrent programming environments; and 3) creating a responsive feedback application model. |
| US08145753B2 |
Operation supporting device and method for supporting operation
Provided is an operation supporting device estimating an apparatus to be supported in operation and support the operation independent of a position relationship between a position of the apparatus to be supported and a position of the user. The operation supporting device includes: an operation history collecting unit collecting operation histories from the apparatuses, during a time period preceding a predetermined time period from a time when the user requests support; a to-be-supported apparatus estimating unit determining, for each of the apparatuses, a degree of matching between an operation history collected by the operation history collecting unit and a confused operation, and estimating that an apparatus, which is determined to have the degree of matching that exceeds a predetermined threshold, is an apparatus having a higher requirement for support; and a function description output unit outputting a description of the functions of the apparatus estimated to have the higher requirement. |
| US08145751B2 |
Validating software in a grid environment using ghost agents
A validation method can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host, where the ghost agent can move within the grid environment. The actions of the host can be replicated by the ghost agent. Data related to the replicated actions can be compared with validation data. Validation output can be generated based upon the comparison. |
| US08145749B2 |
Data processing in a hybrid computing environment
Data processing in a hybrid computing environment that includes a host computer and an accelerator, the host and the accelerator adapted to one another for data communications by a system level message passing module and a plurality data communications fabrics of at least two different fabric types, the data processing including: monitoring data communications performance for a plurality of data communications modes; receiving, from an application program on the host computer, a request to transmit data according to a data communications mode from the host computer to the accelerator; determining, in dependence upon the monitored performance, whether to transmit the data according to the requested data communications mode; and if the data is not to be transmitted according to the requested data communications mode: selecting, in dependence upon the monitored performance, another data communications mode for transmitting the data and transmitting the data according to the selected data communications mode. |
| US08145748B2 |
Remote monitoring system
A method for monitoring and reporting information regarding status of a power supply/management device operated by a user comprises detecting the status of the device using a monitoring device having an application interface configured to communicate over a communication network, generating a status update indication using a self-describing computer language and sending the status update indication over the communication network to a remote computer, and associating the user with the status update information for the remote device using the remote computer. |
| US08145746B1 |
Using the TCP window size for identifying packets and debugging
A device may distribute client packets to multiple servers, transmit health check packets with a specific window size to the multiple servers, capture the client packets and the health check packets, and extract the health check packets from the captured packets. In addition, the device may capture packets, detect a connection problem, transmit a reset packet with a specific window size, and extract the reset packet from the captured packets. |
| US08145745B1 |
Method and apparatus for network-level anomaly inference
Method and apparatus for network-level anomaly inference in a network is described. In one example, link load measurements are obtained for multiple time intervals. Routing data for the network is obtained. Link level anomalies are extracted using temporal analysis on the link load measurements over the multiple time intervals. Network-level anomalies are inferred from the link-level anomalies. |
| US08145744B2 |
State remote reading device, and uses thereof
The invention concerns a device for remote reading of states, comprising a communication network (1), a plurality of peripherals (31 to 33) each of which adopts an instantaneous state (STAT—1 to STAT—3), and a controller (2) periodically scanning said peripherals (31 to 33) to read therefrom the instantaneous state (STAT—1 to STAT—3). The invention is characterized in that the communication network (1) electromagnetically connects the peripherals (31 to 33) to the controller (2), and said peripherals (31 to 33) are supplied with electrical energy via said communication network (1). The invention is useful for managing calls in lifts by means of peripherals not provided with any galvanic connection and with any individual power source. |
| US08145737B2 |
Implementing computer application topologies on virtual machines
A method and system for discovering, defining, and implementing an application topology through the user of a graphical user interface is provided. A topology system may analyze the topology of an enterprise and provide a graphical representation of the application topology. The topology system may discover the application topology of an enterprise by accessing various configuration data stores of the enterprise. The topology system provides a graphical representation of the application topology and allows a user to modify the topology using a graphical user interface. The topology system may then control the implementation of the application topology. |
| US08145728B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for offline advertisement servicing and cycling
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for servicing advertisements for offline display on mobile devices are provided. In a first aspect, a channel is received at a mobile device server from one or more providers, including a first web page, an advertiser web page, and an advertisement image file. The received channel is transmitted to the mobile device. In an offline mode, when displayed, the first web page includes an image contained by the advertisement image file. A user viewing the first web page on the mobile device can select the displayed image of the advertisement image file to traverse a link to cause the advertiser page to be displayed on the mobile device. In another aspect, a plurality of advertisement image files are received and stored at a mobile device. The display of the advertisement images on a first web page is cycled each time the first web page is displayed on the mobile device. |
| US08145726B1 |
Method and apparatus for web resource validation
Method and apparatus for Web resource validation. Embodiments may provide a Web resource validation service for validating Web services and Web sites in general. Embodiments may be implemented internally in a Web entity's architecture and/or exposed externally as a Web service. In embodiments, a client configures a call to the Web service or Web site under test according to a Web resource validation service (WRVS) request schema that specifies validation requirements. The client then submits the WRVS request to the Web resource validation service. The Web resource validation service calls the Web service or Web site under test as specified in the WRVS request, and validates the response received from the Web service or Web site under test as specified in the WRVS request. Results of the validation are returned to the client formatted according to a WRVS response schema. |
| US08145725B2 |
Updating data stores of virtual worlds based on data stores external to the virtual worlds
In a method of updating virtual worlds, a specification of a data store of a user is received from the user. The data store is external to the virtual world. Data from the data store of the user is automatically gathered in response to receiving the specification. A representation of the data is generated. The representation of the data is transmitted to the virtual world. A data store of the virtual world is updated based on the representation of the data. The data store of the virtual world is displayed in a personal area of the user in the virtual world responsive to updating the data store. An icon representing the data store of the virtual world is displayed in the personal area of the user. The data store of the virtual world is kept private to the user. |