| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08221684B2 |
Mobile intra-operative microscopic diagnosis laboratory
A mobile intra-operative microscopic diagnosis laboratory capable of analyzing fresh tissue specimens and providing intra-operative consultation within 20 minutes is described. The mobile laboratory is preferably a van and contains a cryostat for freezing the fresh tissue specimens and a means for cutting the specimens. In addition, it also contains the means for reading the slides to make microscopic diagnosis and a means for handling for fresh tissue and a means for indicating various locations in the specimen, preferably by inking them. It preferably contains a stainer for staining the samples and an intercom for communicating the microscopic diagnosis back to the operating room. |
| US08221683B2 |
Specimen preparation apparatus, specimen preparation/analysis system and specimen plate
Provided is a specimen preparation apparatus capable of supplying a specimen from the specimen preparation apparatus to a specimen analyzer without burdening an operator. This specimen preparation apparatus comprises a stained specimen preparation part for preparing a specimen on a slide glass and staining the specimen, a keeping part for storing the stained specimen slide glass prepared in the stained specimen preparation part and a control part for deciding whether to supply the stained specimen slide glass to the keeping part or to the external apparatus. |
| US08221681B2 |
Method and apparatus for decontamination of tubing
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus and method for decontaminating tubing. The invention is particularly suitable for decontaminating tubing in a test system used for certifying a filter in a containment system. In one embodiment, a test system for a containment system is provide that includes a sample system including equipment adapted for testing a filter disposed in a containment system utilizing samples obtained from a downstream sample port and a upstream sample port of the containment system, and a device for reversing a flow within the sample system. In another aspect of the invention, a method for decontaminating tubing is provided. In another embodiment, the method includes flowing a sterilization agent through tubing in a first direction and flowing the sterilization agent through tubing in a second direction. |
| US08221677B2 |
Wire injection lance nozzle insert
A lance nozzle insert for a refractory lance for feeding an additive wire into a quantity of molten metal below the surface of the molten metal surface is made of a material comprising stabilized zirconium oxide and graphite substantially increasing the corrosion resistance of the lance nozzle insert. |
| US08221676B2 |
Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. |
| US08221675B2 |
Direct smelting vessel and cooler therefor
A direct smelting vessel and a hearth cooler element are disclosed. The vessel includes a refractory lined hearth. An inner surface of an upper part of the hearth extends upwardly and outwardly to side walls of the vessel. The upper part of the hearth incorporates a hearth cooler disposed outwardly behind the refractory lining of that part of the hearth and below the cooling panels on the side walls of the vessel. The hearth cooler comprises a plurality of cooler elements. Each cooler element has a hollow open-backed shell structure having base, top and side walls formed integrally in a cast structure and incorporating coolant flow passages. |
| US08221673B2 |
Load bearing panel member and method for forming a load bearing panel member
The present invention provides a method for producing an injection molded panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion. The method includes placing the appearance surface portion of the panel member into a mold cavity. The mold cavity preferably includes a first chamber adapted to form the first portion of the panel member, and a second chamber adapted to form the second portion of the panel member. After the appearance surface portion of the panel member is inserted into the mold, molten plastic material and pressurized gas are injected into the first chamber of the mold cavity. After the molten plastic material is injected into the first chamber of the mold, molten plastic material is injected into the second chamber of the mold cavity. The molten plastic is then cooled until it solidifies. After the molten plastic is sufficiently cooled, the pressurized gas is vented and the panel member is removed from the mold. |
| US08221672B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material for use as a component in an absorbent core assembly
A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum. |
| US08221664B2 |
Hot axial pressing method
A hot axial pressing method for sintering a ceramic powder, particularly doped Gd2O2S, comprises the step of placing a first porous body (7), the ceramic powder (9) and a second porous body (7) into a mould shell (5) supported by a support (13, 14). The ceramic powder (9) is located between the porous bodies (7). Gaseous components are evacuated from the ceramic powder (9) up to an ambient pressure of less than 0.8 bar. The porous body (7) and the ceramic powder (9) are heated to a maximum temperature of at least 900° C. and are applied to a pressure up to a maximum pressure of at least 75 Mpa. According to the invention the variation in time of the heating step and the variation in time of the pressure applying step is adjusted to each other such that the mould shell 5 is held by the porous bodies (7) and/or the ceramic powder (9) in a state where the mould shell (5) and the support (13, 14) are disconnected with respect to each other. |
| US08221663B2 |
Method of making cellulosic filled thermoplastic composites of an anhydride containing copolymer
A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3. |
| US08221662B2 |
Injection mold for the production of an injection-molded part from a rigid plastic layer and a plastic foam surface layer
An injection mold is provided for the production of an injection molding having a stiff plastics layer and a foamed-plastic surface layer, with at least one undercut region and comprising two mold halves and comprising one or more sliding elements, which delimit a mold cavity with a convex and a concave side. Whereby, there is a first sliding element provided on the convex side of the mold cavity, and this sliding element has been designed so as to interlock with the first mold half more distant from the undercut region, and is movable with this same mold half, in the same direction, after the injection of the stiff plastics backing layer and of the polymer melt forming the foamed-plastic surface layer, in the step of decompression of the polymer melt forming the foamed-plastic surface layer. |
| US08221661B2 |
General-purpose method for producing large-sized ceramic products such as houses or rooms from clay, large-sized blocks, bricks, and ceiling slabs
The invention relates to the building material industry and to the use of labor saving tools of industrial continuous and batch brick kilns. Said invention makes it possible to develop a process for producing large-sized clay ceramic products consisting in carrying out rapid and high-quality baking and to accelerate a construction process. The inventive method for producing a clay house or another clay construction consists in forming, during construction, through and blind voids in a wall and a ceiling in such a way that they are closed with a noncombustible material from outside, in covering window and door apertures in the ready clay construction with a noncombustible material, and in baking the construction to a ceramic state in such a way that hot gas penetrates into the voids and that the body of the product is uniformly heated. During baking the construction is used in the form of a furnace (combustion chamber). |
| US08221660B2 |
Type of surface-reinforced solid wood section material and its manufacturing method
The present invention relates to a solid wood section material and its manufacturing method. This invention is achieved by the following technical plans: a type of surface-reinforced solid wood product, including a compacted layer and a natural layer connected with fibre, has total density of between 350 and 750 kg/m3, moisture content between 5 and 12%, corrosion grade greater than II and weight loss less than or equal to 24%. This invention is particularly suitable to make floor boards. |
| US08221659B2 |
Method and apparatus for the dry release of a compliant ophthalmic article from a mold surface
An apparatus for releasing a molded lens from a deformable mold includes a shear ring for temporarily retaining an annular portion of the deformable mold outside a periphery of the lens and a plunger for deforming an annular section of the deformable mold within the periphery of the lens. The apparatus can be employed to release a non-hydrated hydrogel lens from a deformable mold section. |
| US08221658B2 |
Mixed salts of diorganylphosphinic acids and carboxylic acids
The invention relates to mixtures of diorganylphosphinic acids and carboxylic acids of the formula [cationn+(phosphinate−)x(carboxylic acid anionz−1/z)y] where n=from 1 to 4 x=from 0.01 to n−0.01 y=n−x z=from 1 to 4, where “cation” means an element of the second main and/or transition group, an element of the third main and/or transition group, an element of the fourth main and/or transition group, an element of the fifth main and/or transition group, an element of the sixth transition group, an element of the seventh transition group, and/or an element of the eighth transition group, “phosphinate” means the anion of diorganylphosphinic acids of the formula where R1 and R2 are identical or different and, independently of one another, are H, C1-C6-alkyl, linear or branched, and/or aryl, and/or hydroxyalkyl, and “carboxylic acid anion” means C1-C18 carboxylic acid anions. The invention also relates to processes for their production, and to their use. |
| US08221657B2 |
Near infrared absorbing phthalocyanines and their use
The instant invention relates to novel phthalocyanines and their use as IR-absorbers, in particular in transparent thermoplastic or crosslinkable polymers. A further aspect of the invention is a composition of these phthalocyanines and thermoplastic or crosslinkable polymers and an architectural or automotive glazing containing these phthatolcyanines. |
| US08221656B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics and the storage characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The anode contains an anode active material containing a material that is capable of inserting and extracting an electrode reactant and has at least one of metal elements and metalloid elements. Further, the electrolytic solution contains a solvent containing a sulfone compound having a structure in which —S(═O)2—S—C(═O)— bond is introduced to a benzene skeleton. |
| US08221654B2 |
EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material and molded product made using the same
Disclosed is an electromagnetic wave interference (EMI)/radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding resin composite material including (A) a thermoplastic polymer resin, (B) a tetrapod whisker, and (C) a low melting point metal. |
| US08221652B2 |
Process of preparing regioregular polymers
The invention relates to a process of preparing regioregular polymers, in particular head-to-tail (HT) poly-(3-substituted) thiophenes or selenophenes with high regioregularity and defined molecular weight, to novel polymers prepared by this process, to the use of the novel polymers as semiconductors or charge transport materials in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices including field effect transistors (FETs), electroluminescent, photovoltaic and sensor devices, and to FETs and other semiconducting components or materials comprising the novel polymers. |
| US08221651B2 |
Water-dispersible nanoparticles having high luminous efficiency and method of producing the same
Nanoparticles having a core/shell structure consisting of a core comprising a Group III element and a Group V element at a molar ratio of the Group III element to the Group V element in the range of 1.25 to 3.0, and a shell comprising a Group II element and a Group VI element and having a thickness of 0.2 nm to 4 nm, the nanoparticles having a photoluminescence efficiency of 10% or more and a diameter of 2.5 to 10 nm; a method of producing the water-dispersible nanoparticles and a method of producing a glass matrix having the nanoparticles dispersed therein. |
| US08221646B2 |
Decontamination formulations
The present application is concerned with compositions for providing phase-stable microemulsion decontamination formulations for treating surfaces, and in particular for treating surfaces contaminated with chemical and/or biological warfare agents. |
| US08221645B2 |
Heat dissipating material and semiconductor device using same
Disclosed is a heat dissipating material which is interposed between a heat-generating electronic component and a heat dissipating body. This heat dissipating material contains (A) 100 parts by weight of a silicone gel cured by an addition reaction having a penetration of not less than 100 (according to ASTM D 1403), and (B) 500-2000 parts by weight of a heat conductive filler. Also disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a heat-generating electronic component and a heat dissipating body, wherein the heat dissipating material is interposed between the heat-generating electronic component and the heat dissipating body. |
| US08221643B2 |
Lubricating oil composition for compression refrigerator having traction mechanism
The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition for a compression type refrigerator, containing a base oil having a kinematic viscosity of 2 to 1,000 mm2/s at 40° C. The base oil contains the following compounds (1) to (6) each having a molecular weight of 150 to 5,000 and a tertiary or quaternary carbon: (1) an alicyclic hydrocarbon, (2) a branched carboxylic acid ester of a polyhydric alcohol, (3) an alicyclic polycarboxylic acid ester, (4) polybutene, (5) an alkyl benzene and/or an alkyl naphthalene, and (6) a paraffinic mineral oil showing a 13C-NMR spectrum in which an area of peaks at chemical shifts in the range of 30 to 100 ppm accounts for 5 to 40% of the entire peak area and/or a naphthenic mineral oil having a naphthene content of 30 to 70% by mass. The composition has excellent traction performance, lubricating properties and stability. |
| US08221638B2 |
Gas supply system, substrate processing apparatus and gas supply method
Prior to wafer processing, pressure ratio control is executed on a divided flow rate adjustment means so as to adjust the flow rates of divided flows to achieve a target pressure ratio with regard to the pressures in the individual branch passages. As the processing gas from a processing gas supply means is diverted into first and second branch pipings under the pressure ratio control and the pressures in the branch passages then stabilize, the control on the divided flow rate adjustment means is switched to steady pressure control for adjusting the flow rates of the divided flows so as to hold the pressure in the first branch passage at the level achieved in the stable pressure condition. Only after the control is switched to the steady pressure control, an additional gas is delivered into the second branch passage via an additional gas supply means. |
| US08221633B2 |
Cyclonic separator
A fuel system comprising a liquid fuel tank, an engine, and a cyclonic separator having an inlet fluidically connected to the fuel tank, a first outlet fluidically connected to an engine fuel feed system, and a second outlet. The cyclonic separator is adapted to discharge relatively denser material from the first outlet and relatively less dense material from the second outlet. The fuel system may be used to remove water or ice from the fuel tank by separating the liquid fuel in the tank into water rich fuel and purified fuel using the cyclonic separator. The water rich fuel is discharged to the engine where the water is burnt off with the fuel. The cyclonic separator may be retrofit in an existing fuel system. The fuel system may be in an aircraft. |
| US08221629B2 |
Solvent removal process
A process for removing a solvent from a first solution, said process comprising positioning a selective membrane between the first solution and a second solution having a higher osmotic potential than the first solution, such that solvent from the first solution passes across the membrane to dilute the second solution, and extracting solvent from the second solution, wherein the membrane has an average pore size of at least 10 Angstroms, and wherein the second solution contains solute species that are too large to pass through the pores of the membrane. |
| US08221621B2 |
System, apparatus, and methods of remediation of contamination
An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s). |
| US08221618B2 |
Filter for removing sediment from water
An apparatus, system, and method for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a tubular filter assembly comprising a support member; and a filtratable element surrounding the support member, the filtratable element comprising a backing mesh; and a fibrous batting. A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system includes a filter chamber to receive a liquid having suspended particles therein; at least one filtration cartridge housed within the filter chamber, wherein the filtration cartridge comprises at least one elongated filtratable element, each filtratable element comprising a support member, and a filtratable media adapted to surround the inner core. A method for removing sediment from water is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method for removing suspended particles from a liquid includes (1) receiving liquid containing suspended particles into a filter chamber, wherein the filter chamber comprises an inlet and outlet positioned to create pressure differential sufficient to drive the liquid through the filter chamber; (2) filtering the suspending particles from the liquid through at least one elongated filtratable element; and (3) discharging the filtered liquid. |
| US08221617B1 |
Hot water recovery apparatus for reclaiming process water
An apparatus for reclaiming hot process water from a animal processing facility includes a screen portion, a filtration portion and optionally a UV sterilization portion. The screen portion receives dirty hot process water and removes macroscopic debris to produce raw tank water. Raw tank water is pumped through the filtration portion at relatively high pressure in order to remove substantially all solids to produce a permeate side stream. The permeate is optionally passed through a very intense ultra-violet field in order to produce uncontaminated reclaimed hot process water which may be safely reintroduced as hot scald water for the poultry cleaning process. |
| US08221607B2 |
High speed, high resolution compositions, methods and kits for capillary electrophoresis
The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for high speed, high resolution of analytes by capillary electrophoresis starting with uncoated capillaries. The compositions comprise a sieving component, comprising a non-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component, comprising at least one uncharged and non-crosslinked water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymer. Methods for employing the novel compositions in capillary electrophoresis are provided. Kits comprising the novel compositions for use in the novel methods are also provided. |
| US08221603B2 |
Membrane transducer surface contact sensor
A surface-contact sensor includes a housing defining an opening, an ion-permeable membrane at the opening, a counterelectrode within the housing, and a reference electrode within the housing that is spaced apart from the current-collector. A current-collector pad includes a grommet support having a base and a lumen defining an opening. An ion-permeable membrane spans at least a portion of the opening of the grommet. The ion-permeable membrane is held in place by a gasket surrounding the lumen. A current collector, at least in one embodiment, is proximate to a portion of the ion-permeable membrane that spans the opening. |
| US08221599B2 |
Corrosion-resistant anodes, devices including the anodes, and methods of using the anodes
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an anode, devices and systems including the anode (e.g., electrochemical devices and photo-electrochemical devices), methods of using the anode, methods of producing H2 and O2 from H2O, Cl2, oxidixed organic feedstocks, oxidation for the detection and quantification of chemical species, and the like. |
| US08221597B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting pH of solution
A pH adjusting apparatus includes an electrolytic chip receiving a solution, an electrolytic chip loading station receiving the electrolytic chip, an input unit inputting electrolysis conditions, a control unit receiving the electrolysis conditions and controlling electrolysis performed in the electrolytic chip, and a display unit displaying the electrolysis conditions and a progress of the electrolysis. Thus, the pH of a solution can be adjusted easily and accurately, by precisely controlling a constant current, a constant voltage, and current and voltage application times, thereby enabling useful application in various biological assays such as cell lysis. Furthermore, the pH adjusting apparatus has small size and weight and can be operated for a long time after charging once due to low power consumption. |
| US08221595B2 |
Lift-off patterning processes employing energetically-stimulated local removal of solid-condensed-gas layers
The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing an ion beam at the selected regions, exposing the structure at the selected regions. A material layer is then deposited on top of the solid condensate layer and the exposed structure at the selected regions. Then the solid condensate layer and regions of the material layer that were deposited on the solid condensate layer are removed, leaving a patterned material layer on the structure. |
| US08221593B2 |
Reactor, plant and industrial process for the continuous preparation of high-purity silicon tetrachloride or high-purity germanium tetrachloride
A reactor, a plant, and a continuous, industrial process carried out therein for preparing high-purity silicon tetrachloride or high-purity germanium tetrachloride by treating the silicon tetrachloride or germanium tetrachloride to be purified, which is contaminated by at least one hydrogen-containing compound, by a cold plasma and isolating purified high-purity silicon tetrachloride or germanium tetrachloride from the resulting treated phase by fractional distillation. The treatment is carried out in a plasma reactor in which longitudinal axes of a dielectric, of a high-voltage electrode, and of a grounded, metallic heat exchanger are oriented parallel to one another and at the same time parallel to the force vector of gravity. |
| US08221592B2 |
Method for sorting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and device for CNTs sorting
A method for sorting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for sorting CNTs of the present disclosure comprises providing to a surface of a substrate, the surface modified with a trans isomer of photo-isomerization-reactive diazo compound, a dispersion containing a mixture of conducting CNTs and semiconducting CNTs; removing CNTs which are not associated with the modified surface from the surface; and irradiating the modified surface to detach the CNTs associated with the modified surface. |
| US08221588B2 |
Storage stable solutions of optical brighteners
The instant invention relates to storage stable solutions of optical brighteners based on certain salt forms of anilino-substituted bistriazinyl derivatives of 4,4′-diaminostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid which do not need extra solubilising additives. |
| US08221587B2 |
Use of an aqueous suspension and/or dispersion of mineral materials containing a hydrophobic group water-soluble copolymer for making a paper sheet
The invention consists in the use, in a method for manufacturing a sheet of paper, of an aqueous suspension and/or dispersion of mineral materials as an agent for slowing the penetration of the paper coating into said sheet, characterized in that said suspension and/or dispersion contains at least one water-soluble copolymer made up of at least one ethylenically-unsaturated anionic monomer, and at least one ethylenically-unsaturated oxylalkylated monomer terminated by a hydrophobic chain.It also consists in a method for manufacturing a sheet of paper which implements said copolymer, as well as the sheet of paper obtained. |
| US08221585B2 |
Functionalizing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials
Irradiated lignocellulosic or cellulosic materials are provided which contain carboxylic acid groups and/or other functional groups not present in a naturally occurring cellulosic or lignocellulosic material from which the irradiated material was obtained. |
| US08221581B2 |
Gas supply mechanism and substrate processing apparatus
A processing gas supply hole is constituted with a gas outlet hole formed at an electrode plate and a gas injection hole formed at a processing gas supply mechanism main unit. At the gas injection hole, a processing gas having flowed in on the upstream side is injected toward the gas outlet hole through an injection opening of a nozzle portion disposed on the downstream side, so as to generate a suction force at a suction flow passage formed around the nozzle portion by taking advantage of the ejector defect. |
| US08221580B2 |
Plasma reactor with wafer backside thermal loop, two-phase internal pedestal thermal loop and a control processor governing both loops
A plasma reactor with a reactor chamber and an electrostatic chuck having a surface for holding a workpiece inside the chamber includes a backside gas pressure source coupled to the electrostatic chuck for applying a thermally conductive gas under a selected pressure into a workpiece-surface interface formed whenever a workpiece is held on the surface, and an evaporator inside the electrostatic chuck and a refrigeration loop having an expansion valve for controlling flow of coolant through the evaporator. The reactor further includes a temperature sensor in the electrostatic chuck, a thermal model capable of simulating heat transfer between the evaporator and the surface based upon measurements from the temperature sensor and an agile control processor coupled to the thermal model and governing the backside gas pressure source in response to predictions from the model of changes in the selected pressure that would bring the temperature measured by the sensor closer to a desired temperature. |
| US08221573B2 |
Method and apparatus for building a puncture sealant preassembled component
A method and apparatus for making a preassembly of built in sealant useful in tire manufacturing. The method of making the preassembled sealant includes extruding a center strip and at least two axially outer strips of a sealant onto a first conveyor belt; wherein the center strip and the axially outer strips are in a side by side adjacent relationship. Conveying the center strip onto a second conveyor while the axially outer strips are conveyed on the first conveyor belt towards the end of the belt, wherein the center strip has two outer edges, wherein a divider strip is applied to each other edge in a continuous manner, wherein the center strip is then conveyed onto the axially outer strips and then stitched together forming a preassembled component. |
| US08221571B2 |
Cyclic olefin compositions for temporary wafer bonding
New compositions and methods of using those compositions as bonding compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a cycloolefin copolymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and can be used to bond an active wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate to assist in protecting the active wafer and its active sites during subsequent processing and handling. The compositions form bonding layers that are chemically and thermally resistant, but that can also be softened or dissolved to allow the wafers to slide or be pulled apart at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process. |
| US08221569B2 |
Method of producing tire component member
The present invention provides a method of producing a tire component member, which method allows rubber strip pieces to be sequentially attached without forming a gap therebetween. A method of producing a tire component member by diagonally and sequentially attaching a rubber strip piece 1 having an elongated parallelogram-like shape in the circumferential direction on an outer peripheral curved face of a drum 5 having a curved face including the center portion more expanded than respective side portions, comprising the steps of: sequentially holding by adhesive force the rubber strip piece 1 from a leading end thereof, with a disposition of the rubber strip piece inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the drum 5 having a curved face, by an adhesive drum 11 capable of holding by adhesive force the rubber strip 1 piece onto a peripheral surface thereof, while the adhesive drum is rotated; and press-attaching the rubber strip piece 1 held by adhesive force continuously from the leading end thereof, onto an outer peripheral curved face of the drum 5 having a curved face which is being rotated, while the rubber strip piece is moved along the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 5 having a curved face within a predetermined range, to transfer the rubber strip piece to the drum having a curved face. |
| US08221568B2 |
Pneumatic tire for passenger cars and method of manufacturing the same
A pneumatic tire for passenger cars has a tread and left and right beads, the beads each having a bead core embedded therein with a bead filler disposed on the outer circumferential side of the bead core, at least one carcass ply being arranged to extend between the beads, the carcass ply having reinforcing cords which extend in a width direction of the tire and are aligned at a predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the tire, and two belt plies being disposed on the outer circumferential side of the carcass ply in the tread. An average of residual strain of the reinforcing cords of an innermost carcass ply is set to −10% to 5% in each side region located between an outer circumferential end of the bead filler and an end of an overlapping portion of the two belt plies. |
| US08221559B2 |
Metal surface treatment liquid for cation electrodeposition coating
A surface treatment with a zirconium ion that enables sufficient throwing power and superior anti-corrosion properties to be exhibited when thus surface treated metal base material is subjected to cation electrodeposition coating is provided. A metal surface treatment liquid thereof for cation electrodeposition coating includes zirconium ions, copper ions, and other metal ions, and having a pH of 1.5 to 6.5, in which: the other metal ions are at least one selected from the group consisting of tin ions, indium ions, aluminum ions, niobium ions, tantalum ions, yttrium ions and cerium ions; the concentration of zirconium ions is 10 to 10,000 ppm; the concentration ratio of the copper ions to the zirconium ions is 0.005 to 1 on a mass basis; and the concentration ratio of the other metal ions to the copper ions is 0.1 to 1,000 on a mass basis. |
| US08221558B2 |
Dishwasher with spray apparatus
A dishwasher having a crockery basket for holding items to be washed and a spray apparatus including a first contoured body portion having a first edge, a second contoured body portion having a second edge which corresponds to the first edge wherein the first contoured body portion is joined to the second contoured body portion to form a fluid-tight hollow space therebetween and a joining seam member, with the first contoured body portion and the second contoured body portion being joined together using the joining seam member. |
| US08221555B2 |
Dishwasher machine with a sound wave generator and relevant method
A dishwasher machine (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher machine, is described, comprising a washing container (2) and devices for washing items to be washed by means of washing solution, as well as a sound wave generator (5), wherein the sound wave generator (5) is used to generate a sound wave which at least assists the drying process of the items to be washed. In order to achieve the highest possible efficiency of the drying process, the sound wave generator (5) is designed to deliver sound waves of different frequency and/or amplitude. |
| US08221554B2 |
Filtering method and related dishwasher
A method of operating a dishwasher containing a volume of liquid for prewashing includes the steps of spraying items in the dishwasher by operating a circulation pump assembly to achieve prewashing with only the volume of liquid; filtering the volume of liquid with a filter assembly to remove particles from the items by operating the circulation pump assembly; and flushing the particles out of the filter assembly using at least some of the volume liquid by operating a drain pump assembly. Related filter assemblies and dishwasher designs are also disclosed. |
| US08221550B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material
A process for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material, in which fractions of a melt, are kept in liquid form by a pulling coil, solidify on a seed crystal to form the growing single crystal, and granules are melted in order to maintain the growth of the single crystal. The melting granules are passed to the melt after a delay. There is also an apparatus which Is suitable for carrying out the process and has a device which delays mixing of the molten granules and of the melt. |
| US08221545B2 |
Procedure for in-situ determination of thermal gradients at the crystal growth front
A method and apparatus for growing a semiconductor crystal include pulling the semiconductor crystal from melt at a pull speed and modulating the pull speed by combining a periodic pull speed with an average speed. The modulation of the pull speed allows in-situ determination of characteristic temperature gradients in the melt and in the crystal during crystal formation. The temperature gradients may be used to control relevant process parameters that affect morphological stability or intrinsic material properties in the finished crystal such as for instance the target pull speed of the crystal or the melt gap, which determines the thermal gradient in the crystal during growth. |
| US08221541B2 |
Heavy weight concrete composition using slag byproducts
Disclosed is a heavyweight concrete composition using slag byproducts, including: ground granulated blast furnace slag; slow-cooled electric-arc-furnace oxidizing slag or atomized steel slag used as a fine aggregate; a coarse aggregate; water; and a chemical admixture based on 100 parts by weight high-early-strength cement. Thus, the heavyweight concrete composition contains a large quantity of steel slag and blast-furnace slag that are byproducts in iron-making and steel-making processes, thereby remarkably reducing an amount of emission of carbon dioxide and maximizing the recycling of waste resources for preserving the natural environment. As a result, an eco-friendly heavyweight concrete product can be made. |
| US08221540B2 |
Refractory material with stainless steel and organic fibers
A refractory includes a cement, a binder and a matrix. The matrix comprises both stainless steel fibers and organic fibers. The refractory can be easily cast, without additional steel reinforcement, into large fire wall 16 panels 10 capable of meeting the requirements of testing conducted in accordance with ASTM E-119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials in support of IEEE Std. 979-1994, Guide for Substation Fire Protection. The fire wall 16 assembly withstood the fire endurance test without passage of flame and gases hot enough to ignite cotton waste during a four-hour fire exposure. The assembly also withstood a 45 psi water stream for five minutes immediately following the four-hour fire exposure period. This is a stringent mechanical requirement, as all fire walls 16 must maintain their integrity before, during and after a fire, per the Universal Building Code's definition of a true fire wall 16. |
| US08221537B2 |
Water-based pigment preparations
The invention relates to aqueous pigment preparations containing (A) at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment, (B) a dispersant of formula (I) or (II), or mixtures of the dispersants of formula (I) and (II), (C) optionally wetting agents, (D) optionally other surfactants and/or dispersants, (E) optionally one or more organic solvents or one or more hydrotropic substances, (F) optionally other additives used conventionally for the production of aqueous pigment dispersions and (G) water. |
| US08221533B2 |
Method to render surfaces water repellent
A method to render stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures water repellent is disclosed. The method includes the step of contacting the stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures with an alkylphosphonic acid. The alkylphosphonic acid can be dispersed in an aqueous medium and can be at least partially neutralized with ammonia, an amine, or a basic alkali salt. |
| US08221531B2 |
Crosslinked polyimide membrane, method for making the same using organic titanate catalysts to facilitate crosslinking and method of using the membrane for fluid separation
A method of making a crosslinked polyimide membrane is described. A monoesterified membrane is formed from a monoesterified polyimide polymer. The monoesterified membrane is subjected to transesterification conditions to form a crosslinked membrane. The monoesterified membrane is incorporated with an organic titanate catalyst before or after formation of the monoesterified membrane. A crosslinked polyimide membrane made using the aforementioned method and a method of using the membrane to separate fluids in a fluid mixture also are described. |
| US08221530B2 |
Water trap
A water trap (1) improved with respect to handling and operational safety includes: two semipermeable membranes (2) and at least one tank (7), wherein the membranes have a water penetration pressure greater than 750 hPa and are made of the same or different PTFE laminates. The gas flow is divided in a ratio between 10:90 and 25:75 into the flush-/purge branch and analysis branch to the sensors (12) and a path parallel to the sensors (12), respectively, with the aid of the membranes and downstream filter elements and via the material and configuration. |
| US08221526B2 |
Purification of an H2/CO mixture with heater skin temperature control
The invention relates to a method for purifying or separating a supply gas flow containing at least one impurity, in which: a) said supply gas flow is contacted with a first adsorbent for the adsorption-removal of at least one said impurity; b) recovering said purified or separated gas; c) heating a regeneration gas containing at least hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) using a heater having a skin temperature (T1) of between 150° C. and 200° C. during the gas heating phase; and d) periodically regenerating the adsorbent of step a) with the regeneration gas heated during step c) at a regeneration temperature (T2) such that: T2=T1−ΔT with 5° C.<ΔT<50° C. |
| US08221524B2 |
Oxygen removal from contaminated gases
The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen. |
| US08221520B2 |
Production of thorium 228 starting from a natural thorium salt
The invention relates to a process for producing 228Th from a natural thorium salt, which comprises in succession: a) the separation of the radium from the other radioelements present in this salt, by at least one coprecipitation of the radium by barium sulphate, this coprecipitation comprising: i) the addition of sulphuric acid and a barium salt to an aqueous solution of said natural thorium salt in order to form a barium-radium sulphate coprecipitate and ii) the separation of the coprecipitate from the medium in which it has formed; b) the extraction of the thorium 228 coming from the decay of radium 228 from the coprecipitate thus separated; and, optionally c) the purification and concentration of the 228Th thus extracted. Applications: manufacture of radiopharmaceutical products useful in nuclear medicine, in particular in radioimmunotherapy for the treatment of cancers and AIDS. |
| US08221519B2 |
Powder for sulphur-based flux-cored wire, flux-cored wire and method for producing a flux-cored wire using it
Powder which is for a flux-cored wire intended to become alloyed with a molten metal bath and which is formed by particles composed with at least 95% of sulphur, characterised in that its granulometric population is defined by: −1 μm≦d10≦340 μm; −200 μm d50≦2000 μm; −500 μm d90≦2900 μm. Sulphur-based flux-cored wire, characterised in that it contains the preceding powder, and in that the compaction rate of the powder within the wire is greater than or equal to 85%. Method for producing a sulphur-based flux-cored wire for alloying with molten metal baths. |
| US08221518B2 |
Conductive compositions containing blended alloy fillers
The present invention provides electrically and thermally conductive compositions for forming interconnections between electronic elements. Invention compositions comprise three or more metal or metal alloy particle types and an organic vehicle comprising a flux that is application specific. The first particle type includes a reactive high melting point metal that reacts with a reactive low melting point metal(s) in the other particles to form intermetallic species. The reactive low melting point metal(s) of the invention are provided in two distinct particle forms. The first reactive low melting point metal particle includes a carrier that facilitates the reaction with the reactive high melting point metal. The second reactive low melting point metal particle acts primarily as a source of the reactive low melting point metal. Combination of the three particle types provides several advantages including reduction of the undesirable characteristics of the carrier metal while preserving and, in some embodiments, enhancing, the advantageous facilitation of the metallic reaction. |
| US08221516B1 |
Potassium polyphosphite composition for agricultural use and associated methods
A bactericidal and fungicidal composition having fertilizer properties, the composition containing a percentage of potassium polyposphite is disclosed. The composition is useful as a fungicide, bactericide, and as a fertilizer for application to plants and, particularly, commercial crops. A method of making the polyposphite composition is described, as well as methods of using same. |
| US08221515B2 |
Use of acidifying agent for promoting micronutrient uptake
An agronomic carrier coated with an acidifying agent and a method for preparing same is described. |
| US08221511B2 |
Hydrogen producing apparatus
A hydrogen generating device including a temperature adjustment section 8 for controlling a temperature of a hydrogen-containing gas to be introduced from a reforming section 1 into carbon monoxide reducing sections 2 and 3, the temperature adjustment section 8 including: a heat exchange section 26 having an air path 11 for allowing a cooling air to pass therethrough; an air intake portion 10 having an opening for taking the cooling air into the air path 11; and an air discharging portion 12 having an opening for discharging the cooling air out of the air path 11, wherein the opening of the air intake portion 10 and that of the air discharging portion 12 are facing in a same direction, and the same direction is a vertically upward direction or a vertically downward direction. |
| US08221510B2 |
Method and apparatus for refining coal
A method of processing coal to remove sulfur and other contaminants by mixing coal in a solution of aqueous ammonia having a selected concentration range (preferred range of 3%-5%) of ammonia to water in a reaction vessel. The mixing causes the solution to be brought into contact with the surfaces and pores of the coal. The process is monitored to detect when the concentration of aqueous ammonia in the reaction vessel has fallen below the selected range, and aqueous ammonia with an ammonia concentration in or above the selected range is fed into the reaction vessel to return the solution to within the selected range. The cleaned coal may be rinsed and dried, or dried without rinsing to form an ammonia coating on the coal surfaces and pores. Several plant layouts to practice the method are described. |
