| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08226630B2 |
Method of using prefilled, single dose, one time use self-destructing, auto-disabling safety syringe
The present invention relates to the method of use for a single dose, single use, self-destructing, auto-disabling safety syringe. The invention successfully addresses and solves the problems of the prior art by combining the use of COC injection molding with the advantages presented by the ampoule cartridge and the traditional safety syringe all integrated into a single device. A pre-filled ampoule or barrel is molded with minimal draft enabling the syringe's piston plunger to be partially self-lubricated by the syringe's contents. The addition of an internal auto disabling coupler to the piston plunger allows the device to be used only a single time. In addition, the present invention's structure is such that its safety sleeve necessarily moves forward to cover the syringe's needle after use. The invention's elements solve the biocompatibility and safety problems of the prior art and provide an exact dose, prefilled, single use, safety syringe. |
| US08226627B2 |
Reconstitution assembly, locking device and method for a diluent container
A reconstitution assembly includes: a flexible bag containing a diluent; a drug vial containing a drug; a reconstitution device further comprising: a first sleeve connected to the first container; a second sleeve connected to the second container, the second sleeve being associated with the first sleeve and movable axially with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position; a piercing member positioned in the sleeves, the piercing member providing a fluid pathway between the bag and vial when the sleeves are in the activated position. |
| US08226625B2 |
Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film
A stretchable laminate, a process of making a stretchable laminate and a disposable absorbent article that includes a stretchable laminate are disclosed. The stretchable laminate includes a nonwoven web and a web of elastomeric material. The nonwoven web includes two layers of spunbond fibers and one layer of meltblown fibers. Some of the meltblown fibers are present in the interstices formed by the spunbond fibers of one of the layers. |
| US08226623B2 |
Spread out-type paper diaper
A comfortably wearable development type paper diaper comprises a back sheet, a first absorbent, a second absorbent and a liquid-permeable top sheet in the recited order. The first absorbent extends, when worn, from the back side through the crotch to the abdomen side of the user. The second absorbent extends, when worn, from the back side to the crotch of the user. A leakage preventing sheet allowing no liquid permeation is interposed between the first absorbent and the second absorbent. The second absorbent leaves the first absorbent from the crotch to the back side thereby to form a pocket PO for holding the excrement between the first absorbent and the second absorbent. The leakage preventing sheet is arranged to contact in the pocket PO with the second absorbent. The top sheet is so conformed to the shape of the pocket PO as to cover the leakage preventing sheet. |
| US08226621B2 |
Urine collection bag support belt
The urine collection bag support belt (10) supports urine bags (B) beneath clothing or when sleeping. The support (10) includes a waist cincture (12) having opposed first and second ends (18, 20) and a central portion. At least one releasable fastener (14, 16) is provided for releasably securing the first end (18) to the second end (20) in order to secure the cincture (12) to the waist. At least one strap (22) is attached to the central portion of the belt (12) and extends downward. The strap (22) is adapted for releasably supporting the urine bag (B). In addition, at least one elongated strip is secured to the belt (12) that supports the tubing (T) connected to the urine collection bag (B) by retaining a serpentine portion of the tubing (T) against the waist cincture (12). |
| US08226620B2 |
Drainage pump unit with a coupling element having a capacitive filling level sensor embedded therein
A drainage pump unit for aspirating body fluids comprises a suction pump housing and a suction pump arranged in the suction pump housing. A fluid collection container can be secured releasably on the suction pump housing. A flat band-shaped capacitive filling level sensor is arranged on the suction pump housing for the purpose of detecting a filling level in the fluid collection container. The drainage pump unit also comprises an elastically configured coupling element with a first surface and a second surface lying opposite the first surface, and the coupling element, in the secured state of the fluid collection container, bears with the first surface on the filling level sensor and with the second surface on an outer wall of the fluid collection container. By virtue of the elastically configured coupling element, this drainage pump unit permits a filling level measurement even in the case of low filling amounts. |
| US08226619B2 |
Systems and methods for needle access to an intervertebral disc
A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results. |
| US08226615B2 |
Infusion medium delivery system, device and method with needle inserter and needle inserter device and method
An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device. |
| US08226610B2 |
Medical injector with compliance tracking and monitoring
A system includes a medicament delivery device and a container configured to receive at least a portion of the medicament delivery device. The medicament delivery device includes an actuator and a first electronic circuit system. The actuator is configured to initiate delivery of a medicament into a body when the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position. The first electronic circuit system is configured to output a first electronic signal when the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position. The container includes a second electronic circuit system configured to receive the first electronic signal. The second electronic circuit system is configured to output a second electronic signal associated with the first electronic signal. |
| US08226609B2 |
Fluid dispenser with additive sub-system
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as, antibiotics, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from the device reservoir which is provided in the form of a novel bellows-type assembly. The fluid dispenser includes a unique stored energy mechanism which takes the form of a constant force spring member of novel design that provides the force necessary to continuously and substantially uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The device also includes novel adjustable flow rate control assembly that is disposed intermediate the fluid reservoir outlet and the outlet port of the device for precisely controlling the rate of fluid flow from the outlet port toward the patient. |
| US08226605B2 |
Method and apparatus for heating solutions within intravenous lines to desired temperatures during infusion
An IV line temperature controlled warming device includes a housing and a fluid cassette or cartridge that receives fluid from an IV line and includes intravenous line tubing arranged in a preformed configuration. The configuration includes tubing sections arranged in generally circular and concentric portions and a central serpentine tubing section that basically reverses fluid flow and facilitates flow in opposing directions within adjacent tubing sections. The fluid cassette is retained within the device on a base plate partially disposed within a device housing interior, while a housing cover is selectively opened and closed to permit access to the base plate. The base plate includes a heater plate disposed thereon, while the cover and heater plate each include heating elements to apply heat to opposing surfaces of the tubing cassette. The heating elements are controlled by a controller in response to measured temperatures of the heater plate and fluid. |
| US08226602B2 |
Intragastric balloon system and therapeutic processes and products
A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume features at least one inflatable space filler with drag delivery and stimulation features and includes therapeutic devices and anchoring apparatus enabling tracking, visualization and optimized management of inter-balloon connecting sections, drug reservoirs and pumping systems along with related improvements. |
| US08226595B2 |
Automated dialysis system driven by gravity and vacuum
A peritoneal dialysis machine includes: (i) a supply bag; (ii) an apparatus configured to support the supply bag, the supply bag located above the peritoneal cavity of a patient; (iii) a vacuum source; (iv) a patient line configured to be connected to the patient; (v) a drain line configured to be connected to a drain; and (vi) a logic implementor configured to enable (a) fresh dialysate to be gravity fed from the supply bag through the patient line to the peritoneal cavity during a fill cycle and (b) the vacuum source to cause spent dialysate to be pulled from the peritoneal cavity through the drain line to the drain during a drain cycle. |
| US08226580B2 |
Pressure sensing for a multi-arm catheter
A method for operating a medical probe includes pressing a distal end of the medical probe, which includes one or more arms that extend diagonally outward from a central shaft and have respective position transducers coupled thereto, against an intra-body surface, so as to cause the arms to exert pressure on the surface and bend with respect to the central shaft in response to the pressure. Positions of the respective position transducers coupled to the arms are measured, and the pressure exerted by the arms is estimated responsively to the measured positions. |
| US08226575B2 |
Biopsy needle assemblies
This document provides needle biopsy systems and methods for obtaining tissue biopsies. In various embodiments, the systems and methods provided can inhibit needle contamination by unwanted tissue or cells and/or regulate a negative pressure to assist sampling of target tissue or cells. |
| US08226566B2 |
Device and method for vascular re-entry
In a method for re-entry from extraluminal space into the central lumen of a vessel, a guidewire is advanced into the extraluminal space of the vessel, and then a directional catheter is advanced over the guidewire through the extraluminal space. Thereafter, the guidewire is removed from the directional catheter, an ultrasound device is placed through the directional catheter, and the ultrasound device is advanced through the extraluminal space into the central lumen and then activated. |
| US08226564B2 |
Handpiece for ultrasonic electro-medical apparatuses
The proposed handpiece (1) for ultrasonic electro-medical apparatuses includes a grip, which carries an operating tip for treatment on a patient and which consists of two portions, having electric and hydraulic connections. The two portions are removably screw-coupled. |
| US08226563B2 |
Receive circuit for minimizing channels in ultrasound imaging
Receive circuits and associated methods are provided for ultrasound imaging. Both subarray mixing and time division multiplexing are provided with a same circuit. Components of the receive circuit respond to either phasing or time slot information to implement subarray mixing or time division multiplexing. A network of switches allows combination of signals from different elements to form different sub-apertures. A controller minimizes power consumption while outputting the desired phase or time division multiplexed information by gating a clock to various registers. Each of the registers corresponds to different groups of transducer elements. For loading new phasing information, the clock is turned on to the desired register. Duration operation of the receive circuit, the clock is gated off. The register outputs the previously loaded values in a static state without clocking. Preamplification for either of time division or subarray mixed signals is provided using a variable gain amplifier with a common mode feedback. The common mode feedback provides for a constant operating point despite changes in the desired amount of gain. |
| US08226562B2 |
Hand-held ultrasound system having sterile enclosure
A sterile enclosure is provided for enclosing a hand-held ultrasound device to prevent any material on the ultrasound device from contaminating a sterile environment in which the ultrasound device is used. The enclosure has an opening for insertion of the ultrasound device into the enclosure, a closure for closing the opening, an acoustically-transparent transducer portion for covering an active face of a transducer of the ultrasound device, and a transparent display portion overlaying a display of the ultrasound device. In some embodiments a detachable or integrally formed needle guide is provided with the enclosure, for holding and guiding a needle so that the needle is projected into a field of view of the transducer of the ultrasound device. |
| US08226559B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time temperature measuring for high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) therapy system
The invention is disclosed to design a real-time pulse/echo system to perform 1-D real-time temperature measurement and integrate in the high-intensity focused ultrasound system. In the invention, a modified echo-time shifting algorithm is developed to calculate the corresponding phase shift from echo signal, which correlates with the instantaneous temperature change during heating process. |
| US08226557B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08226556B2 |
Algorithm sensor augmented bolus estimator for semi-closed loop infusion system
An infusion system is for infusing a fluid into the body of a patient. The infusion system includes at least one sensor for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the patient and an infusion device for delivering fluid to the patient. The sensor produces at least one sensor signal input. The infusion device uses the at least one sensor signal input and a derivative predicted algorithm to determine future blood glucose levels. The infusion device delivers fluid to the patient when future blood glucose levels are in a patient's target range. The infusion device is capable of suspending and resuming fluid delivery based on future blood glucose levels and a patient's low shutoff threshold. The infusion device suspends fluid delivery when future blood glucose levels falls below the low shutoff threshold. The infusion device resumes fluid delivery when a future blood glucose level is above the low shutoff threshold. |
| US08226554B2 |
Retractor assemblies for surgery in a patient
An assembly for tissue retraction in surgery includes a pair of arm members removably positioned on and movable along an elongate support member. The arm members each include an external housing, a locking member positioned within the external housing and a passageway extending through the external housing and the locking member. The elongate support member extends through the passageways and the locking members are releasably biased into engagement with the elongate support member to allow the arm members to move in opposite directions along the elongate support member and prevent the arm members from moving toward one another. Each arm member further includes a rotatable engagement portion engageable with a respective retractor portion and a locking element releasably biased into engagement with the engagement portion to limit rotation of the engagement portion to a first direction relative to the arm member. |
| US08226551B2 |
Scanning endoscope, scanning endoscope processor, and scanning endoscope apparatus
A scanning endoscope, comprising a first transmitter, an actuator, and a mirror, is provided. The first transmitter emits a beam of radiant light from the first emission end. The actuator moves the first emission end in a direction perpendicular to an emission direction. The mirror is arranged from the first emission end to the first direction. The mirror comprises a through-part and a reflection surface. The radiant light emitted from the first emission end passes through the through-part when the first emission end is within a first circumference. The reflection surface reflects the radiant light emitted from the first emission end toward the observation area around the first straight line when the first emission end is outside of the first circumference. |
| US08226547B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope includes an insertion portion, a resin tubular covering member, a fastening member and a contact surface. The insertion portion includes a bending portion. The resin tubular covering member is covering a covering target part in the insertion portion including the bending portion. The fastening member is wound around the outer periphery of at least one end of the covering member and fastens the end to the covering target part. The contact surface is provided on the side of the covering target part covered with the end, is placed in contact with the end face of the covering member and becomes thinner toward the side of the covering member. |
| US08226546B2 |
Steerable endoscope and improved method of insertion
A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body that allows it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through, around, and between organs within the body. |
| US08226539B2 |
Brachytherapy apparatus for asymmetrical body cavities
The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity. |
| US08226538B2 |
Biomedical used multiple-channel hemispherical focused ultrasound phased array apparatus
The invention is to a biomedical used multiple-channel hemispherical focused ultrasound phased array apparatus. The invention comprises of a graphic user interface, digital multiple channel phase control kernel, multiple channel driving system, and impedance matching module, power feedback device, as well as the hemispherical low-frequency ultrasound phased array. The invention also serves as a good platform reference to develop a focused ultrasound system in the assisted brain drug delivery application. |
| US08226537B2 |
Blood processing apparatus with cell separation chamber with baffles
A disposable blood separation set of a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber a baffle within a separation area. The baffle may have a plurality of vanes with openings therein. A protruding inlet may have a frustro-conical inner surface that slants radially outwardly from an inlet to a mouth of the protruding inlet. A circumferential well may surround the protruding inlet. |
| US08226533B2 |
Multipurpose exercise device
A multipurpose exercise device has a portable construction, and is geometrically optimized with arcuate and planar surfaces to allow a safe and effective workout of the abdominal muscles when attached to the feet of a user. Furthermore, the device enables a user to efficiently transition from an oblique abdominal exercise to a core abdominal exercise in a highly efficient, hassle-free manner. |
| US08226532B2 |
Control apparatus for automatic transmission, and control method for automatic transmission
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission having a rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of a prime mover mounted on a vehicle to a speed change mechanism, and an input clutch for controlling connection/disconnection of the transmitted rotation. The control apparatus includes a control portion that performs a neutral control including a release control that reduces rotation transmission efficiency, and an in-neutral control so as to maintain rotation efficiency. During the in-neutral control, a check control is performed that makes the fluid pressure relative to the input clutch fluctuate, and when determining as a result of the check control that the rotation transmission efficiency is in a predetermined low efficiency state, then reducing the fluid pressure relative to the input clutch by a set pressure, and thereafter maintaining the fluid pressure constant. |
| US08226531B2 |
Acceleration shock reduction apparatus for vehicle
A vehicle control system includes a prime mover, a power transmission apparatus disposed between the prime mover and at least one wheel, an engaging element configured to selectively engage and disengage the prime mover from the at least one wheel, and a torque limiter configured to restrict an output torque of the prime mover to a selected percentage when in transition between an unloaded state and a loaded state, wherein the torque limiter is configured to restrict the output torque of the prime mover while the engaging element is disengaged between the prime mover and the power transmission apparatus. |
| US08226523B2 |
Structure for supporting a sleeve member in automatic transmission
A sleeve supporting structure for an automatic transmission has an input shaft and an oil pump with an inner gear. The sleeve supporting structure includes a sleeve member that is supported at least two portions thereof in an axial direction of the sleeve member and configured to transmit rotation of the input shaft to the inner gear and drive the oil pump, an outer member that is disposed on a radial outside of the sleeve member, and an elastic member that is disposed on the sleeve member. The elastic member is disposed in a predetermined position in the axial direction of the sleeve member in which an amplitude of vibration of the sleeve member becomes maximum when a vibrating force is applied to the sleeve member from the inner gear. The elastic member is opposed to the outer member in the predetermined position. |
| US08226522B2 |
Coupling for generator/starter
A coupling system includes a dynamoelectric device selectively operable as either a generator or an electric motor, a gas turbine engine, a main differential operably connected between the dynamoelectric device and the gas turbine engine, a rotationally powered accessory engaged with the main differential, an epicyclic start differential operatively connected to the main differential, and a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is configured for selectively braking the epicyclic start differential when the dynamoelectric device operates as an electric motor to direct torque transmission to the gas turbine engine, and is further configured to cease braking the epicyclic start differential when the dynamoelectric device operates as a generator such that the main differential transmits torque to power the rotationally powered accessory and to the dynamoelectric device. |
| US08226520B2 |
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission includes a single-pinion first planetary gear mechanism including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier that each correspond to one of first to third elements in a velocity diagram. A double-pinion second planetary gear mechanism includes a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second carrier that each correspond to one of fourth to sixth elements in a velocity diagram. The fifth element is connected to the second element to form a first connected body that is connected to an input shaft. A single-pinion third planetary gear mechanism includes a third sun gear, a third ring gear, and a third carrier that each correspond to one of seventh to ninth elements in a velocity diagram. The eighth element is connected to an output member, and the ninth element is connected to the third element to form a second connected body. |
| US08226513B2 |
Power plant
To provide a power plant which is capable of reducing power passing through a distributing and combining device, thereby making it possible to attain reduction of the size and manufacturing costs of the power plant and enhance driving efficiency of the same. The power plant 1 for driving driven parts DW and DW includes a prime mover 3, a first distributing and combining device 20 having first, second and third elements 21, 24 and 22, a second distributing and combining device 30 having fourth, fifth and sixth elements 31, 34 and 32, and speed-changing devices 40, 50, 2, 61 and 62 which are connected to the third and sixth elements 22 and 32 and are capable of changing the relationship between the rotational speed of the third element and that of the sixth element 32. The second and fourth elements 24 and 31 are mechanically connected to an output shaft 3a of the prime mover 3, and the first and fifth elements 21 and 34 are mechanically connected to the driven parts DW and DW. |
| US08226512B2 |
8-speed hybrid transmission
The hybrid transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The hybrid transmission includes a motor/generator, three planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, three external gear sets and a final drive gear set. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the external gear sets. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various planetary and external gear members, the input shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. |
| US08226511B2 |
Bicycle sprocket tooth with a shift assist radius greater than a reference tooth radius
A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body having a first side surface and a second side surface, a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outwardly from a root portion of the sprocket body, and a shift assist recess formed in the root portion below a first sprocket tooth at the first side surface of the sprocket body. A radially outermost surface of a second sprocket tooth defines a reference tooth radius, and a radially outermost surface of a third sprocket tooth defines a shift assist tooth radius. The radially outermost surface of the third sprocket tooth has a convex shape, and the shift assist tooth radius is greater than the reference tooth radius. |
| US08226509B2 |
Torque biased friction hinge for a tensioner
A pivot joint for a single blade spring tensioner or double blade spring tensioner generates a biased friction loss at a pivot joint. The friction torque generated in one direction of joint rotation is greater than the friction torque generated in the opposite direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the direction of torque bias at the joints is used to make the damping of the blade spring greater in compression than in extension. High damping in compression and low damping in extension is a desirable characteristic for a tensioner in most applications. The device may be designed to act as a one-way clutch or as a two-way clutch. The device may also be designed to apply large friction torques only when the joint undergoes large amplitude motions (loss of control). |
| US08226507B2 |
Control device for continuously variable transmission
An object of the present invention is to avoid unnecessary accumulation of a correction value during feedback control, even when a secondary pressure control valve enters a state of failure. A continuously variable transmission comprises a primary pulley supplied with a primary pressure that has been adjusted via a primary pressure control valve, a secondary pulley supplied with a secondary pressure that has been adjusted via the secondary pressure control valve, and a drive belt wound around the two pulleys. When a failure such as a disconnection occurs in the secondary pressure control valve, a lower limit value Imin of a target gear ratio is raised to a low side by a CVT control unit, and a setting region of the target gear ratio is set in a low region in which control is possible even during a failure. In so doing, divergence between the target gear ratio and an actual gear ratio can be avoided, and therefore unnecessary accumulation of the correction value during feedback control can be avoided. |
| US08226504B1 |
Bunting mat
Disclosed herein are various inventive methods and apparatus related to an apparatus and method for teaching bunting techniques to baseball or softball players. A bunting mat may be provided that contains a plurality of lines that aide a player in better understanding bunting techniques, including aiding a player with appropriately positioning their feet for a bunt. |
| US08226502B2 |
Low lift golf ball
A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas, a first group of areas containing a plurality of first dimples and a second group of areas containing a plurality of second dimples, each area of the second group abutting one or more areas of the first group, the first and second groups of areas and dimple shapes and dimensions being configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, and such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.195 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 135,000 to about 180,000 and at a spin rate of about 3,000 rpm. |
| US08226500B2 |
Golf club head
A head 2 is hollow. The head 2 has a face 4, a crown 6 and a sole 8. A rib 20 is provided on the inner surface of the head. Preferably, the rib 20 has a toe side part 20t located on the inner surface of a side 10 of a toe side, a sole disposing part 20s located on the inner surface of the sole 8, and a heel side part 20h located on the side 10 of a heel side. Preferably, the toe side part 20t and the sole disposing part 20s are connected with each other. Preferably, the sole disposing part 20s and the heel side part 20h are connected with each other. |
| US08226499B2 |
Golf club head with concave insert
A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club. |
| US08226496B2 |
Connection assembly for a golf club
A golf club including a club head and an interchangeable shaft is disclosed herein. A connection assembly (44) comprises a sleeve insert (47), a hosel sleeve (48), a hosel tube (46), a ring mechanism (48) and a guide ring (49). |
| US08226493B2 |
Interactive play devices for water play attractions
A system of interactive game play is provided wherein the gaming is carried out within a pool, water park or water attraction. The game utilizes electronically identifiable objects, such as waterproof wands, cards, bands, tags and/or the like, to provide an interactive game play experience generally simulative of a computer adventure game. Play participants are challenged to work and cooperate with other play participants to find and use identified objects, clues or other information to solve various puzzles or problems that present encumbrances inhibiting participants' advancement in the game. Each play participant may possess a unique RFID wand, band, card or the like, that electronically identifies the play participant and enables the play system to award and track points or other rewards to successful play participants individually or working with other play participants as a team. |
| US08226490B2 |
Collapsible shaft assembly
A drive shaft assembly for a vehicle includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The second tubular member is mated to the first tubular member. The first tubular member defines a plurality of protuberances and the second tubular member includes a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures receives one of the plurality of protuberances substantially affixing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a circumferential orientation. |
| US08226487B2 |
Proxy generation for players in a game
Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method further accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player. The friend of the player controls a second player character in the game. A proxy based on the second player character is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. The proxy is associated with the first player character. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute. |
| US08226478B2 |
Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium
To provide a game machine for providing a sport game to be played between an operation target team and an opponent team, which allows a game player to relatively readily find out the position of a teammate player object. A position announcing sound data storage unit (72) stores position announcing sound data in association with a relative position condition concerning the relative position of the teammate player object relative to the position and reference direction of the operation target player object. A relative position determination unit (76) determines whether or not the relative position of the teammate player object selected by the position announcement target selection unit (74), relative to the position and reference direction of the operation target player object, satisfies the relative position condition associated with the position announcing sound data. A position announcing sound output control unit (78) controls a sound output unit (80) so as to output a sound based on the position announcing sound data associated with the relative position condition determined by the relative position determination unit (76) as satisfying the relative position condition. |
| US08226476B2 |
Multi-player, multi-screens, electronic gaming platform and system
A multi-player, multi-screens, electronic gaming platform and system is disclosed, having a game board having a main display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is shared by the plurality of players, and a plurality of personal game terminals, each personal game terminal assigned to a respective player and having an auxiliary display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is associated with the respective player. Communication between the main display and the terminals, and among terminals directly is enabled. Also enabled is seamless transfer of objects between the display screens as triggered by a game step or interactive inputs. Coded rules associated with the transferred objects can indicate where on the screen the digitized game object should appear, at what size should it be displayed, special animation or audio that should accompany the transfer of the digitized game object, etc. |
| US08226475B2 |
Gaming device with facsimile graphical user interface
Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having with a facsimile graphical user interface are disclosed. The systems and methods include displaying on a graphical object on the gaming machine that represents a physical component of the gaming machine. One aspect of the systems and methods includes selecting the graphical object and initiating an action for the physical component represented by the graphical object. A further aspect includes sensing a status for a physical component on the gaming machine and displaying a graphical object representing the status. |
