Document Document Title
US08168056B2 Electrocomposite coatings for hard chrome replacement
The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.
US08168055B2 Arrangement of ion exchange material within an electrodeionization apparatus
An electrodeionization apparatus is provided comprising an ion-concentrating compartment partially bounded by an anion permeable membrane and also partially bounded by a cation permeable membrane, and a first ion exchange material domain disposed within the ion-concentrating compartment, wherein the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous with at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface of one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, and is spaced apart from the other one of the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane. In the case where the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, having the at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface with which the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous, is an anion permeable membrane, the first ion exchange material domain is an anion exchange material predominant domain. In the case where the one of the anion permeable membrane and the cation permeable membrane, having the at least a portion of an ion-concentrating compartment side surface with which the first ion exchange material domain is contiguous, is a cation permeable membrane, the first ion exchange material domain is a cation exchange material predominant domain.
US08168049B2 Sputtering apparatus and method of manufacturing solar battery and image display device by using the same
A sputtering apparatus of a continuous system that a first target 17a and a second target 17b are arranged to obliquely face a substrate 6 and other targets to form a film while conveying the substrate 6 along a conveying path 15, wherein shields 19a, 19b facing the conveying direction of at least the substrate 6 are provided between the conveying path 15 and the first and second targets 17a, 17b to have therebetween an extended region toward the conveying path 15 in the space between the first target 17a and the second target 17b to enable to obtain a high quality film and to enable to prevent particles from diffusing in a chamber 3.
US08168048B1 Carbon dioxide generation and dispensing device and method of production
A CO2 generating and dispensing device having container with a first space for receiving oxalic acid and water, and a second space for receiving a CO2 generator which generator is attached to a lid. The lid secures to the container. Two conductive rods extend above the lid and are attached to the CO2 generator. Electric current is applied to the rods which initiates the CO2 generation. Generated CO2 rises from the second space and out a discharge vent on the lid. An hose attached to the discharge vent direct the CO2 to a pre-determined destination.
US08168046B2 Method and apparatus for treating a component of a gas turbine engine
A surface treatment device for applying a surface treatment medium to an article is provided with the surface treatment device having an application member for applying the surface treatment medium to the article and an electrode, which applies an electrical potential between the application member and the article. The device provides localized treatment to the article and can remove oxide layers or the like from metallic materials without removing or damaging the underlying metallic material.
US08168040B2 Manufacture of paper or paperboard
A process of making paper or paperboard with improved ash retention relative to total retention comprising the steps of providing a thick stock cellulosic suspension that contains filler, diluting the thick stock suspension to form a thin stock suspension, in which the filler is present in the thin stock suspension in an amount of at least 10% by weight based on dry weight of thin stock suspension, flocculating the thick stock suspension and/or the thin stock using a polymeric retention/drainage system, draining the thin stock suspension on a screen to form a sheet and then drying the sheet, in which the polymeric retention/drainage system comprises, i) a water-soluble branched anionic polymer and ii) a water-soluble cationic or amphoteric polymer, wherein the anionic polymer is present in the thick stock or thin stock suspension prior to the addition of the cationic or amphoteric polymer. The process brings about improved ash retention relative to total retention.
US08168038B2 Processing biomass
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08168037B2 Method and systems for enhancing oil recovery from ethanol production byproducts
Methods and related systems efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may include evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may include using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.
US08168034B2 Manufacturing method of absorbent article
A manufacturing method of an absorbent article according to the present invention includes the steps of: splitting an elastic member bundle having line-splitting strength within the predetermined range into multiple first elastic members by feeding the elastic member bundle in an MD via a line splitter, the line-splitting strength measured by a predetermined measuring method; applying an adhesive at least on a predetermined curved line on a web continuously conveyed; and placing the multiple elastic members thus split on the web while swinging the elastic members in a CD. The elastic member bundle is formed by splitting a single original elastic member with a slit into the multiple elastic members, and bundling and pressurizing the multiple elastic members.
US08168032B2 Method of forming a roofing product including a ceramic base material and recycled roofing material
A method of forming a roofing product can include providing a ceramic base material having an open structure. The method can also include filling the open structure of the ceramic base material with a bituminous material, wherein the bituminous material has no greater than approximately 5 weight % of abrasive particles. The method can further include applying a recycled roofing material adjacent to the ceramic base material after filling the open structure of the ceramic base material with the bituminous material. In a particular embodiment, an open structure of the ceramic base material is filled with a bituminous material that has no greater than approximately 2 weight % of abrasive particles or 0.1 weight % metal content. The recycled roofing material can be applied along one or both sides of the ceramic base material. The bituminous material may have a characteristic particle size that is smaller than a characteristic particle size of the recycled roofing material. In another embodiment, the roofing product having the recycled roofing material can have tear strength characteristics as compared to a different roofing product having a substantially the same construction but having abrasive particles embedded within the ceramic base material.
US08168031B2 Method for metal-resin joining and a metal-resin composite, a method for glass-resin joining and a glass-resin composite, and a method for ceramic-resin joining and a ceramic-resin composite
The present invention provides a method for joining a metallic material, a glass material or a ceramic material, and a resin material, that have no limitation in their field of application and that can form a strong joint by an easy method. The method for joining a metallic material, a glass material or a ceramic material, and a resin material is characterized in that joining is effected by heating a portion to be joined, in such a state that the metallic material, glass material or ceramic material is coupled with the resin material, to a temperature at which bubbles (preferably the sphere equivalent diameter from 0.01 mm to 5.0 mm) are generated in the resin material at the portion to be joined. As a heating source for heating the portion to be joined, a laser light source is used, especially.
US08168027B2 Fibre-reinforced joint
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced laminate (101), which laminate comprises at least one area on the surface of the laminate configured with projecting fibers for being joined to one or more other elements. This is accomplished by arrangement of a hybrid mat (505) most distally in the laminate which comprises at least two layers with fibers (105) transversally across the joining face (402) of the layers. The outermost layer (301) of the hybrid mat is removed prior to joining, whereas the innermost layer (506) of the hybrid mat remains a constituent of the laminate (101). The invention relates to different methods of causing fibers to project from the surface of the laminate, said fibers thus having a reinforcing effect on the joints. The invention also relates to a laminate manufactured by the disclosed methods and a blade for a wind power plant comprising such laminate.
US08168025B2 Methods of making components for electrochemical cells
The present invention is related to methods of making membrane electrode assembly components. The methods include transferring a catalyst layer to a polymer electrolyte membrane or a gas diffusion layer. Methods of making membrane electrode assemblies with these components are also disclosed.
US08168024B2 Elastic composite for a disposable absorbent garment, and a system and process for making the elastic composite and a garment having the elastic composite
A method is provided for making an elastic composite for incorporation into a disposable absorbent garment. An elastic element applicator is provided that is configured to move a section of a continuous strand of elastic element generally about a plane. A first web of material is conveyed in a first web moving direction such that the first web intersects the plane. Then, the applicator is operated to move the elastic element about the plane, thereby applying the section of elastic element onto the first web along a direction generally transverse to the web moving direction and such that the first web draws the continuous elastic strand from the elastic element applicator as the first web is conveyed away from the plane. The elastic element applicator may be in the form of a spin cylinder or bracket that is operated to spin the elastic element about the moving first web, thereby applying the elastic element on the first web.
US08168018B2 Method for manufacturing honeycomb structure
A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure includes molding a ceramic raw material to manufacture honeycomb molded bodies. The honeycomb molded bodies are fired to manufacture honeycomb fired bodies. End faces of at least two of the honeycomb fired bodies are joined interposing a joining material between the end faces to manufacture honeycomb joined bodies each having a length larger than a length of each honeycomb fired body. Side faces of the honeycomb joined bodies are bonded interposing an adhesive paste between the side faces to manufacture an aggregated body of the honeycomb joined bodies. The adhesive paste is dried and solidified to manufacture a honeycomb block including the aggregated body. The honeycomb block is separated at the joining material into at least two honeycomb blocks.
US08168016B1 High-blast explosive compositions containing particulate metal
High performance aluminized explosive compositions for high performance, high blast, low sensitivity explosive applications are disclosed. The compositions include Cl-20, HMX, RDX, or another material as the explosive ingredient, a binder system of cellulose acetate butyrate and bis-dinitropropyl acetyl and bis-dinitropropyl formal, and aluminum. The explosive is preferably pressable and or/mixable to permit formation into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications including grenades, warheads, landmines, demolition, etc. The aluminum fully participates in the detonation of said explosive, manifesting its energy into fully useable metal pushing energy suitable for shaped charges, explosively formed penetrators, fragmentation warheads, enhanced blast warheads, multipurpose warheads, and the like. The aluminum is substantially reacted at two volume expansions of the expanding gas, and fully reacted prior to seven volume expansions of the expanding gas.
US08168009B2 Hard alloys with dry composition
“HARD ALLOYS WITH DRY COMPOSITION”, presenting a composition of alloy elements consisting, in mass percentage, of Carbon between 0.5 and 2.0; Chrome between 1.0 and 10.0; Tungsten-equivalent, as given by ratio 2Mo+W, between 7.0 and 14.0; Niobium between 0.5 and 3.5. Niobium can be partially or fully replaced with Vanadium, at a ratio of 2% Niobium to each 1% Vanadium; Vanadium between 0.5 and 3.5. Vanadium can be partially or fully replaced with Niobium, at a ratio of 2% Niobium to each 1% Vanadium; Cobalt lower than 8, the remaining substantially Iron and impurities inevitable to the preparation process. As an option to refine carbides, the steel of the present invention can have content of Nitrogen controlled, below 0.030 and addition of Cerium or other earth elements at content between 0.005 and 0.020. For the same purpose, Silicon and Aluminum can be optionally added, at content between 0.5 and 3.0% for both of them.
US08168008B2 Martensitic stainless steel pipe
A martensitic stainless steel pipe having a heat-affected zone with high resistance to intergranular stress corrosion cracking is provided. In particular, the martensitic stainless steel pipe contains less than 0.0100% of C; less than 0.0100% of N; 10% to 14% of Cr; and 3% to 8% of Ni on a mass basis. Alternatively, the martensitic stainless steel pipe may further contain Si, Mn, P, S, and Al within an appropriate content range. The martensitic stainless steel pipe may further contain one or more selected from the group consisting of 4% or less of Cu, 4% or less of Co, 4% or less of Mo, and 4% or less of W and one or more selected from the group consisting of 0.15% or less of Ti, 0.10% or less of Nb, 0.10% or less of V, 0.10% or less of Zr, 0.20% or less of Hf, and 0.20% or less of Ta on a mass basis. The content Csol defined by the following equation is equal to less than 0.0050%: Csol=C−⅓×Cpre, wherein Cpre=12.0 {Ti/47.9+½(Nb/92.9+Zr/91.2)+⅓(V/50.9+Hf/178.5+Ta/180.9)−N/14.0} or Cpre=0 when Cpre<0.
US08167995B2 Inorganic phosphate resins and method for their manufacture
A method is provided for making inexpensive synthetic inorganic resins that are stable, mix easily with water and may be conveniently diluted to form an easy-to-use paste for commercial applications. The method uses environmentally friendly techniques to provide improved efficiencies in the commercial production of these resins. The resins are produced by the partial reaction of phosphoric acid with sparsely-soluble oxides, or sparsely-soluble oxide minerals, that are added to the phosphoric acid under controlled conditions. In certain specific embodiments, methods are provided for modifying synthetic inorganic resins so as to produce rapid-setting phosphate cements and ceramics having high flexural strength. Unique synthetic inorganic resin formulations are also disclosed. These formulations are phosphate-mineral based, non-volatile, tend to be non-flammable, do not contain any hazardous inorganic or organic compounds, and are chemically stable at relatively high temperatures, yet they are less expensive than most commercially available organic synthetic polymeric resins.
US08167993B2 Asphalt emulsion priming compositions and methods of use
Asphalt emulsion compositions for use in priming a granular surface such as a road bed are provided. The asphalt emulsion comprises asphalt, an amphoteric emulsifier, and water. The asphalt emulsion priming composition may be used on road beds to prepare the road bed for paving. Application of the asphalt emulsion priming composition to a granular surface, such as a road bed, can provide several advantages, including reducing or eliminating dust generated by traffic on the granular surface.
US08167990B2 Ingestible or nutritional liquid ink composition for ink jet printing
Nutritional or ingestible ink composition for ink jet printing comprising: a binder comprising at least 0.5% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the ink, of at least one zein; a solvent comprising at least 10% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the ink, of one or more nutritional or ingestible solvent(s); and at least 0.1% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the ink, of one or more nutritional or ingestible dye(s) and/or pigment(s). Dispersion of particles of at least one pigment in at least one polar solvent comprises at least one zein as dispersing agent to facilitate the dispersing of particles and stabilize the dispersion. A process for marking a substrate, in particular a foodstuff, by ink jet printing with the foregoing composition and substrate, for example eggshell, provided with such a marking.
US08167988B2 High output concentrator
A multi-chamber canister for a pressure swing absorption system within a general housing assembly. The chambers include a first molecular sieve chamber for receiving a first molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas and at least a second molecular sieve chamber disposed within the housing assembly for receiving a second molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas component. Furthermore, a supply chamber is disposed within the housing for receiving air from the ambient environment and for communicating air to either first or second molecular sieve chambers.
US08167986B2 Airborne particulate sampler
An airborne particulate sampling device is disclosed. The device includes a conduit whose interior allows the flow of air through the device. The conduit, or at least its surface, is a conductor. The device also includes an electrode with a sharp tip or edge on or near the output side of the conduit. An electrically conducting particle collector outside the conduit is positioned so that a surface is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axis of the funnel. A fan or other blower forces air through the funnel. A power supply imparts an electrostatic potential difference between the electrode, on the one hand, and the holder and particle collector, on the other hand. The electrostatic potential difference produces a corona field in the air in the vicinity of the electrode's sharp tip. The corona field imparts a charge to airborne particles. The combined effect of the air flow, electrostatic repulsion from the funnel and electrode, and electrostatic attraction toward the particle collector causes the airborne particles to move toward and then to adhere to the particle collector.
US08167984B1 Multistage electrically charged agglomeration system
A system for the electrical agglomeration of particles in a fluid using a plurality of electrically charged panels, such as electrets, metal panels, or any conductive material, positioned in series perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid. The panels are about 20% to 80% open to the flow of fluid. The panels produce agglomerates of increasing size and number from the particles in a fluid as the fluid flows through each of the panels. The panels have an electrical charge of about 5,000 to 12,000 volts with amperage about 0.001 amps to 100 amps. Agglomerates are trapped by downstream capture media.
US08167981B2 Vacuum filter assembly
A filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing, a sweep plate attached to the filter housing, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a plurality of ring-shaped brushes mounted to the sweep plate, wherein at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped brushes surrounds each of the plurality of filter elements. Alternatively, a filter assembly for mechanically removing silicon monoxide during a crystal growth run having a filter housing having a upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion, a filter mounting plate attached to the filter housing proximate the upper portion, a plurality of filter elements attached to the filter mounting plate, and a cylindrical brush mounted in the center portion of the filter housing, wherein the cylindrical brush has a plurality of bristles pointing radially outward, said bristles contacting an outer portion of the plurality of filter elements.
US08167980B2 Filtration system for gas turbines
A system for use with an inlet of a gas turbine through which airflow toward the gas turbine proceeds is provided and includes a first stage to remove primary aerosol droplets from the airflow by coalescing the primary aerosol droplets into secondary aerosol droplets, which are larger than the primary aerosol droplets, and to remove solid particulates from the airflow, a second water tight stage, disposed downstream from the first stage, to prevent the secondary aerosol droplets and aqueous solutions of deliquesced particulates, which are not removed by the first stage and which are re-released into the airflow from the first stage, from proceeding along the airflow and to remove solid particulates not removed by the first stage from the airflow, and a third water removal stage, disposed downstream from the second stage, to remove from the airflow the remaining secondary aerosol droplets leaking from the first and second stages.
US08167978B2 Gas generator and method therefor
A gas generator includes a high pressure gas-generation system that is capable of generating a product gas stream at a non-ambient, elevated nominal pressure. A thermal swing absorber has a first configuration and a second configuration relative to being connected with the product gas stream. In the first configuration, the thermal swing absorber is connected with the high pressure gas-generation system to receive the product gas stream and remove a constituent gas from the stream. In the second configuration, the thermal swing absorber is disconnected from the product gas stream and releases the constituent gas at a pressure that is substantially equal to the elevated nominal pressure. In the second configuration, the thermal swing absorber is an input source to provide the released constituent gas into the high pressure gas-generation system, which permits more efficient use of materials within the system.
US08167976B2 Gas separation membrane system and a method of preparing or reconditioning and the use thereof
A gas separation membrane system and a method of preparing such gas separation membrane system by providing a porous support upon which is supported a membrane layer comprising a first gas-selective material and having a membrane thickness and removing therefrom a substantial portion of the first gas-selective material from the membrane layer by the use of an ultra-fine abrasive to thereby provide the membrane layer having a reduced membrane thickness. A second gas-selective material is deposited upon the membrane layer having the reduced membrane thickness to provide an overlayer of the second gas-selective material having an overlayer thickness so as to thereby provide the gas separation membrane system having the membrane layer of the reduced membrane thickness and the overlayer of the overlayer thickness.
US08167971B2 Sliding part and method of manufacturing the same
A sliding part in which a surface coverage ratio of copper in the sliding part increases. A bearing which is the sliding part is formed by filling the raw powder into the filling portion of the forming mold, compacting the raw powder to form a powder compact, and sintering the powder compact. A copper-based raw powder is composed of a copper-based flat raw powder having an average diameter smaller than that of an iron-based raw powder and an aspect ratio larger than that of the iron-based raw powder, and a copper-based small-sized raw powder having the average diameter is smaller than that of the copper-based flat raw powder. The copper segregates at the surface of the sliding part. In the bearing in which the copper-based flat powder segregates at the surface, the surface is covered with the copper-based small-sized raw powder that has emerged on the surface, as well as the copper-based flat raw powder, thereby it is possible to increase the surface coverage ratio of copper. Furthermore, containing calcium fluoride improves the seizure resistance.
US08167966B2 Replaceable filter cartridge with removal feature
A replaceable filter cartridge including filter media defining a substantially columnar flow path sandwiched between first and second endcaps. The first endcap includes an opening fluidly connected to the substantially columnar flow path, leading to an interior cavity of the filter media defining a flow path. A sealing flange is aligned with the opening and extends axially away from the filter media. A handle is coupled to the sealing flange or a centerpost such that at least a portion of the handle extends into the flow path.
US08167965B2 Filter for cleaning a fluid
A filter for filtering a fluid has a filter housing and a filter element arranged in the filter housing. A cyclone preseparator is arranged upstream of the filter element, wherein a fluid to be cleaned is guided through the preseparator to the filter element. The cyclone preseparator has at least two cyclone cells that have a different diameter, respectively.
US08167956B2 Bracket-fixable running foot for lower limb prosthesis
The prosthetic foot (1) is a lamina of composite material with a characteristic J-shape, fixable by a TT bracket (2) directly to a socket (3) containing the stump, i.e. the residual part of the amputated lower limb, in the case of users with transtibial amputations, or to a TF bracket (2a) itself fixable to a mechanical knee (G) fixable to a socket (3a), in the case of users with transfemoral amputations. Said socket (3 or 3a) has a main axis (5) defined by the loading straight line by which the user, after applying the prosthesis, discharges body weight in the static position, and passing through a point (4) identifying the femoral epicondyle.
US08167954B2 Implant with composite coating
Systems and methods are described for implants with composite coatings to promote tissue in-growth and/or on-growth. An implant includes: a substrate; a structured surface formed on at least a portion of the substrate; and a biocompatible coating deposited on at least a fraction of the structured surface. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the implant has good biocompatibility while the biocompatible coating has good strength.
US08167953B2 Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthroplasty implants and related jigs, medical kits and methods
Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint implants include a trapezium implant defining an articulating surface and a cooperating first metacarpal implant with a base portion of the first metacarpal defining an articulating surface. The first metacarpal base articulating-surface is configured to articulate against the trapezium implant articulating surface.
US08167952B2 Arthroplastic implant with shield for basilar joint and related methods
An arthroplastic implant for a basilar joint of a hand of a patient includes a body having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite therefrom. The distal surface is to be positioned adjacent a first metacarpal bone at the basilar joint of the hand of the patient. The arthroplastic implant also includes a shield extending outwardly from the distal surface of the body to shield adjacent portions of the first metacarpal bone and a second metacarpal bone of the hand of the patient.
US08167949B2 Hydrostatic interbody
An intervertebral implant includes an upper surface configured for engagement with a first vertebral body, and a lower surface configured for engagement with a second vertebral body. A wall extends between the upper surface and the lower surface, and forms a chamber for containing osteogenic material. At least a portion of the wall is collapsible from a first position associated with a first volume of the chamber to a second position associated with a second volume of the chamber. The second volume is less than the first volume.
US08167948B2 Anterior prosthetic spinal disc replacement
The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc via anterior or anterior lateral implantation. Other surgical approaches for implanting the prosthetic disc may also be used.
US08167947B2 Methods for push distraction and for provision of therapy to adjacent motion segments
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the provision of spinal therapy to two or more adjacent motion segments accessed through a trans-sacral approach. The spinal therapies include fusion and dynamic stabilization with and without a distraction of the most cephalad motion segment of the two or more adjacent motion segments provided therapy. The disclosure includes methods and apparatus to impart a push distraction to increase the distance between two adjacent vertebrae. Related concepts for the extraction of previously inserted devices and the delivery and removal of plugs for plugging the interior cavities of implantable devices are disclosed.
US08167940B2 Aspheric toric intraocular lens
An aspheric toric intraocular lens (IOL) having toricity and asphericity in a single lens. The toricity and asphericity may be provided on separate surfaces, such as an anterior surface and a posterior surface, or the toricity and asphericity may be combined onto a single surface. The edge thickness may be varied sinusoidal to maintain equal edge thickness at 45 degree meridian.
US08167939B2 Ocular implant with stiffness qualities, methods of implantation and system
Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
US08167935B2 Percutaneous aortic valve
The present invention provides a valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient. The valve comprises a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a proximal side of the annulus of a patient and a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a distal side of the annulus of a patient, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions is movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus. The second portion has a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood. In one embodiment, the valve has a suture joining the first and second portions to draw the first and second portions into closer proximity and a cinch member to secure the suture to maintain the first and second portions in the clamped position. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are connected by a first segment which biases the first and second portions toward the clamped position.
US08167932B2 Heart valve delivery system with valve catheter
A heart valve delivery system is provided wherein a prosthetic valve is carried on a valve catheter inside a delivery sleeve. A step balloon protrudes from the delivery sleeve and provides a tapered surface for facilitating advancement through a body vessel. The step balloon also aids in crossing the leaflets of a native valve. After the prosthetic valve is positioned within the native valve, the delivery sleeve is retracted to expose the prosthetic valve. In one embodiment, the delivery sleeve is retracted by the use of a lead screw, which effectuates relative movement between the valve catheter and delivery sleeve. The prosthetic valve is preferably self-expandable. If necessary, the step balloon may be expanded to securely seat the prosthetic valve at the site of the native valve. The prosthetic valve is preferably coupled to the valve catheter by a plurality of flexible extension arms which allow the prosthetic valve to be collapsed after initial deployment such that the prosthetic valve may be repositioned if necessary.
US08167931B2 Method of making a coated stent
A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.
US08167929B2 System and method for delivering a stent to a bifurcated vessel
A stent delivery catheter system for accurately positioning a stent in a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The system includes a catheter having a terminal portion and distal tip that is placed in a main branch of the vessel proximate the bifurcation. A fixed guidewire is attached to distal tip. A port is defined in the terminal portion of the catheter. The port is aligned with an ostium of a side branch of the bifurcated vessel to allow the passage of a stent delivery device, such as a balloon catheter having a stent crimped thereon, into the side branch. Radiopaque bands are positioned on opposite ends of the port. A positioning balloon is included on a surface of the catheter opposite the port and is selectively inflatable to position the radiopaque bands adjacent the side branch ostium. The radiopaque bands are referenced to place the stent proximate the side branch ostium.
US08167926B2 Fenestration for stent graft arrangements and stent graft including the same
A fenestration (32) for a stent graft (30). The fenestration is an aperture in the biocompatible graft material and has at least one flap (38, 40) of a biocompatible graft material covering the aperture on the inside whereby the flap closes off the aperture but can be displaced to allow access through the fenestration. An array of such fenestrations may be placed on a stent graft to facilitate alignment of a branch vessel with a fenestration. A slip knot (46, 46) which can be released by forcing a dilator between the flaps can be used to hold the flaps together.
US08167921B2 Low level light therapy for enhancement of neurologic function
A method for treating a subject having Parkinson's disease is provided. The method includes noninvasively delivering light energy having a wavelength of about 630 nanometers to about 904 nanometers to the brain of the subject. Delivering the light energy can include (i) irradiating the scalp with light energy having an incident power density less than 1000 mW/cm2 and (ii) transmitting a portion of the light energy through the scalp and the skull to the brain.
US08167920B2 Intranasal delivery of compounds that reduce intrancranial pressure
Increasing intranasal lymphatic circulation as a means of decreasing intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury.
US08167918B2 Orthopedic plate for use in the MTP joint
The present invention is a MTP plate that has a first embodiment with a profile having bilateral mirror symmetry of the about a transverse plane with an angle of about 5° for dorsiflexion and an angle of about 10° for valgus. Both ends of the plate include a central arm having a slot for compression and two offset arms having offset ears with locking screw holes that provide for multiplanar compressive fixation. The bone contacting surface of the plate is radiused to allow the plate to be in snug contact with the bone. In a second embodiment of the plate for revision surgery, the proximal end of the plate includes a metatarsal extension and the plate has a central locking hole for securing bone graft.
US08167912B2 Modular pedicle screw system
There is provided a modular pedicle screw assembly that includes various components which may be configured in various manners so as to provide different functionalities to the pedicle screw assembly. This advantageously decreases surgery time, reduces repetitive and tedious surgical steps, and allows for streamlining inventory of expensive medical equipment. In one embodiment, a pedicle screw assembly includes a pedicle screw, a rod holding element, an insert, a rod, and a set screw. The pedicle screw includes a threaded shaft and a cap. The rod holding element includes a screw hole, an insert bearing area, a chamber, chamber walls, a saddle area, and a threading area. The insert is disposed within the chamber, and the insert defines a bearing surface, an upper surface, side walls and a receiving area. The insert is positioned within the chamber such that the insert bearing surface contacts the rod holding element insert bearing area; additionally the side walls of the insert can bear against the chamber walls. The pedicle screw is positioned so that the screw shaft passes through the screw hold of the rod holding element and the screw cap rests within the receiving area of the insert. The rod is disposed so as to rest on the upper surface of the insert; and the set screw, joined to the threading area of the rod holding element, secures the rod to the upper surface of the insert. The insert may have a uniplanar configuration which allows movement of the insert, prior to final attachment, in a plane of motion. The insert may optionally have a monoaxial configuration which prevents movement of the insert.
US08167909B2 Connecting element
The connecting element (1) has the shape of a rod with longitudinal axis (2), a rear end (6), and a front end (7), and serves to span a number of bone anchoring elements (12) implanted in the bone. The connecting element (1) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (5). This provides it with a greater elasticity during implantation so that it can be reversibly deformed. The connecting element can then be stiffened once it has been fixed in the bone anchoring elements (e.g. pedicle screws).
US08167901B2 Removable vena cava filter comprising struts having axial bends
A removable vena cava filter configured for simplified delivery to and retrieval from the vena cava of a patient is disclosed. The filter includes struts configured to be arranged in consistent orientation together between expanded (opened) and collapsed (closed) configurations, thereby minimizing entanglement of the struts. Each of the struts has a circumferential bend relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter. The circumferential bends allow for consistent orientation of the struts when moved between the expanded and collapsed configurations and when placed in the closed configuration of the filter.
US08167898B1 Flexible cutter for surgical stapler
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil including an outer surface, a channel defined therein, and an aperture defined in the outer surface, where the aperture opens to the channel; and a cutter slidable along and within the channel, where at least a portion of the cutter is flexible. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil including an open channel defined therein; and a one-piece cutter including a knife adjacent to a bending region, where the cutter is slidable in the channel; where the knife is initially held completely within the anvil, and where the knife flexes out of the channel and out of the anvil in response to proximal motion of the cutter. An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing a flexible cutter including a knife; providing an anvil with a channel defined therein; holding the knife completely within the channel in a stowed position; placing the anvil adjacent to tissue; and moving the cutter proximally, wherein that moving causes at least part of the knife to flex out of the channel and into the tissue adjacent to the anvil.
US08167896B2 Devices, systems, and methods for organ restriction
A device, system and method for providing tissue and organ restriction. Embodiments of an implantable magnetic device are described with respect to restricting gastric capacity while avoiding nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Further, a delivery device is described for facilitating the delivery of the magnetic device to a targeted site. Additionally, methods are described for delivering the magnetic devices to a stomach.
US08167884B2 System and methods for improved access to vertebral bodies for kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, vertebral body biopsy or screw placement
A method for providing access to the interior of a pedicle for a desired transpedicular procedure including the step of positioning a cannula through a drilled opening in the posterior cortex of the pedicle, the cannula having an inner section positioned in the opening and an enlarged outer section extending from the cortex. The outer section having a longitudinal slot which enables an instrument that is straight or angled to be inserted through the slot and into the pedicle for a surgical procedure.
US08167879B2 Combination tissue removal and cauterization instrument
A combination tissue removal and cauterization instrument includes one or more heads configured to remove tissue by mechanical cutting action resulting from rotation, vibration and/or other type of powered motion. The heads also have electroconductive outer surfaces to which electrical energy is supplied, thereby permitting the heads to simultaneously cauterize tissue that is not removed.
US08167872B2 Center robotic arm with five-bar spherical linkage for endoscopic camera
A robotic arm including a parallel spherical five-bar linkage with a remote center of spherical rotation. The robotic arm movably supports an endoscopic camera. Two outboard links are pivotally coupled together. At least one of the two outboard links supports the endoscopic camera. Two inboard links are respectively pivotally coupled to the two outboard links such that the two inboard links are able to cross over one another. The two inboard links moveably support the two outboard links. A ground link is pivotally coupled to the two inboard links. The ground link moveably supports the two inboard links.
US08167871B2 Device for actively removing a target cell from blood or lymph of a vertebrate subject
Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling the level of one or more target cell types in the blood fluid and/or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject. Devices and systems are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; one or more sensor configured to detect one or more target cell types in blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; at least one reactive component disposed in the at least one treatment region, the at least one reactive component configured to modulate a physiological effect of the one or more target cell types in the vertebrate subject; and at least one controller in communication with the one or more sensor and in communication with the at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; wherein the at least one controller is configured to open or close the at least one controllable flow barrier in response to the one or more sensor.
US08167862B2 Absorbent article having a fit guide
An absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and adapted to be worn in an undergarment having a crotch portion bounded on opposite sides by portions of curved leg openings. The absorbent article comprises a main body portion, the main body portion comprising a liquid pervious body-facing surface, a liquid impervious garment facing surface, and an absorbent core positioned between the body-facing surface and the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article comprises at least one indicator marker visible from the body-facing surface, the indicator markers disposed to indicate proper alignment of the absorbent article with respect to undergarment-specific features such as the curved leg openings.