| US08221502B2 |
Expandable spinal implant
An expandable spinal implant including a body having a plurality of movable portions cooperating to define an outer cross section having first and second transverse dimensions and first and second substantially planar surfaces disposed generally opposite one another and adapted to engage adjacent vertebral bodies. An expansion member co-acts with the movable portions to expand the body along each of the first and second transverse dimensions. |
| US08221500B2 |
Cartilage allograft plug
The invention is directed toward a cartilage repair assembly comprising a shaped allograft structure of subchondral bone with an integral overlying cartilage cap which is treated to remove cellular debris and proteoglycans and milled allograft cartilage in a bioabsorbable carrier. The shaped structure is dimensioned to fit in a drilled bore in a cartilage defect area so that either the shaped bone or the cartilage cap engage the side wall of the drilled bore in an interference fit and is in contact with a milled cartilage and biocompatible carrier mixture allowing cell transfer throughout the defect area. A method for inserting the shaped allograft structure into a cartilage defect area is also disclosed. |
| US08221498B2 |
Apparatus and method for tibial fixation of soft tissue
An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure. |
| US08221497B2 |
Middle ear prosthetic device
The middle ear prosthetic device comprises: a columellate prosthesis arranged to replace the ossicular chain of the middle ear with the exception of the stapes footplate or the entire stapes, a first end of this prosthesis being intended to be inserted into a hole provided in the footplate or to rest on the footplate itself, or to be connected to the stapes capitellum respectively; an annular element of bioinert metal insertable into the auditory tube at the position in which the neotympanum is to be formed; a tensostructure of non-reabsorbable bioinert material, which extends into the interior of the annular element and is fixed to this latter, the tensostructure presenting apertures which provide the surgeon with a sufficient view of the surgical field and allow the required surgical manoeuvres; first and second means for connecting the second end of the columellate prosthesis and the neotympanum to the tensostructure respectively. |
| US08221486B2 |
Laminated stent graft edge binding
A method of making a stent-graft comprising, providing a radially distensible, tubular stent having opposed open ends comprising an undulating wire helically wound into a plurality of circumferential windings to define stent wall structure having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces, providing a first non-textile, polymeric graft tube, providing a second non-textile, polymeric graft tube, laminating the radially distensible, tubular stent between the first non-textile, polymeric graft tube and the second non-textile, polymeric graft tube, trimming the laminated polymeric graft tube beyond the undulating wire at the open ends, providing a third non-textile, polymeric graft layer; placing the third non-textile, polymeric graft layer over the trimmed over ends, inserting the third non-textile, polymeric graft layer of the tubular stent into the undulating wires; and laminating the third non-textile polymeric graft layer to the first non-textile, polymeric graft tube and the second non-textile, polymeric graft tube. |
| US08221480B2 |
Compositions and methods for biological remodeling with frozen particle compositions
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue. |
| US08221478B2 |
Snap-off surgical screw
A snap-off surgical screw configured for threading into a bone of a patient using a driver member, comprising a shaft extension joined to a screw portion via a frangible connection. The frangible connection comprises at least one defect formed through an outer surface of the frangible connection. The defect is configured to promote selective separation of the shaft extension from the screw portion at the defect. A proximal end of the screw portion is preferably provided with a recess, and the frangible connection is preferably positioned in the recess to thereby configure the shaft extension to snap-off from the screw portion below the proximal end of the screw portion. |
| US08221464B2 |
Device for clamping two portions of a braid and an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer, a braid, and such a clamping device
The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising: a spacer (12); a braid (14) for fixing said spacer between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae; and a clamping device for clamping said braid. The clamping device comprises: a fixed part (28) constituted by a portion of said spacer (12) and defining at least one first clamping surface for clamping said braid; a mobile assembly (28) movable relative to said spacer (12) and defining at least one second clamping surface for clamping said braid; and displacement means for moving said moving assembly (30) relative to said fixed part (28) to displace said mobile assembly between a first position in which said first and second clamping surfaces face each other but are apart to define a free passage for a portion of the braid (14), and a second position in which said first and second clamping surfaces are moved towards each other to clamp said portion of braid (14). |
| US08221461B2 |
Crossbar spinal prosthesis having a modular design and systems for treating spinal pathologies
An adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis, including a pedicle fixation element; a laminar fixation element; and a facet joint bearing surface having a location adaptable with respect at least one of the pedicle fixation element and the laminar fixation element. The invention also includes a method of implanting an adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis including the steps of determining a desired position for a facet joint bearing surface; and attaching a prosthesis comprising a facet joint bearing surface to a pedicle portion of a vertebra and a lamina portion of a vertebra to place the facet joint bearing surface in the desired position. The invention also provides a facet joint prosthesis implant tool including a tool guide adapted to guide a vertebra cutting tool; and first and second fixation hole alignment elements extending from the saw guide. The invention also provides systems for treating spinal pathologies that include intervertebral discs in combination with spinal and facet joint prostheses. |
| US08221460B2 |
Methods and devices for interbody spinal stabilization
Methods and instruments for preparing a disc space and for forming interbody devices therein are provided. The instruments include distractors having enlargeable portions positionable in the disc space for distracting the disc space. The enlargeable portions can also provide form about or against which an interbody device of a first material is placed. A second material may be placed in the disc space in the space previously occupied by the distractors. |
| US08221456B2 |
Vertical rehabilitation appliance
A vertical rehabilitation appliance includes a horizontal frame, vertical frame, moving mechanism, head positioning structure, body positioning structure, and fastening belts. The vertical frame has two first posts coupled to the horizontal frame and formed with holes. The first posts are coupled to a second post. The second post and the horizontal frame are coupled to two third posts. Moving mechanisms are horizontally provided between the first posts and bilaterally provided with positioning devices for engagement with the holes of the first posts. The head positioning structure and the body positioning structure are provided on the moving mechanisms. The fastening belts are provided between the third posts to fix a rehabilitation patient's shoulders and lower limbs in position. Two back-positioned ends of the fastening belts have first connecting elements coupled to a second connecting element so as to pull the rehabilitation patient's back during spine rehabilitation therapy. |
| US08221455B2 |
Lispranc repair using suture anchor-button construct
An apparatus and method for Lisfranc repair using a suture anchor-button construct. The method includes the steps of drilling a hole in a medial cuneiform and through the second metatarsal base, passing the suture anchor of the suture anchor-button construct through the hole from the medial aspect of the medial cuneiform into the hole in the base of the second metatarsal, screwing the suture anchor into the second metatarsal base, advancing the button of the suture anchor-button construct such that the button rests against the medial aspect of the medial cuneiform, and securing the button against the medial aspect of the medial cuneiform. |
| US08221448B2 |
Embolic protection device
An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval. The filter element (105) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve (104) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire (101) between spaced-apart stops (106, 120) on the guidewire (101) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the filter is in use. |
| US08221447B2 |
Aneurysm coil delivery system
Devices and methods for treating an aneurysm include a single unit having an access element and an occlusion element, the access element providing access to the aneurysm for introducing treatment objects such as coils therethrough while the occlusion element blocks the treatment objects from protruding into the vessel. The access element is an elongated element having an access lumen for direct introduction of coils or for introduction of coils via a microcatheter. The occlusion element is a balloon or an elongated element for introduction of blocking objects such as coils therethrough. In embodiments of the present invention, a distal end of the access element is preshaped at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein upon introduction of the device into the vessel, the access element is aligned with the longitudinal axis and at placement of the device adjacent the aneurysm, the access element assumes its pre-shaped configuration. |
| US08221442B2 |
Device system and method for tissue displacement or separation
A tissue displacement/separation device is provided. The device includes a bladder which is expandable between a first tissue and a second tissue of a body. The bladder has an expanded shape which is selected capable of displacing or separating the first tissue from the second tissue in a manner suitable for protecting the first tissue from an effect of a treatment applied to the second tissue. |
| US08221439B2 |
Powering implantable restriction systems using kinetic motion
Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway. |
| US08221438B2 |
Lumen reduction methods and devices
Devices and methods for reducing a size of a lumen are provided. In one embodiment, a lumen reduction device is provided having an end effector with a trough formed therein for receiving tissue surrounding a lumen, and a plurality of fasteners configured to engage the tissue disposed within the trough. In use, the end effector can be actuated to deliver the fasteners to the tissue, and one or more sutures coupled to the fasteners can be used to pull the fasteners together and thereby cinch the tissue to reduce the size of a lumen. |
| US08221434B2 |
Retrieval device made of precursor alloy cable
A medical retrieval device for retrieving foreign objects from a patient and the method of constructing the device are disclosed. The device incorporates a wire cable composed of a precursor alloy to a superelastic material to improve durability of the device. Because precursor alloys exhibit, a linear stress-strain relationship and a yield point associated with a relatively high stress level, the device transfers greater stresses before experiencing deformation. Thus, greater crushing forces can be achieved using a device of this type. These crushing forces may be needed when the foreign object is too large to remove intact. This property also facilitates the device in dilating ducts to retrieve foreign objects. Using the precursor alloy additionally eliminates the need for heat treatment of the cables used in constructing the device. A retrieval device made of precursor alloy cable also is less susceptible to permanent deformation and unwinding during use. |
| US08221429B2 |
Stylus assembly
A stylus assembly (10) is adapted to be attached to a surgical jig (50). The stylus assembly (10) comprises a body (12) having first and second arms (22, 24) with a space (32) therebetween for receiving a portion of the surgical jig, a stylus (16) adjustably mounted relative to the body (12), and a locking member (20), In use, actuation of the locking member (20) from an unlocked to a locked position enables locking of the body (12) to the surgical jig (50) and locking of the stylus (16) relative to the body (12). |
| US08221428B2 |
Sacro-iliac joint implant system, method and instrument
A sacro-iliac implant delivery instrument includes a first arm connected to a first cannula. The first cannula is rotatable relative to the first arm and is configured for support of a fastening element. A second arm is connected to the first arm. The second arm is rotatable relative to the first arm and is configured for detachable connection to a sacro-iliac implant. The second arm and the first cannula are configured for rotation relative to the first arm to a preset orientation such that the second arm is disposed along a first predetermined trajectory for delivering the sacro-iliac implant and the first cannula is disposed along a second predetermined trajectory for delivering the fastening element in alignment with the sacro-iliac implant for transarticular fixation. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US08221427B2 |
Systems and methods that facilitate minimally invasive spine surgery
A system and method that facilitates minimally invasive spine surgery. The system includes screw preparation instruments that include a targeted guide with a laser attached to a fluoroscope, at least one polyaxial screw and rod guidance instruments that selectively insert the at least one polyaxial screw within the spine. The screw preparation instruments include an awl, a hand-held drill or tap, a ball-tipped probe, a cannulated depth gauge ruler, and a hexagonal screwdriver. Each screw preparation instrument have respective handles marked with a targeting guide oriented along respective central axes of the instruments. The rod guidance instruments include a rod with a tapered tip, a T-handle rod holder, a T-handle alignment guide, an alignment marker sleeve, a flexible alignment marker with a polyaxial head, and a template rod. |
| US08221424B2 |
Surgical instrument for orthopedic surgery
A rotatable surgical instrument having a protective hood with articulating bendable distal end is provided to improve and enable various orthopedic surgical procedures such as arthroscopy. The protective hood surrounds the surgical tool bit exposing only a portion of the tool bit for removing bone or soft tissue material and protects the nerve from the surgical tool bit. The protective hood can be controllably rotated from the instrument's hand piece to control the orientation of the attack angle of the surgical tool bit. Additionally, the bending of the distal end of the instrument can be controlled from the hand piece. |
| US08221423B2 |
Osteochondral plug graft harvesting instrument and kit
An instrument for harvesting an osteochondral plug graft in an implantable configuration, comprises a support pod comprising an elongated tubular member distally terminating in at least three splayed legs; a drill bit encompassed within a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and a guide wire encompassed within a longitudinal axis of passageway of the drill bit and terminating at a threaded distal end for removably fixing a distal end of the instrument in a position oriented normal to an osteochondral surface for harvesting an osteochondral plug graft in an implantable normal configuration. |
| US08221419B2 |
Intramedullary nail
The intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one hole that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and is situated in a plane with a defined diameter to accommodate a locking element, as well as a longitudinal slot extending in the plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the unexpanded state of the intramedullary nail the longitudinal slot has a width b, measured perpendicularly to the plane in the region outside of the holes, said slot being maximum 0.6 times that of the smallest defined diameter of the holes. |
| US08221418B2 |
Endoscopic instrument for tissue identification
The present disclosure relates to various apparatus, systems and methods of identifying and treating tissue using at least one electrical property of tissue. Provided is a method for identifying and treating tissue, the method including providing a electrosurgical treatment device including an electrode assembly for measuring one or more electrical properties of a target tissue, the electrode assembly being mounted on a distal end thereof, measuring the one or more electrical characteristics of the target tissue, comparing the measured electrical property values of the target tissue against electrical property values of known tissue types, identifying a tissue type of the target tissue, adjusting an energy delivery configuration of the electrosurgical treatment device to the type of target tissue, and activating the electrosurgical treatment device to treat the target tissue. |
| US08221416B2 |
Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps with thermoplastic clevis
An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end movable about a pivot from a first position disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates the shaft to move the jaw members relative to one another. One or both jaw members are capable of conducting electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. An insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members about the pivot and at a distal end of the shaft. The insulating boot includes an overmolded thermoplastic clevis disposed on an inner periphery thereof configured to enhance mechanical engagement of the insulating boot with the one or both jaw members and the distal end of the shaft. |
| US08221415B2 |
Method and apparatus for tissue ablation
A method for ablation in which a portion of atrial tissue around the pulmonary veins of the heart is ablated by a first elongated ablation component and a second elongated ablation component movable relative to the first ablation component and having means for magnetically attracting the first and second components toward one another. The magnetic means draw the first and second components toward one another to compress the atrial tissue therebetween, along the length of the first and second components and thereby position the device for ablation of the tissue. |
| US08221406B2 |
Device for the electro-surgical sclerosing of body tissues
A high frequency current application apparatus for thermal sclerosing of body tissue, comprising a high frequency generator connected to at least two electrodes, one of which is to be introduced into body tissue. The apparatus includes a measuring and calculating device adapted to ascertain impedance (or ohmic resistance) between the two electrodes between which a respective therapeutic high frequency current flows. A control device is connected to the measuring and calculating device for varying the output power. During high frequency current application the measuring and calculating device forms the first derivative with respect of time of the impedance. The control device reduces output power when that derivative exceeds a positive threshold characteristic of a threat of tissue desiccation and restores output power to the original power when the first derivative exceeds in positive values a negative threshold characteristic of adequate rehydration of body tissue. |
| US08221403B2 |
Uterine therapy device and method
A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus. The system has an access tool with a lumen, the access tool being adapted to be inserted through a human cervical canal to place an opening of the lumen within a uterus when the access tool is inserted through the cervical canal; a seal disposed at a distal region of the access tool and adapted to seal the access tool against an interior cervical os; a sealing indicator adapted to provide a user with an indication that the seal has sealed the access tool with the interior cervical os; and a vapor delivery mechanism adapted to deliver condensable vapor through the access tool to the uterus, the condensable vapor being adapted to condense within the uterus. |
| US08221399B2 |
Ophthalmic apparatus
To irradiate a laser beam appropriately onto a patient's eye. An ophthalmic apparatus having a laser irradiation optical system irradiating a laser beam for corneal surgery onto the eye, which performs alignment of a reference axis of the optical system to have a predetermined positional relationship with the eye to perform laser irradiation, includes movement means changing inclination and a position of the optical system with respect to the eye, first and second image-pickup means picking up anterior-segment images having image-pickup optical axes arranged in different directions and to have predetermined positional relationships with the reference axis, detection means for detecting inclination and a position of the eye with respect to the reference axis by subjecting the images by the image-pickup means to image processing, and control means controlling the movement means to bring the reference axis to an intended alignment state with the eye based on a detection result. |
| US08221392B2 |
Fluid management flow implants of improved occlusion resistance
This invention relates to achieving or improving uniform distribution of fluid flow in medical devices such as when combined with antibiotics impregnated in a catheter and/or with a drug-eluting catheter to further inhibit the catheter from becoming occluded by debris in the CSF or by bacterial biofilm formation or tissue proliferation in the catheter. |
| US08221390B2 |
Medical device delivery system having a sheath with a flared strain relief member operatively coupled by a unidirectional handle
A flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems for stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. An elongate outer sheath has proximal and distal end portions defining a passageway, and the proximal end portion having an outer layer including melt bonding material. A strain relief member has a tubular first end portion of a first outer diameter and a flared second end portion of a greater second outer diameter. The strain relief member has an inner engaging surface that includes melt bonding material, at least a portion of which disposes concentrically about, and melt bonded to, the outer sheath proximal end portion melt bonding outer layer. The strain relief member second end portion is operatively coupled between a handle first connector and handle second connector. Methods of making a flared strain relief member for medical device delivery systems are also provided. |
| US08221387B2 |
Catheter having an improved distal tip
One embodiment is a medical device comprising an elongate catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter, the tip extending distally of the distal end of the catheter, the tip comprising a soft body portion and a rigid ring distal the soft body portion. |
| US08221386B2 |
Method relating to infusion device
A medication-delivery method relating to an infusion device specifically adapted for syringe injections. |
| US08221385B2 |
Infusion pump systems and methods
Some embodiments an infusion pump system can be used to determine a user's total insulin load (TIL) that provides an accurate indication of the insulin previously delivered to the user's body which has not yet acted. In particular embodiments, the TIL can account for both the bolus deliveries and the basal deliveries that have occurred over a period of time. Such information may be useful, for example, when the infusion pump is operated in conjunction with a continuous glucose monitoring device. |
| US08221384B2 |
Method of securing a graft
Disclosed is an anastomosis catheter, for achieving a tissue to tissue or synthetic graft to tissue attachment. The catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may be used to achieve end to end or end to side anastomoses. Methods are also disclosed. |
| US08221381B2 |
Container system for releasably storing a substance
The present invention provides a container system for releasably storing a substance. The container system includes a vial having a sample storage chamber and a piercing member for piercing a membrane in the lid, which membrane seals a substance within a reservoir in the lid until the membrane is pierced by the piercing member. The container system optionally includes a funnel. There is also provided a method and kit for use of such a container system. |
| US08221378B2 |
Combination of refastenable and releasable bonds
A refastenable, pant-like garment, including a chassis including a first waist region and a second waist region, together defining a waist opening and first and second leg openings. The garment also includes a first refastenable seam joining a first distal portion of the first waist region to a first distal portion of the second waist region. The first refastenable seam includes a first refastenable bond connecting the first distal portion of the first waist region and the first distal portion of the second waist region having a first refastenable bond peel strength. |
| US08221377B2 |
Absorbent wearing article and flexible structural unit available thereto
An absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent structure and an excrement receiving structure having a plurality of passages defined by flexible walls formed from flexible sheets and disposed along a liquid-absorbent surface of the liquid-absorbent structure. |
| US08221376B2 |
Disposable absorbent article
In a disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper including fastener elements by means of which front and rear waist regions are releasably connected with each other, the fastener elements are not affected by contraction of elastic members arranged in these waist regions. In this absorbent article, the front waist region and/or the rear waist region is or are divided into an elasticized intermediate zone provided with the elastic members and inelasticized transversely opposite side edge zones contigious to transversely opposite side edges of the intermediate zone. The fastener elements are provided in the transversely opposite side edge zones. |
| US08221374B2 |
Urinary incontinence device applicator
A urinary incontinence device applicator has an insertion barrel; a plunger slidable within the insertion barrel; means to indicate appropriate insertion depth of the insertion barrel associated therewith into a user's vagina; and means to indicate appropriate orientation of the insertion barrel associated therewith. |
| US08221370B2 |
Personal care article with substrate surface topography for evoking a neurosensory skin response
In a personal care article for contact with human skin, a non-woven substrate of the article has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and at least one skin-contact surface. A plurality of surface features is disposed on the at least one skin-contact surface in a sinusoidal wave-form along at least one of the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the substrate. The surface features have a height that generally defines an amplitude of the sinusoidal wave-form, and are spaced from each other a spatial distance. This spatial distance is at least in part a function of a movement speed at which the article is to be moved relative to the skin while in contact therewith. In one method of making such a substrate, the movement speed and a temporal frequency are selected and used to determine the spacing between surface features on the skin-contact surface of the substrate. |
| US08221368B2 |
Apparatus for use with ostomy devices providing protection and sound attenuation of a stomal aperture
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use with an ostomate device. The apparatus of the present invention may provide protection and sound attenuation (e.g. reduction or elimination) of a stomal aperture for an ostomate having undergone an ostomy procedure. The present invention enables an ostomate safety when undergoing physical activity and confidence in social environments. |
| US08221362B2 |
Infusion device
The disclosures made herein relate to an infusion device specifically adapted for syringe injections. In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, an infusion device comprises a body including an accessible surface having a single inlet port therein, an engagement surface having a single outlet port therein, a medication delivery channel extending between the single inlet port and the single outlet port, and an identification feature on the accessible surface of the body adjacent to the single inlet port. The single inlet port of the medication delivery channel is tapered thereby forming a funnel-shaped entry into the medication delivery channel. A cannula is coupled to the body at the single outlet port and is adapted for receiving medication from the single outlet port and transmitting the medication therethrough. |
| US08221361B2 |
Infusion devices
The disclosures made herein relate to an infusion device specifically adapted for syringe injections. In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, an infusion device comprises a body including an accessible surface having a single inlet port therein, an engagement surface having a single outlet port therein, a medication delivery channel extending between the single inlet port and the single outlet port, and an identification feature on the accessible surface of the body adjacent to the single inlet port. The single inlet port of the medication delivery channel is tapered thereby forming a funnel-shaped entry into the medication delivery channel. A cannula is coupled to the body at the single outlet port and is adapted for receiving medication from the single outlet port and transmitting the medication therethrough. |
| US08221360B2 |
Medication clip
A disposable clip (10) is used to releasably attach an ampoule (13) to a syringe (11). The clip (10) includes an ampoule engaging portion (19) and a syringe engaging portion in the form of a recess (17). The ampoule engaging portion (19) comprises a compressible projection which is inserted into the neck (21) of the ampoule (13). The ampoule engaging portion (19) is thereby compressed and frictionally engages the inside of the neck (21) to secure the ampoule (13) firmly to the clip (10). The clip (10) does not obscure the label on the ampoule (13). |
| US08221357B2 |
Catheter incorporating a guidewire exit ramp
Guidewire exit ramp members that may be placed over a tubular member having a guidewire lumen, which longitudinally extending and laterally accessible, and methods of use. The guidewire exit ramp member can be placed to force a guidewire loaded through the lumen in a first direction to be forced out of the lumen via an opening, slit or channel. The guidewire exit ramp member, in an illustrative embodiment, takes the form of a relatively short member having a proximal portion and a distally extending flap. The flap may be designed to enter and remain in a longitudinally accessible guidewire lumen. Combinations of such ramp members and device shafts having longitudinally extending laterally accessible guidewire lumens are also disclosed, as are methods for securing such combinations together. A method of backloading a guidewire into a catheter while causing lateral exit of the guidewire at a desired location is also shown. |
| US08221356B2 |
Medication delivery system with a detector for providing a signal indicative of an amount of a set and/or ejected dose of drug
A medication delivery system, comprising: a movable part (230, 232) adapted to move relative to a stationary part; at least two conductors (234, 236) which are arranged such that an electrical characteristic is defined by the mutual position of the movable and the stationary part and/or by movement of one of said parts relative to the other; and a detector for detecting a change of said electrical characteristic, wherein the parts are stationary relative to each other during dose setting and in that the parts are moved relative to each other during dose ejection, such that that detector provides a signal indicative of the actual amount of the ejected dose. |
| US08221349B2 |
Anterior inflation balloon
An inflatable bone tamp for performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes an inflatable structure having at least three contiguous lobes, that when inflated, cause the inflatable structure to exhibits an outwardly tapering expansion profile. By forming the inflatable structure such that the reduced-diameter junction(s) between the lobes has a greater wall thickness then the adjacent lobes, the durability and abrasion-resistance of the inflatable bone tamp can be increased. |
| US08221344B2 |
Apparatus for automatic insertion of a solid medicine
An apparatus for insertion of a medicine peg (3) into the skin (4) has a barrel (2) wherein the medicine peg (2) is stored and in which a plunger (8) behind said peg (2) can be moved to press the peg out through an end of the barrel (2) pressed against the skin (4) where it is intended to insert the peg (3), The plunger (8) is a part of a flexible rod construction (6, 7, 8) which can be passed from a first non rectilinear constellation, by which the plunger (8) is withdrawn in the barrel (2) to a position leaving space for the medicine peg (3) in front of the plunger (8), to a rectilinear constellation by which the plunger (8) projects from the end of the barrel (2) and further to a new non rectilinear position in which the end of the plunger (8) is withdrawn in the barrel (2). |
| US08221341B1 |
Adjustable response ankle foot orthotic
An ankle-foot orthotic device incorporating an adjustable response system allowing the hindfoot to recognize that the foot landed on the heel during a walking sequence is provided. The device is constructed to provide feedback for the patient to make adjustments needed throughout the body structures to prepare for weight transfer onto the foot during gait. The system also helps the patient to maintain toe extension during a walking sequence. The device generally incorporates an articulated foot support and a foot support insert configured to substantially inhibit supination or pronation of the mid foot. |
| US08221339B2 |
Femoral support member for a walking assistance device
A femoral support member (30) comprises a stiff frame (31) made of an elongated rectangular plate member curved so as to extend along an outer side and front of a femoral part of a wearer and a flexible belt (32) extending along a rear of the femoral part. The femoral support member allows a walking assistance force to be transmitted to the femoral part of the wearer in a favorable manner. Also, the pressure and stress on the wearer are minimized, and a favorable fit can be achieved. |
| US08221337B2 |
System and method for monitoring bladder distention in a variety of patients having differing anatomical proportions
A system and method are provided for monitoring bladder distention. Independently controllable acoustic transmitters are coupled to the surface of a user's abdomen region in a spaced-apart fashion. Each transmitter can introduce a broadband acoustic signal into a portion of the abdomen region. Acoustic receivers are also coupled to the surface of the abdomen region to detect acoustic reflections generated when the acoustic signals are introduced into the abdomen region. A controller is positioned on the user and is correlated to an orientation of the user. The controller stores a profile indicative of anatomical features of the user. The controller initiates periodic activations of selected ones of the transmitters based upon the profile and the orientation of the user. The controller uses a weighted combination of all of the acoustic reflections to determine bladder distention of the user. The weighted combination is defined by at least the profile and orientation of the user. |
| US08221335B2 |
Blood test apparatus and blood test method
A blood test apparatus has a housing with an opening, and a plunger that moves back and forth inside the housing, the plunger having a projecting member. A fixing member fixes the plunger, which is provided in the housing. A blood sampling cartridge, in which a blood sensor, a puncturer, and a holder that holds the blood sensor and the puncturer, are integrated. The blood sampling cartridge is removably attached to the opening. The puncturer includes a lancet, one end of which is held by the plunger, and a blood collection needle attached to an other end of the lancet. A measuring circuit measures a signal obtained from the blood sensor to analyze components in the blood. |
| US08221332B2 |
Multi-lancet cartridge and lancing device
A lancing device including a replaceable multi-lancet cartridge The lancing device includes a drive mechanism an activation mechanism, and an advancing mechanism The advancing mechanism includes a linear-pull slide controls an indexing mechanism, a charger mechanism, and a cap-displacement mechanism. The indexing mechanism sequentially advances the lancets to an active position The charger mechanism charges the drive mechanism and removes the lancet caps And the cap-displacement mechanism moves the separated caps from the lancing stroke path The activation mechanism then releases the charged lancet to traverse the lancing stroke path to pierce the subject's skin Some embodiments include an anti-reverse mechanism to prevent reuse of the lancets, and some include an emergency lancet reuse mechanism that permits emergency reuse of the last lancet And some embodiments include a movable depth-control wall for providing control and adjustment of the lancing penetration depth. |
| US08221327B2 |
Therapy control based on cardiopulmonary status
Methods and systems provide an approach to therapy control based on assessment of a patient's cardiopulmonary status. Conditions sensed via sensors of an external respiratory therapy device are used to assess a patient's cardiopulmonary status. The respiratory therapy device sensors may be utilized alone or in combination with other sensors to determine cardiopulmonary status of a patient. Therapy delivered to the patient is controlled based on the cardiopulmonary status assessment. For example, therapy delivered to the patient may be initiated, terminated, and/or modified based on the assessed cardiopulmonary status of the patient. Cardiopulmonary status assessment, therapy control, or both, are performed by an implantable device. |
| US08221324B2 |
Reconfigurable wireless ultrasound diagnostic system
An untethered ultrasound imaging system having selectable command control and wireless component connection and image transmission. Ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound system can be augmented with additional sensor data. |
| US08221319B2 |
Medical device for assessing intravascular blood volume and technique for using the same
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for determining a physiologic parameter of a patient. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for correcting a pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform variability measurement based on parameters that may influence the waveform variability. The corrected measurement may be used to estimate intravascular blood volume and/or fluid responsiveness of a patient. |
| US08221316B2 |
Suction retraction instrument for surgery
A combination suction retraction instrument for surgery is disclosed. The suction retraction instrument includes a retractor including a body, a suction nozzle secured to a distal end of the body, and means for retaining a suction tube adjacent the retractor. The suction tube is connected to a vacuum source for removing fluids and debris from a surgical site. The means for retaining the suction tube is secured to the body. The means for retaining the suction tube is structured to allow the suction tube to slide within the means for retaining the suction tube upon manual pulling of the suction tube by a surgeon. A proximal end of the suction nozzle is dimensioned to engage a distal end of the suction tube in a sealing relationship thereby providing a suction flow path from an opening of the suction nozzle into the suction tube. |
| US08221313B2 |
Endoscope apparatus
A gas supply source for supplying gas and a channel along which the gas is supplied can be easily switched by providing an instrument channel for passing an endoscope treating tool, a gas and water supply channel for supplying carbon dioxide etc. to the inside of a body, a gas supply source for a visceral cavity capable of supplying gas at a predetermined pressure, a gas supply source for a lumen capable of supplying gas at an optional pressure, and a switch device for switching from any of and an instrument channel and a gas and water supply channel to any of the gas supply source for a visceral cavity and the gas supply source for a lumen. |
| US08221310B2 |
Tissue visualization device and method variations
Tissue visualization devices and variations thereof are described herein where such devices may utilize a variety of methods for facilitating clearing of the device of opaque bodily fluids and sealing between the device and the underlying tissue surface. Additionally, methods and devices for enhancing navigation of the device through a patient body are also described. |
| US08221306B2 |
Endoscope therapeutic device
In an endoscope therapeutic device having a plurality of introduction guide tubes for introducing a treatment tool into a body cavity, the introduction guide tubes are mutually joined at a position more proximal than bending portions thereof. Accordingly, the effects caused by the movement of the plurality of the introduction guide tubes are mutually invalidated at a joint portion as a fulcrum, so that the position of the introduction guide tube is relatively stabilized in the body cavity. As joining methods, there are integration, usage of a joint tool, and usage of an over tube. The operability is improved when the introduction guide tube is provided at the distal end thereof with a mechanism for retaining and/or rotating a distal end of a treatment tool inserted therethrough. |
| US08221305B2 |
Endoscope treatment tool system
An endoscope system (1) is provided with a flexible forceps insertion portion (i.e., a treatment tool insertion portion) (6) at whose distal end is provided a forceps distal end portion (i.e., a treatment tool distal end portion) (5) that receives forwards or backwards driving force and opens and closes to grip tissue, a channel (7) through which the forceps insertion portion (6) can be inserted, an insertion/extraction device (8) that inserts or extracts the forceps insertion portion (6) from within the channel (7), and an operating device (10) that supplies forwards or backwards driving force to the forceps distal end portion (5). The insertion/extraction device (8) and the operating device (10) are provided with drive shafts (13) that are driven to pivot by a motor (i.e., pivot drive source) that is fixedly supported inside an operating unit (3), rollers (15) that receive pivot driving force from the drive shafts (13) and are able to pivot so as to move the forceps insertion portion (6) forwards or backwards, and a power transmission device (16) that transmits pivot drive force from the drive shafts 13 to the rollers 15. |
| US08221300B2 |
Holder for supporting test tubes side by side on a rack, and having a resilient mounting flange connecting the tubes to allow the holder to bend and fit into an angular slot of a centrifuge rotor
A centrifuge having two arcuate slots to receive resilient, bendable mounting flanges that each carry a plurality of test tubes in side by side relation. The resilience of the mounting flanges enables them to flex and assume either the curvature of the slot, or a linear configuration enabling the flanges to be suspended in a flat condition, such as on a test rack. The arrays of test tubes is attached to the flanges via living hinges that enable the flexing to occur. The advantages are that simplified identification of individual test tubes, as well as reduced likelihood of intermixing of spillage are realized. |