| US08226471B2 |
Trusted initialization for wagering game machines
Systems and methods for trusted initialization of wagering game machines are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a wagering game machine, a request for an operating system image that includes a first component for booting the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the operating system image to the wagering game machine, wherein the operating system image also includes a second component for procuring software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. Additionally, the method can include receiving a request for the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine and transmitting the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. |
| US08226468B2 |
Gaming system and method including points of symbol expansion
Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system and method include the gaming system randomly generating a plurality of symbols, displaying the generated symbols and prior to determining any awards for a play of a game, determining whether an expanding symbol is displayed at one or more points of symbol expansion. If the expanding symbol is displayed at the point of symbol expansion, the gaming system causes the expanding symbol to “expand,” replacing at least another one of the displayed symbols. After the gaming system causes the symbol expansions, the gaming system evaluates the symbols for winning symbol combinations, determines any awards associated with the winning symbol combinations, and provides the player with any determined awards. In various embodiments, the point of symbol expansion is a symbol position. |
| US08226467B2 |
Gaming system and method enabling player participation in selection of seed for random number generator
A gaming system which utilizes a random number generator where the process of selecting one or more seeds for the random number generator includes participation of a player. In one embodiment, the player picks one of a plurality of displayed selections at a gaming device. Each selection is associated with a different external seeding source of data not controlled by the gaming system. A gaming system gathers the data from the external seeding sources associated with the different seeds. The gaming system uses the data gathered from the seeding source associated with the player's picked selection to determine one or more seeds. The determined seeds are used to initialize a random number generator, which generates one or more numbers and at least in part determine the outcome of the game. |
| US08226466B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming
A method of gaming comprising: (a) selecting a plurality of symbols from a source symbol set to form a selected symbol set for display at a plurality of display positions, the source symbol set comprising at least one removable symbol and at least one designated symbol different to each removable symbol; and if a removal condition is met, the removal condition including at least that the selected symbol set includes at least one designated symbol within the display positions; (b) removing at least one removable symbol from the source symbol set from which it was selected to form a modified source symbol set; (c) selecting at least one symbol from the modified source symbol set to form a modified selected symbol set; and (d) determining whether to make an award based on the modified selected symbol set. |
| US08226461B2 |
Gaming machine displaying special games with accumulated special symbols
In one embodiment, a certain number of special games are granted to a player, or the special games are only enabled for a certain time period. The special games may be free bonus games or paid games. At the end (or beginning) of each special game, at least one position in the array of symbols is designated as a special symbol. The special symbol may be a wild card, a scatter symbol, a multiplier, or any other special symbol. The special symbol selected for a particular game is carried over into the next special game, so the special symbols are accumulated and remain in their positions in the array for the series of special games. Awards, if any, are granted after each game based on the use of the special symbol(s) in combination with other symbols across one or more pay lines. The special symbol position in the array (or the special symbol type) may be selected by the gaming machine or by the player. Other embodiments are disclosed where special symbols are designated by the gaming machine or the player. |
| US08226459B2 |
Handheld wagering game machine and docking unit
Embodiments of a handheld wagering game machine and docking station are described herein. In one embodiment, the wagering game docking station is configured to dock with a handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can include a docking port configured to receive and adjustably hold the handheld wagering game machine at any of a plurality of viewing angles. The docking station can also include a plurality of buttons configured to send input to the handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can also include a mounting member configured to mount the docking station to a surface. |
| US08226455B2 |
Vacuum-assisted sanding block
A vacuum-assisted sanding device removably connectable to a conventional sanding pad of the type used with mechanical sanders. The sanding device may include a swiveling connection tube for connecting dust removal channels and a recess of a handle block of the sanding device to a vacuum system. The manual sanding device may also include a plate system for suctioning away dust and other particulate matter created during the sanding process. |
| US08226453B2 |
Shoulder strap and method for manufacturing the same
A shoulder strap includes a first stretch fabric and a second stretch fabric, and a first rigid fabric sandwiched between the first stretch fabric and a second stretch fabric and adhered to the first stretch fabric. The rigid fabric is located at an intermediate position between opposite ends of the first stretch fabric and the second stretch fabric. |
| US08226451B2 |
Collapsible structures having enhancements
Collapsible structures are provided with enhancements and other features that impart additional utility or amusement value to the basic underlying structure. The collapsible structure has at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form a panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. An electrical component can attached to the fabric material, and an electrical coupling connected to the electrical component. Alternatively, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object can be attached to the fabric material. |
| US08226445B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electronic key with USB connector
A method of manufacturing an electronic key with USB connector comprises the making of a key body 10, with a polarizer 14 of the connector M, formed in one piece with the key body. The polarizer extends from the surface s1 of the connector which carries the vignette of contact pads, or extending from of the opposite surface s2. The key body excluding the connector, and the polarizer 14 advantageously exhibits the same thickness d1 greater than the standardized thickness dK of the remainder of the connector. It is formed of at least one guidance element 14a. Advantageously it is formed of two guidance elements 14a, one on each side of the vignette, in the form of a longeron following the direction D of introduction of the connector. An outline of the key body is advantageously made in a card body 11, from which it can be separated. |
| US08226440B2 |
Lighting system and cap for such lighting system
A lighting system comprising an electrical lamp (6) having an electrical lamp connector (32), a holder (5) having a front electrical connector adapted to be back-connected to a power supply and a cap (7) to interface the electrical lamp and the holder, said cap extending along a mounting direction between a top side for receiving the lamp connector and an opposite bottom side for receiving the holder connector, and having axial holes extending between the bottom side and the top side for receiving within at least a part of an electrical cap connector able to electrically connect the lamp connector with the holder connector once the lighting assembly is assembled. The cap further comprises a cap guide and the holder further comprises a holder guide, said cap guide and holder guide being adapted to cooperate with one another by fitting in the mounting direction, such that any significant motion of the cap into directions perpendicular to the mounting direction is prevented by the holder guide, ensuring a positioning step of the cap with respect to the holder before an electrical contacting step of the cap connector with the holder connector. |
| US08226433B1 |
Latch assembly for mounting power supply base for a process fieldbus on a DIN rail and method
A base for mounting on a DIN rail includes a body and a latch assembly on the bottom of the body. The latch assembly has an elongate actuator extending to one side of the base and a latch member attached to the actuator for engaging the DIN rail. The release member is held on the base in an assembly position to facilitate mounting of the attachment member on the release member and the base, and is then shifted to an operative position. |
| US08226432B2 |
SATA electrical connector and assembly thereof
A Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) electrical connector extends a lateral rib and a longitudinal guiding portion from a base surface of an insulator. The insulator and the terminals have intimate engagements, for minimizing height and width of the entire structure. The electrical connector can be joined to another electrical connector for forming an electrical connector assembly. |
| US08226430B2 |
Overvoltage protection magazine
A connecting strip (1) for telecommunications and mid-range communications technology includes a housing (2) and at least two contact elements (11). The contact element (11) includes a first contact (12) for the connection of wires or cables and a second contact (13) for contacting a printed circuit board. The second contact (13) takes the form of a press-fit pin contact or a tuning-fork contact. The first contact (12) is aligned towards the upper side (3) of the housing (2) and the second contact (13) is aligned towards the underside (4) of the housing (2). The first contacts (12) are arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal axis (L) of the housing (2). |
| US08226425B2 |
Sparkless electrical connector
Methods and apparatuses supporting an electrical connection in a manner that eliminates or reduces a danger of electrical sparking are disclosed. A sparkless electrical connector has a conductor, configured to provide flow of electricity between an electrical source and a load, and a resistive element, operatively coupled to the conductor, to resist flow of electricity during a state of partial connection with the electrical source or the load. The resistive element may be not in contact with a terminal of the source or load during a state of full connection. The resistive element may be a coating of an anodized material on a pin of the conductor. The coating provides a resistance sufficient to prevent sparking during connection of the conductor and at least one of the electrical source and the load. Techniques disclosed herein benefit users and manufacturers in the areas of safety, cost, simplicity, and reliability. |
| US08226424B1 |
Plug device with a changeable adapter
A plug device with a changeable adapter has a base and an adapter. The base has a transformer circuit and a first connecting component. The adapter is detachably mounted on the base and has two prongs and a second connecting component selectively connected to the first connecting component of the base. When a user goes on a trip abroad, the user is capable of replacing the adapter to fit sockets of a specific country and to supply electrical power to electronic devices that the user carries along. |
| US08226420B2 |
Wrist worn electronic device with belt embedded with sensor
A wrist worn electronic device includes a main body having a processor and a receiving member electrically connected to the processor. A belt includes an electronic component and a connection member electrically connected to the electronic component. The connection member is used to engage the receiving member, to connect the belt to the main body and electrically connect the electronic component to the processor. |
| US08226413B2 |
Head model for hairdressing and beauty training
A human head model for hairdressing and beauty training is disclosed. The head model comprises: a head component having a neck portion; a skin portion covered over the head component; and a plurality of connecting assemblies provided on the neck portion of the head component and the skin portion; wherein the skin portion is fixed to the head component via the plurality of connecting assemblies. The connecting assembly may be a rivet or a snap button. The present invention is of stable structure. For the skin portion and the head model are separate parts, and the head component is reusable, which saves materials and caters for environment protection. Meanwhile, the skin portion is of light weight, and occupies small space, which saves costs of transportation. The head model is adapted for use in haircut practice and also in dressing practice. |
| US08226410B2 |
Mount device for dental implant
A mount device for a dental implant to place a fixture having an inner hole in an alveolar bone includes a mount screw having a body portion with a first screw portion and a second screw portion, and a head portion having a sectional area larger than that of the body portion, coupled to an upper end portion of the body portion, and detachably coupled to a handpiece through a handpiece connector, and a mount having an inclined surface formed on either an inner wall or an outer wall of the lower end portion for a conical connection to the upper end portion of the fixture, an insertion hole formed inside the mount along a lengthwise direction, and a second inner screw portion formed on an inner wall of the insertion hole and capable of screw coupling to the second screw portion. To remove a screw coupling between the second inner screw portion and the second screw portion when an upper end surface of the mount contacts a lower end surface of the head portion, a distance from a lower end of the second inner screw portion to the upper end of the mount is less than a distance from an upper end of the second screw portion to a lower end of the head portion. |
| US08226408B2 |
Dental abutment including fillet
Exemplary embodiments relate to a dental abutment and methods of forming the same. The abutment (19) may include a head portion (27) located at an upper end of the abutment and constructed to support a prosthetic tooth replacement and soft tissue adjacent the head portion, an anti-rotation feature (25) located at a lower end of the abutment and constructed to mate with a dental implant, and a fillet (21) located at an interface between the head portion and the anti-rotation feature. The fillet may reduce a risk of fracture at the interface between the head portion and the anti-rotation feature. In some examples, the abutment may be formed at least partially of a ceramic material. |
| US08226405B2 |
Full time regenerative type single radiant tube burner
The present invention relates to a full time regenerative type single radiant tube burner. The full time regenerative type single radiant tube burner includes a radiant tube type burner; a regenerating unit that regenerates exhaust gas heat generated from the burner and is used for preheating the intake combustion air; and an intake and exhaust switching device that passes the intake air and the exhaust gas to the regenerating unit and heat-exchanges them and simultaneously progresses the intake and exhaust processes of the burner to perform the full time combustion.The present invention according to the above configuration operation can perform the full time combustion using the single radiant tube burner to maximize the combustion efficiency, thereby improve the energy efficiency, while the present invention makes the structure of the intake and exhaust switching device 300 simple, can compactly design the burner by mounting the regenerating unit 200, which is integrated with the intake and exhaust switching device, to surround the circumference of the burner body 110 and can manufacture the burner at a small size, such that it can be applied to various environments without limiting the installation space. |
| US08226400B2 |
Die for molding honeycomb structure and manufacturing method thereof
A die for extrusion-forming a honeycomb structure which includes: a die base provided with ceramic puddle introducing holes and slits in communication with the ceramic puddle introducing holes; and a substrate layer, which roughly defines the final width of the slits, and a surface layer, which precisely defines the final width of the slits, formed on the die base in this order so that the final width of the slits becomes 15 to 200 μm, wherein the surface layer is made up of tungsten carbide particles which are 5 μm or less in average particle diameter and contain W3C as a main ingredient. According to this invention, there is provided a die for extrusion-forming a honeycomb structure which can restrain fluctuation in extrusion-forming speed among its parts and resistance to pushing force, both caused at the time of extrusion-forming, to be very small and is superior in productivity and durability. |
| US08226397B2 |
Method and apparatus for stretching and crystallizing the neck finish of a molded plastic article
Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. |
| US08226395B2 |
Automated 3D build processes
A conveyor or other transport mechanism is provided to support multiple, sequential builds from a three-dimensional fabrication machine. The conveyor may be heated/cooled, coated, or otherwise treated to assist in adhesion during a build, as well as removal of objects after a build. Each fabricated object may be automatically removed from the conveyor as the conveyor moves in order to restore a buildable surface for fabrication of additional objects. |
| US08226393B2 |
System for vacuum formation of dental appliance
The system for vacuum formation of a dental appliance is a fully automated vacuum formation machine for dental appliances, such as retainers and the like. The system includes a base having a perforated top vacuum plate in communication with a vacuum source. A heating unit is positioned above the perforated top vacuum plate, and a controller is in communication with the heating unit and the vacuum source for selective actuation thereof. A holder releasably receives a thermoplastic plate. The holder is selectively positionable vertically over the perforated top vacuum plate and a dental impression cast mounted thereon. The holder is positioned by a linear actuator or the like, in communication with the controller. A sensor is positioned adjacent the perforated top vacuum plate for measuring the thermoplastic plate's thickness as it is molded about the dental impression cast, and is communication with the controller. |
| US08226389B2 |
Device for vulcanizing vehicle tires using a heating press
A device for vulcanizing vehicle tires uses a heating press and an internal bladder that is supplied with vaporous heating medium. In order to assure that the measurement of the vulcanization temperature is effected at the relevant locations of the internal heater, there is provided a temperature sensor in the form of a radiation thermometer or pyrometer that is disposed in the bladder cavity. The pyrometer takes an indirect temperature measurement for at least one location on the interior wall of the bladder by measuring a radiant energy emitted from the interior of the bladder. |
| US08226385B2 |
Motor centrifugal pump having coolant pump
The invention relates to a motor centrifugal pump, particularly as an immersion pump, having a coolant pump that is driven by the electric motor, the pump circulating the coolant of the electric motor and the impeller thereof being driven by the electric motor, wherein the impeller shaft of the coolant pump is connected to the motor shaft via a transmission. |
| US08226383B2 |
Downhole pump
An apparatus for pumping fluids from a geologic formation comprising a submersible motor having a motor shaft, wherein said submersible motor is reversible and has a plurality of speed settings; a pump housing connected to said submersible motor by a motor mount, wherein said pump housing has a lubricant contained therein; and a tube connected to said pump housing having a pump barrel disposed therein, wherein said pump barrel has an upper barrel connector that is connected to a standing valve; whereby a reciprocating motion by a ball nut applies said lubricant on a ball screw, and associated method of use. |
| US08226381B2 |
Check valve having integrally formed seat and seal body
A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper. |
| US08226379B2 |
Hydraulic pump
A hydraulic pump includes a housing, a seat portion, and a valve element. The housing has a compression chamber and a fluid passage. The seat portion is provided midway through the fluid passage. The valve element is located between the compression chamber and the fluid passage. The valve element is a closed-end cylindrical member having a bottom portion, a cylindrical portion, and an opening end arranged in this order. The cylindrical portion is located farther away from the seat portion than the bottom portion. The valve element is seated to the seat portion at the bottom portion. A stopper substantially closes the opening end when making contact with the opening end to regulate movement of the valve element. |
| US08226377B2 |
Sealing pump-up device
When a press jig is inserted into a jig insertion hole, an O-ring attached to the outer peripheral surface of the press jig is prevented from being caught on an air supply port opening to the inner peripheral surface of the jig insertion hole and damaged. In a sealing pump-up device 10, the opening diameter of an air supply port 58 opening to the inner peripheral surface of a jig insertion hole 44 provided at one end of an air supply path 60 is set smaller than the strand diameters of an O-ring 72 and an O-ring 96. Consequently, the width at the edge of the air supply ports 58 on which the O-rings 72, 96 may possibly be caught can be made sufficiently smaller than the strand diameter of the O-rings 72, 96. When the O-rings 72, 96 pass on the inner peripheral side of the air supply ports 58 in a state of press contact with the inner peripheral surface of the jig insertion hole 44, the amount by which the O-rings 72, 96 are deformed (restored) in order to swell to the outer peripheral side so that a portion thereof fits into the air supply ports 58, can be reduced sufficiently. |
| US08226371B2 |
Pump control unit with decelerometer switch
A pump control unit incorporates an accelerometer as a sensor. Responsive to outputs from the sensor, electrical load driving signals can be provided to energize a pump motor to reduce a fluid level in an enclosure. |
| US08226369B2 |
Conical helicoid wind turbine
The present invention discloses an article of manufacture comprising a conical helicoid wind turbine. The conical helicoid is configured such that its apex faces toward the on-coming wind which allows airflow to transverse through the curved sail from the front center to the outer rear extremity. This dynamic shape produces the optimum amount of force by distributing the wind load to the outer edges of the wind turbine's rotation. In addition, by channeling the flow of air through the conical helix to convert to motive force, the turbine forces the wind into a vortexual formation which entrains wind flow in tandem with the turbine's rotational force, thus reducing backflow turbulences. |
| US08226368B2 |
Wind turbine airfoil family
Airfoils are provided for a wind turbine blade that is associated with a wind turbine hub. Each airfoil includes a blunt trailing edge, a substantially oval shaped suction side, and a substantially S-shaped pressure side. The airfoils decrease in cross-sectional area along the turbine blade in a direction extending away from the wind turbine hub. |
| US08226366B2 |
Axial rotor section for a rotor of a turbine
Disclosed is an axial rotor section for a rotor of a turbine, on which a sealing element, which is provided on an end side surface, is secured by means of a bolt against movement in the circumferential direction, with the bolt being reliably secured against becoming loose by means of a securing plate. One particular advantage of the invention is the comparatively simple and low-cost design, comprising a securing plate, a bolt, holes and grooves. Furthermore, these components can be fitted and removed quickly, because of their simple geometry. |
| US08226365B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel
Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and an apparatus for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel. According to one embodiment, a method for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel can be provided. The turbine rotor wheel can include a pair of blade posts, or shanks, supporting respective turbine rotor blades such that a shank cavity is formed between respective blade posts. To thermally isolate the turbine rotor wheel, at least one seal operable to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region can be provided. In addition, this seal can be inserted within the shank cavity to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region. In doing so, cooling air flow can be divided between the upper region and the lower region so that the lower region can be maintained at a lower temperature than the upper region. |
| US08226363B2 |
Turbine wheel for a gas operated medical handpiece and medical handpiece having a turbine wheel, and method for milling a blade of a turbine wheel
A turbine wheel for a gas operated medical handpiece includes a plurality of blades which extend in radial direction from a hub and extend in axial direction from a side ring web of the turbine wheel, and the front side of which is substantially concavely curved about an approximately radially running first axis of curvature. In order to increase the drive power or to better exploit the drive power at least one blade has at least in an axial end region an inclination surface which is inclined in the axial direction towards the front side. |
| US08226361B2 |
Composite article and support frame assembly
A support frame includes a rail engaging a hook of a composite article having plys. The rail included a rail contact surface generally conformal to and contacting a hook contact surface of the hook. The rail and hook contact surfaces being substantially normal to the plys beneath the hook contact surface. One embodiment of the article is a composite nozzle segment including one or more airfoils extending radially between arcuate radially outer and inner band segments having plys curved about a centerline axis and the rail engages a hook of the radially inner band segment. The hook and the rail may be straight or arcuate. The frame includes a central body extending axially aftwardly from the rail to an aft frame flange. A frame pin may be mounted on the frame, engage the inner band segment or one of the airfoils, and may extend into a cavity in the airfoil. |
| US08226356B2 |
Air intake for a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine
Disclosed is an air intake for a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, said air intake including a series of variable position guide vanes for directing the air such that it is swirling in a rotational sense on reaching the impeller of the compressor of the turbocharger. The variable position guide vanes are made comprised of sound absorbent material such as to achieve a substantial reduction in turbocharger noise at the air intake. |
| US08226354B2 |
Magnetostrictive measurement of tensile stress in foundations
A foundation for supporting a structure is provided. The foundation includes a foundation body, at least one anchor bolt connecting a lower anchor plate and the structure, a magnetostrictive load measuring sensor for measuring loads on the at least one anchor bolt, the magnetostrictive load measuring sensor being positioned within the foundation body. |
| US08226353B2 |
Ventilation of a downstream cavity of an impeller of a centrifugal compressor
A system for ventilating a downstream cavity of an impeller of a centrifugal compressor in a turbomachine, this cavity being delimited by the downstream face of the impeller and by an annular end-piece of a diffuser and being ventilated by taking air from the outlet of the compressor, the system comprising at least one annular deflector mounted in this cavity in order to oppose the rise of hot air along the downstream face of the impeller and in order to cause the diverted hot air to be driven by the air taken from the outlet of the compressor. |
| US08226351B2 |
System for providing continuous lubrication to engine turbocharger shaft and bearing arrangement
The present invention relates to lubrication system for turbocharger(s) [TC] to ensure continuous lubrication of bearings and shaft of the turbocharger with lubricant retention during start and shut down of turbocharger-associated systems thereby enhancing the performance and turbocharger life. The shaft (6) and bearings, are lubricated by introducing pressurized lubricating oil through an oil inlet passage (12) in the bearing housing (4) and after lubricating, the lubricant returns to the engine oil sump located below the turbocharger through the oil outlet passage (13). A non return valve (15) or one way valve in the oil inlet pipe (16) line permits lubricant flow to the bearings during engine running, and when the engine stops and oil pressure falls below the NRV (15) opening pressure, the NRV (15) shuts and traps the lubricant in oil inlet pipe that is above the NRV (15). The oil outlet pipe (17) due to its geometry retains sufficient lubricant in the bearing housing (4) which lubricates the shaft (6) and bearings post engine shutdown. |
| US08226345B2 |
Device for processing mail items in bundles
A device for processing mail items, having: at least one stacking device for forming a bundle of superimposed mail items and moving it from a forming position to a loading position; one or more robots for removing the bundles in the loading position and moving them into a covering position; one or more covering devices for placing upside down containers over the bundles in the covering position, so the bundles of mail items are housed inside the containers; a conveying system supplied by the covering devices with bundles of mail items covered with respective upside down containers; and a turnover device for turning the containers over through 180°, so the containers are positioned with their respective openings facing upwards. |
| US08226343B2 |
Apparatus and methods for loading and transporting containers
Apparatus and methods for loading, transporting and dumping a plurality of containers on a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a frame pivotally attachable a vehicle bed, an upper container engaging means and a lower container engaging means, both coupled to the frame. The upper container engaging means is moveable between a first height and a second height, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least the height of a container. The lower container engaging means may be stowed and deployed. The upper container engaging means is moveable to the first height for loading a first container when the lower container engaging means is stowed. The lower container engaging means is deployed at the first height for loading the second container when the upper container engaging means is at the second height. The first container and second container may thereby be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle. |
| US08226337B2 |
Tap holder
It is an object of the invention to provide a tap holder in which even when an error is brought about in synchronizing spindle feeding and rotation of a tapper body and a tap collet of a tap holder in correspondence with a machine tool spindle, the synchronization can be established by absorbing the error by a simple constitution. As means therefor, the tap holder is characterized in that a tapper body and a tap collet are inserted by a locking member at portions of the tapper body and the tap collet overlapping each other, and the tap collet is fixed to the tapper body by engaging the locking member with at least one of the tap collet and the tapper body in a state of being interposed with an elastic member on both sides thereof in an axial direction X. |
| US08226330B2 |
Earth-reinforcing revetments for landscaping areas and methods of use and manufacture thereof
A method for landscaping an area using an earth-reinforcing revetment includes the steps of providing a first structure of at least one landscaping apparatus having a measure of openings and a base region, providing a second structure of the at least one landscaping apparatus having a measure of openings greater than the measure of openings of the second structure, arranging the second structure at an angle relative to the first structure such that the angle defines a landscaping feature, arranging at least a portion of the first structure on a landscaping region of the area such that the landscaping region at least partially supports base region of the first structure, and disposing landscaping material on the first structure of the landscaping apparatus so as to define a feature for the area. Also, a landscaping apparatus of an earth-reinforcing revetment includes the above described structures. |
| US08226322B2 |
Traffic barrier pop-up bollard system
Disclosed is a self-contained, pop-up bollard barrier system (10) that is capable of working from a single electromechanical actuator (29) with a series of belts (30) and pulleys (38, 38A). The system (10) is built in two parts that once the foundation vault (44) is in place, the internal apparatus or bollard assembly (11) can be removed as a unit for maintenance or can be completely replaced with another assembly to have a brand new barrier without the need of replacing or moving any of the initial foundation. The system (10) enhances the ability of the contractor on site to have a self contained product that only needs wiring and requires no grease while minimizing the installation cost, which is passed on to the end user. |