US08167855B2 Ocular drug delivery device
An ocular device for insertion into an eye is provided and includes a body having an anterior surface and a posterior surface for placement on one of superior sclera and inferior sclera of the eye. The posterior surface is defined by a base curve that is substantially identical to a radius of curvature of the one of the superior sclera and inferior sclera of the eye. In one embodiment, the ocular device serves as an ocular drug delivery device and contains an active pharmaceutical agent, a lubricant, etc.
US08167852B2 Microneedle device and method for producing the same
Microneedle device is provided, which include microneedles that can be easily inserted into skin and dissolve or swell in skin. The microneedle devices comprise a substrate and cone-shaped or pyramid-shaped microneedles for skin insertion set on the substrate. The microneedles for skin insertion contain over 50 weight percent of one or multiple biomaterials chosen from chitosan, collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, and they are fabricated from the materials that can dissolve or swell in the body.
US08167848B2 Single-use pneumatic safety syringe providing gas-driven needle retraction
A pneumatic retractable syringe has a plunger having an interior retraction lumen. The plunger and syringe barrel have cooperating locking elements so that the plunger is locked after use within the syringe barrel. After injection of medicament is completed, the needle is retracted into the lumen by compressed gas that is released from a gas cell within the syringe when the gas cell is ruptured just before the plunger reaches the end of its downstream path of travel.
US08167847B2 Antiseptic cap and antiseptic cap equipped plunger and syringe barrel assembly
The present invention provides an antiseptic cap for use with an access site having a housing with a wall defining a chamber, the wall having a set of threads on an inner surface of the wall; and an access site contacting surface associated with the housing having an antiseptic substance for contacting a surface of the access site. The present invention also provides an antiseptic cap equipped plunger assembly wherein an antiseptic cap is retained within a housing of the plunger.
US08167846B2 Reservoir filling systems and methods
A reservoir may be filled with fluidic media in a first type of environment, a plunger head may be placed within the reservoir in the first type of environment, and a casing that may be configured to envelop at least a portion of a plunger arm operatively connected to the plunger head may be attached adjacent to at least a portion of the reservoir in a second type of environment. A reservoir may be provided having a first and second portion for respectively containing fluidic media, the second portion may be adapted to be removable, the reservoir may be selectively filled with a first volume or a second volume of fluidic media, a seal member may be placed in the reservoir, and the second portion may be removed in a case where the reservoir contains the first volume of fluidic media.
US08167845B2 Catheter having distal sealing member
A catheter includes a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular member, and an inner member extending through the tubular member. The inner member is movable axially relative to the tubular member. The catheter also includes a seal member including a first portion and a second portion. The seal member extends between the tubular member and the inner member. The first portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the tubular member, and the second portion of the seal member remains stationary relative to the inner member during relative axial movement between the tubular member and the inner member.
US08167842B2 Introducer apparatus with cutting edges
An introducer apparatus with a plurality of cutting edges along the outer surface of the distal end of an introducer with a blunt distal end is disclosed. The introducer may be adapted to extend from and be withdrawn into the sheath. The cutting edges may resect tissue located around the insertion site.
US08167840B2 Disposable injector comprising at least one draw hook and a sliding wedge-type gear for unlocking a locking element
A disposable injector with a housing (10) in which are arranged at least one mechanical spring energy store (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit that can be filled at least temporarily with an active substance, at least one piston actuation plunger (60) and at least one triggering unit (80). The spring energy store comprises at least one pre-loaded spring element. The spring-loaded piston actuation plunger has at least one traction rod (61) which can be moved transversely, at least in certain regions, and by means of a supporting portion supports the tensioned spring energy store on at least one resting surface (37) of the housing. An actuatable triggering slide device (82) unlocks the disposable injector and releases the supporting portion to allow it to move away from the resting surface.
US08167838B2 Stretch resistant therapeutic device
A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08167837B2 Controlled retraction syringe and plunger therefor
A retractable syringe (11) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, whereby the plunger comprises a controlling means (62) which facilitates control of the rate of retraction of the retractable needle. By controlling the rate of needle retraction, the likelihood of blood spattering is reduced, thereby improving the user-friendliness and appeal of the retractable syringe. Typically, the syringe is a prefilled syringe. Following plunger depression, a symmetrical ejector member (92) releases the retractable needle (40) from a retaining member (30) to thereby allow retraction of the retractable needle. Needle retraction is facilitated by a biasing means (70), such as a spring or other compressible and/or de-compressible device. The plunger comprises a plunger housing (21), in which is located the controlling means. The controlling means may be a pneumatic air space (324) inside the plunger housing which automatically acts against the retracting needle to thereby control or regulate the rate of retraction.
US08167827B1 Combined floor mat and continuous passive motion device and associated method
The combined floor mat and continuous passive motion device may include a continuous passive motion device and a single and unitary floor mat preferably in continuous frictional contact with the ground surface. The floor mat may be laid end-to-end with the continuous passive motion device so that the proximal end of the continuous passive motion device is adjustably connected to a distal end of the floor mat. The continuous passive motion device may further include a mechanism for preventing the continuous passive motion device from shifting during the exercise so that the floor mat remains longitudinally aligned with the continuous passive motion device and continuously disposed at a flat and planar arrangement on the ground surface.
US08167823B2 Method and apparatus for aligning and securing an implant relative to a patient
A surgical apparatus includes an orientation sensor that detects an actual orientation of a surgical tool. The apparatus also includes an orientation feedback device that selectively provides an orientation feedback signal. Moreover, the apparatus includes a controller that causes the orientation feedback device to provide the orientation feedback signal when the actual orientation of the surgical tool detected by the orientation sensor is substantially equal to a predetermined target orientation of the surgical tool.
US08167816B2 Biopsy device
A method is provided for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter distally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.
US08167815B2 Biopsy device with retractable cutter
A biopsy device comprises a targeting set assembly, a probe assembly, and a holster assembly, which are detachable from one another. The targeting set assembly comprises a needle assembly having a tissue piercing tip, a tissue receiving aperture, and a fluid sealing mechanism. The probe assembly comprises a tissue cutter and an internal helix mechanism. The internal helix mechanism may fully retract the cutter within the probe assembly to prevent exposure to the sharp distal end of the cutter when the probe assembly is detached from the needle assembly. When the probe assembly and needle assembly are connected, the internal helix mechanism may extend the cutter into the needle to facilitate biopsy of a tissue sample. The helix may have variable pitch for providing a first translational speed for cutting with the cutter and a second translational speed for cutter retraction.
US08167813B2 Systems and methods for locating a blood vessel
Systems and methods for locating a blood vessel are described. One described method includes receiving a first temperature measure associated with a first point on a surface of a skin; receiving a second temperature measure associated with a second point on the surface of the skin, and determining a differential between the first temperature measure and the second temperature measure. The method further includes generating an output signal indicating the presence of a blood vessel if the differential exceeds a threshold.
US08167812B2 Device and method for detecting obstructive events
In a method for detecting a physiological signal at least one ventilation parameter is measured. The device for detecting a physiological signal has at least one sensor for measuring a ventilation parameter and a control unit for the ventilation pressure. A device for monitoring at least one ventilation parameter while respiratory gas is being supplied to a patient is provided with a sensing device for detecting the behavior of the ventilation parameter as a function of time.
US08167810B2 Catheter device for treating a blockage of a vessel
The invention relates to a catheter device for treating a blockage of a vessel, with the catheter device featuring a treatment catheter for treating the vessel blockage which is embodied as an integrated unit with front-mounted stent.
US08167806B2 Ultrasonograph
An ultrasonograph capable of generating a transmission beam having a uniform width over a wide range in an ultrasonic wave propagation direction is provided. A weighted mean value of a plurality of transmission delay time values corresponding to focal lengths of transmission pulse waves set in the ultrasonic wave propagation direction is calculated for each element constituting a transmission aperture and used as the delay time for the element when waves are transmitted. As the weight used for obtaining the weighted mean value, a transmission effective aperture width according to each transmission focal length is selected, and a weight in the direction of the transmit aperture realizing the width is calculated and is used in a focal length direction.
US08167803B2 System and method for bladder detection using harmonic imaging
Systems, methods, and ultrasound transceivers equipped and configured to execute harmonic analysis and extract harmonic information related to a targeted organ of a subject are described. The methods utilize neural network algorithms to establish improved segmentation accuracy of the targeted organ or structures within a region-of-interest. The neural network algorithms, refined for detection of the bladder and to ascertain the presence or absence of a uterus, is optimally applied to better segment and thus confer the capability to optimize measurement of bladder geometry, area, and volumes.
US08167801B2 Systems and methods for replacing signal artifacts in a glucose sensor data stream
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms.
US08167800B2 Apparatus and method for processing pulse waves
Pulse wave signal data expressing the pulse wave of a subject and body movement signal data expressing body movements of the subject are obtained so that a correlation coefficient expressing the degree of correlation between the pulse wave signal data and the body movement signal data is calculated. One or more pieces of the pulse wave signal data in which the correlation coefficient is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value are eliminated.
US08167798B2 Methods and apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery
A device for expanding an elongate opening formed in a skin layer of a patient includes a first arm for engaging one side of the opening and a second arm for engaging the other side of the opening. The device further includes a spreader mechanism, coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, to move the at least one of the first and second arms to widen the opening. The at least one arm is configured to move between a retracted position in which the at least one arm is positioned next to the other arm and an extended position in which the at least one arm is extended to expand the opening. Other embodiments of the device as well as methods for performing a medical procedure are further disclosed.
US08167796B2 Endoscope light source unit
An endoscope light source unit for making illumination light incident on a light guide, includes a rotary aperture plate, aperture openings of different opening ratios and an auxiliary-light aperture opening of a maximum opening ratio formed in the rotary aperture plate; a rotating device; an auxiliary light; a first sensing portion and a plurality of second sensing portions formed in the rotary aperture plate in association with the auxiliary-light aperture opening and the aperture openings; a first sensor which detects the first sensing portion; a second sensor which detects the first sensing portion and detects the second sensing portions; and a controller which controls the rotary aperture plate in accordance with the first and/or second sensors. When the auxiliary light is in the retracted position, the controller drives the rotary aperture plate while the second sensor detects the first sensing portion.
US08167793B2 Augmented stereoscopic visualization for a surgical robot using time duplexing
An endoscope with a stereoscopic optical channel is again held and positioned by a robotic surgical system. A capture unit captures (1) at a first time, a first image from light from the channel; and (2) at a second time different from the first time, a second image from the light. Only one of the first image and the second image includes a combination of a fluorescence image and a visible image. The other of the first image and the second image is a visible image. An intelligent image processing system generates an artificial fluorescence image using the captured fluorescence image. An augmented stereoscopic display system outputs an augmented stereoscopic image of at least a portion of the tissue comprising the artificial fluorescence image.
US08167780B2 Physical training device and method
A physical training device includes two arm portions connected to each other and movable toward and away from each other. Two grip portions are provided at the respective arm portions. The grip portions together have the shape of a ball, such as a basketball or football. A resilient device urges the grip portions away from each other toward an extended position. The physical training device is particularly useful in training for basketball rebounding.
US08167779B2 Full body twisting exercise machine
A full body twisting exercise machine has a support frame comprising a lower layer portion and an upper layer portion, a bearing respectively installed at the lower and the upper layer portions, a revolving shaft disposed though both bearings, one end of the revolving shaft protruding from the upper layer portion and connected to a crank and having an extension bar, a free end of the extension bar having a connecting portion; a connecting rod, a driving rod and a handle, an aperture of the connecting rod pivoted to the connecting portion of the extension bar and secured to one end of the driving rod; another end of the driving rod connected to a handle; and a flywheel disposed between the lower layer portion and the upper layer portion and jacketing the revolving shaft, and the lower layer portion of the support frame having a damping device.
US08167776B2 Controlling exercise equipment
In general, a computing device disposed in a cardio exercise machine receives data related to a fitness level of a user. The computing device selects a workout program based at least in part on the data. The operations of the cardio exercise machine are controlled based at least in part on the workout program. The computing device generates audio feedback based on at least one of the user's operation of the cardio exercise machine and the selected workout program. The processed data is stored on a removable computer storage medium that is insertable into a port of the cardio exercise machine.
US08167771B2 Vehicle launch device having fluid coupling
A method of controlling an automatic shifting power transmission having a fluid coupling device, at least one reaction clutch disposed in series with the fluid coupling device, and an electric machine disposed in series with the fluid coupling device and the at least one reaction clutch includes energizing the electric machine to provide additional torque to the first gear reaction clutch when the automatic shifting power transmission is in a first gear launch maneuver and partially engaging the at least one reaction clutch corresponding to a first gear engagement to effect the first gear launch maneuver when engine load is at or above a predetermined value. The at least one reaction clutch corresponding to the first gear engagement is fully engaged when engine load is below the predetermined value.
US08167770B2 Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets include first, second and third members. The plurality of interconnecting members each continuously interconnect one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary member. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
US08167767B2 Multi-speed transaxle
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having a transmission input member, a transmission output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
US08167764B2 Locking power transmitting device
A power transmitting device that includes a dog ring and a thrust plate. The dog ring is formed of metal and has a plurality of locking features and a set of dog teeth. The locking features are spaced apart around the dog ring and extend in a radial direction. The dog teeth extend in an axial direction. The thrust plate is formed of a polymer and is cohesively bonded to the dog ring.
US08167762B2 Drive axle assembly with wheel speed measurement system
A wheel speed measurement system for a drive axle is provided within a differential assembly. The system includes a differential side bearing adjustment ring configured for adjusting the position of a differential carrier bearing assembly. A tone ring is provided having an inner bore to accommodate a coaxial axle shaft. A retainer ring member is snap-fit between the differential side bearing adjustment ring and the tone ring, permitting relative rotation of the tone ring. Sensors are provided in sensor mounts integrally formed on an exterior of a differential assembly housing.
US08167761B2 Differential assembly provided with an adjustment device, in particular for motor vehicles
A differential assembly, in particular for motor vehicles, transmits the motion from an input shaft to a pair of reciprocally counterposed coaxial output shafts and is provided with a ring gear rotably fed in use by the input shaft about a rotation shaft; the assembly being further provided with a gear set transmitting the motion from the ring gear to the output shafts and having a satellite gear carrier pin, whose axis is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the ring gear; a single leaf spring is abuttingly coupled to two satellite gears to automatically adjust the position of the satellite gears themselves.
US08167759B2 Continuously variable transmission
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable accessory drives (CVAD). In one embodiment, a skew-based control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVAD. In another embodiment, a skew-based control system includes a skew actuator coupled to a carrier member. In some embodiments, the skew actuator is configured to rotate a carrier member of a CVT. Various inventive traction planet assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In some embodiments, a traction planet assembly is operably coupled to the carrier members. Embodiments of a shift cam and a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
US08167757B2 Limited slip differential and manufacturing method for limited slip differential
A plurality of microscopic grooves are created on the surface of the teeth of planetary gears, and thus, irregular unevenness is created. This irregular unevenness includes a plurality of first microscopic grooves which function as lubricant grooves and a plurality of second microscopic grooves which are shallower than the first microscopic grooves.
US08167755B2 Six-speed transmission
One implementation of a six-speed transmission includes a first gearset including first and second planetary gearsets each having a number of teeth. The transmission also has a second gearset including a third planetary gearset operably associated with the first and second planetary gearsets. The third planetary gearset has an equal number of teeth with respect to one of the first and second planetary gearsets. The transmission also has a first plurality of shift elements operably associated with the first and second planetary gearsets, each of the first plurality of shift elements being movable between a released state and an applied state to selectively engage at least one of the first and second planetary gearsets. The transmission also has a second plurality of shift elements operably associated with the third planetary gearset, each of the second plurality of shift elements being movable between a released state and an applied state to selectively engage the third planetary gearset. The transmission also has a controller operably associated with the first plurality of shift elements and the second plurality of shift elements to selectively engage the first, second and third planetary gearsets.
US08167754B2 Three-mode hybrid powertrain with two motor/generators
A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member and a stationary member. The transmission also includes a first planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third node, and a compound planetary gear arrangement having a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh node. The power sources include an engine, a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The engine, the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the first planetary gear set, and the output member and the second motor/generator are each operatively connected with the compound planetary gear arrangement. Thus configured, the transmission provides forward under-drive and forward direct-drive gears for launching and propelling the vehicle, as well as a reverse gear.
US08167751B2 Conveyor belt
A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of successive belt elements (2), each belt element (2) comprising at least one transverse rod (4) and two opposing side members (3) connected to each other by the at least one transverse rod (4), and a link (6) forming a joint intermediate the lateral edges (7a, 7b) of the conveyor belt between the adjoining transverse rods (4) of each pair of adjoining belt elements (2). Each link (6) comprises a plate (11) in which two successive rod receiving holes (12) are formed, wherein the rod receiving holes (12) have an offset (O) towards a first side (13) of said plate (11) and wherein a recess (16) is formed in said first side (13) of the plate (11), between said rod receiving holes (12).
US08167750B2 Resin pulley
A resin pulley includes: an outer cylindrical portion having an outer circumferential surface on which a belt is to be wound; an inner cylindrical portion which is disposed radially inwards of and concentrically with the outer cylindrical portion; and a plurality of ribs connecting an inner circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion and an outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion. The outer cylindrical portion, the inner cylindrical portion and the ribs are formed integrally from a resin material, and the ribs are provided in such a manner as to be inclined towards a circumferential direction relative to a radial imaginary line as viewed in an axial direction.
US08167749B2 Belt tensioner and belt exchanging method of belt tensioner
A tensioner arm comprises a tool-engagement portion for engaging with a tensioner-arm rotation tool, and a jig-holding portion which has a through hole for accepting a tensioner-arm fixation bar jig being inserted thereinto from above at a portion of the tensioner arm extending upward from the base end portion. A bearing case comprises a contact face portion which is provided at a face located below the jig-holding portion of the bearing case so as to accept the bar jig being inserted into the through hole of the tensioner arm, and an engagement stair portion which is provided at the contact face portion so as to engage with the bar jig such that move of the tensioner arm toward the belt by the biasing mechanism is restricted. A belt tensioner which enables an easy belt exchanging even by a single worker without detaching surrounding components of the engine can be provided.
US08167746B2 Portable pitching rubber
A portable pitching rubber adapted to be firmly but removably mounted to an underlying surface without damaging the underlying surface. The pitching rubber includes a pad having a top surface, a bottom surface, two longitudinal side surfaces, two transverse side surfaces and a plurality of spikes extending from the bottom surface of the pad. The spikes are directed at acute angles towards adjacent longitudinal side surfaces.
US08167741B1 Golf tee extender
This invention relates to a golf tee extender of a simple but effective structure for repetitive tee shots that does not require re-inserting a new tee into the ground. The golf tee extender for repetitive tee shots comprises a ball support portion for receiving a golf ball thereon, an upper opening for allowing insertion of a golf tee, a hollow body for allowing passage of the golf tee, and a tee head chamber for engaging head of the golf tee therein and securely confining and holding head of the golf tee. The tee head chamber is configured in a shape reverse to the shape of the head of the golf tee to securely engage and confine the head of the golf tee. The tee head chamber comprises a middle opening and a lower opening wherein the middle opening is smaller in diameter than the head of the golf tee.
US08167740B2 Multi-layer core golf ball
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber inner core, a thermoset rubber first intermediate core layer, a thermoplastic second intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. The inner core is preferably formed from a harder rubber than the first intermediate core layer.
US08167738B2 Golf club head
In one embodiment, a golf club head can include a golf club face comprising two or more grooves. A first cross section of a first region of a first end of a first groove of the two or more grooves is taken perpendicular to an edge of a sidewall of the first region of the first end, and a second cross section of a second region of the first end is taken perpendicular to an edge of a sidewall of the second region of the first end, and the first cross section is substantially proportional to the second cross section, and each of the first and second cross sections are symmetric. A third cross section of the first region of the first end is taken perpendicular to a bottom of the first region of the first end, and a fourth cross section of the second region of the first end is taken perpendicular to a bottom of the second region of the first end, and the third cross section is substantially non-proportional to the fourth cross section, and each of the third and fourth cross sections are symmetric. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08167737B2 Wood-type golf club head
A hollow wood-type golf club head with stable flight direction and flight distance performances, the club head having a moment of inertia Ix 4,000 to 5,900 g·cm2 about a vertical axis passing through the club head's center of gravity, and comprising a face with face bulge and face roll such that the radius of curvature Rx of the face bulge is from 12 to 25 inches, and the Ry/Rx ratio of the radius of curvature Ry of the face roll to the radius of curvature Rx of the face bulge is 0.50 to 0.90.
US08167735B2 Golf club with removable components
A golf club having removable components includes a club head, a shaft, and a connection assembly. The club head includes a hosel having an upper treaded portion and a lower portion with a faceted cross-section. The connection assembly includes a sleeve mounted on the tip end of the shaft and a screw-cap. The sleeve, which has an aperture for receiving the tip end of the shaft, includes a lower section that has a multi-faceted surface for engaging the lower portion of the hosel. The screw-cap is mounted over the sleeve and includes a body having an upper area and a threaded area, the latter of which is capable of engaging the upper threaded portion of the hosel to removably secure the shaft to the club head.
US08167729B2 Sealing element and sealing assembly for homokinetic joints
A sealing assembly includes a sealing element and its placement in homokinetic joints. This sealing element seals the outer joint part relative to a pipe or a hollow shaft. The sealing element is connected with the outer joint part which is connected with a sealing rolled bellows on the opposite side. In this case, the sealing element is configured as a closure lid provided with a pressed projection, and a set back piece on its outer circumference. This lid includes a cylindrical or turned over shape, and is disposed on the outer joint part of the homokinetic joint by way of the pressed projection and by secondary weld seams of a friction weld or magnetic arc weld that connects the outer joint part with a pipe. This connection is with a shape fit or a force fit whereby the closure lid in the set back partial piece is configured with a circumferential groove as well as with planned breakage points.
US08167726B2 Constant velocity joint grease cap with increased torsional compliance
A sealing cover assembly for an articulating joint. The articulating joint includes a first rotational member and a second rotational member. The sealing cover assembly includes a first portion having a plurality of fastening portions. The fastening portions are coupled to the second rotational member for rotation therewith. The sealing cover assembly also includes a second portion adapted for connecting to the driveline and a plurality of damping members constructed of at least a first material and interconnecting the first portion to the second portion.
US08167722B2 Distributed processing system and method
A solution for managing communicative interactions between network elements is described herein. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processor module that monitors communications between a program resident on a user machine and a server program resident on a computing device remote from the user. The processor module may be utilized to effectively reduce the number of communications actually transmitted between the client program and the server program. For example, the processor module may intercept certain client initiated communications intended for the server program, process those communications without server program involvement, and respond to the client program.
US08167721B2 Program for object movement stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and object movement game apparatus
Initially, a move target object is set from a plurality of objects. Next, a movement direction of the set move target object is decided. Next, for the decided movement direction, it is determined whether or not a rotation movement condition or a flip-over movement condition is satisfied. Next, when it is determined that the rotation movement condition is satisfied, the move target object is moved in a rotated form thereof in the movement direction, and when it is determined that the flip-over movement condition is satisfied, the move target object is moved in a flipped-over form thereof in the movement direction.
US08167713B2 Wagering game digital representative
A wagering game developer can support an online wager gaming community and provide digital representatives to members to enhance real-life wager gaming experience. A digital representative of a wagering game player can be imported from a remote store associated with an online wager gaming community. Data associated with the digital representative can also be imported. Wagering game activity of the wagering game player at one or more electronic wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment is determined. One or more digital representative data updates for the digital representative are determined based, at least in part, on the determined wagering game activity of the wagering game player. The one or more digital representative updates are applied to the data associated with the digital representative. The digital representative and the updated data associated with the digital representative are exported.
US08167712B2 Method and apparatus for player replacement in an on-line game
Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for replacing players in an online game are described. Replacing players in an online game includes associating a first player with a first online identity and associating a second player with a second online identity. Then replacing the first player and associating the first online identity with a third player that is registered with the first online identity. Replacing players in an online game can also include associating a first player with a first online identity and associating a second player with a second online identity. Then replacing the first player and the second play so that the second player is associated with the first online identity and the first player is associated with the second online identity.
US08167709B2 Methods and apparatus for auctioning an item via a gaming device
Methods and apparatus for auctioning an item via a gaming device are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable a gaming device player (e.g., a slot machine player) to select one or more auction items the player is interested in bidding on. As the player plays the gaming device, a portion of each bet and/or a portion of each win is allocated to an accumulating bid on the selected auction item(s). In one embodiment, other players, connected via a network, also bid on the auction item(s) in a similar fashion. At the end of an auction, the highest bidder is awarded with the auction item. In one embodiment, the auction item is a physical auction item physically displayed at the gaming device.
US08167708B2 Method and apparatus for providing credits for game play
Systems and methods are provided for offering a voucher which is redeemable for credits at a casino. The voucher may be redeemed for a first value of credits. One is charged a second value for the voucher, in which the second value is less than the first value. If the person is purchasing an additional product or service, the person may also be charged a reduced price for that product.
US08167705B2 Gaming token having a variable value
A system installed in a casino allows gambling chips in the casino to have variable values. Each chip has an electronic circuit installed in it to store a chip identifier and data indicative of a value currently associated with the chip. Slot machines and other devices are arranged to interact with the gambling chips to read and write data from and into the chips. A central controller is connected to the slot machines and other devices that interact with the chips. The chips carry a display and/or an audio device to apprise players of the value currently associated with the chip.
US08167703B2 Gaming system having alternate wagering game configurations
A method of playing a wagering game comprises permitting a first configuration of the wagering game to be played via a gaming terminal, detecting a loss of communication between the gaming terminal and a server, and in response to detecting the loss of communication, permitting a second configuration of the wagering game to be played via the gaming terminal.
US08167702B2 Prepaid wagering card
A prepaid wagering card and a system and method for playing the lottery over a telephone line using the prepaid wagering card are provided. The prepaid wagering card includes information that makes it convenient to obtain the prepaid wagering card and use it to wager sets of numbers listed thereon, while also ensuring that the information remains secure. Participating in a lottery using the prepaid wagering card simply involves calling a wagering system from a telephone and providing requested information. Thus, a user can purchase a prepaid wagering card and decide on which scheduled lottery to actually wager using the prepaid wagering card.
US08167698B2 Determining the orientation of an object placed on a surface
A touch screen includes light emitters and light detectors arranged around a periphery thereof. The position, orientation, shape and/or size of objects may be determined by switching the light emitters on one-by-one and detecting shadows caused by the objects. The objects include at least a first part with optical properties of a first type and a second part with optical properties of a second different type. By determining the optical phenomena caused by the second part, the orientation of the objects may be determined and/or the objects may be recognized or identified.
US08167696B2 Video poker game and method
A gaming machine and a method for playing the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a gaming machine having a plurality of games and a plurality of corresponding pay-tables wherein each pay-table corresponds to a particular game, making a wager so as to provide a player with an opportunity to play the gaming machine, playing at least two of the games simultaneously if the wager fulfills predetermined criterion, and providing a pay-out to the player in accordance with the pay-tables that correspond to the games being simultaneously played.
US08167692B2 Video game device and video game program
A moving character and a background image are displayed on a display screen with a touch panel thereon. When the player operates the touch panel to draw a line in an intended path extending between a start point and an end point along which the player wishes to guide the moving character, an operation trace image having the shape of the line drawn is displayed on the display screen. Then, the moving character moves along or in parallel to the operation trace image. The operation trace image is gradually erased after a predetermined amount of time elapses. Thus, it is possible to provide a video game device and a video game program in which the player can influence the moving path or the moving direction of the player (moving) character based on the shape and/or the direction of the line drawn by the player.
US08167686B2 Portable optical fiber polisher
A polisher has an offset axis and a friction cam useful in a method of polishing that comprises a more random, elongated polishing pattern than known orbital polishers and is capable of portable use using a 9 volt battery. The method is capable of using lower contact pressures between fiber ends and a polishing surface and higher rates of rotation of the drive mechanism, reducing the polishing time for preparing fiber ends for applications. The polishing pattern changes when pressure is applied between a fiber end and the polishing surface. The fiber end provides one intermittent axis of rotation and the friction cam provides another intermittent axis of rotation.
US08167684B2 Chemical mechanical polishing slurry, its preparation method, and use for the same
A chemical mechanical polishing slurry for polishing a copper layer without excessively or destructively polishing a barrier layer beneath the copper layer is disclosed and includes an acid, a surfactant, and a silica sol having silica polishing particles that are surface modified with a surface charge modifier and that have potassium ions attached thereto. A method for preparing the chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing method using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry are also disclosed.
US08167680B2 Method and a device for edging an ophthalmic lens for machining the edge face of the lens to a desired curve
A method and device for edging an ophthalmic lens, includes turning the lens about a first axis of rotation and working on the edge face of the lens with a beveling grindwheel or cutter having a beveling groove or chamfer and mounted to rotate about a second axis of rotation. While machining the edge face of the lens with the beveling grindwheel or cutter, the first and second axis of rotation are moved dynamically relative to each other as a function of the angle of rotation of the lens about the first axis of rotation, in such a manner that during machining of each portion of the edge face of the lens, the tangent to the curve of the working portion of the beveling groove or chamfer is substantially parallel to the tangent to the curve of the bevel desired on the portion of the edge face.
US08167676B2 Fluorescent lighting system
Methods and apparatus for providing a Fluorescent Lighting System are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention may be used as a fluorescent lamp ballast which is controlled using a non-resonant circuit that allows the ballast to lower to fifty percent the light output of the lamp while providing a corresponding fifty percent reduction in energy used.
US08167675B2 Dispersion-type electroluminescent element and method for manufacturing the same
A dispersion-type EL element is a dispersion-type electroluminescent element with at least a transparent coating layer, a transparent conductive layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer and a rear electrode layer sequentially formed on a base film surface. The transparent coating layer can be peeled off the surface of the base film. The transparent conductive layer is formed by applying a coating liquid composed mainly of conductive oxide particles and a binder on a surface of the transparent coating layer, applying compression processing to the applied layer and then curing the compressed layer.
US08167673B2 Method for manufacturing a spark plug having a laterally oriented ground electrode
A method for manufacturing a spark plug having a central electrode and a ground electrode, the central electrode and the ground electrode being spaced apart from each other and a first planar electrode face being formed on the central electrode and a second planar electrode face being formed on the ground electrode by a separative manufacturing method.
US08167668B2 Air-thrust vehicle
An air-thrust marine vehicle has a hull with upwardly extending hull sides. An air-thrusting propulsion unit is configured for detachable mounting on the gunwales of various width hulls. The propulsion unit has a base assembly configured to move between a retracted position and plurality of expanded width positions for accommodating various width hulls, while being configured to hingedly engage the gunwales. The propulsion unit can be removed from the vehicle and positioned on another vehicle, such as a boat, an ice- or snow-traversing vehicle.