| US08221296B2 |
Implement clamping system
A base jaw and a top jaw of an implement clamping system, which can be plugged into each other and which comprise engaging surfaces configured together into cuneal manner and limiting the depth of penetration between the two jaws. The wedge angle is at least 85° or more, but at most 140°, thereby substantially avoiding jamming the engaging surfaces while nevertheless the top jaws are held in place in all directions by the base jaws. |
| US08221295B2 |
Exercise device with features for simultaneously working out the upper and lower body
An exercise device, comprising an upper body unit including at least one load member having at least one elastic/resilient element and a pair of gripping portions for manual grasping by the user, wherein an applied force exerted onto the gripping portions transitions the element from an initial state to an elastically deformed state, and wherein a reduction in the applied force resiliently reforms the element back toward the initial state. In one embodiment, a lower body unit is also provided including a support base defining a support surface, a plurality of light sources configured to generate discrete lighted regions on the support surface, and a controller configured to activate and deactivate the discrete lighted regions. In another embodiment, the lower body unit includes at least two position sensors having sensing paths arranged along a sensing plane to detect a presence of a user, and a controller in communication with the position sensors to determine a position of the user relative to the sensing plane. |
| US08221281B2 |
Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. |
| US08221280B2 |
Eight speed automatic transmission
An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed. |
| US08221279B2 |
Dual apply clutch apparatus for compact electro-mechanical transmission
An actuator assembly for selectively actuating a clutch includes a first actuator ring that is moveable between a first axial position and a second axial position along a rotational axis of the clutch, and a second actuator ring that is slidably received within the first actuator ring, and that is moveable between a third axial position and a fourth axial position by the first actuator ring. The first actuator ring receives a first actuation force, and when in the second axial position, transfers the first actuation force to the second actuator ring. The second actuator ring selectively receives the first actuation force and a second actuation force, and when in the fourth axial position, transfers one of the first and second actuation forces to the clutch. The actuator assembly is included with a transmission and actuates a clutch that provides an input to a planetary gear set of the transmission. |
| US08221277B2 |
Differential provided with a drive wheel
A differential provided with a drive wheel comprising two pairs of bevel gears disposed in a two-part housing, one of the pairs of bevel gears being a pair of axle bevel gears and the other pair of bevel gears being a pair of compensating bevel gears. |
| US08221275B2 |
Chain transmission device
In a chain transmission using a hybrid chain having inner and outer links with bushings, or with bushings and rollers, the rollers mesh with a central sprocket, and the link plates have teeth that function as a silent chain, meshing with side sprockets fixed to the central sprocket. The teeth of the link plates of the inner links have a shape different from that of the teeth of the link plates of the outer links. The outer flanks of the teeth can all have the same shape, and the shape difference can be in the shapes of the inner flanks. |
| US08221264B2 |
Club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same
Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein. |
| US08221260B2 |
High moment of inertia wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads
Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body including heel, toe, crown, sole, and weighted rear portions; and (b) a variable thickness ball striking face. The club head body parts and weighted portion(s) may be arranged such that the club head has a moment of inertia about a vertical axis passing through the club head center of gravity of at least 5000 g-cm2. Such club heads may include: (a) a cup face member including a ball striking face portion and a return portion; (b) sole and crown portions engaged with the return portion; (c) a rear body member engaged with the crown and/or sole portions; (d) a weight member at the club head rear; and/or (e) a hosel member engaged with the cup face member, the crown portion, and/or the sole portion. Methods of making such club heads also are described. |
| US08221259B2 |
Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head. |
| US08221256B2 |
Golf swing practice board and method of use
A golf swing training system and method includes a golf club, a light connected to or incorporated in the golf club, and a graphical display upon which a light is projected when a golfer swings the club. The graphics include various markings that indicate foot position and that can be observed to generate the desired golf swing. The golfer moves the clubhead and then the light along a first line until the light reaches a point at the top of the golfer's backswing. As the golfer begins the downswing, a third line provides a visual indication of the orientation of the club shaft at a midpoint of the downswing, when the shaft is parallel to the ground, and then the golfer swings the clubhead to impact the ball on plane and square to the target line, and other markings indicate foot position. |
| US08221255B1 |
Golf swing training device
A golf swing training device to aid a golfer in keeping their wrists in a proper position throughout a golf swing includes a golf club grip clip, an adjustable spacer rod, and a wrist strap. The wrist strap includes an adjustable and securable fabric strap which engages the golfer's wrist. The wrist strap is affixed to the length adjustable spacer rod which is in turn attached to the grip clip. The grip clip engages the grip end of the golf club such that the golfer's wrists are confined to a predetermined distance and angle during a golf swing for purposes of training. The device may be used singularly or as a pair, if desired, to allow for simultaneous training of both wrists. |
| US08221250B2 |
Damper unit for a shaft
A damper unit (1) composed of two parts (2, 3) which are connected to rotate with one another and between which an axially elastic element (7) is disposed. Such damper units are used particularly for axial damping and for compensating slight axial misalignments of shafts in drive trains. To improve such damper units, particularly with respect to their external diameters, the axially acting energy storage device is compressed by a rotational movement produced by threads upon axial loading of the two parts. |
| US08221240B2 |
Gaming machine with scanning capability
A gaming apparatus is disclosed where the gaming apparatus may have a display unit that is capable of generating video images, an input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the input device where the controller may have a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to insert an object into the input device, scan an image of the object, save the scan of the object to a memory, display the scan of the object, determine if the scan of the object is recognized, communicate to the player that the object is not recognized if the scan of the object is not recognized, allow the player to modify the scan of the object if the scan of the object is recognized, allow the player to approve the scan of the object if the scan of the object is recognized and store the scan of the object as approved by the player as an approved scan in a memory if the player approves the scan of the object. |
| US08221239B2 |
Remote authentication for gaming applications
Techniques for authenticating gaming applications are presented. Authentication requests are periodically and regularly sent by a requestor to a gaming device for purposes of authenticating configurable portions of a gaming application. The gaming device generates results which are transmitted back to the requestor. The requestor compares the results against known results to determine if the configurable portions are authenticated or not authenticated. |
| US08221234B2 |
Portable terminal device, application execution method thereof, program, and computer-readable recording medium
In a portable terminal device capable of downloading an application, a picture screen of the application is displayed on a display unit without starting the application. To this end, the picture screen of the application is registered as picture data during execution of the application and stored in an application picture area due to an operation of a user. Such a picture screen is read out of the application picture area to be displayed on the display unit. The displayed picture screen serves to confirm a content of the application. |
| US08221226B2 |
Server based gaming system having system triggered loyalty award sequences
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming device that the player is currently playing. |
| US08221222B2 |
Game system, game control method, information recording medium, and program
To provide a game system that makes players' play order comply with a predetermined rule but nevertheless allows, with appropriate measure, any delaying player to join the game, each terminal device constituting the system stores in a storage unit game's stage/delay information regarding all players including players operating other terminal devices, a stage updating unit updates the storage unit based on an operation entry accepted by an operation entry unit from an owner player as a play determining unit determines that the owner player's turn has come, and an operation entry received by an operation receiving unit from any other terminal device, and a delay updating unit updates the storage unit when an abort entry unit accepts an abort entry from the player or an abort notification is received, or updates delay information when stage information is updated. |
| US08221220B2 |
Method and/or system for adaptive gaming experience
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive experience to game participants. |
| US08221218B2 |
Gaming device having multiple selectable display interfaces based on player's wagers
An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be a slot game although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided. |
| US08221217B2 |
Gaming system and method of gaming
A gaming system comprising a display area and a player symbol selector for selecting the player symbols from a plurality of player symbols. The player symbol selector comprises a plurality of reels and each reel has a plurality of player symbols. The player symbol selector is arranged so that selected player symbols are displayed at an array of display positions when the reels are stationary. A display position selector enables a player to select, prior to stopping of the reels, groups of display positions. An award allocator allocates an award associated with a winning combination of the player symbols when a winning combination of the player symbols is displayed along a win line. The player symbol selector is arranged so that each one of different player symbols of each reel has the same probability to be displayed at any one of the display positions associated with that reel. |
| US08221213B2 |
Instant-win ticket lottery game
An instant-win lottery game system includes a plurality of instant-win lottery tickets, with each of the tickets having a play area with a plurality of play spaces arranged in defined pattern. Randomly generated play symbols are depicted in a plurality of the play spaces that is less than all of the play spaces. A plurality of line segments are also depicted in the play area, with each line segment connecting at least two play spaces. The line segments have a placement and orientation in the play area that is randomly generated. A plurality of the play spaces that is less than all of the play spaces are connected to at least one other play space by the randomly generated line segments such that different lottery tickets in the game system have the same number of connected play spaces, but with different patterns of randomly generated line segments. A scratch-off layer is provided over at least a portion of the play area and covers the randomly placed line segments and play symbols. Markings on provided on the scratch-off layer that provide at least a partial indication to the player of the placement and orientation of the underlying line segments. |
| US08221212B2 |
Side game result generator
A computer implemented method of playing a wagering game is disclosed. A base game bet is placed on a base game, results of the base game being resolved according to a first set of game rules. In the method, a side game bet is placed on a side game while participating in the base game. One or more of the results of the base game are used as inputs to the side game, with results of the side game being resolved based on the inputs according to a second set of game rules. |
| US08221210B2 |
Lottery game having secondary game with multiplier and second payout
A method of play and system of implementing a primary lottery game having a secondary individual game for a multiplier value of winnings of the primary lottery game and potential secondary winnings for the secondary individual game. A player enters the primary lottery game, which can provide a first monetary winnings, and then can enter a secondary individual game that, if won, provides either a multiplier value of first monetary winnings, separate secondary monetary winnings, or both. The possible total prize amount awarded to the player includes first monetary winnings awarded from the primary lottery game multiplied by any multiplier awarded in the secondary individual game, and any secondary monetary winnings from the secondary individual game. Alternately, a win solely in the secondary individual game can yield a separate award of secondary monetary winnings, regardless if the primary lottery game has winnings. |
| US08221209B2 |
Game of chance and system and method for playing games of chance
A game of chance is provided in which a wagering game of skill and chance is played electronically automatically according to a predetermined set of rules. Such games of chance may include card games, such as poker and blackjack, or other games, such as dominoes, craps or backgammon. Such games may be reduced to games of chance, removing the element of player skill, and allowing such games to be played outside legal gaming jurisdictions. |
| US08221208B2 |
Online terminal based lottery game with a slot machine theme
A method and system for playing a terminal based lottery game having a slot machine theme includes assigning a defined set of objects to respective slot positions, the objects being unknown to game players. A player chooses at least one grouping of the slot positions from a plurality of possible groupings, and the system records the player's selection. For each of the slot positions, the system randomly selects an object from the set of objects assigned to each respective slot position such that a play set of the objects is generated for the player's grouping of slot positions. The player is awarded a prize amount that is a function of the number or combination of matches of objects within the player's play set. The methodology and system are particularly well suited for a poker slot machine theme game wherein the player's selected grouping corresponds to a poker hand, with the objects assigned to the respective slot positions corresponding to a poker deck of cards. |
| US08221205B2 |
Gaming machine and card game machine
A gaming machine lets a player who has satisfied a predetermined condition select one dealer image among six dealer images. The gaming machine subsequently displays the selected image in a front display and executes a game. As a bet-accepting period started, the gaming machine accepts the player's operation of giving a tip to the dealer displayed on the front display separately from a bet operation for getting a prize. If the player gives the dealer a tip, the gaming machine generates an individual image corresponding to an image of the dealer who acts according to the player's personal data and a game history, and an individual sound corresponding to the voice of the dealer according to the player's personal data and a game history, and then outputs the generated individual image and individual sound at a predetermined timing. |
| US08221199B2 |
Abrasive sharpener
A pocket abrasive sharpener having a housing formed with a pair of upper slots and a lower open compartment. A pair of abrasive ceramic stones is mounted in one of the slots to form a V-shaped sharpening slot. Each ceramic stone has at least one flat face to abut an adjacent reversed stone to form the V-shaped sharpening slot. The stone has an abrasive cutting edge formed with a radius for sharpening serrated edges and having abrasive surfaces on both sides of the radius. A pair of abrasive blades having V-shaped carbide cutting edges is mounted in the other of the slots to also form a V-shaped sharpening slot. A tapered abrasive rod is pivotally mounted on the housing and is moveable from the compartment to an extended position for sharpening knives and removing pins in certain military and civilian rifles. |
| US08221197B2 |
Hand-held power tool system
The invention relates to a portable power tool system comprising a portable power tool (12a-n), especially an angle grinder, a protective hood unit (14a-n) and a protective hood anti-rotation lock (16a-n) for providing anti-rotational locking between the protective hood unit (14a-n) and the portable power tool (12a-n) in the event of a breakage of a tool (18a-n). According to the invention, the protective hood anti-rotation lock (16a-n) is adapted to provide anti-rotational locking between the protective hood unit (14a-n) and the portable power tool (12a-n) while at the same time securing the protective hood unit (14a-n) to the portable power tool (12a-n) in a working position of the protective hood unit (14a-n). |
| US08221196B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing pad and methods of making and using same
Shape memory chemical mechanical polishing pads are provided, wherein the shape memory chemical mechanical polishing pads comprise a polishing layer in a densified state. Also provided are methods of making the shape memory chemical mechanical polishing pads and for using them to polish substrates. |
| US08221194B2 |
Method of grinding bar-shaped workpieces, grinding machine for carrying out the method, and grinding cell in twin arrangement
In order to grind bar-shaped workpieces which have a non-circular cross-section and flat faces which are parallel to each other, two partial operations are performed consecutively. First, the bar-shaped workpiece is rough ground and finished on the faces by way of double-disk face grinding. The bar-shaped workpiece is clamped on the longitudinal sides in the first clamping position thereof, and the bar-shaped workpiece is transported between two clamping jaws, which clamp the workpiece in the second clamping position thereof on the faces. The first clamping position is then released, and the bar-shaped workpiece is rotated by the clamping jaws. A CNC-controlled peripheral grinding step is performed based on CX interpolation principles. This rough grinds and finishes the longitudinal sides of the bar-shaped workpiece. Transport from the first to the second clamping position is effected by a clamping station, which concomitantly forms the holder for the face grinding operation. |
| US08221190B2 |
Polishing apparatus cofigured to simultaneously polish two surfaces of a work
A polishing apparatus to simultaneously polish both surfaces of a work, and includes a pair of stools rotating in opposite directions, a pair of detecting units to detect rotation rates of the stools, a pressurizing unit to compress the work between the pair of the stools, a slurry supply unit to supply a slurry to the stools, and a control unit to reduce, when determining that a frictional force between the polishing surface and the work exceeds a threshold, at least one of a load applied by the pressurizing unit, the rotation rate of the stools, and a supply amount of the slurry. |
| US08221189B2 |
Attachable breast form enhancement system
A backless, strapless breast form system to be worn in place of a traditional bra including a pair of breast forms, wherein each breast form includes a volume of silicone gel encased between thermoplastic film material; an interior surface adapted to be attached to a user's breast, wherein substantially an entire interior surface from edge to edge comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and wherein the interior surface has a plurality of bumps adapted to increase a push up effect of the breast form; a lateral side adapted to face the user's armpit and a medial side facing opposite the lateral side, wherein the breast form is adapted to be secured to the user's breast solely by the pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and a connector adapted to adjoin the pair of breast forms, wherein the connector is positioned between the medial side of each of the pair of breast forms. |
| US08221188B2 |
Back wing for brassiere
There is provided an improved brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups having adjacent but spaced apart inner edges; a front connector between the breast cups; and a back wing or pair of back wings extending from an outer edge of one of the two breast cups to an outer edge of the other of the two breast cups for securing the brassiere to a torso of a wearer; wherein each back wing comprises an elastane strap provided within a tube of elastic fabric. Also provided is an improved back wing for use on a brassiere and a method of making an improved back wing. |
| US08221185B2 |
Method of use of decorative christmas tree base and assemblage
The invention is a method of use of an assemblage of a electrified base member having a plurality of perforations holding an array of sockets for light sources for optional lighting of the interior of various miniature buildings, a white cover material to simulate snow and a plurality of figurines of people and animals. The method employs a large combination of apparatus features including various miniature buildings that constitute a village surrounded by a white picket fence protecting the display from being dislodged by gifts under or near the tree, and, optionally a model train set with a train station, a plurality of miniature buildings such as a post office, bank, church, fire station, police station, and train station of sufficient number and variety to constitute a village, an ice skating rink with moving magnetic figures constituting skaters, all or any number of which can be placed in a infinite variety of locations by the owner, a multiplicity of figurines constituting villagers and optionally the characters of a nativity scene with a manger, angels, choristers, wise men, shepherds, sheep, camels, cattle, dogs and cats, all or any number of which can also be placed in a infinite variety of locations by the owner. |
| US08221184B2 |
Floating toy
A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having: a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible track section capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible track section extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position; a support secured to the floatable base portion, the support configured to support the collapsible track section in the extended position; a pump for spraying water from a spray nozzle movably secured to the floatable toy structure; and a gate pivotally mounted to the floatable toy structure proximate to the collapsible track section, the gate being configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the gate further comprising a vessel for holding water therein, wherein the gate moves from the first position to the second position when a predetermined amount of water is placed into the vessel and wherein the gate moves away from the collapsible track section as it moves from the first position towards the second position. |
| US08221180B2 |
Organic light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The organic light emitting device includes a first display substrate, a second display substrate, and a first adhesive force improving member. The first display substrate includes a first substrate, a first electrode, organic light emitting patterns, a first spacer, and a second electrode. The first electrode is formed on an entire surface of the first substrate, and the organic light emitting patterns are disposed on the first electrode. The first spacer corresponds to the organic light emitting pattern and is disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode covers the organic light emitting patterns and the first spacer. The second display substrate includes a second substrate, and a first driving signal delivery part. The first adhesive force improving member electrically/physically couples the second electrode to the first driving signal delivery part. |
| US08221179B2 |
Method of making arrays of thin sheet microdischarge devices
The cavity 102 defines an empty volume formed in the insulator 108 has its walls defined by the insulator 108 and may extend through either (or both) the first electrode 106 or the second electrode 104, in which case the first electrode and/or second electrode also define the walls of the cavity 102. The cavity 102 is preferably cylindrical and has a diameter of 0.1 μm-1 mm. More preferably, the diameter ranges from 0.1 μm-500 μm, 1 μm-100 μm, or 100 μm-500 μm. The cavity 102 will be filled with a gas that contacts the cavity walls, fills the entire cavity 102 and is selected for its breakdown voltage or light emission properties at breakdown. Light is produced when the voltage difference between the first electrode 106 and the second electrode 104 creates an electric field sufficiently large to electrically break down the gas (nominally about 104 V-cm). This light escapes from the microcavity 102 through at least one end of the cavity 102. |
| US08221178B2 |
Method for fabricating organic electro-luminescence display device
An organic electro-luminescence display device includes a thin film transistor on a first substrate, where the thin film transistor has a drain region and a common electrode connected to the drain region. An organic electro-luminescence diode resides on a second substrate, where the organic electro-luminescence diode includes a spacer covered with a diode electrode. First and second sealant materials reside at a periphery of the first and second substrates, where the first sealant material surrounds the thin film transistor and the organic electro-luminescence diode, and the second sealant material surrounds an outer perimeter of the first sealant material. The first and second substrates are bonded together, such that the common electrode of the thin film transistor contacts the diode electrode of the organic electro-luminescence diode. The bonding process is carried out by sequentially sealing the first sealant material and the second sealant material. |
| US08221176B2 |
Organic light emitting diode device
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) device according to the present invention includes a first substrate; a first electrode on the first substrate in the pixel region, the first electrode formed of a metal; an organic light-emitting layer on the first electrode; a second electrode on the organic light-emitting layer, the second electrode formed of a transparent conductive material; and a transparent layer on the second electrode, the transparent layer including an inorganic material or a semiconductor material. |
| US08221170B2 |
Electrical connector having deformable engaging post
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a base and a cover confronting with the base, and a plurality of contacts sandwiched between the base and the cover. The base defining at least one latching post to engaging with corresponding mating hole on the cover. The at least one post is a cone tubular with a diameter of a free end thereof larger than a diameter of a root thereof and the mating hole has a portion aligned with the free end which has a larger diameter than another portion thereof aligned with the root. |
| US08221159B2 |
Audio patchbay/breakout panel
A patchbay includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a circuit board with conducting traces. The front panel has mounted thereon a plurality of XLR/TRS combination jacks, and sets of pairs of TRS jacks. The rear panel has five DB25 connectors. The circuit board extends from the front panel to the rear panel; each set of three conducting traces forms a channel connected to one of the DB25 connectors. The DB25 connectors connect to channels for Mic in, Line in, Preamp out, A/D in, and D/A out, respectively. Each XLR/TRS combination jack is connected to a Mic in channel and to a Line in channel. One of each pair of TRS jacks in the first set is connected to a Preamp out channel and the other is connected to an A/D in channel. Each TRS jack in the second set is connected to a D/A out channel. |
| US08221158B2 |
Replaceable module for socket and socket having replaceable module
A socket having a replaceable module includes a socket panel and a replaceable module. The socket panel is provided with socket units. The replaceable module is detachably provided on the socket panel. The replaceable module is provided with socket subunits. The edge of the replaceable module is provided with a trough located between the replaceable module and the socket panel. The present invention further provides a replaceable module for a socket. The replaceable module can be replaced according practical demands, which makes it more versatile. Further, the replaceable module has a better safety. |
| US08221154B1 |
Electrical power strip for use with clamp ammeter
A power strip provides simple and quick current flow readings using a standard clamp-type ammeter by means of an aperture passing through the power strip housing. The hot wire and neutral wire passing into the power strip from its cable are passed on opposite sides of the aperture. In this way, the jaws of a clamp-type ammeter may be positioned through the aperture to enclose only a single conductor from the cable, in order to provide an accurate current reading. |
| US08221153B2 |
Tool-releasable solar power connector
An electrical connector housing system includes a plug housing, a receptacle housing, and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism pivots on pivot posts on one housing and hooks to latching posts on the other housing, thereby securing the mated housings together. Catches on the latch mechanism engage with tabs near the latching posts when the latching mechanism is latched. The catches must be released using a screwdriver or similar tool before opening the latching mechanism and separating the mated housings. A protective barrier can be included to block direct access to the engaged catches and tabs. The housings include overlapping shells which exclude water and dirt, and the latching mechanism at least partially covers and further protects the shells when closed. In embodiments, a retaining mechanism automatically holds the latch open against gravity, facilitating connection and release of the housings with one hand and/or while wearing gloves. |
| US08221151B2 |
Connector-mounting construction
A connector-mounting construction has a bracket (10) with a mounting hole (12) and a to-be-locked plate (13) adjacent to the mounting hole (12). A connector (20) has an end configured for insertion through the mounting hole (12) and a flange (27) dimensioned contacting the rear surface of the bracket (10). An insertion groove (35) extends into the flange (27) parallel to a front surface of the flange (27). A metal lock (50) has an insertion portion (60) in the insertion groove (35) and a locking piece (51) projecting forward along a side of the connector (20). The locking piece (51) has at least one resiliently deformable locking projection (55) with a rearwardly facing locking surface (56) configured for locking edge forwardly facing edge (14) the to-be-locked plate (13) of the bracket (10) when the flange (27) of the connector (20) contacts the rear surface of the bracket (10). |
| US08221148B2 |
Positioning structure of electrical connector
The present invention provides a positioning structure of the electrical connector comprising a housing with a slot and a plurality of terminals, at least two side arms positioned on the two side of the housing, every side arm is comprising an extension plate which assembled to the housing, a movable arm and a fixed arm, and the fixed arm has an inserting plate extending downwardly, and at least two positioning sets respectively receiving the side arms. Every positioning set comprises a straight plate and the bent plates respectively positioned on the two sides of the straight plate, a receiving chamber is formed between the bent plates for receiving the inserting plate. Thus by having the bottom portion of the straight plate of the positioning set and every bent plate welded to the circuit board in order to increase the welding area, and to restrict the side arm by every positioning set, thus not only the housing is precisely positioned and also the fine adjustment during the assembling can be implemented; therefore, the present invention provides the convenience for assembling, the stability for welding and accordingly to increase the yield. |
| US08221146B2 |
Linearly actuated connector mating interface
A connector assembly includes a housing, a connector interface, and an actuator. The housing extends from a front end to a back end and includes an elongated channel extending through the housing along an actuation axis disposed between the front and back ends. The connector interface is joined with the front end of the housing and is configured to be electrically joined with a circuit board when the connector interface is moved away from the front end and mates with the circuit board. The actuator is disposed within the channel of the housing and includes a ramp angled toward the front end of the housing. The connector interface mates with the circuit board by moving the actuator along the actuation axis to engage the ramp with the connector interface and move the connector interface toward the circuit board. |
| US08221143B2 |
Electronic card connector with a limiting wall for limiting an electronic card obliquely inserted therein
An electronic card connector (100) defining a receiving space (10) and includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) and an ejecting mechanism (3) retained in the insulative housing (1), and a metal shell (5). The ejecting mechanism (3) includes a slider (31) and a latch strip (34) fixed on the slider (31). The latch strip (34) has a retention portion (341) retained on the slider (31) and a spring arm (343) extending sidewardly. The spring arm (343) has an arm portion (3431) and a resistive portion (3432) extending sidewardly. The resistive portion (3432) is offset from the arm portion (3431) along a width direction. The metal shell (5) has a limiting wall (55) extending into the receiving space (10) for protecting the spring arm (343) from being resisted overly by an electronic card. The limiting wall (55) defines a plane which is located between that of the resistive portion (3432) and arm portion (3431). |
| US08221140B2 |
Spark plug socket
A spark plug socket has an elastic base member and a contact element secured in the base member. The base member has a spark plug receptacle for a spark plug and the contact element has a contact receptacle for a terminal of the spark plug. The spark plug socket is removable in a removing direction from the spark plug. In an unloaded state of the spark plug socket arranged on the spark plug, a section of the contact receptacle engages behind the terminal of the spark plug in the removing direction of the spark plug socket. A longitudinal center axis of the contact receptacle is slanted relative to a longitudinal center axis of the spark plug receptacle. The contact element is adjustable against an elasticity of the base member such that an angle between the longitudinal center axis of the contact receptacle and the longitudinal center axis of the spark plug receptacle is reduced. |
| US08221138B2 |
Audio jack connector with improved soldering tail
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) and at least one contact (2) retained in the housing. The housing includes a base portion (11) and a mating portion (12) extending forwards from the base portion, and the base portion defines a mounting face (114) thereof and the mating portion defines a mating cavity (121) extending from a mating face (120) into the housing. The at least one contact defines a retaining portion (21) retained in the base portion, a resilient arm (22) extending from the retaining portion with a part projecting into the mating cavity and a soldering leg (23) arranged to parallel to the mounting face. The soldering leg is disposed within the scope of the mounting face and defines a first and a second soldering portion (231, 232) forming an angle therebetween. |
| US08221132B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly includes a circuit board and an electrical connector mounted on the circuit board. The circuit board has a circuit board body having first and second surfaces and through-holes bored between the first and second surfaces. The circuit board has signal traces on internal layers of the circuit board that are generally parallel to the first and second surfaces. Portions of the circuit board body within the through-holes are etched away to expose portions of the signal traces beyond the circuit board body within the corresponding through-hole. The electrical connector includes a housing and signal terminals held by the housing. The signal terminals are received in respective through-holes of the circuit board and engage the corresponding signal traces. |
| US08221130B2 |
Adhesive-backed chalkboard wall covering
An improved chalkboard marking surface comprises a rollable, flexible sheet of polypropylene having two sides that are opposite one another, each having a generally flat surface. On one side, a layer of adhesive is applied to the polypropylene substrate. On the same side of the polypropylene substrate, a selectively removable release sheet is preferably applied to the layer of adhesive for the purpose of keeping foreign materials from attaching to the adhesive when the chalkboard surface is not in use. On the reverse side of the polypropylene substrate, a layer of ink is applied which forms an abrasive surface after it dries, and importantly, results in a chalkboard surface that is lighter in weight. |
| US08221123B2 |
Braille cell cap
An electromechanical Braille cell assembly includes a plurality of parallel bimorph reeds. A first plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a first side of a printed circuit board by a first plurality of clips and a second plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a second side of the printed circuit board by a second plurality of clips. A frame has a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall in the form of an angle wall and a second side wall in the form of a flat wall. Pinholes are formed in the angle wall to accommodate Braille pins and the flat wall is slotted to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards. A monolithic cap covers all of the Braille pins. Pinholes formed in the cap receive the respective tips of the Braille cells when actuated bimorph reeds cause displacement of the Braille pins. |
| US08221121B2 |
Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement
The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide. |
| US08221117B2 |
Probes and biofluids for treating and removing deposits from tissue surfaces
An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues. Another aspect can include provision of the endodontic probe with an adjustable channel-depth indicator, which encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip besides the radiation emitting region and which is movable in proximal and distal directions along a surface of the fiber optic tip to facilitate the provision of depth-of-insertion information to users of the endodontic probe. |
| US08221116B2 |
Gas burner
Gas burner provided with a plurality of concentric flame crowns, and comprising a first central burner to supply a peripheral flame ring, a second annular burner surrounding the central burner at a defined distance and able of supplying at least a respective peripheral ring, a burner body apt to be mounted on the surface of a cooking hob, a first gas inlet in communication with the body, a first vertical gas injector, the central burner being provided with a first chamber for the diffusion of the air/gas mixture, a second gas inlet in communication with the body, wherein the second annular burner is provided with two separate chambers for the diffusion of the mixture, wherein the second gas inlet is in communication with the two separate chambers through suitable injection and conveying means, which comprise two distinct injectors in communication with the second gas inlet, and two respective horizontal Venturi pipes each of which being able of supplying with the air/gas mixture a respective of the two diffusion chambers; these are physically separate and not in communication to each other. The two horizontal and separate injectors are placed on the same end position of the second gas inlet. |
| US08221109B2 |
Material layering device
A material layering device. A material layering device may include a first pinning roller and a second pinning roller. The distance between the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller is less than a diameter of an substrate. The device also includes a return system, wherein the return system comprises a plurality of rollers. The device also includes a belt, which may have a first loop portion disposed between and protruding beyond the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller. The first loop portion also wraps about an intended substrate along an arc greater than about 180 degrees. The device further includes a feed portion coupled to the first loop and extending outwardly from the second pinning roller opposite the first loop and providing a surface upon which a sheet can be placed. Furthermore, the device also includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to one of the rollers. |
| US08221106B2 |
Venting device for mold
A mold blocking member is described for use in a vent bore of a mold for the manufacture of rubber products. The mold blocking member has a tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end. The second end is preferably chamfered for easy insertion into the mold. The first end has a spring element positioned thereon. A cap is affixed to a flat portion of the spring element. The bottom surface of the cap may optionally include channels. |
| US08221100B2 |
High pressure water pump valve and seal structure
A valve seat for use in a high pressure pump comprises an inner portion force fit within an outer portion. The outer portion has a fluid plenum at an outer peripheral surface. Fluid passages extend radially inwardly to communicate with a valve recess in the inner portion. A seal housing for a high pressure pump comprises an outer portion and an inner portion. The inner portion is force fit within the outer portion. The inner portion has an inner bore having a first location to receive seal packings, and a second location to receive valve spring structure. The inner portion has a curved surface that bottoms out against a curved surface within the outer portion. |
| US08221094B2 |
Screw compressor in which low and high pressure stage compressor bodies overly at least portion of motor body
A screw compressor comprising: a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost. |
| US08221090B2 |
Reciprocating compressor stroke control by compensating motor inductance influences