| US08226318B1 |
Tube with integral elastomeric applicator and method of manufacture therefor
A cosmetic dispenser, comprising: an integral thermoplastic container body, comprising an integral wall, a molded thermoplastic neck, adapted for engaging a cap, and an inner support extending therefrom; and an overmolded thermoplastic elastomer applicator, adhered outside the inner support, wherein an aperture communicates from the container body, through the neck and inner support, and through the elastomeric applicator. The neck and inner support are preferably formed by compression molding a tube, or by injection molding integral with the body. |
| US08226315B1 |
Electronic pens with dynamic features
An apparatus includes a first nib structure that includes a first main body having a first and a second end. The first end is opposite to the second end. The first nib structure further includes a first nib coupled to the first end. The apparatus further includes a capacitive force sensor coupled to the second end of the first nib structure. The capacitive force sensor is configured to measure more than two levels of force being applied to the first nib. The capacitive force sensor comprises (i) a first plate and (ii) a second plate. The first plate is made of a material that is elastic to bend towards the second plate when the first nib structure transfers at least a portion of a force applied to the first nib. |
| US08226313B2 |
Applicator device for loose substances with integrated metering device
An applicator device for a loose substance, in particular a cosmetic substance such as a cosmetic powder, comprising at least one housing having a storage compartment for the substance and a handle portion on which is disposed an applicator which in the closed condition of the applicator device is arranged in the interior of the housing in the direction of the storage compartment, wherein a wall of the storage compartment, that is towards the applicator, includes passageways for the loose substance, and devices for producing at least one impact on at least one part of the storage compartment so that a part of the loose substance can be loaded on to the applicator through the permeable wall of the storage compartment by metering impacts. |
| US08226310B2 |
Apparatus including a plurality of keys having in-use and stowed configurations
An apparatus including: a plurality of keys each having an in-use configuration and a stowed configuration, wherein a key when in the in-use configuration is configured to travel between a first relatively raised position and a second relatively lowered position under a user applied force and is configured to return to the first relatively raised position after removal of the user applied force and wherein a key when in the stowed configuration is unable to travel to the first relatively raised position. |
| US08226308B1 |
Ergonomic keyboard with divided keys
The keyboard of the present invention provides an ergonomic layout having a configuration divided into two halves, with half the standard keys normally associated with a user's left hand positioned on the left side of the board while the other keys normally associated with a user's right hand are positioned on the right side of the board, the centers being shoulder width apart. The spacing enables users to type comfortably with keystrokes that feel natural and correct. For example, the left parenthesis button may be positioned on the left side while the right parenthesis may be positioned on the right side. |
| US08226306B2 |
Image capturing device having detachable polarizer
An image capturing device includes a housing, a camera module, polarizer, and a cover. The housing defines a through hole. The camera module is received in the housing and aligned with the through hole. The cover defines an opening. The polarizer is connected to the cover. The cover is detachably engaged with the housing. The camera module, the through hole, the polarizer, the opening aligned with each other. |
| US08226304B2 |
Optical transceiver with partition plate between TOSA and ROSA
An SFP transceiver with two subassemblies each having an optical coupling member with a polygonal cross section is disclosed. The polygonal cross section has a flat surface facing the flat surface of the other subassembly. Between flat surfaces is put with a metal partition plate that comes in contact with a metal frame and a metal cover of the transceiver. Two sub-assemblies are electrically shielded by the partition plate, and the polygonal cross section of the subassembly makes the total width of the two assemblies added with the thickness of the partition plate minimum. |
| US08226301B2 |
Suspension thrust bearing device and strut
The suspension thrust bearing device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a rolling bearing forming an axial thrust bearing, a lower support cap of the rolling bearing that is provided with a body made of synthetic material, and a vibration-filtering element mounted on the body of the support cap. The filtering element includes at least one flange extending substantially radially and designed to form a flow deflector for reducing any ingress of water inside the rolling bearing. |
| US08226298B2 |
Sealing device and rolling bearing apparatus
This sealing device has an annular metal core portion and an annular elastic portion. The elastic portion has a thick portion and a thin portion which extends from the thick portion in an axial direction of the elastic portion and has a thinner thickness in a radial direction than the thick portion. A fixed lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thick portion, and a sliding lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thin portion. |
| US08226297B2 |
Universal joint bearing with plastic outer ring and procedure for its production
An outer race for a rocker bearing includes an internal sliding layer and an external support layer, wherein the sliding layer and the bearing layer are formed from a wound composite fiber material. The outer race is identified by exactly one parting line. A rocker bearing with such an outer race and a method for its production is also provided, in which a sliding layer and a support layer of synthetic resin impregnated fibers are wound in succession onto a winding mandrel, and outer races are formed after setting on the winding body thus produced. The sliding layer and the support layer are wound onto a cylindrical winding mandrel, and the outer race is provided with exactly one parting line opening it, and sliding layer material on its inside is removed to such an extent that a partially spherical contour is obtained for receiving a complementary inner race. |
| US08226295B2 |
Laser targeting companion system used with medical imaging devices
In various exemplary embodiments, a targeting device providing a visible indication of an invisible beam is disclosed. The invisible beam, such as an x-ray beam, is emitted by a radiation source on a medical imaging system. The targeting device includes, for example, an illumination source to produce a visible beam and operate at one or more wavelengths. The illumination source, which is opaque to the x-ray beam and would ordinarily cause shadows on the imaging system, is arranged to be mounted outside of a field-of-view of the invisible beam. A beam reflector is mounted next to the illumination source. The beam reflector is fabricated from a material invisible to x-rays and is arranged to be mounted within the field-of-view of the invisible beam. The beam reflector redirects the visible beam produced by the illumination source such that the visible beam is parallel to the field-of-view of the invisible beam. |
| US08226286B2 |
Edge-lit backlight module
An edge-lit backlight module includes a back plate, a light bar, and a light guide plate. The back plate has a bottom plate and four lateral sides. Each of the lateral sides is perpendicular to the bottom plate and connected to a peripheral edge of the bottom plate. The light bar is disposed on a side of an internal face of one of the lateral sides to leave at least one accommodation space on the lateral side. The light guide plate has at least one extension portion corresponding to the accommodation space. The light guide plate is disposed on the bottom plate, and each extension portion of the light guide plate engages with the corresponding accommodation space for fixing the light guide plate onto the back plate. |
| US08226285B2 |
Vehicle headlamp apparatus
A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a low beam lamp unit which forms a low beam distribution pattern having a cutoff line along an upper edge thereof, and an additional lamp unit which forms an additional light distribution pattern including an area above the cutoff line of the low beam distribution pattern. The additional lamp unit is configured such that a luminous intensity of at least a portion of the additional light distribution pattern increases toward a horizontal line from above. |
| US08226284B2 |
Electric charge receptacle with illumination feature
An electric charge receptacle for a vehicle configured to be used with an electric plug includes a housing, a plurality of prongs, and a light source. The plurality of prongs are disposed within the housing, and are configured to mate with the electric plug. The light source is disposed within the housing. |
| US08226275B2 |
Optical emitting module
An optical emitting module includes a light-emitting device that emits light, and a lens member having a refracting surface configured to refract light emitted from the light-emitting device and to emit refracted light. The lens member is configured such that, when the angle of a light beam emitted from the lens member with respect to a principal light axis is θ1, a light beam with the maximum emission angle θ1 from the lens member is emitted from the refracting surface in the vicinity of a point where the refracting surface and the principal light axis cross each other. With this configuration, even when the light-emitting surface of a light source is large, it is possible to suppress the spread of emergent light from the lens member, obtaining a light intensity distribution with high uniformity. |
| US08226274B2 |
Liquid displacer in LED bulbs
An LED bulb includes at least one LED mount disposed within a shell. At least one LED is attached to the at least one LED mount. A thermally conductive liquid is held within the shell. The LED and LED mount are immersed in the thermally conductive liquid. A liquid displacer is immersed in the thermally conductive liquid. The liquid displacer is configured to displace a predetermined amount of the thermally conductive liquid to reduce the amount of thermally conductive liquid held within the shell. The liquid displacer is also configured to facilitate a flow of the thermally conductive liquid from the LED mount to an inner surface of the shell. |
| US08226273B2 |
LED lamp
A lamp includes a shell and an LED bulb including a heat sink enclosed by the shell. The shell defines at least a hole at a lower portion of the shell and at least an aperture at an upper portion of the shell. The LED bulb includes a heat sink enclosed by the shell. At least an LED is mounted at a bottom of the heat sink. The heat sink includes a plurality of fins extending from top to bottom. The fins define a plurality of channels therebtween. The channels are in flow communication with at least hole and the at least aperture of the shell. |
| US08226268B2 |
Watertight rope light
A watertight rope light of the present invention includes two parallel wires, a plurality of light emitting diodes and a transparent enclosing layer. The light emitting diodes are substantially parallel to the wires. Each light emitting diode has a semiconductor die, a lens, an anode leg and a cathode leg. The lens has a distal end, which is formed with an awl-shaped concave surface, and the semiconductor die is adapted to emit light toward the concave surface. As such, the light emitted from the semiconductor die can be reflected radially outward to illuminate the surrounding uniformly. |
| US08226267B2 |
Mountable light circuit structure
An electrical circuit structure for a light may comprise: at least first and second circuit portions disposed in different planes; the first circuit portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of a mounting surface adjacent to which it is adapted to be mounted, the first circuit portion having an opening therein for receiving a light source; a light source mounted in the opening of the first circuit portion for receiving electrical energy; and a switch mounted to the second circuit portion for selectively applying electrical energy for selectively energizing the light source. |
| US08226264B1 |
Series multi-group modular solid state lighting devices
A solid state lighting device includes a first group of semiconductor light emitting devices that produces a yellowish white light, a second group of semiconductor light emitting devices that includes at least one light emitting device that produces a reddish orange light, and a third group of semiconductor light emitting devices that includes at least one wavelength down-converted white light device. A combination of the second and third groups produces a sub-mixture of reddish warm white light. A combination of the first, second and third groups produces a mixture of warm white light with a correlated color temperature between 2700k to 3500K and a color rendering index higher than 85. |
| US08226261B2 |
Illumination device, backlight device used for liquid crystal display apparatus and liquid crystal display apparatus
An illumination device including a plurality of illumination areas, each of which is individually controllable, includes a plurality of light-emitting devices disposed in a matrix pattern in each of the illumination areas where emission colors are disposed in a different manner between adjacent rows and between adjacent columns. Consequently, the emission of uneven luminance or uneven color is prevented from occurring in boundary portions of each of the illumination areas. |
| US08226259B2 |
Textile light emitting device
The invention relates to a light emitting device comprising a light emitting element (100) and a light guide (101) arranged on a textile substrate (102). The light guide has a back surface (103) facing the textile substrate, a front surface (104) facing away from the substrate, and a light receiving surface (105). The light emitting element (100) is arranged such that at least part of the light emitted by the light emitting element (100) is coupled into the light guide (101) through the light receiving surface (105), and is subject to total internal reflection in the light guide (101). Furthermore, the light guide (101) is arranged such that at least part of the light coupled into the light guide (101) exits the light guide (101) through the front surface (104) and/or the back surface (103). By arranging a light guide in conjunction with a light emitting element, the emitted light is distributed within the light guide and exits the light guide from an area that is larger than that of the light emitting element. Hence, a larger portion of the textile substrate can be made luminous without the need for using a more dense pattern of light emitting elements. |
| US08226258B2 |
Surface light source device, manufacturing method of the same, and image display device
A surface light source device includes: a light source; a diffusion member that diffuses light; and reflection means provided on a side opposite to the diffusion member with the light source interposed therebetween for reflecting light emitted from the light source toward the diffusion member, wherein the reflection means is formed by layering a plurality of optical components and the plurality of optical components are stopped by each other with stopper means. |
| US08226254B2 |
Lighting system with dichromatic surfaces
A high efficiency lighting system (100) is described that has a small etendue. This can be used, for example, for backlighting a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), projection displays, as well as for general lighting purposes. A portion of the light from a light emitting device die (101) falls onto a fluorescent material (105,106), such as phosphor. Dichroic mirrors (107,109) prevent the light generated by the fluorescent material to return to the light-emitting device. The mirrors may also provide collimation of the generated light and the remainder of the light from the light-emitting device. In this way a high efficiency system is realized because little or no generated light is absorbed and the generated light does not have to travel through a fluorescent material layer and thus has a high chance to go in the desired direction. |
| US08226252B2 |
Extendable rearview mirror
An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle including an extendable mirror for improved rearward viewing is disclosed. Several embodiments of the rearview mirror assembly each comprise a mirror housing, a mirror disposed in the mirror housing, and some structure to allow extension of the mirror between an inboard position and an outboard position. In one embodiment, the mirror assembly includes structure to allow rotation of the mirror between inboard and outboard positions. The mirror may comprise a post disposed in a mirror shell and extending along a longitudinal horizontal axis which extends through a plane defined by the mirror, offset from a central vertical axis of the mirror. In another embodiment, the means for rotating the mirror comprises a pivot part having a shaft disposed in an aperture in the mirror shell, which is disposed along the longitudinal horizontal axis. In yet another embodiment, the mean for extending the mirror for an inboard position to an outboard position comprises a groove in the mirror housing, in which a mirror frame is slidably disposed. The frame may be slid, relative to the mirror housing, from an inboard position to an outboard position. |
| US08226245B2 |
Composite optical element and projection optical device
A composite optical element is provided. The composite optical element includes a plurality of optical elements, in which at least one of the optical elements is formed of an element modifying an optical path and the other optical elements are bonded to an incident surface and/or exit surface of the element modifying the optical path with a low refractive index material layer in between. |
| US08226242B2 |
Projection display for displaying a color image by modulating a plurality of single beams according to image information
Provided is a compact projection display with high throughput. The projection display includes: an illumination unit which irradiates a plurality of single color light beams; a first scanner scanning the plurality of light beams irradiated from the illumination unit along a first direction; a light modulator with a linear array of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices that are arranged parallel to the first direction; an F-θ lens disposed between the first scanner and the light modulator and having a first entrance pupil and a second entrance pupil; and a second scanner disposed opposite to the second entrance pupil of the F-θ lens and which scans a light beam passing through the second entrance pupil of the F-θ lens on a screen along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. |
| US08226237B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring the position of a subject's hand
A system for delivering a touch sensitive screen task to a subject includes a touch sensitive display for presenting visual stimuli to a subject and for providing a response of the subject, hand position monitoring unit(s) for receiving input indicative of the position of a hand of the subject and for providing output signals representing said position and a controller/processor unit operatively coupled to the touch sensitive display unit and to the hand position monitoring unit(s) for receiving output signals from the hand position monitoring unit(s) and for processing the output signals to control the displaying of the visual stimuli on the touch sensitive display unit. A method for operating the system includes receiving from the subject signals representing a response of the subject to visual stimuli, receiving signals indicative of the position of the subject's hand and processing the signals to control the presenting of visual stimuli. |
| US08226235B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining dynamic deformation characteristics of an object
Apparatus and methods for measuring a dynamic deformation characteristic of a deformable target surface during a deformation interval. The measurement principles may be applied to a large variety of organic and inorganic materials having a surface that can be deformed by an applied non-contact force. The surface may be light diffusing and non-transparent or non-diffusing and transparent. A device for measuring a dynamic deformation characteristic of an in-vivo cornea during a deformation interval includes a corneal topographer and an air puff generator that are operationally integrated. Use of the inventive device enables a method for making a measurement of a deformation characteristic of the in-vivo cornea during a deformation interval, further allowing a determination of spatially-resolved in-vivo corneal biomechanical and biodynamic properties such as corneal elasticity and corneal viscosity. |
| US08226229B2 |
Nose bearing assembly for spectacles, and spectacles including same
A nose bearing assembly is secured onto a central area of the spectacles, directly on the optical or sun lenses, or on the bridge connecting the lenses or on a rim frame of the latter, each of the two nose bearing assemblies having a pad intended to contact the nose ala of a user and carried by a pad-bearing arm connected to the spectacles, characterized in that the pad is made of a elastically deformable material and is divided into two areas, i.e. an upper area for receiving a free end of the pad-bearing arm or securing and stiffening the pad in area, and another lower area capable of elastic deformation and of floating freely in all directions in order to obtain a self-adjustment of the pads independently from the morphology of the nose of the user when in contact with the latter. |
| US08226221B2 |
Ink cartridge and inkjet recording system
An ink cartridge includes a cartridge main body and a pivoting member. The cartridge main body has an ink accommodating chamber accommodating ink therein and an ink outlet outputting ink in the ink accommodating chamber toward the inkjet recording device. The pivoting member is pivotably supported by the cartridge main body and that has a lid member configured of closing the ink outlet. The pivoting member pivots to move the lid member between a closing position and an opening position. The lid member closes the ink outlet at the closing position. The lid member opens the ink outlet at the opening position. |
| US08226220B2 |
Liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head which reciprocates in a first direction on a predetermined plane and which discharges the liquids; liquid supply sources which store the liquids; flexible tubes which are arranged in a state of being bent and separated from each other and each of which constructs a part of a liquid flow passage; and a regulating member which is arranged on an outer circumferential side of the bent tubes and which regulates movement of the tubes, and connecting ports of the liquid discharge head, to which first ends of the flexible tubes are connected, are arranged in a second direction on the plane; the tubes are arranged in a third direction intersecting the predetermined plane at fixed portion of the tubes; and the regulating member has accommodating sections which accommodate the flexible tubes respectively. |
| US08226216B2 |
Method for operating continuous printers
A method for operating a continuous inkjet printer, the method includes forming drops with a drop formation period being the time between consecutive drop formations; creating a portion of the drops that strike the print media for forming print drops; creating a portion of the created drops that do not strike the print media for forming catch drops; creating the print drops to print on a series of consecutive pixel locations; wherein a time between the creation of consecutive print drops is inconsistent which causes an additional catch drop so that a gap is created; wherein when a gap is created, adjusting a velocity of the print drop adjacent to the gap to cause the print drop to shift slightly toward the gap. |
| US08226211B2 |
Liquid discharge head and printer
A plurality of pressure chambers are arranged in two arrays in a direction intersecting an extending direction of a common liquid chamber. First pressure chambers of one array and second pressure chambers of the other array are disposed in a staggered arrangement. First and second connecting channels extend, in the intersection direction, from the first and second pressure chambers through areas located between the second and first pressure chambers up to areas outside the common liquid chamber to make communication with the common liquid chamber, respectively. The first and second connecting channels are arranged alternately in relation to the extending direction. Accordingly, both of the insurance of the length of the connecting channel and the small sizing of a head are satisfied. |
| US08226208B2 |
Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
A fluid ejector having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the inner surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting monolayer covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid ejector and surrounding an orifice in the fluid ejector. Fabrication of the non-wetting monolayer can include removing a non-wetting monolayer from a second region of a fluid ejector while leaving the non-wetting monolayer on a first region surrounding an orifice in the fluid ejector, or protecting a second region of a fluid ejector from having a non-wetting monolayer formed thereon, wherein the second region does not include a first region surrounding the orifice in the fluid ejector. |
| US08226205B2 |
Wiping apparatus for print head
A wiping apparatus for a print head for wiping a head surface of the print head by rubbing the same with a blade is provided that includes a wiping box having a top open area; a blade support having the blade fastened thereto and disposed in an upper part of the wiping box so as to be rotatable between a wiping position at which a tip of the blade points upwards and a storage position at which the tip of the blade points downwards; leakproof plates fastened to the blade support for closing the top open area of the wiping box while the blade is in a state of the storage position; and a cleaning liquid nozzle disposed in the wiping box so that it is directed towards the blade in the storage position. |
| US08226204B2 |
Fluid ejecting apparatus
A fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a fluid includes a recording head and a capping device. The recording head includes a storage portion and a plurality of ejection nozzles. The capping device comes into contact with a discharge surface of the fluid in the recording head and receives the fluid discharged through the nozzles. The recording head capping device includes a cap-side channel and a passing portion. The cap-side channel faces the nozzles when the recording head capping device is in contact with the discharge surface. The passing portion creates negative pressure in the nozzles by passing a material in the cap-side channel. The cap-side channel includes a high flow rate section and a low flow rate section. |
| US08226203B2 |
Tape for liquid discharge head and liquid discharge head
A liquid discharge head comprises a discharge port member provided with a discharge port to discharge a liquid and a tape having an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive, which tape adheres to a surface having the discharge port of the discharge port member so that the discharge port is sealed through the adhesive layer. The adhesive contains a compound having at least one of an epoxy group and an oxetanyl group and a compound having a ketimine group. |
| US08226201B2 |
Image recording apparatus and method of detecting ejection failure in pre-processing agent ejection nozzles in image recording apparatus
The ejection positions of a plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles and the ejection positions of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles as seen in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of a recording medium are in a one-to-one correspondence with each other. A controller causes the process of ejecting ink of a first color from the ink ejection nozzles onto the recording medium subjected to the ejection from the plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles so as to form a failure detection printing pattern which is a printing pattern formed by providing a time lag between the processes of ejecting the ink from adjacent ones of the plurality of ink ejection nozzles. An ejection failure in the pre-processing agent ejection nozzles is detected by judging that a pre-processing agent ejection nozzle corresponding to a region where bleeding results suffers the ejection failure. |
| US08226199B2 |
Ink jet break-off length measurement apparatus and method
A jet break-off length measurement apparatus for a continuous liquid drop emission system is provided. The jet break-off length measurement apparatus comprises a liquid drop emitter containing a positively pressurized liquid in flow communication with at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of liquid. Heater resistor apparatus is adapted to transfer pulses of thermal energy to the liquid in flow communication with the at least one nozzle sufficient to cause the break-off of the at least one continuous stream of liquid into a stream of drops of predetermined volumes. A sensing apparatus adapted to detect the stream of drops of predetermined volumes is provided. A control apparatus is adapted to determine a characteristic of the stream of drops of predetermined volumes that is related to the break-off length. Further apparatus is adapted to inductively charge at least one drop and to cause electric field deflection of charged drops. Jet stimulation apparatus comprising a plurality of transducers corresponding to the plurality of nozzles and adapted to transfer pulses of energy to the liquid sufficient to cause the break-off of the plurality of continuous streams of liquid into a plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes is also disclosed. Methods of measuring the jet break-off length using phase sensitive amplification circuitry are disclosed. |
| US08226198B2 |
Quiet operating mode management system for a printing device
An imaging device includes a quiet mode management system in which a control system of an imaging device selectively reduces print speed based on print job attributes such as job size, repetitions and media in use. |
| US08226192B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
In an ink jet printing apparatus for scanning a print medium with a printing head and printing an image thereon, the printing head includes a plurality of ink ejection port arrays. The ink ejection ports in each of the arrays are arranged in a direction crossing a scanning direction of the printing head relative to the print medium. An allowable recording rate given to at least one of the ejection port arrays behind an ejection port array located at the front in the scanning direction is set lower than that given to the one located at the front. As a result, a printing apparatus capable of suppressing a throughput speed thereof and adhesion of ink mists to a formation face of the ejection ports can be provided. |
| US08226191B2 |
Method of controlling nozzles of inkjet head and apparatus for measuring amounts of ink ejected from nozzles of inkjet head
Provided are method of controlling nozzles of an inkjet head and an apparatus for measuring the amounts of ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head. The method includes: preparing a mass measuring device, which measures the mass of ink by using an oscillation change, in a pixel; ejecting ink into the pixel from a nozzle of the inkjet head, and measuring the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle by using the mass measuring device; and adjusting a voltage waveform applied to the nozzle of the inkjet head. |
| US08226189B2 |
Liquid jetting apparatus
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a head having a nozzle which jets a liquid; a drive mechanism which reciprocately moves the head in a vertical direction to move the nozzle in the vertical direction; a nozzle protective member which is arranged in a moving area for the head and which protects the nozzle of the head; a controller which controls the drive mechanism to stop the head at a standby position which faces the nozzle protective member; a liquid container which contains the liquid; and a liquid tube which supplies the liquid to the head, and the liquid container is arranged such that, when the liquid container is filled with the liquid at a maximum capacity thereof, a liquid level of the liquid in the liquid container is same as or lower than a lowermost point of the nozzle in the head stopped at the standby position. |
| US08226186B2 |
Inkjet recording method
An inkjet recording method including recording an image by applying an ink containing a pigment to a recording medium, and fixing an image region by pressure-contacting a pressure-bonding unit against the image region when the tackiness of the image region as measured by a ball tack test method reaches 20 mm or greater. |
| US08226185B2 |
Drive belt slip and belt wear detection
An imaging system for a printer utilizing a friction belt drum drive is comprised of a drum position sensor, drum pulley, drive belt, motor pulley, drive motor, drive motor position sensor, and controller. The velocities of the drum and motor drive pulleys are measured using the controller and position sensors. These velocities along with the drive ratio are used to determine and monitor slip between the belt and pulleys. The magnitude of the slip measured can be used to trigger the controller to respond to the slip event. These responses may include, for example, disabling the motor or reducing motor current or providing a warning indicative of an excessive slip event. Slip measurement combined with other measurements such as motor current can be used to determine the torque capacity of the friction drive. Further, long-term changes in the ratio of pulley velocities can be used to determine drive belt wear. |