US08167667B2 Watercraft for transportation and exercise
A watercraft for transportation and exercise including a boat for floating on water and having a portion thereof above a waterline and a portion thereof below the waterline The boat has an opening therein for permitting a person to be partially below the waterline and partially above the waterline. A sub-frame is operatively attached to the boat, the sub-frame having a lower position at least partially in the water and an upper position at least mostly out of the water. A propulsion device is operatively attached to the sub-frame for propelling the watercraft forwardly in response to movement of the person's feet, the propulsion device having a foot contact portion. The foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed a predetermined distance from the waterline in a transportation mode so that that a person can be at least partially above the waterline when using the propulsion device in the transportation mode, said foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed in the water and a substantial distance below said predetermined distance when the propulsion device is being used in an exercise mode wherein at such time the person's legs are at least partially disposed below the waterline.
US08167660B2 Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices
Connector assemblies for use to concurrently transmit multiple signals or sources. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. The connector assemblies may be used in a number of industries and applications.
US08167656B2 Connecting hardware with multi-stage inductive and capacitive crosstalk compensation
A connector and method of crosstalk compensation within a connector is disclosed. The method includes determining an uncompensated crosstalk, including an uncompensated capacitive crosstalk and an uncompensated inductive crosstalk, of a wired pair in a connector. The uncompensated crosstalk includes common mode and differential mode crosstalk. The method includes applying at least one inductive element to the wired pair, where the at least one inductive element is configured and arranged to provide balanced compensation for the inductive crosstalk caused by the one or more pairs. The method further includes applying at least one capacitive element to the wired pair, where the at least one capacitive element is configured and arranged to provide balanced compensation for the capacitive crosstalk caused by the one or more wired pairs.
US08167654B2 Radiation lamp and radiation source module incorporating same
There is disclosed a lamp device including a longitudinal axis, a first elongate electrical connector and a second elongate electrical connector, each of the first elongate electrical connector and the second elongate connector being non-parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The present lamp device provides a reliable electric connection on the one hand, yet is relatively inexpensive, uncomplicated and simple to implement on the other hand.
US08167647B1 Coaxial connector
A coaxial connector includes a clamping tube, which has a narrow body, a tapered head axially forwardly and radially outwardly extended from the narrow body, a stop flange extending around the periphery of the distal end of the tapered head, a retaining structure located on the inside of the distal end of the tapered head and longitudinal slits axially extending from the narrow body through the tapered head and the stop flange, and a chuck shell, which is sleeved onto the clamping tube and axially movable between the narrow body and the tapered head to force the retaining structure into engagement with the outer thread of the metal connection member of the complementary Female connector or to allow disengagement of the retaining structure from the outer thread of the metal connection member of the complementary Female connector.
US08167646B1 Connector having electrical continuity about an inner dielectric and method of use thereof
A connector having a conductive member is provided, wherein the conductive member electrically couples a dielectric and a post, thereby establishing electrical continuity about an inner dielectric throughout the connector. Furthermore, the conductive member facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.
US08167644B2 Electrical connector for an electronic module
An electrical connector is provided for electrically connecting an electronic module to an electrical component. The electrical connector includes electrical contacts having mounting bases that are initially mechanically connected together by a connection strip. The connection strip extends along a connection path from the mounting base of one of the electrical contacts to the mounting base of the other electrical contact. The connection strip is broken along the connection path such that the electrical contacts are separated from each other. The electrical connector also includes a insulator having a module side and an opposite component side. The mounting bases of the electrical contacts are mechanically connected to the insulator on the module side of the insulator. The insulator includes a punch opening that extends into the module side of the insulator. The punch opening is aligned with the connection path of the connection strip and is configured to receive a punch tool for breaking the connection strip.
US08167643B2 Card connector
The card connector in which a card receiving space for containing at least a part of a small card incorporating an integrated circuit is formed by a cover member having at least a top board and right and left side walls and a base member having at least a bottom wall, a front wall, and right and left side walls, the card connector includes: a plurality of contacts penetrating the front wall of the base member and being elastically deformably supported by the base member; and a heat dissipating mechanism located behind the plurality of contacts and elastically deformably supported by the base member. The heat dissipating mechanism includes at least one heat dissipating piece having a free end at one end. The heat dissipating mechanism is disposed at a cutoff portion formed at the bottom wall of the base member.
US08167636B1 Connector having a continuity member
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body attached to a post, wherein the post includes a flange, a port coupling element rotatable about the post, and a continuity member positioned within a cavity, the cavity being located on an outer surface of the flange of the post, wherein the continuity member establishes and maintains electrical and physical contact between the post and the port coupling element. Furthermore, an associated method for maintaining ground continuity with a coaxial cable port is also provided.
US08167632B2 Bus bar
A collecting rail system provides a bus bar with a floor part and a cover part made from an isolating material. The floor part features at least two chambers for the accommodation of respectively one terminal track, whereby between respectively two chambers a chamber separating wall is disposed, and whereby connector tabs are disposed on the terminal tracks such that the cover part can be placed on the floor part in such a manner that the terminal tracks are covered up and the connector tabs protrude through openings in the cover part. As a result of this arrangement, the floor part as well as the cover part are manufactured by means of an operative extrusion process and the openings are subsequently placed, in particular stamped, into the cover part, whereby an isolating element, which is insertable into an opening and which penetrates, in the inserted state, through the opening and which features a case. The case is disposed with which is at least one separating wall, preferably two separating walls, which are positioned between two neighboring connector tabs when the cover part is placed on the floor part and the isolating element is inserted into the opening.
US08167630B2 High density connector and method of manufacture
Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume. As a result of these features, substantial coplanarity of the BGA array along the mounting interface of the connector is achieved.
US08167629B2 Electronic device
An electronic device has: a connector having plural kinds of terminals with respectively different cross section shapes; and a substrate having a plurality of through-holes with lands formed therein. In the electronic device, a width W1 of an insertion portion of the first terminal, a width W2 of an insertion portion of the second terminal, a land-inclusive hole diameter D1 of the first through-hole, and a land-inclusive hole diameter D2 of the second through-hole are configured to fulfill conditions of W1D2−D1, for the improvement of connection reliability between the land and the terminal while restraining dropping of reflow solder in a connector mounting process.
US08167624B2 Fastening system for fastening a cabin fitting element to a support structure of an aircraft
A fastening system for fastening a cabin fitting element with at least one electrical installation on a support structure of an aircraft. During installation into the support structure, the cabin fitting element is fixed in succession by at least one loose bearing in at least one degree of translational freedom and then by at least one fixed bearing in the at least one further degree of translational freedom. In order to ensure an improved installation and dismantling of cabin covering panels with electrical installation and to reduce the weight due to the components and also the installation space which is required, according to the disclosed embodiments a contact device with a bush arrangement and a plug arrangement is integrated in the at least one loose bearing and/or the at least one fixed bearing, by which an electrical connection is produced between the support structure and the electrical installation of the cabin fitting element on fixing at least of one degree of translational freedom.
US08167620B1 Team roping training apparatus
A team roping training apparatus that comprises a motor having a motor shaft, a spool having a spool shaft, and a switch to selectively energize the motor. The spool is selectively rotatable with the motor shaft such that when rotation of shaft is impeded through a roper's grasping of an attached rope, the spool is disengaged form the motor shaft. According to the preferred embodiment, such selective rotation is accomplished with a clutch mechanically coupling the spool shaft with the motor shaft.
US08167613B2 Screw-type implant, particularly for orthodontics
The description relates to a self-drilling threaded screw implant, particularly for orthodontics. According to the invention there is in at last one thread groove (15) of the thread (10), delimited by two flanks (13), a cutting edge (16) extending transversely to the two flanks (13) without traversing the two flanks (13).
US08167612B2 Method for removing an orthodontic aligner with a removal tool
An orthodontic aligner removal tool, kit, and method of using the same. An embodiment of the tool includes a shaft including a proximate end and a distal end. A C-shaped portion is positioned at the proximate end of the shaft. The C-shaped portion includes a top hook and a bottom hook. The top hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the bottom hook. The bottom hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the top hook. A handle portion is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.
US08167610B2 Premix furnace and methods of mixing air and fuel and improving combustion stability
Premix furnace for heating an occupied space while producing lower NOx emissions and methods of mixing air and fuel delivered to a premix burner and of improving combustion stability. A mixing device may be located within an inlet tube, may have a flat surface that is perpendicular to the direction of fuel flow, or may have two surfaces held at substantially opposite angles to induce swirl. A mixing device may be attached to the fuel injector, may be made from a piece of sheet metal, and may have bends and a hole for attachment to the fuel injector. A fluidic diode in the inlet tube may improve combustion stability and may include a hollow frustum or a frustoconical portion, a cylinder concentric with the inlet tube, or a combination thereof. Some embodiments include refractory insulation lining the combustion chamber or may adjust for elevation or fuel characteristics.
US08167608B2 Melt channel geometries for an injection molding system
An injection molding system is disclosed that utilizes a melt channel wherein at least a portion of the melt channel has a noncircular cross-section for balancing shear in a melt stream of moldable material that flows therethrough. The noncircular cross-section of the melt channel portion may be, for e.g., capsule-shaped, extended egg-shaped, oval, teardrop-shaped, or peanut-shaped. A flow splitter is also disclosed that is positioned offset from a central axis of an upstream melt channel to protrude between inlets of respective downstream melt channels, where the upstream melt channel splits into the downstream melt channels, to thereby create a narrower inlet into one of the downstream melt channels and a wider inlet into the other of the downstream melt channels.
US08167607B2 Apparatus for blow molding containers, comprising transport elements with two gripper arms
The apparatus serves for blow molding containers. Preforms of a thermoplastic material are heated in the region of a heating zone and subsequently transferred to a blow molding device. The blow molding device is provided with at least one blow molding station for transforming the preforms into the containers. Provided for handling the preforms is a gripper-like transporting element (41) with two gripper arms (45, 46), which are arranged pivotably in relation to a gripper carrier (42). Each of the gripper arms can be pivoted by means of at least one lever and is coupled with a central element (49). The central element is arranged at least partly between the gripper arms. Each of the gripper arms is resiliently clamped with respect to the central element by at least one spring (56, 57).
US08167605B2 Production assembly and process for mass manufacture of a thermoplastic pallet incorporating a stiffened insert
An assembly and related process for mass producing a resin coated article including an input line transporting a plurality of inserts and an output line removing the resin coated articles. One or more mold supporting and closed loop conveyor lines extend between the input and output lines, the conveyor line including a mold assembly line and an empty mold return line. A first lift and transfer mechanism communicates between the input line and mold assembly line for collecting, in succession, an insert and an upper mold half for installation with a lower mold half supported upon the assembly line. A mixing and dispensing station communicates with each mold in succession to fill an interior thereof with a viscous and curable resin material. A second lift and transfer mechanism is communicable between the mold assembly line and output line for removing the finished articles from the mold and depositing upon the output line, concurrent with redirecting the empty mold halves along return lines for redelivery to said mold assembly line.
US08167602B2 Compacting tool
The invention relates to a tool (3) for compacting a sintered component or a powder for the sintered component, with a clamping element (10) and a compacting element (11) which can be radially adjusted in terms of its dimensions, with a contact surface for the sintered component or powder, which has a surface complementing the surface of the sintered component to be produced, and the clamping element (10) has an oblique first surface (12) and the compacting element (11) has an oblique second surface (13) complementing it, and the first and the second oblique surface (12, 13) co-operate in order to prise apart and open or make smaller the compacting element (11), and the clamping element (10) and/or the compacting element (11) can be displaced in the axial direction, and a support element (9) is provided if necessary.
US08167597B2 Shaft bearings, compressor with same, and methods
A bearing material composition that lines a support includes a combination of a thermoplastic conforming material and abrasive particles which provide a combined effect for remedying the effects due to edge loading that may be caused by misalignment between the bearing and a shaft to which a portion is rotatably mounted. The conforming material may be PTFE such that it does not have a memory and is subject to cold flow and creep. As a result, misalignment problems and edge loading are remedied by the combination of abrasive removal of metal material from the drive shaft at the location of edge loading and creep of the conforming material at the location of edge loading which may provide an overall greater bearing interface surface.
US08167596B2 Compressor and manufacturing method thereof
The compressor includes a first constituent element and a first slider. The first constituent element is capable of being laser welded. The first slider is composed of cast iron capable of being laser welded and having a carbon content of from 2.0 wt % or more to 2.7 wt % or less. This first slider is joined to the first constituent element by laser welding without using a filler.
US08167595B2 Inlet screen and scroll compressor incorporating same
A suction screen member is provided that bridges the inlet port and entrance port between a compressor housing and a suction duct in a scroll compressor. The suction screen member also serves to screen fluid entering the scroll compressor to prevent particulates from entering the scroll compressor. The suction screen member may be formed from only two components, including a sheet metal body that has a folded over section to provide a mounting segment that mounts into the inlet fitting for the outer housing and a tubular extension. Crimping of the folded over segment can secure the screen thereto. Other embodiments may have employ welding for screen attachment.
US08167591B1 High pressure air pump with reciprocating drive
A reciprocating air pump with a frame and a pump for compressing air through a series of linear close-strokes and open-strokes between a first portion and a reciprocating portion. The pump includes plural cylinders, slideably and sealably engaged therein, and arranged as multiple-chambers defining multiple-stages, for compression of air. A manifold with an air inlet cavity and inlet vent, and a compressed air outlet cavity with outlet vent. An outlet valve body is disposed between the first portion and the manifold, with an outlet valve that directs high-pressure compressed air into the outlet cavity, and with an inlet port coupled to the inlet cavity. A reciprocating linear drive with an electric motor delivers linear force to the reciprocating portion. A control system sequentially alternated the direction of force of the reciprocating linear drive, thereby applying linear force to the reciprocating portion.
US08167587B2 Pump assembly with reversible one-way valves
A pump assembly includes a housing and first and second valves. The housing has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. The first and second valves are substantially identical valves both including a mounting portion, a valve seat and a valve body. The mounting portion has a first end and a second opposite end. The first and second ends are both selectively mountable to a conduit defining a fluid path. The valve seat is interconnected to the mounting portion. The valve body is interconnected to at least one of the mounting portion and the valve seat for movement relative to the valve seat between a seated position and a closed position. The valve body includes a first side and a second side and is operative to seal against back flow from the first side and open to positive pressures on the second side. The first valve is mounted to the fluid inlet port with the first end such that the first valve normally functions to only permit fluid to flow into the housing. The second valve is mounted to the fluid outlet port with the second end such that the second valve normally functions to only permit fluid to flow out of the housing.
US08167584B2 Modular compressor unit
The invention relates to improvements in compressor units, and in particular to a modular compressor unit which has separate sections for the compressor, the controls and the air intake. The modular compressor unit comprises three separate adjoining sections, being an intake section, a compression section and a control section. The intake section comprises air intake means which provide an inlet for ambient air to be compressed and for cooling the compressor motor and comprise filters to filter air entering the intake means, noise attenuation means provided in the air intake means, and means for directing air to components in the compression section. The compression section comprises a compressor, a motor arranged to drive all compressor and all components within the unit required to cool compressed air, the motor and to remove heat from the compression section. The control section houses all the control means for operating the compressor unit.
US08167582B2 Fan assembly and refrigerator having the same
A fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a rotation shaft, a rotor coupled to the rotation shaft, a stator disposed inside the rotor, and a fan including a hub having a receiving space therein, and a plurality of blades disposed at a circumference of the hub, and coupled to the rotation shaft such that the rotor is spaced from an inner surface of the hub respectively in axial and radial directions, thereby preventing a transfer of vibration of a permanent magnet to the outside, and thus reducing the generation of noise due to the vibration.
US08167581B2 Device for delivering a liquid, the device comprising a pump and a valve
A device for delivering a liquid including a pump, and an anti-siphon valve external to the pump is disclosed. The anti-siphon valve includes an inlet channel connected to the outlet duct of the pump, and an outlet channel, between which a seat and a moving member are disposed that are suitable for co-operating together and that define, between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, a leaktight liquid flow zone. The moving member is suitable for going from an opening position making it possible for liquid to flow through the flow zone, to a closure position in which the moving member comes into contact with the seat of the valve and prevents any flow through the flow zone, the moving member being subjected to the pressure of a reference chamber that is not in fluid communication with the outlet channel.
US08167580B2 Axial piston machine with hydrostatic support of the holding-down device
An axial piston machine is provided. A housing of the machine receives an eccentric disk and a rotatably mounted cylinder drum. The drum has cylinders and pistons. The pistons are reciprocatable in the cylinders. The ends of the cylinders project from the cylinders and are supported via sliding blocks against a sliding surface on the eccentric disk. The sliding blocks are held in abutment with the sliding surface through a holding-down device. A pressure prevailing in a pressure chamber under the sliding blocks by a throttle point partially compensates a force that is exerted by the holding-down device on the sliding blocks, through a hydraulic pressure between an annular seating surface of the sliding blocks and a support surface of the holding-down device.
US08167579B2 Air compressor assembly including detachable tool storage bin
An air compressor assembly is disclosed. The air compressor assembly includes a substantially curved frame including a lower frame portion and an upper frame portion, a fluid tank carried by the lower frame portion, a compressor mechanism carried by the lower frame portion, and a storage bin including an engagement mechanism releasably coupled to the upper frame portion.
US08167575B2 Connection of components of a wind turbine
The invention relates to a connection between components of a wind turbine. More specifically, the present invention relates to components for a wind turbine having a diameter of more than 0.5 m, preferably more than 1.0 m, and more preferably more than 1.5 m. The wind turbine includes two components that are connected together, whereby each component has a contact surface. The surface of the contact surface of a first component is softer than the surface of the contact surface of a second component. Further, the surface of the contact surface of the second component is annealed.
US08167564B2 Fan blade
The present invention relates to a fan blade for axial fans with a blade body comprising an inner inlaid part and an outer blade shaped part partially enclosing said inner inlaid part. The outer blade is made of a material of lower rigidity than the inlaid part. The inlaid part is constructed as a substantially flat metal part adapted to the shape of the blade body and in the fan blade base region has an unencapsulated smooth fixing section.
US08167563B2 Blade arrangement
A blade arrangement, with a rotor and a plurality of blades which are arranged on the periphery of the rotor in a ring, and a plurality of damping elements are provided. Between two directly adjacent blades at least two damping elements are arranged in series in the circumferential direction of the rotor. As a result of a centrifugal force, which acts in the radial direction, during a rotation of the rotor around a rotor axis adjacent damping elements come into contact with each other, and one of the two damping elements comes into contact with one of the two blades and the other of the two damping elements comes into contact with the other of the two blades.
US08167562B2 Centrifugal fan and blower having the same
A centrifugal fan includes a plurality of blades, a first wall disposed at first axial ends of the blades, and a second wall disposed at second axial ends of the blades and having a shaft portion at a center. At least one of the first wall and the second wall has a cutout portion configured to control balance.
US08167561B2 Helicopter aircraft vehicle rotor damper
A helicopter rotor damper system including a torsional damper with a damper centering bearing providing a damper center of rotation axis, a first elastomeric torsional damper with a first elastomeric torsional damper torsional elastomer bonded between a first elastomeric torsional damper first torsional damper nonelastomeric bonding surface and a first elastomeric torsional damper second torsional damper nonelastomeric bonding surface, and a second elastomeric torsional damper with a second elastomeric torsional damper torsional elastomer bonded between a second elastomeric torsional damper first torsional damper nonelastomeric bonding surface and a second elastomeric torsional damper second torsional damper nonelastomeric bonding surface. The helicopter rotor damper system includes a damper link linked with the torsional damper, with the torsional damper and the damper link connected between a helicopter blade and a helicopter rotor with the elastomeric torsional damper nonelastomeric bonding surfaces relatively rotating.
US08167559B2 Turbine vane for a gas turbine engine having serpentine cooling channels within the outer wall
A turbine vane for a gas turbine engine having an outer wall containing a plurality of serpentine cooling channels. The serpentine cooling channels may be configured to receive cooling fluids from internal cooling fluids supply channels. The serpentine cooling channels may be positioned in the pressure side and suction side outer walls and configured such that a first pass is positioned radially outward from an internal chamber a greater distance than a second pass. As such, cooling fluids are first passed proximate to an outer surface where the fluids are heated and then passed proximate to an inner surface, thereby establishing a smaller thermal gradient than typically found in conventional turbine blade outer walls.
US08167556B2 Method and apparatus for damping tower oscillation in a wind turbine
A method of damping tower oscillation in a wind turbine is provided. The method includes the steps of determining a rotor rotational speed of the wind turbine and controlling the rotor rotational speed such that a critical rotor speed is avoided, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: selecting at least one input parameter value; selecting, according to the input parameter value, an operation mode for controlling the rotor rotational speed, wherein the operation mode is selected from a set of modes comprising a mode of auto tune operation; on the condition of the selected operation mode comprising the mode of auto tune operation, performing the following steps: detecting the tower oscillation frequency; calculating the critical rotor speed based on the detected tower oscillation frequency and controlling the rotor rotational speed to avoid the calculated critical rotor speed. An apparatus and a computer program product are also provided.
US08167554B2 Actuatable surface features for wind turbine rotor blades
A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade may generally include a shell having a pressure side and a suction side. The shell may define an opening in at least one of the pressure and suction sides. The rotor blade may also include a base and at least two surface features spaced apart along the outer perimeter of the base. The base may generally be movable relative to the opening between a recessed position and an actuated position. Additionally, the base may be rotatable within the shell in order to adjust which of the surface features is received within the opening when the base is moved to the actuated position.
US08167553B2 Electrical system for driving a propeller pitch change mechanism
A system adjusts the pitch of a variable pitch propeller having a non-rotating side and a rotating side. The rotating side of the propeller has a hub, a propeller blade mounted to the hub, a propeller shaft that rotates the hub and propeller blade, and an actuation system. The actuation system has a screw and a piston. A motor has a non-rotating component in communication with the non-rotating side of the propeller and a rotating component in communication with the actuation system. When the motor increases speed, the screw rotates and the piston moves laterally in a first axial direction to decrease the pitch of the propeller and, when the motor decreases speed, the screw rotates and the piston moves laterally in a second axial direction to increase the pitch of the propeller.
US08167551B2 Gas turbine engine with 2.5 bleed duct core case section
A core case section for a gas turbine engine a multitude of discreet radial extending 2.5 bleed ducts defined in part by a rear structural wall.
US08167550B2 Blower unit
A blower unit includes a rotation shaft, a centrifugal fan and a casing. The centrifugal fan has blades arranged around the rotation shaft. The casing has a wall part defining an opening. The ring part has a ring shape having a center coinciding with an axis of the rotation shaft. The ring part is provided at first axial ends of the blades and support the blades. The ring part includes an arcuate wall curved in a radially inward of the centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan is housed in the casing such that the arcuate wall of the ring part is located radially inside of the opening of the wall part.
US08167548B2 Steam turbine
A steam turbine is provided having a rotor which rotates around a machine axis, and a stator which concentrically encompasses the rotor with clearance, between which an annular passage is formed which is exposed to throughflow by steam in the axial direction and in which a multiplicity of rotor blades, which are fastened on the rotor, and fixed stator blades are arranged in a plurality of stages, wherein the stator blades of the last stage have a sweep with a sweep angle which changes in sign over the relative blade height.
US08167547B2 Gas turbine engine with canted pocket and canted knife edge seal
A gas turbine engine is provided with turbine sealing structures including knife edge seals which extend at an angle relative to an axial center line of the engine. Each knife edge seal is associated with a control pocket defined between a radially inner surface and a spaced radially outer surface. The control pockets and their associated knife edge seals create a difficult flow path to prevent leakage into radially inner portions of the turbine section.
US08167546B2 Ceramic turbine shroud support
A turbine shroud includes a ceramic shroud ring configured to surround a plurality of turbine rotor blades, a plurality of slots circumferentially distributed around the ceramic shroud ring, a forward metallic support ring, a plurality of tabs attached to a forward edge of the forward metallic support ring configured to engage a turbine support case, and a plurality of tabs attached to an aft edge of the forward metallic support ring received by the slots of the ceramic shroud ring. Only two axially extending radial surfaces of each of the tabs attached to the aft edge of the forward metallic support ring are configured to contact the slots of the ceramic shroud ring.
US08167545B2 Self-balancing face seals and gas turbine engine systems involving such seals
Self-balancing face seals and gas turbine engine systems involving such seals are provided. In this regard, a representative self-balancing face seal assembly includes: a rotatable seal runner having a first seal runner face and an opposing second seal runner face; a first face seal operative to form a first seal with the first seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal; and a second face seal operative to form a second seal with the second seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal.
US08167536B2 Turbine blade leading edge tip cooling system
A turbine blade for a turbine engine having a cooling system in the turbine blade formed from at least one leading edge cooling chamber for cooling the leading edge and for exhausting cooling fluids through a tip exhaust outlet. The leading edge cooling channel may include a second section that extends radially inward from the tip exhaust outlet and a first section that extends radially inward from the second section along the leading edge. The second section may be narrower than the first section and may direct cooling fluids to be exhausted from tip exhaust outlet skewed angle towards the suction side of the blade. As such, the leading edge cooling channel and tip exhaust outlet cooperate to exhaust the cooling fluids without forming a separation zone at the upstream side of the intersection between the leading edge cooling channel and the tip exhaust outlet.
US08167532B2 Cowling
A cowling of the invention includes a cover body and an empennage connected with the cover body. The cover body includes an accommodating space for receiving an impeller, and a first opening serving as an air inlet for the impeller. According to the wind direction, the empennage will adjust the first opening to the proper position to face the wind.
US08167530B2 Robotic pallet-emptying and magazine-loading apparatus
Examples of a robotic de-palletizer and a robotic magazine loader are described herein. The robotic de-palletizer is configured to remove cases (e.g. HSC (half slotted cases) filled with product (e.g. disassembled cartons)) and to place the HSC on one or more conveyors. The conveyor(s) move the full HSC from the “de-palletizing” area to a magazine-loading area for processing by a robotic magazine loader. In one example of the robotic magazine loader, HSC containing unassembled cartons are removed from the conveyor. The contents of the HSC are added to a magazine feeding a carton assembling and filling machinery and the empty HSC is conveyed to a discard location.
US08167526B2 Apparatus for automatically unloading agricultural material from a storage bag
An unloading apparatus capable of automatically unloading agricultural materials from a storage bag is disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a drive mechanism for advancing the apparatus along the direction of an elongate storage bag, a collection mechanism for withdrawing material from the bag, and mechanisms for both sensing resistance imposed on the advancing apparatus by material in the bag and controlling further advancement of the apparatus in accordance with the level of that resistance.
US08167520B2 Securing device
A device is provided for securing an item comprising a body, a plurality of fingers having a first end secured to the body with the first end having an aperture, a second end, a cavity defined by the interior of the finger that is accessible from the aperture to receive a fluid therein to extend the second end from a first position outwardly from the body to a second position to secure the item, and a plurality of valve elements in fluid communication with the aperture to prevent backflow of the fluid from the cavity.
US08167518B2 Method and apparatus for a spindle with servo feed control
A method and apparatus for a power feed drill. The power feed drill comprises a servo motor, a roller screw, a ball spline shaft, an air motor, and a collet chuck. The roller screw is rotatably mounted to the servo motor. The ball spline shaft has a first end connected to the roller screw, wherein rotation of the roller screw in a first direction moves the ball spline shaft in the first direction and wherein rotation of the roller screw in a second direction moves the ball spline shaft in an opposite direction to the first direction along an axis. The air motor is capable of transmitting rotation motion to the ball spline shaft to rotate around the axis. The collet chuck is fixably attached to a second end of the ball spline shaft, wherein the collet chuck is adapted to receive a tool.
US08167515B2 Hot-rolled straight-web steel sheet pile
The hot-rolled straight-web steel sheet pile comprises a straight web delimited on each longitudinal side respectively by an interlock strip. The web has a rolled-in taper which is designed in such a way that, in a tensile test of two samples from this sheet pile which are connected by means of their interlock strips, the web is deformed plastically in the region of this taper before a failure of the interlock connection can occur. The rolling of such a sheet pile, which is distinguished in cellular cofferdams by a high plastic deformation capacity, can take place by means of slightly modified standard rolls and consequently requires no major investment.
US08167514B2 Strake system for submerged or partially submerged structures
A submerged or partially submerged structure includes one or more non-cylindrical support columns interconnected at the lower ends thereof by horizontally disposed pontoons. The support columns include one or more strakes mounted thereon. The columns and strakes contribute to the stability of the structure during free floating operations and installation by reducing vortex induced motion.
US08167513B2 Pothole patching machine
A pothole patching machine includes a container for storage of patch material, and a auger screw conveyor for conveying the patch material from the container to a ram. The ram is adapted to forcibly urge the patch material into a pothole. The ram is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position which completes one fill stroke. The ram also includes a foot plate dimensioned for positioning over the pothole and sensors for sensing when the pothole has been filled.
US08167512B2 Low profile barriers having attached molded pins
A barrier assembly includes a barrier having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The interior surface bounds a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast. The barrier also has an internal sidewall extending between top and bottom surfaces of the barrier so as to bound a passage extending completely through the barrier between the top and bottom surfaces. The barrier assembly also includes an elongated coupler extending down through the passage and projecting below the bottom surface of the barrier. A means for securing the coupler within the passage is formed on or attached to the coupler. The means for securing the coupler within the passage prevents the coupler from being removed from the passage while allowing the coupler to freely rotate within the passage.
US08167509B2 Packaged dental composition
A container enclosing an applicator and a dental composition including a volatile organic solvent. The container is sealed. The volatile organic solvent is effectively retained within the container, even after storage at about 43° C. for one week. Preferably the container is made of a copolymer of a cycloolefin and an open chain olefin.
US08167507B2 Focal plane shutter device and imaging device
A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.
US08167506B2 Photographing device in particular for video surveillance and working methods of same
Disclosed is a device providing the control and movement of a camera. The device includes a housing configured to form a protective chamber around the camera, the housing being mounted mobile in rotation along a first axis with respect to an arm. The device further includes a first slip ring between the housing and the arm, and a second slip ring. Power for the camera is transmitted in the first and second slip ring.
US08167505B2 Pluggable system between optical transceiver and host system
A mechanism to fix the new type of the pluggable optical transceiver to the host system is disclosed. The optical transceiver provides the screws, while, the host system has the face panel with a port and the rail system between which the optical transceiver is set through the port. In the present invention, the screw of the transceiver is fastened to the rail not the face panel, and the rail is precisely aligned with the electrical connector. Thus, the pluggable transceiver in the electrical plug thereof is exactly mated with the electrical connector of the host system.
US08167502B2 Steering column assembly
A steering column assembly having an adjustable shroud comprises a fixed portion arranged to be secured to a body of a vehicle and a moving portion which can be moved telescopically relative to the fixed portion, a clamp mechanism which releasably fixes the moving portion in position relative the vehicle body, the clamp mechanism being movable between a first, unclamped, position in which the fixed portion and the moving portion can move relative to one another and a second, clamped, position in which the fixed portion and the moving portion are prevented from relative movement, and a lock mechanism, wherein the assembly is so arranged that when the clamp mechanism is in the first position the lock mechanism limits a range of movement of the moving portion relative to the fixed portion at least in a collapse direction by providing a path for collapse forces from the moving portion through the lock mechanism to the fixed portion, and when the clamp mechanism is in the second position the lock mechanism permits additional telescopic movement of the moving portion towards the fixed portion beyond the limited range of movement by removing the force path.