An operation controlling apparatus for a reciprocating compressor, and a method thereof, which are capable of accurately controlling the reciprocating compressor by sensing a size of a load applied to the reciprocating compressor and a stroke estimation value of the reciprocating compressor and then compensating a parameter of a motor in the reciprocating compressor based upon the sensing, the operation controlling apparatus comprising a controlling unit a controlling unit for comparing a phase difference between a detected current and a stroke with a reference phase difference to determine a size of a load, and outputting, according to the determined size of the load, a compensation control signal to compensate a parameter of a motor and a stroke control signal to control the stroke. |
| US08221088B2 |
Linear compressor controller
A control for a linear compressor energises the linear motor in harmony with the present natural frequency of the compressor. The controller monitors the present operating frequency and compares the frequency with one or more outer limit thresholds. The control may remove power from the linear motor if the running frequency drops below a lower threshold. The control may reduce power to the linear motor if the running frequency rises above an upper threshold. The control uses compressor running frequency to operate the comperssor within safe operating limits. |
| US08221087B2 |
Stator vanes of a stator vane cascade of an aircraft gas turbine
A method for manufacturing a stator vane 7 of a stator vane cascade 6 of a fan structure of an aircraft gas turbine, includes circumferentially welding two essentially flat metallic sheets 10, 11. A space between the sheets 10, 11 is formed in an injection mold by a filling pressure during a plastics injection process. |
| US08221084B2 |
Single-piece propeller and method of making
A method for making a propeller product is disclosed. The propeller is formed using polyurethane cores adhered to a laminate hub to form a core assembly. An encapsulating structural laminate skin is then formed on the core assembly using a resin-transfer-molding process to create a single-piece composite propeller. |
| US08221079B2 |
Propeller for boat
A propeller for a boat includes a hub having a tail portion with an outlet, and a plurality of blades equiangularly disposed on the hub. The outer periphery of the tail portion defines with a center axis of the hub a distance gradually decreasing toward the outlet. Thus, the propeller has the advantages of reducing the drag and increasing the propulsive force of the boat when it rotates. |
| US08221075B2 |
Systems and method for operating a wind turbine having active flow control
A method for operating a wind turbine includes operatively coupling a fluid container within the wind turbine. The fluid container is in flow communication with an air distribution system at least partially defined within a blade of the wind turbine. The method further includes channeling a fluid from the fluid container into the air distribution system, and discharging the fluid from the air distribution system through at least one aperture of the air distribution system defined through an outer surface of the blade to facilitate removing debris from the air distribution system. |
| US08221071B2 |
Integrated guide vane assembly
An integrated outlet guide vane assembly for turbomachinery typically includes at least one outlet guide vane and at least one bifurcation having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The turbomachinery has a central axis of rotation and a defined direction of rotation about the axis. The guide vane comprises an airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and has a non-zero angle of lean in the direction of rotation and a non-zero sweep angle relative to a line perpendicular to the central axis. The leading edge of the bifurcation has a non-zero angle of lean in the direction of rotation and a non-zero sweep angle relative to a line perpendicular to the central axis. The trailing edge of the vane is faired into the leading edge of the bifurcation. |
| US08221069B2 |
Multi-blade fan
A multi-blade fan including a spirally-shaped casing having an inlet and an outlet; an electric motor disposed inside the casing; a main plate provided perpendicular to a rotation axis of the electric motor and having a ventilation hole; first blades disposed at a side of the inlet of the main plate; and second blades disposed at an opposite side of the inlet of the main plate. Herein, a diameter of the main plate is smaller than an outer diameter of the first and second blades and is larger than an inner diameter of them. Furthermore, an outlet angle of any one or both of the first blade and the second blade is sequentially changed in an axis direction. |
| US08221066B2 |
Air diffuser system for industrial pumps
An air diffuser system for an impeller for a centrifugal pump has least one channel (36) with first opening (40) through the backside (14) and a second opening (42) through the front side (38) of the impeller (12). Tubes (44) are associated with each channel (36) and extend from the backside (14) of the impeller (12). Tube ends (48) are oriented in the direction of rotation (46) of the impeller (12). |
| US08221064B2 |
Transverse fan assembly having a supplementary air feed inlet for infill of air flow deficiencies to effect a desired output air flow pattern, and method of use thereof
A transverse fan assembly, including for use with agricultural combine harvesters, which fan assembly includes a supplementary air feed inlet for the infill of air flow voids or deficiencies in the air flow pathway from the air inlet of the transverse fan assembly to the air inlet entryway so as to effect a desired, generally more uniform, output air flow pattern across the entire expanse of the air outlet of the transverse fan assembly, and a method of use thereof. |
| US08221062B2 |
Device and system for reducing secondary air flow in a gas turbine
A device for reducing secondary airflow in a gas turbine is disclosed. The device includes an inter-stage sealing member located between a plurality of first turbine buckets attached to a first rotor disk, and a plurality of second turbine buckets attached to a second rotor disk. The first rotor disk and the second rotor disk are rotatable about a central axis. The inter-stage sealing member is configured to be attached in a fixed position relative to the first rotor disk and the second rotor disk, and to contact the plurality of first buckets and the plurality of second buckets in a sealing engagement. |
| US08221061B2 |
Gas turbine engine with valve for establishing communication between two enclosures
The present invention relates to a two-spool gas turbine engine including an HP turbine stator ring and an exterior wall of the transition channel between the HP and LP stages, a first enclosure for controlling the stator ring, and a second enclosure for distributing air for blowing the exterior wall of the transition channel. The engine is characterized in that the two enclosures are placed in communication via an orifice controlled by a valve adapted to be open when the pressure P1 in the first enclosure is greater than the pressure P2 in the second enclosure, and closed when P1 |
| US08221059B2 |
Variable geometry turbine
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel (5) supported in a housing (1) for rotation about a turbine axis. An annular inlet passage (9) is defined between first and second radial inlet surfaces, one of said first and second inlet surfaces being defined by a moveable wall member (40). A substantially annular array of vanes (41) is provided which extend across the inlet passageway (9); each vane (41) being fixed to said first inlet surface. Each vane (41) has first and second major vane surfaces (45, 46) having a chordal length extending between a radially outer leading vane edge (47) and a radially inner trailing vane edge (48), the first major vane surface (45) facing generally away from the axis and the second major vane surface (46) facing generally towards the axis. A rib (43) extends across at least a substantial portion of the chordal length of at least one of the first and second major vane surfaces (45, 46) of one or more vanes (41) of the array. |
| US08221055B1 |
Turbine stator vane with endwall cooling
A turbine stator vane with an ID endwall and an OD endwall and a vane airfoil extending between the two end walls. Each endwall has formed within a forward section a vortex tube arrangement of two separated vortex tubes that extend from one side of the endwall to the opposite side, and each of the separated vortex tubes are connected by a row of feed holes to supply cooling air and each is connected by a row of discharge slots to discharge a layer of film cooling air in front of the airfoil leading edge. The feed holes and the discharge slots are offset from the tube central axis in order to generate a vortex flow within the tubes. The vortex tubes are also connected with mate face cooling air holes to discharge some of the vortex flow cooling air onto the two mate faces of the enwalls to provide sealing and cooling for the spacing between adjacent endwall mate faces. |
| US08221051B2 |
Systems and methods for maximizing energy extraction from moving fluids
One example embodiment includes a system for extracting kinetic energy from moving fluid masses. The system includes an encapsulator, where a fluid enters the encapsulator. The system also includes decelerator, where the decelerator reduces the velocity of the encapsulated fluid to near zero velocity transferring the kinetic energy originally in the incoming fluid to the decelerator. |
| US08221049B1 |
Independent hydraulic pinching fingers with detachable secondary implement
The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items. An attachment bracket may extend between two pairs of pinching fingers to allow connection of a secondary implement between the pinching fingers. The attachment bracket and the secondary implements may be structured such that the secondary implement may be attached without tools by rotating the pinching fingers forward, scooping up the implement, rotating the fingers backwards and securing the secondary implement with rotatable stands. |
| US08221048B2 |
Lifting apparatus for use in a truck bed
A lifting apparatus has a support structure, a frame pivotally connected to the support structure, an actuator connected to the frame so as to move the frame between a retracted position and an extended position, a lifting bar pivotally connected to the frame, and a linkage having one end pivotally connected to the support structure and an opposite end connected to the lifting bar. The lifting bar has a first strut with one end pivotally connected to the frame, a second strut with the one end pivotally affixed to the frame, and a cross member affixed adjacent to opposite ends of the first and second struts and extending thereacross. The linkage includes a first link and a second link. |
| US08221047B2 |
Seed carrier with pivoting conveyor
A seed carrier includes a main hopper coupled with a frame via leg members. The main hopper has a discharge. A base plate is coupled with the frame. A support arm is rotatably coupled with the base plate at a first end. A belt driven conveyor having a conveyor hopper at a first end and a discharge at a second end is rotatably coupled with a second end of said support arm at an approximate center of gravity thereof. A latch mechanism is provided for detachably coupling the first end of the conveyor with the first end of the support arm such that the conveyor hopper is position below the main hopper discharge. When the conveyor is uncoupled from the first end of the support arm, the conveyor can rotate to a loading position wherein the discharge thereof can be positioned over the main hopper. |
| US08221046B2 |
Compositions containing amines and use thereof
The present invention features compositions comprising at least one compound of the formula I or formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 independently, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, or a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, and the use thereof. |
| US08221045B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and wafer loading/unloading method thereof
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and a wafer loading/unloading method thereof increase productivity. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a first boat and a second boat having a plurality of first slots and a plurality of second slots, respectively, and disposed such that the first slots and the second slots alternate each other, the first boat mounting a plurality of first wafers in the first slots to direct front faces of the first wafers in a predetermined direction, the second boat mounting a plurality of second wafers in the second slots to direct back faces of the second wafers in the predetermined direction; a reaction tube having an opening and containing the first and second boats mounting the first and second wafers; a plate sealing up the opening of the reaction tube containing the first boat and the second boat; a reaction gas supplier supplying reaction gas into the sealed reaction tube for a predetermined process; and a reaction gas exhauster exhausting the reaction gas from the reaction tube to the external of the reaction tube after the predetermined process. |
| US08221044B2 |
System for automatically producing a bound album consisting of individual sheets, especially a photo album
A system for automatically producing a bound album consisting of individual sheets, for example, a photo album is disclosed. The system includes a unit which immediately draws in sheets output by a printer or a stacker; a unit for creasing said sheets so as to facilitate folding them and keeping said sheets in their folded form; an adhesive application unit designed to paste at least some of the sheets two by two; and a unit to flip part of the cover sheet. The sheets are received and compiled on a delivery board equipped with registration features for this purpose. The board is capable of translational movement in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the sheets are transported inside the system and movement between several positions in synchronism with the adhesive application unit. |
| US08221040B2 |
Component assembly consisting of a fastener element and a sheet metal part and also a method for manufacturing such a component assembly
A component assembly comprising a sheet metal part and a fastener element which has a flange part of larger diameter and a shaft part of smaller diameter which extends away from the flange part and merges at its end remote from the flange part into a cylindrical rivet section is characterized in that the fastener element is designed for use with sheet metal parts with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With relatively thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal part has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening which has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft part, with the cylindrical rivet section being reshaped to a rivet bead which contacts the underside of the sheet metal part. With sheet metal parts of medium thickness the sheet metal part has a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead. For relatively thick sheet metal parts the sheet metal part has a conical pierced hole and the cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a conical rivet bead which is wedged in the conically diverging hole. |
| US08221036B2 |
Chatter-resistant end mill
A chatter-resistant end mill and a method of making such an end mill, in which the teeth of the end mill are unequally spaced apart to substantially reduce or eliminate vibrations produced during cutting of a work piece. |
| US08221033B2 |
Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier
Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. A shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define an opening for receiving the granular construction material into the interior. The shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the shell to form a support pier. |
| US08221031B2 |
Method for transporting sediments in dammed bodies of water
The invention relates a method for transporting sediments in dammed bodies of water, especially in hydraulic power plants, said sediments being deposited because there are no erosion processes as a result of the absence of a current. According to the invention, the sediment deposits are picked up in the sedimentation zone of the reservoir and are transported to the erosion zone near the discharge element/s of the reservoir such that the sediments are transported into current water by the erosion processes of the effluent water caused by the current. |
| US08221029B2 |
Water drainage and harvesting system for an artificial turf environment
A water drainage and harvesting system for use with an artificial turf field comprises permeable synthetic turf, permeable impact-absorbing sub-base material beneath the turf, a water collection basin below the field, a water reservoir below the collection basin, the basin and reservoir having an impermeable liner, a water tank in the reservoir, and a conduit from the tank that allows for filtered water to be pumped to the ground surface for reuse. The disclosure further relates to a method for the construction of such a water storage and conveyance system. |
| US08221025B2 |
Method for laying a paving mat
According to a method for laying a paving mat with a paving screed, the paving mat comprising a lane and a downwardly inclined slope beginning at a transition to the outside, the paving screed comprising a base screed and at least one extension screed which is extendable and retractable by a sliding motion in a sliding direction parallel to the base screed for varying the working width of the paving screed, the base screed and the extension screed having sole plates at the lower sides, with the sole plate of the extension screed being inclined laterally for forming the slope with the angle of the slope, a lateral position of the transition is first set relative to the base screed, during or after setting the lateral position a height difference is measured perpendicular to the planum between a fixed measuring location at the base screed and a location along a reference line extending parallel to the sole plate of the extension screed, the measured height difference being converted into a target value, and in the case of a variation of the working width and/or of the angle an occurring deviation of the height difference from the target value as caused by the variation is measured and automatically is corrected by a simultaneous height adaptation of the sole plate of the extension to the target value in order to maintain the set lateral position of the transition stationary. |
| US08221023B2 |
System for continuous vehicular travel on crossing roadways
Systems for improved vehicular movement between first and second crossing roadways. The systems employ multiple turn roadways to permit a vehicle traveling on one of the crossing roadways to appropriately turn and continuously travel onto the other of the crossing roadway. The systems are adaptable to use in conjunction with either left side of the road vehicle movement or right side of the road vehicle movement. In addition, the systems can be adapted for use in conjunction a roadway crossing whereat at least one of the roads is for forwarded vehicle movement in only one direction. |
| US08221022B2 |
Cell monitor locking mechanism for a fuel cell assembly
A fuel cell has at least one engaging portion that protrudes from an outer edge of a cell and engages with a cell monitor so as to restrict movement of the cell monitor away from the cell. The cell has a plurality of engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other, and the engaging portions engage with one cell monitor at a plurality of positions of the cell. Separators of the cell contact at major surfaces thereof with cell monitor terminals. One cell monitor is mounted on a plurality of cells, and the terminals of the cell monitor are electrically connected to the separators of the cells. |
| US08221020B2 |
Through pin assembly for an axle and method of mounting
A through pin assembly for securing an axle into a pair of mounting cheeks and to stabilize a machine member is disclosed. The pin assembly has an axle having a pair of end members formed on each end of the axle. A channel is formed through the axle and runs a length of the axle. The channel consists of a threaded area of the channel at the first end for use when removing the assembly; a hexagon, octagon or otherwise shaped area at the second end to interlock with the threaded part of the locking end member; two grooves in the channel, one at each end, as a seat for gaskets to seal off a grease or oil chamber for distribution to the bearing. A bearing is mounted on a central section of the axle. A pair of expansion sleeves is provided wherein one of the pair of expansion sleeves is positioned over each of the end member of the axle. A locking device is inserted into the channel. The locking device engages the pair of expansion sleeves causing the expansion sleeves to expand into a pair of mounting cheeks and stabilizing the machine member to secure the axle when a first end of the locking device is adjusted. |
| US08221019B2 |
Tube with resilient applicator for dispensing texture materials
A method of applying texture material to a destination surface defining a pre-textured portion formed by a spray system and an untextured portion, comprising the following steps. A flexible container, texture, material, a sponge base, a resilient sponge are provided. The resilient sponge is adhered to the sponge base to form a sponge assembly. The texture material is arranged within the container chamber, and the sponge member is fixed relative to the container. Texture material is forced out of the container member and onto an applicator surface. At least a portion of the texture material on the applicator surface is transferred to the untextured portion of the destination surface by displacing the container member along the dispensing axis towards the destination surface with the applicator surface substantially parallel to the destination surface. The container member is then displaced away from the destination surface along the dispensing axis with the applicator surface substantially parallel to the destination surface such that an exposed portion of the particulate material on the untextured portion of the destination surface stands out from the destination surface and is visually perceptible. |
| US08221014B1 |
Lipstick applicator brush attachment system
A lipstick applicator brush attachment system includes a tube that has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall. The tube has a lipstick column positioned therein. The tube has a break therein to allow the tube to be opened to access the lipstick column. A container has a closed end, an open end and a perimeter wall extending between the open and closed ends. A cap is removably positioned on the container to close the open end. The cap frictionally engages the perimeter wall. An applicator brush is removably positioned in the container. The applicator brush has a plurality of bristles abuttable against the lipstick column to place lipstick on the bristles for application to a person's lips. A coupler is attached to the container. The coupler releasably couples the container to the tube. |
| US08221011B2 |
Recording apparatus
To release a medium securely from a fixed roll without damaging the medium. A releasing roller is disposed between a roll and a transport roller for nipping a medium and transporting the medium to a printing position. The releasing roller is rotated by a releasing motor so as to release the medium from the roll in a tangential direction of the roll. In addition, a sag part obtained by sagging the medium is formed between the releasing roller and the transport roller. A tension roller is placed on the sag part so that a constant tension is exerted on the released medium. A sag amount of the sag part is detected by monitoring a lower end part of the sag part with a sensor utilizing infrared rays. A printing apparatus releases the medium by the releasing roller to supply the medium so that the sag amount is within a predetermined range. The medium on which the constant tension is exerted is delivered by the transport roller onto a platen and is printed by a head. |
| US08221009B2 |
Tape drive and printing apparatus
A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors. |
| US08221006B2 |
Fiber optic cable assemblies with mechanically interlocking crimp bands and methods of making the assemblies
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable with one or more optical fibers attached to a housing. The housing includes a connector housing for a connector, a furcation housing for a furcation, and a splice housing for a mid-span cable splice. The furcation housing and the splice housing include a crimp body. The crimp body has a compression area and at least one hoop about the compression area defining a crimp zone. A crimp band is arranged for engaging the crimp zone and including an indentation defining a compression surface and a rib defining a rib interior. The crimp band and the crimp body cooperate to grip the strength element and resist cable pull off forces. A method of making the fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08221003B2 |
Bearing unit and pivot device
A bearing unit has four rolling bearings adjacently disposed in an axial direction, each rolling bearing including an inner race, and outer race, and rolling elements interposed between the inner and outer races. A shaft is fitted to the inner races, and a sleeve has a fitting hole into which is fitted the outer races. The inner races or the outer races are brought into contract with each other in the axial direction to preload the rolling bearings. The inner races or the outer races of the rolling bearings at both axial ends, which are brought into contact with the inner races or the outer races of adjacent rolling bearings, are fixed to the sleeve, and the outer races of the central two rolling bearings form a radial gap between confronting surfaces of the sleeve and the outer races or between confronting surfaces of the shaft and the inner surfaces. |
| US08221001B2 |
Bearing apparatus
A bearing apparatus includes a rolling bearing (16) having an outer ring (16a), an inner ring (16b), and rolling elements (16c) disposed between the inner ring (16b) and the outer ring (16a), a temperature sensor (TS) for measuring an internal temperature of the rolling bearing and a lubrication unit (22). The lubrication unit supplies lubricating oil in a quantity corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, to the rolling bearing. With this configuration, it is feasible to provide the bearing apparatus capable of ensuring a sufficiently long life under the condition of high-speed rotations. The bearing apparatus is suitable for use in a spindle for a machine tool. |
| US08221000B2 |
Bearing for rolling mill roll
A bearing for a rolling mill roll that has a roll neck, the bearing including a neck sleeve fitted onto the roll neck, a chock, a bearing bush supported in the chock, and a load-bearing lubricating film provided between the neck sleeve and the bearing bush. The roll neck has a step at a transition to an undercut region that defines part of a keyway groove in an axial end face of the roll neck, a remaining part of the keyway groove being formed in an axial end of the neck sleeve. A feather key is provided in the keyway groove. The feather key and the keyway groove are arranged adjacent to, without passing through, a Rötscher line extending between the step of the roll neck and an outer axial edge of the bearing bush. The feather key has a radial extension that is greater than an axial extension. |
| US08220995B2 |
Upright radiation tissue immobilizer
A system for immobilizing tissue during upright radiotherapy including a first support element and a second support element tilted with respect to each other and operative to apply pressure on opposite sides of a patient positioned therebetween so as to generally immobilize a target located in the patient, the first and second support elements being mounted on mounting members that are connected to a turntable operative to rotate the patient about a vertical rotational axis. |
| US08220992B2 |
Digital temperature information generating apparatus for semiconductor integrated circuit
A digital temperature information generating apparatus for a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a temperature information generating block that, in response to a reset signal, latches and decodes multiple divided signals obtained by multiple-dividing a second control signal at a timing corresponding to a change in period of a first control signal according to a temperature, and generates temperature information, and pads through which the generated temperature information is output. |
| US08220991B2 |
Electromagnetically heating a conductive medium in a composite aircraft component
Nondestructive examination is performed on a composite aircraft component including a composite body and a conductive medium. The conductive medium is substantially more conductive than the composite body. The nondestructive examination includes applying an electromagnetic field that penetrates the composite body and heats the conductive medium, and creating a thermal image of the conductive medium to reveal conductivity information about the conductive medium. |
| US08220989B1 |
Method and apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity of small, highly insulating specimens
A hot plate method and apparatus for the measurement of thermal conductivity combines the following capabilities: 1) measurements of very small specimens; 2) measurements of specimens with thermal conductivity on the same order of that as air; and, 3) the ability to use air as a reference material. Care is taken to ensure that the heat flow through the test specimen is essentially one-dimensional. No attempt is made to use heated guards to minimize the flow of heat from the hot plate to the surroundings. Results indicate that since large correction factors must be applied to account for guard imperfections when specimen dimensions are small, simply measuring and correcting for heat from the heater disc that does not flow into the specimen is preferable. The invention is a hot plate method capable of using air as a standard reference material for the steady-state measurement of the thermal conductivity of very small test samples having thermal conductivity on the order of air. |
| US08220981B2 |
Liquid crystal display having a plurality of modules
An LED backlight unit and an LCD using a backlight unit may be provided. A liquid crystal display (LCD) may include a plurality of modules including a circuit board, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged on the circuit board for emitting light, and a light guide plate having a light incidence part including an incident surface for receiving light emitted from the LED light source and a light emission part for emitting the light. The LCD may further include a frame having the plurality of the modules provided thereon, and at least one driving unit on one surface of the frame, wherein a connection hole is formed in the frame to connect the circuit board to the at least one driving unit. |
| US08220974B2 |
LED unit
An LED unit includes an LED having a first optical axis and a transparent envelope receiving the LED therein. The envelope is a cylinder inclined towards a lateral side. The envelope includes two concave surfaces respectively defined at a top and a bottom thereof, and a convex surface formed on the top thereof. The two concave surfaces have the same second optical axis and the convex surface has a third optical axis. The second and third optical axes are parallel to each other and angled with the first optical axis. The second and third optical axes are inclined towards the same lateral side as that the envelope is inclined toward. The two concave surfaces and the convex surface are all aspheric. |
| US08220973B2 |
Housing comprising a housing underpart and method for emitting electromagnetic radiation
A housing includes a housing underpart, the housing underpart being provided with a housing cavity. The housing cavity comprises an opening on one housing side and, on the floor of the cavity, contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting semiconductor chip. A cover that is at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation covers the housing cavity. A method for emitting electromagnetic radiation in a preferred direction is also disclosed. |
| US08220971B2 |
Light emitting diode module with three part color matching
A light emitting diode module is produced using at least one light emitting diode (LED) and at least two selectable components that form or are part of a light mixing chamber that surrounds the LEDs and includes an output port. A first selectable component has a first type of wavelength converting material with a first wavelength converting characteristic and a second selectable component has a second type of wavelength converting material with a different wavelength converting characteristic. The first and second wavelength converting characteristics alter the spectral power distribution of the light produced by the LED to produce light through the output port that has a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. Moreover, a set of LED modules may be produced such that each LED module has the same color point within a predetermined tolerance. The LED module may be produced by pre-measuring the wavelength converting characteristics of the different components selecting components with wavelength converting characteristics that convert the spectral power distribution of the LED to a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. |
| US08220969B2 |
Light coloring system
A rainbow wheel that colors light that is passed therethrough. The wheel can be formed using a photolithographic process. Another supermagenta wheel can be used to increase the number of colors that can be obtained. |
| US08220965B2 |
Laser energy source device and method
A laser device including a concave mirror converging beamlets from a plurality of high efficiency diode lasers to a focal point, an integrating convex mirror placed at or near the focal point reflects a first portion of the beamlets back to the concave mirror and allows a second portion through to a light transmitter. The second portion of beamlets exists the light transmitter as a homogenized uniform laser beam having substantially uniform convergence and focus. |
| US08220962B2 |
Reflector panel of an LED street lamp
The present invention relates to the technical field of LED street lamp, in particular to structure of a reflector panel of the LED lamp. A reflector panel comprises a base, the base has multiple reflector cups, which are divided into two groups according to the direction of their openings, all reflector cups in each group have the same direction of their openings, the directions of the openings of the reflector cups in two different groups are opposite. The reflector panel of the present invention can form the illumination band with even illuminance on the street and cause small light loss. |
| US08220960B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a lamp body having a heat sink forming an insert and a lamp holder which is connected to the heat sink of the lamp body. The lamp holder includes a mounting portion extending outwards from an external surface thereof. The mounting portion defines a socket. The insert is inserted into the socket to thereby connect the lamp body with the heat sink of the lamp holder. An light source module consisting of a plurality of LEDs is mounted on a bottom surface of the heat sink. |
| US08220958B2 |
Light-beam shaper
The invention relates to an optical device for imparting an elongate shape to a light beam emitted by a LED, and to street luminaries which comprise such optical devices. The optical device comprises a lens (2) having an entry diopter (3) and an exit diopter (4) which comprises a first convergent section, a second convergent section and a divergent section bridging said first and second convergent sections. |
| US08220957B2 |
Retrofit light assembly
Retrofit systems for replacing the outdated components of an existing light fixture. The retrofit systems may utilize the previously installed housing of the existing light fixture. The retrofit systems include brackets that are positioned on the ends of the housing. The positioning of the brackets is based off of the ceiling, t-grid, or the bottom of the housing. Lamp sockets with associated lamps, an optional ballast tray with associated ballast, reflector(s), lamps, and a shielding mechanism are all mounted on, and their position in the housing dictated by, the mounting brackets. Thus, regardless of the depth of the housing, the lamps are positioned a uniform distance from the ceiling opening to create consistent light distribution. Moreover, because these components are not directly attached to the housing, their dimensions need not precisely match those of the housing. Rather, the retrofit system can be installed in housings of varying sizes and shapes. |
| US08220953B1 |
Modular power grid illumination system
A modular power grid illumination system is provided. The illumination system generally includes a luminary including a light emitting module, a longitudinal housing assembly to receive the light emitting module, first and second end caps at opposite ends of the housing assembly, and first and second twist-in connectors coupled to respective first and second end caps. The twist-in connectors couple the luminary to a power grid at opposing ends of the luminary while also providing a source of low voltage electrical power to the luminary. |
| US08220950B1 |
Distress marker system
A portable distress light including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a light mode switch to power the diodes so as to provide a flashing white light, a flashing infrared light, a flashing blue light and a steady white light. Status indicators are included on the device to correspondingly identify the operative mode selected. The light emitting diodes include top-emitting diodes and side-emitting diodes that are arranged on a printed circuit board in a variety of configurations to provide an optimum light pattern. Exemplary configurations include positioning the light emitting diodes into a triangular pattern, and a square or rectangular pattern. The distress device further includes a variety of reflectors that are disposed over the light emitting diodes to provide a horizontally dispersed light pattern. An operating circuit provides the benefit of a delay period between mode selections. An alternative embodiment provides a distress light including a cylindrically-shaped form having a top dome attached to a cylindrical body. |
| US08220949B2 |
Lighted flooring
A floor assembly including a top having at least one transparent or translucent light emitting portion for emitting light is provided. At least one light source is provided for supplying light. The light source is optically connected to the light emitting portion. The assembly may include a light guide for guiding light therethrough. Also, a light refracting portion may be included for directing light emanating from the light source. |
| US08220944B2 |
Backlight unit
Provided is a backlight unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light; a plurality of LED modules having a printed circuit board (PCB) which supports and drives the plurality of LEDs; a plurality of optical sheets that are attached to the top surfaces of the respective LED modules; and a plurality of heat radiating pads that are attached to the rear surfaces of the respective LED modules. |
| US08220940B2 |
Antiglare film, antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display device
An antiglare film is provided, the antiglare film including: a transparent support; and an antiglare layer, wherein the antiglare layer contains a light-transmitting resin particle, a light-transmitting resin and a copolymerization product having an amine value of 1 to 30 mgKOH/g, and the average particle diameter of the light-transmitting resin particle is from 6 to 20 μm. |
| US08220937B2 |
Projection optical system and projection unit for oblique projection type projection display device, and oblique projection type projection display device
An optical position of a display device with respect to an optical axis of a projection optical system is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with a change in the size of a projected image. For instance, a transparent flat plate is disposed in front of a projection lens, and the transparent flat plate is tilted in association with a rotation of a zoom adjustment ring. As the transparent flat plate is tilted, the apparent position of the display device relative to the projection lens is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system. Thereby, the projected image on a screen is located at a proper position corresponding to a zoom state. Tilt control of the transparent flat plate is realized by a cam mechanism, for instance. |
| US08220934B2 |
Polarization conversion systems for stereoscopic projection
A polarization conversion system (PCS) is located in the output light path of a projector. The PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization rotating element, a reflecting element, and a polarization switch. Typically, a projector outputs randomly-polarized light. This light is input to the PCS, in which the PCS separates p-polarized light and s-polarized light at the polarizing beam splitter. P-polarized light is directed toward the polarization switch on a first path. The s-polarized light is passed on a second path through the polarization rotating element (e.g., a half-wave plate), thereby transforming it to p-polarized light. A reflecting element directs the transformed polarized light (now p-polarized) along the second path toward the polarization switch. The first and second light paths are ultimately directed toward a projection screen to collectively form a brighter screen image in cinematic applications utilizing polarized light for three-dimensional viewing. |
| US08220920B2 |
Transport roller, transport device and printing apparatus
A transport device includes a transport roller that is formed into a cylindrical shape in such a manner that a pair of end surfaces thereof are matched with each other by press working, and includes a medium supporting region in a part thereof in a longitudinal direction, while the medium supporting region supporting a medium; and a bearing that pivotally supports a region of the transport roller, the region being other than the medium supporting region. The transport roller includes an opening in the region other than the medium supporting region in a seam formed by matching the pair of end surfaces with each other. |
| US08220917B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a plurality of applying units
An image forming apparatus includes first, second, and third applying units, as well as a transferring portion. The first applying unit applies a first liquid to an intermediate transfer medium. The first liquid may be a liquid for increasing the wettability of the surface the intermediate transfer medium or a surfactant. The second applying unit applies a second liquid to intermediate transfer medium. The second liquid may be a liquid for decreasing the flowability of ink to the intermediate transfer medium, or a liquid for aggregating a color material, or a liquid which reacts with an ink. The third applying unit applies ink to the intermediate transfer medium, to which liquids have been applied. The ink is applied from an ink-jet head to form an image on the intermediate transfer medium. |
| US08220915B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
An image forming method includes the steps of: depositing an ink containing 10% or more and less than 30% of a water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of 28 or lower, onto a recording medium in accordance with an image signal, the ink having a viscosity of 10 cP or lower in a case where a temperature of the ink is 25° C.; removing water contained in the solvent of the ink on the recording medium, by a heating drying device; and heating and pressurizing the ink so as to fix the ink onto the recording medium. |
| US08220913B2 |
Ink-jet recording method