| US08226182B2 |
Refrigerator
Disclosed related to a refrigerator according to the present invention capable of preventing the drooping of bin when the bin is pulled out of the storage space. Further, the refrigerator does not need to fit guide device when users push the bin into the storage space, since the bin is completely separated from the guide device. |
| US08226179B2 |
Housing with hook configuration
A housing comprises a first outer shell, a second outer shell; and a hook configuration configured for assembling the first outer shell on the second outer shell. The hook configuration comprises two clasp units set in the first outer shell. Each of the two clasp units comprises a first clasp body and a first magnet. Two hook units are set in the second outer shell. Each of the two hook units comprises a first hook and a second magnet. |
| US08226178B2 |
Built-in refrigerator with dispensing device
A built-in refrigerator having a housing formed with a front dispenser opening therein, the refrigerator including a frame member for surrounding an opening in a decor plate covering at least a portion of a front side of the housing and disposed in front of the dispenser opening, wherein the frame member is formed as a cover piece overlapping the edges of the opening, and an inner sleeve arranged between the cover piece and the front side of the housing. |
| US08226176B2 |
Brake system
A brake system includes a master cylinder which generates brake fluid pressure by a braking operation of a driver, an electric motor-driven slave cylinder which generates brake fluid pressure based on an electric signal responsive to a braking operation of a driver, and a wheel cylinder for braking a wheel by the brake fluid generated in the master cylinder or slave cylinder. During normal operation of the brake system, the brake fluid generated in the slave cylinder is transferred to the wheel cylinder. During abnormal operation of the brake system, the brake fluid generated in the master cylinder is transferred to the wheel cylinder. The brake system also includes an opening and closing valve in a fluid passage connecting the slave cylinder to the wheel cylinder. When a problem occurs with the slave cylinder, the opening and closing valve is closed for a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08226166B2 |
Seating element and seating system
A seating element has an archable element with a first side to face an occupant of a seat when the seating element is installed in a seat and a second side opposite of the first side. A pneumatic arching element is arranged at the second side of the archable element. |
| US08226165B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat comprises a synthetic resin cushion plate (31) attached to a back frame (3) by way of seat springs (32) so as to be movable forward or backward, a single elastic auxiliary plate (40) attached to the cushion plate (31) so as to be movable forward or backward relative to the cushion plate (31), a specific section of the auxiliary plate (40) formed as a push-out section (70) protruding forward when a distance between an upper edge and a lower edge of the auxiliary plate (40) is shortened by moving the lower edge upward. Elasticity of the auxiliary plate (40) supporting the body of the seated passenger is adjusted by moving the auxiliary plate (40) near the push-out section (70) forward or backward. The push-out section (70) has a corrugated part (71) formed from a sideways projection that projects forward or/and backward as viewed from a side. |
| US08226161B2 |
Foldable child booster seat
A foldable child booster seat includes a seat base, a backrest, a support unit, and a tray. The seat base includes a seat portion having a seating surface, and a pair of armrests respectively disposed at left and right sides of the seat base. The backrest is mounted foldably to the seat base. The support unit is movably coupled to the seat base to permit height adjustment of the seat portion relative to the support unit. The tray is removably mountable to a selected one of the seat base and the support unit to dispose the tray in a selected one of a state of use and a stowed state. |
| US08226158B1 |
Vehicle mist suppression apparatus and method of using same
The invention is essentially an apparatus and method for reducing the wheel-spray and the aerodynamic drag of a wheel-set of a vehicle having a framework with preexisting holes, the apparatus comprising a three-dimensionally adjustable support infrastructure anchored to the framework without the need for drilling or welding the support infrastructure to the framework; a three-dimensionally adjustable housing superstructure having a housing having an obtuse-angled forward side and an obtuse-angled rearward side for screening the wheel-set, with the housing affixed between a box-sleeve and a stand-on plate with a plurality of U-bolt fasteners, wherein the box-sleeve defines an interior chamber for receiving a girder; and two attenuation rings inserted along both external ends of the girder to dilute vibration from the vehicle to the housing; and a fastening means comprising a locking cap having domed arches and a transplanar bore, a counter-threaded locking bolt, and a locking pin. A tightening wrench may be used for tightening, and/or loosening the locking cap over a girder lateral terminus. A protective replaceable shield and connectors are also provided to protect and renew the housing side wall exterior surface. |
| US08226157B2 |
Pillar for vehicle body structure
The present invention provides a pillar of a vehicle body structure for supporting the roof of an automotive vehicle. The pillar includes an outer panel having a side panel attached to an inner panel. The pillar further includes a first and second reinforcing member. The first reinforcing member has a planar surface and a first reinforcing edge. The second reinforcing member also has a planar surface and a second reinforcing edge. The first reinforcing member is spaced apart from the second reinforcing member, and the first and second reinforcing edges abut against respective side panel and inner panel portions so as to transmit load between the outer panel and the inner panel and reduce deformation of the outer panel under a predetermined load. |
| US08226152B2 |
Retractable wind deflector for vehicle window
A retractable wind deflector for a vehicle is configured to deploy a deflector body from a stowed position to a deployed position extending outside the vehicle compartment when a window is opened, and to return the deflector body from the deployed position to the stowed position when the window is closed. |
| US08226148B2 |
Sun screen for a motor vehicle
In the case of a sun screen, in particular for a motor vehicle, the sunscreen includes, but is not limited to a sunlight shading body, which at least partly has a transparent or lucent material and a fixing body for fixing the sun screen, in particular to the motor vehicle, e.g., to a roof area of an auto body of the motor vehicle, the range of vision of the driver or of the front-seat passenger is substantially not to be limited by the sun screen on the one hand and the edge of the sunlight shading body is not to represent a risk of injury to the driver and front-seat passenger, on the other hand. |
| US08226141B2 |
Device for locking jaws of a gripper
A gripper has a frame with a plurality of guide rods secured to the frame. At least one jaw is slidably secured with the plurality of guide rods. The at least one jaw includes a housing surrounding a portion of at least one of the guide rods. A locking device is positioned in the jaw housing. The locking device is adjacent the at least one guide rod. The locking device removably applies a force onto the at least one guide rod. The locking device locks the jaw in position when the force is applied and enables the jaw to slide on the guide rods when the force is removed. |
| US08226140B1 |
Article holding assembly
An article holding assembly for rotatably securing and hoisting various types of articles is provided. The article holding assembly is a clamp type article holding assembly having interchangeable end effectors rotatably secured to bottom ends of clamp arms. The end effectors act to secure the article and to allow the operator to rotate the article once secured and hoisted. For each article that the article holding assembly is to rotatably secure and lift, a specific pair of end effectors is provided. The end effectors are readily secured to and removed from the clamp arms. |
| US08226139B2 |
Lifting clamp
A lifting clamp for a workpiece such as plate material, comprising a bearing part and a clamping arm which is rotatably connected to the bearing part above said bearing part and at one end is provided with a clamping face for the purpose of clamping a part of the workpiece between the bearing part and the clamping face, and at the other end of the clamping arm is provided with a lifting eye, the bearing part comprising at least one magnet. |
| US08226138B2 |
Apparatus for securing rescue operations by helihoisting
The invention relates to an apparatus for securing rescue operations by helihoisting that comprises three attachments to the helicopter, the lifeguard and the belay tether. A trigger control mechanism includes a mobile pawl pivotally mounted on the hook between a closing position and a release position of the opening, respectively for maintaining the tether in the hook and for releasing the same, and a latch submitted to the action of a polarisation spring for locking the pawl in the closed position in the absence of a tension on the first attachment, and for unlocking the pawl when the force applied on the first attachment exceeds that of the polarisation spring. The assembly is arranged for triggering the automatic release of the belay tether that remained attached when the tensioning by the helicopter traction cable exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08226135B1 |
Locking arrangement and culinary utensil comprising same
The present invention is concerned with a locking arrangement having a first wall defining a surface and a second wall defining a surface with the surfaces abutting each other. The first wall is provided with a first bulge defining a first elongate groove facing a first direction and the second wall is provided with a second bulge defining a second elongate groove facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the grooves are positioned to define a channel in which a ball bearing is movable there across. The first groove has a substantially same width there across and the second groove has a narrower end and a wider end, the locking arrangement is adapted to, depending on the orientation of the channel, assume a first configuration in which the ball bearing is positioned at one end of the channel or a second configuration in which the ball bearing is positioned at the opposite end of the channel. In one of the two configurations when the channel is oriented to allow the ball bearing to roll to the wider end of the groove, the ball bearing becomes out of a path of relative movement of the walls whereby the walls become movable relative each other and hence unlocking the locking arrangement for the walls. |
| US08226134B2 |
Tool head and log handling tool
A tool head including a metal, generally U-shaped body with two tines and a curved area, and a metal rod integral to and extending from the curved area of the U-shaped head. Each of the two tines has a tip, a tine body, and an end that joins with the curved area. One tip is straight and one tip is angled so that the angled tip is not coplanar with the plane defined by the tine bodies of the two tines. A tool including the tool head, a handle with a ferrule end and a non-ferrule end, where the handle is integral to the metal rod of the tool head at the ferrule end, and a metal ferrule integral to the handle at the ferrule end of the handle. |
| US08226128B2 |
Releasable nut-free C-clip secured pipe fitting
A releasable nut-free C-clip secured pipe fitting includes a pipe to be jointed, a C-clip, a sealing ring, and a pipe fitting. The pipe has a jointed end forming a circumferential groove for receiving the C-clip. The C-clip is a ring like member having an opening, which allows for expansion and contraction of the C-clip so as to allow the C-clip to be disposed in a converging surface formed on an inside wall of the pipe fitting. The sealing ring is received in a sealing ring groove defined in the inside wall of the pipe fitting. The pipe fitting has a tube end forming a holding bore having an inside diameter smaller than a diameter of the converging surface. The tube end of the pipe fitting forms openings through which a tool can extend into the pipe fitting to contract the C-clip for releasing the C-clip and the pipe. |
| US08226125B2 |
Security document
A security document has a first region and an adjacent second region, the regions defining a security device. Opposite sides of the first region are provided with first and second, complementary indicia registered with respect to one another, the first region being sufficiently transparent that both the first and second indicia are viewable from either side of the document under reflected light. Third indicia are provided on the second region on the same side of the document, registered with, and complementary to, the first indicia, and fourth indicia are provided on the second region on the same side of the document, registered with, and complementary to, the second indicia, the third and fourth indicia also being complementary to and registered with respect to one another. The second region is sufficiently opaque such that when the document is viewed under reflected light only the third and fourth indicia facing the observer are visible, but is sufficiently transparent when the document is viewed from either side under transmitted light, both the third and fourth indicia are visible. |
| US08226121B2 |
Steering column arrangement for motor vehicles
A steering column arrangement for motor vehicles with a vehicle-side console, on which an outer tube of a steering column carrying a steering shaft is attached in a releasable manner by means of a clamping device. The clamping device comprises at least one clamping wedge arrangement by which an increased holding force of the clamping device can be achieved during an axial displacement of the outer tube caused by an accident. |
| US08226120B2 |
Adjustable ergonomic vehicles
An all-terrain vehicle that permits adjustment of rider supports to ergonomically accommodate both a single rider and multiple riders. |
| US08226118B2 |
Safety venting with passively closeable vents
The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension. |
| US08226114B2 |
Side airbag apparatus for a vehicle
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a side airbag apparatus for a vehicle having a seat with a back rest part and a hinge mechanism. The side airbag includes a separation means defining a front airbag chamber and a rear airbag chamber within the side airbag. A connecting passage connects the front and a rear airbag chambers adjacent a lower extremity of the separation means. An attaching portion provided on the rear portion of the rear airbag chamber attaches the side airbag to the backrest part. An inflator proximate said attaching portion injects gas into the rear airbag chamber which flows through the connecting passage into the front airbag chamber. |
| US08226109B2 |
Splitboard bindings
Splitboard boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings is provided with an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate, upper binding baseplate or “tray”, and extra fasteners of the prior art. The boot binding lower is formed as a modified sandwich box girder or modified monolithic box girder and provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. When subjected to a torque applied by the rider, the bottom mediolateral flanges of the box girders are configured to contactingly engage the top face of the splitboard, thereby dynamically coupling the rider's boot sole and the board via a single rigid structure. In a preferred embodiment, the web or “spacer” members are characterized by an aspect ratio or contour height that is varied from heel to toe. |
| US08226105B1 |
Wheelchair
A wheelchair includes a wheelchair frame, a seat and a backrest panel carried by the wheelchair frame, at least one pocket carried by the seat, a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheels carried by the wheelchair frame, a drive motor drivingly engaging at least one of the pair of rear wheels and the pair of front wheels and a pair of wheelchair tracks detachably carried by the wheelchair frame. |
| US08226102B2 |
Baby trailer safety structure that prohibits baby from standing up
A baby trailer safety structure includes a safety block affixed to one sidebar of the bottom frame unit of the baby trailer opposite to the other sidebar that is mounted with a trailer bar. The safety block has a sloping peripheral wall with an arc face to prohibit a young child carrying in the baby trail from standing up on the associating sidebar to collapse the baby trailer, enhancing the safety level of the baby trailer. |
| US08226098B2 |
Suspension system with a retrofit suspension kit
The suspension system of the present invention broadly comprises a method of retrofitting an existing torsion axle suspension carried by a frame with an air spring comprising the steps of removing an original torsion axle that was fixed to a frame from the frame and mounting the torsion axle to at least one rotatable arm such that rotation of the arm causes vertical translation of the original torsion axle. The suspension system also comprises a retrofit kit for use with a torsion axle suspension system having a torsion axle and a spindle comprising a hanger bracket adapted to be attachable to the frame, a pivot arm for mounting to the hanger bracket and adapted for rotatably supporting the existing torsion axle, an air spring, a support assembly secured to the pivot arm for supporting the air spring, and an attachment for securing the pivot arm to the support assembly. |
| US08226095B2 |
Mobile platform assembly
A mobile platform such as, but not limited to, a skateboard type of structure capable of movably transporting an individual over a supporting surface. A wheel assembly connected to the platform includes at least one but more practically a plurality of wheels having a spherical configuration extending outwardly from opposite surfaces of the platform into engagement with the supporting surface so as to define at least two operative positions of the platform. A mounting assembly and each of a plurality of different embodiments of a bearing assembly are structured to facilitate a substantially universal, rotational movement of said wheel(s) relative to said platform. The different embodiments of the bearing assembly facilitate either a free or unrestricted universal rotational movement of the one wheel relative to the platform or alternatively a universal, rotational movement thereof concurrently about more defined rotational axes. |
| US08226094B1 |
Systems and methods for combination scooter and pogo stick
A combination scooter and pogo stick apparatus comprising a set of handlebars connected to a set of side bars serving as a frame; a spring coil located towards the bottom of the frame; a scooter board having a bottom surface with at least two wheels, the scooter board being arranged at the bottom of the frame; a set of footrests located at the bottom of the frame; a rotational member that controls the positioning of a bottom stubbed portion, the bottom stubbed portion positioned at the bottom-most portion of the frame; and a holding member that latches the scooter board in a vertical position. |
| US08226093B1 |
Trash container and support combination
A trash container and support combination includes a waste receptacle with a bottom wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A cover is removably positioned on the perimeter wall to selectively open or close the waste receptacle. A frame for receiving the waste receptacle includes a bottom portion abutted against the bottom wall and supporting the bottom wall above a ground surface. An upper portion is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom portion. The upper portion completely extends around the perimeter wall. |
| US08226092B2 |
Equipment carrier
An equipment carrier for transporting one or more work items includes a vertical frame attached to a base frame, where the base frame has, in a preferred embodiment, an expandable portion that telescopes out from the vertical frame. The equipment carrier also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the equipment carrier to a standard dolly. The use of the equipment carrier in combination with the dolly allows for easy transport of the equipment carrier. In one embodiment, work piece arms for supporting work items are pivotally connected to the front of the vertical frame allowing them to swing into horizontal position and then fold down into a vertical position. Also attached to the vertical frame is a strut that is also pivotally connected to the front face of the vertical frame. The strut swings up to support the work piece arm when it is in the horizontal position. The equipment carrier also has components for carrying additional accessories work items needed. |
| US08226091B2 |
Active geometry control suspension system and actuating device driving the same
An actuating device for an active control suspension system which is provided at both ends of a sub-frame of a vehicle body and connected to one end of an assist link having the other end mounted at a knuckle and which changes a position of a mounting point of the assist link at the vehicle body, may include a member bracket fixedly mounted at each end of the sub-frame, provided with openings formed at both sides and an upper surface thereof, and formed of a pair of slide grooves having arc shape at the both ends thereof to slidably receive a pair of slide plates therein; an actuator connected to both slide plates through a pin-bolt unit; and a cam-bolt unit assembling a bush of the assist link with both slide plates and setting an initial position of the mounting point of the assist link at the vehicle body. |
| US08226090B2 |
Device for active wheel alignment
A device for active wheel alignment of wheels arranged on a wheel axle of a motor vehicle includes two hydraulic body dampers arranged between a vehicle body and the wheel axle. Each body damper is configured as a differential cylinder having a cylinder and a dividing piston which is guided in the cylinder. A throttle is arranged outside the cylinder of the body damper. Operably connected with the body dampers via hydraulic lines is a hydraulic servo unit, wherein hydraulic fluid is transferable via the throttle from one side of the dividing piston to the servo unit and from the servo unit via a returning one of the hydraulic lines back to another side of the dividing piston. |
| US08226089B2 |
Metal-to-metal seal for smooth bore
A seal assembly includes a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and a tubular member seal profile. A metal seal ring having a proximal base and a distal end has a seal ring seal profile between the proximal base and distal end that contacts the tubular member seal profile. A distal annular recess is in one of the seal profiles, the distal annular recess being spaced axially from the distal end of the seal ring, defining a seal surface between the distal end of the seal ring and the distal annular recess that engages a seal surface of the tubular member seal profile. The contacting portions of the seal surfaces form a metal-to-metal seal area. A proximal annular recess in one of the seal profiles is spaced axially from the distal annular recess, defining a support area axially spaced from the metal-to-metal seal area. |
| US08226088B2 |
Floating seal
To prevent premature wear and damage of elastic rings caused by fine grained soil, floating rings 22, 24 are supported by corresponding housings 20, 21 through associated elastic rings 23, 25. The elasticity of the elastic rings causes the floating rings 22, 24 to contact each other. When the housings rotate relative to each other, the floating rings 22, 24 slide with respect to each other. An elastic layer 28, 29 is arranged on a contact surface of a portion of a contact surface of each floating ring 22, 24 or a contact surface of each housing 20, 21 with respect to the corresponding elastic ring located closer to an opposing portion 22a, 24a of the floating ring 22, 24. |
| US08226086B2 |
Complete inner and outer jigsaw puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is provided with a plurality of inner puzzle pieces defining a complete inner jigsaw puzzle depicting a preselected object, and a plurality of outer puzzle pieces defining a complete outer jigsaw puzzle depicting a frame around an opening having the shape of the preselected object. |
| US08226085B2 |
Gaming system, device and method involving a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode
A gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors. |
| US08226084B2 |
Sheet-conveying device and image-forming apparatus including the same
A sheet-conveying device designed to feed a sheet fed thereto through a fixing device toward a discharge unit includes first and second conveyance guides facing each other so as to define a sheet conveyance path and each having a conveying member designed to feed the sheet. The first conveyance guide includes a blower opening facing the sheet conveyance path for blowing air onto the sheet conveyance path, an exhaust opening provided on a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction with respect to the blower opening for removing air that has been blown onto the sheet conveyance path and discharging it outside the device. |
| US08226083B2 |
Recording target media cassette, recording target medium feeding apparatus, and recording apparatus
A recording target medium feeding apparatus includes a body having a switching section and a feeding section that feeds a recording target medium. A recording target media cassette that receives the recording target media has an inner wall facing the leading edge of the recording target medium and switches between first and second states. In the first state, the inner wall has a predetermined angle with respect to a bottom surface of the recording target media cassette. In the second state, the inner wall has a steeper angle of inclination. In the first state, the inner wall separates the uppermost of the recording target media from a second recording target medium. In the second state, the inner wall contacts the leading edge of the recording target media loaded in the recording target media cassette and sets the leading edge of the recording target media at a uniform edge position. |
| US08226081B2 |
Paper tray of printer
A paper tray of printer is provided, which includes a paper tray body, a slide shaft, a first pick arm, a second pick arm and a paper width guide. The first pick arm is fixed on the slide shaft, and the second pick arm is slidely disposed on the slide shaft. The paper width guide is disposed on the paper tray body and is connected to the second pick arm through a linkage device to drive the second pick arm, so that a position of the second pick arm varies along with a position of the paper width guide. Accordingly, an interval between the first pick arm and the second pick arm can be varied along with a size of a paper, so as to avoid paper skew when the paper is fed. |
| US08226080B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus and image formation system provided with the apparatus
To provide a sheet post-processing apparatus enabling a sheet to be aligned in a predetermined collection position irrespective of the basis weight of the sheet and image formation surface in dropping and collecting the sheet onto a tray from a sheet discharge outlet, the apparatus has a tray for collecting a sheet from the sheet discharge outlet, and a sheet discharge rotating body for transferring the sheet that is carried out to the tray toward a sheet end regulation member, and is configured to be able to adjust the timing of shifting the sheet discharge rotating body to an operation position engaging in the sheet from a withdrawal position above the tray corresponding to image formation conditions of the sheet. |
| US08226079B2 |
Manual stapling mode for sheet finishing apparatus
A stapling apparatus includes: a processing tray; a paper discharge unit configured to discharge sheets on the processing tray; an aligning unit configured to align sheets manually inserted onto the processing tray from a paper discharge port of the paper discharge unit; and a stapler configured to staple the sheets manually inserted on the processing tray. |
| US08226074B1 |
Adjustable corner clamping apparatus
A corner clamping apparatus capable of adjustably clamping two joined, mitered corner pieces to form a 90-degree corner with a single clamp. The clamping apparatus includes three rigid L-shaped supports, adjustably mounted relative to one another to accommodate differently sized corner pieces and/or variations in the corner pieces or their mitered edges. Four adjustable clamping feet retained in the rigid L serve to adjust the corner pieces to produce an exact miter joint or seam, and to hold the adjusted corner pieces until they can be more permanently joined. |
| US08226071B2 |
Apparatus for transporting generator coils
A cart and detachable hangers system for transporting copper coils that may include: 1) a cart with a substantially rectangular structure that includes at least two opposing side rails and at least two opposing end rails; 2) a plurality of pockets disposed along a top surface of each of the two opposing side rails; and 3) a plurality of hangers, each of the hangers including two projections that are sized such that each may detachably engage one of the pockets. The hanger and the cart are sized such that the distance between the projections correspond approximately to the distance between the pocket on one upper side rail and the opposing pocket on the other upper side rail. |
| US08226070B2 |
Practice fence for tennis and similar games
A fence for tennis practice is disclosed that includes a plurality of rigid mesh panels (18) supported by upright posts (10), preferably with noise reduction strips (30, 32, 33) between them. The mesh panels are secured together side by side to form a substantially flat continuous surface and edges (26, 28) of adjacent panels are bent backwards to abut one another and a side surface of one of the upright posts. The edges are then secured together and to the posts by bolts (23) or the like. There is thus provided a surface having substantially uniformed rebound properties at whatever position it is struck by a tennis ball. |
| US08226069B2 |
Boom mountable robotic arm
A boom mountable robotic arm for temporarily supporting an elongate conductor includes a rigid member such as a beam or beam assembly adapted for mounting onto the upper end of a boom for example using a boom adaptor, at least one electrically insulated support post mounted to the rigid member, where each post temporarily supports an elongate electrical conductor, and at least two rotation devices for selectively controllable rotation of the rigid member and the electrically insulated support posts about at least two corresponding axes of rotation. |
| US08226065B1 |
Force resistant assemblies and shock absorbing article holders
Force resistant assemblies and shock absorbing articles prepared therefrom. The force resistant assemblies comprise a combination of square torsion bars held in a housing within a series of elongated elastomeric strips having elastic memory. |
| US08226062B2 |
Support structure for display device and display device using same
A support structure for supporting a display panel includes a support and a clamp. The support is rotatably coupled to the display panel. The clamp includes two clamping arms rotatably coupled to the support, a bolt and an adjusting nut. A slot is defined in each clamping arm. The bolt is extended through each slot and engaged with the adjusting nut. Therefore a distance between two distal ends of two clamping arms can be adjusted by screwing and unscrewing the adjusting nut along the bolt. A display device using the support structure is also provided. |
| US08226060B2 |
Connection device
A connection device for adjustably connecting a surgical apparatus connected to a first end of the connection device to an attachment part on a stationary device, such as an operating table, which can be connected to a second end of the connection device. The connection device has a first holding arm and a second holding arm, connected to the first holding arm in a hinged fashion via a ball and socket joint. A clamping apparatus is provided for detachably clamping the ball of the ball and socket joint in the ball and socket joint receptacle. A hydraulic apparatus is also provided which, when operated, loads the clamping apparatus with a force opposing the clamping force. Further, a clamping force transformation apparatus transforms the force applied by the clamping apparatus into a larger clamping force. |
| US08226059B2 |
Support assembly
An assembly for supporting an item has a housing (11) has a first surface (23), a second surface (25) opposite to the first surface, and a periphery (27) between the first and second surface. An opening (33) is provided in the first surface of the housing and a cavity (35) extends inwardly from the opening. At least one engagement surface (43) is present in the cavity and positioned toward the second surface, and configured to provide a first region of support. A support component (7) for supporting the item is configured to engage with the engagement surface(s) (43) of the housing with a portion of the support component extending from the opening (33) of the housing and supported by a second region of support at or toward the fkst surface of the housing, to support the item. A base unit and support component are also provided. |
| US08226058B2 |
Saddle mounting device