US08167495B2 Device comprising a support structure and a rotating shaft and wind turbine
A device is provided having a support structure and a rotating shaft having a center axis which rotating shaft and support structure are pivotable supported against each other by at least one hydrodynamic rotary bearing including a first bearing part and a second bearing part pivotable relatively to each other, a lubricant and a contact zone between the first bearing part and the second bearing part at least when the hydrodynamic rotary bearing is at rest, wherein the rotating shaft and the support structure are shaped in such a way and the hydrodynamic rotary bearing is in such a way arranged on the rotating shaft and the support structure that the contact zone of the hydrodynamic rotary bearing is submerged in the lubricant even when the hydrodynamic rotary bearing is at rest.
US08167491B2 Hydrostatic mounting
A hydrostatic mounting of longitudinally displaceably arranged machine parts, which have pressure pockets for hydraulic fluid for building up a hydrostatic pressure between two machine parts, gaps connected to the pressure pockets and delimited by gap faces of the two machine parts, a drainage for the reception of hydraulic fluid flowing out from the gaps, and a seal, arranged effectively between the machine parts and surrounding the gaps, sealing against the escape of hydraulic fluid. An environment-side portion of the seal is at the same time a portion of the drainage creating a double-acting portion. The double-acting portion of the seal is formed from a material permeable to the hydraulic fluid.
US08167489B2 Packaging bag for secondary packaging configured to transport infectious substances
A packaging bag for secondary packaging which allows safety transport of infectious substances is provided. Front and back surface materials are placed on top of another and formed into a bag member by heat-sealing both side edge and bottom edge portions continuously. Partitioning materials formed of a plastic sheet or film having a required size are disposed on inner surfaces of the upper ends of the front and back surface materials and attached to the front and back surface materials by heat-sealing both side edge and bottom edge portions except for an upper end edge portion to form pocket portions. A sealing material is stuck to the back surface material on the outside of the upper end portion thereof so as not to be opened. The internal pressure is received by one of the pocket portions when the internal pressure in the packaging bag is increased.
US08167485B2 CMOS temperature-to-digital converter with digital correction
Methods and systems for producing a digital temperature reading are provided. In an embodiment, one or more current sources and one or more switches are used to selectively provide a first amount of current (I1) and a second amount of current (I2) to the emitter of a transistor (Q1), during different time slots of a time period, to thereby produce a first base-emitter voltage (Vbe1) and a second base-emitter voltage (Vbe2), where I1=I2*M, and M is a known constant. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes analog signals representative of the magnitudes Vbe1 and Vbe2. A difference is determined between the magnitudes of Vbe1 and Vbe2. A digital calculator produces a digital temperature reading (DTR) based on the difference between the magnitudes of Vbe1 and Vbe2.
US08167483B2 Temperature measurement instruments and methods for identifying a selected target area
Temperature measurement instruments and methods are provided for visually identifying a selected area of a target with a light beam. After imaging infrared radiation from a measurement area on a target, a selected area satisfying a temperature criterion is determined. An actuator system moves a light beam relative to the instrument and measurement area to visually identify the selected area. In some embodiments the actuator system may repeatedly move the light beam to visually identify the selected area of the target as the instrument is moved and the selected area's position changes within the measurement area.
US08167482B2 Thermography inspection of surface discontinuities
A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity.
US08167481B2 Timepiece wheel train and timepiece
A timepiece wheel train includes a rotating body with a shaft unit, a bearing unit that rotatably supports the shaft unit of the rotating body, and a lubricating oil in which powder from a diamond-like carbon film is dispersed disposed between the shaft unit and the bearing unit.
US08167472B2 Optical sheet and method of manufacturing the same
An optical sheet (140) includes a base layer (142a) and a light condensing pattern (142b) formed on the base layer integrally with the base layer and including one or more peaks and one or more valleys. Each of the base layer and the light condensing pattern includes a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The dispersed phase is stretched in a main stretching direction.
US08167471B1 Self-illuminating extension cord
The self-illuminating extension cord consists of an extension cord including a plurality of lights adorning the exterior of said cord in a spiraling pattern that runs the entire length of the extension cord. The extension cord includes a male plug at a first end and a female plug at a second end. The lights provide an illuminating feature that alerts to the presence of said cord in poorly lit environments. An alternative embodiment further includes upon the male plug or female plug, a breaker, a pilot light, and a switch for turning the lights on or off. A third embodiment includes a translucent outer cover protecting both the plurality of lights and the extension cord.
US08167470B2 Illumination device for generating light and supplying the light to an observation device used in endoscopy or microscopy
An illumination device for generating light and supplying the light to an observation device used in endoscopy or microscopy comprises a light source having at least one LED and at least one optical waveguide to guide the light emitted by the light source. The proximal end of the optical waveguide is arranged on a side of the light source which faces the optical waveguide. The illumination device furthermore comprises a cooling device to dissipate heat generated by the light source, which cooling device has at least one first cooling element for dissipating the heat generated by the light source, which cooling element is arranged on a side of the light source which faces away from the proximal end of the optical waveguide. The cooling device has a second cooling element for dissipating the heat generated by the light source, which second cooling element is arranged on the side of the light source which faces the proximal end of the optical waveguide. The at least one optical waveguide passes through the second cooling element.
US08167467B2 Rear lamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A saddle-type vehicle is provided with a rear cowl for covering a rear portion of a body frame, while having an opening capable of being closed with a rider's seat. The vehicle also includes a rear lamp assembly including a tail lamp bulb and a pair of turn signal bulbs, with stays being provided on the upper side of the rear lamp assembly. The rear lamp assembly is mounted to the body frame with a center cover, for covering the upper side of a tail lamp part of the combination lamp, and turn signal covers, for covering the upper side of turn signal parts and turn signal sockets in the combination lamp. The turn signal covers each have an arm located below the rider's seat and extending toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the arm is fastened to the stay.
US08167466B2 LED illumination device and lamp unit thereof
An LED illumination device includes a lampshade, and a plurality of lamp units mounted on the lampshade. Each lamp unit includes a light-emitting module having a plurality of light sources and a heat sink arranged above the light-emitting module. The heat sink includes an elongated base and a plurality of fins on the base. The base has an outer convex surface formed at a top side thereof and an opposite inner concave surface formed at a bottom side thereof. The fins extend outwardly from the convex surface of the base. The concave surface defines an elongated recess extending along an axial direction of the base. Two opposite free ends of the base are spaced from each other and cooperatively define a light emitting window below the concave surface. The light sources are received in the recess and thermally attached to the concave surface.
US08167465B2 LED illumination module
The present invention relates to an LED illumination module. The LED illumination module comprises an upper housing configured to have an accommodation unit upwardly protruding at a central portion of the upper housing and to have two or more LEDs mounted in an outer circumference direction of the accommodation unit, a lower housing disposed below the upper housing, a power supply device embedded in the accommodation unit formed in the upper housing and configured to supply a power source to the LEDs, and power source cables placed on sides of the upper housing and the lower housing and configured to supply an external power source to the power supply device.
US08167463B2 Power surface mount light emitting die package
A light emitting die package includes a substrate, a reflector plate, and a lens. The substrate has traces for connecting an external electrical power source to a light emitting diode (LED) at a mounting pad. The reflector plate is coupled to the substrate and substantially surrounds the mounting pad, and includes a reflective surface to direct light from the LED in a desired direction. The lens is free to move relative to the reflector plate and is capable of being raised or lowered by the encapsulant that wets and adheres to it and is placed at an optimal distance from the LED chip(s). Heat generated by the LED during operation is drawn away from the LED by both the substrate (acting as a bottom heat sink) and the reflector plate (acting as a top heat sink).
US08167458B2 Multi colours device illumination
A portable device having within it a multicolour illumination arrangement comprising: a surface; a plurality of light sources, at least one of the plurality of light sources being capable of generating two or more emission colors; and drive means for causing the emission color of the at least one light source to vary; whereby the illumination arrangement can produce a varying illumination through at least part of the surface.
US08167450B2 Portable lighting device
Disclosed is a portable light that can be secured to most any fixed object by use of an elastic band attachment mechanism. The elastic band securement device is form fitting and fully adjustable with the ends of the securement device placed beneath a cover of the light during installation, wherein the cover of the light conceals the attachment mechanism to prevent accidental disengagement of the light from the object of attachment. In operation, the base of the light has a cover which is secured by a latch, hook and loop, thumb screws or any other type of fastener which upon removal exposes the light and the two ends of the elastic cord. A portion of the elastic cord is secured around a fixed object and the bitter end of the cord is drawn tight and placed through a cord fastener so as to secure the cord in a secured and tensioned position. The cover is then replaced, thereby concealing the ends of the elastic band from disengagement. The light can then be operated in a usual manner by the use of an on/off switch.
US08167446B2 Spotlight and water fountain
The invention concerns a spotlight for use in bodies of water. The spotlight has at least one lighting unit for illuminating fountains, water jets or the like, wherein the lighting unit is liquid-cooled and has at least one light emitting diode or a light emitting diode cluster arranged in the housing.
US08167445B2 Backlight assembly
A backlight assembly includes a light source assembly including a plurality of light source blocks arranged in a first direction, each light source block including a substrate including a reflecting surface and a plurality of point light sources arranged on the substrate, a lower housing accommodating the light source assembly, and a substrate fixing portion disposed at a boundary between adjacent substrates and fixing the light source assembly to the lower housing. The substrate fixing portion includes a head extending overlapping the boundary between the adjacent substrates of the light source blocks and pressing the substrates towards the lower housing, and an engaging protrusion protruding from the head and fixed to the lower housing.
US08167444B2 Road curvature estimation for rearview mirror adjustment system
A system and method for automatically correcting the viewing angle of a rear-view mirror on a vehicle when the vehicle is traveling around a curve. The system estimates the curvature of the road using only vehicle speed and vehicle steering angle information. The road curvature estimation is used to determine the radius of curvature of the road, which can then be used to determine the corrected viewing angle of the rear-view mirror. Depending on whether the road is curving to the right or to the left will determine whether the left side rear-view mirror or the right side rear-view mirror will be adjusted.
US08167442B1 Vehicle side-view mirror and window clearing device and associated methods
A device for preventing and clearing fouling on a side-view mirror includes a curved tube affixable to a vehicle having an inlet positionable facing forward in spaced-apart relation from the side-view mirror. An outlet is positionable facing the mirror's surface. An outer wall defines a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. The tube describes a partial “U”, with a rearmost portion of the tube extending generally rearward. Apertures extend through the wall adjacent the tube's rearmost portion, facing rearward. When the vehicle is moving forward, air is forced into the device's inlet and passes through the tube's lumen to exit the outlet, onto the mirror, preventing droplet buildup and fogging. The rearward-facing apertures channel moisture out of the tube's lumen, preventing additional droplets from impinging on the mirror. In an embodiment, a side window portion also provides for preventing and clearing fouling of a side window.
US08167441B2 Image display system and image display method
An image display system includes an image display apparatus and an image signal supply apparatus which are connected to each other via an interface and displaying an image based on an image signal supplied from the image signal supply apparatus on the image display apparatus, wherein the image signal supply apparatus includes: an imaging unit taking an image of a subject; a movable holding unit holding the imaging unit and having a first state and a second state other than the first state; a state detector detecting which state of the first state and the second state the movable holding unit has; and an image signal supply apparatus controller transmitting the image acquired by the imaging unit and the detection result of the state detector via the interface, and wherein the image display apparatus includes: a state detection result acquiring unit acquiring the detection result of the state detector transmitted from the image signal supply apparatus; and an image display apparatus controller displaying a predetermined image other than the image based on the image signal transmitted from the image signal supply apparatus when it is determined that the movable holding unit has the second state on the basis of the detection result acquired by the state detection result acquiring unit, and displaying the image based on the image signal transmitted from the image signal supply apparatus when it is determined that the movable holding unit has the first state on the basis of the detection result acquired by the state detection result acquiring unit.
US08167438B2 Light source device, projector, and driving method of discharge lamp
A light source device is provided. The light source device has: a discharge lamp that emits light by discharge in an interelectrode space between a first electrode and a second electrode; a main mirror arranged at the first electrode side that reflects light flux generated by the discharge in the interelectrode space so as to emit the light flux to an area to be illuminated; a sub-mirror arranged at the second electrode side facing opposite the main mirror that reflects the light flux from the interelectrode space toward the interelectrode space; and a driver that supplies alternating current to the first and the second electrodes, and changes duty ratio of the alternating current supplied to the first and the second electrodes in accordance with a predetermined pattern. In the light source device, maximum value of time ratio of a first anode period in which the first electrode works as anode to one cycle of the alternating current is larger than maximum value of time ratio of a second anode period in which the second electrode works as anode to the one cycle of the alternating current.
US08167437B2 Multi-positional smoothing mirror for video projection optics
A projection display is provided with a light engine including a damped piezo-electric smooth picture actuating device. The light engine comprises a mirror and an actuator for positioning the mirror. The actuator includes a tilting means that couples the actuator to the mirror. The tilting means has damping material attached thereto. The damping material may be a polymeric material.
US08167435B2 Projection system and projector
A projection system includes: a projection device mounted at a member that moves through space and projects an optical image; a detection device that detects relative position assumed in the space by a projection target surface onto which the optical image is projected and the projection device; and a control device that controls projection by the projection device in correspondence to the relative position detected by the detection device.
US08167433B2 Motorized adjustable convergence mechanism for projection displays
A light engine for use in a projector, comprising a motorized adjustable convergence mechanism for fine adjusting the relative positions of red, green and blue channel sub-assemblies. Motors are mounted on fixed elements of the sub-assemblies for driving movable elements thereof, including imaging devices thereof such as digital micromirror devices.
US08167426B2 Eyeglass temple assembly and cover
An eyeglass temple works with an interchangeable eyeglass temple cover to change the appearance of the eyeglasses. A clip on the eyeglass temple is used to secure the cover to the eyeglass temple. The temple cover can be made of silicone and include a hole to make inserting and removing the temple cover easier.
US08167424B2 Restraint device and recording device
An ink jet printer includes a restraint device which applies a restraining force, applied to a support surface used for supporting a recording sheet, to the recording sheet transported from an upstream side to a downstream side in a transport direction. The restraint device includes a second support member which includes the support surface and a suction hole opened to the support surface and generating a negative pressure therein and which is capable of sucking the recording sheet supported to the support surface toward the support surface on the basis of the negative pressure generated inside the suction hole and a shield belt which is disposed to face the support surface.
US08167421B2 Supply units having an associated electronically-readable memory device
A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device is attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container is a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.
US08167419B2 Ink jet recording head and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet recording head includes a plurality of ink jet head substrates each including ejection outlets for ejecting ink and energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting the ink; a supporting substrate for supporting the plurality of ink jet head substrates; an ink accommodating portion for accommodating the ink; and a filter provided at a communicating portion between the plurality of ink jet head substrates and the ink accommodating portion so as to be inclined with respect to gravitational direction. At a highest position of the filter with respect to gravitational direction, a suction opening through which the ink in the plurality of ink jet head substrates is capable of being sucked is provided.
US08167416B2 Liquid container
A liquid container includes a housing having a supply port leading out liquid contained in the housing, a spring member configured to generate a negative pressure, a flexible member joined to the housing to form a liquid chamber, a plate member disposed between the flexible film and the spring member, a lid member configured to cover the flexible member and secured to the housing, and a rib member movably disposed in a space surrounded by the lid member and the flexible member and configured to regulate the shape of the flexible member and the position of the plate member.
US08167415B2 Liquid container
A liquid container includes a liquid containing portion, a case, a liquid detection unit, and an impact absorbing portion. The liquid containing portion contains liquid. The case forms a space that accommodates the liquid containing portion. The liquid detection unit includes a liquid introducing portion that is connected through an attachment portion, which is provided in the case, to a liquid delivery port of the liquid containing portion. The impact absorbing portion is provided at least between a bottom face of the case and the liquid detection unit to absorb an impact applied to the liquid detection unit.
US08167411B2 Print element substrate, inkjet printhead, and printing apparatus
This invention is directed to an element substrate including a plurality of print element arrays in which print elements are arranged at different arrayed densities. The element substrate can efficiently transfer data to each print element. The element substrate includes the following arrangement. More specifically, the first print element array having a relatively large number of print elements, and the second print element array which is equal in length to the first print element array and has a relatively small number of print elements are juxtaposed. The element substrate includes one shift register which holds data for driving the print element of the second print element array, and a plurality of shift registers for dividing and holding data for driving the print elements of the first print element array.
US08167407B2 Liquid discharge method, liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus having projections within discharge port
A liquid discharge head is arranged in a manner that in the cross-section of a discharge port perpendicular to a liquid discharge direction, the discharge port includes at least one projection that is convex inside the discharge port; a first area, for holding a liquid surface connecting a pillar-shaped liquid that is elongated outside the discharge port; and second areas where a fluid resistance is lower than that in the first area so as to pull the liquid in the discharge port in a direction opposite to the liquid discharge direction. The first area is formed in the direction in which the projection is convex, and the second areas are formed on both sides of the projection.
US08167406B2 Printhead having reinforced nozzle membrane structure
A printhead includes a nozzle membrane, a substrate, and a support structure. The nozzle membrane includes an external surface, a length, and a plurality of nozzles located along the length of the nozzle membrane. The nozzle membrane is affixed to the substrate. The substrate includes a liquid feed channel that provides liquid to the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle membrane. The liquid feed channel extends along the length of the nozzle membrane such that the liquid feed channel is common to each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles of the nozzle membrane. The support structure is affixed to the external surface of the nozzle membrane to provide structural support to the nozzle membrane.
US08167405B2 Liquid ejection head and method of producing the same
A liquid ejection head, including: plates including a nozzle plate in which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, and stacked on each other with the nozzle plate being as an outermost plate, wherein the nozzle plate includes a first area in which the nozzles are formed and a second area adjacent to the first area and located on a plate-side of the first area in a plates-stack direction, on which plate-side at least one of the plates different from the nozzle plate is located, wherein the nozzle plate further includes a first nozzle plate positioner formed in the first area and a second nozzle plate positioner larger than the first nozzle plate positioner and formed in the second area, and wherein each of the at least one of the plates includes a plate positioner formed therein and at least partly overlapping the first nozzle plate positioner in the plates-stack direction.
US08167403B2 Droplet ejector
The droplet ejector includes: a head unit set composed of four head units arranged in a staggered manner in the arrangement direction; a head supporting member which supports the head unit set; a liquid supplier which supplies liquid to the head unit set; and a conveyor mechanism which conveys an ejection target. Each head unit has a passage structure having a liquid passage. At one edge of the passage structure in the arrangement direction, a liquid supply opening which is connected to the liquid passage and the liquid supplier is provided. Two passage structures neighboring in the arrangement direction are disposed so that the respective edges where the liquid supply openings are provided oppose each other in the arrangement direction.
US08167401B2 Liquid ejection apparatus and image forming apparatus
The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head which has a nozzle surface including a plurality of nozzles; a cap device which comes in contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and enables liquid inside the nozzles to be suctioned or pressurized; and a selection device which selects whether or not the liquid inside the nozzles is suctioned or pressurized, for each of at least two nozzle groups into which the nozzles are divided.
US08167386B2 Door assembly and method of replacing a door of an electronics cabinet
Disclosed are rack enclosures for electronic equipment including at least one door configured to define a space between an edge of the door and a wall or frame of the cabinet, kits for retrofitting rack enclosures to include such a door, and methods of installing such.
US08167384B2 Undercarriage cleaning mechanism and method of providing the same
A track roller frame cleaning mechanism is provided. The track roller frame cleaning mechanism includes a linkage configured to pivotally attach to a rotating track member and means for cleaning a surface of the track roller frame coupled to the linkage.
US08167382B2 Brake system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same
A brake system for a motorcycle includes a pressure-regulating unit interposed between a fluid pressure-generating unit and a wheel brake. The operation of a pressure-regulating unit is controlled by a control unit on based on a value detected by an operating amount detector. The fluid pressure-generating unit is arranged between an engine body mounted on a body frame and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine body. The exhaust pipe is connected to the front surface of a cylinder head of the engine body, and is extended downwardly from the cylinder head. A support member for supporting the fluid pressure-generating unit is supported, through elastic members, by the engine body and frame members of a body frame of the motorcycle. The body frame extends rearwardly downwards from a head pipe connected to the body frame at a front end portion thereof.
US08167381B2 Brake fluid pressure control device for bar handle vehicle
A brake fluid pressure control device for a bar handle vehicle has a front wheel brake system which imparts a braking force to a front wheel and a rear wheel brake system which imparts a braking force to a rear wheel. At least one of the brake systems has a master cylinder which generates brake fluid pressure in accordance with an operation amount of a brake operation element, first and second wheel cylinders both of which impart the brake force on one of the front and rear wheels, a first hydraulic path which communicates the master cylinder with the first wheel cylinder, a second hydraulic path which is branched from the first hydraulic path and connected to the second wheel cylinder and a boosting unit which boosts the brake fluid pressure in the second wheel cylinder without boosting the brake fluid pressure in the first wheel cylinder.
US08167378B2 Auxiliary drive
A construction machine for the treatment of ground surfaces includes a machine frame, a drive motor, a work drum supported from the machine frame and including exchangeable tools fastened to the work drum, a belt drive and an auxiliary drive. The belt drive includes a motor-side pulley connected to the drive motor, a drum-side pulley connected to the work drum, and at least one drive belt connecting the motor-side pulley to the drum-side pulley. The auxiliary drive may be permanently coupled to the belt drive, or the auxiliary drive may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the auxiliary drive between a coupled and an uncoupled position.
US08167372B2 Seat assembly having dual actuated locking mechanism
A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor of a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a dual actuated lever mechanism operable by movement of a seat back from a seated position to a stowed position or the actuation of a handle. The lever mechanism engages with a locking mechanism such that when the lever mechanism is in a first position a first lock locks the upper rails to the lower rails when the seat assembly is in the seated position. When the lever mechanism is in a second position a second lock locks the upper rails to the lower rails when the seat assembly is in the cargo position.
US08167370B2 Seat cushion adjusting apparatus
A seat cushion adjusting apparatus includes a support member configuring a frame of a seat cushion, a seating member supported by the support member and configuring an outer shape of the seat cushion, an adjustment member fastening a front end portion of the seating member in a longitudinal direction of a seat, and a movement mechanism rotatably connecting the adjustment member and moving the adjustment member relative to the support member in the longitudinal direction, the movement mechanism including a transmission member extending in a width direction of the seat at a front side of the support member, a lever rotatably connected to the support member, a first gear plate rotatably connected to the lever and the transmission member and having a first gear, and a second gear plate rotatably connected to the transmission member and the adjustment member and having a second gear meshing with the first gear.
US08167369B2 Cushion structure for bicycle
A cushion structure for a bicycle contains a body and a bottom tube. The body includes a circular inserting seat. The inserting seat includes a plurality of crossed support ribs extending radially from a center thereof and connecting with an outer rim thereof and formed in a cross shape. The bottom tube includes a connecting portion disposed on one end thereof. The connecting portion includes a circular inner hole corresponding to the inserting seat and includes a plurality of retaining slots formed therein corresponding to the support ribs.
US08167367B1 Seat cover with adjustable cushion apparatus
The seat cover with adjustable cushion apparatus provides for removable fit to a variety of seats. Various sizes and dimensions of the apparatus are provided so that a plurality of seat types and sizes are properly fitted. The apparatus provides a multitude of features and conveniences including seat heating and back massage. The memory hinge importantly provides a user with headrest cushion adjustability whereby the headrest cushion shape is altered and retained thusly until changed again by a user. A user's head can be supported rearwardly and to both sides as tightly or as loosely as a user wishes. The seat back provides for storage of personal items such as cell phone and pencils and the like.
US08167366B2 Automobile seat including a foldable back comprising a member defining a tablet, and automobile with such seat
An automobile seat including a seating portion, a back that can be folded onto the seating portion and including a rear face at least partially covered by a member defining a tablet and that can be brought into a substantially horizontal position. The member defining the tablet includes a rotary tray mounted on the rear face of the back so as to pivot about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the rear face to be moved into a position in which a portion of the rotary tray laterally protrudes from the rear face of the back.
US08167360B2 Vehicle cross member assembly with tunnel bracket
A vehicle cross member assembly is provided which includes first and second cross members each having first and second ends, and first and second connectors connects to the first ends of the cross member to vehicle structures. The assembly includes a bracket connected to a tunnel structure on a vehicle. The bracket includes first and second brackets for connecting the second ends of the first and second cross members. At least one of the first and second cross members is configured to move laterally inward and downward into the tunnel during a sufficient lateral impact of the vehicle. Additionally, one or more seats may be mounted to the cross members such that the seats move inward and rotate away from the point of impingement during a side impact event.
US08167359B2 Assembly configuration
An assembly configuration for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first assembly and a second assembly, a channel being at least partially implemented between the first assembly and the second assembly, a bulkhead plate being positioned transversely to the main direction of the channel and a gap being at least partially implemented between the lateral edge of the bulkhead plate and at least one of the assemblies.
US08167358B2 System, method and article for use with coupled vehicles
An automatic gap closing system automatically moves a gap closing cover between an un-deployed and a deployed configuration to selectively cover a gap between two coupled vehicles (e.g., tractor-trailer combination) in response to an actual or expected speed of at least one of the vehicles, thereby increasing fuel efficiency at relatively high or fast speeds without hindering maneuverability of the coupled vehicles at relatively low or slow speeds. Indications of speed and/or location may come from speed sensors, on-board computers (i.e., black box), GPS receivers, or wireless receivers.
US08167352B2 Floor carpet for vehicle
A floor carpet (40) for covering a vehicle floor as well as a tool storage area is disclosed. The floor carpet has an overlapping flap (57) for overlapping a rear surface (33) of a peripheral edge of an opening (32) formed in a vehicle body (11) when the opening is closed, the flap being able to be pulled toward the surface of the opening when opened. The overlapping flap has a plurality of small lap portions (61) and a plurality of large lap portions (62) for overlapping the rear surface of the peripheral edge of the opening to a small degree and a large degree. The small lap portions and the large lap portions are alternately arranged in a wave shape.
US08167351B2 Seat/flatbed/drop-in-container assembly for cart
A seat/flatbed/drop-in-container assembly for a cart comprises a framework extending from and supported by the cart, including at least one support member, and defining a volume of space interiorly of the support member and a remaining portion of the framework. A seat is supported by the framework within the volume of space and adapted to extend to define a flatbed supported by the framework within the volume of space. A container is adapted to be dropped in the volume of space and supported upon the flatbed. To secure the container to the framework upon the flatbed, the support member extends through an aperture disposed completely through the container and/or is interferingly fitted between a body of the container and lip of a rim thereof. Alternatively, to secure the container upon the flatbed, the seat includes a seat back, and the container defines a flange that holds the seat back.
US08167347B2 Three panel heat stake structure
A trim panel assembly which provides support for the interior panels during a heat staking process, even when the interior panels overlap an outer panel, is provided. The trim panel assembly includes a first support boss extending from an inner surface and an outer surface which is adjacent a weld horn backing plate during the heat staking process. A second panel includes an outwardly extending elongated stud extending from an inner surface, and a support boss extending from an outer surface. An accessory panel having an aperture is aligned with the second panel such that the elongated stud passes through the aperture. During the heat staking process pressure is applied to the stud of the second panel which is supported by the weld horn backing plate through the contact between the support boss of the first panel and the boss of the second panel.
US08167343B2 Device for attachment of a bumper covering
The invention concerns a device which is based on thermoplastic material for the attachment of a bumper covering at the body of a motor vehicle which includes a base body and a cover plate as well as a security pin for securing the cover plate; the base body and the cover plate are configured as separate components and the security pin when inserted into safety lugs at the base body locks the cover plate in place.
US08167340B2 Drill stem tubular connection with internal stiffener ring
A threaded pipe coupling is shown for a drill pipe used in horizontal boring operations utilizing a special form of a threaded connection with an internal stiffener ring which eliminates the need for hot forging operations. The pipe coupling is used for joining an upset region of a first tubular member to a further tubular member of lesser external diameter. The internal stiffener ring is received within the internal bore of the pin end of the coupling and underlies and extends along a portion of its length. The stiffener ring having an innermost extent terminating in an exposed end which is received upon an internal shoulder provided in the mating internally threaded box end. The stiffener ring also has an external shoulder formed at the innermost extent thereof which traps the pin face between the ring exterior and the box threaded interior.
US08167339B2 Resin tube-equipped quick connector
There is provided a resin tube-equipped quick connector capable of connecting a fuel-transporting resin tube to a mating pipe without hindrance even if the resin tube has a small diameter. The quick connector is constructed such that it includes a connector body having a press-fitting portion, and a retainer. On the other hand, a press-fit undergoing portion of the resin tube into which the press-fitting portion is to be press-fitted is beforehand expanded in tube diameter prior to the press-fitting, and the press-fitting portion is press-fitted into the expanded press-fit undergoing portion in a withdrawal-preventing condition to provide the quick connector equipped with the resin tube.
US08167338B2 Non-metallic raceway for wiring and fiber optic cable and method of forming raceway
A continuous, non-metallic conduit for conductors, such as electrical wiring and/or fiber optic cable. The continuous conduit being formed from at least one pair of first and second conduits having enlarged ends coupled together. The enlarged ends are belled or otherwise have a diameter greater than that of the straight run (non-belled) portions of the conduit. The enlarged ends of the conduit being coupled together by fusion or welding, and an internal bead or ridge being formed by the coupling process. The enlarged ends are dimensioned such that the internal bead or ridge formed at the junction between the two enlarged ends does not project radially inward to a position equal to or less than the diameter of the straight run portion of the conduits. The continuous conduit is configured to allow the conductor to be passed therethrough such that the conductor does not contact the internal bead or ridge.
US08167335B2 Fender liner and process for producing the same
The present invention discloses a fender liner attached to a motor vehicle wheel house. The fender liner includes a breathable base material layer produced by forming a fiber assembly into a shape along the wheel house and a protective layer made of waterproof material. The protective layer is superimposed on a surface of the base material layer that is opposite to a side facing the wheel house. The protective layer is provided with a plurality of through-holes that allow air to flow through the protective layer to the surface of the base material layer on which the protective layer is superimposed.
US08167332B2 Folding stroller
A folding stroller of the present invention includes four struts, two sliding members, a fore double bar linkage, an aft double bar linkage and two linking bars. The sliding members are slidably disposed on one of the struts separately. The aft double bar linkage includes two aft bars. The fore double bar linkage includes two fore bars. The aft bars, the fore bars and the linking bars are separately pivotally connected one of the sliding member to one of the struts. As such, users may fold or unfold the folding stroller easily by moving the sliding members.
US08167326B2 Seat cushion
Seat cushions that prevent a seated handicapped individual from sliding forward on the seat, while preventing the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The seat a seat cushion includes a resilient body having a generally rectangular-cuboid-shape. The resilient body includes a frontal portion having a front end and a rear end, and which is fabricated from materials having a first density, and a rear portion having a front end and a rear end, and is fabricated from materials having a second density. The first density is substantially higher than the second density. Preferably, the resilient body is fabricated out of a sturdy foam material. Preferably, the seat cushion further includes a protective cover wrapping the resilient body.