An ink-jet recording method is provided, which includes (i) supplying on a coated paper a treatment liquid containing 15% by mass or more of a polyvalent metal compound for fixing the components contained in an ink composition and having a viscosity at 25° C. of from 2 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s, in an amount of from −50% to +50% with respect to the value of ΔV [ml/m2] determined by the following Formula (I); and (ii) recording an image by ejecting an ink composition containing a colorant, resin particles, an aqueous organic solvent and water by an ink-jet method on the coated paper to which the treatment liquid has been supplied. Vr represents a roughness index of the coated paper obtained from a measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method, and Vi represents the amount of transfer at an inflection point where the value of absorption coefficient of the coated paper changes in the measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method. ΔV=Vi−Vr Formula (I) |
| US08220911B2 |
Inkjet recording method
An inkjet recording method includes forming an image on an inkjet recording sheet with an ink set, wherein the inkjet recording sheet includes: a support; and a colorant-receiving layer provided on the support, the colorant receiving layer including inorganic particles, a water-soluble resin and at least one boron compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, borate and borax, in which the ratio of the boron compound to the water-soluble resin is from 5 to 14% by mass, wherein the ink set including at least one inkjet ink including at least the boron compound and a water-soluble dye, and wherein the image is formed on a side of the inkjet recording sheet at which the colorant-receiving layer is formed. |
| US08220908B2 |
Printhead having improved gas flow deflection system
A printhead includes a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory, and a gas flow deflection system including a gas flow that interacts with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the gas flow being provided by a gas flow source connected in fluid communication with a gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system including a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the gas flow source and the drop deflection zone. |
| US08220907B2 |
Non-conductive fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method
A fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method includes a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with a nozzle channel and a characterization electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the characterization electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with first portion and thereafter a second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive portion of the characterization electrode is operable to transfer a first electrical charge to a region of the first portion of the non-conductive fluid jet and transfer a second electrical charge to a region of the second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. |
| US08220905B2 |
Liquid transporting apparatus and method of producing liquid transporting apparatus
A liquid transporting apparatus includes a channel unit having a plurality of pressure chambers, a piezoelectric actuator having a vibration plate, a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a first electrode and second electrodes, and a flexible wiring member connected to the second electrodes. A support section is provided on the surface of the vibration plate, not facing the pressure chambers. A surface of the support section which does not face the vibration plate is joined to the flexible wiring member to support the flexible wiring member. |
| US08220904B2 |
Liquid composition, set, liquid cartridge, inkjet recording method, and inkjet recording apparatus
A liquid composition used in combination with an ink containing a coloring material is ejected by the action of thermal energy from a recording head including a heating resistor having a protecting layer that contains at least one of a metal and a metal oxide and that is to come into contact with the liquid composition. The liquid composition contains an organic acid having a carboxy group, an alkali metal ion, an organic acid having a sulfonate group, a polyvalent metal ion, and water. |
| US08220900B2 |
Printhead cradle having electromagnetic control of capper
A printhead cradle is provided for removably receiving a printhead. The cradle has a controller for controlling operation of the received printhead and an electromagnet for causing movement of a movable capper of the printhead under control of the controller. |
| US08220897B2 |
Computer based method and system for adjusting page placement on a continuous feed print engine
A system for adjusting page placement on a continuous feed print engine. The engine includes: a feed system for displacing a continuous sheet of material in a process direction; and at least one printhead with a plurality of ink ejectors. The system includes at least one specially programmed computer with a processor and memory element. The processor receives ejector data regarding a defective ink ejector. The ejector data includes a position for the ejector in a transverse direction. The memory element stores the ejector data. The processor: receives print data including positions, in the transverse direction, for pixels on the page; creates, using the processor and the print data, a logical page; and creates, using the processor and the ejector data, a logical sheet by positioning the logical page in the traverse direction such that the ejector and the respective pixels are out of alignment in the process direction. |
| US08220889B2 |
Web flow path
A web flow path extends in a first direction opposite a print head and in a second opposite direction from the print head to a dryer. |
| US08220887B2 |
Selectable presentation of dual-bin system
A refrigerator is provided that includes a compartment, a first container, a second container, a door, and a selection device. The first container is located in the compartment and configured to be movable in a first direction. The second container is located in the compartment and configured to be movable in the first direction. The door is operably connected to the second container and configured to provide access to at least one of the first container and the second container of the compartment when the door is moved to an open position. The door is also configured to inhibit access to the compartment when the door is moved to a closed position. The selection device is located on the refrigerator and configured for inputting a selection of either the first container or the second container. The selected container is presented in an accessible position when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08220886B2 |
Refrigerator with auxiliary basket
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a storage space; a door installed at the refrigerator main body to open and close the storage space; and a receiving device including a storage basket which is accommodated in the storage space and has a storage chamber to store a product and an auxiliary basket which is installed to be spaced from a bottom of the storage basket and has an insertion groove to receive a thin product such that the thin product is stored in the storage chamber in a standing state. According to the refrigerator, since a product having a large width and a small thickness can be stored in a standing state, it is possible to conveniently store a product such as a pizza box and efficiently use a storage space. |
| US08220881B2 |
Cable management systems having access doors connected thereto via latch/hinge assemblies
Communications cable management systems include a cable trough and a door that is configured to provide access to the cable trough. A first latch structure is attached to the door that includes a first latch and a second latch. A second latch structure is attached to the door that includes a third latch and a fourth latch. The systems also include a support structure that has first through fourth latch receiving assemblies that are configured to receive the respective first through fourth latches. The first through fourth latch receiving assemblies may comprise hinge brackets and/or pivotable latch members. The first and second latches and their corresponding first and second latch receiving assemblies are each configured to act as a hinge when the third and fourth latches are removed from their corresponding latch receiving assemblies. Similarly, the third and fourth latches and their corresponding third and fourth latch receiving assemblies are each configured to act as a hinge when the first and second latches are removed from their corresponding latch receiving assemblies. |
| US08220871B2 |
Reclining group
Child safety seat to be placed in a vehicle, comprising at least one movable section. The movable section is provided for displacement in the first direction and prevented from displacement in the second direction, when a predetermined weight is exerted on the child safety seat, preferably on the movable section. |
| US08220870B2 |
Remote operated infant/child car seat
An infant/child car seat having a shell with a seat belt releasably secured to the shell by a release button, and a transponder that remotely activates the release button to release the seat belt from the shell. |
| US08220865B2 |
Connecting arrangement
A connecting arrangement (1) is provided for connecting a stiffening beam (2) to a bracket (3) in a motor vehicle. The stiffening beam (2) and the bracket (3) having mounting sections (4, 5) that can be plugged into one another. The mounting sections (4, 5) each have two slots (6, 7) situated opposite one another. The slots (6, 7) at least partially overlap in pairs and are offset from one another by a predetermined angle (α) in the mounted position of the mounting sections (4, 5) to facilitate the insertion of a fastening element (12) into the slot pairs (6, 7). The connecting arrangement (1) simplifies the mounting of the fastening element (12) and enables an even retroactive correction or alignment of the connecting arrangement (1) in the plugging-together direction (13) of the mounting sections (4,5). |
| US08220859B2 |
Hold-down locking mechanism for a flexible cover system
A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover. |
| US08220856B2 |
Vehicle seat
A mechanism for rotating a vehicle seat body and a mechanism for restraining rotation of the seat body are partially shared, reducing the number of parts. The seat includes a seat body, a seat rotation mechanism, a gear forming member having a rotation gear, a drive gear meshable with the rotation gear, and an actuator for rotating the drive gear. The seat further includes a moving mechanism that relatively moves the drive gear and the gear forming member in a direction of a rotation restraint position such that the drive gear is placed in such a position so as to interfere with the gear forming member when the seat body rotates to a first position and when the seat body is urged to rotate in a direction of a second position while the drive gear is in such a position so as to not mesh with the rotation gear. |
| US08220855B2 |
Tailgate structure
A tailgate structure having a tailgate (17) composed of an outer panel (31), a frame (32), and a lining (33); and a lock mechanism (43). The frame has an opening (61) formed between the lock mechanism and a mounting hole (35) for an externally mounted component, the hole being formed in the outer panel. The lining has a protrusion (68) that protrudes toward the exterior of the vehicle. The protrusion is positioned on a line that connects the mounting hole and the lock mechanism. When a rod-shaped member is inserted into the tailgate from the mounting hole, the rod-shaped member will come into contact with the protrusion and will not reach the lock mechanism. |
| US08220854B2 |
Method and apparatus for selling consumer products
Methods and apparatus for advertising, promoting, marketing and/or selling products and services. The inventions include a mobile vehicle for advertising, promotion, marketing and sales of products and services, wherein the vehicle is self-propelled and self-contained for transport to, and operation in, any locale. A showroom affixed to or carried by or in the moving vehicle, the vehicle acting as a moving showroom, mobile kiosk, or mobile store. Preferably, the showroom has side panels on three sides which can be raised, removed or retracted to allow customers to view the products within the showroom. Further preferably, the panels have advertising on both of their sides, providing billboards that are visible on all of the sides of the vehicle, such that three hundred and sixty degrees of billboard signage are present to promote particular products and services. Those products and services can include electronics and electrical devices, mechanical products, consumer products, and other objects. The products and services may be promoted for direct sale from the moving showroom, or for sale from other outlets, such as retail stores and Internet sales. |
| US08220853B2 |
Clamping element for fitting on a clamping tongue of a gripper as well as gripper fitted with such a clamping element
A clamping element for attaching a gripper onto a clamping tongue as well as a gripper with this kind of clamping element is provided. The clamping element has a longitudinal carrier the width of which substantially corresponds to the width of the clamping tongue and at least two mutually distanced clamping regions. At least one fastening element for the detachable fastening of the clamping elements to the clamping tongue (42, 44) is provided. The clamping element provides an improved force division as well as a secure support on the clamping tongue. |
| US08220850B2 |
Impact-absorbing element for a vehicle and methods of producing the same
The invention relates to an impact-absorbing element for a vehicle, in particular a car, comprising: a body comprising a thermoplastic polymer material; an elongate reinforcing structure provided in the body and comprising a number of metal reinforcing cords extending substantially parallel and a number of positioning elements arranged between the cords for holding the metal reinforcing cords substantially mutually parallel before and during the manufacturing process. The positioning elements ensure that the cords remain correctly positioned before, during and after the manufacturing process despite the forces occurring in the manufacturing process. |
| US08220841B2 |
Connection device for medium conduits
A connection device for the plug connection of at least one media line includes a housing part with at least one reception orifice for plugging in a plug portion connected or connectable to the at least one media line. The housing part includes a basic part and an insert part. The basic part is releasably connected with a form fit to the insert part via a latching connection. The latching connection holds the insert part releasably and is formed by a C-shaped spring clip which is seated on the outside of the basic part and engages with at least one latching extension radially through an orifice of the basic part into a circumferential latching groove of the insert part. |
| US08220835B2 |
Document including data suitable for identification and verification
A document upon which a data sequence is placed, the data sequence comprising identification data (1) and verification data (3) in combination. The verification data (3) is physically distinguished from said identification data (1) within the data sequence in addition to any differences due to a difference in data between the identification data and verification data. |
| US08220834B2 |
Steering column arrangement for motor vehicles
A steering column arrangement including a steering column and a steering wheel, which is oriented at an angle to a horizontal, in which the steering column is connected to at least two pivoted levers, which each have a pivot bearing at both ends, the pivot bearings situated on the side of the pivoted levers remote from the steering wheel being fixedly attached, while the pivot bearings attached to the other end of the pivoted levers are arranged at a reciprocal distance from the steering column, the arrangement of the pivoted levers and the pivot bearings being selected so that under a force acting on the steering wheel in the direction of travel the steering wheel and steering column are moved simultaneously in the direction of travel and the steering wheel increases said angle. |
| US08220833B2 |
Rotational breakaway trailer jack assembly and method of use
A rotational jack assembly is provided to support a portion of a trailer. The jack assembly has a pivot mount with a pivot axis, a mounting plate rotatable about the pivot axis and a pin receptor with a first and second portion. The mounting plate carries a support assembly and a locking pin. The locking pin is engagable with the pin receptor, and adapted to move between the first and second portions of the pin receptor upon application of rotational force. A force activated locking assembly and a breakaway support assembly are also provided for supporting a portion of a trailer. A method of use for the rotational breakaway trailer jack assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08220824B2 |
Folding wagon
A folding wagon has a folding frame with a stowed position and an open position. The folding frame comprises a pair of front and rear vertical support. The folding frame further comprises a pair of front supplemental links and a pair of rear supplemental links. A plurality of flatbed supports form a central flatbed support joint in the middle of the wagon. The central flatbed support joint folds upward when the folding frame is being configured into stowed position, and the plurality of flatbed supports are pivotally connected to the pair of front vertical supports and the pair of rear vertical supports. Wheels attach to the folding frame. |
| US08220823B2 |
Pediatric transporter and associated methods
The technology described herein provides a portable, collapsible, and multifunctional pediatric transporter. The pediatric transporter provides walker, stander, sitting chair, stroller, and wheelchair functionality. The pediatric transporter includes frame members joined each to the other forming a frame, non-swiveled, and swiveled wheels, handlebars disposed upon the frame, a handgrip disposed upon each handlebar, a removable, storable seat, a support bar configured to support the seat when the seat is in use and being a handle bar for a standing child when the seat is not is use, a removable, storable standing platform, hinges disposed upon the frame to provide foldability, collapsibility, and portability of the pediatric transporter, and a lever configured to be depressed single-handedly to collapse the pediatric transporter. The pediatric transporter is reconfigurable interchangeably as a walker (ride-upon within the standing platform, walking with without the standing platform, and walking behind), stander, sitting chair, stroller, and wheelchair. |
| US08220818B1 |
Sliding towing assembly
A hitch for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle includes a hitch assembly and a base assembly. The hitch assembly pivots between an aligned position and a turning position as the towing vehicle turns. A bearing assembly rides between the hitch assembly and the base assembly. The bearing assembly guides the hitch assembly between the turning and aligned positions. The base assembly has an anchor assembly which prevents the hitch assembly from sliding fore or aft when in the aligned position. |
| US08220811B2 |
Arm material and a method for its manufacture
An arm material for an upper arm or a lower arm is provided which constitutes a double wishbone suspension or the like of an automobile and which has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape and enables further decreases in size, decreases in weight, and increases in strength.An arm material for an automobile suspension has a body made from a parts material made by metal. The parts material made by metal has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape having a pair of opposing long sides and is formed from a single member in its lengthwise direction. The body has at least a first bent portion which is bent in a plane roughly parallel to the pair of long sides. |
| US08220809B2 |
Independent parallelogram suspension system
A suspension system for use with a frame comprising a first side suspension opposite a second side suspension, the first side suspension having a complete parallelogram suspension proximate the first side, and the second side suspension having a complete parallelogram suspension proximate the second side. The suspension system also includes a cross tube disposed at least partially between the first side and the second side, as well as at least one spring for resiliently controlling the vertical movement of the first and second side suspensions. |
| US08220803B2 |
Oil seal
To improve durability of a seal lip (4) of an oil seal (1) in slidably contact with the peripheral surface of a shaft (23), a lubricating oil supply section (11) for collecting adhered oil and dropping it on the shaft (23) is provided at a forward end portion of an installation section (2), the lubricating oil supply section (11) has projections (12) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the installation section (2) to collect oil on the surface thereof, the surface of each projection (12) has a recess (13) for temporarily accumulating oil, guidance projections, or a slope for collecting the oil, and dams are formed on a forward end face (2a) of the installation section (2) to block the oil flowing down along the circumferential direction on the forward end face (2a) and guides the oil toward each projection (12). |
| US08220800B2 |
Seal layer-transferred metal gasket
To provide a seal layer-transferred metal gasket that can effectively prevent degradation in seal performance due to the wearing and peeling of the coating layer. A head gasket is interposed between a cylinder block and a cylinder head. In the metal gasket seal layers made by laminating a separation layer, a coating layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the bead sheet side is formed at least on the surface of the bead sheet facing the cylinder block and the cylinder head, and, in a state where the head gasket is interposed between the cylinder block and the cylinder head and the three objects are closely attached to each other, the adhesive layer is adhered to the seal target members, and at least some portions of the coating layer and adhesive layer are separated from the bead sheet with a boundary at the separation layer and then transferred to the seal areas of the cylinder block and cylinder head. |
| US08220798B2 |
Player key for an instant-win lottery ticket and method for validating same
A game ticket is disclosed. The game ticket includes a first and second indicia concealed by a removable opaque covering and indicating visually whether the game ticket is a winning ticket. The first indicia is located with a game play area. The second indicia includes a first player key located within the game player area and a second player key located in a customer key area, wherein whether the game ticket is a winning ticket is determinable upon a comparison of the first and second player keys. A method and apparatus for using the game ticket is also disclosed. |
| US08220793B2 |
Apparatus for the thread-stitching of folded print products
An apparatus for thread-stitching of folded print products includes a sewing station in which individual print products are stitched along the fold and print products are then sewn together along the spine to form a book block. A pivoting saddle supplies individual print products straddling thereon to the sewing station. A feeder separates folded print products from a stack of folded print products. A feeding arrangement includes a feed path connecting the feeder to the pivoting saddle, and has a feeding end that cooperates with the feeder to supply the individual print products to the feed path and a discharge end that operates to supply the individual print products to the pivoting saddle. The sewing station, as seen from the top, is arranged on the machine frame of the apparatus, between the feeding end of the feeding arrangement and the pivoting saddle. |
| US08220791B2 |
Spine formation device, bookbinding system, and control method therefor
An spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer that conveys the bundle of folded sheets with a folded portion of the bundle of folded sheets forming a front end portion of the bundle of folded sheets, a spine formation unit disposed downstream from the sheet conveyer in a sheet conveyance direction for forming the spine of the bundle of folded sheets by squeezing the folded portion of the bundle from a folded leading side, a front side, and a back side of the bundle, a discharge unit to discharge the bundle of folded sheets outside the spine formation device, disposed downstream form the spine formation unit in the sheet conveyance direction, and a controller to cause the spine formation unit to operate in one of multiple selectable control modes for controlling the spine formation unit in accordance with at least one of multiple predetermined sheet-related variables. |
| US08220789B2 |
Combination food cutting board with removable compartments
The combination food cutting board includes removable cups for food items, and a waste compartment. An upper cutting board mates with a lower base. The upper cutting board includes an aperture aligned with a receptacle in the base for waste, and secondary apertures aligned with matching receptacles in the base for holding the cups food items. The base includes a lateral opening and a sliding drawer in the waste compartment, and may include a storage compartment under the upper cutting board. |
| US08220786B2 |
Tile holding fixture assembly
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fixture assembly that is capable of holding work pieces such tiles of various sizes in various positions in a manner which enables freehand cutting. Various embodiments include a main fixture having a working top surface area that includes strategically placed cylindrical openings that are configured to receive easily manipulated tile holding clamps, various dogs that can be removably secured to the fixture in order to place tiles in a desirable position to be held during a cutting operations. The fixture is light weight and is easily transportable to a jobsite and has the capability of storing the clamps, dogs, marking instruments and the like. |
| US08220783B2 |
Insulating cover for steam discharge tubes
An insulator for use with a steam discharge tube of the type having two parallel rows of oppositely facing steam discharge apertures is disclosed. Two elongate channel sections having elongate channel edges are positioned transversely between the two rows and extend longitudinally along the tube on opposite sides of the tube. Sealing and spacing means serves to seal in spaced apart relationship the channel sections from the tube on respective opposite sides of the tube and provision is also made for securing said sections to the tube when in their desired location. The resultant insulator in assembled form reduces unwanted condensation production from the steam discharge orifices and also due to no use or the reduced use of polymers, the generation of unwanted off-gases. |
| US08220780B2 |
Assembly for setting, removing and maintaining doors
The present invention relates to an assembly having in combination an apparatus and a smooth and rigid plane on which the apparatus moves. The assembly allows, when activated by the foot of the user acting as a drive and directive force, the door to be raised and movements from bottom to top, front to back, right to left and vice versa to be executed, while the hands of the user no longer carry the load and are free to intervene. |
| US08220775B2 |
Flow connector for a valve
A flow connector for a valve, including a body in which a flow channel is formed that is made up of a first port, a second port and an opening area to receive a movable plug, whereby the ports can be flow-connected through the opening area. The valve having a flow connector is configured and refined in such a way that the volume of fluid that flows through the flow channel per unit of time can be set without any problem wherein the cross section surface area of the flow channel in the opening area is configured to be constant along a first height of lift and to be variable along a second height of lift. A solenoid valve includes the flow connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. |
| US08220774B2 |
Proportional pilot acting valve
A valve assembly comprising a pilot valve; a solenoid; and a main valve, the main valve having an actuator in communication with a pressure control; the pilot valve may facilitate opening the main valve in proportion to an energized level of the solenoid. The solenoid may move the first disc to isolate the inlet port from the pressure control and/or move the second disc to communicate the outlet port with the pressure control. The actuator may move the second disc to isolate the outlet port from the pressure control and/or move the first disc to communicate the inlet port with the pressure control. The pilot valve may isolate both the inlet port and the outlet port from the pressure control when the pilot valve experiences forces in equilibrium from the solenoid and the actuator. |
| US08220772B2 |
Anchor rod anchor system of a concrete wall form
A locking device (20,21) for an anchor rod (2) of an anchor system of a concrete wall form, has a screw nut element for screwing the anchor rod through a screw thread of the screw nut element. A dome plate can be fastened to a back of a form element (5,6) of the concrete wall form by means of fastening elements (30) and has a spherically shaped plate section with an opening in which the screw nut element is arranged so as to have radial play. The screw nut element has a groove-type radial seat which accommodates the edges of the opening in the spherical plate sections. |
| US08220769B2 |
System for transporting a gas turbine engine
A transport system suited for transporting a turbine engine mounted to an engine docking unit is provided. The transport system is capable of adjusting the attitude of the docking unit in at least the lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the engine to facilitate the loading and unloading of the turbine engine to and from the transport system. |
| US08220768B1 |
Furnace riser
A furnace riser block configured for placement under residential or commercial furnaces and having a generally isosceles trapezoid configuration when viewed from any of its four sides. It is made from strong and lightweight plastic materials that absorb vibration. At least two riser blocks are used together to support a furnace, each having a bottom flange, four corner protrusions, two side protrusions offset from a central location, a deep draft on all four of its sides, a high width-to-height ratio, vertical ribbing that creates a scalloped configuration and increases its vertical loading capability, and multiple indentations in its top surface each configured for receiving a metal jacket riser member that gives an additional inch of clearance when needed in an installation and/or receipt of a vibration isolator. The furnace riser block is stronger, lighter in weight, and safer to handle and ship, than known furnace supports made from metal material. |
| US08220763B2 |
Adjustable beverage holder
A holder comprising a frame support and a covering encasing the frame support. The frame comprises a ductile material which can be conformed to a portion of the shape of an object to be secured in the holder. The holder has one or more flaps. In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises 2-6, preferably four flaps having a configuration defined by the frame support. One of the flaps serves as an attachment means to secure the holder to a desired structural support. The holder may serve as a holder of a variety of objects such as, for example, cans, bottles, cups, boxes, packages, and tools. The holder may be provided with a feature which allows one or more holders to be used in conjunction with each other. |
| US08220761B2 |
Support for mounting electrical box in block wall
A junction box is adapted for flush and straight mounting in a hollow core of a masonry block, without the use of debris or the like in the core. The junction box has a thickness along a pair of side walls thereof defined by a separation of a generally-open front face from a generally-closed rear face. The junction box has a resilient tail-like member that extending away from the rear face of the junction box. The tail-like member has first and second ends with at least one bend or curvature along an intermediate portion and a length such that, in a compressed state, the second end bears against a first inside wall of the hollow core and at least portions of the junction box front face bear against an opposing second inside wall of the hollow core. |
| US08220758B2 |
Cable hanger
A cable hanger having a mounting end for attachment to a support structure and a cable support portion coupled to the mounting end. The cable support portion has at least two spaced parallel legs defining a receiving slot therebetween. Each receiving slot has a closed bottom and an open top end for receiving and locating loops of a cable formed into a coil. Preferably, the mounting end is adapted to be releasably attached to the support structure and the cable hanger is formed from bent rod. The mounting end will preferably have a hook shape with a free end attaching to the support structure which is spaced from the cable support portion to optionally receive a portion of a support structure therebetween. The receiving slots will have a height and width selected to accommodate the diameter and length of cable being supported and the number of receiving slots may vary accordingly. For some applications, the cable hanger includes tie bars whereby the associated cable may be secured in the receiving slots with a padlock and the cable support itself may be secured to a support structure. |
| US08220756B2 |
Mounting apparatus for data storage device
A mounting apparatus includes a receiving rack, a sliding member slidably mounted to the receiving rack, a first resilient member, and a latching unit. The latching unit includes a fitting member pivotally mounted to the receiving rack, a locking member slidably received in the fitting member, and a second resilient member. The fitting member includes a resisting plate and an elastic clamping portion. The locking member faces the sliding member. A wedged protrusion protrudes from the clamping portion, operably latched with the receiving rack. The first resilient member resist against the sliding member and the fitting member. When the latching tab engages with the sidewall of the bracket, the sliding member is moved to deform the first resilient member. Thereafter, the sliding member resists the resisting plate, to block the fitting member to rotate further into the receiving rack. The wedged protrusion is incapable of latching with the receiving rack. |
| US08220755B2 |
Hinge rib
A hinge rib for pivotally connecting an aerodynamic control element such as a spoiler or aileron to an aircraft structure. The hinge rib includes a first hinge rib arm having a grain oriented in a first direction and a second hinge rib arm having a grain oriented in a second direction which is not parallel with the first grain direction. The arms may be formed together from a single piece of material, or more typically they are formed separately before being attached together such that the grain of the first arm is not parallel with the grain of the second arm. |
| US08220752B2 |
Cone-shaped wing with sail ranges with opposite effects and constant propulsion
A cone-shaped wing allows constant propulsion for pulling and lifting various loads. Sails in the shape of a flattened cone with an axis offset downward, whose base is connected to the leading edge in the shape of an oval with a rectilinear and horizontal base and the opposite side that is cut out in the form of a water droplet delimits the trailing edge, offer ranges whose aerodynamic force resultants are opposite one another. Two upper and two lower control lines are distributed around the leading edge and are connected at the other end to a control system designed to keep the two left lines separated from the two right lines and varying the length of the upper lines relative to that of the lower lines. The wing continuously delivers its power in the direction of the wind or on the side while being immobile when the user is stopped. |
| US08220745B2 |
Connection arrangement for connecting a first and second reinforcing element for an aircraft or spacecraft, and a shell component
A connection arrangement for connecting a first and second reinforcing element of an aircraft or spacecraft, the reinforcing elements each have profiled cross-sections comprising at least one foot portion and at least one web portion. They are spaced from one another at their end connection faces by a strap element. The connection arrangement comprises at least one foot portion connection element, which can be adjusted and firmly joined on one side to the geometrical shape of the foot portion of the first reinforcing element, on the other side to the geometrical shape of the foot portion of the second reinforcing element and to the interposed strip element, and comprising at least one web coupling element, which can be adjusted and firmly joined on one side to the geometrical shape of the web portion of the first reinforcing element, and on the other side to the strap element. A shell component of an aircraft or spacecraft comprises at least two shell elements connected to a strap element at a transverse seam, which shell elements each comprise at least a first and second reinforcing element which, in turn, are connected to a connection arrangement. |
| US08220744B2 |
Fitting for introducing high forces into a fuselage cell of an aircraft
Disclosed is a fitting for introducing great loads into a fuselage cell of an aircraft, in particular those which emanate from undercarriage components or are introduced into them. The fitting has a shoulder plate for bearing against the inside of the skin of the fuselage cell for example over its full surface area. Arranged underneath the shoulder plate is a vertical lug shackle with a lug for introducing the loads, wherein the lug shackle is led to the outside through a clearance in the skin of the fuselage cell. At least one approximately upright fastening shackle is provided on the upper side of the shoulder plate for connecting the fitting to a frame web. According to the invention, the loads occurring are introduced into the frame, substantially “moment-free” in the region of a neutral fiber, so that the said frame is not exposed to any appreciable flexural stresses and can be of a more lightweight design. The frame becomes the load introducing instrument and distributes the loads uniformly into the skin of the fuselage cell. Radially acting loads are transferred from the shoulder plate directly into the skin of the fuselage cell by way of shearing. |
| US08220743B2 |
Aircraft wing assembly
An aircraft wing assembly comprising: a main wing element; an inboard rib and an outboard rib, each mounted to the main wing element; a bridging structure attaching the inboard rib to the outboard rib; an inboard flap and an outboard flap; and an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing, each mounted to the bridging structure and each engaging a respective one of the flaps. The bridging structure ensures that an accurate distance is maintained between the ribs during installation, and maximises the stiffness of the assembly. Also, the bridging structure can act as a shear plate supporting both the inboard and outboard bearings, thus removing any twisting moment on the ribs. |
| US08220741B2 |
Synthetic aisle configuration for an aircraft
A method may be present for configuring an aircraft. A design may be identified for the aircraft. A passenger area may be configured using a set of synthetic aisles to meet a desired passenger density for the design. |
| US08220740B2 |
Motor for driving aircraft, located adjacent to undercarriage wheel
The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut. |
| US08220737B2 |
VTOL aerial vehicle
An aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing is provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. A lift fan extends though a duct, which extends through the fuselage. The aircraft further includes a pair of wing sets where each set of wings include first and second wings. Each set of wings has a first wing with a first wing root interconnected to the fuselage forward of a central axis of the lift fan and a second wing having a second wing root interconnected to the fuselage aft of the central axis of the lift fan. The tips of each set of wings are connected. The aircraft further includes a pusher fan. |
| US08220735B2 |
Adaptive load limiting retractor
An adaptive load limiting seat belt retractor particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The retractor provides multiple levels of load limiting through the use of a pair of internal torsion bar elements. The torsion bar elements control the tension force on the seat belt webbing during an impact in a manner which provides desirable crash management characteristics. The retractor can be switched between high and low load limiting modes through activation of a pyrotechnic pretensioner. When the pyrotechnic pretensioner is not activated, the retractor provides a low load level characteristic. Pretensioner activation switches the retractor into a high load level operating condition. A high load limiting level is provided when the pretensioner is not activated if the spindle rotation exceeds a limited level in the low load limiting condition. A degressive load limiting feature may be provided to cause load limiting to begin at a higher level than the high load limiting level, and then step down the high load limiting level. |
| US08220727B2 |
Pressure-compensation drip tape
The present invention provides a pressure-compensation drip tape, which is used in drip irrigation to continuously and evenly supply a small amount of water to plants. The drip tape of the present invention includes an outer shell 10, and overlapping sheets 21, 23 and 25, which are expandable depending on an increase of water pressure. Furthermore, the drip tape has a main passage 11, which is defined by the outer shell and the innermost overlapping sheet, such that most water supplied from a water source flows through the main passage, pressure-reducing passages 31 and 33, which are defined between the overlapping sheets, and discharge holes 21H, 23H and 25H, which are formed in the border between the main passage and one of the pressure-reducing passages and the border between the pressure-reducing passages, such that the water sequentially flows via the main passage and the pressure-reducing passages and drips outside the drip tape. |
| US08220724B2 |
Self regulating fluid bearing high pressure rotary nozzle with balanced thrust force
A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle. |
| US08220717B2 |
Tubular container enabling individual identification
A tubular container enabling individual identification, suitable to store semen of a domestic animal or a small amount of an organism individual sample and to manage history information, excellent in reliability, workability, and communication characteristics, and incorporating an IC tag. The tubular container is composed of a resin tubular container, a sealing cap, an IC tag embedded in the sealing cap and composed of an IC chip and a first transmitting/receiving antenna, and a second transmitting/receiving antenna fixed to the tubular container. |
| US08220712B2 |
Micro scan engine module
A micro scan engine module is provided, which is used to scan and read barcode data. The micro scan engine module includes an outer case and a circuit board, in which the outer case is formed as an integral body. After the outer case and the circuit board are assembled, a complete scan engine module is formed. Through the integral design of the outer case, the errors during assembly the components are reduced, the working efficiency of the scan engine module is effectively improved, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. |
| US08220708B2 |
Performing an action in a mobile telecommunication device