A saddle mounting device includes a support member having a mounting portion formed thereon. A lower base is connected with the support member. The lower base has two guiding flanges diametrically formed thereon. Two gaps are respectively defined between the two guiding flanges. The lower base has two first engaging grooves defined therein. An upper base is movably connected with the lower base. The upper base has two sliding rods formed thereon for sliding along the two guiding flanges and are guided into the two gaps. The upper base has two second engaging grooves defined therein for corresponding to the two first engaging grooves. A fastener connects the support member with the lower base and is screwed with the upper base. The upper base is simultaneously moved relative to the lower base by a rotation of the fastener. |
| US08226048B2 |
Link mechanisms, including Stephenson II link mechanisms for multi-position flaps and associated systems and methods
Link mechanisms, including Stephenson II link mechanisms for multi-position flaps and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an airfoil having an external flow surface with an upper portion and a lower portion, and with the airfoil forming a base link. The system further includes a six-bar linkage coupled to the airfoil and having a Stephenson II configuration, including a binary second link pivotably connected to the airfoil, a ternary third link pivotably connected to the second link, a binary fourth link pivotably connected to the third link, a ternary fifth link pivotably connected to the airfoil and the fourth link, and a binary sixth link pivotably connected to the third link and the fifth link. The system can further include a deployable leading edge panel carried by the linkage, with the leading edge panel being movable via the linkage between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. |
| US08226047B2 |
Reduction of tip vortex and wake interaction effects in energy and propulsion systems
An airfoil includes a plasma actuation surface integrated onto the airfoil surface. On the airfoil, the plasma actuation surface is configured to provide high-frequency plasma actuation along the plasma actuation surface such that excitation of the vortex flow or shear flow mitigates the vortex flow or the shear flow associated with the airfoil. |
| US08226042B1 |
Spin control system for a suspended object that is to be deployed in or recovered from water
A spin control system includes first and second thrusters coupled to an object hanging from a suspension member. When activated, the first and second thrusters generate thrust in opposing directions that are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suspension member. When the object spins, a controller activates at least one of the first and second thrusters to approximately align the object with a reference position. |
| US08226040B2 |
Continuous fuel management system for automatic control of aircraft center of gravity
Fuel transference between aircraft fuel tanks, disposed in different locations, is used to maintain the aircraft Center of Gravity close to the aft limit of the certified Center of Gravity versus weight envelope. Continuous fuel transfer decreases the control band thus enhancing aircraft performance. |
| US08226034B2 |
Cargo deck and a method for assembling said deck
An aircraft cargo deck is provided to receive loads stored in the cargo compartment. The aircraft comprises an outer skin to which longitudinal beams are secured, preferably via ribs attached to the outer skin. To simplify the construction and the assembly of the cargo deck, it is composed of a plurality of floor modules, which are fixed within the cargo compartment and which are mounted on the longitudinal beams. |
| US08226023B2 |
Refiner
A refiner (1) comprising a stator (2) and a rotor (4). The stator (2) and the rotor (4) comprise a flat portion (7, 9) and a conical portion (8, 10). The conical portion has a first end (17) of smaller diameter (D1) and a second end (18) of greater diameter (D2) such that the first end is directed towards the flat portion and the second end is directed away from the flat portion. The refining surface (12) of the conical portion of the stator comprises at least an outer zone (23) arranged at the second end of the conical portion and an inner zone (22) arranged relative to the outer zone on the side of the first end of the conical portion. A portion of the length of the blade bars (20) in the outer zone are arranged relative to the rotation direction (RD) of the rotor such that they have a retentive effect on the material to be refined. Also a blade segment (19) for a conical portion of a stator of a refiner. |
| US08226022B2 |
Mixer with a chopper
A mixer for mixing and/or blending product, such as granular material, includes a chopper disposed above an agitator assembly. The chopper preferably includes two sets of intersecting chopper blades that rotate in opposing synchronized motion in a zone of fluidized flow of product caused by the agitator assembly. A shroud above the chopper can be used to redirect product sprayed upwardly from the chopper blades back laterally into the zone of fluidized flow of product. |
| US08226017B2 |
Multipurpose fluid distribution system
A multipurpose fluid distribution system including a network of fluid distribution heads associated with a landscape. Also included is a water supply feeding the network of fluid distribution heads. The fluid distribution heads may be typical irrigation or sprinkler heads or specialized heads useful for reaching portions of the outside of a structure or landscape which are not typically irrigated such as the roofs of buildings. Also included in the multipurpose fluid distribution system is a series of distribution valves operatively disposed between the water supply and the network of fluid distribution heads. The system can be controlled with a control unit associated with the distribution valves which is configured to automatically open select distribution valves or open select distribution valves according to manual input. The control unit is configured to open certain valves under predetermined conditions or upon a select schedule for the routine irrigation of the landscape with water from the water supply. In addition, the control unit is configured to open select distribution valves for the nonroutine application of water to the landscape in the event a humidity sensor or fire sensor associated with the control unit detects an approaching wildland fire. |
| US08226016B2 |
Fuel injector assembly
A fuel injector assembly comprising an injector body having a leading end, a fuel inlet passage, a backleak passage and a trailing end that terminates in an end surface; a cap that fits over the trailing end of the injector body to define therebetween a chamber for receiving fuel from said backleak passage; and a seal for sealing said chamber to prevent the flow of fuel therefrom, wherein said seal is disposed between said end surface of the trailing end and an inlet end of said fuel inlet passage. |
| US08226015B2 |
Orthogonal charge-based spectral coding with quantum dot conjugates
Populations of quantum dots are combined with quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence to produce a plurality of optical barcodes having at least two distinguishable colors arising from varying quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence bound to the populations of quantum dots. |
| US08226014B2 |
Card-shaped data carrier
A card-shaped data carrier includes a card body provided with a graphical element displayed thereon. The card body is provided with a plastic material for converting irradiated light into secondary light and for retransmitting the secondary light within the plastic material to the graphical element or to a portion of the graphical element. The card-shaped data carrier has a shaped body which is made of the plastic material for displaying the graphical element and is at least partially arranged in at least one cavity of the card body and/or includes a laterally extended area inside which the shaped body exhibits optical properties different from the properties outside the area. |
| US08226011B2 |
Method of executing an application in a mobile device
For executing an application (13) in a mobile device (1) comprising a camera (14), a visual background (2) is captured through the camera (14). A selected application (13) is associated with the visual background (2). The selected application (13) is executed in the mobile device (1). Determined are orientation parameters indicative of an orientation of the mobile device (1) relative to the visual background (2). Based on the orientation parameters, application-specific output signals are generated in the mobile device (1). Particularly, the captured visual background (2) is displayed on the mobile device (1) overlaid with visual objects based on the orientation parameters. Displaying the captured visual background with overlaid visual objects, selected and/or positioned dependent on the relative orientation of the mobile device (1), makes possible interactive augmented reality applications, e.g. interactive augmented reality games, controlled by the orientation of the mobile device (1) relative to the visual background (2). |
| US08226005B2 |
Code symbol reading apparatus
A housing is mounted on a counter on which a basket for containing a commodity to be purchased is placed and is disposed at a position where it confronts an operator. A read window confronting a read area of a code symbol attached to a commodity is disposed on the front of the housing, and an image pickup section including a CCD area sensor having, as an image pickup area, a read area of the code symbol is incorporated at the back of the read window. An LED light source irradiates illuminating light for illuminating the code symbol, which is necessary for the area CCD sensor to take an image of the code symbol. The LED light source has an optical axis nonparallel to a read optical axis of the area image pickup device and guides the illuminating light to the read area from a position above the area image pickup device. |
| US08226003B2 |
Adjusting parameters associated with leakage signals
The present disclosure includes a system and method for adjusting parameters associated with leakage signals. In some implementations, an RFID reader includes an RF antenna, a transmitter section, a receiver section, a control module and a cancellation noise reduction (CNR) section. The transmitter section is coupled to the RF antenna and operable to generate a transmit signal to be transmitted by the RF antenna. The receiver section is coupled to the RF antenna and operable to receive a receive signal from the RF antenna. In addition, the receiver section further includes a de-rotation module and a control module. The de-rotation module is operable to de-rotate, by θ, an in-phase signal and quadrature signal associated with the leakage signal. The control module is operable to generate control signals used to produce a signal for reducing the leakage signal in a receive path of the reader. The CNR section is operable to subtract from the reduction signal from the leakage signal. |
| US08226001B1 |
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic smart card
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic card by measuring a swipe speed of the electronic card past a magnetic reader head during a swipe of the electronic card past the magnetic reader head and then adjusting a broadcast signal containing the magnetic stripe data packet according to the measured swipe speed so that the magnetic stripe data packet in the broadcast signal is read by the magnetic reader head during said swipe. The swipe speed is measured by a speed sensor such as a capacitive sensor having an outer detection point and an inner detection point. The electronic card can contain a false swipe detection means so that the capacitive sensor changes from a sleep mode to an active mode after a wake up sensor (such as a trip switch preferably having two or more conducting pads raised up from a printed circuit board by at least one spacer) is activated during the swipe and the swipe speed is measured by the capacitive sensor while it is in the active mode before the broadcast signal is broadcast during the swipe. |
| US08226000B1 |
Pointer range designator
Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relating to pointer range designators. In an embodiment, a marking on a pointer and a rotation of the pointer may designate the distance from a location to an object. |
| US08225993B2 |
Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records with improved resistance to fraud
An automated banking machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening, and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraud devices. An anti-fraud sensing system is operative in the machine to sense the probable installation of unauthorized devices on the machine. Such unauthorized devices may include for example, fraudulent card reading devices, fraudulent keypad input intercepting devices, cash outlet trap devices, and deposit input diversion devices. |
| US08225992B2 |
Method and apparatus for distribution of money transfers
A method of performing money transfer send transactions begins with receiving registration information from a customer, including customer identification and qualification information and payment source identification and performing verification of at least a portion of the identification and qualification information and the payment source identification and upon sufficient verification building a distribution profile. The method proceeds by receiving from the customer and storing in the distribution profile send transaction specifications for staging each of one or more proposed send transactions, and receiving a send initiation instruction with associated customer authentication data and responsive thereto identifying a distribution profile and at least one send transaction specification to be executed. Responsive to the send initiation instruction, the method verifies the authentication data and the current status of the payment source identified in the distribution profile and upon sufficient verification, initiates a send transaction according to the at least one send transaction specification. |
| US08225986B2 |
Casing for electronic key and system comprising such a casing
This USB memory key casing exhibits an accessory accommodation housing (6) for a chip microcard (7) independent of the electronic components (4, 5) of the USB memory key. It allows the owner of a USB key and of a chip microcard (7) to have available a convenient location for accommodating the chip microcard (7). It also makes it possible to associate, in one and the same packaging, while being separable, an intelligent chip microcard and an electronic key that are dedicated to transactions pertaining to one and the same banking or other service, one by way of a specialized reading terminal hooked up to the computer system of the provider of the service and the other by way of a host electronic apparatus linked to the Internet network. |
| US08225985B2 |
Pizza carton with curved top
A carton for holding a food product. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The front and back panels each have a curved edge at an end of the carton. |
| US08225983B2 |
Joining jig and method for manufacturing a bonded body of different members by using the jig
A joining jig 5 is constituted of a pair of flat-plate sandwiching portions 17, 18 including sandwiching faces 15 which sandwich therebetween a plate member laminate 4 prepared by laminating two plate members 2, 3 with providing a solder on a joined face between the plate members. The joining jig has a plurality of vapor inflow ports provided in the sandwiching face 15 so that surplus solder vapor on the joined face flows into the vapor inflow ports in a case where the plate member laminate 4 is heated while sandwiching the plate member laminate between the pair; vapor flow paths provided so that the vapor flow paths communicate with the vapor inflow ports; and vapor discharge ports 42 provided in the side surface of the joining jig so that the vapor discharge ports communicate with the vapor flow paths to discharge the vapor of the solder to the outside. |
| US08225982B2 |
Dual capillary IC wirebonding
The invention discloses apparatus and methods for the formation of bond wires in integrated circuit assemblies by attaching two separate wires using a dual capillary bond head. The separate wires are preferably non-identical, for example, being of different gauges and/or material composition. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, dual capillary bond head apparatus includes a rotatable ultrasonic horn with a pair of capillaries for selectably dispensing separate strands of bond wire and for forming bonds on bond targets. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for dual capillary IC wirebonding including steps for using two dual capillary bond heads for contemporaneously attaching non-identical bond wires to selected bond targets on one or more IC package assemblies. |
| US08225980B1 |
True multi-fire surgical stapler with buttress strip
A surgical stapler may include a staple holder; an anvil movable relative to the staple holder; a feeder belt extending into the staple holder; staples frangibly affixed to the feeder belt; and a buttress belt extending onto a surface of the anvil that is oriented toward the staple holder. A surgical method for treating tissue within a patient may include providing a staple holder, an anvil movable relative to the staple holder, a feeder belt extending into the staple holder, staples frangibly affixed to the feeder belt, and a buttress belt extending onto a surface of the anvil that is oriented toward the staple holder; clamping tissue between the anvil and staple holder; deploying staples through the clamped tissue and into the buttress belt, where the staples are connected to said buttress belt as a result; breaking the deployed staples from the feeder belt; and leaving at least a portion of the buttress belt in position against tissue within the patient. |
| US08225978B2 |
Multistage solenoid fastening tool with decreased energy consumption and increased driving force
A fastening device that drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece generally includes a tool housing and a multistage solenoid contained in the tool housing. The multistage solenoid includes an armature member that travels through at least a first stage, a second stage, and a sense coil disposed therebetween. A driver blade assembly includes a blade member connected to the armature member. The driver blade assembly is operable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. A control module determines a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage and the second stage based on a signal from the sense coil. The trigger assembly is connected to the control module and partially contained within the housing. The trigger assembly is operable to activate a driver sequence that moves the driver blade between the retracted condition and the extended condition. The control module adjusts a force imparted on the armature by at least one of the first stage, the second stage, and a combination thereof based on the signal from the sense coil. |
| US08225976B2 |
Belt assembly and container therefore
The present invention relates to a belt assembly and to a container therefore. The belt assembly includes an inner belt, a supporting belt and at least one container. The inner belt is adapted to be installed around a wearer's waist. The supporting belt is adapted to be cohesively affixed to the inner belt. The container is adapted to be affixed to the supporting belt and cohesively affixed to the inner belt. The container is adapted to carry equipment in a receiving compartment, and includes a fixating structure for affixing the receiving compartment to the supporting belt and cohesively affixing to the inner belt. |
| US08225975B2 |
Manual load carrying system/apparatus
A load receiver (such as a bucket) has a hook receptor and a handle receptor or handle. The handle or handle receptor is positioned perimetrically opposite the hook receptor. This load receptor may be used with a hip worn belt having a depending hook that is received by the hook receptor and, where there is a handle receptor, with a rod-like handle that is inserted in the handle receptor. |
| US08225974B2 |
Carrying bag with support
A carrying bag has a casing defining an interior storage space, a back panel, and a support frame secured between the casing and the back panel, with the support frame defining an air channel. A carrying strap can be secured to the back panel, and a lower back strap can be secured to the back panel. The support frame can be replaced by a housing which carries with it a temperature control device and/or a massage device, or water. |
| US08225972B2 |
Luggage rack and passenger seat for a motorcycle
A luggage rack and passenger seat combination for a motorcycle includes a luggage rack assembly configured to mount to the motorcycle. The luggage rack assembly has a support member operable to support cargo on a support surface thereof, the luggage rack assembly including a first engaging feature and a second engaging feature. A passenger seat assembly includes a movable mounting member and a fixed mounting member. The movable mounting member is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The movable mounting member is engageable with the first engaging feature and the fixed mounting member is engageable with the second engaging feature to removably couple the passenger seat assembly to the luggage rack assembly to support a passenger of the motorcycle. |
| US08225968B2 |
Seal system for gear pumps
A pump adapted for coupling in a fluid circuit between a source of coating material and a dispensing device. The pump includes an operating member which extends through a pump housing to a location adjacent the fluid circuit. The passage of the operating member to a location adjacent the fluid circuit includes a seal system permit operation of the pump while reducing the likelihood of leakage of the coating material from the circuit out of the housing along the operating member. The seal system includes at least first and second seals defining between them a flushable seal chamber facing a pump chamber containing the coating material being pumped. |
| US08225964B2 |
Self-locking handheld adhesive dispensers and methods of using such adhesive dispensers
Self-locking handheld adhesive dispensers and methods for dispensing an adhesive using a handheld dispenser. The self-locking handheld dispenser includes a valve, a trigger connected to the valve, and a spring-biased trigger lock mechanism used to lock and unlock the trigger. A locking member of the trigger lock mechanism normally has a blocking relationship with the trigger that prevents an incidental force applied to the trigger from opening the valve. The trigger is unlocked by manually moving a locking member of the trigger lock mechanism out of the blocking relationship with the trigger. The trigger is then freed to respond to an applied manual force and open the valve to dispense the adhesive. When the trigger is released, the valve closes and the spring biasing of the trigger lock mechanism automatically returns the locking member to the blocking relationship with the trigger so that the locked state is restored. |
| US08225963B2 |
Integrated low application temperature hot melt adhesive processing system
An autofeeding low application temperature hot melt application system comprises a hot melt tank, a compact integrated auto feed, and operates at temperatures of not more than 260° F. |
| US08225960B2 |
Ice dispense system and method
An ice dispense system for an ice dispenser is characterized by a chute having an ice receiving upper end in communication with an ice bin outlet passage and an ice dispensing lower end. Beginning with the chute filled with ice and its lower end closed, to dispense a selected quantity of ice, the chute lower end is opened for one of a plurality of different time periods, where each individual time period of the plurality is of a duration to dispense from the chute an associated predetermined quantity of ice. In response to dispensing ice from the chute, an agitator in the bin is operated for one of a plurality of different time periods, where each individual time period of the plurality is of a duration to move through the bin outlet passage and into the upper end of the chute an amount of ice substantially equal to that dispensed. The ice dispensing system is provided with an improved user interface and user programmable features. |
| US08225953B2 |
Resin-made fuel tank structure of vehicle
A resin-made fuel tank structure of a vehicle is provided to suppress the formation of a notch in a mounting portion of an insert portion on a tank body. The fuel tank structure includes a tank body. The tank body includes a resin material having fuel permeation resistance. The fuel tank structure includes an insert portion separate from the tank body. The insert portion includes a resin material. The insert portion also includes a mounting portion to mount the insert portion on the tank body and a fuel fill opening. The insert portion is configured to be mounted to an outer layer of the tank body. The outer layer of the tank body is configured to be in close contact with an end portion of the mounting portion of the insert portion. The outer layer is configured to bulge more outward and upward than the mounting portion. |
| US08225949B2 |
Plug device for a container and container provided with one such device
The closure device (500) comprises a stopper (501) made of elastomer and a cover (502) suitable for covering both the neck (12) of a container and stopper (501) in place in said neck (12). The cover (502) is made of plastics material and comprises a ring (503) and a drive member (504). The ring (503) may surround the stopper (501) and the neck (12) in the mounted configuration, the ring being provided with locking means (503G) for locking on the neck (12). The drive member (504) may be mounted on the ring (503) in arbitrary angular orientation about a central axis (X503) of the ring. The drive member is provided with an annular edge (505D) suitable for being engaged between an outer skirt (503A) of the ring (503) and at least one tab (503G) forming locking means and extending radially towards the central axis (X503) of the ring from the skirt (503A). |
| US08225946B2 |
Shelving system
A shelving system having a support member and a plurality of shelves slidably connected to the support member with a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism including a clamping mechanism moving between locked and unlocked positions, wherein in the locked position the shelf is locked to the support member and in the unlocked position the shelf can be adjusted linearly along and linearly perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the support member. The top of the support member includes a hinged clamp which can attach to a shower head pipe for hanging the shelving system, and the bottom of the support member includes a suction cup for further securing the shelving system to the surface of a wall. |
| US08225944B2 |
System, apparatus and process for extraction of bitumen from oil sands
An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities. |
| US08225943B2 |
Circular clarifier cleaning system
The circular clarifier cleaning system includes a mainframe to which all various components are attached for the prevention of growth and accumulation of the algae and debris. The components within the system include gravity-driven, horizontal and vertical sweeping chains. The outer trough wall, V-notch weirs, baffle plate wall, and inner baffle plate wall are all cleaned utilizing a rotating chain system device. Two main drag chains are used to clean the effluent trough and the overflow in the overflow wall after the V-notch weirs. An individual chain is utilized as a “garland” to clean to the V-notch weirs at the overflow. The circular clarifier cleaning system is driven by an existing skimmer arm found on all secondary clarifiers. |
| US08225939B2 |
Appearance inspection apparatus
An appearance inspection apparatus 1 has an aligning and conveying device 25 which has an aligning and conveying member 26 with one or a plurality of conveying passages, and a vibration exciter for alignment 37 for applying a vibration to the aligning and conveying member 26 and which aligns the inspection objects in a row and conveys them in each of the conveying passages, a slide-down mechanism 40 which has slide-down passages separately connected to the respective conveying passages of the aligning and conveying member 26 an provided to be tilted downward with respect to extensions of the slide-down passages, an imaging device 60 disposed in the vicinity of the slide-down passages for imaging the inspection objects sliding down in the slide-down passages, and a sorting device 80 for analyzing the images of the inspection objects captured by the imaging device, judge the qualities thereof, and sorting the inspection objects sliding down in the slide-down passages on the basis of analysis results. |
| US08225938B2 |
Fixing of screening media
An adapter system for fixing different screening media to a vibrating screen. By way of the adapter system, different side hold downs used for different screening media may be fixed to a wall of the vibrating screen without any modifications of the wall. The adapter system includes an insert to be placed in an opening of the wall. An adapter is attached to the insert at a desired height in relation to the insert. The insert has a number of parallel grooves co-operating with parallel ribs on the adapter in order to attach the adapter to the insert. |
| US08225929B1 |
Damage indicating material for a reel
A substrate made of a material such as cardboard has characteristics sufficient to visually indicate an occurrence of damage when scraped or punctured to identify damage. The substrate has a flat shape with top and bottom elongated edges and a plurality of breaks along at least the top elongated edge to facilitate bending at a substantially ninety degree angle and be wrapped around a payload carried on a reel at an inner corner where an outside surface of the payload and an inside surface of a flange of the reel meet. The substrate can have a perforated fold parallel to the elongated direction substantially perpendicular to the breaks. The substrate is secured to a reel by stapling, taping or plastic shrink wrapping. A visual warning message can be placed on the substrate to aid forklift drivers. |
| US08225926B1 |
Troughing side idler for belt conveyors
A troughing side idler for use with a belt conveyor having upstanding first and second side walls. A first troughing side idler is secured to the first side wall and a second troughing side idler is secured to the second side wall. A horizontally extending medial roller extends between the first and second side walls for cooperation with the side idlers to shape the conveyor belt into a trough. Each of the side idlers includes an idler roller having a shaft which extends upwardly and outwardly through inner and outer bearings which are secured to a bearing bracket housing which is operatively secured to the associated side wall. The upper outer end of the shaft has an annular groove formed therein. A set screw extends through the inner ring of the outer bearing and extends into the annular groove in the shaft. A set screw extends through the inner ring of the inner bearing for frictional engagement with the shaft. A fender washer is secured to the outer end of the shaft. |
| US08225919B2 |
Releasable drive arrangement
A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, a disconnect device operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and a transmission device for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft. |
| US08225913B2 |
Damper for continuously variably adjusting damping force
Disclosed is a damper for continuously variably adjusting a damping force that includes: a cylinder; a piston rod that is inserted into the cylinder and moves back and forth; a piston valve that is coupled to a bottom portion of the piston rod and moves back and forth in the cylinder according to the movement of the piston rod; a MR fluid that fills the cylinder and moves between a tension space over the piston valve and a compression space below the piston valve; and a volume compensation means that is located in the cylinder and compensates for a volume change of an inner space of the cylinder due to the movement of the piston rod, the volume compensation means including: a floating plunger that is configured to be below the piston valve and capable of moving up and down; a coil spring that is coupled to a bottom surface of the floating plunger and supports the floating plunger; and a support cup that is fixed onto the cylinder, coupled to a bottom portion of the coil spring to support the coil spring, and forms a buffer space, along with the floating plunger, between the support cup and the floating plunger. |
| US08225911B2 |
Disc brake assembly with shim plate
A brake pad assembly is provided that includes a backing plate including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and at least one opening. Also included are a friction material associated with the backing plate and a shim plate having a first shim surface and a second shim surface, and a tab projecting from the second shim surface. The shim plate is securely fastened to the backing plate by inserting the tab into the opening such that the friction material, when plastic, embeds the tab inside the opening by flowing through the opening, and subsequently hardens around the tab. |
| US08225910B2 |
Device for controlling the piston roll-back
A device for controlling roll-back of a piston in a brake caliper includes a bush coaxial with and external to the piston. The bush has an outer sealing surface, and a scraper element seated in the caliper body acts against the sealing surface of the bush. An elastic element between the bush and the piston has a elastic constant selected so as to provide an elastic force on the piston substantially weaker that the axial friction force exerted by the scraper element. When the piston is pushed out of its piston seat, the piston packs the elastic means or abuts against the bush before relative sliding occurs between the scraper element and the outer sealing surface of the bush. |
| US08225908B1 |