US08167324B2 Caster wheel suspension for a zero-turn mower
A zero-turn mower comprising a zero-turn mower frame, a front axle coupled to the zero-turn mower frame, first and second caster wheel assemblies, and first and second front shock assemblies. The front shock assemblies rotatably and telescopically couple the caster wheel assemblies to the front axle, thereby providing vertical shock absorption. The front axle may be a floating axle that is pivotably coupled to the mower frame and/or the shock assemblies may define an internal spring-receiving chamber that is substantially isolated from the external environment. Such a zero-turn mower may provide a smoother ride and may require less maintenance and repair than conventional zero-turn mowers.
US08167322B2 Stable shop and field welding cart
A portable hand cart particularly suited for carrying a welding system is provided. The cart includes a bottom platform carried by a rectangular bottom frame; a back frame extending upward from the bottom frame and including an angled handle; a top platform carried by a rectangular top frame that is somewhat narrower than the bottom frame; a front frame extending upward from the front sides of the bottom frame; two front wheels; two back pneumatic wheels; a lower tank frame extending rearward from the back bottom frame and supporting a tank platform; and an upper tank cradle extending rearward from the back of the top frame. The cart is stable and balanced both in a shop and in the field when loaded with a welding system and with or without a compressed gas cylinder.
US08167319B2 Stabilizer apparatus for vehicle
A stabilizer apparatus including: (a) torsion bars; (b) a cylinder device including a movable piston and cooperating with the piston to define a fluid chamber accommodating therein a working fluid; and (c) a mechanism configured to hold the piston in a movement end position when the torsion bars are positioned in a neutral angular position, move the piston away from the movement end position when the torsion bars are rotated away from the neutral angular position, and move the piston toward the movement end position when the torsion bars are rotated toward the neutral angular position. The apparatus is capable of switching between a state that allows the piston to be moved in both the opposite directions by allowing outflow and inflow of the working fluid from and into the fluid chamber and another state that allows the piston to be moved only toward the movement end position by allowing only one of the outflow and inflow of the working fluid.
US08167317B2 Wheelchair attachments
Attachments for a manual wheelchair are provided for navigating a wheelchair over obstacles and uneven terrain, such as a typical curb on a street. The attachments provide for regulating the movement of the wheelchair as the wheelchair descends the curb and to prevent the wheelchair from flipping over during such movement. The attachments include a front caster wheel slider assembly on each side of the wheelchair, a follower wheel assembly and a track belt damping bar. The front caster wheel slider assembly includes a piston that will quickly push the front caster wheels down after they roll over the top edge of the curb. The follower wheel assembly acts as a sensor that will release the piston in the assembly after the front caster wheels roll over the top edge of the curb. As the back wheels of the wheelchair roll over and down the curb, the track belt damping bar slows the descent of the wheelchair.
US08167306B2 Inertial flattening apparatus for note processing
The present invention provides an apparatus for maintaining surface smoothness of note as they pass through a high speed processing machine. A note fed into the processing machine is carried through the machine by a series of conveyor belts. The note is conveyed past a line scan camera that records the note as it crosses a gap while passing from a first conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt that is approximately orthogonal to the first conveyor belt. A curved note guide redirects the path of the note as it crosses the gap between the conveyor belts. The inertia of the note causes it to remain flush against the surface of the curved guide, allowing the line scan camera to record each line of the surface of the note with equal resolution.
US08167303B2 Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
To prevent deviation in a processing position of a sheet bundle caused by buckling of the sheet bundle and handle a number of diversified kinds of sheets without increasing the size of apparatuses, a sheet processing apparatus and a image forming apparatus includes a pair of saddle entrance rollers which discharges a sheet; a stack tray which stacks the sheet discharged by the roller pair; a gripping member which grips the rear end portion of the sheet in the discharging direction which is stacked by the tray; a gripper which grips the front end portion of the sheet in the discharging direction which is stacked by the tray; and a stapler, etc., which processes a sheet bundle at a processing position, wherein the gripping member and the gripper grip the sheet bundle stacked by the tray and move the sheet bundle to the processing position in cooperation with each other.
US08167298B2 Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus provided therewith
A sheet feeding device includes: a sheet feeding tray adapted to stack a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets thereon; a blowing section which blows air against a leading edge of the sheet bundle in a sheet conveyance direction from a front side of the sheet conveyance direction; a sticking and conveying section which sticks an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet feeding tray by air sucking, and feeds the uppermost sheet to a conveyance roller; a sucking duct provided inside the sticking and conveying section, which is divided into a plurality of ducts in the sheet conveyance direction; and an intercepting member which intercepts at least one of the plurality of divided ducts.
US08167294B2 Tray, sheet post-processing apparatus, and sheet-alignment method
According to one embodiment, a tray includes a take on surface on which a sheet is placed, a projecting portion configured to stick out from the take on surface, and a slip stopper including a sheet-slip stopper portion having a larger frictional coefficient with the sheet than the take on surface has. The slip stopper sticks the sheet-slip stopper portion out from the take on surface when the sheet comes into contact with the projecting portion.
US08167291B2 Pin stop jaw plate
A jaw plate for a vise including a selectively extendable pin for locating a workpiece. An exemplary jaw plate may be installed in a workholding device, such as a vise, which may be used to hold a workpiece proximate a machine tool. An exemplary jaw plate includes a plurality of pins at predetermined locations along the jaw plate's front face. The pins may be individually selectively extended or retracted by an operator. In their extended positions, the pins may assist the operator in locating the workpiece relative to the machine tool in a correct and repeatable position.
US08167289B2 Clamping element for workpieces, in particular a vice
This invention relates to a clamping element for workpieces, in particular a vice (10, 33, 40), comprising a first clamping jaw (12, 34, 41) and a second clamping jaw (13, 35, 42), which are mounted on a carriage bed (11). To avoid bending moments as a result of tensile forces acting on the carriage bed (11), the clamping element of the invention is characterized in that the resultants of the forces introduced by the clamping jaws (12, 13, 34, 35, 41, 42) into the carriage bed (11) as a result of the clamping forces acting on the clamping jaws (12, 13, 34, 35, 41, 42) are located in the plane of the neutral fiber (32) of the carriage bed (11). Preferably, the clamping jaws (12, 13, 41, 42) constitute two-armed levers, a clamping surface (21, 24) being associated to the one lever arm and a push rod (27, 46) engaging the other lever arm.
US08167287B2 Jig
A jig is used for positioning a retaining ring that retains a seal ring in an inner periphery of a blade ring relative to the blade ring that constitutes a gas passage of a turbine. The jig includes a base that determines a measurement point on the blade ring, a shaft arranged displaceably relative to the base, a probe that is fixed to the shaft and determines a measurement point on the retaining ring, and a measuring unit that is arranged in the base and measures a displacement amount of the shaft relative to the base.
US08167286B2 Cylindrical vibration isolating device
A cylindrical vibration isolating device having an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder, an elastic leg having a pair of right and left leg portions to connect the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and, when viewed in the axial direction of the inner cylinder, being formed in a substantially inverted V-shape while placing the inner cylinder in an intermediate position, and a mass projection being provided in the elastic leg such that the mass projection resonates in a frequency range that the elastic leg causes bending resonance. The mass projection is provided outside of an inner restraint line that is a perpendicular line passing an outermost point of an inner restrained portion that is a connected portion between the inner cylinder and the elastic leg.
US08167285B2 Spring latching connectors radially and axially mounted
A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.
US08167283B2 Mount assembly
A mount assembly having a support structure mounted to a frame of a vehicle and a carrier mounted to a vehicle body. The support structure is displaceable relative to the carrier along a central axis (L). The support structure defines an inverted cup having a bottom with an aperture and a cylindrical skirt on a central axis (L) extending below the frame. A lower insulator is disposed between the support structure and a plate allowing the lower insulator to interact with the bottom and cylindrical skirt of the support structure and the plate to isolate forces in a vertical and/or lateral direction. The interaction with the support structure and the plate improves handling of lateral forces seen in a vehicle during driving events such as braking or corning.
US08167276B2 Fence system with insect barrier
A fence system including a fence post and a rail inserted into and supported by the fence post. The rail being an elongated member having a channel or U-shaped cross section defined by a web member and parallel leg members attached to the web member. The rail is inserted into an aperture located in a sidewall of the post. The aperture having a shape or configuration that is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the rail. Accordingly, any gaps between the opening or aperture in the post and the rail, once the rail is inserted into the post, are minimized.
US08167275B1 Rail system and method for assembly
A rail system that may be comprised of various components such as an upper rail, support rail, bottom rail, squash blocks, balusters, post covers, and ancillary components, such as post skirts and caps. In one exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be uniquely designed to accommodate perpendicular and angled installations (e.g., both in the horizontal and vertical planes). Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be easily assembled such that the support hardware is substantially hidden from view after installation, thereby enhancing the appearance of the railing.
US08167272B2 Lubricating systems, lubricant atomizing devices and methods of using the same
A portable hand-held lubricant atomizing device includes an inlet for receiving pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source. A flow control mechanism is associated with the inlet for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas. A lubricant tank includes a wire pulling lubricant. An atomizing chamber is provided in where a lubricant spray is produced using the wire pulling lubricant and pressurized gas. An outlet downstream of the atomizing chamber is sized to deliver the lubricant spray to an inner surface of an outer conduit.
US08167268B2 Dual chamber orifice fitting plate support
Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis.
US08167265B2 Microvalve having magnetic wax plug and flux control method using magnetic wax
Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.
US08167260B2 Window air conditioner adjustable brace
An adjustable brace for supporting a window air conditioner that includes: a pair of interior brackets on the inside adjustably attached to a pair of exterior brackets and a pair of locating brackets on the outside. The pair of interior brackets includes an interior leg extending downwardly from one end and adjustably secured to the wall by interior mounting plates. The pair of exterior brackets includes an exterior leg extending downwardly from one end and adjustably secured to the wall by exterior mounting plates. A cross member adjustably connects the two interior brackets to fit different size air conditioners. The adjustable brace extends through the window to adjustably support the window air conditioner.
US08167258B1 Clamp for connecting two elongated members and method of use
A clamp for perpendicularly connecting two elongated members includes first and second interchangeable half clamps. The half clamps are placed in opposing relationship and tightened around the perpendicular junction of the two elongated members. In one embodiment, the clamp is designed to connect a beam (such as an I-beam) to a ridge (such as that found on a standing seam roof). In another embodiment the clamp is designed to connect two beams together.
US08167256B1 Mounting bracket for classroom board
A mounting bracket allows an electronic whiteboard to be positioned in front of a blackboard. The mounting bracket is attached above the blackboard and extends in front of a portion of the blackboard. A lower portion of the mounting bracket abuts the front of the blackboard. The mounting bracket includes an adjustable portion at the lower end to adjust the distance between the blackboard and the mounting bracket. A standard mounting bracket for the electronic blackboard is attachable to the mounting bracket of the present invention. The height of the standard mounting bracket may be adjusted.
US08167253B2 Flat panel TV stand providing floating appearance
A TV stand for a flat panel TV includes a base with plural shelves and a translucent frame on the top shelf. A rear support holds the TV juxtaposed with the translucent frame with the bottom of the TV above the top shelf, so that the TV appears as though it is floating above the top shelf.
US08167246B1 Tethering system for inflatable airfoils
A tethering system for controlling an inflatable airfoil is provided. The inflatable airfoil has a horizontal center line and a vertical center line. The tethering system includes an airfoil wing secured to the inflatable airfoil. A first forward attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A second forward attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A rear attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A center attachment ring is secured to the inflatable airfoil. A first airfoil reinforcement strap is secured between the first forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A second airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the second forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A third airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the rear attachment ring and the center attachment ring. A control mechanism controls the inflatable airfoil during flight.
US08167244B2 Class divider for aircraft cabin
A class divider for an aircraft passenger cabin is provided. The class divider includes a partition positioned immediately aft of a rear row of seats in a first predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin and an aft-facing panel having a width and height generally corresponding to a width and height of the rear row of seats. One or more passenger convenience features selected from the group of video monitors, tray tables, and magazine storage pockets are provided on the aft-facing panel for use by passengers seated immediately aft of the partition in a front row of a second predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin.
US08167243B2 Systems and methods to provide optical enlargement of passenger interior cabin space
Systems and methods achieve an optical effect of cabin enlargement of a passenger vehicle. The optical effect creates a visual impression of a higher cabin when viewed from the forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and a wider cabin space when viewed from the aft part of the cabin space looking forward. In preferred forms, a series of alternating interdigitated trapezoidal starboard and port headliner modules are disposed adjacent to the cabin headliner. The headliner modules are also preferably arcuately curved about a central elongate axis of the passenger cabin.
US08167241B2 System for opening and closing the flap of a casing for the landing gear of an aircraft
A system for opening and closing the flap of a casing for the landing gear of an aircraft includes a mechanical connection between the landing gear and the flap. The connection includes a first connecting rod which is fixed to the landing gear, and a second connecting rod which is fixed to the flap, the first and second connecting rods being connected by an articulation mechanism.
US08167240B2 System and methods for buoyancy management in an airship
An airship comprising a hull configured to be inflated with a first gas; a ballonet in the hull, the ballonet configured to be inflated with a second gas that is heavier than the first gas; a fan configured to draw the second gas into the ballonet; an inflatable landing system; a duct configured in the ballonet to allow access to components in the airship; and a valve coupled to the ballonet. The valve provides a pathway for air to flow between the ballonet and a plenum chamber, the plenum chamber is formed by the airship, a landing surface, and the inflatable landing system when the inflatable landing system is in contact with the landing surface.
US08167239B2 Turbojet for aircraft, aircraft equipped with such a turbojet, and method for mounting such a turbojet on an aircraft
The disclosed embodiments relates to a jet engine for an aircraft, characterized in that it bears at least one stabilizer, the stabilizer being fastened on the rigid structure of said jet engine so as to form a one-piece assembly. The jet engine can also bear one or more auxiliary devices required for the operation of the jet engine. The disclosed embodiments also relates to an aircraft provided with such a jet engine, and to a method of mounting such a jet engine on an aircraft.
US08167233B2 Coaxial rotor aircraft
A dual, coaxial rotor helicopter is provided that is relatively easy to fly. Thrust is provided by two ducted fans that are mounted at the rear of the aircraft and spaced apart laterally. Differential thrust generated by the fans provides yaw control for the aircraft, and forward thrust is provided by the fans working in combination. The coaxial rotors are preferably utilized primarily for lift, and not for forward thrust, which simplifies the control requirements. The coaxial rotor with ducted fan configuration also results in lower vibratory loads being imposed on the helicopter, thereby increasing its speed capability. The fan ducts serve to protect the fans, augment the fan thrust at low airspeeds, increase the efficiency of the fans at cruise speeds, and provide horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces to ensure aircraft flight stability.
US08167230B2 Endoscopic sheet rolling system
Medical devices and methods are provided for rolling an endoscopic sheet into a tubular configuration.
US08167228B2 Roll recording material transport device and recording apparatus
A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.
US08167223B2 Shredder and auto feed system
An auto feed shredding apparatus has cutter elements for destroying articles and a mechanism for advancing articles from a tray and into the cutter elements for shredding. A method for advancing articles to be shredded is also described. A feed mechanism is used to lift articles from atop a stack and feed them into the shredder mechanism. The articles in the tray may be lifted via exhaust of a blower or a fan, and drawn to towards the feed mechanism via a vacuum. The shredder apparatus may also include a stripping device for removing articles that are stapled together. A number of sensors for determining an amount of articles queued in the tray and an accumulation of shredded articles in a container may also be provided. The sensors may be used to perform a predetermined operation of the shredder, such as alerting a user of an overload or shredding articles.
US08167220B2 Headpiece for actuator
In one embodiment there is provided an end fitment for use with an actuator used from drawing fluid from a container through a tube, the actuator has a depression face and a neck extending there from for connection to a corner end extending downwardly for securing the end fitment thereto. The end fitment further including a lower end for attaching to a headpiece. The headpiece has a concaved bottom surface that transitions to a surrounding side surface and has a plurality of openings positioned about the bottom surface for ejecting a fluid within the container. The plurality of openings are positioned into a pair of concentric rows, defined as a first concentric row of openings positioned within a second concentric row of openings.
US08167217B2 Rapid-response thermostatic element as well as a cartridge and valve that are equipped with this element
A thermostatic element includes a metal cup that contains a material, which can expand and contract according to variation in its temperature, and is provided on an inside thereof with an insert that separates its inside volume (V1) into at least two cavities for storing the material. The thermostatic element also includes a piston which is axially reciprocally movable relative to the cup depending on whether the material expands or contracts. The insert includes at least one opening there through for enabling passage of the material between the at least two cavities.
US08167215B2 Thermostatic mixing valves utilizing wave springs
A thermostatic mixing valve for hot and cold water has a valve member for controlling the relative proportions of hot and cold water admitted to a mixing chamber according to user selection of a desired water temperature and a thermostat responsive to the mixed water temperature to adjust the position of the valve member to maintain constant the selected water temperature. The valve member is biased by a return spring in the form of a wave spring having a plurality of turns with transverse waves configured such that adjacent turns sit peak to peak. The wave spring is strong in compression and weak in torsion allowing the ends of the spring to move laterally to accommodate any misalignment in the components of the valve.
US08167205B2 Card reader with first operation part and second operation part
A card reader may include a first card operation part having a first reproducing and recording part, a first feeding passage, and a first card pressing mechanism structured to press the card toward a first card feeding reference face, and a second card operation part having a second reproducing and recording part, a second feeding passage, and a second card pressing mechanism structured to press the card toward a second card feeding reference face which is formed on the opposite side to the first card feeding reference face. The first and second card operation parts may be adjacently disposed in a feeding direction of the card. The first and second reproducing and recording parts may be disposed in a substantially point-symmetrical manner.
US08167197B2 Conversion system, terminal and method for paying with E-money
A conversion system includes a terminal apparatus for paying with one of a plurality of different types of e-money, and an intermediate server which issues intermediate e-money to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus has an algorithm storage unit which stores an algorithm to convert intermediate money into one of said plurality of different types of e-money, and an e-money conversion unit to convert the intermediate e-money, which is different from the plurality of different types of e-money, into one of the plurality of different types of e-money.
US08167193B2 Packaging container
A packaging container for containing an object includes a substantially square-shaped first sheet member and a substantially square-shaped second sheet member overlaid on one another and forming four sides. At least one of the four sides forms an opening from which the object can be inserted. The packaging container also includes a first flap adjacent to the first sheet member through a first fold line at the opening, including a first cover piece to cover one half of the opening when folded, and a second flap adjacent to the second sheet member through a second fold line at the opening, including a second cover piece to cover another half of the opening when folded. The first flap and the second flap are provided at the opening so as not to overlap each other, and the first cover piece and the second cover piece cover substantially all the opening when folded.
US08167187B2 Method and device for producing a bondable area region on a carrier
A method and a device is provided for levelling an area region on the surface of a metal or metallization layer of a carrier. The area region is made planar by the action of a stamp or of a roller.
US08167185B2 Surgical instrument having recording capabilities
A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.
US08167184B2 Magazine for use with a nail driving tool
A magazine includes a storage for receiving and storing a plurality of strips of nails, and a driving device for driving the strips along a feeding plane towards an outlet end for feeding the tool with the nails. The storage stores the nail strips in a side-by-side relationship relative to one another. Each nail strip is stacked in a plane roughly perpendicular to the feeding plane. The magazine further has a transporting device for taking one nail strip out of the plurality of stored nail strips and moving it to a pivoting station where the one nail strip is to be pivoted into the feeding plane. The driving device is arranged for driving the pivoted nail strip from the pivoting station towards the outlet end.
US08167182B2 Electric driving machine
An electric driving machine includes a remaining fastener sensor 257 which detects the amount of fasteners (e.g., nails) remaining, in an aligned and held manner, in a magazine 2 and which generates a residual-quantity signal (a signal showing depletion of fasteners) when the amount of remaining fasteners has decreased to a predetermined level or less; a remaining fastener detection circuit 406 which outputs a control signal (a signal of level 0) for controlling control means (299, 283, and other means) in accordance with an input of the residual-quantity signal (a switch-on signal) generated by the remaining fastener sensor 257; and a delay circuit 401 for delaying the remaining signal (the ON signal) generated by the remaining fastener sensor 257 by a predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 milliseconds) and inputs the thus-delayed remaining signal to the remaining fastener detection circuit 256 (406).
US08167181B2 Motorcycle saddlebag
A motorcycle saddlebag is formed of a plurality of panels. The saddlebag includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a lid, and a hinge. Some embodiments may also include a bottom panel. The lid is coupled to the outer panel by the hinge. The inner panel includes flanges extending around at least some of its perimeter edges. The outer panel is generally U-shaped shaped and receives the inner panel such that the flanges engage inner surfaces of the outer panel. The flanges are joined to the inner surfaces of the outer panel such that the outer and inner panel (and, in some embodiments, a bottom panel) cooperate to define a storage chamber. In some embodiments, portions of the outer panel extend beyond the inner panel and may be trimmed after bonding of the inner and outer panels to customize an inner contour of the saddlebag for different motorcycle applications.
US08167177B1 Hands free hydration system
A hydration system for hydrating a user is provided. The user having a hand with fingers and a palm and a wrist connected to the hand. The hydration system comprises a glove portion having a first side and a second side and a wrist portion. A water reservoir is attached to the wrist portion. A water pump is secured to the first side of the glove portion. A first tube connects the water pump to the water reservoir with the first tube spanning the distance between the glove portion and the wrist portion and fluidly connected to both the water pump and the water reservoir. A spritzer is secured to the second side of the glove portion. A second tube connects the water reservoir to the spritzer with the second tube spanning the distance between the wrist portion and the glove portion and fluidly connected to both the water reservoir and the spritzer wherein as the water pump is depressed by the user, air is forced through the first tube into the water dispenser causing the water in the water reservoir to travel from the water reservoir through the second tube and out the spritzer.
US08167172B2 Compressed gas / carbon dioxide / hydraulic fluid dispenser
A fluid dispensing apparatus having a) a compressed gas or CO2 cartridge controller, b) a hydraulic pressure medium connected to the CO2 cartridge controller, c) a flow control valve connected to the hydraulic pressure medium; and d) a hydraulic piston connected to the hydraulic pressure medium, whereby a CO2 cartridge applies pressure to the hydraulic pressure medium controlled by the CO2 cartridge controller, the flow control valve is operated to precisely meter hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic piston, and the hydraulic piston provides the linear force to dispense a fluid product with similar and matching regulation under pressure. A rotary valve can be provided to use spent CO2 to retract the piston.
US08167170B2 Adhesive dispenser system
A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.
US08167169B2 Reservoir for liquid dispensing system with enhanced mixing
Reservoir for a dispense system designed to maintain a suspending fluid flow within the reservoir. The fluid dispense system is particularly well suited to be manufactured in a single-use format comprising a fluid reservoir and fill tube assembly, particularly comprising a reservoir, tubing, fittings and connectors, and a needle. The system ensures uniformity within the liquid by moving the fluid through the product reservoir such as with a continuous or pulsating flow, and is designed to maintain the fluid in motion in order to maintain a homogenous solution. The reservoir is designed to minimize any fluid dead zones.
US08167163B2 Cooking pot having a lid supported on the pot in an upright position
A pot comprises a pot body having at least one handle and a pot lid having a lifting handle for covering the pot body. The pot lid is connected with the lifting handle by the lower end of a fixed portion of the lifting handle. The lifting handle is provided with a handle portion extending towards the outer edge of the pot lid from the upper end of the fixed portion. The handle of the pot body is provided with a pilot recess adapted to receive the tail of the handle portion. The tail of the handle portion is inserted into the pilot recess or lean against the outer edge of the pot body at the internal side, while the top surface of the pot lid leans against the upper portion of the inner wall of the pot body at two points, so as to ensure the pot lid to be laterally and stably retained on the pot body when the pot lid is laterally placed on the pot body. The pot according to the present invention within the configuration described above does eliminate the inconvenience, when the food in the pot is cooked without the lid, the pot lid has to be rested on a counter top, which not only takes up room, but could cause residue to drip onto the countertop.
US08167161B2 Metallic container closure having internal pressure release function
A metallic container closure comprising a shell of a thin metal sheet having a circular top panel wall 7 and a skirt wall 9, and a synthetic resin liner arranged in the shell, the skirt wall 9 having a thread-forming region and an annular groove 17 positioned at an upper end portion of the thread-forming region, wherein an internal pressure release line A extending in the circumferential direction is arranged in the skirt wall 9 at a portion over the annular groove 17, and annular bead 30 is arranged so as to pass through between the internal pressure release line A and the annular groove 17. The metallic container closure effectively releases the gas when the pressure in the container is elevated and effectively prevents the skirt wall from being deformed at a portion where the internal pressure release line A is formed when it is being wrap-seamed with the mouth-and-neck portion of the container.
US08167158B2 Folding container
A folding container includes a lock member L disposed on each of side walls 3 brought down first, the lock member L including a pair of lock bars Lb movable in a horizontal direction and one operation portion La, an inclined spring member 12 provided in the operation portion and including a tip portion placed in a spring receiving and supporting block 3n formed on each of the side walls brought down first, a cam hole portion 21a formed in each of the lock bars and into which a driven short shaft 15 formed on the operation portion is inserted, and a spring member 22 formed on each of the lock bars and configured to come into abutting contact with a spring member abutting block 3x formed on each of the side walls brought down first, so that when the lock bars are moved in a direction in which the lock bars approach each other, the operation portion is prevented from being moved by movement of the lock bars in the direction in which the lock bars approach each other.
US08167157B2 Assembly of panels foldable to form a container
A box is collapsible in such a manner that it can form a flat stack of panels, each of which corresponds to one side of the box. When the box is configured as a flat stack of panels, it is relatively compact and, therefore, easy to store. When the collapsible box is configured as a box, it is sturdy and strong. The collapsible box has latching elements that can temporarily connect adjacent sides of the box to one another. Typically, a person can latch and unlatch the latching elements with his or her hand. The box is typically transparent and, therefore, well suited for displaying ornamental items, such as ornate hats.
US08167156B2 Convertible child-resistant vial
The convertible child-resistant vial includes a container having an aperture and a peripheral wall and being provided with a first connection element in the form of contiguous locking and freeing housings provided in a collar extending from the peripheral wall; and a cap hingedly mounted to the container integrally thereof and including a second connection element for cooperating with the first connection element to close the vial in a child safe-manner. The second connection element is in the form of a tooth which is easily removable to convert the child-resistant vial into a non-child-resistant vial. The vial can be molded in a one piece body. The integral mounting of the cap to the container allows easing the distribution and handling of the vial.
US08167155B2 Beverage mixing device with two mixed beverages
A beverage mixing device includes a primary container, a secondary container mounted in the primary container, a diaphragm removably mounted on the secondary container to seal the lower end of the secondary container, a sliding member movably mounted in the secondary container and having a lower end provided with a cutting blade that is movable to penetrate the diaphragm to connect the secondary container to the primary container and an upper end provided with a helical driven portion, and a top cap removably mounted on the primary container and provided with a helical drive portion abutting the helical driven portion of the sliding member to push the sliding member toward the diaphragm by rotation of the top cap relative to the sliding member.
US08167154B2 Electrohydraulic leak compensation
The invention relates to an electro-hydraulic leak compensating device for a mobile crane lowering brake system in an open hydraulic circuit with a hydraulic motor (5) coupled with a lifting unit (6,7), a lowering brake valve (4) and a mechanical brake (9), with a pressure sensor (13) which measures the hydraulic pressure prevailing on the load side of the hydraulic motor (5) in the hydraulic circuit and on the side of the lifting conduit (3) before the mechanical brake (9) is closed, in particular immediately before it is closed, as well as a method of electro-hydraulically compensating for leaks of a mobile crane lowering brake system in an open hydraulic circuit with a hydraulic motor (5) coupled with a lifting unit (6,7), a lowering brake valve (4) and a mechanical brake (9), comprising the following method steps: measuring the hydraulic actual pressure prevailing on the load side of the hydraulic motor (5) before the mechanical brake (9) is closed, in particular immediately before it is closed; determining a desired pressure by setting off the measured actual pressure against a previously determined value depending on the load state; generating the desired pressure in the volume (12) before the mechanical brake (9) is opened.
US08167153B1 Hoist platform and scaffolding attachment means
A support system for use on mast climbing scaffolding systems comprising a plate system with integral fastening components that attach along outer edges of a horizontal surface of the scaffolding assembly is herein disclosed. The system is utilized to mount a hoisting device to lift building tools, supplies and materials. The system may be folded thereinto a compact configuration for transport between job sites.
US08167152B1 Variable height and angle panel mounting systems, methods, and apparatus
A variable angle panel mounting system can include at least one variable-angle panel mounting member, which in turn includes an elongate support member and an angularly-adjustable mounting plate adapted to secure an end of the elongate support member to a plurality of mounting surface angles. In some embodiments, the variable angle panel mounting system may also include a pressure-fit mounting system. These components can provide the ability to angularly and vertically adjust the variable-angle panel mounting member between opposing support surfaces.
US08167148B2 Convertible instrument rack
A convertible instrument rack includes a frame and multiple yoke sets. The frame includes support members and the yoke sets each include at least three yoke members which are each placed on a respective one of the support members. The respective position of the support members can be selectively shifted on the frame and the yoke members can be selectively shifted along their respective support member to accommodate tubas or sousaphones, as well as tubas or sousaphones of different sizes.
US08167142B2 Filter cartridge for liquid filtration; assembly; and, methods
A liquid filter cartridge is provided. Preferred seal arrangements are provided, to provide for preferred axial load conditions, with respect to one or more of the end caps of the cartridge. Some cartridge configurations provided include no core structure or outer liner structure therein, to support axial load. Assemblies using the cartridge, and methods of assembly and use, are provided. The liquid filter cartridge can be a serviceable cartridge, or it can be retained permanently in a housing.
US08167130B2 Rapid deployment first aid kit and system for refilling
A first aid kit organized with pockets containing first aid and emergency preparedness supplies and equipment and a system for refilling. Each pocket in the kit contains supplies and equipment useful in providing initial care for a particular illness or injury and is quickly identified through textual labels and transparent elements. The pockets are connected into a strip of pockets which is folded to fit within a case. The strip of pockets is easily deployed from the case facilitating rapid and accurate identification, selection, and acquisition of items appropriate for initial care of a particular illness or injury by comprehensive visual presentation of the organizational scheme and the supplies and pieces of equipment themselves.
US08167129B2 Food tray with non-slip inserts
A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip on serving tray and food container.
US08167122B2 Apparatus and cartridge for storage of compressed hydrogen gas
An apparatus for storage of compressed hydrogen gas is provided. The apparatus includes a sealed housing having an outlet pipe coupled to the housing and equipped with a controllable discharge valve. The sealed housing defines a chamber that includes a cartridge comprising an assembly of at least two different types of micro-containers configured for accumulating and storing said compressed hydrogen gas. The apparatus also includes a hydrogen liberating tool configured for controllable liberating the hydrogen gas from the cartridge into a volume of the chamber that is not occupied by the cartridge. The apparatus is controlled by a control system operatively coupled to the controllable discharge valve and the hydrogen liberating tool, and configured for controlling operation thereof.
US08167117B2 Method and apparatus for handling rolls
A sorting deck for paper, board, or pulp rolls has a plane (1) for transporting the rolls and controllable stops (2) for holding the rolls in place and releasing them. The stops (2) are positioned to form at least one line (3) in placed consecutively in the longitudinal direction (4) of the plane (1), and at least one row (5), in which the stops (2) are positioned adjacently to each other along the lateral direction (6) of the plane (1). At least some of the stops (2) are a collector (41) and a feeder (42), both of which can be moved freely between the hold and release positions, so that the travel of the rolls over the stop (2) can be optionally prevented, freely permitted, or permitted one roll at a time. The same sorting deck can be used to handle rolls of different widths.