A method of performing an action in mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. A sensor module of the mobile telecommunications device senses coded data on a document. The document has disposed thereon an image and the coded data. The coded data encodes at least an identifier. The identifier is then extracted from the coded data, and an electronic copy of the image is retrieved from a storage device, the electronic copy of the image being associated with the identifier. The electronic copy of the image is displayed on a display device of the mobile telecommunications device, together with a plurality of hyperlinks. A selection of one of the hyperlinks is received from a user, and an action associated with the selected hyperlink is performed. |
| US08220700B2 |
Easy-opening paper towel product
A product, such as a roll of paper toweling, is wrapped in a polymeric film wrapper having a high degree of molecular orientation. The wrapper is provided with a small perforated starter tab, which a user can depress with their fingers or thumb to break the perforations. Upon breaking the perforations, the user can grasp the tab of the wrapper and thereafter open the package by pulling on the wrapper in the same direction as the molecular orientation direction of the wrapper. The high degree of molecular orientation allows the package to be cleanly torn open with very little effort. |
| US08220699B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing an inerting gas during soldering
Described herein is an apparatus and method for providing an inerting gas during the application of soldering to a work piece. In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus that is placed atop of a solder reservoir and comprises a plurality of porous tubes that are in fluid communication with an inerting gas. In another aspect, there is provided a method for providing an inerting gas to a wave soldering apparatus comprising the steps of, among other things, placing an apparatus atop at least one edge of the solder reservoir wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of tubes comprising one or more openings in fluid communication with an inerting gas source. In a further aspect, at least one of the tubes comprises a non-stick coating or is comprised of a porous non-stick material such as a sleeve. |
| US08220694B2 |
Friction stir welding method and friction stir welded housing
A friction stir welding method utilizes a joining tool comprising a friction surface; a first workpiece comprising a first treating layer, a second workpiece comprising a second treating layer, and a joining member with a melting point lower than that of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The joining member is arranged at the joining portion of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and abutting the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The friction surface of the joining tool is positioned to resist at least one of the first treating layer and the second treating layer. The joining tool is rotated and moved to agitate at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, until at least part of the first workpiece and the second workpiece are plasticized and joined together. |
| US08220693B2 |
Modified surfaces using friction stir processing
A procedure for incorporating particles to a predetermined depth in a body to develop a composite surface layer using friction stir processing is described. The process comprises; preparing the surface of the body; applying particulate matter to the prepared surface; selecting a friction stir tool with a pin length substantially equal to the desired composite layer thickness; using a friction stir process to frictionally heat, stir and intermix the particulate matter with the matrix of the article; and traversing the friction stir tool across the body. |
| US08220692B2 |
Lead-free solder
An inexpensive lead-free solder which prevents the occurrence of tin pest at extremely low temperatures and which has good wettability and impact resistance has a composition consisting essentially of, in mass %, Cu: 0.5-0.8%, Bi: at least 0.1% and less than 1%, Ni: 0.02-0.04%, and a remainder of Sn. |
| US08220691B2 |
Bonding apparatus
There is provided a bonding apparatus for holding a semiconductor chip by using a bonding head and bonding the semiconductor chip onto a substrate. The bonding head includes: a holding part for holding the semiconductor chip; gas exhausting means for surrounding the holding part and exhausting gas toward the holding part; and an elevator means for lifting down/up the gas exhausting means to a lift-down state, in which at least a portion of the gas exhausting means protrudes downward from the bottom face of the holding part, and a lift-up state, in which any portion of the gas exhausting means does not protrude downward from the bottom face of the holding part. When the bonding apparatus holds and conveys the semiconductor chip by using the bonding head, the bonding apparatus brings the gas exhausting means to the lift-down state and exhausts the gas toward the semiconductor chip. |
| US08220688B2 |
Motor-driven surgical cutting instrument with electric actuator directional control assembly
A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC. |
| US08220686B2 |
Actuator pin guide for a fastener driving tool
In a fastener-driving tool equipped with a fastener magazine, and a power source including a reciprocating driver blade for driving fasteners obtained from the magazine into a workpiece, and a reciprocating valve sleeve actuated by a cage, a nosepiece is provided, including a nosepiece body configured for attachment at one end to the fastener tool and defining a fastener channel constructed and arranged for receiving the driver blade and the fasteners sequentially fed by the magazine, the fastener channel having a fastener outlet. A unitary actuator reciprocates relative to the nosepiece body, has a first end contacting the workpiece, and a second end engaging the cage. |
| US08220678B2 |
Actuable load carrier cradle
Method and apparatus for providing a load carrier arrangement for transporting a bicycle when secured thereupon. The load carrier arrangement including a frame assembly adapted to be mounted to the carrying vehicle. The frame assembly has at least one elongate arm configured to receive a bicycle cradle thereupon. The bicycle cradle is mounted upon the arm and is operator configurable between a bicycle transporting configuration and a non-transporting configuration. The cradle has a through-passage within which the elongate arm is received and the cradle is operator reciprocal on the elongate arm in the non-transporting configuration thereby facilitating variable longitudinal positioning of the cradle by the operator upon the arm. The cradle has an increased resistance to longitudinal reciprocation on the elongate arm in the bicycle transporting configuration in comparison to the non-transporting configuration. In this manner, the cradle is effectively longitudinally fixed on the elongate arm in the bicycle transporting configuration to an extent that a secured portion of a carried bicycle in the cradle is longitudinally fixed relative to the elongate arm during transport on the load carrier arrangement. |
| US08220671B2 |
Lubricant dispenser with nozzle
An apparatus according to the present invention provides a fluid pour spout including a plunger having a variable position for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough. Also provided is a fluid container having a fluid pour spout including a plunger having a variable position for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, the spout being at least partially integrally formed with the container or removably coupled thereto. A further apparatus according to the present invention is a lid including a fluid pour spout including a plunger having a variable position for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, the lid being removably coupleable to a fluid container. |
| US08220667B1 |
Dispensing unit for dispensing fluid material prepackaged in a container
A dispenser system for dispensing a highly viscous liquid from a container having a threaded neck. The system utilizes a base that is positioned under the container. The base defines a receptacle that receives the threaded neck of the container. In this manner, gravity biases the contents of the container into the base. A pump is provided that draws some of the highly viscous liquid from the base. The pump is held atop a support. The support holds the pump at a predetermined height above the base. The height of the pump is greater than the length of the container. In this manner, the pump is unobstructed in a full range around the pump. The pump can therefore be accessed from any angle without interference by the inverted container. |
| US08220665B2 |
Dispensing and/or dosing system including an improved throat plug assembly
A dosing and/or dispensing system for use with a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dosing and/or dispensing liquid contents from the bottle. The system includes an improved venting means to ensure that the liquid being dosed or dispensed properly and accurately drains. A novel throat plug assembly is provided for insertion into the throat of the bottle. The throat plug assembly is comprised entirely of a recyclable plastic material. |
| US08220662B2 |
Device for discharge or outfeed and discharge means for such device
A device for feeding out liquid or substantially liquid contents from a storage container (2) comprises an outfeed container (3) for the storage container and a discharge means (6) for outfeed of the contents from the storage container by squeezing it. The storage container (2) has an inner connecting element (7) for connection to an outer connecting element (8) by the latter's penetration of the container wall at the inner connecting element. The storage container (2) is connected via the outer connecting element (8) to a valve means (9) with a valve body (10) which in a resting position abuts against a valve seat and which, for outfeed, is open able by the contents of the storage container being pressed against the valve body so that the latter leaves the valve seat. The valve body (10) has elastic properties and a normal shape when it abuts against the valve seat so that it closes the valve means (9). For outfeed, the valve body (10) assumes a stretched shape and leaves the valve seat. The valve body (10) quickly reverts from stretched to normal shape when the pressure upon it from the contents of the storage container (2) ceases. The discharge means (6) of said device comprises a pressure means (11) and a pressure application means (12) which, via the pressure means, exerts upon the storage container (2) in the outfeed container (3) a pressure for outfeed of the contents from the storage container. |
| US08220661B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of liquid
A liquid dispensing apparatus is provided which has a syringe for storing and dispensing a liquid, and a connector passage connected to the syringe. A positive pressure passage is connected to an air source for supplying positive pressure to the syringe, and there is a pressure valve located along the positive pressure passage that is operative to control the flow of air along the positive pressure passage. A vacuum passage is connected to a vacuum generator for supplying vacuum pressure to the syringe, and there is a vacuum valve located along the vacuum passage that is operative to control the flow of air along the vacuum passage. The positive pressure passage and vacuum passage are connected to the connector passage. A pressure sensor is also provided to measure the pressure in the connector passage. |
| US08220660B2 |
Systems and methods for supplying and/or dispensing fluid
A system for supplying at least two fluids in proportioned quantities may include a first and second intake passages configured to be in flow communication with sources of first and second fluids, respectively. The system may include a fluid transfer device in flow communication with the first intake passage and the second intake passage, and a pump in flow communication with the first intake passage. Operation of the pump is configured to supply a quantity of the first fluid to a first chamber of the fluid transfer device such that a quantity of the second fluid is expelled from a second chamber of the fluid transfer device. When operation of the pump is ceased, a quantity of the second fluid enters the second chamber and a quantity of the first fluid is expelled from the first chamber. |
| US08220658B2 |
Device and method for evaporating water from a compressor
A system for evaporating excess water from a source includes a housing having: an air inlet, the air inlet directing air in a first direction; an air outlet; a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels. In some embodiments, baffles are created with walls that depend from the ceiling of the housing and that are interdigitated with dividers that separate the channels. This configuration can remove water generated by the source (such as an external compressor unit) in a quick and efficient manner. |
| US08220657B2 |
Unit for filling containers with products in particular pharmaceutical products
A unit (100) for filling containers (2) with products (1), in particular pharmaceutical products (1), includes a hopper (3, 3a) containing a mass of products (1) in bulk, conveying means (5, 6) aimed at feeding the products (1) leaving the hopper (3) along a predetermined path (P) up to a station (SR), where the containers (2) are filled with the products (1). The containers (2) are fed to the filling station (SR) by transporting means (4, C). A checking station (SC) for checking the products (1) is situated along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (SR). The conveying means (5, 6) include first means (51, 52, 53) consisting of vibrating planes and second conveying means (6). The second conveying means (6) are situated at the checking station (SC) between the conveying/vibrating planes (51, 52, 53) and the filling station (SR). The second conveying means (6) are equipped with holders (65) for holding single products (1) thus forming, on the second conveying means (6), a series of single products (1), spaced apart and moving forward to the filling station (SR) along a portion of the path (P). |
| US08220656B2 |
Organizer system
An organizer is presented including a front portion including a bag compartment, a rear portion is connected to the front portion with a hand grip and a first side portion and a second portion each connected to the front portion and the rear portion. The first side portion and the second side portion each including a number of slots each adapted to connect to a holder having a slide portion. The bag compartment includes an opening surrounded with a soft and flexible material. |
| US08220654B2 |
Fuel tank structure
A partitioning plate, that is positioned between a jet pump and a main suction, is set within a reserve cup of a fuel tank, so as to separate an interior of the reserve cup into a fuel feed-out chamber in which the main suction is disposed, and a fuel introducing chamber in which the jet pump is disposed. The partitioning plate is disposed at an incline with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction. In cases in which acceleration in any of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a leftward direction and a rightward direction of a vehicle acts on fuel within the reserve cup, some of fuel within the fuel introducing chamber flows into the fuel feed-out chamber. A fuel tank structure is provided that can reliably ensure fuel within the fuel feed-out chamber in a case in which acceleration arises at fuel within a fuel accommodating portion. |
| US08220647B2 |
Low thermal mass semiconductor wafer boat
A wafer boat for a semiconductor wafer includes vertical rods, fingers supported by the vertical rods, and plates supported by the fingers. The plate has a support surface for supporting the wafer and a recessed surface spaced from the support surface and spaced from the wafer. A plurality of holes extends from the recessed surface, and the support surface is free of holes to inhibit contamination of the wafer. |
| US08220645B2 |
Desk organizer device
A desk organizer device having a housing member disposed on a substantially hollow base member having open front and back ends. A plurality of compartments disposed on and within the housing member for storing a plurality of items. An electric pencil sharpener, a digital touch screen, a tape dispenser, and at least one of cork board, foam material, and apertures for holding items being located on the housing member. |
| US08220639B2 |
Sorting apparatus and method utilizing a mechanical diverter
The present invention is an apparatus and method for sorting foreign material and undesirable articles from a product stream. A mechanical diverter having a concave shape is responsive to an inspection station coupled to the product stream. The mechanical diverter is employed to effectively launch or otherwise redirect undesirable articles in an alternate path. In addition, an air ejector is responsive to the inspection station and is employed to dislodge foreign material from the product stream. |
| US08220637B2 |
Memories box
The present invention is a memories box that includes a rectangular box with a lid, an open side, with a pair of inner edges and a front with a plurality of grooves disposed on the pair of inner edges, a slidable planar side with a front facing that horizontally slides into the grooves and a supplemental rectangular box that includes a front side with a centered aperture, an interior portion with an interior storage compartment with a top with a pair of apertures and a removable top with a centered aperture that is removably slid inside the rectangular box to perform a presentation. The invention also includes a method for using a memories box to perform a presentation such as presenting a gift or present during a gift-giving occasion. |
| US08220630B1 |
EUV pod with fastening structure
An EUV pod with fastening structure comprises an outer pod and an inner pod, wherein the upper cover of the inner pod is disposed with a plurality of retainers, and a plurality of supporters disposed on the outer pod of the EUV pod are used to press the plurality of retainers for the plurality of retainers to fasten and stabilize the reticle in the inner pod and thus ensure safety and stability of the reticle in the pod; by utilizing such design, risks of collisions of reticle in the pod due to vacillation of EUV pod during transportation can be reduced, and cost incurred by cracks and damages of reticles can also be greatly decreased. |
| US08220627B2 |
Bandless cabinet packaging design
A bandless packaging assembly for cabinets includes a top packaging member including a front wall, a back wall and first and second side walls; a bottom packaging member including a front wall, back wall and first and second side walls; at least one side member extending between a first side wall of the top packaging member and a first side wall of the bottom packaging member; wherein the side member includes an upper flap and a lower flap which are received in corresponding slots formed in the top packaging member and the bottom packaging member; and at least one strip extending between front and back walls of the top packaging member and the bottom packaging member. The strip is received by slots formed in the front and back walls of the top packaging member and bottom packaging member. |
| US08220623B2 |
Container
A container having a container bottom and a container wall defining a chamber, wherein a portion of the container wall comprises at least one compartment for accommodating a component. |
| US08220621B2 |
IC device conveying apparatus
An IC device conveying apparatus includes an IC device conveying shuttle, at least a pair of slide guide plates which are placed on the IC device conveying shuttle, and each of which has a plurality of slide guide holes, each of the plurality of slide guide holes being made in a direction inclined to a side of a corresponding slide guide plate, and a plurality of positioning members which guide the placed pair of slide guide plates such that the pair of slide guide plates slides in directions in which sides of the respective slide guide plates are separated from and come into contact with each other, the positioning members being secured to the IC device conveying shuttle and engaged with the plurality of slide guide holes, wherein each of the pair of slide guide plates comprises at least one IC device holding side on a side thereof facing a side of another slide guide plate, and an IC device is placed in an IC device holding space which is formed between at least a pair of the IC device holding sides of the pair of slide guide plates on a top surface of the IC device conveying shuttle, and is held between the pair of the IC device holding sides. |
| US08220620B2 |
Load-carrying conveyor chain
The invention provides a load-carrying conveyor chain that can be bent backward, realizing spatial three-dimensional conveyance, and can be hooked deeply by sprocket teeth, thus rarely causing jump of the teeth. The chain is constructed by endlessly connecting link bodies each having a head composed of a hollow cylindrical portion defined by walls having elongated pin holes extending circumferentially of the cylindrical portion, and a pair of legs respectively having pin holes by inserting a rotatable bearing body having a through pin hole into the cylindrical portion and by inserting connecting pins into the pin holes of the legs, the elongated pin holes of the head and the through pin hole of the bearing body while disposing the head of one link between the pair of legs of the contiguous other link. One end of the bearing body is extended to project out of the cylindrical portion and the bearing body has a flange at the projecting end. |
| US08220617B2 |
Device for feeding sample containers with an analysis sample to a treating apparatus
The invention provides a device (10) for feeding sample containers (18) with an analysis sample (P) to be treated, to a treating apparatus (12) for treating the analysis sample (P), in particular to a centrifuge. The device comprises a conveyer (26, 27) for conveying at least one sample container (14) or at least one carrier containing a sample container (14), wherein the conveyer (26, 27) is configured for receiving multiple sample containers (14) and/or carriers and forms a circulating endless conveyer track. The device further comprises an input station (18) for handing over a sample container (14) or a carrier to the conveyer (26, 27). The input station (18) is displaced (V1, V2), with respect to the conveyer (26, 27), obliquely to the conveying direction (26b, 27b) Hof the conveyer (26, 27). A removal station (20) is for removing the sample container (14) or the carrier out of the conveyer (26, 27), and a transfer device (44) serves for removing the sample container (14) or the carrier with the sample container (14) out of the conveyer (26, 27) for further transport to the treating apparatus (12) and for a hand over to the conveyer (26, 27) after the treatment of the analysis sample (P) of the sample container (14) in the treating apparatus. An identification unit (48) is provided for identifying a sample container (14). |
| US08220608B2 |
Integrated clutch assembly damper arrangement
A clutch assembly and damper arrangement is provided that includes a driver hub and a driven element coupled to the driver hub by a compliance element. A clutch is provided that is selectively engageable to the driven element. The clutch has a housing supporting the compliance element and is torsionally unitary with the driven element. |
| US08220604B2 |
Damping force variable valve and shock absorber including the same
A damping force variable valve includes a retainer having a main body connected at a central portion thereof to a high pressure part or portion of a shock absorber and having an outer peripheral region enlarging outwardly, and a spool rod integrally extending from the central portion and formed at a center thereof with a hollow portion having a spool inserted therein. The variable valve further includes a main disc disposed adjacent the retainer, a solenoid unit provided adjacent the spool rod and including a push rod for moving the spool when electrical power is applied, and an operating block installed adjacent the solenoid unit and including an enlarged portion coupled to the outer peripheral region of the main body. |
| US08220599B2 |
Brake equipment, elevator installation, a method for detecting a function of the brake equipment, and a modernization set
Brake equipment, for an elevator installation, includes: a static element; a movable element movable relative to the static element in a first degree of freedom, wherein selectably a first frictional contact is produced in a first contact surface between the static element and the movable element by a controllable normal force acting in a second degree of freedom, and a first friction force opposes movement of the movable element relative to the static element; and a relative element, wherein a second frictional contact is produced in a second contact surface between the movable element and the relative element by the normal force, and a second friction force opposes movement of the movable element relative to the relative element. The relative element is movable in the first degree of freedom relative to the static element between a normal position and a braking position and is resiliently biased into the normal position. |
| US08220597B2 |
Parking brake of a drum brake
A parking brake (10) having a drum containing first and second brake shoe portions (11, 12), a handbrake lever (18) pivoted (19) adjacent one end on one (11) of the brake shoe portions and a strut (20) extending between a first abutment on the handbrake lever and a second abutment (21) on the other (12) of the brake shoe portions. Pivoting of the handbrake lever relative to said one brake shoe portion (11) moves the strut (20) which in turn moves the other brake shoe portion (12) away from said one brake shoe portion to bring the shoe portions into contact with the drum thus applying the parking brake. One of the abutments is in the form of a biased wedging means (21) which acts on the strut (20) to take up all play in the thrust path between the handbrake lever (18) and the other brake shoe portion (12) via the strut. A clamping member (27) is provided for disabling the wedging means (21) from operating except when initial manufacturing or assembly clearances are being taken up in the strut or when a subsequent manual adjustment of shoe clearance is being made. Alternative snail-cam type wedging means (21) are also disclosed as in an electrically actuated parking brake system with an automatic clearance adjustment device. |
| US08220596B2 |
Disc brake for a commercial vehicle
A disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle, includes a brake caliper, which is provided with a brake disc and fixed to a brake carrier by two fastening elements such that it can be axially displaced in relation to the brake disc. The fastening elements each include a guide spar, which is connected to the brake carrier in a fixed manner. For the axial displacement of the brake caliper, one of the guide spars is guided in a plain bearing designed as a movable bearing and the other in a plain bearing designed as fixed bearing such that the guide spar of the fixed bearing includes an elastically deformable section in the radial direction on the outer circumference. The associated bearing rests against the deformable section at least in some sections. |
| US08220593B2 |
Self-applying disc brake
A self-energizing disc brake having an electric actuator in which an activation force applied to the actuator is amplified using a self-energizing device arranged between the actuator and brake lining is described. The device has a brake application unit for applying at least one brake lining to one side of a brake disc by carrying out an application movement of the brake lining relative to the brake disc, the application movement having at least a first movement component in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the brake disc and a second movement component in a direction tangential to the rotational axis of the brake disc. The device also has at least one electromotive drive for activating the brake application unit. |
| US08220590B2 |
Thermoelectric thermal management system for the energy storage system in a regenerative elevator
A regenerative elevator system operates in three modes: motoring, idle and regeneration. During the regeneration mode, the elevator motor operates as a generator, and electrical energy is stored in an energy storage system for later use. The energy storage system may be located in a machine room or hoistway where temperature can vary widely. A thermoelectric thermal management system provides thermoelectric cooling or heating to maintain the energy storage system within a desired operating temperature range. |
| US08220589B2 |
Roping harness with improved seat
A roping harness is composed of a belt and a supporting seat joined to one another by joining straps, and comprising an attachment device. The seat is provided with means for adjusting the width to suit the user's morphology. |
| US08220588B2 |
Unitized engine nacelle structure
The different advantageous embodiments provide an inner barrel structure comprising an outer skin, an inner skin, a number of septa, and a truss core. |
| US08220587B2 |
Silencer cover for saddle-ride type vehicle
A silencer cover adapts to a heat expansion of a silencer even when, for example, the silencer cover has a large size and is attached to the silencer over an area from the front to the rear. A silencer cover is provided for a silencer connected to a downstream end of an exhaust pipe of an engine. The silencer cover is fixed to a fixing support provided to the silencer. The silencer is heat-expanded with the fixing support part fixed as a base. The fixing support part is provided at a front end portion, in a vehicle front-rear direction, of the silencer. With a tail pipe constituting a rear end portion of the silencer, the rear end portion of the silencer is provided with a slide structure in which the silencer cover is slidably supported. |
| US08220586B2 |
Noise-reduced aircraft engine and method for reducing noise emissions of an aircraft engine
A method for reducing noise emissions of an aircraft engine (3) having a gas turbine (7), includes providing a hot gas layer underneath at least one noise-emitting area of the aircraft engine. |
| US08220585B2 |
Non-electronic hearing aid
A non-electronic hearing aid with a left ear member and a right ear member. The left and right ear members are made of flat sheet material. The sheet is die cut into the left and right members. The left member is a mirror image of the right member. The members each die cut to form a hand shaped pattern. The fingers of the pattern each have a locking tab and or a locking slot. The locking tab of one finger engages with the locking slot of the adjacent finger to form a cup shape. The palm portion of the hand shape has a C shaped portion cut out which is sized to fit over a person's ear. A slot running parallel to the central part of the C shaped portion facilitates a bend in the sheet to allow the cup shape that is ninety degrees to the user's ear. |
| US08220584B2 |
Hybrid level measurement system
A measurement instrument comprises a sensor circuit comprising a drive circuit for transmitting a pulse signal at a target of interest and a receive circuit receiving reflected echoes of the pulse signal and developing an analog signal representative of the reflected echoes. An analog processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit for receiving the analog signal and comprising a gate for selectively transferring the analog signal to a comparator that compares the gated analog signal to a select threshold level to develop a data signal representative of location of the target of interest. A programmed digital processing circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor circuit and the analog processing circuit and comprises a measurement module to control the drive circuit and evaluate the data signal to determine material location. An echo processing module periodically evaluates a digital representation of the analog signal to determine an expected window time and expected amplitude of a reflected echo representing the target of interest and developing a gate control signal to control the gate based on expected window time and developing the select threshold level based on the expected amplitude. |
| US08220583B2 |
Acoustic isolator section
An acoustic isolator section for an acoustic well logging tool, the isolator section comprising: an isolator comprising: (i) an isolator body; (ii) a mass; (iii) a resiliently deformable portion formed integrally with the isolator body; (iv) a movement limiter. |
| US08220580B2 |
Impact guard beam
An impact guard beam for vehicles comprises a beam (11) with a hat profile, i.e., with a crown (13-15) and side flanges (16-17), and the hat profile has its crown facing outwards. The beam has a cover (20) giving at least a central part of the beam a closed cross section. The cover has a profile allowing it to lengthen by straightening out when the hat beam's profile opens under impact loads, but stops the hat beam profile's opening when the cover is straightened out. The cover may carry a sensor (24) for an airbag, which is then placed inside the beam profile. |
| US08220577B2 |
Lawn mower with suspended ergonomic seat
Some embodiments of the invention provide outdoor power equipment including a frame, a seat and at least one leg support angled from a horizontal plane. The outdoor power equipment can include one or more handles, a suspension unit coupled between the frame and the seat. In some embodiments, the seat can be declined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the operator's upper torso leans forward at an angle with respect to a vertical plane when the operator is sitting on the seat. |
| US08220575B2 |
Electric vehicle with switched reluctance motor power plant
A reluctance machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator and rotor have a same number of poles. The rotor is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Each stator pole is formed of a primary stator pole and an auxiliary stator pole. The auxiliary stator pole is axially aligned with the primary stator pole in the direction of the axis of rotation. Each rotor pole has a length extending in the direction of the axis of rotation sufficient to at least partially cover the primary stator pole and axially aligned auxiliary stator pole. The primary stator poles are actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation, and the auxiliary stator poles are also actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation. The field orientations for the primary and auxiliary stator poles are, however, opposite each other such that a primary stator pole its axially aligned auxiliary stator pole have opposite magnetic field orientations. |
| US08220573B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle includes a fuel tank for storing fuel for an engine, a circulation system (a pump), a first path, a pressure regulator, and a second path for circulating the fuel, and a control device (hybrid control unit). When the hybrid vehicle is in a vehicular state that satisfies a predetermined condition, the control device controls the hybrid vehicle so that it performs EV traveling (electrical vehicle traveling) in which wheels are driven by a rotating electrical machine with the engine stopped. When the stop period of the engine is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, the control device drives the circulation system to circulate the fuel. |
| US08220568B2 |
Systems and methods for powering a vehicle
A system and method for powering of a vehicle is disclosed. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a powering assembly may a carrier having one or more structural elements, an axle coupled to the carrier, a wheel coupled to the axle and configured to rotate about the axle in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the axle and substantially linear rod mechanically coupled to the carrier such that the longitudinal axis of the rod is perpendicular to the axis of the axle. A secondary coil winding may be affixed to the rod and configured such that when the rod is proximate to an embedded conductor embedded in a roadway and carrying a first electrical current, a magnetic field induced by the first electrical current induces a second electrical current in the secondary coil winding. |
| US08220565B1 |
Treatment of subterranean formations
A method of preparing and using a subterranean formation stabilization agent. The stabilization agent includes a guanidyl copolymer and may be admixed with a fracturing fluid and optionally brine. The stabilization agent is effective in preventing and/or reducing, for example, clay swelling and fines migration from a subterranean formation contacted with the stabilization agent. |
| US08220563B2 |
Ultra-low friction coatings for drill stem assemblies
Provided are drill stem assemblies with ultra-low friction coatings for subterraneous drilling operations. In one form, the coated drill stem assemblies for subterraneous rotary drilling operations include a body assembly with an exposed outer surface including a drill string coupled to a bottom hole assembly or a coiled tubing coupled to a bottom hole assembly and an ultra-low friction coating on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the body assembly, wherein the coefficient of friction of the ultra-low friction coating is less than or equal to 0.15. The coated drill stem assemblies disclosed herein provide for reduced friction, vibration (stick-slip and torsional), abrasion and wear during straight hole or directional drilling to allow for improved rates of penetration and enable ultra-extended reach drilling with existing top drives. |
| US08220558B2 |
Tine assembly and roller assembly for turf grader
A turf grader including plow blades, soil engaging tines, scraper blades and a leveling and pulverizing roller. The roller includes an inner cylindrical main body with a continuous solid outwardly facing surface over which is mounted a perforated wall. The tines are arranged in pairs with each pair having a downwardly extending legs integrally joined together by a pair of coils, in turn, integrally connected together and mounted to the tine assembly sub-frame. |
| US08220548B2 |
Surfactant wash treatment fluids and associated methods
Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising: providing an oil-wet well bore surface; providing a surfactant wash treatment fluid that comprises an acid-compatible surfactant, an acid and/or an acid-generating component, and an aqueous fluid; contacting the oil-wet well bore surface with the surfactant wash treatment fluid; allowing the oil-wet well bore surface to become water-wet; and producing fluids from the formation. In another embodiment, the invention provides a surfactant wash treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation comprising an aqueous fluid, an acid-compatible surfactant, an acid and/or an acid-generating component. |
| US08220543B2 |
Method and system for treating a subterranean formation using diversion
A method well treatment includes establishing fluid connectivity between a wellbore and at least one target zone for treatment within a subterranean formation, which is intersected by a wellbore. The method includes deploying coiled tubing into the wellbore and introducing a treatment composition into the wellbore. The method includes contacting a target zone within the subterranean formation with the treatment composition, introducing a diversion agent through the coiled tubing to an interval within a wellbore and repeating the introduction of the treatment, the contacting of the target zone and the introduction of the diversion agent for more than one target zone. |
| US08220541B2 |
Intervention tool with operational parameter sensors
An intervention tool for use inside a wellbore is provided that includes an intervention module capable of performing an intervention operation downhole, and a drive electronics module in communication with the intervention module and configured to control the intervention module. The tool also includes one or more sensors which measure at least one operational parameter of the intervention operation during the intervention operation. The intervention operation is optimized based on the measured at least one operational parameter. |
| US08220533B2 |
Downhole piezoelectric devices
According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric pump may include a hydraulic fluid path between a low pressure source and a high pressure tool port; a fluid disposed in the hydraulic fluid path; a piston in communication with the fluid; and a piezoelectric material connected to the piston to pump the fluid through the high pressure tool port. |
| US08220532B2 |
Magnet fixing device in a cleaning tool
A magnet fixing device in a cleaning tool (1) for use in a borehole where the cleaning tool (1) is externally provided with at least one projection (8) and at least two recesses (6) and where at least one magnet (12) is disposed in the projection (8), as the magnetic field from the at least one magnet (12) is active in that it is arranged to at least attract a magnet sensitive material (20) into a recess (6) or hold the material (20) in the recess (6), and where the magnet (12) runs through the projection (8), whereby the one magnet (12) pole is active in a first recess (6) while the other magnet (12) pole is active in a second recess (6). |
| US08220529B2 |
Heat exchanger of condensing boiler for heating and hot-water supply
Disclosed is a heat exchanger for a condensing boiler supplying both heating water and hot water, which can use a double pipe as a sensible heat exchanger, instead of the use of an indirect heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a sensible heat exchanger; and a latent heat exchanger made by connecting a plurality of unit heat exchangers to define exhaust gas pathway, each unit heat exchanger being manufactured in such a manner that three plates having a convexo-concave shape are stacked on one another to define a heating water pathway and a hot water pathway to be adjacent to each other in order to increase a heat transfer area. |
| US08220528B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device for cooling an electronic device mounted on a printed circuited board, comprises a heat spreader contacting the electronic device, a fin assembly comprising a plurality of fins, a supporting bracket contacting the heat spreader and supporting the fin assembly, and a heat pipe extending through the fin assembly and the supporting bracket and attached to the heat spreader, wherein a lowermost fin of the fin assembly has a plurality of clasps extending near two opposite ends thereof and towards the supporting bracket. The clasps are bent to press against a bottom of the supporting bracket after the clasps extend through the supporting bracket. |
| US08220525B2 |
Method for predicting surface quality of thin slab hot rolled coil and method for producing thin slab hot rolled coil using the same
Disclosed is a method of predicting surface quality of a thin slab hot rolled coil. The method includes calculating the Cu equivalent (Cu eq.) of molten steel, applying the calculated Cu equivalent of the molten steel into an equation: 120×(Cu equivalent)2−6×(Cu equivalent) to calculate a surface crack index, and predicting the generation of surface defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil by the surface crack index. A method of producing the thin slab hot rolled coil using the same is also provided. The surface crack defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil can be predicted by calculating the Cu equivalent of the molten steel, and thus a thin slab which meets the quality standard demanded by a consumer can be provided, and this results in increased productivity and product reliability. |
| US08220523B2 |
Method and apparatus for manipulating investment casting mold handlers
An investment casting system includes a computer controlled mold transfer device movable between at least three stations, including a mold receiving station. A mold transfer station includes a mold suspended from a first horizontally extending arm of the mold transfer device engaging an intermediate transfer device to transfer the mold to the intermediate transfer device. A storage station has a storage rack receiving the mold following a material coating phase. A robot in communication with the intermediate transfer device is programmed to position the mold in any of multiple material coating stations during the material coating phase. The mold is accessible for removal from the system at any stage of completion by direction of a computer control system. |