Elevator escape system including elevator cab detachable from an interposing device
Methods and devices for rescuing an elevator cab occupant. An emergency escape system can be integrated or retrofitted with an elevator. The emergency escape system includes an interposing device configured to attach to the elevator cab and to lower the elevator cab in an intelligent manner in the event of an emergency. The elevator cab may include an emergency cable that attaches the elevator cab to the interposing device and can be used either manually or automatically to lower the elevator cab during an emergency. The emergency escape system may include a thermal information system device, or sensors, which may provide real time environmental conditions of the dwelling and of the elevator occupants that can be communicated to first responders via a wireless protocol. In the event of building power loss, the cab power and the ability to communicate with the outside world may be unaffected. The emergency escape system may be thermally fortified. The emergency escape system may further include a rescue housing that may ascend and descend. |
| US08225906B2 |
Extendable/retractable ladder
An extendable/retractable ladder assembly includes a first stile and a second stile and a plurality of rungs extending therebetween. Each stile may comprise a plurality of columns disposed in a nested arrangement for relative axial movement in a telescopic fashion. A connector assembly connects the rungs to respective columns in the first and second stiles. The ladder has improved manufacturability since connector assemblies may be assembled before connecting the rungs to respective columns. The standing surface of the rungs may be angled such that it is rotated towards horizontal when the ladder assembly is leaned against a wall. A latch assembly may be used to selectively lock relative axial movement between adjacent columns. The latch assembly includes a locking pin assembly comprised of a central post and an outer metal sleeve. An air damper may also be used to control airflow through the columns. |
| US08225905B2 |
Ascender device with cam for belaying on a fixed rope
An ascender device for belaying on a fixed rope, comprising a body with a trough, and an actuating lever having a pivot, a cam for clamping the rope, and a hole for attaching a safety means. A connecting arm with a button-hole is articulated between the pivot and body to move the actuating lever between an inactive position facilitating insertion of the rope in the trough and an active position wherein the ends of the pivot are housed in aligned recesses acting as bearings. A double lock comprises a first lock and a second lock to secure the two opposite ends of the pivot in the recesses, each lock being associated with an unlocking tab for releasing same. |
| US08225901B2 |
Frame structure of a vehicle
In a frame structure of a vehicle that includes a flywheel housing, an intermediate housing and a transmission case that are connected to each other along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to constitute a vehicle frame, the intermediate housing has a hollow shape with a first end and a second end located along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first end having an abutting surface against which the second end of the flywheel housing abuts, a support surface located radially inwardly of the abutting surface so as to support the forward/rearward movement switching unit, and an opening surrounded by the support surface, the opening serving as a first-end opening of the intermediate housing along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The abutting surface and the support surface along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle are located so that at least a portion of the forward/rearward movement switching unit is accommodated within the flywheel housing. |
| US08225898B2 |
Arrangement of components in a vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an internal combustion engine supported on the vehicle body frame, a propeller shaft assembly operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine, a driveshaft, a final drive unit disposed between the front propeller shaft assembly and the driveshaft, a pair of occupant seats arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction, a pedal cluster, and a reduction gear located rearward of the pedal cluster and frontward of the occupant seats. The propeller shaft assembly includes a first propeller shaft disposed at a rear of the reduction gear, and a second propeller shaft disposed at a front of the reduction gear. The second propeller shaft is offset toward a second seat side in a vehicle width direction with respect to the first propeller shaft. |
| US08225897B1 |
Two wheel drive for a motorcycle
A motorcycle where the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not only driven but the front wheel is also driven. Power from the motor of the motorcycle is transmitted to a power transmitting joint which includes an output shaft. The power transmitting joint is mounted directly below the steering stem and on the steering axis of the motorcycle. The power to the front wheel is supplied through a chain which connects between the steering assembly and the front wheel with the chain being movable in conjunction with the front wheel when the front wheel is steered and with suspension movement as when bumps are encountered. |
| US08225896B2 |
Snowmobile and an oil container therefor
A vehicle is shown such as a snowmobile, where a frame includes a tunnel and a front frame portion comprised of cast halves. A suspension system is comprised of upper and lower control arms connected to the front frame portion. Some of the frame components are adhesively fixed together. A powertrain is supported by the frame, and is comprised of an engine and a clutch. The clutch includes a clutch guard supporting an oil container. The engine has an exhaust system which extends through the front frame portion. The snowmobile also has a rear snow deflector. |
| US08225895B1 |
Robotic vehicle with multiple tracked mobility platforms
A robotic vehicle having two or more tracked mobility platforms that are mechanically linked together with a two-dimensional coupling, thereby forming a composite vehicle of increased mobility. The robotic vehicle is operative in hazardous environments and can be capable of semi-submersible operation. The robotic vehicle is capable of remote controlled operation via radio frequency and/or fiber optic communication link to a remote operator control unit. The tracks have a plurality of track-edge scallop cut-outs that allow the tracks to easily grab onto and roll across railroad tracks, especially when crossing the railroad tracks at an oblique angle. |
| US08225886B2 |
Earth-boring bits and other parts including cemented carbide
An article of manufacture includes a cemented carbide piece and a joining phase that binds the cemented carbide piece into the article. The joining phase includes inorganic particles and a matrix material. The matrix material is a metal and a metallic alloy. The melting temperature of the inorganic particles is higher than the melting temperature of the matrix material. A method includes infiltrating the space between the inorganic particles and the cemented carbide piece with a molten metal or metal alloy followed by solidification of the metal or metal alloy to form an article of manufacture. |
| US08225885B2 |
Joint for use in back reaming
A joint according to the invention for connecting a pair of members rotatable about a common axis end to end. A sleeve has a non circular profile on an inner surface thereof whereby the sleeve can be slidably mounted on non circular exterior surfaces of the first and second members when such surfaces are brought into alignment by rotation of one member relative to the other in a manner effective to pass torque from one member to the other by means of the non circular surfaces. A fluid release passage includes a radial port that extends from the first longitudinal fluid supply passage to a clearance between the sleeve and the first member, which clearance communicates with a second clearance between the sleeve and the second member, which second clearance has a discharge opening. |
| US08225878B2 |
Method and apparatus for expanded liner extension using downhole then uphole expansion
An expansion and cementing assembly is run into the well as the expandable liner is made up. A work string is tagged into the expansion assembly and run to depth. Pressure drives the swage to initially expand and move uphole with the attached work string until the liner is expanded above the location of the subsequent cement placement. The assembly is then lowered to engage the guide/float shoe to perform the cementing step. The swage assembly is then released from the guide/float shoe and the balance of the expansion is performed without further expansion against the recently placed cement. The expansion assembly can start at the guide/float shoe or higher, in which case expansion can occur initially in a downhole direction and later be completed in an uphole direction. Variations without cementing are also contemplated. |
| US08225874B2 |
Gas lift valve assembly and method of using
An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a gas lift valve and an isolation member. The gas lift valve includes a valve element that is located between an annulus and a passageway of a tubing. The valve element is adapted to selectively open and close to control fluid communication through the valve element. The isolation member is adapted to in a first state, isolate the valve element from at least one of the annulus and the passageway and in a second state, permit fluid communication between the valve element and the annulus or passageway. |
| US08225871B2 |
Bidirectional sealing mechanically shifted ball valve for downhole use
A downhole ball valve is mounted n a string and features a rotating ball that turns on its axis as it is held against an upstream and a downstream seal by a cage. The cage accepts a slide that engages the ball off-center to rotate it between the open and closed positions. The slide is operated by a sleeve attached to a piston assembly. The sleeve is mechanically operated in opposed directions such as by a wireline shifting tool. Differential pressure on a closed ball does not affect the actuation piston because pressure across the actuating piston is balanced while holding pressure differential across the closed ball. A check valve allows the actuation piston to be in pressure balance as the ball stays closed. |
| US08225869B2 |
Locator tool and methods of use
Methods and devices are provided for accurately determining depths of certain structures in downhole strings. Locator tools comprise a shaft and a plurality of locator springs longitudinally mounted on the shaft. The locator springs are biased to expand and are configured to compress to allow the tool to traverse past restrictions in the downhole string. Each locator spring includes a locating pad that allows it to engage with an internal locating notch in the downhole string. The internal locating notch is sized to mate with the locator tool, i.e., to allow the locator springs to engage the internal locating notch. In this way, the depth of internal locating notches may be determined precisely and accurately by sensing engagement of the tool with the internal locating notch. Advantages of certain embodiments include more accurate depth determination, repeatable engagements of the tool, and reduced false engagements. |
| US08225867B2 |
Systems and methods for distributed interferometric acoustic monitoring
Acoustic monitoring is carried out using a fiber optic cable. Coherent Rayleigh noise generated by the transmission of a coherent beam of radiation through the fiber optic cable is detected, a phase of the coherent Rayleigh noise is measured and the measured phase is processed to identify an acoustic occurrence along the fiber optic cable. In certain aspects an optical fiber serves as a distributed interferometer that may be used to monitor a conduit, wellbore or reservoir. The distributed interferometric monitoring provides for accurate detection of acoustic occurrences along the fiber optic cable and these acoustic occurrences may include fluid flow in a pipeline or wellbore, processes taking place in a wellbore or pipeline, fracturing, gravel packing, or production logging. |
| US08225862B2 |
Load distributing apparatus and method
A load distributing apparatus including, a sleeve configured to be radially expandable, and a wedge in operable communication with the sleeve. The longitudinal movement of the wedge relative to the sleeve causes an increase in longitudinal load on the sleeve by the wedge until an expanded portion of the sleeve reaches a selected dimension of the wedge after which continued movement of the wedge relative to the sleeve maintains a substantially constant longitudinal load on the sleeve. |
| US08225861B2 |
Sealing feed through lines for downhole swelling packers
A swelling element on a packer has a trough formed on a longitudinal axis. The control line or cable or conduit that needs to run along the string where the packer is mounted is first wrapped in a preferably non-swelling underlayment that can be a loose scroll or have its seam sealed. A swelling cover is placed over the underlayment using a seam that can be longitudinal or spiral to allow rapid deployment. The covering assembly for the control line or conduit is placed in the slot of the swelling element of the packer. The line or cable continues out opposed ends and can be secured to the tubular string with clamps. The control line can be covered with a swelling material and forced into a groove that runs the length of the packer swelling element. |
| US08225859B1 |
Debris cleanup tool with flow reconfiguration feature
A debris cleanup tool uses a movable eductor to reconfigure the flow scheme through the tool. During the debris pickup mode, pressurized fluid is delivered to through the tubing to the eductor inlet. The outlet of the eductor is into the surrounding annulus where the flow splits with most going to the surface and the rest down and into a mill making cuttings. The flow into the mill takes the cuttings to a collection volume and then screens the internal flow stream before directing it into the eductor inlet. The eductor body can be repositioned to close the eductor outlet to the annulus and open the outlet into the housing to allow reverse flow. In one embodiment a ball is dropped and pressure is built to break a shear pin to shift the eductor body and to open a bypass around the ball. |
| US08225856B2 |
Treatment for recycling fracture water—gas and oil recovery in shale deposits
A method and apparatus for hydrocarbon recovery and/or treatment of frac water includes introducing a volume of water into a formation, recovering the introduced water, with the recovered introduced water further comprising suspended hydrocarbon product. The recovered liquid is treated to remove substantial amounts of the suspended hydrocarbon product, provide the treated recovered liquid with a ORP in a range of 150 mv to 1000 mv, and partially desalinated, and is either re-introduced as treated recovered liquid with the ORP into a formation to assist in recovery of additional hydrocarbon deposits in the formation, or is stored to reduce the ORP and then subsequently discharged into surface waters. |
| US08225855B2 |
Surface equipment assembly for wellbore cable
An embodiment of a clamping, cutting, and wiping assembly assembly may comprise a frame defining a pathway for a cable to pass therethrough, a clamp mechanism, a cutter device, and a wiper mounted to the frame adjacent the pathway for engaging with a cable, wherein the clamp device, the cutter, and the wiper may each be actuatable. |
| US08225852B2 |
Heat exchanger using air and liquid as coolants
A heat exchanger suitable for a vehicle includes a plurality of tubular first members arranged in a row and forming elongate gaps. These members form passageways for flow of a first fluid for heat exchange with cooling air flowing through the gaps. The first members and gaps form a primary heat exchange area. Inlet and outlet manifolds are connected to the first members for directing the first fluid through the first members. An associated cooling device circulates liquid coolant and comprises flat tube-like second members, each extending into a respective gap in a secondary area which is part of the primary area but smaller. The second members each have a thickness at least the width of their respective gaps. At least some of the first members can be formed with cut-outs in opposite flat sides, these cut-outs being sealingly closed by the second members. |
| US08225843B2 |
Continuous casting mold and continuous casting method of round billet
In a mold for casting a billet with a curved type continuous casting apparatus, D0 (m) is an inner diameter at a lower mold edge and R0 (m) is a curvature radius of an outer curvature side at the lower mold edge. When a rate of change Tp (%/m) in mold inner diameter per unit length along a casting direction is Tp=(1/D0)×(dD/dx)×100 (%/m), and when a rate of change Rp (%/m) in curvature radius of an outer curvature side per unit length along the casting direction is Rp=(1/R0)×(dR/dx)×100 (%/m), the rate of change Tp in mold inner diameter and the rate of change Rp in curvature radius satisfy a relationship expressed Rp=(Tp/2)×(D0/R0), where D is a mold inner diameter at a distance x away from an upper mold edge and R in Formula 2 is a curvature radius of the outer curvature side at the distance x. |
| US08225837B2 |
Apparatus for making absorbent articles having side seams
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles, and more particularly, apparatuses and methods utilizing multiple processing stations for processing absorbent articles and being configurable to move along various predetermined travel paths defined by radii that may be constant or variable. Particular embodiments of apparatuses and methods of manufacture include a processing wheel having a plurality of processing stations which orbit around a rotation axis. The processing stations may be configured to perform various types of operations associated with the manufacture of absorbent articles while the processing stations orbit around the rotation axis. The processing wheel can be configured to adjust the path along which the processing stations orbit as the processing wheel rotates around the rotation axis. As such, the orbit path can be adjusted to accommodate the manufacture of different sized blanks without the need to physically move or relocate and realign other process apparatuses, such as for example, sealing stations. |
| US08225834B2 |
Pneumatic tire for heavy load
In a pneumatic tire for heavy load including a circumferentially-formed groove running in a tire circumferential direction on a surface of a tread part, when a pneumatic pressure equivalent to a normal inner pressure is applied with reference to a case where a pneumatic pressure equivalent to an inner pressure of kPa is applied, a radius growth in a tire radial direction at a crown center of the tread part and in the circumferentially-formed groove located at the most lateral side in a tire width direction is made to be less than 0.3%. |
| US08225833B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire capable of improving drainage performance and noise-reduction. The pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion being provided with central longitudinal grooves 3a, shoulder longitudinal grooves 3b, and intermediate land portions 4a each defined between the central longitudinal groove 3a and said shoulder longitudinal groove 3b. The intermediate land portion 4a is provided with a thin groove 5 extending the tire at a position away axially inside from the shoulder longitudinal groove 3b, intermediate slant grooves 6 each extending from the thin groove 5 toward said central longitudinal groove 3a while inclining terminating without being connected to the central longitudinal groove 3a, and connection grooves 7 each extending so as to connect between the adjacent intermediate slant grooves 6 in the circumferential direction of the tire. Each of the connection groove 7 inclines in the same direction as the intermediate slant groove 6 at an angle smaller than that of the intermediate slant groove 6. |
| US08225832B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire includes on a tread a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of land portions formed by being partitioned by the circumferential main grooves. A protrusion is formed on a groove bottom of at least one of the circumferential main grooves. The protrusion continuously extends in a groove-length direction of the circumferential main groove, and a height h1 of the protrusion varies in a wavelike form along the groove-length direction. Moreover, junctions each of which couples the protrusion onto at least one of groove walls of the circumferential main groove are formed on the groove bottom of the circumferential main groove. |
| US08225829B2 |
Transferable purse organizer
Transferable organizers provide stabilization and ease of location for objects carried in handbags and other bags. The organizers may be independently usable and freestanding, and may be inserts inside an existing bag. At least some walls of the organizer are substantially rigid to protect the contents, make the organizer freestanding, or to conform to the dimensions of the existing bag. At least one wall of each organizer may be expandable by means of an expansion panel that can be stowed when expansion is not needed using a fastener, such as a zipper, snap, or magnetic connection. Expansion panels enable adjustment of the width, length, or height of the organizer. A eyeglass case includes an inwardly extending lip that curls over the lens of the glasses and is adjacent a rigid front section. A shoe organizer includes a cushion flap and a stabilizing flap that protects and positions the shoes. |
| US08225828B2 |
Modular conical chipper/canter head and method
A modular conical chipper/canter head and method. A preferred method adjusts the cutting head for changes in chip length. The method includes the steps of providing an annular facing module, providing a conical, solid hub module for mounting one or more chipping knives, and at least one of (a) installing one or more control plates between the facing module and the hub module, and (b) removing the one or more control plates from between the facing module and the hub module, for spacing the facing and hub modules apart a selected amount. |
| US08225826B2 |
Fluid transfer device
A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid from a first fluid container to a second fluid container such as a piercing member protection device. The fluid transfer device can comprise a longitudinal axis A and a first connection part comprising a connector that connects to the first fluid container. The fluid transfer device can further comprise a second connection part rotatably mounted to the first connection part by a mounting element, and the second connection part can further comprise a threaded coupling that connects the second fluid container. The mounting element can enable turning of the second connection part with respect to the first connection part. Such a device can allow a user to safely turn e.g., a syringe after assembly to read a volume indication or similar. |
| US08225823B2 |
Hand sanitizer device for fuel pump dispenser
A hand sanitizer compartment is embedded into a fuel pump dispenser to provide a patron with the option to cleanse his hands after pumping fuel. The hand sanitizer compartment includes a hand sanitizer dispenser that includes a circuit configured to receive an activation signal from a computer system of the fuel pump dispenser when a patron request access to the hand sanitizer dispenser. |
| US08225821B2 |
Pintle for spiral fabrics
A connecting element for use in an industrial fabric. The connecting element includes a center portion and a plurality of lobes extending therefrom. The industrial fabric may be a spiral link fabric. The connecting element deforms under compression or tension reducing the fabric thickness and permeability. |
| US08225820B2 |
Hose
A hose comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between elongate inner and outer gripping members, wherein the tubular body comprises a sealing layer arranged between inner and outer reinforcing layers, and wherein the outer gripping member is made of a flexible non-rigid material capable of being wound around the tubular body. |
| US08225814B2 |
Differential-pressure flowmeter and flow-rate controller
A differential-pressure flowmeter that can reduce (eliminate) a difference between the ambient temperature of one pressure sensor and the ambient temperature of another pressure sensor so as to allow for accurate and stable pressure measurement is provided, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a differential-pressure flowmeter is provided. Provided are a body having a main fluid channel through which a fluid, whose pressure is to be measured, flows, and two pressure sensors held by the body and arranged in series relative to the main fluid channel, and a temperature balancer composed of a material with high thermal conductivity is accommodated in a recess that is formed in the body located below the two pressure sensors. |
| US08225812B2 |
Slam shut safety device
A safety device for a gas distribution system includes a valve body, an upper casing attached to the valve body, the upper casing housing two springs. The two springs are co-axially located and separated by a casting tube. Further, the two springs are attached to a movable diaphragm that is exposed to gas system pressure. A snap ring flange is also attached to the valve body, the snap ring flange being used to secure the safety device to a main regulator in the gas distribution system. The valve body also includes a cam mounted within the valve body. A limit switch is directly connected to the cam such that the limit switch moves directly in response to movement of the diaphragm. Additionally, a reset pin extends from the valve body and interacts with the cam such that the cam may be reset from a closed position to an open position by moving the reset pin. |
| US08225809B2 |
Methods and apparatus for introducing a pig into a fluid system
A method and apparatus for introducing a pig into a fluid system is provided. The method comprises providing a coupling in a fluid system. The coupling itself can include a sleeve coupled to a pipe and an end cap. The end cap may include a collar handle and at least one engagement member. The engagement member facilitates selective engagement of the end cap with the sleeve. The end cap is rotated relative to the sleeve to disengage the engagement member from the groove and to open the end cap relative to the sleeve. The groove is configured so that the engagement member can be opened only when the line is de-pressurized. A pig is inserted through the sleeve and into the pipe. The end cap is then coupled to the sleeve by engaging the engagement member with the sleeve and rotating the end cap relative to the sleeve. |
| US08225807B1 |
Collapsible external shade system for vehicles
A shade system for mounting atop a vehicle. The system features a first support panel attachable flush with the top of the vehicle via an attachment means and a second support panel pivotally attached to the first support panel. The second support panel can pivot from atop the first support panel to a vertical position perpendicular to the first support panel via a hydraulic arm. A shade housing is disposed atop the second support platform. A shade component is rolled on a spool in the shade housing. The shade component can be extended from and retracted into the shade housing. The shade component can be stabilized to keep the shade component in an extended position via a securing means. |
| US08225803B2 |
Substrate processing method and apparatus
A substrate processing method and apparatus can securely carry out a pre-plating treatment that enables uniform plating in the necessary area of the surface of a substrate. The substrate processing method carries out a cleaning treatment and a catalyst-imparting treatment of a surface of a substrate as pre-plating treatments and then electroless plates a metal film on the catalyst-imparted surface of the substrate. The cleaning treatment is carried out in a wider area of the surface of the substrate than that area to which a catalyst is imparted by the catalyst-imparting treatment. |
| US08225801B2 |
Mascara applicator
The invention concerns a mascara applicator comprising a rod or the like including one end supporting a brush-forming applying part, said rod having at least proximate the brush a main axis, such brush being provided with a plurality of bristles systematically distributed about said main axis, the bristles of said brush being all of the same length and oriented in divergent manner substantially from a central point located substantially at said end of the rod, in all the directions of the space inside a cone having as apex the central point and whereof the apex angle measurement is not less than about 230°, preferably not less than 300°. |
| US08225799B2 |
Support structures and methods of using the same
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, wherein the anvil is selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue. The support structure includes a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft. The body has an outer terminal edge. The support structure includes at least one layer of expandable material disposed at the outer terminal edge of the body. |
| US08225793B2 |
Respiratory mask device having improved head strap connectors
A respiratory mask device includes a mask body that has a front gas inlet and a rear abutment end to contact a patient's face, left and right upper connectors disposed on left and right sides of the front gas inlet for connection with an upper head strap, left and right lower connectors respectively disposed beneath the left and right upper connectors, and left and right cantilever arms fixed at a top side of the mask body. The left and right cantilever arms extend downward and sideward from the top side and have bottom free ends carrying respective left and right upper connectors. With the cantilever arms, pulling forces can be dispersed uniformly on the mask body, and uncomfortable pressure experienced by a user may be eliminated. |
| US08225792B2 |
Mask device with blower
In a mask device with blower, a sensor for warning is disposed, which detects a movement position of an exhaust valve corresponding to the case where an internal pressure of a face body is lower than an outer atmospheric pressure at the time of inhaling air in a non-contact state and outputs a signal. A warning device operates in accordance with a signal that is output from the sensor for warning. |
| US08225790B2 |
Inhaler 624
The present invention relates to an Breath actuated inhaler (BAI) actuator, comprising: a loading element capable of being loaded with an actuation force, a breath actuated trigger mechanism arranged to counteract the actuation force of the loading element, and to fire the actuator by releasing the actuation force of the loading element in response to an inhalation breath, and actuation locking means moveable between a locked position wherein it relieves the actuation force from the trigger mechanism setting the trigger mechanism in a neutral position, and an armed position wherein the trigger mechanism is set in an armed position. |
| US08225787B2 |
Adjustable pressure device and system thereof
An adjustable airway pressure system is provided. The system may include a cap and a canister. The cap may include a substantially hollow conduit having indicia indicative of a plurality of airway pressure values and adapted to receive and output exhaled gas. The conduit may have screw threads on an exterior surface of the conduit. The cap may also include an adjust collar circumscribing the conduit and having an interior surface with a second plurality of screw threads. The second plurality of screw threads may couple and be complementary to the first plurality of screw threads such that a rotation of the adjust collar causes the conduit to move in a substantially vertical direction. The conduit may be adapted to be adjusted to heights along a continuum. The canister may contain liquid and receive the conduit such that the received exhaled gas is output from the conduit into the liquid. |
| US08225786B2 |
Double-ended blower and volutes therefor
A variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise. |
| US08225775B1 |
Ignition coil device
In an ignition coil device mainly mounted in an internal combustion engine, the installation can be improved even in an ignition coil having a bent leading end. The ignition coil device of a bent type includes a case having a transformer structure with a primary coil and a secondary coil therein; a high voltage tower including a high voltage terminal that transmits a high voltage developed in the secondary coil to a lower portion of the case; and a plug boot that electrically and mechanically connects the high voltage terminal, the high voltage tower to an ignition plug, includes a boot base close to the high voltage tower and a boot leading end close to the ignition plug in which a center axis of the high voltage tower and a center axis of the boot leading end are tilted, wherein a bend position is set in the vicinity of an intersection point of the center axis of the high voltage tower and the center axis of the boot leading end, and a rigid intermediate member including a connection relay member that electrically connects the high voltage terminal and the ignition plug is provided, and the rigid intermediate member extends from the boot base to the bend position. |
| US08225774B2 |
Lubrication system for a four-stroke engine
A lubrication system for a four stroke engine including an oil pan for storing lubrication oil; a crankcase, wherein a crankshaft is disposed, which crankshaft has a balance weight and is coupled with a piston of a cylinder; a gear assembly room; a rocker-arm chamber; and a gas-oil separator for separating gas and oil from a mix of gas and oil; wherein the oil pan communicates with the crankcase by an oil suction passage, in which a first check valve is disposed; the crankcase communicates with the gear assembly room by a first oil delivery passage; the gear assembly room communicates with the rocker-arm chamber by a second oil delivery passage, and the gear assembly room communicates with the oil pan by a third oil delivery passage; the rocker-arm chamber communicates with the crankcase by a first oil return passage having a second check valve therein. |