US08167116B2 Reducing drag on the web of a positive displacement sorter
A method of reducing drag on the web of a positive displacement sorter is used with a web made up of a plurality of parallel slats interconnected at their opposite ends with chain assemblies in an endless loop. A plurality of pusher shoes each travel along at least one of said slats. The sorter further includes a driven sprocket assembly and a non-driven sprocket assembly. Each of the sprocket assemblies includes at least two sprockets on a shaft, each for engaging one of the chain assemblies. The sprocket assemblies support the chain assemblies at opposite ends of the web. The method includes auditing the sorter including determining if the slats are skewed with respect to the direction of travel of the web. If it is determined that the slats are skewed, then the chain assemblies and the non-driven sprocket assembly are modified. The chain assemblies are modified by adding side thrust wheels on opposite sides of the web. The non-driven sprocket is modified by locking the sprockets to the shaft such that the sprockets rotate together.
US08167114B2 System and method for product removal
A product removal method that includes providing a blade adjacent a conveyor belt along a path of the conveyor belt and operating the conveyor belt. A product removal system that has a rod oriented generally parallel to a conveyor drum is disclosed. A frame is rotatably carried by the rod and has a first portion extending adjacent a conveyor belt curved path and a second portion extending adjacent a return plane of the conveyor belt. A blade is adjacent the first portion. A product removal system for an oven is disclosed that has scraper assemblies rotationally biased about an axis of rotation.
US08167110B2 Coin discrimination apparatus
A coin discrimination apparatus according to the present invention which discriminates a bimetallic coin having a ring part, and a core part provided on an inner side of the ring part and composed of a different material from that of the ring part, includes: a conveyor which conveys the bimetallic coin; a ring sensor which is arranged at a position where only the ring part of the bimetallic coin conveyed by the conveyor transits, and which detects magnetic properties; and a core sensor which is arranged at a position where the core part of the bimetallic coin conveyed by the conveyor transit, and which detects magnetic properties.
US08167108B2 Clutch, continuously variable transmission, engine unit including them, and straddle-type vehicle including them
A clutch includes a clutch inner and a clutch outer that houses the clutch inner and that transmits or interrupts torque between itself and the clutch inner. The clutch outer has a thick portion that has a larger thickness than the other portions of the clutch outer. A position-of-center-of-gravity adjusting portion for bringing the center of gravity of the clutch close to the axial center of a driven shaft is formed at a position separate from the axial center of the driven shaft of the thick portion. Efficiency of manufacture work of bringing the position of the center of gravity close to the center of rotation is thereby enhanced.
US08167100B2 Damping device
A damping device comprises an axle, a housing, a unidirectional member, and a damping oil. The unidirectional member in cross section is formed like a T-shape, and a top portion thereof is formed as an arc to cooperate with the housing's inner wall. Where the unidirectional member contains a U-shaped slot is defined oil holes interlaced with the gap of the first slot wall. The lifting of the cover generates little damping and the closing thereof generates a variable and yet optimal damping. The undersized unidirectional member also adds strength to the structure. The diminished cross-section of the unidirectional member contributes to a smaller U-shaped slot.
US08167098B2 Brake dust collecting device for motor vehicles
A brake dust collecting device for a motor vehicle has a dust collecting unit and an air flow generating device that generates an air flow that flows across brake parts of a motor vehicle wheel brake and that supplies brake dust of the wheel brake to the dust collecting unit. The air flow generating device has a rotatable fan blade and the dust collecting unit is a filter element.
US08167096B2 Electromechanically or pneumatically actuable disc brake, in particular for a commercial vehicle
An electromechanically or pneumatically operable disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle, includes a brake caliper, which straddles a brake disc, a brake application device arranged in the brake caliper, and at least one electromechanically drivable adjusting device for adjusting a clearance between the brake pads and the brake disc. In order to operate the adjusting device, an electric motor is actively connected to the assigned brake pistons. The disc brake is designed such that the brake pistons are connected to the respective brake pad via spring elements that can be displaced in a direction of displacement.
US08167094B2 Elevator apparatus
Provided is an elevator apparatus including a first electromagnetic switch and a second electromagnetic switch provided between a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil of a first brake device and a second brake device and a power source. The brake control section includes: a first electromagnetic coil control switch provided between the first electromagnetic coil and a ground section; a second electromagnetic coil control switch provided between the second electromagnetic coil and the ground section; a first processing section for opening and closing the first electromagnetic switch and the first electromagnetic coil control switch in response to a braking operation command issued from an operation control section; and a second processing section for opening and closing the second electromagnetic switch and the second electromagnetic coil control switch in response to the braking operation command.
US08167090B2 Apparatus for safely lowering user from structure
An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the cable and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and securely attached to the frame; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support, spool and frame to descend at a safe rate for the user. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the frame and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and attached to the cable; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support to descend at a safe rate for the user.
US08167089B2 Liftable scaffold
A system for lifting a platform includes a frame attached to the platform. The invention has at least one upright member having equally spaced holes longitudinally aligned, with each of the holes having an upper surface and a lower surface. A motor is attached to the frame, and a pinion is driven by the motor. The frame carries the motor and pinion. The pinion has a plurality of equally spaced teeth that radially extend from the pinion. Each tooth has a roller that is freely rotatable about its axis. The rollers roll over the lower surface of the holes when the motor rotates the pinion in a direction to raise or lower the frame and platform. A safety dog is attached to the frame to prevent the platform from falling if a motor were to fail.
US08167084B1 Sound suppressor
A sound suppressor suppresses sound and flash by creating interacting paths of gas. While a first portion of the gas follows a first path through the suppressor, a second portion of the gas is diverted radially from the first path to a second path and then repeatedly made to cross the first path by a series of baffles with alternating radial passages so that the two portions of gas interfere and interact with each other, and therefore quickly give up much of their kinetic energy before they exit the suppressor. Preferably, the baffles defining the second path impart a swirl to the second portion of gas to cause the present suppressor to flush itself of carbon and metal particles. The interaction of the two portions also accelerates completion of combustion of the gas to thereby reduce flash.
US08167082B2 Seismic transducers having improved polygonal baseplates and methods of use
Methods and systems are provided for inducing seismic energy waves in a subterranean formation. More specifically, seismic transducers are provided that incorporate enhanced seismic baseplates. In certain embodiments, baseplates comprise certain enhancements such as having a perimeter in the shape of a polygon, such as, a hexagon or an octagon. In other embodiments, the perimeter of the baseplate may take the form of a polygon having n sides, where n is any integer greater than 4. Advantages of such baseplate enhancements include, but are not limited to, a reduction of baseplate harmonics or ringing, enhanced baseplate strength so as to reduce baseplate fatigue or failure, a reduction of baseplate flexure, and a consequent reduction of baseplate weight resulting in a more responsive baseplate. These advantages ultimately translate to improved seismic surveys, having higher resolution of the formations surveyed and resulting in surveys reaching greater depths.
US08167080B2 Grader controls at armrest
A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly, or by a console and structure independent of the operator seat assembly of the motor grader. The joysticks are positioned such that they are easy to reach while the operator's arms are supported by armrests supported by the operator seat assembly or structure independent of the operator seat assembly.
US08167079B2 Auto clutch system
The presented system is a full-mechanical system composed of 60 metal parts all of which parts are made of steel and iron metals. This system is placed in the deck of vehicles and over the car mat and connected to clutch and gas pedals such that it connects gas and clutch pedals through levers. This system is fixed in its place through two levers called “fulcrum shafts” such that head of these two levers are placed in a due place avoiding any slide helping to install the system tightly in its due place.
US08167078B2 Work vehicle
An object is to provide a work vehicle whose drive portion can be downsized. An engine having an engine output shaft, an electric motor driven by a battery which is attached integrally to the engine output shaft so as to drive the engine output shaft, a traveling drive portion having a transmission connected to the engine output shaft and a traveling drive shaft which is rotated by the transmission and which moves the traveling wheels, a work drive portion selectively performing work by means of power from the engine output shaft, a generator charging the battery, a traveling regeneration portion transmitting regenerative energy of the traveling drive portion to the generator, a work regeneration portion transmitting regenerative energy of a fork drive portion to the generator, and a one-way clutch for traveling and a one-way clutch for work provided, respectively, to the traveling regeneration portion and the work regeneration portion, which suppress transmission of motive power from the generator, are included.
US08167073B2 Snowmobile rear suspension system
A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact. The tensioner is extendable and retractable during movement of the suspension assembly to maintain the closed loop track at a generally uniform tension during assembly movement.
US08167072B2 Vehicle with space utilization
A utility vehicle with space utilization features is disclosed. The space utilization features provide storage and access to components.
US08167070B2 Battery temperature regulating system and method for an electric vehicle, battery housing box for an electric vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A battery housing structure, in an electric vehicle, is operable to regulate a temperature of a battery disposed between front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The battery housing structure includes a main housing body for receiving the battery, inlet and outlet ports for respectively supplying air to and discharging air from the main housing body; and a fan for discharging air from the main housing body. A bypass passage is provided in the battery housing structure for selectively connecting a downstream side of the fan with the inlet ports. First and second air flow control valves are also provided in the battery housing structure for selectively controlling and routing the flow of air within the battery housing structure.
US08167065B2 Method for dynamic torque coordination of power units of a hybrid drive of a vehicle, and corresponding device
A method and device for dynamic torque coordination of power units of a hybrid drive of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The method has a plurality of successive coordination stages, each coordination stage being assigned an operating range for at least one of the power units, and each coordination stage making at least one demand on a first power unit and/or a second power unit as a function of an overall setpoint torque requested from the hybrid drive, a subsequent coordination state having an enlarged operating range compared to a preceding coordination stage, and the subsequent coordination stage is used if the demand was unable to be satisfied within the operating range of the assigned coordination stage.
US08167063B2 Power plant
A power plant 1 for driving driven parts DW and DW includes a prime mover 3, and first and second generator-motors 20, 30. The first generator-motor 20 is comprised of a first stator 22, a first rotor 21 formed by magnets, and a second rotor 23 formed by soft magnetic material elements and disposed between the first stator 22 and the first rotor 21. The second generator-motor 30 is comprised of a second stator 32, a third rotor 31 formed by magnets, and a fourth rotor 33 formed by soft magnetic material elements and disposed between the second stator 32 and the third rotor 31. The first and fourth rotors 21, 33 are mechanically connected to the driven parts DW and DW, and the second and third rotors 23, 31 are mechanically connected to an output shaft 3a of the prime mover 3.
US08167061B2 Electric powered cart for moving loads
A cart for moving loads includes a frame supported on wheels, a source of electric power supported on the frame, a drive system including a traction motor connected to the power source for driving a wheel secured to the frame and contacting ground, and a controller for adjusting a rotary direction of the drive wheel in response to selected states of an input to the controller.
US08167060B2 Apparatus and method for conveyance and control of a high pressure hose in jet drilling operations
A jetting hose is conveyed downhole retracted within a tubing string for jetting lateral boreholes from a main wellbore, is released at the jetting depth and pumped from the tubing string and into a lateral borehole with jetting fluid. A piston is secured to the upper end of the jetting hose, and the pumped jetting fluid drives the piston. A speed control regulates the penetration rate of the jetting hose into the formation independent of the tubing string weight.
US08167059B2 Casing and liner drilling shoes having spiral blade configurations, and related methods
A casing bit, which may comprise a composite structure, for drilling a casing section into a subterranean formation, and which may include a portion configured to be drilled therethrough, is disclosed. Cutting elements and methods of use are disclosed. Adhesive, solder, electrically disbonding material, and braze affixation of a cutting element are disclosed. Differing abrasive material amount, characteristics, and size of cutting elements are disclosed. Telescoping casing sections and bits are disclosed. Aspects and embodiments are disclosed including: at least one gage section extending from a nose portion, at least one rotationally trailing groove formed in at least one of a plurality of blades, a movable blade, a leading face comprising superabrasive material, at least one of a drilling fluid nozzle and a sleeve, grooves for preferential failure, at least one rolling cone affixed to the nose portion, at least one sensor, discrete cutting element retention structures, and percussion inserts.
US08167057B2 Intrusion resistant apparatus and method
An intrusion-resistant apparatus may include a magnetic memory array disposed with an enclosure. The magnetic memory may include a plurality of magnetic memory elements, each adapted to store a binary value only in the presence of a predetermined bias magnetic field having a magnetic field strength and direction within predetermined limits. Means for providing the predetermined bias magnetic field and an encryption/decryption engine may be disposed within the enclosure. An encryption/decryption key may be stored in the magnetic memory array. The encryption/decryption key may be used by the encryption/decryption engine to encrypt and decrypt data.
US08167053B2 Powered mobile module and attachment combination
Various attachments (different dozer blade arrangements, a gantry crane, large auger) are designed for use with multiple identical powered mobile modules including a main support frame housing an internal combustion engine as a prime mover and being supported on either powered tracks or wheels. The modules can be either equipped with a cab and manned or used without a cab and controlled remotely. One or more of the mobile modules may be equipped with a GPS unit to aid in positioning the associated attachment.
US08167051B2 Selective agitation
A fluid actuated downhole tool for inducing movement of a downhole apparatus is described. The tool comprises a body for coupling to downhole apparatus, the body being adapted to accommodate now of fluid therethrough and including a flow-modifying arrangement for modifying the flow of fluid through the body. The flow-modifying arrangement is configurable in an inactive configuration and in an active configuration. The fluid activated tool is selectively operated from the surface by varying an operating condition which causes the flow through the tool to either bypass or flow through the flow-modifying arrangement to induce movement of the downhole apparatus.
US08167039B2 Method of fracturing a subterranean formation at optimized and pre-determined conditions
Prior to a hydraulic fracturing treatment, the requisite median diameter of a proppant, dprop, into a fracture of defined length, DPST, may be estimated in accordance with Equation (I): (dprop)2=(A)×(1/qi)×(DPST)B×(1/CTRANS)×(1/ΔSGPS)×(μfluid)  (I) wherein: A is the multiplier and B is the exponent from the Power Law equation of velocity of the transport slurry vs. distance for the fracture geometry; qi is the injection rate per foot of injection height, bpm/ft; CTRANS is the transport coefficient; ΔSGPS is SGprop−SGfluid, SGprop being the specific gravity of the proppant and SGfluid being the specific gravity of the transport fluid; and μfluid is the apparent viscosity of the transport fluid, in cP.
US08167036B2 Method for in-situ combustion of in-place oils
A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting oxygen into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, establishing a combustion front wherein hot combustion gases rise at the combustion front, withdrawing hot combustion gases from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and extracting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.
US08167033B2 Packer with non-extrusion ring
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having a non-extrusion ring. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of hard segments and an elastic matrix.
US08167030B2 Micro-evaporator
A micro-evaporator is disclosed which is easy to manipulate and can be operated problem-free over a large temperature range. The micro-evaporator has micro-evaporator channels in a trapezoidal region, comprising an inlet region opening in the liquid feed chamber with a small diameter, and an outlet region opening into the vapor collecting chamber with a large diameter.
US08167026B2 Collector tank for a multi-row heat exchanger
A collector tank for a heat exchanger of an automotive cooling system includes a one-piece tank element comprising a first collecting region and a second collecting region, wherein at least one of the first collecting region and the second collecting region comprises a projection; a base that closes off the collecting regions of the tank element, the base comprising at least one channel; a sealing element disposed within the at least one channel; and a stress generating means located adjacent to the channel and clamping at least a portion of the one-piece tank element to the base such that the sealing element is compressed between the projection and the base within the channel. The stress generating means is a means selected from the group consisting of a tensile stress generating means, a compressive stress generating means, and a combination thereof.
US08167024B2 Method and associated electromagnetic apparatus for rotating molten metal in a slabs continuous casting ingot mould
Four distinct polyphased inductors for a travelling magnetic field and mounted with two inductors per large side on the large sides of the ingot mold, the inductors placed side by side on a same large side of the ingot mold and producing driving forces that push the molten metal, along the width of the ingot mold, both in the same direction, which is a direction opposite to that of the driving forces produced by the two inductors placed opposite on the other large side.
US08167023B2 Apparatus for centrifugal casting under vacuum
An apparatus for centrifugal casting under vacuum includes a rotor having a shaft extending in an essentially vertical direction and being rotatable around an axis defined by the shaft. The rotor has at least one mold, at least one crucible, and a gas-tight housing in which the mold and the crucible are accommodated. The apparatus also includes a vacuum source to create a vacuum in the housing, a heating device that melts a metal, a drive device that drives the shaft in order to rotate the rotor, and an auxiliary acceleration device configured to generate a force to further rotate the rotor to overcome a moment of inertia of the rotor. The auxiliary acceleration device includes a jet propulsion and/or at least one pushing actuator accelerating the resting rotor.
US08167021B2 Lever roll-up shade with stop damper
A lever actuated roll-up shade assembly for motor vehicle windows having a stop brake for slowing down movement of actuating levers of the roll-up shade assembly during movement into a position corresponding to the retracted position of the roller shade so as to prevent loud impact noises.
US08167016B2 Heavy-load tire with wind bead structure
A heavy-load tire has a wind bead structure in which a turned-up portion of a carcass ply is wound around a bead core, in which a bead portion is equipped with a bead reinforcing layer having a u-shaped cross section and a bead apex rubber having a triangular-shaped cross section. The turned-up portion has an auxiliary turned-up portion passing through the vicinity of a radially outer side of the bead core. The bead apex rubber includes a high complex elasticity modulus inner apex portion disposed at a radially inner side and a low complex elasticity modulus outer apex portion disposed at a radially outer side.
US08167014B2 Manufacturing method of pneumatic tire and pneumatic tire
A tread forming step of forming a non-conductive tread rubber includes a first step of forming the tread rubber in such a manner that a shoulder portion becomes smaller in diameter than a finish cross sectional shape, a second step of setting up a conductive layer extending along a tire circumferential direction while alternately passing through a first position which is exposed to a tread surface of the shoulder portion, and a second position which comes into contact with a sidewall rubber in an outer side in a tire width direction than the first position, and a third step forming a finish cross sectional shape of the tread rubber by adding a non-conductive rubber to the shoulder portion of the tread rubber.
US08167012B2 Knock-down foundation for a bed
The foundation includes an assembly of wooden components which interconnect to form an enclosed rectangular configuration for supporting a mattress. At each corner of the assembly are two posts which are interconnected by dowels or by a tongue and groove. The dowels and the mouths of the openings in which they are accommodated are bevelled for facilitating the insertion of the dowels into the openings should they be misaligned. The tongues and grooves are also bevelled for the same reason. The wooden components are subject to compressive forces and to a heat treatment before being assembled into the foundation.
US08167009B2 Adjustable refilling assembly
A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.
US08167004B2 Automatic liquid dispensers
An automatic liquid dispenser is disclosed wherein a liquid adjustor is disposed to prevent liquid from splashing outside of a receptacle, thereby saving the automatic liquid dispenser from being polluted with splashed liquid. A receptacle and level detector emits ultrasound to the receptacle and detects the ultrasound reflected from the receptacle to generate a signal. A controller receives the signal from the receptacle and level detector to control the liquid adjusting unit, and an identifying mark at the receptacle accommodator facilitates the correct arranging of the receptacle.
US08167000B2 Balanced solenoid valve
A valve assembly includes a solenoid can having an internal coil. A valve body connected to the solenoid can includes an inlet port and a first valve seat. An axially adjustable retainer threadably connected to the valve body includes an end portion defining a second valve seat. A homogenous valve member/armature slidably disposed in the valve body moves in the presence of a coil generated magnetic flux between valve closed and valve open positions. A valve member/armature first surface area is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid through the inlet port. A valve member/armature second surface area is in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid in the valve closed position. The first surface area is equal to the second surface area and the pressurized fluid acts equally on the first and second surface areas defining a pressure balanced condition in the valve closed position.
US08166998B2 Multiple valve assembly for reducing water loss from a leak
A valve assembly for reducing water loss from a leak from a water device. The valve assembly includes a first passage through which water flows from a water source to the water device and a second passage through which water flows from the water device. A first valve is in fluid communication with the first passage and the second passage. The first valve is operable for obstructing the first passage in response to a change in pressure differential between water in the first passage and water in the second passage resulting from a leak of water from the water device. The valve assembly also includes a second valve in fluid communication with the first passage. The second valve is responsive to the obstruction of the first passage to close the first passage and thereby stop water from flowing from the water source to the water device.
US08166995B2 Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank
Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank, the valve comprising a chamber which includes openings that allow liquid to penetrate into the chamber above a certain level in the tank and/or in the event of waves in the tank or the tank being turned upside down, a cover for the chamber including an aperture that is susceptible to open into the venting circuit of the tank, and a float comprising a body and a needle that close off the aperture, the float being able to slide vertically inside the chamber depending on the level of liquid therein, the needle of the float being frustoconical-shaped and based on an elastomeric material.
US08166994B2 Ball for valves and production method
A ball (1) for valves is described, comprising a substantially ball-shaped body (2), a hole (4, 5) bored in the body (2) for fluid flow passage between the entry and exit of the valve, and a slot (10) cut into the body (2) to house a pin for ball (1) rotation. The ball (1) is produced in a single element, and the hole (4, 5) terminates in a wall (6) in which a specifically shaped opening (12) is cut to regulate the amount of fluid flow between the entry and exit of the valve.
US08166993B2 Method and systems for using a shim plate for increased strength
Blowout preventer (BOP) and method for sealing a well. The BOP includes a body having first and second conduits, the first conduit being substantially perpendicular on the second conduit; a piston extending through the first conduit and being configured to reciprocate inside the first conduit, the piston having a body portion, a neck portion and a head portion in this order; a ram block disposed on the piston and configured to move with the piston inside the first conduit for closing the second conduit; and a shim configured to fill a gap between a back region of the ram block and the body portion of the piston.
US08166991B2 Rail skirt system
The rail skirt system includes a top rail, a skirt that hangs from the top rail, formed from rail bar members connected together at their inner ends by a middle connector tube connectable to a locking support leg, to provide support for the top rail on a side of a shelter. The outer ends of the rail bar members are connected to legs of the shelter by fixed corner connecting brackets.
US08166987B2 Systems and methods for assisting a seated person to a standing position
A walker device including a walking aid and a lifting arm attached to, and extending in an approximate vertical direction from, the walking aid. The walking aid may include two front legs and two back legs. The walking aid may include two or more wheels attached to the bottom of the two front legs and/or two back legs. The walking aid may be a multiple-legged cane. The walking aid may be a wheeled mobility device. The lifting arm may include a gripping handle positioned at its approximate distal end.
US08166986B2 Quick connector hub for shade structure
An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjacent to the outer periphery thereof. The engagement section can be configured to receive and constrained the movement of an end portion of an umbrella structural member.
US08166983B2 Fluid supply system for appliance
A dishwasher includes a tub formed by a plurality of walls defining an interior and an exterior, a first conduit coupled to the tub, a valve coupled to the first conduit, a rack moveable between an engaged horizontal position and a disengaged horizontal position and between an upper vertical position and a lower vertical position, and a second conduit coupled to the rack. A first portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the upper vertical position, and a second portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the lower vertical position. The valve permits fluid to flow from the first conduit to the second conduit when the rack is in the engaged horizontal position. The valve does not permit fluid to flow from the first conduit to the interior when the rack is in the disengaged horizontal position.
US08166976B2 Mandibular advancement device with positive positioning hinge
The invention is an oral appliance for prevention of sleeping problems including snoring, sleep apnea and bruxism. Specifically, the appliance alters the position of the user's mandible, which is known as a method for reducing the restriction of the flow of air through the pharyngeal passageway. The appliance is a one-piece device molded from a flexible polymer such as Kraton®. It includes an upper maxillary tray and a lower mandibulary tray. Both upper and lower trays include inner and outer walls which increase contact area with the teeth. The hinge mechanism of the device includes a positive positioning system comprised of opposed interlocking ridges. The ridges serve to create offset between the position of the upper tray and lower tray relative to each other, therefore advancing the user's mandible. Additional features include airflow posts to keep the mouthpiece from sealing completely, a cleft contour, and a tooth retention tab.
US08166970B2 Inhalation apparatus
An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion.
US08166969B2 Chemically and biologically resistant hydration system
A hydration system for providing fluid to a user. The system comprises a bladder configured to hold a fluid, wherein comprises an outer layer of a fluorinated rubber composite. A spout is connected to the bladder and in communication with the inside of the bladder, wherein the spout comprises an output port and an fill port for filling the bladder with fluid. A cap adapted to engage and close the fill port is included. Also, a tube having a first end is connected to the output port of the spout and having a second end and having a second end connected to a fluid delivery fitting.
US08166968B2 Scupper valve snorkel
A conjoined tube within a tube located inside a lower section of a snorkel designed to steer water droplets away from the snorkel diver's breathing path. The lower section of the snorkel has two valves. One is the scupper valve positioned at the lowest point of the inside tube. The scupper valve is a light duty valve or a low resistance one-way watertight passage intended to allow droplets of water to drain into the main reservoir. The outer tube lower section contains a reservoir for holding residual water that travels down to the bottom of the snorkel and is contained therein. During the normal clearing operation, the reservoir can be emptied and water will exit out of the lower section and into the surrounding water.
US08166961B2 Optional loading mechanism capable of retrofitting paintball assembly
A retrofit kit for providing flexible paintball loading mechanism is disclosed. In one embodiment, the retrofit kit includes a right side portion of a receiver, a left side portion of the receiver, and a bottom removable adapter. The right side portion of a receiver having a first feed hatch is able to receive paintballs through an upper loading mechanism. The left side portion of the receiver after coupling with the right side portion of the receiver to form a receiver is capable of coupling to a barrel as well as a pressured gas container. The bottom removable adapter, in one embodiment, facilitates to receive paintballs via a bottom feeding mechanism.
US08166959B2 Approach for improved fuel vaporization in a directly injected internal combustion engine
A system and a method of facilitating fuel vaporization in a directly injected internal combustion engine are provided. As one example, the method comprises: closing an exhaust valve of the cylinder; opening an intake valve after the exhaust valve has closed; moving a piston of the cylinder away from top dead center between the closing of the exhaust valve and the opening of the intake valve to expand the cylinder volume and reduce a pressure within the cylinder to below a pressure of an air intake manifold of the cylinder; and initiating an injection of fuel directly into the cylinder via an in-cylinder injector after the exhaust valve has closed.
US08166958B2 Positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine
A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is provided for an internal combustion engine. The PCV system includes a centrifugal separator disposed within a shaft member, for example a balance shaft, of the internal combustion engine. The centrifugal separator is operable to impart rotational motion on the gases flowing through the shaft member such that the centrifugal forces urge the separation of oil particle entrained within the gases.
US08166956B2 Engine with gaseous and/or liquid fuel injector
In one example, a system for a vehicle travelling on a surface is described. The system includes an engine with a cylinder. The cylinder includes a fuel injector that is supplied with gaseous fuel and liquid fuel by a fuel delivery system. The fuel injector is mounted in the vehicle such that the fuel injector inlet faces at least partially toward the road surface. The orientation of the fuel injector enables a quick transition from liquid fuel to gaseous fuel because the gaseous fuel can rise to the injectors and be preferentially injected. Further, various approaches are described from transitioning operation between gaseous and liquid fuel injection.
US08166955B2 Fuel vapor separator with evaporative emissions chamber and marine fuel system and engine therewith
A unitized fuel vapor separator and evaporative emission device; marine fuel system, and marine engine therewith are provided. The device includes a fuel vapor separator and evaporative emissions chamber having a common wall separating the fuel vapor separator from the evaporative emissions chamber. The fuel vapor separator is configured for fluid communication with an upstream fuel tank and with a fuel pump and has a fuel vapor outlet to channel fuel vapor outwardly therefrom. The evaporative emissions chamber is configured for fluid communication with the fuel tank to receive fuel vapor therefrom and has an adsorption material for adsorbing fuel vapor and dissipating air from the fuel vapor through an air outlet to channel the air outwardly therefrom.
US08166952B2 Fuel injection control during start-up
A method of operation of an internal combustion engine including an intake valve coupled to a combustion chamber, and a port fuel injector positioned upstream of the intake valve in an intake manifold including a throttle, the port fuel injector fluidly coupled to a fuel rail included in a fuel delivery system housing a fuel at least partially composed of alcohol. The method including, during a start-up operation when the temperature of the engine is below a threshold value and fuel is actively being injected into the intake manifold, adjusting a cone angle of a fuel spray from the port fuel injector, via adjustment of the throttle and/or fuel delivery system, based on the position of the intake valve.
US08166950B2 Variable ratio throttle control
A variable ratio throttle control is disclosed for an off road utility vehicle. The variable ratio throttle control includes a butterfly throttle on a throttle shaft pivotably mounted to a throttle body, a bell crank on the throttle shaft, and a lever extension extending radially from the bell crank to provide an extended lever arm until the butterfly throttle is partially open. A throttle cable is connected between an accelerator pedal and the lever extension, the throttle cable being displaceable by depressing the accelerator pedal to turn the extended lever arm. The lever extension abuts a kick plate once the butterfly throttle is partially open. The butterfly throttle may be fully opened by displacing the throttle cable to turn the bell crank after the lever extension abuts the kick plate.
US08166949B2 Cylinder head dry valley drain
An engine comprises a cylinder head at least partially defining a dry valley and a cover secured to the cylinder head. The cover defines a first aperture. A boss extends from the cylinder head toward the cover. The boss defines a second aperture. A fastener extends through the first aperture and at least partially through the second aperture to secure the cover to the cylinder head. The fastener defines a passage to fluidly connect the dry valley to an exterior of the engine.
US08166946B2 Diesel engine start-up assisting device
A diesel engine start-up assisting device includes a plurality of first-and-second switching elements 11a to 11d between a common direct-current power source 1 and a plurality of electrical load 3a to 3d, a plurality of start-up assisting main parts 10a to 10d and an input-and-output unit 7. The diesel engine start-up assisting device is constructed so as to enable start-up of a diesel engine when power distribution is applied to at least one of the electrical loads 3a to 3d. In arrangement, the first-and-second switching elements 11a to 11d, the start-up assisting main parts 10a to 10d and the input-and-output unit 7 are integrated into one package having a lead frame. Defining the first-and-second switching element as a pair of switching elements, the first-and-second switching elements 11a to 11d are arranged in parallel with each other on the lead frame, and the lead frame has a notch part formed between two pairs of switching elements adjoined to each other.
US08166943B2 Fuel system control
Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel system in an engine, the fuel system including a supply pump for delivering fuel to the fuel system and pressurizing fuel received from a feed pump, a fuel tank, a fuel filter for filtering fuel, a fuel rail, and a fuel injector. One example method comprises, during an engine cold-start, operating the supply pump, and adjusting a supply pump operation mode between at least a pressure-controlled mode and a volume-controlled mode based on a fuel temperature and pressure.