| US08220518B2 |
Expandable and contractable window covering
An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes a plurality of closed cell structures aligned vertically one above another with juncture lines defined between adjacent structures. A lift system is configured for vertically drawing the closed cell structures from the fully expanded configuration into a fully contracted configuration, and includes a plurality of lift cords that are attached to back faces of the closed cell structures and lie along a vertical line of action rearward of the closed cell structures. In the fully contracted configuration of the shade assembly, the closed cell structures collapse into a flat profile and hang from the lift cords in a vertical and adjacently disposed orientation whereby upper edges of the collapsed closed cell structures are adjacent and oriented in an upward vertical direction, and bottom edges of the collapsed closed cell structures are adjacent and oriented in a downward vertical direction. |
| US08220517B2 |
Breakaway cord system for woven wood and Roman shades
In a breakaway device for a Roman shade a male member has an aperture through which the lift cord passes and a female member through which the lift cord passes, such that the male member and the female member are independently moveable relative to the lift cord. The female member has a cavity sized and configured to receive the male member. Tabs extend from the male member and fit into slots in the female member when the male member is in the cavity. A downward and outward force on the lift cord causes the male member and the female member to separate from one another. An upward force or a downward force on the lift cords will not cause separation. |
| US08220515B2 |
Tire-rim assembly and sponge member used in the same
This invention relates to a tire-rim assembly which is easily produced at low cost, excellent in durability and capable of notably reducing road noise, and more particularly to a tire-rim assembly comprising a pneumatic tire (1), a rim (2) and a sponge member (4) disposed in a tire internal cavity (3) defined by the pneumatic tire (1) and the rim (2), characterized in that the sponge member (4) has a specific gravity of higher than 0.06 but not higher than 0.25 and/or an air permeability of not higher than 5 cc/cm2/sec. |
| US08220513B1 |
Laminator with changeable rotation speed and heating temperature
The present invention relates to a laminator with changeable rotation speed and heating temperature including a first roller set, a second roller set, a transmission gear set, a speed changing gear set, a first driving device, a second driving device, an input interface, a controller and a heating device. A user selects an option of the input interface according to film thickness. The controller determines rotation speed and heating temperature of the first roller set and the second roller set according to the option. Then the controller controls the second driving device to move the speed changing gear set to alter the engagement between the speed changing gear set and the transmission gear set, as to modulate the rotational speed of the first roller set and the second roller set. |
| US08220509B1 |
Parquet tile, floor and method
Parquet tiles cut from the ends of barrels, preferably wooden wine or whisky barrels; a method of forming the tiles using a tongue- and groove-defining template; and parquet flooring which uses the tiles, are disclosed. |
| US08220508B2 |
Fuel filling device
A fuel filling device that includes, but is not limited to a filling head and a filling pipe disposed between fuel tank and filling head, has a further guiding tube having a front end viewed in the direction of insertion and a rear end viewed in the direction of insertion, which is disposed inside the filling pipe, and the front end is disposed directly below the filling head. |
| US08220506B2 |
Structure for fuel filling section of fuel tank
A structure for a fuel filling section of a fuel tank is obtained, in which valve opening pressure of a negative pressure valve, that opens a fuel filling port when a fuel tank interior is negative pressure, can be set independently of a valve opening pressure of an opening/closing valve that opens the fuel filling port due to insertion of a fuel filling gun. A positive pressure valve (50), that opens when the fuel tank interior becomes positive pressure, and a flap valve (70), that opens by being pushed by the fuel filling gun, are provided within a filler pipe (24). Further, a negative pressure valve (60), that opens when the fuel tank interior becomes negative pressure, is provided separately from the flap valve (70). A valve opening pressure of the flap valve (70) can be set without considering a valve opening operation when a fuel tank (10) interior becomes negative pressure. |
| US08220504B2 |
Peristaltic syringe filling station
The present invention is directed to a syringe filling station that can fill a syringe with a specified volume of fluid. In one embodiment, the syringe filling station comprises a reservoir attachment, a fluid delivery system, a syringe retaining guide, and a pump to move fluid from a reservoir to a syringe. The fluid delivery system may comprise a sterile consumable cartridge that is insertable into the filling station and defines a fluid pathway from a reservoir to a syringe. The syringe filling station may also include a user interface. An operator can input commands into the user interface to specify the amount of fluid to dispense into the syringe. The user interface may be connected to a processor that controls the rate of pumping and thereby can fill a syringe with a desired amount of fluid. The filling station may also include sensors that detect air in the tubing, depletion of the reservoir, among other things. |
| US08220498B2 |
Charge air hose
The invention refers to a charge air hose for motor vehicles, comprising: a hose-shaped base member and a textile reinforcement. In a conventional charge air hose the textile reinforcement is embedded into the base member or it is arranged between two layers of the base member. A continuing dynamic load of the conventional charge air hose leads to delamination of the composite. To solve the problems known from the prior art, the invention provides a charge air hose for motor vehicles, comprising: a hose-shaped base member, a textile reinforcement arranged on the surface of the base member, wherein the hose-shaped base member is a vulcanized, elastomer-containing hose. |
| US08220497B1 |
Plumbing trap protective devices and methods
A combination in a mixture, solution, emulsion, or other ways of combining the different elements that make up the combination, to prevent odors in sewer lines from entering various types buildings, trailers, motor homes, manufactured homes, and the like which have plumbing fixtures therein with a connection to be made to a sewer line to conduct refuse from the plumbing fixture or fixtures to the sewer line. Sewer lines are breeding grounds and conduits for odors, and unprotected plumbing fixtures connected to sewer lines can be the entry points of such odors, particularly when the fixtures are left idle for many weeks or even months. The different elements forming the combination are water and polyethylene glycol (PEG) or a similar member of the glycol family, such as polypropylene glycol (PPG), propylene glycol (PG), and ethylene glycol (EG). It may also include, when appropriate, one or more odor-control and/or other control substances. A particular volume ratio of the glycol and the water may be used to take advantage of the hygroscopic characteristic of the glycol and the evaporation from the water component so that the volume of the liquid blocking device will remain substantially constant for those long periods of time. |
| US08220483B2 |
Non-return valve
A device for shutting off the flow in pipelines, hoses or the like, in particular a non-return valve having a housing for installing in a pipeline or the like. The housing has a flow channel, of which the flowed-through cross section can be closed by a valve, the valve having a valve disc for closing the cross section and a valve stem for guiding the valve and the valve being mounted by means of the valve stem in a retaining plate, so as to be displaceable in the direction of flow. |
| US08220482B1 |
Devices, methods, and algorithms for rapid measurement of mean surface level change of liquids in containers
A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid by way of an opening below the surface of the liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions. |
| US08220480B2 |
Sanitary fitting
A sanitary fitting has a housing which has a hot-water supply, a cold-water supply and two mixed-water outlets, having a cartridge arranged in the housing and a mixing valve for cold and hot water, arranged between the two mixed-water outlets is a changeover valve which comprises a double valve cone which can be moved from a first position, which releases the first mixed-water outlet, into a second position, which releases the second mixed-water outlet and in which it is held under the pressure of mixed water flowing through the second mixed-water outlet until it returns automatically into the first position once the inflow of water has been switched off. The sanitary fitting has an operating element which can be actuated and is coupled to the actuating member such that actuating member is moved into the second position by virtue of the operating element being pressed. |
| US08220479B1 |
Multi-stage ratio pressure regulator system
A multi-stage pressure regulator in which pressure is first reduced by a set ratio in one or more stages followed by an adjustable pressure output stage. The system of the present invention provides for distribution of the Joules-Thomson (JT) cooling effect between multiple stages. The present invention thereby provides a system to control pressure reduction and thus prevent condensation (and associated distortion of a vapor composition sample) of a gas due to J-T cooling effect. |
| US08220478B2 |
Fluid flow control apparatus
A main control valve is actuated by a pilot fluid control signal between open and closed positions to supply fluid to an actuator such as a valve actuator. A stack of logic control valves is supported on the main valve- and controls the flow of the pilot signal. Each of the logic control valves has a housing of common design. Intermediate flow-directing plates of different designs provide fluid communication between adjacent housings. The stack has a common pilot feed passage and a common exhaust passage that are each defined by an annular clearance around supporting tie bars that pass through bores in the stack. Each plate has apertures that form part of the exhaust and pilot feed passages and an aperture that interconnects the returning pilot signal with the pilot inlet of the next valve in the stack. The arrangement allows for simplification of the design of the apparatus with a single housing design and multiple plate designs. |
| US08220476B2 |
Frame structure for a quickly erectable canopy shelter
A frame structure comprising a plurality of leg members, a plurality of top-corner fittings, a plurality of slide fittings and a plurality of flexible-pole members. Each leg member comprises a first end and a second end. A top-corner fitting is attached to the first end of each leg member. A slide fitting is coupled to each leg member and is adjustably movable along a length of the leg member between the first end and the second end of the leg member. Each flexible-pole member corresponds to a leg member, and each flexible-pole member comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of each flexible-pole member is coupled to a slide fitting, and a second end of each flexible-pole member is coupled to a central hub member. Each flexible-pole member forms an arching shape when the frame structure is in an erect, unfolded position. |
| US08220473B1 |
Foldable umbrella capable of auto-adjustment of the umbrella cloth
A foldable umbrella capable of auto-adjustment of the umbrella cloth comprises: a plurality of foldable ribs; an umbrella pole for connecting one ends of the ribs; an umbrella cloth expanded along a space spanned by the ribs; at least one connection portion located on an inner side of the umbrella cloth and two adjacent ribs. Each connection portion includes two L-shaped retainers and one connecting unit; and each L-shaped retainer is made of flexible and bendable material. When the umbrella is folded, by the clamping effect of the two L-shaped retainers of one connection portion, the umbrella cloth will present a smooth folded shape so that the umbrella cloth is folded along the umbrella pole easily. Thus the umbrella cloth can be folded easily, rapidly, and directly with a beautiful outlook and a small size. It is difficult to be damaged. |
| US08220469B1 |
Hair highlighting applicator nozzle
A hair highlighting applicator nozzle comprises a cap adapted to be removably mounted to an open end of a flexible container for holding a hair coloring fluid therein. A mechanism is for distributing the hair coloring fluid onto the hair. The distributing mechanism is retained to the cap and is in fluid communication with the flexible container. When the flexible container is squeezed the hair coloring fluid will be forced through the distributing mechanism and applied onto the hair. |
| US08220466B2 |
System and method for percutaneous palate remodeling
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the palatal tissue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the soft palate and may be secured to other surrounding, less mobile structures such as the hard palate or the mucosa overlying the hard palate. The implant may be manipulated to displace at least a portion of the soft palate in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the soft palate. |
| US08220460B2 |
Evacuation device and method for creating a localized pleurodesis
A localized pleurodesis evacuation device may be utilized to prevent a pneumothorax by evacuating the air that leaks into the pleural space. The device may also be utilized to create a localized pleurodesis around an access port so that the lung may be safely accessed. |
| US08220459B2 |
Cushion for patient interface
A cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a base wall structured to be connected to a frame, an underlying support cushion extending away from the base wall towards the patient's face in use, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The membrane is adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face. The underlying cushion has a spring-like connection with the base wall. The underlying cushion and/or base wall define a spring constant that varies along a length of the seal. |
| US08220458B2 |
Artificial airway interfaces and methods thereof
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device, system and method for providing artificial airway interfaces for use in the treatment of respiratory conditions and in assisted respirations. In an embodiment of the invention, an artificial airway interface for a non-sealing respiratory gas delivery system that directs a jet of gas into the artificial airway is provided. In another embodiment, an artificial airway interface for a non-sealing respiratory gas delivery system that allows for conductance of pressurized respiratory gasses and at least one of a sensor and port for collecting at least one of data and respiratory gas samples is provided. The artificial airway interface can further include an outflow variable restrictor. |
| US08220455B2 |
Dispensing device
A dispensing device having a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation. The storage device has multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert. At least one lifespan blocking device is provided for preventing operating of the dispensing device after a predetermined number of uses corresponding to the number of receptacles. |
| US08220447B1 |
Rapid fire blow gun toy with an ammunition chamber having a squeezable handle
A blow gun includes an ammunition chamber having an internal volume that is large enough to hold at least 30 spherical projectiles, for example plastic BBs. The ammunition chamber has a breath receiving orifice for receiving exhaled breath into the ammunition chamber. A barrel obtrudes from the ammunition chamber. The barrel has a cylindrical bore therethrough, that defines an internal diameter that is greater than the spherical projectile diameter but no greater than 1.7 times the spherical projectile diameter. The ammunition chamber includes a resilient handle portion that is squeezable to displace spherical projectiles within the ammunition chamber. |
| US08220445B2 |
Crossbow grip guard
A crossbow grip guard for preventing the fingers of an associated user from extending above a top portion of a stock of an associated crossbow. The crossbow grip guard may be adapted to be retro-fitted to an existing crossbow and may comprise a main body and an outwardly extending member that extends away from an exterior surface of the main body to create an obstacle or barrier positioned along a length of the main body and is designed to prevent the fingers of the associated user from extending above the top portion of the stock when firing the crossbow. |
| US08220441B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for controlling fuel states for internal combustion engines
A fuel state control unit for use with internal combustion engines can include a primary heating chamber, a secondary heating chamber, and an expansion chamber. The primary heating chamber has a fuel conduit through which fuel is conveyed. A heater in the primary heating chamber transmits heat to the conveyed fuel in the primary heating chamber. The heater is controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature of the fuel. The heated fuel from the conduit is conveyed into a secondary heating chamber. A pressure plate separates the secondary heating chamber from the expansion chamber. The ports of the pressure plate can regulate the flow of the fuel into the expansion chamber. The heated fuel in the expansion chamber can then be conveyed to an engine so as to increase engine efficiency and reduce the amount of pollutant gases in the engine exhaust. |
| US08220440B2 |
Methods and systems for producing fuel for an internal combustion engine using a low-temperature plasma system
Systems and methods for production of fuel for an internal combustion engine are described herein. Systems may include a plasma reformer and an internal combustion engine. The plasma reformer may produce a gas stream from the liquid feed. The gas stream may include molecular hydrogen and carbon oxides. At least a portion of the gas stream may be provided to the internal combustion engine. |
| US08220436B2 |
HCCI/SI combustion switching control system and method
A control system and method for operating an engine includes a spark ignited (SI) control module controlling the engine in a spark ignited mode, a pre-homogeneous charge compression (HCCI) module controlling the engine in an HCCI mode after the spark ignited mode, and an HCCI module controlling the engine in an HCCI mode after the pre-HCCI mode. The SI module controls the engine in the SI mode after the HCCI mode. |
| US08220434B2 |
Internal-combustion engine
The Internal-Combustion Engine is set forth, in which when in use there is no lateral component of the force on the piston which is taken up by the slider rolling by the bearings. As a result of this the cylinder compression is improved, power losses on friction are reduced and wear out of the cylinder is decreased. Also due to the absence of the lateral component of the force on the piston, the latter can be made in a relieved version, e.g. without a skirt and with two compressing rings in one groove. |
| US08220427B2 |
VCT active lock pin control
A spool valve 10 for a variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser for an internal combustion engine comprises a spool 11 slidable in a bore 12 in a valve sleeve 13, the spool 11 having spaced apart lands 14-17 dividing the bore 12 into chambers 41, 42, 43 between adjacent lands. The valve sleeve 13 has fluid passages 22-27 including a lock passage 26 communicating with a lock pin 31, a vent passage 27 communicating with a fluid sump 35, and a lock pin oil feed passage 22, with the spool 11 being slidable in the bore 12 to interconnect select passages via particular chambers, wherein the vent passage 27 and the lock pin passage 26 are connectable with different chambers 43 and 42 respectively. The arrangement avoids unnecessary operation of the lock pin 31. |
| US08220425B2 |
Valve operation control system for internal combustion engine
A valve operation control system for an internal combustion engine in which hydraulic pressure applied to a valve operation mode changing mechanism is controlled by hydraulic pressure control means that is formed from a holder mounted on a cylinder head, a spool valve formed by slidably housing a spool valve body in a valve body, and an electromagnetic open/close valve for controlling hydraulic pressure of a pilot hydraulic chamber, wherein the holder (109) is formed by integrally connecting a housed portion (109a) and a projecting portion (109b) by means of a connection portion (109c), the housed portion (109a) being housed between the cylinder head (22R) and a head cover, the projecting portion (109b) projecting outside the cylinder head (22R) and the head cover and having the electromagnetic open/close valve (113, 114) mounted thereon, a seal face (116) with the head cover is formed on the connection portion (109c), and the valve body (110) is provided so as to be connected to the housed portion (109a) while being housed between the head cover and the cylinder head (22R). This enables the sealing properties between the holder and the head cover to be enhanced. |
| US08220419B2 |
Radially adjustable horse grazing muzzle
A radially adjustable horse grazing muzzle includes a muzzle body made of a flexible material and having an open end for allowing a horse snout to be placed in the muzzle body therethrough, and an adjustment assembly configured as a segment of a periphery of the open end of the muzzle body and having a pad and at least one adjustable fastener composed a first member and a second member, wherein the first member is fixed to the pad while the second member is fixed to an adjacent segment of the periphery of the open end of the muzzle body, the first and second members being configured to combine with an adjustable overall length thereof, whereby when the overall length of the combined first member and second member is reduced, the muzzle body is centripetally converged, thereby achieving a radial adjustment of the muzzle. |
| US08220416B1 |
Enclosure system and method for confining a pet in the passenger seat of an automobile
A confinement system and method for confining a pet to a passenger seat inside a vehicle. A first net is suspended in front of the seating surface of the passenger seat. A second net is suspended along the side of the passenger seat between the backrest of the seat and the first net. The first net and second net confine the front and inside edges of the passenger seat. The backrest of the seat and the door of the automobile confine the rear and outside edge of the passenger seat. The result is a confined space centered on the passenger seat. A pet is placed inside the confined space. The pet is prevented from falling off the passenger seat while the automobile is moving by the confinement features. |
| US08220414B2 |
Feeding apparatus
The invention relates to a feeding apparatus (100) used for feeding animals, such as cattle, in an animal shelter (50). The apparatus is arranged in connection with a feeding aperture (110) in the wall of the animal shelter, and it includes an air-permeating first wall (104) and an air-restricting second wall (106) together with a trough (102) for the dispensed feed. The first and second wall can be moved in front of the feeding aperture, in which case the feeding aperture is closed, and away from the feeding aperture, in which case the feeding aperture is open. A feed cover (108) has been placed onto the lower edge of the first wall in such a way that it covers part of the feed in the trough. Preferably the feed cover is a flexible structure made out of rubber, the free edge of which is equipped with an edge reinforcement (116). The first wall is fastened from its upper edge to the upper edge of the feeding aperture with hinges (112). The second wall is a sheet-like structure, which is thermally insulated and at least partially transparent, and it is fastened onto a support bar (120), which rotates around its longitudinal axis, the support bar being positioned into the upper edge of the feeding aperture. The second wall can also be a pull curtain fastened onto the first wall. A refrigeration system can be arranged in connection with the trough for preventing the feed in the trough from warming up. |
| US08220413B2 |
Pet food server
A pet food server for dispensing pet food from a recently opened can at preselected intervals of time where the pet food feeder includes a cylindrical member, a sliding panel for holding an unopened can of pet food located within the cylindrical member, and an electric can opener located on a pedestal for lowering the can opener to the top of the can of unopened pet food to cut the lid from the can and then raising the can opener to its initial position. An electro-magnet is attached to the can opener for lifting the lid off the can of pet food as the can opener is raised to its initial position, and the sliding panel is moved with the can of open pet food through an opening in the cylindrical member for a pet to feed. |
| US08220406B2 |
Off-shore structure, a buoyancy structure, and method for installation of an off-shore structure
A buoyant submersible structure floating above the sea floor includes a support portion to support a load, and a gas-filled tank. The tank has an opening, and a connected tube. The tube is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first level. In operation, the structure is fully submerged below the water surface to a first depth. The second chamber is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first position inside the second chamber. Then, the buoyancy structure is moved to a second, greater depth. Water enters the second chamber to raise the water-gas interface to a second, higher level and without entering the first chamber. Subsequently, the buoyancy of the structure is adjusted to tension the cable, a support structure to support a load is attached to the structure, and then the buoyancy of the structure is readjusted. |
| US08220405B2 |
Winch system safety device controlled by towrope angle
A towrope winch with a safety shutoff device includes a winch configured to wind a rope; and a safety shutoff device which deactivates the winch if the rope moves outside a designated range of angles relative to an intake of the winch. |
| US08220399B2 |
Flat pack friction fit furniture system
An article of furniture and associated methods and kits comprising at least one first leg support structure, at least one second leg support structure, the at least one first leg support structure being inter-fitted with the at least one second first leg support structure via an interference fit to define a support assembly, a top that is supported by and attached to the support assembly without the need for a mechanical fastener or adhesive; and means for creating a force state that attaches the top to the support assembly without the need for a mechanical fastener or adhesive, and thereby stabilizes the article of furniture, wherein the force state includes one or more forces applied to the at least one first leg support structure and the at least one second leg support structure, in addition to any frictional force from the interference fit. |
| US08220396B2 |
Projectile
To provide a projectile for bird strike tests, comprising a gel-like or jelly-like material, which makes reproducible and representative results in bird strike tests possible, it is proposed that the projectile comprise a stabilizing device arranged in the projectile for stabilizing the gel-like or jelly-like material. |
| US08220391B2 |
Printing method for printing press and printing press
There are provided a printing method for a printing press that includes: printing an image on a sheet of paper fed using an ultraviolet curable paint; and irradiating the ultraviolet curable paint on the printed sheet fed by selectively causing a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed at predetermined intervals across a lateral direction of the sheet to turn on in accordance with the location and size of a predetermined area of the sheet, thereby irradiating the predetermined area with ultraviolet light therefrom and curing the predetermined area. |
| US08220390B2 |
Printing press, folder, and methods of operation
Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages. |
| US08220388B2 |
Multiple layer anti-marking jackets and methods of using in offset printing
In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises an assembly of at least two flexible jackets, the assembly removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder, wherein an outermost flexible jacket supports the freshly printed substrate as it passes over the transfer cylinder and wherein the outermost flexible jacket is removable from the assembly while the assembly remains attached to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is attached to the transfer cylinder, and the assembly is removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder over the base cover. |
| US08220385B2 |
Stencil printing machine
In a stencil printing machine including a plate discharge device for stripping a master from a plate cylinder and collecting the master after attaching the master subjected to plate making to the plate cylinder for printing on a sheet, the plate discharge device includes a storing section for storing the master, a lid for closing the storing section to be opened/closed freely, and a device for locking the lid in a closed state, the plate discharge device being provided such that it can be taken out to the housing of the stencil printing machine. Consequently, a stencil printing machine from which the plate discharge device can be taken out while secrecy is kept surely can be provided. |
| US08220383B2 |
Food product slicer with timed sharpening operation
A food product slicer with a rotatable slicer knife includes a knife sharpener and a control for providing a timed sharpening operation. The control effects rotation of the slicer knife for a set knife sharpen time period when a knife sharpen input of the slicer is triggered. |
| US08220382B2 |
Package and device for preparation of a food product such as a beverage
A package for a portion of liquid foodstuff dilutable with a diluent includes a reservoir for containing a portion of liquid foodstuff dilutable with a diluent, a reservoir seal for closing the reservoir, a mixing element for mixing the dilutable liquid foodstuff with the diluent. The mixing element includes a mixing chamber having an outflow aperture for dispensing liquid foodstuff diluted with the diluent, a liquid passage for feeding dilutable liquid foodstuff from the reservoir to the mixing chamber, and a feed channel for feeding diluent to the mixing chamber. The feed channel has a first portion and a second portion, the cross section of the second portion being smaller than the cross section of the first portion and be so configured that when diluent is fed to the mixing chamber, a venturi effect occurs in the mixing chamber. |
| US08220367B2 |
Transmission extension adapter for power hand tool
A transmission extension adapter for connection between a work head and the chuck of a power hand tool includes a cylindrical cap shell coupled to the power hand tool around the chuck and having radial through holes and a positioning member in each radial through hole. An axle sleeve is rotatably coupled to the cylindrical cap shell and has locating holes on the periphery thereof. A transmission axle is inserted through the axle sleeve and has a rear end connected to the chuck and a front end connected with a supplementary chuck for holding the work head. A front cap assembly is affixed to the front end of the axle sleeve to hold an automatic feeder for allowing rotation of the automatic feeder with the axle sleeve. A multi-angle positioning device is adapted for holding down the positioning members in the locating holes to lock the axle sleeve. |
| US08220365B2 |
Planetary gear-driven magnification driving tool
The present invention of a planetary gear-driven magnification driving tool relies on randomly attachable and removable planetary gear-driven magnification driving tools to lock, adjust, and disassemble applied mechanism with screw structure such as screw locking device, screw adjusting device, and individual screw and nut set that do not need the installation of outer ring gear and planetary gear while reducing the installation cost for over a pair of such mechanisms. |
| US08220364B1 |
Method and apparatus for extending the usable life of safety razors
A method and apparatus for sharpening/honing safety razors comprising a mini-strop having a body with a rough side and a smooth side made of double shoulder premium cowhide, a handle and a swivel trigger snap and extension strap with hook and loop fastener elements for suspending from an anchoring article. |
| US08220359B2 |
Theftproof clutch handle that is detached easily and quickly
A theftproof clutch handle for a motorcycle includes a clutch connector provided with a plug, a handle body provided with a slot detachably mounted on the plug, and a locking device mounted on the handle body and releasably locked onto the plug. The handle body has a receiving chamber to receive the locking device. The locking device includes a support seat, a locking shaft, an elastic member and a drive member. Thus, when the drive member is pulled outwardly, the locking shaft is moved outwardly to detach from the locking hole of the plug to unlock the handle body from the clutch connector so that the handle body can be removed from the clutch connector to provide a theftproof effect. |
| US08220356B2 |
Anti-separation device for use with isolator
An anti-separation device for use with an isolator that couples a steering input shaft and a steering gear connector includes a retaining plate and a retaining formation. The retaining plate is coupled to the steering gear connector and is configured to displace with and torque with the steering gear connector. The retaining formation is coupled to the steering input shaft and is configured to displace with and torque with the steering input shaft. When the isolator fails and the steering input shaft displaces or rotates relative to the steering gear connector, the retaining plate limits the relative displacement or rotation of the retaining formation and couples the steering input shaft to the steering gear connector. |
| US08220354B2 |
Belt-driven robot having extended Z-axis motion
A robot has a robot arm, a support structure, and a movable platform. The platform includes a cantilevered member coupled to a guide of the support structure such that motion of the platform is directed along a first direction. The robot further includes first and second timing belts having portions that extend along the first direction and that are disposed on opposite sides of the cantilevered member, and first and second shafts movable with the movable platform. The shafts are coupled to the respective timing belts, to the robot arm such that rotation of the first shaft imparts angular motion to the robot arm and rotation of the second shaft imparts radial motion. The robot also includes a third timing belt to which the platform is coupled and by which it is moved. Motors are provided that impart movement to the timing belts. |
| US08220352B2 |
Dual clutch transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member. |
| US08220350B2 |
Gearbox for lift truck with telescopic jib, and machine equipped with same
The invention concerns a gearbox (21) for a lift truck with telescopic jib. Such a gearbox comprises a torque converter (30) in input, and an output shift (45), characterized in that it comprises: an input shaft, called primary shaft, connected to the torque converter (30) and whereon is arranged a clutch mechanism (32); a secondary shaft (35) driven in rotation by the clutch mechanism (32); two pinions, namely first (37) and second (38) pinions, mounted freely rotatable on the secondary shaft (5) and capable of being driven alternately therewith depending on the movement of a synchronizing device; a tertiary shaft (40) coupled with the secondary shaft (45) through the first pinion (37) and a reversing pinion (42) driven by the second pinion (38), the tertiary shaft (40) comprising a plurality of pinions (39, 41, 46, 47) for coupling with the output shaft (45), in accordance with the desired transmission ratio. |
| US08220348B2 |
Under travel actuator, particularly for automobile clutch
An under travel actuator, particularly intended for an automobile clutch, including an engine (12) for the translation movement of a mobile gear (14) acting on a push stem (16) for the opening and closing of the clutch, the mobile gear including screw-nut means (22, 24) cooperating with two combined means of unidirectional driving in order to regulate the length of the push stem (16) according to the wear of the clutch surfaces subject to friction. |
| US08220347B2 |
Device for use with measuring soil gas and method of use
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a device and method of use thereof for facilitating the analysis of samples of sub-slab soil gas that comprise an adapter body that includes, a first barbed portion, an external engaging portion, a threaded collar portion, a second barbed portion, and an internal cavity that axially passes through the length of the adapter body. The device may further include a tubular body with an interior cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of the second barbed portion of the adapter body to produce a mating engagement therebetween. |
| US08220345B2 |
Gap inspection apparatus
An apparatus for inspection of a gap between two surfaces, at least one of which is ferromagnetic, for example in a generator, includes a sensor platform (26) for one or more sensors (26a) and an elongated mount (23), which can be moved out, for the sensor platform (26). The mount (23) can be moved in and out of the gap through an access opening, can be moved out over the length of the gap and can be rolled up outside the gap by a drive (24). In its moved-out state, the mount (23) has a curvature in a lateral cross section. In addition, the mount (23) has a plurality of magnets (27) by which the mount (23) is brought into contact with a ferromagnetic surface. The magnets (27) are attached to the side of the mount (23) facing away from the ferromagnetic surface, ensuring that the mount (23) slides along a ferromagnetic surface. The apparatus allows inspection of gaps from a height of 4 mm and is distinguished by a simple and physically small design. |
| US08220343B2 |
Force sensing device
The force sensing device includes a deformable member having portions arranged to make a pair with respect to the Z-axis. Three sets of strain detecting elements are formed on the deformable member for detecting deformations of the deformable member caused by a linear force in the X-axis, a linear force in the Y-axis and a rotational force about the Z-axis. The force sensing device includes a connecting member which connects between the pair of portions of the deformable member, and between the deformable member and a shaft of a manipulatable member. The force sensing device can be manufactured with easy wiring work and can detect the applied force in three degrees of freedom, including the linear force in the X-axis, the linear force in the Y-axis and the rotational force about the Z-axis. |
| US08220341B2 |
Method and device for analyzing a multiple-phase fluid by measuring admittance using coaxial probes
A method and device includes measuring a multiple-phase fluid flowing through a pipe. The inventive method includes the following steps in which: a fluid is illuminated using a first coaxial probe placed in contact with the liquid phase of the fluid, and a first electromagnetic wave is emitted at a high frequency. The admittance at the interface between the first probe and the fluid is measured, and the fractions of at least two constituents of the liquid phase are calculated in order to obtain the effective permittivity (∈1) of the phase. The method also includes the following steps in which: the fluid is illuminated using a second coaxial probe and a second electromagnetic wave is emitted at a low frequency. The admittance at the interface between the second probe and the liquid is measured, and the thickness (e) of the liquid is measured. The aforementioned calculation is performed on the basis of the calculated effective permittivity (∈1) and the admittance measured by the second probe. |
| US08220333B2 |
Measurement device and method for diagnosis of noise in fluidic systems
A measurement device and method for diagnosing noise in fluidic systems. A microphone, which is arranged at least partially in the area of the flow medium, compensates for pressure surges in the flow medium. The microphone receives the noise via a membrane and converts it to an electrical signal for evaluation of the noise source by an electronic diagnosis unit. To compensate for pressure surges in the flow medium, the membrane of the microphone is arranged in a housing, which is open on both sides of the membrane and whose two openings have pressure applied to them by the flow medium as a sound source, with at least one of the two openings being provided, in order to detect noise, with filter means for attenuation and/or time delay of frequencies which are in an expected noise spectrum, while the filter means allows lower frequencies produced by the pressure fluctuations in the flow medium to pass through. |
| US08220331B2 |
System for analysing the frequency of resonating devices
The general field of the invention is that of resonating or vibrating devices. One of the tricky points with this type of device is that of correctly measuring the vibration frequency in a disturbed environment. The analysis system according to the invention is based on the use of the Hilbert transform of a function U representative of the position A of the vibrations of the device. More precisely, in its basic version, the analysis system comprises means making it possible to realize the second derivative of the function U denoted U(2), the Hilbert transform of the function U denoted V, the second derivative of this transform denoted V(2) as well as a function equal to - U · U ( 2 ) + V · V ( 2 ) U 2 + V 2 , this latter function being mathematically equal to the function ω 1 2 - ρ 1 ( 2 ) ρ 1 with ω1 the instantaneous angular frequency of U, ρ1 the instantaneous amplitude of U, ρ1(2) the second derivative of said instantaneous amplitude and being representative of the square of the resonant angular frequency Ω of the vibrating device. Several variants of this initial device are proposed. |
| US08220329B2 |
Management system for MEMS inertial sensors
A MEMS system includes an inertial sensor having sensor circuitry and management circuitry implemented with the sensor circuitry. The management circuitry includes a detection module that detects a condition of the system and a management module that coordinates the functionality of the inertial sensor and the detection module based on the detected condition. |
| US08220325B2 |
Current measuring method
The method of measuring the current below an offshore vessel by suspending a flexible member in the currents from the vessel, adding reflectors or signal generators to the flexible member, adding an adjustable weight to the bottom of the flexible member, determining the horizontal position of each reflector in comparison to the reflector above and below it, and using this information to determine the ocean currents at various levels below the vessel. |
| US08220320B2 |
Distance measuring device and method for determining a distance, and a suitable reflective member