| US08225768B2 |
Integrated fuel injector igniters suitable for large engine applications and associated methods of use and manufacture
Embodiments of injectors suitable for injection ports having relatively small diameters are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes a body having a first end portion opposite a second end portion. The second end portion is configured to be positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber and the first end portion is configured to be spaced apart from the combustion chamber. The injector also includes an ignition conductor extending through the body from the first end portion to the second end portion, and an insulator extending longitudinally along the ignition conductor and surrounding at least a portion of the ignition conductor. The injector further includes a valve extending longitudinally along the insulator from the first end portion to the second end portion. The valve includes a sealing end portion, and the valve is movable along the insulator between an open position and a closed position. The injector also includes a valve seat at or proximate to the second end portion of the body. When the valve is in the open position the sealing end portion is spaced apart from the valve seat, and when the valve is in the closed position the sealing end portion contacts at least a portion of the valve seat. |
| US08225764B2 |
Cam carrier assembly
A cam carrier assembly may include at least a cam carrier mounted on a cylinder head and including a support, an actuator shaft, a portion of which is mounted in the support and rotatable to control a valve life, and a cap mounted on the cylinder head and coupled to the at least a cam carrier to rotatably support the portion of the actuator shaft and surrounding and rotatably supporting the other portion of the actuator shaft, which is not surrounded by the support. |
| US08225763B2 |
Hydraulic actuator control device and hydraulic actuator control method
In a hydraulic actuator control device, a changing tendency of responsiveness of a hydraulic actuator to changes in the oil control valve (OCV) drive duty of a virtual OCV is stored as model control characteristics. The ratio of an actual OCV dead zone width to a virtual OCV dead zone width is calculated as an OCV variation correction coefficient. A basic control amount is calculated based on a deviation between an operating amount and a target operating amount of the hydraulic actuator. An actual OCV in-dead-zone control amount is obtained by correcting a virtual OCV in-dead-zone control amount with the OCV variation correction coefficient, and an actual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount is calculated based on a virtual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount. The actual OCV control amount is the sum of the actual OCV in-dead-zone control amount and the actual OCV out-of-dead-zone control amount. |
| US08225762B2 |
Camshaft assembly
The invention relates to a camshaft assembly comprising an inner shaft, an outer tube rotatable relative to the inner shaft, and two groups of cams mounted on the outer tube, the first group of cams being fast in rotation with the outer tube, and the second group being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube and being connected for rotation with the inner shaft by means of connecting members that pass through circumferentially elongated slots in the outer tube. In the invention, the outer tube surrounds the inner shaft with clearance and the members connecting different ones of the cams of the second group to the inner shaft are inclined relative to one another and act to locate the axis of the inner shaft relative to the outer tube. |
| US08225757B2 |
Continuous variable valve lift apparatus
A continuously variable valve lift apparatus includes an input cam disposed to a camshaft and rotating, a follower supporting portion rotatably disposed to the camshaft for changing a relative angle of the follower with respect to the camshaft, a follower that includes a center shaft, is connected with the follower supporting portion via the center shaft, and pivots around the center shaft by receiving rotation movement of the input cam, a straight line guide, an output cam that contacts the follower and reciprocates along the straight line guide, and a valve opening unit that is opened by pushing of the output cam. |
| US08225755B2 |
Flexible intake system for a two-stroke internal combustion engine
This invention relates to a flexible intake system for a crankcase scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine (10) having an additional air supply to its transfer ducts. The intake system comprises a flexible intake duct (22) connecting a fuel supply unit (21) e.g. a carburetor with an engine cylinder (11) and at least one flexible air duct (40) connecting a valve housing (42) for additional air with the engine cylinder. The end portion of the flexible intake duct (22) and at least one air duct (40) is secured to the cylinder by means of a baffle (23) made of a stiffer material than the ducts (22, 40) themselves. |
| US08225753B2 |
Sorrels engine
An internal combustion engine of uniquely simple elements that combines the use of an assemblage of rotating elements to restrain cylinders radically coplanar perpendicular to centerline of the power shaft and pistons and connecting rods to a rotating coplanar reciprocating alignment with the cylinders, channels to force strokes of the pistons and connecting rods, with the energy of the power stroke and the resistance of the same by the channels producing a force that rotates the assemblage inside a ported engine housing. Engine should be lighter, able to use a variety of fuels, able to use simplified ignition systems, produce more power and be more cost efficient to manufacture and operate than existing engines of the same displacement. Once engine position and fuel is decided elements of the fuel, cooling, lubrication, ignition and electrical systems can be included in the drawings. |
| US08225739B2 |
Automatic dispensing machine
An automatic dispensing machine adapted for dosing adhesive to a product includes a base frame having a flat operating platform, at least two positioning apparatuses disposed on the operating platform for securing the product respectively, a sliding support slidably mounted onto the base frame and capable of being driven to slide above the positioning apparatuses, and a storage container vertically slidably mounted onto the sliding support by means of a container stand for storing the adhesive and capable of being driven by the sliding support to suspend over another one of the positioning apparatuses from one of the positioning apparatuses for dosing the adhesive to the product. When the automatic dispensing machine processes the product positioned in another positioning apparatus, the former processed product secured on one positioning apparatus can be simultaneously disassembled therefrom and another product is repositioned to the one positioning apparatus. |
| US08225738B2 |
Resist coating method and resist coating apparatus
A resist coating method supplies a resist solution to substantially the center of a target substrate to be processed while rotating the target substrate at a first rotational speed, then reduces a rotational speed of the target substrate to a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, reduces the rotational speed of the target substrate to a third rotational speed lower than the second rotational speed or until rotational halt to adjust the film thickness of the resist solution, and accelerates the rotation of the target substrate to a fourth rotational speed higher than the third rotational speed to spin off a residue of the resist solution. |
| US08225736B2 |
Hub glow pointer
A gauge of an instrument cluster includes a glow hub. The gauge includes a dial and a pointer including a hub portion rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction through a translucent portion of the hub. A first reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the light source and adapted direct light in a second direction. A second reflecting surface portion of the hub is adapted to receive light directed from the first reflecting surface portion and adapted to direct light in a third direction. |
| US08225727B2 |
Tufting machine
The invention concerns an improved tufting machine which comprises a tufting head translatable within said tufting machine in X- and Y-directions with respect to backing fabric by means of a movement system. The tufting head comprises a tufting mechanism having a cyclic mode of operation, a hollow needle mounted in the tufting mechanism that is moveable relative to a cooperating foot in a reciprocating manner to insert a tuft of yarn into backing fabric in each cycle, a yarn supply mechanism mounted in the tufting mechanism and operable to supply a length of yarn to the hollow needle in each cycle, a yarn cutter mounted in the tufting head that is selectively operable to cut the length of yarn in selected cycles to produce loop or cut pile, and a computer-operated motion control system. |
| US08225721B2 |
Apparatus and method for securing a railcar sanitary cover
An apparatus for securing a cover to a bottom outlet valve (BOV) of a railcar, where the apparatus has a bracket attached to the railcar proximate the BOV; a rod extending generally perpendicularly from the bracket; and a cantilevered arm extending from the rod near a distal end thereof, where the cantilevered arm is configured to support the cover. |
| US08225716B2 |
Printing unit of a printing press, comprising at least two frame parts, the positions of which relative to one another can be changed
A printing unit of a printing press is composed of at least two frame parts, the position of at least one of which, relative to the other, can be changed. Cooperating ones of these frame parts are placed against each other along a common joining surface, in a first operational position. These frame parts are separated from each other in a second operational position. An interstice, that is partly defined by these frame parts, is formed between the separated frame parts in the printing unit. At least one of the cooperating frame parts is supported so that it is movable along an adjustment path. At least one sensor is provided and is usable to monitor the interstice. The sensor has orientation characteristics or a sensory range along the joining surface. A control unit is provided and is connected to the at least one sensor. At least one drive unit is assigned to at least one of the cooperating frame parts and is usable to change the frame parts from one operational procedure into the other operational procedure. A control element is arranged in a control system and is usable to supply power to the first drive unit that is controlled by the control unit in accordance with a signal which is supplied by the sensor that is monitoring the interstice. The control element is also able to activate the first drive unit and is controllable independently from the activation of the first drive unit. A functional position of the control element blocks a relative movement between the frame parts with that functional position being selected by the control unit. |
| US08225713B2 |
Baling press for large bales
A baling press for producing large square high-density bales has a pick-up device picking up crop, a cutting device downstream of the pick-up device, a conveying device downstream of the cutting device, and a pressing channel disposed downstream of the conveying device and receiving the crop from the conveying device. The crop is shaped to high-density bales in the pressing channel. A tying device is provided that, for ensuring a permanent cohesion of the bales and completing the bales, ties tying medium strands, connected in endless loops, in longitudinal direction of the bales about the bales. A spacing of outermost tying medium strands, disposed next to outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, relative to the outer parallel longitudinal bale edges, respectively, is at least as large as or greater than an average spacing between neighboring tying medium strands in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal bale edges. |
| US08225712B2 |
Device for controlling the strength of an extractable beverage
Processes for controlling strength of an extracted beverage including providing a pseudo packed bed of an extractable beverage material and contacting at least one liquid extraction stream with the pseudo packed bed of beverage material at a selected depth to obtain at least one zone of minimum extraction and at least one zone of maximum extraction. As the depth at which the liquid extraction stream is introduced into the packed bed increases, the zone of minimum extraction increases and the zone of maximum extraction decreases. |
| US08225711B1 |
Self-contained single-serve beverage brewing system
This invention fresh brews a single cup of coffee or other hot beverage without measuring, preparation or cleanup and without the need for stand-alone coffee-making devices. It can be dispensed individually from existing vending machines in remote areas or purchased in multi-packs for home or workplace use. The invention stores the ingredients, fresh brews the beverage, becomes a travel mug for consumption, and is disposable. The consumer places the invention in a microwave oven to heat the self-contained water to the proper brewing temperature. The heated water “melts away” or splits the temperature-sensitive membrane, enters the brewing chamber, seeps through the charge of beverage making material, and drips into the outer cup. When the brewing is done the consumer shakes the container to mix the enclosed ingredients, pops open the lid, and enjoys a freshly brewed single serving of hot beverage. |
| US08225710B2 |
Beverage preparation system, holder and apparatus
A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (102), and an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device which is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing a first fluid under pressure to a first mixing chamber (110) of the exchangeable holder. The exchangeable holder is provided with a storage space (108) which is filled with a second fluid and a fluid communication (114) between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber. The holder further comprises a fluid communication seal (138) for bringing the fluid communication into operation through removal of the sealing action of the fluid communication. The fluid communication is a channel having a first curvature (171) in longitudinal direction of the channel. |
| US08225708B2 |
Multi-beverage brewer with on-demand variable brew water temperature and method
A beverage brewer (10) with a temperature selectable dispense system having an on-demand hot water heating chamber assembly (30) with a hot water chamber body (86) having a volume substantially less than the volume of beverage brewed during a single brew cycle, a heating element (98) to quickly and substantially alter the water temperature in the chamber body during a single brew cycle and a microprocessor controller (38) for controlling the heating element in response to temperature sensors (40, 42). The controller (38) controls the brewer (10) to brew different types of beverages, with dispense water at different preselected temperatures in response to a manually actuatable switch (72, 74, 76 and 78). The temperature of the dispense water may also be changed from a hotter temperature at the beginning of a brew cycle to a lower temperature during an end portion of the same brew cycle. |
| US08225705B2 |
Firearm
Automatic firearm with firing mode selector (6) to change the firing mode from automatic firing mode to semi-automatic firing mode, where the firearm (1) is equipped with a firing mechanism (11) with selection control (37) which enables the firearm (1) to function in closed bolt firing mode or open bolt firing mode, and in automatic firing mode as well as semi-automatic firing mode in both closed and open bolt firing mode. |
| US08225699B2 |
Sun gear coaxially driven screw and nut structure
The planetary gear coaxially driven screw and nut structure of the present invention is to install the inner ring gear in the nut and install at least one of the radial arm structures of the planetary gear in the bolt; and by means of coaxial drive of the sun gear with the nut center, effects locking or loosening operation of the screw and nut set or screw structure. |
| US08225697B2 |
Tool and method for removing and installing a tamper-resistant cap of a pest control device
A tool includes a hub, at least two opposed fingers depending from the hub, and at least two opposed skirt sections configured different from the fingers. The skirt sections depend from the hub and are disposed adjacent the fingers. The opposed skirt sections have a second transverse distance between lower edges thereof that is greater than a first transverse distance between lower edges of the opposed fingers. The fingers are resiliently moveable relative to the skirt sections. Each of the fingers is circumferentially spaced from the adjacent skirt section by a gap. At least a portion of the gap is formed in the hub. The at least two fingers and the at least two skirt sections are circularly aligned such that each of the fingers and each of the skirt sections lie on a common circle. |
| US08225696B2 |
Method of manufacturing a pocket tool
A key conversion workstation converts conventional keys, in their many shapes and sizes, into a key assembly having a standardized head that can be used, among other uses, within a key organizing device. |
| US08225695B2 |
Arrangement for inhibiting range shifting in a transmission
An arrangement for inhibiting axial movement of a range clutch in a transmission includes a driver adapted to move the range clutch axially on an output shaft between a high range position and a low range position, a sensor arrangement adapted to sense at least one of reverse rotational direction and potential reverse rotational direction of at least one of a main shaft and the output shaft and to generate an inhibit range shift signal upon sensing at least one of reverse rotational direction and potential reverse rotational direction, and a controller adapted to inhibit operation of the driver upon receipt of the inhibit range shift signal from the sensor arrangement. A transmission and a vehicle including such an arrangement are also disclosed. A method for inhibiting axial movement of a range clutch in a transmission, and a method of retrofitting a transmission with an arrangement for inhibiting axial movement of a range clutch are also disclosed. |
| US08225693B2 |
Control lever mechanism adapted to be mounted to a cowl of a materials handling vehicle
A control lever mechanism is provided for being mounted to a cowl of a main body of a materials handling vehicle. The control lever mechanism may comprise at least one lever structure including a control lever having a section which falls within or is approximately parallel with a lowermost view plane of a view zone of an operator, wherein the operator view zone includes at least one view plane positioned above the lowermost view plane, and apparatus for mounting the lever structure to the main body cowl. |
| US08225687B2 |
Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
The present invention comprehends a plurality of embodiments of a hydraulic control system for various configurations of dual clutch transmissions. The hydraulic control systems all include a regulated source of pressurized hydraulic fluid including an electric pump, a filter and an accumulator, a pair of pressure control valves and a branching hydraulic circuit including pressure or flow control valves, spool or logic valves and two position valves which collectively supply and exhaust hydraulic fluid from a plurality of shift actuators. The actuators are connected to shift rails which include shift forks and are slidable to engage synchronizers and positive clutches associated with the various gear ratios. |
| US08225683B2 |
Wafer bow metrology arrangements and methods thereof
An arrangement for quantifying a wafer bow. The arrangement is positioned within a plasma processing system is provided. The arrangement includes a support mechanism for holding a wafer. The arrangement also includes a first set of sensors, which is configured to collect a first set of measurement data for a plurality of data points on the wafer. The first set of measurement data indicates a minimum gap between the first set of sensors and the wafer. The first set of sensors is positioned in a first location, which is outside of a set of process modules of the plasma processing system. |
| US08225682B2 |
Accelerated weathering test apparatus with calibration-access assembly
An apparatus for accelerating the weathering effects on test specimens within a test chamber including a calibration-access assembly for replacing test sensors located within the apparatus with reference sensors when the apparatus door is closed. An improved sensor support assembly is also included. The calibration-access assembly from an improved location, facilitating superior irradiance detection. The calibration-access assembly including an aperture defined in the door of the apparatus and a shield connected to the door that is movable to permit or prevent access to sensors when the apparatus door is closed. |
| US08225681B2 |
Device for measuring superfine particle masses
A device for measuring superfine particle masses including a quartz oscillator and an exposure system having at least two measuring chambers. Each of the at least two measuring chambers has a same geometry, a deposition surface for particles, and an aerosol feed directed at the respective disposition surface configured to feed an aerosol onto the respective deposition surface. At least one of the respective deposition surfaces is disposed on the quartz oscillator. |
| US08225669B2 |
Immersed probe over pressurized elastomer
A method for ultrasonic testing includes placing an ultrasonic probe in a liquid bath inside of a pressure vessel having an elastomeric diaphragm stretched across an opening of the pressure vessel, applying pressure within the pressure vessel to bring the elastomeric diaphragm towards a test piece, and conducting ultrasonic testing of the test piece using the ultrasonic probe. A device for ultrasonic testing of a test piece includes a pressure vessel having an elastomeric diaphragm and an ultrasonic probe disposed within the pressure vessel. |
| US08225664B1 |
Lamb waves for laser bond inspection
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed for the use of Lamb waves in laser bond inspection. |
| US08225657B2 |
Method and apparatus for quantitatively detecting unbalanced state and method for detecting clamping state of a workpiece
A method and an apparatus for quantitatively detecting the unbalanced state of a rotating shaft and a clamping state of a workpiece clamped to a shaft are disclosed by solving with a nonlinear multivariable method a Lagrange kinematics equation to determine from acquired position, velocity, acceleration and torque signals of the rotating shaft an unbalanced amplitude variable and an unbalanced angle variable of the rotating shaft, optionally both with and without a workpiece. The motor driving the shaft is energized with a combined S-shaped and sinusoidal velocity profile with a position profile component, a velocity profile component, and an acceleration profile component. The components are selected such that the motor speed during the accelerating and decelerating stages does not change abruptly. |
| US08225656B2 |
Electrical device and smoke detector
An electrical device that is free from trouble in opening/closing of the cover even if the housing is distorted. The electric device includes: a case (3) having a substantially box shape and an opened end surface (3a); a cover (5) including a lid surface (5a) for covering the end surface of the case, a hinge (4) arranged between the case and the cover, for opening/closing the case and the cover; and an engagement section (12) for holding a closed state of the case and the cover. The engagement section includes: an engaged portion (7) arranged in the case and including a shaft member (9) having a shaft portion substantially orthogonal to an inner surface of the case, and a bearing member (11) for fixing the shaft member with a distal end (9a) thereof projecting from a guide hole end surface (10a) of a shaft member pushing portion (10); and an engaging portion (19) including a coupling component (20) provided with an attachment piece (23) attached to the cover (5), and a substantially horseshoe shaped portion (27) defining an elongated cutout (25) and connected to an end of the attachment piece. |
| US08225655B2 |
Altitude sensing systems for flying height adjustment
An altitude sensor includes a support frame and a sensor unit mounted in the support frame. The support frame has an upper shield and a lower shield. The sensor unit includes a beam and a damper. The damper is configured to move up and down in response to the air flow, which drives the beam to move up and down accordingly. Distances from the damper to the upper shield and the lower shield are less than those from the beam to upper shield and the lower shield. The altitude sensor possesses super specific properties such as unlimited sensitivity to flying height because of no size constraints and unchanged sensitivity under a changing environment, a selfprotective mechanism to resist deformation in case of an accident, easy manufacture process as well as low production cost. The present invention also discloses an altitude sensor for use in a disk drive device and a disk drive device with the altitude sensor. |
| US08225654B2 |
Self-compensating capacitive liquid level detector
Method and corresponding apparatus for liquid level detection with a liquid level detection unit (10) with a capacitive liquid level detector (14) with a input capacitance (C) changing if the capacitive liquid level detector (14) contacts a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: generating a clock signal (CLK), with a predetermined on-time (t1) corresponding to a predetermined sensitivity of the capacitive liquid level detector (14), being fed both to a reference generator (12) and to the capacitive liquid level detector (14); said reference generator (12) generating a control value (CV), derived from an on/off ratio of said clock signal (CLK) and feeding it into a control input (19) of a comparator (18); feeding a liquid detection response signal (RS), of said capacitive liquid level detector (14) in response to said clock signal (CLK), into a signal input (20) of the comparator (18); said comparator (18) triggering an output signal at an output (21) when said liquid detection response signal (RS) exceeds a threshold value (TV) in response to a change of the input capacitance (C). |
| US08225653B2 |
Level sensor for cryogenic liquids, and receptacle comprising such a level sensor
A filling level detector for cryogenic liquids which are located in a container (1) uses a probe with a superconductor. In order to provide a filling level detector which is insensitive and costs little, the probe (11) is a flat conductor (20) which comprises a plurality of conductors which are routed parallel in a plastic matrix (21), of which a first conductor (23) is a super conductor, second conductors (24) are used to supply heating current to the first conductor (23), and third conductors (25; 25, 26) are used for voltage measurement, with the conductors in one pair (24, 25, 26) each being connected to points (27, 28 and 29, 30) which are at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the probe. The probe is guided in a guide in the container. |
| US08225646B2 |
Throttle body sweep diagnostic system and method
A throttle diagnostic system comprises a diagnostic device comprising a throttle sweep diagnostic module that generates N throttle position commands at a first predetermined interval, wherein the N throttle position commands differ by a predetermined interval. A vehicle control system comprises a throttle body assembly that receive the N throttle position commands and a throttle diagnostic module that performs diagnostics on the throttle body assembly at a second predetermined interval that is less than the first predetermined interval. |
| US08225640B2 |
Soot sensor and method for sensing soot
A soot sensor and method for detecting soot is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a sensing element for a soot sensor is disclosed herein, the sensing element having a pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes each having a portion disposed on a peripheral edge of a non-conductive substrate of the sensing element; a first pair of side sensing electrodes disposed on a first side of the sensing element, the first side having a first area partially bounded by the peripheral edge, wherein a resistance between the pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes decreases as soot accumulates on portions of the pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes and a resistance between the first pair of side sensing electrodes decreases as soot accumulates on portions of the first pair of side sensing electrodes. |
| US08225638B1 |
Methods to determine the durability and wear-resistance of soft armor
Methods to determine the durability and wear-resistance of soft armor. Observations on field tested articles of soft body armor indicate that the materials are subject to a combination of flexing, tensile, compressive and abrasive forces. The forces and stresses to which soft armor articles are subjected to can be duplicated in a controlled, isolated, measurable, appropriate and intuitive manner, to correlate ballistic performance with durability and wear characteristics. The tests closely approximate the forces and stresses experienced in the end use of ballistic resistant composite articles. |
| US08225636B2 |
Apparatus for forming a duct
An apparatus for forming a duct includes a bending apparatus and a support apparatus. The bending apparatus includes a table, a cut off beam, and a leaf hinged to a forward edge of the table. The cut off beam is movable toward and away from the table to clamp or release a metal web being fed forward across the table and the leaf. The cut off beam repeatedly clamps the metal web to the table while the leaf pivots toward the cut off beam to form a duct section. The support apparatus includes a cross rod movable along pivoting support arms. As the metal web is bent to form the duct section, the support arms and the cross rod are moved to internally support the duct section. |
| US08225634B2 |
Device for positioning and holding an emergency key
A device for positioning and holding a key in a container including a cover and a casing. The device includes an opening/closing mechanism enabling the cover and the casing to be mobile in relation to each other at least in rotation, about a rotational axis, between an open position providing access to a housing of the container and a closed position. The device also includes a locking/unlocking mechanism of the cover and the casing, at least in a closed position, comprising a locking/unlocking control device which is mobile in translation following a translation axis. |
| US08225633B2 |
Rotation mechanism for key blade
In at least one embodiment, a fob assembly comprising a housing, a mechanical key a spring cover, a spring, and a button is provided. The mechanical key includes includes a key holder for rotation to and from the housing and defines an opening extending therethrough to define a pivot axis. The spring cover is coupled to the key holder and is positioned about opening. The spring cover is adapted to rotate with the key holder. The spring is positioned within the opening and is coupled to the spring cover. The button is coupled to the spring and is adapted to lock the key holder to prevent rotation of the key holder. The button is further adapted to unlock the key holder in response to a force such that the key holder and the spring cover rotate about the pivot axis independent of the button. |
| US08225621B2 |
Detection and correction of reverse operation of a compressor in a refrigeration system
A method and system for detecting and correcting unintended reverse or backward operation of an electric motor driven scroll compressor of a refrigeration system is characterized by monitoring the pressure at a suction side of the compressor during operation of the refrigeration and determining whether the pressure, after a first time interval following startup of the compressor, exceeds and remains in excess of a predetermined upper pressure limit for at least a second time interval. If it does, the compressor is turned off for a third time interval and is then restarted. The foregoing is repeated and if the compressor is turned off a selected number of times because of successive occurrences of high suction side pressures during operation of the refrigeration system in a chilling cycle, an error indication is generated and the refrigeration system is shut down. |
| US08225620B2 |
Refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit
The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one compartment located in the interior space of the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit, wherein means are provided for air moistening by means of which the relative humidity in the compartment can be set. |
| US08225619B2 |
Air-refrigerant cooling apparatus with a warm gas defrost bypass pipe
The present invention provides a technique for rapidly removing frost accumulated in air-refrigerant cooling apparatuses. An air-refrigerant cooling apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a bypass line for directly supplying a defroster with refrigerant air having an increased temperature from a compressor, avoiding temperature drop by a heat exchanger and an expansion turbine. Moisture of the frost melted in the defroster is externally exhausted by a fan. |
| US08225615B2 |
Gas turbine engine with heat insulation device