US08166941B2 Device for switching activation of a hydraulic valve play equalization element
A device for switching activation of a hydraulic valve play equalization element for setting of a maximal stroke or a zero stroke on a valve of an internal combustion engine, has a switching element for locking and unlocking the housing of the valve play equalization element relative to a guide that is axially displaceable therein. The switching element is a switching ring that surrounds the housing, on which a linkage for rotating the switching ring relative to the housing is disposed. The linkage of the switching ring is connected via a guide element with a groove on the circumference of a rotatable adjustment shaft. The groove has a groove section demonstrating an axial incline, and in which the switching ring is rotated, to implement a switching process via the guide element during rotation the adjustment shaft.
US08166938B2 Engine camshaft cover with integrated oil passages for camshaft phaser actuation
A camshaft cover mounts to a cylinder head and defines cavities for oil control valves that adjust the position of camshafts via camshaft phaser assemblies. The cavities are positioned above the camshafts when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head. A feed passage communicates pressurized fluid from the cylinder head to the cavities when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head. Control passages communicate fluid from the cavities to the camshaft phaser assemblies when the camshaft cover is mounted to the cylinder head.
US08166937B2 Valve timing control apparatus
A vane rotor includes a vane to partition an advance chamber from a retard chamber. A valve element communicates a lock port with an exhaust port to drain a fluid from the lock port when moving in a first region including an end of a movable range in the first direction. The regulating member moves in the vane rotor in a thrust direction into a recess dented from an inner surface of the housing by being biased from a resilient member to lock the rotation phase in a regulation phase in the first region when a fluid is drained from the lock chamber. The valve element is configured to communicate an operation port with a supply port to supply a fluid into the advance chamber when being in a throttle region in the first region such that a flow of a fluid supplied to the advance chamber is throttled to be less than a flow of a fluid when the valve element is in the end of the movable range in the first direction.
US08166924B2 Non-choking harness for pet
A non-choking harness for a pet which evenly distributes stress throughout the chest area and away from the neck area of the pet when the leash is pulled to prevent choking. The non-choking harness comprises a body part, an adjustable strap, and a connection part. The body part comprises a center portion which substantially covers the chest area of the pet, two neck ends configured to wrap around a neck of the pet to provide a neck opening and two torso ends configured to wrap around a torso of the pet to provide a torso opening. The adjustable strap removably connects a first torso end to a second torso end, and adjusts the size of the torso opening to provide a comfortable fit. The connection part is configured to removably connect to the two neck ends, removably connect to the adjustable strap; and to adjust the size of the neck opening. At least one D-ring for attaching a leash is fixedly attached to the connection part. Preferably, the D-ring is fixedly attached to retain pendular motion but inhibit sliding movements. The non-choking harness completely opens up for easy access in fitting the pet.
US08166923B2 Animal instrumentation
An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.
US08166916B2 Appetence measurement system
The invention refers to appetence measurement for animals.In particular, the invention proposes an automated system for measuring the appetence of animals, including a feeding area (2) and an accommodation area (1), wherein the feeding area includes a room (3) whose dimensions are chosen so that the animal is able to move therein, and the system also includes access control resources (6, 10-12) that are designed so that the animals can gain access in turn to the room (3) from the accommodation area.
US08166912B2 Powder spray coating discharge assembly
A powder spray coating discharge assembly (230, 260, 216, 228, 232) for connection to an electrostatic spray coating gun (210), the gun (210) having a gun body (212), means for connecting to a supply of coating powder and means for supplying a voltage (20) at first and second potentials respectively to first (292) and second electrical connections (294) each for connection to a respective one of a discharge electrode (232) and a counter electrode (260), the means for supplying the voltage (20) comprising: a variable voltage power supply (114) having an input connected to an electrical power source (110), an output connected to each of the first and second electrical connections (292, 294), a control circuit (128) for controlling the variable voltage power supply (20) and means (120) for sensing an output load, wherein the control circuit (128) is adapted to adjust the variable voltage power supply (20) to reduce the voltage and current in proportion to a sensed increase in load, or vice-versa.
US08166899B1 Air cavity vessel having longitudinal and transverse partitions
An air cavity vessel having longitudinal and transverse partitions is provided. The air cavity vessel, which injects air into the bottom thereof to form air layers in order to reduce resistance of the vessel, includes transverse partitions partitioning the bottom in a transverse direction, longitudinal partitions partitioning the bottom in a longitudinal direction, spatial areas defined in a grid pattern by the transverse partitions and the longitudinal partitions, an air supply unit installed in a forebody of the vessel and supplying compressed air into the spatial areas, and a compressor for supplying the compressed air to the air supply unit. Thereby, multiple air layers are formed on a bottom flat area on a small scale.
US08166894B1 Handle for a portable table
A table may include a table top and one or more legs or support pedestals. The table may also include one or more handles that may enhance the portability of the table. For example, if the table is a fold-in-half table, then the table top may include first and second sections that may be moved between a folded position and an unfolded position. The handle may include first and second sections that are connected to the first and second sections of the table top. The first and second sections of the handle may be collectively grasped, which may help prevent the table top from unintentionally unfolding. The table top may also include receiving portions that are sized configured to receive one or more portions of the handle.
US08166889B2 Communication bellows between cars of a rail vehicle
The present invention provides a communication bellows including at least one external skin which has a succession of inwardly directed undulations and at least one internal skin which has a succession of outwardly directed undulations which are provided facing the inwardly directed undulations of the external skin, the two skins together delimiting an acoustic insulation space, the internal skin being connected to at least some of the inwardly directed undulations of the external skin, the external skin and internal skin being connected to each other only by some mutually facing undulations, other undulations of the two skins remaining separate from each other.
US08166886B2 Wear monitoring system, cable operated transportation system and a method for monitoring wear-prone parts therein
A wear monitoring system is provided for monitoring the wear and/or abrasion of at least one system component of a cable operated transportation system, where the system component is subjected to wear and/or abrasion and is mounted in rotating and/or circulating manner. A parameter measuring device is provided for measuring an actual value and/or a time-dependent actual value function of at least one electrical and/or mechanical parameter of the at least one system component and/or the drive unit. An evaluating device is provided for determining a parameter deviation of the actual value from a desired value in dependence on time or a time interval and/or of the actual value function from a time-dependent desired value function of the at least one parameter. The parameter deviation corresponds to the state of abrasion and/or the state of wear of the at least one system component.
US08166884B2 Switch assembly for magnetic levitation railways
A switch assembly for magnetic levitation railways includes a girder extending in a travel direction (x) and flexible transversely to it is provided with travel way or equipment parts. A rail and a rack are located transversely to the travel direction. A load-bearing frame, receiving the girder, has a rotatably supported carrying wheel braced on the rail and a drive mechanism with a gear wheel meshing with the rack and with a motor intended for driving it. Switch adjustment is effected by displacement of the load-bearing frame along the rail by means of the drive mechanism and a thus-effected flexing of the girder. The girder, the load-bearing frame and the drive mechanism form a solidly joined-together structural unit which as a whole is located displaceably in the travel direction (x) relative to the rail and the rack.
US08166881B2 Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition
A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a press-fitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile.
US08166878B2 Liquid transfer apparatus
An ultraviolet drying device (37) and a photoelectric sensor (70) for detecting the outer surface of a transport cylinder (36) are provided at a position close to the outer surface of the transport cylinder (36) arranged downstream in a sheet-like material convey direction of a reverse printing unit (11) for subsequent printing. When the ultraviolet drying device (37) is turned on and the photoelectric sensor (70) detects that a contamination-preventive member is mounted on the outer surface of the transport cylinder (36), the driving of a printing press stops. Also, when an IR lamp (46) of an infrared drying device (47) is turned on and the photoelectric sensor (70) detects that the contamination-preventive member is not mounted on the outer surface of the transport cylinder (36), the driving of the printing press is stopped. With this arrangement, deformation of the contamination-preventive member mounted to protect the cylinder is prevented in a liquid transfer apparatus.
US08166876B2 Method and device for transferring a pattern from a stamp to a substrate
A device (1) for transferring a pattern (12) from a stamp (10) to a substrate (20) comprises a table (22) for supporting a substrate (20), a flexible stamp (10) and a movably arranged body (25) having a pressure chamber (27) for exerting pressure on a portion of the stamp (10), so that the portion is pushed toward the substrate (20) and contacts the substrate (20). During a pattern transferring process, the body (25) is moved. As a result, adjacent portions of the stamp (10) successively go through a process of being pushed toward the substrate (20), getting in contact with the substrate (20), and being allowed to move back in place again. In this way, it is achieved that the pattern (12) of the stamp (10) is transferred to the substrate (20), without the introduction of vibrations, so that the transfer of the pattern (12) takes place in a highly accurate fashion.
US08166875B2 Screen printing apparatus and screen printing method
In supply of feedback data to improve a positional deviation quantity and a deviation state of a soldering paste printed on individual substrates held on the carrier, a plurality of average values of individual positional deviation for each of the individual substrates are obtained, and then, if the deviation value ΔM indicating a difference between the maximum value Mmax and the minimum value Mmin of the plurality of average values M of individual positional deviation is less than or equal to the tolerance value Δ(t), an intermediate value of the maximum value Mmax and the minimum value Mmin is obtained, and the positioning parameters of the mask plate and the carrier are corrected based on the intermediate value (Mmax+Mmin)/2.
US08166870B2 Mobile apparatus provided with a surface for cooking by contact
Apparatus (20) for cooking food by contact comprising a continuous cooking surface (26) heated on its underside by one or more gas burners (33) which are housed in one or more combustion chambers (25) and which are supplied with fuel gas by a portable tank (B). The continuous cooking surface (26), the combustion chambers (25), the burners (33) and the valvular means (34) constitute a cooking unit (21) that is removably mounted on a supporting cart (22) suited to house said portable tank (B) and to allow the use of the apparatus (20) either in an indoor or in an outdoor environment.
US08166866B2 Pneumatic brake booster
A pneumatic brake booster with a booster housing is subdivided into at least one working chamber and at least one vacuum chamber by means of at least one axially movable wall capable of being acted upon with a pneumatic differential pressure. An actuable input member includes a valve piston, with an output member for acting upon a brake master cylinder with an output force. A control valve is arranged in a control housing and can be actuated by the valve piston for controlling the differential pressure. An elastic reaction element is arranged in a control housing recess and against which the output member bears. Means for setting a distance z between the valve piston and the reaction element are provided on the output member.
US08166864B2 Kit and method for converting a gas-operated gas-driven firearm to a gas-operated operating rod driven firearm
A kit for modifying a bolt carrier group actuating apparatus of a firearm configured by its original manufacturer to have a gas-driven bolt carrier has a gas expansion assembly and an operating rod. The gas expansion assembly is configured for receiving combustion gases from an as-manufactured OEM gas block of a firearm and for facilitating expansion of the gases for generating a bolt carrier driving force. The operating rod is engagable between the gas expansion assembly and an operating rod engaging lug of a bolt carrier. The operating rod is configured to mechanically transmit the bolt carrier driving force to the operating rod engaging lug.
US08166854B2 Shearing device
In a shearing device (10), a plate-like work piece (50) is seated on a die (20) positioned on a lower side thereof is clamped by a pad (30), so that a predetermined portion of the work piece (50) is processed into a predetermined shape by a punch positioned on an upper side thereof. The punch (40) integrally has a heel portion (41). The heel portion is so as to broadly contact an outer peripheral face (51) of the predetermined portion to be processed of the work piece (50), thereby restraining the outer peripheral face (51) from moving in an outward direction perpendicular to a thickness direction.
US08166850B2 Multipurpose tool
A multipurpose tool is provided which may be useful for functions relating to firearms and explosives. The multipurpose tool may include a variety of tools and features while maintaining a compact form. For example, the multipurpose tool may include a blade positioned in a pocket defined between a handle and a body member which define a hook configuration. Elongate members may be rotatably connected to the multipurpose tool and may include a base member with a cam surface and one or more detents which cooperate with a spring follower to hold the elongate member in either or both of an operational position or a storage position. A receiving aperture may be received in a jaw of a pair of pliers, and configured to receive an accessory member. Further, a sleeve may store a bit on the side of a handle and may be retained in the sleeve by a displaceable button.
US08166849B2 Combination ratcheting wrench with a box-end wrench having an opening
A combination open-ended ratcheting wrench with a box-end wrench has a wrench having a wrench head, the wrench head having a first aperture with a first opening, a receptacle formed at an inner wall of the first aperture, at least one limiting groove disposed around the inner wall of the first aperture; a control member pushing against an elastic member acceptable in the receptacle and having a ratcheting surface and a smooth surface, and at least one stopping edge corresponding to and accepting the limiting members; a ratchet disposed in the first aperture and having a ratcheting aperture, the ratcheting aperture having a ratchet opening, a ratcheting pawl formed around an outer circumference of the ratchet and corresponding to the ratcheting surface of the control member; and a rotation cap disposed on the wrench head covering a portion of the ratchet in the first aperture and having a second opening.
US08166848B2 Transmission case
A transmission case includes a housing that accommodates a starting device, the housing having rib portions on an inner surface; and a speed change mechanism case connected to the housing, the speed change mechanism case accommodating a speed change mechanism, wherein a thin wall portion is provided in the housing by a groove formed in the housing, and the transmission case is structured such that stress is concentrated on the thin wall portion by at least one of the rib portions when an impact load is applied to the transmission case.
US08166846B2 Steering handle
The present invention is designed to lock a plurality of hooks integrally formed on ornaments to a plurality of locking projections integrally formed on a rim of an armature assembly, in order to provide a steering handle that allows the ornaments to be easily assembled by the locking projections formed on the rim and the hooks formed on the ornaments and detachably locked to the locking projections.
US08166844B2 Rotating device and robot arm device
A rotating device includes a communication unit including a transmitting portion having a first ring-shaped coil, a first ring-shaped magnetic body covering the first ring-shaped coil and a first terminal connected to the first ring-shaped coil, and a receiving portion having a second ring-shaped coil, a second ring-shaped magnetic body covering the second ring-shaped coil and a second terminal connected to the second ring-shaped coil, and a bearing connecting a hollow fixed portion to a hollow rotating portion, which is capable of rotating with respect to the fixed portion, in which the first ring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil are formed so as to be wound around a rotation axis of the bearing, the first ring-shaped magnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic body face each other with a gap formed in the direction of the rotation axis, and the communication unit is provided inside the fixed portion and the rotating portion.
US08166843B2 Shift transmission control device of vehicle, vehicle and method for controlling shift transmission in vehicle
A shift transmission control device of a vehicle includes a transmission, a clutch, a shift transmission controller, and a shift inhibition state detector. The shift transmission controller is configured to control the transmission and the clutch. The shift inhibition state detector is configured to detect based on a running state of the vehicle that a predetermined shift inhibition condition is satisfied. The transmission is capable of providing a preliminary change gear ratio while the predetermined change gear ratio at which the rotational drive force is transmitted to the drive wheel is maintained. The shift transmission controller is configured to control the transmission to inhibit a change of the predetermined change gear ratio at which the rotational drive force is transmitted to the drive wheel and to provide the preliminary change gear ratio in response to the running state of the vehicle when the shift inhibition condition is satisfied.
US08166834B2 In-vitro measurement of catamenial tampon systems
An apparatus for testing of medical products such as a feminine hygiene product, is presented. The apparatus includes a body, a pump and a vaginal canal assembly. The body includes an internal chamber and a bottom surface having a bore open to the internal chamber. The pump provides a fluid to the body. In one embodiment, the fluid is a menses simulant. The vaginal canal assembly includes an interior canal accepting the product. The vaginal canal assembly includes a passage providing the fluid to the interior canal. The apparatus includes a pressure regulator controlling pressure exerted on the vaginal canal assembly from a volume of air within the internal chamber. The apparatus includes a stand. The stand includes a retaining device and a locking device. The locking device cooperates with the retaining device to selectively secure the body in at least one of a rotational position and an angular position.
US08166833B2 State of charge indicator and methods related thereto
Embodiments of the invention relate a charge indicator for determining the mass of a fluid contained within a fluid enclosure, wherein the charge indicator responds to a deformation of a solid component in contact with the fluid and wherein the deformation is a function of the mass of fluid contained within the fluid enclosure.
US08166829B2 Method and system of an ultrasonic flow meter transducer assembly
Ultrasonic flow meter transducer assembly. At least one some of the illustrative embodiment are systems including: a spool piece that defines an exterior surface, a central passage, and a transducer port extending from the exterior surface to the central passage; and a transducer assembly coupled to the transducer port. The transducer assembly includes: a transition element coupled to the spool piece, the transition element having a first end disposed within the transducer port, and a second end residing outside the exterior surface; a piezoelectric module with a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric module directly coupled to the first end of the transition element and the piezoelectric module disposed within the exterior surface; a transformer module with a transformer disposed therein, the transformer module directly coupled to the second end of the transition element and the transformer module disposed outside the exterior surface; and an electrical conductor disposed within a passage through the transition element, the electrical conductor couples the transformer to the piezoelectric element.
US08166828B2 Fluid flow meter
Fluid flow meters and methods for measuring different aspects of fluid flow with a non-contact sensor are provided. In some cases a fluid flow gear meter is provided with a fluid chamber that is sealed with a cover portion carrying the non-contact sensor. An optional separation member may be located between the cover portion and the chamber to seal the chamber. In some cases the cover portion and/or separation member are configured to transmit visible light to allow viewing of the fluid chamber, through material selection and/or the presence of viewing cavities within the material. The flow meter is optionally configured to prevent or reduce the transmission of ambient environmental radiation into the flow meter to lessen the likelihood that it may adversely affect an optical non-contact sensor used to detect movement of gears within the chamber.
US08166826B2 Vibration characteristic measuring device
A vibration characteristic measuring device is provided with a shaker, including a shaking section which reciprocates along an axis, and a mounting block fastened to a mounting surface of the shaking section. A disk drive suspension is mounted on the mounting block. The mounting block has a facing surface which faces the mounting surface of the shaking section. An adhesive member formed of a resin tape is disposed between the mounting surface and the facing surface of the mounting block. The adhesive member is deformable depending on a gap between the mounting surface and the facing surface. The adhesive member closely contacts both the mounting surface and the facing surface without a gap.
US08166824B2 Ultrasonic sensor
An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a circuit device. The circuit device determines that the receiving device receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an object, when an output voltage of the receiving device is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The circuit device includes a humidity detection section configured to detect an ambient humidity of the transmitting and receiving devices and a threshold adjustment section configured to calculate, based on the detected ambient humidity, a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave that is received by the receiving device after propagating over a round-trip distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object. The threshold adjustment section reduces the first threshold, when the output voltage corresponding to the calculated sound pressure is less than a second threshold that is greater the first threshold.
US08166817B2 Angle-measuring method and angle-measuring gyroscope system for implementing the same
An angle-measuring method includes: configuring a state observer to calculate a set of estimated signals based on a set of previously calculated estimated parameters; configuring the state observer to calculate a gain thereof using a dynamic equation associated with a gyroscope; configuring the state observer to calculate a set of currently calculated estimated parameters using the dynamic equation associated with the gyroscope based on the gain calculated by the state observer, a set of sensing signals generated by a sensing module, and the estimated signals calculated by the state observer; and configuring an angle calculator to calculate an angle of rotation of the gyroscope based on a position and a velocity in the currently calculated estimated parameters calculated by the state observer and a stiffness coefficient of the gyroscope. An angle-measuring gyroscope system that implements the angle-measuring method is also disclosed.
US08166809B2 In-tire multi-element piezoelectric sensor
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for monitoring tire related conditions. A substrate is provided having one or more pairs of sensors mounted thereon. The pairs of sensors are mounted in predetermined relationship to each other at predetermined separation distances such that rotational direction, speed and other parameters of a tire with which the sensors may be associated may be determined. In some embodiments, plural effective pairs of sensors are provided so that mounting orientation of the sensor need not be predetermined.
US08166808B2 Engine heater use detection systems and methods
A diagnostic system includes a temperature derivative module and a heater use module. The temperature derivative module determines a derivative of a temperature of one of a fluid of an engine of a vehicle and a component of the engine measured by a temperature sensor after a vehicle startup event. The heater use module selectively indicates that an engine heater was used before the vehicle startup event based on the derivative.
US08166804B2 Method for detecting separation in a structure
A method for detecting separation in a structure that comprises at least two portions or layers affixed together comprises forming a cavity into the structure that passes through an interface formed between the two portions and plumbing the cavity to a monitoring system. A pressure differential is established between the cavity and a reference pressure to which the structure is exposed. A monitoring system monitors for a change in the pressure state of the cavity. Changes in the pressure state are indicative of a separation between the portions or layers.
US08166803B2 Method for the quantitative determination of an aging effect on motor oil
The quantitative determination of aging effects on motor oil is of great interest. According to a method, two variables of the motor oil are detected, one of the two variables being the viscosity and the other variable being the acid content of the motor oil. A first deviation of the detected first variable from a default value is then determined, and the second variable is estimated based on the deviation. By determining a second deviation of the estimated second variable from the detected second variable, the second deviation is determined as a measure of the aging effect on the motor oil. Since various aging effects influence the two variables in different manners, individual aging effects may be quantitatively determined in a targeted manner.
US08166802B2 Device for displaying and measuring air losses in a chest drainage apparatus
A device for displaying and measuring air losses in a chest drainage apparatus, having a transparent window enclosure with a connection to a tube end connected to a chest cavity to convey exuded liquids for collection a vessel and air losses, a chamber being provided within the apparatus at one of the transparent windows, that contains liquid and comprises the outlet section of a duct for air loss conveying. The device comprises a bell arranged above the outlet section, immersed in liquid at least at a lower end area, and provided, at the submerged portion, with at least one always-open air outflow port and with at least one additional port for the outflow of air.
US08166801B2 Non-invasive fluid density and viscosity measurement
The noninvasively measurement of the density and viscosity of static or flowing fluids in a section of pipe such that the pipe performs as the sensing apparatus, is described. Measurement of a suitable structural vibration resonance frequency of the pipe and the width of this resonance permits the density and viscosity to be determined, respectively. The viscosity may also be measured by monitoring the decay in time of a vibration resonance in the pipe.
US08166800B2 Gas concentration detection apparatus and gas concentration detection system
A gas concentration detection apparatus and system including a gas sensor. Voltage Vd generated across detection resistor Rd through which pump current Ip flows is differentially amplified by OP1, and offset voltage Vofs is superposed thereon to obtain a detection voltage Vout. The amplification factor applied to the differential amplification of the voltage Vd is changed by turning switch SW3 on and off. When switch SW2 is turned on, the input terminal potentials of the operational amplifier OP1 are equalized, so that voltage Vofs is output as the detection voltage Vout. The detection voltage Vout contains an error attributable to the electronic components which form the circuit. The detection voltage Vout containing the error when SW2 is turned on is acquired as a correction voltage for each amplification factor, and is used for correction at the time of detection of the concentration so as to cancel the error.
US08166793B2 Method and device for the technique of cold microforging any freely formed 3-D surfaces
An electromechanical knocking activated device and method for working and cold-hardening the surface of tools, machine parts, etc. is disclosed. The electromechanical apparatus may include: an impact head which is secured to a support, wherein at least one part of the support is composed of a ferromagnetic material; and at least one coil which is also secured to the support. A magnetic field holds the impact head in a defined position of rest. The coil is may be positioned in the same magnetic field or a second magnetic field, through which an alternating or pulsed current may flow. As a result, the impact head is made to oscillate with a defined impact frequency, impact altitude and zero crossing. The device may be used in combination with a computer aided manufacturing system.
US08166792B2 Method of making a seamless hot-finished steel pipe, and device for carrying out the method
In a method of making a seamless hot-finished steel pipe a billet heated to a shaping temperature is pierced by a first shaping to a thick-walled hollow ingot which subsequently undergoes a radial forging process using an internal tool inserted in the hollow ingot and at least two forging jaws of a forging machine. The forging jaws act on the outer surface area of the hollow ingot, wherein the hollow ingot is turned and axially advanced in a clocked manner in the idle stroke phase of the forging jaws.
US08166790B2 Continuous metal extruder
Example embodiments relate to a continuous metal extruder that includes a rotatable member having an extrusion screw portion for transporting metal to be extruded in an axial direction of the rotatable member, a fixed part, a spring element for biasing the rotatable member and the fixed part in relation to each other, and a thrust bearing arranged between the rotatable member and the fixed part.
US08166784B2 Pin assembly cover for a lock mechanism and method of use
A lock mechanism includes a cover plate positionable over a plurality of pin chambers in a cylinder housing wherein one or more of the pin chambers include an internal threaded portion. The lock mechanism includes one or more pin assembly caps that are operative to secure the cover plate to the cylinder housing of the lock by threadably engaging with threaded pin chambers. The pin assembly caps include an internal cavity sized to receive at least a portion of a pin assembly, such that threaded pin chambers and unthreaded pin chambers have substantially the same dimensions without substantially increasing the dimensions required for the lock mechanism. The pin assembly caps include a socket (e.g., a hex socket, a Phillips-type socket, or the like) that allow users to selectively remove and secure the cover plate to the cylinder housing common tools.
US08166778B2 Tempered glass for thermal insulation
The invention relates to a pane that has undergone a chemical toughening operation so as to have an alkali-metal-ion concentration gradient from its surface over an exchange depth of at least 100 μm, a surface stress of at least 200 MPa, and a strain point at the core of at least 550° C. The pane can be used especially in the field of domestic cooking, as a pyrolytic oven door, stove, fire guard, flue insert, and more generally for separating two gaseous atmospheres at different temperatures. The pane is particularly resistant to heat shocks.
US08166777B2 Glass composition and process for sealing void spaces in electrochemical devices
A glass foaming material and method are disclosed for filling void spaces in electrochemical devices. The glass material includes a reagent that foams at a temperature above the softening point of the glass. Expansion of the glass fills void spaces including by-pass and tolerance channels of electrochemical devices. In addition, cassette to cassette seals can also be formed while channels and other void spaces are filled, reducing the number of processing steps needed.
US08166776B2 Multichannel heat exchanger
A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The multichannel heat exchanger has at least two fluid flow paths cooled by a flow of air from an air-moving device through the multichannel heat exchanger. Each of the at least two fluid flow paths have an inlet and an outlet in communication there between. The multichannel heat exchanger also has at least one flow regulator disposed in at least one outlet to regulate through at least one fluid flow path in response to the air flow through the heat exchanger to achieve a substantially equal temperature of a fluid flowing in the at least two flow paths.
US08166772B2 Flexile plated cooling pack of headwear and method for making the same
The present invention relates to a flexible plated cooling pack for headwear and a method for making the same that is capable of providing a sufficient cooling effect with a small amount of coolant, not causing worry about leakage of the coolant, and providing a cushion effect without a volume variance regardless of many uses, as well as the cooling effect.The flexible plated cooling pack has an inner and outer synthetic resin film sheet bonded each other and a coolant filled therein, wherein the outer synthetic resin film sheet has a shape respectively corresponding to a piece of the crown portion and a sweatband and the coolant is always maintained in at least a gel state. The flexible plated cooling pack may be disposed in an inner portion of the crown portion and the sweatband of the headwear or may be inserted in a pocket formed at an inner portion of the crown portion and the sweatband of the headwear.
US08166771B2 Refrigeration system
A heat source side circuit (14) includes a gas-liquid separator (35) for the separation of refrigerant flowing therein from an expander (31) into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant and a cooling means (36, 45, 53, 55) for the cooling of liquid refrigerant heading from the gas-liquid separator (35) to a utilization side circuit (11). Since the refrigerant exiting the gas-liquid separator (35) is in a saturated liquid form, it always changes state to a subcooled state whenever cooled by the cooling means (36, 45, 53, 55).
US08166769B2 Self-cooled vertical electronic component
A self-cooled electronic component comprising a vertical monolithic circuit, in which the vertical monolithic circuit is electrically connected in series with a Peltier cooler so that the D.C. current flowing through the circuit supplies the cooler and in which the circuit and the cooler are placed against each other so that the cold surface of the cooler is in thermal contact with the circuit.
US08166768B2 Systems and methods for passively directing aircraft engine nozzle flows
Systems and methods for passively directing aircraft engine nozzle flow are disclosed. One system includes an aircraft nozzle attachable to an aircraft turbofan engine, with the nozzle including a first flow path wall bounding a first flow path and being positioned to receive engine exhaust products, and a second flow path wall bounding a second flow path and being positioned to receive engine bypass air. The first flow path wall is positioned between the first and second flow paths, and the second flow path wall is positioned between the second flow path and an ambient air flow path. Multiple flow passages can be positioned in at least one of the first and second flow path walls to passively direct gas from a corresponding flow path within the flow path wall through the flow path wall to a corresponding flow path external to the flow path wall. Neighboring flow passages can have neighboring circumferentially-extending and circumferentially-spaced exit openings positioned at an interface with the corresponding flow path external to the flow path wall.
US08166766B2 System and method to generate electricity
A split heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) arrangement including a first HRSG coupled to a turbine and thereby receptive of a portion of the exhaust gases to deliver the portion of the exhaust gases to a compressor, a second HRSG coupled to the turbine and thereby receptive of a remaining portion of the exhaust gases, which includes an NOx catalyst and a CO catalyst sequentially disposed therein to remove NOx and CO from the exhaust gases and an air injection apparatus to inject air into the second HRSG between the NOx catalyst and the CO catalyst to facilitate CO consumption at the CO catalyst.
US08166762B2 Fuel control arrangement
Fuel control arrangements provide and control fuel flow to injectors through fuel control valves. The injectors are connected to respective fuel control valves which in turn are connected to a first fuel flow path. The injectors are also connected to a second fuel flow path. The fuel paths are associated with a fuel source and generally have a recirculation valve between them. When flow in the flow path is stopped, recirculation of fuel can be provided across the recirculation valve to prevent fuel degradation. By provision of a restrictor valve in the second fuel flow path control of fuel recirculation can be achieved, as well as greater flexibility by presenting fuel flow separately through the second flow path to the injector whilst the first flow path is inhibited.
US08166761B2 Method and system for generating power from a heat source
A method of generating power from a heat source, said method including: compressing (10) a working fluid to increase its temperature; exchanging (11) heat between said working fluid and said heat source to superheat said working fluid; expanding (12) said superheated working fluid to drive a turbine, thereby reducing its temperature; condensing (13) said working fluid to further reduce its temperature: and returning said working fluid to said compressing step (10), the method further including the step (14) of regenerating the heat of said working fluid wherein working fluid passing between said compressing step (10) and said heat exchanging step (11) exchanges heat with working fluid passing between said expanding step (12) and said condensing step (13); wherein said steps are performed in a thermodynamic cycle (S1-S1′-S2-S3-S3′-S4) within a supercritical region (SC) above the saturation dome (A) of said working fluid, and wherein said heat regenerating step (14) is performed under isenthalpic conditions to induce continuous heat exchange. A system for generating power from a heat source is also provided.
US08166760B2 System and method for storing energy
A system includes at least one body, a link for suspending the body for movement with gravity from a first elevation position to a second elevation position, and an electrical energy generator coupled with the body through the link to drive the generator to generate electricity upon movement of the body with gravity from the first to the second elevation position. The at least one body has a mass of at least approximately 100 tonnes; the first and the second elevation positions define a distance therebetween of at least approximately 200 meters; and/or the system further includes an operator configured to operate the link to controllably move the at least one body against gravity from the second to the first elevation position to increase a gravitational potential energy of the at least one body, and to maintain the gravitational potential energy of the at least one body.