A distance measuring device and a method for determining a distance are provided. The distance measuring device includes a reflective member, evaluation electronics and a sensor device having at least one coupling probe for feeding a transmission signal into a line structure with the reflective member. The reflective member includes a base plate with an attached collar for forming a cup-shaped element. |
| US08220311B2 |
System and method for measuring concentration of a paramagnetic gas
In one embodiment, a device for measuring concentration of a paramagnetic gas is provided. The device comprises a measuring cell having a closed cavity therein, a reference gas conduit extending into the cavity for supplying a reference gas to the measuring cell, the reference gas comprising a predetermined concentration of the paramagnetic gas, a measurable gas conduit extending into the cavity for supplying a measurable gas to the measuring cell, the measurable gas comprising a measurable concentration of the paramagnetic gas, a first microphone differentially coupled to the measurable gas conduit and the reference gas conduit, and a second microphone located at a predetermined distance from the reference gas conduit. |
| US08220303B2 |
Apparatus for winding and unwinding rolled strip
The invention relates to an apparatus for winding and unwinding rolled strip (WB) discharging from a mill train (WS), in which apparatus the rolled strip (WB) discharging from the mill train (WS) is introduced by a set of bending rolls (BR) into a winding chamber (WK) having a rotationally driven roller pair (RP) and is wound into a coil (WB), and the coil is then put onto a roller table (GR) and unwound from these rollers with the direction of rotation being reversed and the start of the strip is fed to a driver device (RT). The apparatus is improved by a supporting slide (TS) which can be pushed into the winding chamber (WK) and in whose side walls a pivoted lever (SH) is mounted, the free end of which carries a pressure roller (AR) which can be put onto the rolled strip coil and pushes the latter out of the winding chamber (WK) onto the adjoining roller table (GR). |
| US08220289B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus with internal heat exchanger for heat exchange
Disclosed is a refrigeration apparatus capable of minimizing the pressure loss of a refrigerant circulated through an internal heat exchanger and capable of improving a cooling capability. A refrigeration apparatus in which a compressor, a radiator, an electronic expansion valve and an evaporator are successively annularly connected to one another to constitute a refrigerant circuit includes a refrigerator unit provided with the compressor and the radiator, and a cooling unit provided with the electronic expansion valve and the evaporator, the refrigerator unit is connected to one or a plurality of cooling units via a communication pipe to constitute the refrigerant cycle, an internal heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between a refrigerant discharged from the radiator and a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator is constituted of a double tube, and the internal heat exchanger is provided in the cooling unit. |
| US08220288B2 |
Multi-door refrigerator comprising a heatable door bar
A refrigerator including a body unit and a pair of doors which are attached on opposite sides of the body unit and which jointly delimit a first internal space, wherein a first door of said pair supports a bar that extends into the internal space when the first door is in a closed position, said bar having a locating face, against which a rear side of the second door fits closely when both doors are in a closed position, and containing an electrical heating device, the refrigerator including a control circuit for the electrical heating device including at least one electric contact through which a current supply circuit of the electrical heating device is routed, the at least one electrical contact being attached to the body unit and conductively connected to a complementary contact disposed on the first door when the first door is closed. |
| US08220285B2 |
Refrigerator
By means of a storage box structure according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process installing the storage box into the storage space is easily accomplished and productivity of the product is obtained, and the inside of the storage box is partitioned, and therefore there is an advantage in that the usage of the storage space is increased. |
| US08220284B2 |
Vehicle heat pump with a selective heat storing element and two circulation loops
A heat storage device that includes a first heat storage material and a second heat storage material, both of which accumulate heat by heat exchange with a heat afferent medium, and a changeover device that selectively either performs or intercepts heat storage by the second heat storage material. Accordingly, if the absorption of heat by the first heat storage material has decreased, the changeover device changes flow of the second heat storage material so that heat may be extracted from the heat afferent medium by the second heat storage medium. Thus, when the heat afferent medium is a refrigerant, it is possible to supercool the refrigerant thereof. Furthermore, since heat is extracted from the heat afferent medium and is accumulated, accordingly it is possible to anticipate effective utilization thereof. |
| US08220283B2 |
Ice crushing mechanism
An ice making and storing system which may be mounted in a refrigeration appliance. The ice making and storing system includes an ice making mechanism, a removable ice storage receptacle positioned adjacent to the ice making mechanism, an insulated cover for the ice making mechanism with a portion engageable with the ice storage receptacle to provide a thermally tight seal between the cover and the ice storage receptacle. |
| US08220281B2 |
Inlet air flow guide for ACDX fan coil
An inlet air flow guide for a condensing unit of an air cooled direct expansion (ACDX) air conditioning unit. The flow guide has a panel having at least a portion spaced from a surface of the condensing unit to define a plenum for cooling air to enter the condensing unit from one side. A condensing unit of an ACDX air conditioning unit has a refrigerant cooling coil disposed in an opening, and the inlet air flow guide defines a plenum to provide an air flow passage to the opening from one side thereof. According to a method, the inlet air flow guide is installed onto the condensing unit of an ACDX air conditioning unit, wherein a panel of the flow guide has at least a portion spaced from a surface of the condensing unit to define a plenum for cooling air to enter the condensing unit from one side. |
| US08220276B2 |
Gas-turbine compressor with bleed-air tapping
A gas-turbine compressor has a casing (1) in which a rotor hub (2) is rotatably borne, and a compressor duct (9) being disposed between the casing (1) and the rotor hub (2), in which at least one rotor (4), which is rotatable about a machine axis (5), and one stator (5) are arranged. Recesses (12) of a bleed-air tapping device (6) are provided in the casing (1), which—in at least one circumferential area (11)—are arranged circumferentially to each other recess (12) and include a circumferential leading edge (16) in the circumferential direction and a circumferential trailing edge (17), each of which includes an identical angle βE with the surface (18) of the casing (1). |
| US08220273B2 |
Cooling structure for gas turbine combustor
A gas turbine combustor having an improved cooling structure effective to efficiently suppress a possible occurrence of buckling in the combustion liner while exhibiting a convection cooling effect to the combustion liner, the gas turbine combustor includes a combustion liner having a combustion chamber defined therein and an outer peripheral surface forming a path of a compressed air, and a heat transfer enhancement structure provided on the outer peripheral surface of the combustion liner. The heat transfer enhancement structure referred to above is of a honeycomb construction defined by ribs protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the combustion liner. The honeycomb construction may be of a geometry in which hexagonal shapes, rhombic shapes, parallelogrammic shapes, bent rectangular shapes or triangular shapes are deployed next to each other. |
| US08220271B2 |
Fuel lance for a gas turbine engine including outer helical grooves
A fuel lance (7) for introducing fuel into a gas flow in a combustor (1) of a gas turbine engine includes a region of the lance (7) through which the fuel is introduced into the gas flow having a generally helical formation (12). |
| US08220270B2 |
Method and apparatus for affecting a recirculation zone in a cross flow
Disclosed is a cross flow apparatus including a surface and at least one outlet located at the surface. The cross flow apparatus further includes at least one guide at the surface configured to direct an intersecting flow flowing across the surface and increase a velocity of a cross flow being expelled from the at least one outlet downstream from the at least one outlet. |
| US08220269B2 |
Combustor for a gas turbine engine with effusion cooled baffle
A combustor (1) for a gas turbine engine, particularly for a gas turbine having sequential combustion, includes a combustor wall (4) defining a mixing region (5) and a combustion region (6). The mixing region (5) has at least one first inlet (2) for introducing combustion air into the mixing region (5) and at least one second inlet for introducing fuel into the mixing region (5), the combustion region (6) extending downstream of the mixing region. The mixing region (5) crosses over to the combustion region (6) in a transition region (14). A baffle (9) extends from the transition region (14) generally in the downstream direction (15), forming at least one space (10) between the combustor wall (4) and the baffle (9). |
| US08220265B2 |
Internal combustion engine with a variable geometry compressor
A method is provided for operating a stationary internal combustion machine including a compressor device of variable compressor geometry which compresses gas fed to the internal combustion machine, and a throttle device which is connected downstream of the compressor device and with which the amount of compressed gas fed to the internal combustion machine is variable. The internal combustion machine is regulated by way of the actuation of at least two adjusting members, wherein the internal combustion machine is regulated to a—preferably substantially constant—engine regulating value. Upon a deviation in the engine regulating value from a reference value, the amount of gas fed to the internal combustion machine is altered by the actuation of the throttle device as the first adjusting member and by the variation in the geometry of the compressor device as the second adjusting member so that the engine regulating value is re-set to the reference value. |
| US08220257B2 |
Axle driving apparatus for a zero turn radius vehicle
An axle driving apparatus includes a first housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the first housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the first housing. The axle driving apparatus also includes a second housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the second housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the second housing. A connecting means, such as a bar and/or plate connects the first and second housings. The plurality of cooling fins on the first housing has a different configuration that the plurality of cooling fins on the second housing. |
| US08220255B2 |
Drive having an energy recovery function having a brake pressure control valve
The invention relates to a drive (1) having an energy recovery function. The drive having an energy recovery function comprises a hydrostatic piston machine (9) and at least one storage element (13) which is connected to said hydrostatic piston machine. Said hydrostatic piston machine (9) and the at least one storage element (13) are connected together by means of a storage line. Said storage line is divided into a first storage line section (11) and into a second storage line section (12) by a throttle value unit (15). Said throttle valve unit (15) comprises a control pressure valve unit (16) and a built-in valve (17). The control pressure valve unit (16) produces a control pressure which acts upon the built-in valve (17). |
| US08220254B2 |
Method and arrangement for improving the hydrolysis of a reduction agent in an exhaust gas post treatment system
A method and arrangement for improving hydrolysis of a reduction agent in an exhaust gas post treatment system for selective catalytic reduction of NOx in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine operated with excess air. A partial exhaust gas stream is branched off from an exhaust gas stream upstream of an SCR catalytic converter. A hydrolysis catalytic converter is disposed in the partial exhaust gas stream downstream of a metering arrangement for supplying reduction agent thereto. The partial stream is conveyed back to the main stream downstream of the hydrolysis catalytic converter and upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. The temperature at the hydrolysis catalytic converter is maintained within prescribed limits by actively controlling exhaust gas quantity conveyed in the partial stream by entirely or partially blocking the partial stream, via a flow control device, if temperature values at the hydrolysis catalytic converter and the main or partial stream exceed or do not reach specified or threshold values, and/or if certain operating conditions or condition changes of the engine occur. |
| US08220252B2 |
Exhaust gas emissions reactor and method of treating exhaust gas
An exhaust gas emissions reactor and method of treating exhaust gas. The reactor has a housing for receiving exhaust gas from an engine. An oxidation catalyst is disposed in the housing for receiving exhaust gas from an inlet, and at least one mixing duct in the housing receives exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst. An injector introduces reduction agent into the exhaust gas in the mixing duct, and at least one mixer effects mixing of exhaust gas and reduction agent. Disposed in the mixing duct downstream of the injector is an SCR catalyst for receiving exhaust gas/reduction agent mixture therethrough. Treated exhaust gas is conveyed to an outlet of the housing. |
| US08220245B1 |
Multi spool gas turbine system
A gas turbine engine is provided, including an air inlet in fluid communication with a compressor, a combustor, a compressor turbine, and a power turbine. The compressor and compressor turbine may be mounted on a first drive shaft, and the power turbine may be mounted on a second shaft. The engine further includes an engagement mechanism adapted to selectively engage the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft and second drive shaft rotate at substantially the same speed when the engagement mechanism is engaged. The disclosed multi-spool gas turbine engine provides improved part power fuel consumption at reduced output shaft speeds. The proposed invention can relate to turbines with two or more gas generator spools. |
| US08220244B2 |
Component for shortening chains
In a component for shortening a chain (12), said component being provided with a connector bow (2) that can be hung into a connector body (6) and with a shortening organ (7), a safety bolt, which is simultaneously formed as a retainer pin (3) for the end link (11) of the chain (12) to be shortened, serves to secure the position of the connector bow (2) in the connector body (6). |
| US08220243B2 |
Cable protection and guide device
The invention provides a cable protection and guide device that steadily protects and guides a cable by rigidly anchoring and preventing a connecting arm from being disengaged upwardly. The device smoothly flexes and reduces torsional deformation. The hinged connecting arm extends across the flexional outer peripheral side of a pair of spaced apart right and left link plates and has a hook portion at one end of an arm body and a hinge portion at another end. An engaging circular arc portion of the hook portion engages with an engaging shaft of the link plate. Engaging projecting portions extend from the edge of the engaging circular arc portion and interengage with engaging step portions provided on the engaging shaft. |
| US08220234B2 |
Crop harvester having conditioning rolls
The conditioning rolls of a crop harvester have intermeshing metal ribs arranged in a herringbone pattern, each rib comprising a pair of end-to-end segments that converge spirally from opposite ends of the roll to a centermost apex. Alternative embodiments provide a single pair of metal herringbone rolls, two pairs of metal herringbone rolls, or a front pair of metal herringbone rolls and a rear pair of compressible surface herringbone rolls. |
| US08220233B2 |
Agricultural mower comprising a carrying vehicle with four steering and driving wheels and plural pivotable front and lateral work units
An agricultural machine including a carrying vehicle and plural work units configured to cut a standing product. The agricultural machine includes four steering and driving wheels that support the carrying vehicle, at least two front work units arranged, during work and viewed in a direction of forward travel of the carrying vehicle, at the front of the carrying vehicle, and at least two lateral work units arranged, during work, on either side of a work area of the front work units. The front work units and the lateral work units can be moved with respect to the carrying vehicle and can pivot in mutually opposite directions with respect to each other, to occupy a transport position or a work position. In the work position, a work area of a first front work unit partially overlaps a work area of a second front work unit. |
| US08220230B2 |
Cable bundling device
A cable bundling device includes a cable positioning and a wrapping mechanism. The cable positioning mechanism includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member, which are set in a working zone. The first and second clamping members function to respectively clamp ends of a cable. One of the wrapping mechanism and the cable positioning mechanism is selectively rotatable to have the bundling material loaded in the wrapping mechanism wrapped around the cable. |
| US08220226B2 |
Electron beam irradiation of bulk material solids
Bulk material solids are packaged in a shaped block and the packaged block is irradiated on two sides using high-energy electron beam radiation to uniformly irradiate the solids in the package. |
| US08220223B2 |
Beverage bottling plant, in which beverage bottles are filled, closed, packed, and transported on dollies and pallets, an arrangement for transporting dollies, and a method therefor
A beverage bottling plant, in which beverage bottles are filled, closed, packed, and transported on dollies and pallets, an arrangement for transporting dollies, and a method therefor. |
| US08220221B2 |
System and method for floor covering installation
Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. Embodiments of the connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. The connectors can have a conductive component that allows electrical continuity to be maintained between adjacent tiles. In yet another embodiment, the connectors can be equipped as radio frequency identification tags by including radio frequency transponders. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. One or more tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on an underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface. Rather, the tiles are linked to each other with the connectors, so that the tiles create a floor covering that “floats” on the underlying floor surface. Additionally, the tiles need not be installed directly on the floor surface. Rather, an underlayment, such as a film or cushion or cushion composite, may be positioned on the floor surface prior to the installation of tiles. |
| US08220220B2 |
Reinforcement method and reinforcement structure of the corrugated steel plate structure
The present invention relates to a method and structure for reinforcing a corrugated steel plate structure. The present invention provides a method of reinforcing a corrugated steel plate structure using a liner provided on one surface of a corrugated steel plate, the reinforcing method using the liner comprising: an anchor bolt installing step of forming an anchor bolt insert hole in the surface of the corrugated steel plate and installing an anchor bolt in the anchor bolt insert hole such that the upper end of the anchor bolt protrudes from the surface of the corrugated steel plate to a predetermined height; a reinforcing bar installing step of fastening a reinforcing bar to the anchor bolt using a wire; a mold installing step of mounting a mold to the anchor bolt using a nut such that the reinforcing bar is covered with the mold; a concrete placing step of placing concrete inside the mold; and a mold removing step of removing the mold after the placed concrete has been cured. |
| US08220216B2 |
Self louver opening
A louvered housing for an air conditioning unit includes a base structure with a plurality of openings and elongated bodies with a V-cross-sectional shapes and being connected to the base structure at their ends. The louvers are formed in a two-step process including first a stamping and then a forming process, with neither step resulting in scrap material. |
| US08220214B1 |
Prefabricated weight distribution element
The present invention may be used for support of a structure attached to a foundation by a structure base flange. A weight distribution element may have a cross-section form that may be generally a trapezoid with an upper surface a lower surface, an outer side surface and an inner side surface. The outer side surface, and inner side surface may be inclined toward a centerline of the cross-section form transitioning from the bottom surface to the top surface. The weight distribution element may be formed of a material that may be moldable to a solid form having multiple bolt through-holes positioned for the weight distribution element to be disposed on bolts to be positioned adjacent a bolt support plate. The material may have a compression and strength composition sufficient to support a structure. |
| US08220213B2 |
Tower foundation
Non-cementitious tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the non-cementitious tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower. This foundation structure may be filled with non-cementitious fill of any type to provide the required mass to stabilize the foundation and the tower. A non-cementitious tower foundation structure includes a central shaft; a storage tank; and structural members coupling the central shaft to the storage tank. The storage tank comprises one or more voids for containing non-cementitious fill as ballast to stabilize the central shaft. The total volume capacity of the voids may be at least a threshold volume. |
| US08220209B2 |
Ground anchor
A ground anchor for anchoring a structure positioned on the ground. The ground anchor comprises a base member, a movable anchoring member and a holding member. The base member is fitted in a hole within the ground and fixedly secured to the ground against removal thereof. The movable anchoring member is mounted to the base member and is movable between a non-anchoring position and an anchoring position. The holding member is mountable to the movable anchoring member when in the anchoring position and to the structure positioned on the ground. When the base member is fixedly secured to the ground, and the movable anchoring member is in the anchoring position with the holding member mounted thereto and to the structure, the ground anchor anchors the structure to the ground. A kit comprising a plurality of such ground anchors is also disclosed. |
| US08220208B2 |
Pultruded trim members
The present invention is an improved method of making cornice assemblies and other trim members utilizing the process of pultrusion. The cornice assemblies and the other trim members made by the method of the present invention exhibit superior strength to weight ratios, low expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity, as well being less labor intensive to install. |
| US08220207B2 |
Roof structure for a grain bin
A roof for a large diameter grain bin is formed by roof rafters inclined from a top of the wall to a top ring, with sheet metal panels in an upper row extending from the ring to a circular bottom edge and a lower row extending from a circular top edge to the wall. A circular bracket of Z-shaped cross section is carried on the rafters by upstanding support legs and provides an upper flange engaging the bottom edge of the upper row and a lower flange engaging the top edge of the lower row and an interconnecting web portion. One or both rows are supported at a mid point on a cylindrical tube bent to form a circle butting the panels and supported from the rafters on leg members which include a center strap which can be bent around the tube and two legs bolted to the rafters. |
| US08220203B2 |
Sliding door tambour close out panel
A cover assembly for an opening in a sliding vehicle door system including a linkage arm operably associated with the vehicle door and a vehicle body. Also included is a tambour door panel associated with the linkage arm. Further included is a channel located proximate a door trim panel having at least one slot, the channel including an opening capable of allowing the linkage arm to pass through at least a portion of the channel, where at least a portion of the tambour door panel slidably travels within the channel, wherein a sliding motion of the vehicle door imparts movement on the linkage arm, the linkage arm sliding within the at least one slot and the channel, and wherein the linkage arm simultaneously imparts movement on the tambour door panel. |
| US08220198B2 |
Peel-and-place pellet rodenticide delivery dispenser
A dispenser for poisoned bait having a tray and a correspondingly shaped sheet-like lid for sealing the tray with the bait placed therein during manufacture. The lid has a tear-off portion that allows the pest to access the bait while the remainder of the lid continues to cover the enclosed bait so that the user's potential for physical contact with the bait is minimized. The tray includes a gripping flange adjacent the enclosed portion of the tray that allows the user to securely grasp the dispenser and place it into position in a tight or difficult-to-reach space without risk of touching the bait. |
| US08220197B1 |
Collapsible fly trap
A chemical free trap that catches biting flies and other insects is herein disclosed. Features of the present trap include a dark-colored baitless lure which attracts biting flies, a collapsible housing that includes a fabric cover and an entrapment and containment space, a weather-resistant construction enabling the trap to be used in outdoor areas or structures, and a means for easy insect removal. |
| US08220187B2 |
Beverage bottle identification system
A beverage bottle identification system includes a set of identification tags, wherein each identification tag is formed in a hollow approximately conical shape configured to be secured along the neck of an associated beverage bottle, further wherein each of the identification tags in the set is visually distinguishable from the other identification tags in the set. In addition, the system may include a display stand including a plurality of identification tag holders adapted to store one or more sets of identification tags. At least one of the identification tag holders may include a portion shaped approximately like the neck of the associated beverage bottle. |
| US08220184B2 |
Footwear having interchangeable components
Footwear, namely a shoe or sandal for a human foot fabricated from multiple interchangeable components which can be easily manufactured, assembled and manually replaced and interchanged by the user for purposes of design, repair or changing color and aesthetic coordination and/or component design combinations of the footwear. |
| US08220180B2 |
Air injection nozzle, and tenter oven using the nozzle
An air injection nozzle has an air injection face with a number of air injection holes arrayed at an interval (Py) in first and second staggered rows. The first row and the second rows are positioned at an interval (Px). The air injection face and the sheet running face confront each other at a distance (L). The air injection holes in the air injection face have a diameter (D). The interval (Px), the interval (Py), the distance (L) and the diameter (D) satisfy Formula (1): 6≦(L/D)/(Px/Py)≦9, and Formula (2): 4≦L/D≦8. This air injection nozzle is employed as a resin film heat treating apparatus in a tenter oven to be used for manufacturing the resin film. |
| US08220179B2 |
Disc drying device and disc drying method
The present invention provides a disc drying device and a disc drying method that allow simultaneous and quick drying of plural discs by a batch process and realize miniaturization of the device. In the present invention, plural discs arranged along a single axis are simultaneously chucked at outer peripheries thereof so that central openings of the discs internally form a space; plural nozzles are disposed in the space so as to supply hot water from inner peripheral surfaces of two sides of each of the discs to heat the discs with the hot water; and the discs are simultaneously rotated to thereby move the hot water from inner peripheries to outer peripheries of the discs and discharge the hot water outwardly of the outer peripheries by centrifugal force. The discharged hot water flows through valley grooves provided in inner wall surfaces of a water receiving cover to the lower side of the discs to be discharged to the outside. |
| US08220175B2 |
Railway car coupler head contour gauge and method
A railway car coupler head contour gauge includes a cylindrical portion configured to be rotatably coupled to a coupler head. The railway car coupler head contour gauge also includes a pulling lug gauging portion, and a contoured gauging surface that is configured to align with a contour face of a top pulling lug of the coupler head during gauging. The coupler head contour gauge may also include a convex portion configured to align with a buffing shoulder of the coupler head. |
| US08220172B2 |
Receiving device
A receiving device, in particular for a sensor, grading instrument or the like, including a housing with a housing upper part in which the grading instrument can be arranged. An intermediate part is provided by which a holding position and/or a mounting position can be set. |
| US08220166B2 |
Chainsaw tensioning device
A chainsaw has a cam lever and cam assembly that can be used to adjust the tension of a guide bar in the chainsaw. Once the tension of the guide bar has been lessened, the guide bar can be moved back and forth by using a chain-tightening knob and tightening mechanism. The movement of the guide bar causes the chain to tighten or loosen on the guide bar. |
| US08220163B2 |
Pruning shears
The invention relates to pruning shears comprising a cutting head (12) with a spring-loaded blade (18) acting in cooperation with a counter blade (20), a drive mechanism (16) connected to the cutting head (12), and an elongated handle (14) connected to the drive mechanism (16). The drive mechanism comprises a first and a second counterpart (32, 34), optionally rotating with respect to one another about an axis (36), allowing the cutting head (12) to be adjusted with respect to the elongated handle (14), and an upper line arrangement allowing the blade (18) to be turned about a hinge point (19) and the cutting head to be adjusted in such a manner that the blade (18) does not rotate about the hinge point (19). |
| US08220161B2 |
Multi-function cutter
A multi-function cutter includes a body composed of a first half and a second half, wherein the first and second halves are formed with indentations, concave portions, guides parallel to the concave portions and rows of positioning pits arranged along the concave portions; a blade holder sliding along the guides to jut out of the indentation and having a spring socket; and an adjusting device deposited in the spring socket and exposing outside the concave portions. Therein, an adjusting spring is arranged between the adjusting device and the spring socket, and the adjusting device is bilaterally formed with wedge portions for detachably engaging the corresponding positioning pits, so as to stretch the blade holder in multiple stages. |
| US08220159B2 |
Metallic food serving device with a magnetically detachable stabilizing leg
A metallic food serving device with a magnetically detachable stabilizing leg comprising of a metallic food serving body having a blade member, a raised angular member and a handle member, and a magnetically detachable stabilizing leg removably attached to the handle member, whereby the magnetically detachable stabilizing leg is coplanar to the blade member. By magnetically attaching the magnetically detachable stabilizing leg to the metallic food serving body, the device is stabilized and can stand upright with or without the presence of a food product on the device. Moreover, if a user chooses to clean the device or use the device as food serving device only, the magnetically detachable stabilizing leg may be removed from the food serving body and then replaced as desired. |
| US08220154B2 |
Method for fabricating an aircraft fuselage in composite material
A method for manufacturing an aircraft fuselage includes an internal framework surrounded by an external skin made of composite material, in which the internal framework at least partially constitutes a mould for manufacture and/or the support for the mould for the external skin made of composite material. The disclosed embodiments also relate to an aircraft fuselage produced using this method. |
| US08220152B2 |
Process for producing heat exchanger tubes and heat exchanger tubes
A process for making heat exchanger tubes comprises the operating steps of cutting a piece of sheet, subjecting the piece of sheet (3) to a forming step to obtain a plurality of first elements (8, 9) which mirror one another, and bending the piece of sheet (3) to create a tubular element (1) which has two flat walls (4) with the raised elements (8, 9) on them, the flat walls being opposite one another and joined by two connecting walls (5), and; the bending step substantially joining the lateral edges (7) to one another; and welding the lateral edges (7) to close the tubular element (1). The first raised elements (8) having an extended shape according to their main direction of extension. Those of the rows closest to the central axis (X) are made in such a way that their main direction of extension is set at an angle to the central axis (X) and to a direction perpendicular to it, while those of the rows closest to the lateral edges (7) are made in such a way that their main direction of extension is set at an angle to the central axis (X) and to a direction perpendicular to it, on the opposite side relative to the first raised elements (8) of the rows closest to the axis (X). The claims also relate to a tube obtained in this way. |
| US08220149B2 |
Method of manufacturing a printed circuit board
A printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the printed circuit board are disclosed. The printed circuit board can include a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer stacked over the first insulation layer, a circuit pattern and a via land buried in the second insulation layer, and a via made of a conductive material penetrating the first insulation layer and integrated with the via land. The circuit pattern and via land can be buried in the insulation material, and the circuit pattern, via land, and via can be formed simultaneously as an integrated structure. Thus, the electrical reliability between the wiring pattern and the via can be increased, the heat-releasing effect of the via can be improved, and the procedure for forming the circuit patterns, via lands, and vias can be simplified, allowing greater productivity in manufacturing the substrate. |
| US08220147B2 |
Metal-containing resin particle, resin particle, electronic circuit substrate, and method of producing electronic circuit
According to one mode of the present invention, metal-containing resin particles composed of a resin containing 50 wt % or more of a thermosetting resin and having a ratio of weight of absorbed moisture to weight of resin from 500 to 14500 ppm, and fine metal particles contained in said resin, is provided. |
| US08220146B2 |
Method of manufacturing short-circuiting member
A short-circuiting member for preventing a commutator from being elongated in the axial direction without increasing the types of different components. Each component includes outer circumference terminals arranged along an outer circumference, inner circumference terminals arranged along an inner circumference, and connection portions connecting corresponding outer and inner circumference terminals that are separated from each other by a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction. The outer and inner circumference terminals are substantially formed along the same plane. The components are laminated in a state in which the connection portions of one of the components are reversed to the connection portions of another one of the components. The outer terminals adjacent in a lamination direction are in contact with each other, the inner terminals adjacent in the lamination direction are in contact with each other, and the connection portions that are adjacent in the lamination direction are not in contact with each other. |
| US08220145B2 |
Isolated conformal shielding
In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures. |
| US08220144B2 |
Method for improving an Electromagnetic bandgap structure
A method for improving EBG (electromagnetic bandgap) structures is provided. First, a multi-layer board having at least one EBG unit is provided. Then, a maximum input impedance of the EBG unit under a predetermined frequency band is measured, in which a frequency corresponding to the maximum input impedance is a resonance frequency, and a capacitance is determined based on the resonance frequency. Besides, a minimum input impedance of the EBG unit is measured, and a logarithmic value corresponding to the maximum input impedance and a logarithmic value corresponding to the minimum input impedance are obtained so as to determine a resistance. Finally, an electronic device having the capacitance and the resistance is coupled to the EBG unit in parallel. |
| US08220142B2 |
Method of forming a housing component
Electronic devices are provided with housing components that have improved aesthetics. One or more holes may be formed through a portion of the housing and then the housing portion may be anodized. The anodization process may increase or decrease the geometries of each hole. The holes may be formed through the housing portion from a cosmetic side of the housing portion to an interior side of the housing portion. |
| US08220136B2 |
Forming a planarized surface for at least one bar of sliders
A method for forming a planarized surface for at least one bar of sliders for utilization in a hard disk drive is disclosed. In general, at least one bar of sliders is placed on an adhesive layer. A single thermoplastic layer is then provided above the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then heated to a softening temperature such that the single thermoplastic layer will flow between the at least one bar of sliders. The single thermoplastic layer is then cooled to form a planarized surface of both said single thermoplastic layer and said at least one bar of sliders at said adhesive layer. |
| US08220135B2 |
Compound tool with screwdriver attachment
There is disclosed an impact termination tool, a receiver for an impact termination tool, and a work end adapter for an impact termination tool. The work end adapter is adapted to receive standard tool bits and standard finned shaft tips. The impact termination tool is adapted to receive standard impact termination blades and to receive the work end adapter. When installed in the impact termination tool, the work end adapter rotates only with the impact termination tool, and will not rotate independently of the impact termination tool. The impact termination tool has a spring-loaded impact mechanism and a lock-out button to prevent the tool's impact mechanism from operating. |
| US08220130B2 |
Method for manufacturing an underground storage tank for flammable and combustible liquids
A method for manufacturing a tank for storing flammable and combustible liquids underground includes fabricating a cylindrical tank core. Structurally, the core encloses a chamber and has an outer surface. Further, the core includes at least one opening for monitoring the integrity of the chamber positioned on the core's bottom centerline. Also, the tank includes a screen attached to the outer surface of the core along the bottom centerline to cover the opening. Moreover, a foil is affixed to the screen and to the outer surface of the tank core. Sprayed or applied on the foil is a seamless jacket formed from polyurea, thermoplastic, polyurethane or polyamine epoxy to encapsulate the tank core. |
| US08220125B2 |
Assembly aid and method for positioning a hinge in a reproducible manner
The invention relates to an assembly aid for positioning a hinge (1) on a door arrangement part (12) in a reproducible manner, said assembly aid comprising a clamping screw (22) having a screw shank (23) and a screw head (21), and an adjusting element (20) which is applied to a part (17) of the hinge (1) in a positively locking manner. The adjusting element (20) radially engages with said screw shank (23) and can be axially fixed to the door arrangement part (12) by means of the clamping screw (22). The invention also relates to a method for the reproducible positioning of a hinge (1) on a door arrangement part (12) whereon a positioning axis (30) is provided. The aim of the invention is to provide an assembly aid and a method that enable a hinge to be precisely positioned in a simple and reproducible manner. To this end, the inventive assembly aid is embodied in such a way that there is radial play between the adjusting element (20) and the screw shank (23), and the screw head (21) engages with the adjusting element (20), or, according to the inventive method, an adjusting part (19) is arranged as a primary reference member at a distance from the positioning axis (30), and an adjusting element (20) is fixed in the position thereof as a secondary reference member with radial play in relation to the positioning axis (30). |
| US08220124B1 |
Restoration process for porosity defects in metal cast products
A restoration process for restoring surface porosity defects on a component surface. The areas of a component surface having surface porosity defects are identified for restoration. The restoration surface is subsequently sprayed with a restoration spray to restore the surface porosity defects. The component surface is then finished to create a final component substantially free of surface porosity. |
| US08220120B2 |
Method of making a fiber laminate
A fiber laminate is made by providing a core layer of absorptive fiber material between two outer carrier layers to form a three-layer laminate. This three-layer laminate is then directly juxtaposed with a rigid template formed with an array of throughgoing holes separated by webs. Water jets are then directed at the three-layer laminate juxtaposed with the template to drive the fibers of the core layer out from between the carrier layers at the webs and to hydroentangle the outer layers directly with each other at the webs while leaving the core layer generally intact between the webs at the holes. |
| US08220117B2 |
Buckle structure
A buckle structure has a female part and a male part. The female part has a cavity for insertion of an axial tab formation of the male part, which has transverse seats on opposite lateral edges for engagement by fastening members on the female part. The fastening members have teeth located on opposite sides of a longitudinal direction of coupling of the buckle, which form between them a transverse aperture for the insertion of the tab formation. The buckle has button-like release members connected to the fastening members and operable manually by pressing transverse to the buckle, to disengage the fastening members from the seats. The fastening members and the release members act in coinciding or parallel transverse directions, so that the simultaneous pressing of the buttons towards each other causes the fastening teeth to move away from the engagement seats on the tab formation. |