US08166758B2 Cooler arrangement at a vehicle
A cooling arrangement for a vehicle engine including at least one cooling element which has flowing through it a gaseous medium operable to being cooled by an external air flow which flows in a specified direction through the cooling element during operation of the combustion engine. A heat-supplying element is fitted at a location upstream from the cooling element with respect to the direction of the cooling air flow so that at least part of the air flowing through the heat-supplying element also flows through the cooling element. A control device is operable to activate the heat-supplying element so that the air flowing through the heat-supplying element is warmed during situations where there is risk of the gaseous medium in the cooling element being cooled to below a lowest acceptable temperature. The heat-supplying element and the cooling element have a connection so that they constitute a composite unit.
US08166748B2 Gas turbine engine booster having rotatable radially inwardly extending blades and non-rotatable vanes
A gas turbine engine booster includes one or more rotatable booster stages having booster blades extending radially inwardly from a rotatable drum and one or more non-rotatable vane stages having booster vanes extending radially outwardly from a non-rotatable shell. The booster stages may be interdigitated with the vane stages. The booster may be co-rotatable or counter-rotatable with respect to a fan stage of an aircraft gas turbine engine. The booster may be driven by a single turbine or one of counter-rotatable turbines or though a gearbox by these turbines. The booster blades and the booster vanes extend across a core engine inlet duct having an entrance downstream of the first fan stage. A fan section with the booster may have counter-rotatable first and second fan stages with fan blades of the second fan stages connected to and mounted radially outwardly of the rotatable drum.
US08166746B2 Rotor containment element with frangible connections
A containment system for containing fragments of a burst rotor including first and second means for frangibly connecting a containment element to first and second walls, the first and second means rupturing upon being subjected to a load mainly produced by a translational motion of at least one fragment impacting the element.
US08166743B2 Spun staple yarns made from blends of rigid-rod fibers and fibers derived from diamino diphenyl sulfone and fabrics and garments made therefrom and methods for making same
This invention relates to a flame-resistant spun staple yarns and fabrics and garments comprising these yarns and methods of making the same. The yarns have 20 to 50 parts by weight of a polymeric staple fiber containing a structure derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and mixtures thereof; and 50 to 80 parts by weight of a rigid-rod staple fiber, based on 100 parts by weight of the polymeric fiber and the rigid-rod fiber in the yarn.
US08166740B2 Impeller conditioner rotor equipped with curved tines
A crop conditioner is equipped with an impeller including a rotor to which a plurality of conditioner tines are respectively pivotally mounted at one of their ends. The tines are contoured so that they release crop at an appropriate location for the crop to engage the forming shields and thus become part of a well-defined windrow.
US08166725B2 Flush glazed windshield mounting
A bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element such as a windshield or the like on a surface. The bottom trim member includes a bottom trim extrusion having a connecting leg affixable to the curved sheet element and a gasket receiving leg. A gasket is disposed in engagement with the gasket receiving leg, where the gasket is shaped such that the bottom trim extrusion is positionable in multiple orientations relative to the surface and such that the gasket maintains a sealing engagement in any of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations. A securing member is affixable to the surface and cooperable with the bottom trim extrusion to secure the bottom trim extrusion to the surface in any one of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations.
US08166722B2 Modular floor tile system with transition edge
The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members.
US08166720B2 Roofing membrane retainer
A roofing membrane retainer is provided having a cylindrical plate. The cylindrical plate has a central aperture for receiving a fastener. The plate also includes a pair of concentric inner and outer raised reinforcing ribs and a plurality of scoop-shaped projections. The scoop-shaped projections extend downwardly from the plate in concentric inner and outer cylindrical arrays. The inner cylindrical array of projections and the outer cylindrical array of projections are radially outward of the inner rib and the outer rib, respectively. The projections each comprise a scoop with a base periphery having an open mouth edge and a remaining peripheral portion contiguous with the plate. The projections in each array are spaced equidistance about the plate. The mouth edge of adjacent projections are oriented in alternating radial inward and outward directions.
US08166717B2 Stiffener for connecting prestressed concrete beam and method of constructing structure using the same
Provided are a stiffener for connecting a prestressed concrete beam and a method of constructing a structure using the same, in which the beam such as the prestressed concrete beam which is covered with concrete is connected to a target structure including a column structure or a girder. The stiffener is made up of a buried stiffener, an end face stiffener, and a joint stiffener, thereby enabling simple connection, excellent stress transmission, and very efficient construction of (building) structures.
US08166716B2 Dry joint wall panel attachment system
A dry joint wall panel attachment system is provided. The system uses interlocking components to attach aluminum (or other) wall panels to an exterior wall. The system is held together non-adhesively.
US08166712B2 Gutter insert
A gutter insert formed of a flexible open cell porous foam has five or more sides and forms an inverted “V” or check-mark shape. Four gutter inserts may be cut from one column of foam material, thereby reducing foam waste. The four gutter inserts may be shipped nested together in columnar form, and separated at the jobsite just before installation.
US08166711B2 Inflatable support systems for recreational structures
A shelter including a support assembly having a plurality of inflatable supports each having an elongated tube body and defining at least two separate longitudinal passages pneumatically separated by a bladder, wherein the tube bodies of each support is connected to the tube body of one or more of the other supports and wherein each of the passages of the each support is pneumatically connected to each of the passages of the other supports, and wherein the supports are spaced circumferentially apart as legs of the support assembly for forming a perimeter of the shelter, and a single port pneumatically coupled to only one of the supports, the port configured for passing air between an external pneumatic vessel and the support to which the port is coupled and a canopy including a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels being configured for being suspended from the support assembly.
US08166709B2 Support of a solar tracker
The invention relates to improvements in the support of a solar tracker, of the type comprising a structure (1) on which a solar panel (4) is arranged by means of horizontal articulations (3), a linear actuator (5) being included between both, which linear actuator is attached to the solar panel (4) at a point (6) which is laterally separated with respect to the axial line of the horizontal articulations (3) and with respect to the structure at a point (8) which is laterally separated therefrom, shock-absorbers (9) being arranged between the solar panel (4) and the structure (1) in the areas of the horizontal articulations (3), whereas pins (10) limiting the pivoting of the solar panel (4) in both directions are arranged in the horizontal articulations (3).
US08166707B2 Reinforced door jamb assembly
A reinforced door jamb and method thereof, to prevent breaking of a lock. A doorjamb is reinforced by inserting one or two reinforced plates into the door jamb. One plate is inserted close to the door latch receiving recess on the interior side of the door jamb, and the other plate is inserted close to the exterior side of the door jamb. The reinforced plates are then connected to each other using high strength rods or bolts.
US08166705B2 Support structure for vehicular resin window
A resin window includes a plate-shaped main body portion and a gear projection portion that is molded integrally with the main body portion so as to project in a thickness direction of the main body portion from a rear end portion of the main body portion. A part of a side face of the gear projection portion is surrounded by a gear-side guide frame for guiding the raising/lowering of the resin window. The gear projection portion includes a meshing gear provided along a vertical direction to mesh with a drive gear, and positioning members provided respectively on upper and lower end portions of the gear projection portion to abut on an inside surface of the gear-side guide frame. When the drive gear is rotated, the positioning members slide relative to the inside surface of the gear-side guide frame, and thus the resin window can be raised or lowered along the gear-side guide frame.
US08166703B2 Conical container
A conical container that is stable includes a cup adapted to contain liquid and/or one or more selected item(s) and a frustoconical skirt depending therefrom. The container may further include a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable with the cup and/or one or more tray operable with the skirt. The container may advantageously be used as a vase for an arrangement of fresh cut flowers, and may optionally be converted for use with one or more additional selected item.
US08166702B1 Tree stand apparatus
The tree stand apparatus provides lateral support and a large reservoir created by the conical shape enables fewer fillings of the apparatus. The numerous transfer orifices ensure that clogging especially typical of evergreen tree stands, does not occur, as full communication exists between the tree cylinder and the reservoir. The ability to easily drain and refill the apparatus ensures fresh water supply as well as supply of nutrients that further enhance tree livelihood. Problems of water drainage typical of after-use of a tree stand are negated by the valved drain bib that is disposed immediately adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir, thereby ensuring full drainage. The apparatus provides fill holes that are diametrically opposed, with one fill hole radialy aligned with a float that slides vertically on a float slide to enable exterior viewing of internal water level.
US08166698B2 Reflex sight for weapon
A weapons reflex sight including a display substrate mounted on a weapon, and an optics module, disposed in a housing, the optics module including a computer-generated imagery (CGI) system and optical elements for generating images and projecting a beam of the images on the display substrate, the images including an aimpoint for aiming at a target and information related to use of the weapon.
US08166695B2 Hitch mounted shooting support
A shooting support includes a hitch-supported lower tube insertable into a vehicle hitch tube, an upper tube pivoted to the lower tube for angular adjustment toward the vehicle, and a table pivoted to the upper tube. The two pivots each include an arcuate slot around the respective pivot, and a clamp with handled nut for clampingly fixing an adjusted position. The upper tube also includes telescoping extendable tubes and a clamp for fixing its length. By this arrangement, a user sitting on the tailgate can infinitely adjust a length and angle of the upper tube to position the table at a desired horizontal and vertical location relative to the table and to the tailgate. A side handle on the upper tube is in a balanced position when the tubes and table are folded to parallel positions, such that the shooting support can be easily carried. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08166694B2 Firearm securing device and method
Embodiments include a method and apparatus for removably connecting a firearm, accessory, or tool to a surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The apparatus may include a first connecting member operatively connectible to the firearm, accessory, or tool and a second connecting member operatively connectible to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The first connecting member and second connecting member are capable of connection to one another to connect the firearm, accessory, or tool to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment.
US08166689B1 Enclosure for the display of decorative pins
An ornamental enclosure for the display of a decorative pin. The ornament may be hung or stood on a flat surface. The enclosure has an opening in the front for viewing the interior which is a cavity for the reception of a puncturable, resilient and removable insert with a central portion made of a material for the piercing through of the post(s) portion of a decorative pin and defining a mounting surface for a decorative pin. The removable insert is placed in the enclosure producing a background for the decorative pin. Once inside the enclosure, the resilient insert assumes a shape conforming to a portion of the interior of the enclosure.
US08166686B2 Cup labeling system
An apparatus and a system for affixing a label to a cup, bottle and/or container is provided. The apparatus and system may allow for affixing a pre-printed label having a plurality of colors and indicia thereon to a cup whereby the label may be viewed as integral part to the cup itself. The preprinting of the labeling prior to the affixation of the cup insures consistency and uniformity of the indicia thereon. Additionally, the printing of the label prior to affixing it to the cup may allow the printer to ensure proper angles of the indica prior to the application of the label onto the desired cup apparatus. Moreover, the present invention may allow for the peeling away of a portion if the label to review the outside edge of the receiving cup/container.
US08166682B2 Soleplate unit of electric iron
A soleplate unit of electric iron with improved front structure, comprising: a shallow groove provided on the bottom surface of the front side of the soleplate unit, a sheet set in said shallow groove and the front of the sheet extending outwardly from the front side of the soleplate unit. A high rigid surface layer is provided on the surface of the sheet, or the sheet is made of high rigid material. The sheet is tongue in shape, and two front sides of the sheet extend outwardly from the front side of the soleplate unit. The soleplate unit can also be provided with a sheet that extends outwardly from the front of the soleplate unit. It is very convenient for users to iron the face fabric near the button and the slide fastener.
US08166681B2 Soleplate
A soleplate includes a metallic layer, a non-ferromagnetic layer and a ferromagnetic layer sandwiched between the metallic layer and non-ferromagnetic layer. The soleplate is used in an induction heating-based cordless iron. The electromagnetic field from an induction coil located in a stand, where the iron rests and gets charged, can pass beyond the non-ferromagnetic layer and heat the ferromagnetic layer efficiently. The non-ferromagnetic layer that is forming an ironing plate ensures a uniform heat transfer to the metallic layer for good steaming performance for effective cordless ironing.
US08166678B2 Tooth and adaptor for dredging machine
The tooth and adaptor for dredging machines object of the present invention relates to a tooth or wear member which, attached to an adaptor or adaptor member, creates an assembly the purpose of which is to deepen and clean the beds of ports, rivers, channels, etc., removing therefrom sludge, stones, sand, etc., the adaptors being attached to the blades of the propellers and thus forming the cutter head of the dredging machine. The constructive features of the coupling between the tooth and the tooth bar or adaptor allow making better use of the cutting material of the tooth and a simple and quick replacement thereof in the adaptor, between other advantages.
US08166672B2 Shoe sole and shoe for midfoot striker
The present invention provides an improved shoe sole for a running shoe conducive to a midfoot striking gait including a cushioning element positioned between the upper surface and the ground-contacting surface, at least a portion of which is positioned on a lateral side of the sole and contained within a region between 15% and 90% of the length of the shoe sole as measured from a rearfoot end of the sole. One or more high abrasion-resistant ground-contacting crash pads are positioned below the cushioning element, and include a lateral side portion contained within a region extending a distance of 20% the length of the shoe sole, as measured from a rearfoot end of the shoe sole. The shoe sole, preferably devoid of at least vertical arch sculpting, also includes a longitudinal flex groove positioned just medial of the crash pads.
US08166669B2 Laundry machine and a method for operating the same
The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a method for operating the same for removing wrinkles or the like from laundry by using high temperature and high humidity air instead of steam. The method for operating a laundry machine includes the steps of a course selecting step for selecting an operating course, and a high temperature and high humidity air supply step for supplying high temperature high humidity air to a drum from an air supply unit.
US08166666B2 Compact gas dryer and method for manufacturing the same
A compact gas dryer (100) comprises a primary heat exchanger (200) exchanging heat between hot, incoming, contaminated gaseous medium and outgoing dry, cool gaseous 5 medium, a secondary heat exchanger (300) exchanging heat between incoming cold gaseous medium from the primary heat exchanger (200) and a refrigerant, and a condense trap (400) trapping condensable matter in the cooled gaseous medium exiting the secondary heat exchanger (300). 10 Afterwards, the dry, cool gaseous medium exchanges heat with the incoming contaminated gaseous medium in the primary heat exchanger. The primary heat exchanger (200), the secondary heat exchanger (300) and the condense trap (400) are combined into a single unit (100).
US08166665B2 Paint brush cleaning apparatus
A paint brush cleaning apparatus having a rod with a first end portion spaced apart from a second end portion and a paint brush holder having a securement member for releasably securing a paint brush thereto. The rod having a longitudinal axis about which the rod and paint brush holder may rotate. An electric drill may be used in connection with the paint brush cleaning apparatus, with the first end portion typically sized and shaped to engage a drill bit receiving chamber of the electric drill. A protective sheet adapted to protect users from flying paint during the cleaning process may also be employed.
US08166664B2 Method of aligning arm reference system of a multiple-arm measurement machine
A method of aligning arm reference systems of a multiple-arm measuring machine having at least two measuring units, each having a movable arm; the method including the steps of aligning the reference systems of the measuring units when setting up the machine, and periodically updating alignment of the reference systems by detecting, by means of one measuring unit, a reference member carried by another measuring unit and moved successively by the other measuring unit into a number of positions at an intersection of the measuring volumes of the two measuring units.
US08166660B2 Reciprocating saw
A reciprocating saw having a housing, a reciprocating shaft unrotatably connected to a blade, a rear handle and a forward handle, the forward handle being rotatably mounted to the housing near the blade and capable of sliding relative to the reciprocating shaft, but incapable of rotating relative to the reciprocating shaft. The forward handle comprises at least one hole, the reciprocating saw further includes a button connected to a locking element for engaging or disengaging with the at least one hole. The reciprocating saw is easy and comfortable to operate.
US08166656B2 Method and apparatus for working a screw rotor, end mill for working , and method of manufacturing a screw compressor
A method of improving working of grooves of a screw rotor, in particular, working of grooves side in working efficiency, a working apparatus, a working tool, and a method of manufacturing a screw compressor are provided. A method of controlling rotation of a work and turning of a tool at a time to form a screw tooth space based on a five-axis NC machine, and a special end mill having a cutting edge of a short length and a neck portion provided between the cutting edge and a shank portion to be made thin is used to perform working in grooves side finish working process.
US08166648B2 Method of manufacturing a wiring substrate
There is provided a wiring substrate manufacturing method. The wiring substrate includes: a plurality of conductor patterns formed on a mounting surface on which an electronic component is to be mounted, wherein each of the conductor patterns is covered with a corresponding one of solder layers; and partition walls made of insulating material and formed along the conductor patterns on the mounting surface such that each of the partition walls is provided between the adjacent conductor patterns with a clearance interposed therebetween.
US08166646B2 Method for connecting two objects electrically
A groove, and a recess which communicates with the groove, are formed in a substrate. Next, a through hole which communicates with the groove is formed. Thereafter, a wire is formed on an upper surface of the substrate, and an individual electrode is arranged on a lower surface of the substrate. Further, a droplet of an electroconductive liquid is made to land on the recess, and the liquid is filled in the through hole via the groove. Next, the liquid filled in the groove, the recess, and the through hole is heated to harden. Further, the recess and the groove of the substrate are removed by cutting up to an area near the through hole. Accordingly, it is possible to connect electrically the connecting bodies arranged on both surfaces of the substrate by filling an electroconductive material in the through holes easily.
US08166644B2 Method for manufacturing an active socket for facilitating proximity communication
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates capacitive communication between integrated circuit chips. The system includes a substrate having an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. The system additionally includes an integrated circuit chip having an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. Additionally, the integrated circuit chip is pressed against the substrate such that the active face of the integrated circuit chip is parallel to and adjacent to the active face of the substrate, and capacitive signal pads on the active face of the integrated circuit chip overlap signal pads on the active face of the substrate. The arrangement of the substrate and integrated circuit chip facilitates communication between the integrated circuit chip and the substrate through capacitive coupling via the overlapping signal pads.
US08166636B2 Apparatus with a centering device for positioning and cutting a laminate
A mold houses a least one cutting die that defines a die axis. The mold has at least one punch aligned with the die axis and movable in a reciprocating manner that cooperates with the at least one cutting die to cut the laminate into the laminations by carrying out cutting steps. The mold has a centering device within the mold that locks the at least one cutting die into a desired position prior to each of the cutting steps. A punching movement of the at least one punch is coordinated with a feeding movement of the laminate to a location within the mold that is interposed between the at least one punch and the cutting die.
US08166631B1 Method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer having side shields
A method provides a magnetic transducer that includes an underlayer and a nonmagnetic layer on the underlayer. The method includes providing a plurality of trenches in the nonmagnetic layer. A first trench of corresponds to a main pole, while at least one side trench corresponds to at least one side shield. The method also includes providing mask covering the side trench(es) and providing the main pole. At least a portion of the main pole resides in the first trench. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the nonmagnetic layer residing between the side trench(es) and the main pole. The method also includes providing at least one side shield. The shield(s) extend from at least an air-bearing surface location to not further than a coil front location.
US08166630B2 Magnetic head slider manufacturing method
To provide a manufacturing method which can adjust the lengths of a recording element and a reproducing element for enabling manufacture of high-quality magnetic head sliders. The manufacturing method comprises: a stacked-layer forming step which stacks magnetic heads on a substrate; a lapping step which cuts out a bar block having a plurality of connected magnetic head sliders, and polishes a flying surface; and a slider cutting step which cuts out individual magnetic head sliders from the bar block. The stacked-layer forming step forms a reproducing-element polish amount detecting sensor on a same layer as that of the reproducing element, and forms a recording-element polish amount detecting sensor on a same layer as that of the recording element. The lapping step carries out polishing based on each output value of the reproducing-element polish amount detecting sensor and the recording-element polish amount detecting sensor.
US08166625B2 Continuous diorama and method of making the same
Diorama having a focal zone and a plurality of inclined panels on which different areas of the image are displayed disposed about the focal zone, with the image flowing continuously between the panels and no physical seams between areas of the image displayed on adjacent ones of the panels. The diorama is created from a two-dimensional image by constructing a layout guide in the form of a two-dimensional projection of the diorama with guide lines diverging outwardly from the focal zone and outlining the projected panels, superimposing the layout guide on the two-dimensional image with the focal zone in registration with a focal area of the image, selecting areas of the image for display on the panels of the diorama, creating an adjusted image having panels in which the selected areas are adjusted in size and/or shape to fit precisely within the guide lines for the panels of the diorama, selecting an anchor panel which remains fixed in place with the focal area of the adjusted image, rotating the other panels of the adjusted image about the focal area from a seam line toward the anchor panel to separate the image at the seam line and bring facing edges of adjacent ones of the image panels together to form an image that extends continuously across the panels from one side of the seam line to the other, printing the image with the rotated panels, trimming the printed image along facing edges of the image where it was separated at the seam line, and bringing the trimmed edges together along the seam line to form a three-dimensional image.
US08166623B2 Method for controlling connect and disconnect forces of a connector
A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
US08166622B2 Machine for machining optical workpieces, in particular plastic spectacle lenses
A machine for machining workpieces, for example plastic spectacle lenses, has a workpiece spindle which rotates the workpiece about a workpiece rotation axis, and a fast tool arrangement which moves a turning tool in the direction to and from the workpiece, wherein the workpiece spindle and the fast tool arrangement can moreover be moved relative to one another in a direction transverse to the workpiece rotation axis. A tool holder is connected to the fast tool arrangement and carries the turning tool. An engraving tool is spaced from the workpiece rotation axis and has an essentially point-shaped end facing towards the workpiece. The engraving tool can be moved in the direction of the workpiece and away therefrom in a highly dynamic manner via the tool holder, so that a marking can be produced on the workpiece in particular by a needling engagement of the engraving tool with the workpiece.
US08166614B2 Auxiliary handle for hand-held power tool
An auxiliary handle for a hand-held power tool (7) includes a lockable lag hinge (46) provided between the clamping section (21) and the gripping member (34) and having a pivot pin (47), a tensioning member (51) for tightening and loosening the clamping section (21) and arranged on an end (48) of the pivot pin (47) of the lag hinge (46), a locking device (41) for locking and releasing the lag hinge (46), and an independent from the tensioning member (51), unlocking device (56) for releasing the locking device (41) and having an actuation member (62) upon actuation of which, the locking device (41) is displaced from its locking position in which the lag hinge (46) is locked to its release position in which the lag hinge (46) is released.
US08166613B2 Limiting hinge
A limiting hinge has a stationary limiting washer, a rotating limiting washer, a rotating bracket and a positioning washer mounted around a pintle in sequence. A first resistance is formed between the stationary limiting washer and the rotating limiting washer. A second resistance is formed between the rotating limiting washer and the rotating bracket. A third resistance is formed between the rotating bracket and the positioning washer. Because the first resistance is larger than the second resistance while the second resistance is larger than the third resistance, the rotating limiting washer disengages from the rotating bracket when a huge force is accidentally applied. Therefore, the rotating limiting washer stays still with the stationary limiting washer to prevent breakage.
US08166611B2 Door supporting device for refrigerator
The present invention relates to a door supporting device for a refrigerator. The door supporting device of the present invention can adjust the height of the door. A hinge bracket of the door supporting device of the present invention includes a fixing portion fixed to a front face of the refrigerator, and a supporting portion extending forward from an upper end of the fixing portion and having a threaded hole with threads formed on an inner periphery thereof. A hinge shaft of the door supporting device has threads on an outer periphery thereof and is threadly engaged with the threaded hole so that the hinge shaft can be supported by the hinge bracket. An upper end of the hinge shaft rotatably supports the door. The height of the door can be adjusted by rotating the hinge shaft. A nut is threadly engaged with the hinge shaft below the hinge bracket. The nut prevents the hinge shaft from being rotated so that the door can be constantly maintained at a predetermined height. The door supporting device further comprises a hinge cap fitted around the upper end of the hinge shaft and inserted into a hinge hole formed in a bottom surface of the door so as to rotatably support the door. The hinge cap comprises a rearward extension and a rotation preventing projection extending downward from the extension, and the rotation preventing projection is inserted into a fixing hole of the hinge bracket so as to restrict rotation of the hinge cap.
US08166608B2 Floor treatment device having a rotatable roller
A floor treatment device including a housing, a brush motor and a rotatable roller disposed in the housing. A suction mouth is disposed in a portion of the housing. The rotatable roller is driven by the brush motor and at least partially extends from the suction mouth. The rotatable roller is resiliently mounted in the housing such that the distance between an axis of rotation of the rotatable roller and the housing portion is variable.
US08166606B2 Squeegee assembly
A squeegee assembly (10, 10′) includes a flexible wiper blade (30) sandwiched between a mounting bracket (32, 32′) and a retaining strap (34, 34′). A retainer (94) has a head (98) which is positionable between aligned and misaligned positions with mounting apertures (82, 92) to allow disassembly, assembly and retention of the squeegee assembly (10, 10′). Arcuate portions (36, 36′, 66, 66′) formed in the mounting bracket (32, 32′) and the retaining straps (34, 34′) have different radiuses. Linear portions (68, 68′, 70, 70′) of the retaining straps (34, 34′) have upper and lower edges (72, 74) bent from center portions thereof. The mounting brackets (32, 32′) include L-shaped slots (46) for slideably receiving vertical bolts (56) of the floor maintenance machine (12).
US08166605B2 Windshield wiper arm bracket
A windshield wiper arm bracket includes a pair of side walls. Each of said side walls include at least one centrally located pin arm receiving hole formed therein. The bracket also includes a post attaching the pair of side walls together. The post is for receiving a pin arm adaptor thereon. The bracket also includes an attachment arm formed on a bottom of each of the pair of side walls. The attachment arms are for connecting the bracket to a windshield wiper assembly. An adaptor for a windshield wiper arm bracket includes a top portion and a web portion. The web portion includes a central aperture formed therein. The central aperture includes a first portion for receiving a post of the windshield wiper arm bracket and a second aperture for receiving a pin arm of a windshield wiper arm.
US08166598B2 Elongated, U-shaped, biased cleaning apparatus with handle aligned with cleaning head
A cleaning device includes an elongated u-shaped handle terminating with a mounting neck at a distal end. A handgrip engages the handle at the proximal end. A support strap may attached to the handgrip. A cleaning head is releasably attached to the mounting neck. The cleaning head is configured to releasably engage the mounting neck. The handle is u-shaped and resilient to generate a biasing force that facilitates use and cleaning contact. The cleaning head is opposite and in direct alignment with the handgrip, so that a user may determine the exact position of the cleaning head against the user's back by observing the position of the handgrip.
US08166592B2 Sole with adjustable sizing
A sole with adjustable sizing is disclosed. The sole includes a fixed region and an adjustable region. The adjustable region is deformable when the sole is heated to a melting point associated with the adjustable region. The shape and size of the sole may be adjusted by deforming the adjustable region.
US08166591B2 Apparatus and method for wash fluid recirculation in a washing machine
Apparatus and methods for recirculating wash fluid in a washing machine are disclosed. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a wash basket rotatably supported within the wash tub. The washing machine can include a jet pump for recirculation of wash fluid through the wash basket and wash tub. The inlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with a wash fluid supply line and the outlet of the jet pump is in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump includes a suction port coupled to a recirculation line in fluid communication with the wash tub. The jet pump draws wash fluid from the wash tub through the recirculation line and returns the wash fluid through the outlet of the jet pump to the wash basket according to the Venturi effect when wash fluid flows through the inlet of the jet pump.
US08166588B1 Adjustable swivel lift grab bar
An adjustable swivel lift grab bar includes an angled lift member and an adjustable bottom leg. The adjustable bottom leg allows angular adjustment of the angled lift member. The adjustable bottom leg includes a top leg, a bottom leg and a clamping knob with plunger. One end of the top leg is pivotally retained by a pole and the clamping knob is retained in the other end. The bottom leg includes a plurality of holes to receive the plunger of the clamping knob. One end of the bottom leg is attached to a bottom of the angle lift member. A top attachment bracket is secured to a top of the angled lift member for pivotal retention on a pivot post secured to a wall, a floor mounted pole, a double flange pole or a moveable support pole. Rotation of the angled lift member may be braked or motorized.
US08166587B2 Portable breastfeeding and nursing pillow
A portable breastfeeding and nursing pillow for a baby includes a base portion in a generally rectangular shape with a contoured side. The base portion further includes a boarder about at least three sides of the base portion and extending a distance above a first feeding surface of the base portion for mitigating problems of the baby rolling off the first feeding surface. The top portion stacked underneath the base portion adds height if needed during the baby nursing time. The top portion also includes a second feeding surface for feeding the baby when additional height of the pillow without the boarder is desired. A strap is joined to the bottom portion for adjustably securing about a person's waist when the pillow is being used for breastfeeding or nursing a baby. The strap is adjustable for resting on a person's shoulder when transporting the pillow. A decorative binding strap holds the top portion to the bottom portion when transporting the pillow. Attachable nursing cover offers privacy during the nursing time.
US08166585B2 Medical workstation for patients
A medical workstation and workstation system for patients includes a bed for positioning the patient in the lying position, a plurality of mobile work units, which are connected to the bed, a control unit, which is arranged at the bed and which can be connected via a first supply cable to a stationary media port, on the one hand, and via a second supply cable to a mobile media port, on the other hand, for supplying a work unit. The control unit is designed as a distribution unit, to which a plurality of mobile work units (4, 4′) are connected via connection cables.
US08166584B2 Overflow assembly for bathtubs and the like
An overflow system in the bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A threaded flange has a stub shoulder on one end which is fitted into a circular sleeve on the overflow port. The threaded flange has exterior threads on its outer surface and a thin diaphragm secured to the end thereof opposite to the stub shoulder. A large sealing washer embraces the outside of the circular flange on the overflow port and extends partially over the threads of the threaded flange. A large internally threaded nut is threadably mounted on the outer end of the threaded flange and compresses the sealing washer against a vertical flange on the port to seal the connection between the threaded flange and the port. A decorative cap is frictionally snapped into engagement with protrusions on the outer surface of the nut. The cap can be removed when needed to permit the plumber to gain access to the diaphragm to cut it open for fluid flow after the system has been tested for leaks, or put in place after the cut takes place.
US08166580B2 Dispensing device and valve for use therewith
A dispensing means (10) for delivering a dose of a first liquid into a second liquid is provided, the dispensing means comprising an enclosure (12) for the first liquid, and valve means (16), the dispensing means being operable such that raising a level (114) of a second liquid relative to the dispensing means so as to subject the dispensing means to hydrostatic pressure causes a dose of the first liquid to be displaced from the enclosure (12) to establish a column (118) of the first liquid that acts on the valve means, and subsequent lowering of the level (114) of the second liquid relative to the dispensing means so as to reduce the hydrostatic pressure acting on the valve means (16) causes the valve means to deliver the dose. Also provided is a valve means (16) adapted for attachment to an inlet tube and comprising a valve body (62) and a flexible membrane (72), which, when attached to an inlet tube (22) containing a column of a first liquid and immersed in a second liquid, the hydrostatic pressure causes the flexible membrane (72) to seal the valve body (62) so as to prevent a flow of the first liquid, and when a level of the second liquid is lowered, the flexible membrane (72) unseals the valve body (62) so as to allow a flow of the first liquid through the valve body (62).
US08166572B1 Sleeping bag systems
A sleeping bag system relating to assisting a user to choose to walk, stand upright, sit, use one's arms and hands, or be otherwise mobile while inside the comfort and warmth of a sleeping bag. The system also provides for full enclosure within the sleeping bag as well as hygienic access without exiting the sleeping bag.