A combustor (14) is placed next to a turbine (16), on the side opposite a compressor (12). A heat insulation device (20) for reducing the transmission of heat from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side is provided between the combustor/turbine and the compressor. A connection shaft (18) has an axial hole (18a) open on the inlet side of the compressor and axially extending to near a turbine impeller, and also has a radial hole (18b) open near the turbine impeller to the outside of the connection shaft and radially extending to be in communication with the axial hole. |
| US08225614B2 |
Shim for sealing transition pieces
According to one aspect of the invention, a shim for sealing two adjacent turbine transition pieces is disclosed. The shim includes a circumferential member that includes a first lateral flange and a second lateral flange. Further, the first and second lateral flanges each comprise a tab configured to mate to a first surface plane and the first and second lateral flanges are configured to mate to a second surface plane, wherein the first and second surface planes are substantially parallel. In addition, the shim includes a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the circumferential member. |
| US08225612B2 |
Fuel spraying apparatus of gas turbine engine
A fuel spraying apparatus of a gas turbine engine includes a first fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for diffusion combustion and a second fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for premixed combustion. The second fuel spraying section is disposed so as to surround the first fuel spraying section. The apparatus further includes an air curtain generating section disposed between the first fuel spraying section and the second fuel spraying section. The air curtain generating section is configured to generate an air curtain which defines an outer edge of a diffusion combustion area in a combustion chamber. |
| US08225611B2 |
System for vaporization of liquid fuels for combustion and method of use
A gas stream with a reduced oxygen concentration relative to ambient air is used to vaporize a liquid fuel or liquefied higher hydrocarbon gas, or is mixed with a vaporized gas, and the reduced oxygen vaporized fuel gas is fed to a combustion device such as a premixed or diffusion combustor. Preferably, the oxygen content of the gas stream is less than the limiting oxygen index. By mixing the fuel with a gas stream that has an appropriately reduced oxygen content, auto-ignition prior to the desired flame location in the combustor can be avoided. In some embodiments, the reduced oxygen stream is generated from an air separator or taken from the exhaust of the combustion device. |
| US08225610B2 |
Fuel delivery system and method of assembling the same
A method of assembling a fuel delivery system is provided. The method includes providing a base that includes a surface, a receptacle extending into the base from the surface along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of channels extending into the base from the receptacle. Each of the plurality of channels includes an inlet end and an outlet end, and each of the plurality of channels intersects the receptacle at the outlet end, wherein the receptacle and the plurality of channels are formed integrally within the base such that the plurality of outlet ends are spaced axially from one another. The method further includes securing a fuel nozzle within the receptacle, the fuel nozzle including a plurality of separate flow paths, wherein each of the plurality of channels is in flow communication with one of the plurality of separate flow paths. |
| US08225606B2 |
Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using rapid isothermal gas expansion and compression
The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed. |
| US08225605B1 |
Energy conversion system
A shaft has a horizontal primary axis of rotation and a plurality of offset secondary portions. A bladder is coupled to each secondary portion. Each bladder has an upper end, a lower end and an interior. A positive pressure source and a negative pressure source are provided. Positive tubes couple the positive pressure source with the interior of each bladder for inflation. Negative tubes operatively couple the negative pressure source with the interior of each bladder for deflation. A control assembly is provided. The control assembly sequentially inflates each bladder when rotating upwardly and sequentially deflates each bladder when rotating downwardly. A quantity of water submerges the bladders during their movement. |
| US08225601B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purification system includes: a catalyst (3) provided in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine (1) and having a carrier containing a basic oxide and platinum carried on the carrier; a catalyst (4) for purifying NOx; and oxygen supply means (2). |
| US08225598B2 |
Metering device for liquid reducing agent
A metering device for introducing liquid reducing agent into an exhaust gas pipe. A metering valve is supplied with contents from a working tank by a delivery unit and dispenses the tank contents in a discharge direction. The delivery unit establishes a negative pressure between the delivery unit and the metering valve when the delivery direction is reversed. The negative pressure causes gas to be drawn off through the metering valve against the discharge direction. The delivery direction is reversed by either a feed pump with a reversible effective direction or a feed pump and a repolarization valve which communicates with the feed pump and transposes an inlet and an outlet of the feed pump. |
| US08225596B2 |
Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, a urea adsorption type selective reduction catalyst is arranged in an engine exhaust passage. By feeding urea from a urea feed valve into the exhaust gas flowing into this selective reduction catalyst, the NOx included in the exhaust gas is reduced in the selective reduction catalyst. TO suppress the generation of hydrogen cyanide, an HC adsorption catalyst for adsorption of the HC in the exhaust gas is arranged in the engine exhaust passage upstream of the selective reduction catalyst. |
| US08225595B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for estimating an NOx conversion efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst
According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for estimating an NOx conversion efficiency of an SCR catalyst. The apparatus includes a catalyst degradation module for determining an SCR catalyst degradation factor and a NOx concentration module for determining an SCR catalyst inlet NOx concentration based on an interpretation of at least one NOx detector signal. Additionally, the apparatus includes an NH3 concentration module for determining an SCR catalyst inlet NH3 concentration, a temperature module for determining an SCR catalyst bed temperature of the at least one SCR catalyst, and a space velocity (SV) module for determining an exhaust gas SV for the SCR catalyst. A NOx conversion efficiency module calculates a NOx conversion efficiency value based at least partially on the SCR catalyst degradation factor, the SCR catalyst inlet NOx concentration, the SCR catalyst inlet NH3 concentration, the exhaust gas SV, and the SCR catalyst bed temperature. |
| US08225593B2 |
Twin fan turbomachine
A twin fan turbomachine with two contrarotating fans, one upstream and one downstream, driven by two contrarotating coaxial shafts each of which connects one fan impeller to at least one low-pressure turbine impeller located downstream, the downstream fan impeller being connected by its downstream part to its drive shaft. |
| US08225587B2 |
Controlling groomer assembly depth penetration
A turf cutting unit includes a reel assembly mounted to a frame and having a plurality of reel blades rotatable about a reel axis extending substantially parallel to the ground. A drivingly rotatable groomer includes a plurality of spaced apart and substantially vertically oriented cutting plates. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the reel assembly relative to the turf to set a turf cutting height. The adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the position of the cutting plates to set a depth of cut that the groomer cutting plates engage the turf. The adjustment mechanism limits a maximum depth of cut of the groomer cutting plates based on the cutting height of the reel assembly. A method of operating a turf cutting unit is also discussed. |
| US08225584B2 |
Film for stretch hood applications and method for using same
Provided are films wherein at least one layer of the film comprises a first polymer component and a second polymer component. The first polymer component comprises propylene-derived units and ethylene-derived units and/or a C4 to C20 alpha-olefin. The second polymer component comprises ethylene-derived units and a units derived from a co-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated ester. The films are particularly useful in stretch hood applications. |
| US08225580B2 |
Formwork support with filler material in recesses of top and bottom chords and having end-face protectors overlying ends of the top and bottom chords
The aim of the invention is to improve the load-bearing capacity of formwork supports during shock-type stress that is effective especially perpendicular to or at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the support. Said aim is achieved by a formwork support which is made essentially of wood and is provided with a top chord, a bottom chord, and a web that connects the two chords. The web and/or at least one of the chords comprises at least one recess in at least one final area of the support said recess being filled with a filling material that has shock-absorbing properties. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a formwork support. |
| US08225578B2 |
Flexible interlocking mortarless wall unit and construction method
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a slab roof for interlocked mortarless masonry wall systems. In a method of providing a mortarless construction system, a wall foundation including foundation tendon rods is constructed and a first set of mechanical fastening is attached to the foundation tendon rods. A first set of tendon rods is attached to the first set of mechanical fastening. A wall structure is created by vertically stacking a plurality of wall units onto the threaded tendon rods and affixing the wall units using the mechanical fastening. A plurality of roof connecters is attached to the threaded tendon rods of the wall structure and a plurality of roof rods are attached to the roof connecters of opponent walls horizontally to form a network of roof rods which are interconnecting the walls for building a roof. |
| US08225571B2 |
Deck fastener, system and method of use
A device for fastening first and second structural members, typically decking joists and planks has a generally planar base plate with first and second ends and a thickness. A first vertical tab is integral with, and bent upwardly along a first bend line from an interior portion of the base plate. The bend occurs in a first direction to form a first interior angle between the first vertical tab and the second end of the base plate. A first fastener-receiving hole is positioned in the first vertical tab. A second fastener-receiving hole is positioned in the base plate between the first bend line and the second end. The first interior angle is in the range of about 85 to 90° along the first bend line. The base plate is generally trapezoidal, with a width that decreases from the first end to the second end. |
| US08225560B2 |
Skylight having a molded plastic frame
The present invention provides a skylight frame design that is adapted to receive at least two panels of glass. The skylight frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first glass panel so that a section of the first glass panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second glass panel so that the second glass panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The skylight frame design of the invention is either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section. In another embodiment of the invention, a skylight frame design which directly incorporates one or more panels of glass during molding is provided. |
| US08225557B2 |
Roofing system and method
A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture. |
| US08225556B2 |
Self cleaning gutter system and gutter bracket
This invention relates to capped gutter systems and more specifically the bracket which supports the gutter cap and onto which the gutter is mounted and affixed to the roofline. No gutter cap or screen can completely eliminate the introduction of debris into the gutter channel. The present invention meets the long felt need for a gutter system that inhibits the introduction of debris into the gutter channel and helps flush out debris that manages to accumulate in the gutter. The present invention utilizes a gutter bracket which pushes the front of the gutter down, thus forcing water and debris to collect along the front bottom edge. The act of creating a low point along the forward bottom edge of the gutter concentrates the debris in this low point and accelerates the flow of water due to the decrease in volume, thus increasing the amount of energy available within the channeled water for debris removal. The present invention also facilitates the insertion of a gutter cap behind the roof drip edge and provides for temporary support during hardware installation. |
| US08225554B2 |
Door opening trim weather strip for motor vehicle
A door opening trim weather strip for a motor vehicle, of which a tubular seal portion is difficult to be worn and exhibits good flexibility when passengers get and off the motor vehicle and contact the tubular seal portion. The door opening trim weather strip has a base portion for attachment to a flange provided in a door opening portion of a vehicle body, and a tubular seal portion integrally formed with the base portion for contacting the door, and sealing between the door and the door opening portion. The tubular seal portion adapted to extend along a rear vertical side of the door opening portion has a main body composed of a sponge material and a skin layer composed of a solid material and formed on a surface of the main body, and a first skin layer part of the skin layer has a thickness ranging from 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. |
| US08225552B2 |
Door-opening device for a vehicle sliding door
A sliding door slides along the side of a vehicle. An electric drive unit is disposed on a floor of the vehicle and a lower guide rail is disposed under the floor. A lower roller bracket coupled to the sliding door moves along the lower guide rail back and forth. A door-opening outer tube mounted to the sliding door extends from the electric drive unit to a rear wire guide at the rear end of the lower guide rail. A door-closing outer tube extends from the electric drive unit to a front wire guide at the front end of the lower guide rail. A door-opening wire extends through the door-opening outer tube from the electric drive unit to the lower roller bracket. A door-closing wire extends through the door-closing outer tube from the electric drive unit to the lower roller bracket. |
| US08225551B2 |
Device for operating rear side windows of convertible vehicles
A device that includes at least one slider joined to a window which slides along the rail defining the trajectory for the window. The trajectory is defined by a departure angle formed by the vertical and initial upper curvature of the rail which is ±45° and the curvature radius of the aforementioned trajectory which is about 0 to 500 mm. The device includes a means of adjusting the position of the device with regard to a door including an upper pivoting axle on the rail which allows the device to tilt to fit it in the door with two lower transversal screws for lateral adjustment, and one screw on the slider for adjusting the window with regard to the rail and the slider. |
| US08225550B2 |
Method of providing a decorative cover for a flower pot formed of a heat shrinkable material
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods for providing decorative covers, decorative collars and decorative cover-collar combinations for covering a flower pot. The decorative covers and/or collars are formed from a variety of configurations of heat shrinkable sheet of material placed over all or a portion of a peripheral surface of the flower pot and then heated to shrink the sheet of material into a pressing engagement against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot. |
| US08225548B2 |
Hill plot farming method for cereal grains
The invention consists of a method of planting seeds of plants selected for enhanced colony growth attributes in a hill plot seeding method to produce an enhanced commercial yield of cereal grain as well as a method of producing seeds selected for enhanced colony growth attributes. |
| US08225543B2 |
Canting vertical fore grip with bipod
Devices, systems and methods of canting firearms such as rifles relative to fore grip having extendable and expanded legs. One version allows for a rocking and canting of the firearm by pivotally attaching an upper portion of the expanded legs. Another version allows for a separate canting member to be clamped to both the upper portion of a vertical fore grip and to the lower mounting rail of the firearm. The canting member has portions that cant (move to the left or to the right) relative to one another. An operator can cant the firearm in a free-state or to fixed positions as desired. |
| US08225539B2 |
Flowing water display
A flowing water display including a transparent upright backwall panel covering a graphic art sheet and water sprayed from a spray tube against a forward surface of the panel to cause a down flow of water thereover, with an open topped reservoir tank disposed beneath the panel to collect said water down flow, which is recirculated by a pump drawing water out of the reservoir tank and pumping water back into the spray tube. A pair of removable side channels and top channel frame the graphic art image and conceal the spray tube and plumbing connection to the pump. The components of a wall mounted version allow separate mounting to make a wall mount easier for large size displays. |
| US08225532B2 |
Shoe and removably securable shoe insert
A shoe insert for adjusting the fit of a shoe on a person's foot, and the combination of such insert and a shoe with elements providing for removable securement of the insert within the shoe. The shoe insert may be formed from a stable, resilient, and biodegradable material such as a molded mixture of polyurethane and cork, and may be removably secured within the shoe via a cooperating slot and rail system to prevent slippage of the insert within the shoe. The shoe or insert or both may be contoured to provide a custom anatomical fit to the person's foot. |
| US08225531B2 |
Impact-attenuation systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member. |
| US08225527B2 |
Cooling apparatus for a web deposition system
Described are an apparatus and a method for cooling a web. The apparatus includes an inner cylinder having a void therein and configured for coupling to a gas source. The apparatus also includes an outer cylinder having an inner surface, an outer surface to support a web and apertures between the inner and outer surfaces. The outer cylinder rotates about the inner cylinder so that gas provided to the void of the inner cylinder flows through the apertures that are adjacent to the void and passes to the outer surface of the outer cylinder to increase the heat transfer between the web and the outer cylinder. The volume of gas introduced into the vacuum deposition chamber during a process run is thereby limited. Advantageously, the apparatus enables higher deposition rates and increased productivity. |
| US08225526B2 |
Device and methods for rapid drying of porous materials
An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. Because evaporation may lower the temperature inside the sealable chamber, an infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber in response to the vacuum created by the vacuum pump. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. A load cell may be placed in the bottom of the sealable chamber to monitor the weight of a sample to determine if the drying process is complete. Other parameters could be used, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber. The cold trap extracts moisture from the system, which eliminates the possibility of damage to the vacuum and creates an added pressure gradient for removal of air from the sealable chamber. Heating the chamber either by introducing heated air or by direct use of infrared heat facilitates drying of the sample and shortens the drying process. |
| US08225520B2 |
Expandable leveler
An adjustable hanging device for hanging frames, shelves, mirrors, etc., comprising a linear element having thereon a pair of spaced sliders, each slider having a point thereon to enable a spot to be marked on a wall, and a level mounted on the linear element for facilitating leveling of the device so that the item to be mounted will be level, the linear element being retractable into a storage case. |
| US08225517B2 |
Sighting system and range finder for an archery bow
A sighting system for use on an archery bow includes a sighting pin defining a front focus point and a plurality of contact knocks coupled to the bow string. An archer adjusts the distance of a shot by positioning a reference feature relative to a contact knock while placing the sighting pin on a target. A range finder for determining a distance to the target includes a sighting pin having a focus point and first and second yardage bars on opposite sides of the sighting pin. The first and second yardage bars are configured to be located relative to known features of the target at certain distances from the target. |
| US08225515B2 |
Chainsaw carving guide bar
A chainsaw guide bar adapted for carving and shaping a workpiece. In one embodiment, a guide bar includes a mounting end, a distal cutting end, and an intermediate portion offset from the longitudinal axis defined the mounting end. The guide bar may further include an idler sprocket mechanism operable to keep the saw chain engaged with the outer peripheral edge of the guide bar. In other embodiments, the guide bar includes an axially elongated recess providing an unsupported span of chain which is movable between undeflected and deflected positions when carving a workpiece. |
| US08225509B2 |
Method for making a pivot arm assembly for semiconductor wafer handling robots
A method for making a robot pivot arm assembly includes forming from a rigid, machinable material a circular disk, and forming a circular aperture through the center of the disk. An outer bearing track is formed integrally in the inside surface which defines the aperture, and the apertured disk is positioned in a machining device with a fixturing portion that engages the outer bearing track. An integral outer race, an arm and a gear segment with teeth are then machined into the disk to form the outer portion of the pivot arm assembly. An inner race with an inner bearing track is positioned inside the integral outer race, and rolling bearing elements are inserted into the first and second bearing tracks. |
| US08225508B2 |
Process for assembling two assemblies, such as aircraft fuselage assemblies
A process for assembling two assemblies, for example aircraft fuselage assemblies, using multiple fastening components. The process includes drilling of holes through an overlap zone, carried out using a drilling tool which passes through an associated centering hole made in a drilling grid fixed to this overlap zone, wherein the drilling tool includes a support mandrel and an expanding ring which fits onto the mandrel along a conical contact surface. A relative movement between the expanding ring and the mandrel is applied so that, following immobilization of the ring in the associated centering hole, displacement of the mandrel supported against the overlap zone is produced, through the centering hole and towards this overlap zone, to exert a pressure on the latter. |
| US08225504B2 |
Medical leads with segmented electrodes and methods of fabrication thereof
In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: forming a plurality of electrode assemblies wherein each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises a respective plurality of segmented electrodes angularly separated by ribs formed in one or more segments of thermoplastic tape; electrically coupling a conductor to each segmented electrode; molding polymer material around each segmented electrode of the plurality of segmented electrodes to interlock each segmented electrode with polymer material to form a distal end of the medical lead; and fusing the one or more segments of thermoplastic tape of each of the plurality of electrode assemblies with the polymer material. |
| US08225503B2 |
Method for manufacturing board with built-in electronic elements
A method for manufacturing a board with a built-in electronic element, includes providing a support substrate including a support base and a metal foil, forming a protective film made of a metal material on the metal foil of the support substrate, forming a conductive pattern made of a metal material on the protective film by an additive method, placing an electronic element on the support substrate with the conductive pattern such that a surface of the electronic element where a circuit is formed faces the conductive pattern, covering the electronic element with an insulative resin, etching away the metal foil using a first etching solution such that the protective film is not dissolved by the first etching solution or that the protective film has an etching speed which is slower than an etching speed of the metal foil, and electrically connecting terminals of the electronic element and a part of the conductive pattern. |
| US08225500B2 |
Method of making a conductive elastomeric coplanar connector with mechanical pin
A process to make a connector is enclosed. The claimed embodiment comprises the following steps. First, design an insulating substrate using a customer specification. Second, program a Computer Numerical Control machine tool to form holes in the insulating substrate according to the design made in step one. Third, program a computer controlled dispensing machine tool to dispense conductive polymer into each hole formed in step 2. Fourth, form holes in the insulating substrate using the programmed Computer Numerical Control machine tool. Fifth, place a pin in each hole. Sixth, using a computer controlled automated dispensing machine, dispense electrically conductive polymer into each hole around the pin. And, finally, cure the polymer to hold the pin in place. |
| US08225499B2 |
Method for manufacturing a circuit board structure, and a circuit board structure
This publication discloses a method for manufacturing a circuit-board structure.1. The structure comprises a conductor pattern (3) and at least one component (6), which is surrounded by an insulating-material layer (10), attached to it by means of a contact bump (5). According to the invention, the contact bumps (5) are made on the surface of the conductor pattern (3), before the component (6) is attached to the conductor pattern (3) by means of the contact bump (5). After attaching, the component (6) is surrounded with an insulating-material layer (10). |
| US08225498B2 |
System and method for reconfiguring a harness board
A reconfigurable harness board system is provided for assembling a wire harness for an electrical panel and comprises a plurality of sub-harness modules. Each sub-harness module defines a swappable template for a wire harness for a respective electrical component for the electrical panel. Select ones of the sub-harness modules are mounted to a frame according to a first layout of electrical components for the electrical panel to create a reconfigurable harness board system in which each sub-harness module is detachable from the frame to be swapped with a different sub-harness module in order to reconfigure the harness board system according to a second layout of electrical components. |
| US08225487B2 |
Method for confining sense current of a read transducer to an air-bearing surface(ABS) side of a free layer
A method according to one embodiment includes forming a mask above a thin film sensor stack; forming an electrically insulating layer above the mask and sensor stack, the insulating layer having a portion extending along a nonhorizontal end of the mask; selectively removing the insulating layer except for the portion thereof extending along the nonhorizontal end of the mask; removing portions of the sensor stack that are not covered by the mask and the portion of the insulating layer, wherein an end of the portion of the insulating layer positioned away from the mask is about aligned with a back end of the sensor stack after removing the portions thereof; and removing the mask. |
| US08225486B2 |
Method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head
In a manufacturing process of a head slider, a plurality of head elements are formed on a wafer, each head element comprising: a return pole, a coil, and a main pole. The wafer is cut into respective head elements so that individual head sliders are formed. A ratio of an amplitude of an electrical signal applied to the coil of the write head on the head slider to an amplitude of output from an independent magnetic field sensor not embedded in the head slider is calculated, where the independent magnetic field sensor is disposed near the main pole so as to be opposed to the main pole across the air bearing surface, and where the ratio is calculated while a displacement between the main pole and the magnetic field sensor is swept. A flare point height of the main pole is determined from the calculated amplitude ratio. |
| US08225478B2 |
Memory shape bushings and bearings
The disclosure provides bearing sleeves or bushings made of memory shape material, and processes for installing such bearing sleeves or bushings. In one process, inner and outer surfaces of a bearing sleeve, made of a memory shape material, may be compressed at least one first temperature. A bearing may be inserted in a cavity of the bearing sleeve, and the bearing sleeve may be disposed adjacent to a surface of a structure, while the bearing sleeve is at the at least one first temperature. The inner and outer surfaces of the bearing sleeve may be expanded, at least one second temperature, to abut against the bearing and the surface of the structure. |
| US08225477B2 |
Fairing removal tool
A fairing removal tool and a method of using the tool provide for an improved method of removing a fairing from an engine inlet case. The fairing removal tool employs a hook and notch to engage the fairing and release the bonds joining the fairing to an inner structural element of the inlet case. |
| US08225474B2 |
Stent crimping device
A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon. |
| US08225470B1 |
Process of making series connected interdigitated transducers with center chirping
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a process of making a surface acoustic wave device having a series connected interdigitated transducers with center chirping. A piezoelectric substrate is provided. Two acoustic reflectors may be formed on the piezoelectric substrate to define an acoustic cavity between the acoustic reflectors. In addition, at least three beta interdigitated transducers (IDTs) adjacent one another are formed on the piezoelectric substrate in electrical series with each other and aligned in acoustic series with each other between the acoustic reflectors, such that the at least three beta IDTs comprise at least one inner beta IDT between two outer beta IDTs, a center portion of the at least one inner beta IDT being chirped. |
| US08225468B2 |
Closure for a brassiere
A brassiere closure has a pair of closure parts each having an eye with inner and outer parallel longitudinal webs. A separation plane passes through both of the webs and the slot, and a transverse central plane perpendicular to the separation plane passing centrally through the slot and both of the webs. A bridge extend transversely from the inner web has a planar floor face lying on the separation plane and is formed offset along the separation plane from the transverse plane with a throughgoing latch opening. A hook carried on the bridge spaced has an edge formed of sections directed toward and forming a V-shaped opening with the edge of the bridge. An outer edge of the hook carries a pin engageable in the closed position through a latch opening of the bridge of the other closure part. |
| US08225467B2 |
Arrays of fastener elements
A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product. |
| US08225466B2 |
Slider for concealed type slide fastener with separable bottom end stop
The present invention provides a slider for a concealed type slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop capable of restoring a status to a normal one when an insert pin is inserted with an abnormal status, wherein a recess is provided in a shoulder mouth of a lower blade sideways of a diamond erected from a body of the slider and a slope is formed on a side wall sideways of the diamond and a rear mouth side of the recess, and the slope of the side wall restores the fastener tape into a parallel condition quickly and after that, the insert pin can be inserted into a box, thereby attaching the bottom end stop smoothly and easily. |
| US08225462B2 |
Temporary sheet splice apparatus and method
An apparatus for temporarily repairing a separated sheet of a sailing vessel, including a first inner sleeve being formed by a first pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a first direction, a second inner sleeve being formed by a second pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a second direction, and an outer sleeve bonded to the first and second inner sleeves, wherein the sleeves have the ability to expand when placed under a compression force in the lateral direction and contract when placed under a tension force in the lateral direction, thereby causing the teeth to bite into ends of the separated sheet when under tension. |
| US08225461B2 |
Cable tie having band thread force reduction
A cable tie with a reduced band thread force is disclosed, comprising an elongate metallic strap, a metallic locking head and a metallic roller means. In one embodiment, the metallic locking head comprising a strap entry notch. In another embodiment, the metallic locking head comprises a strap entry notch and a strap exit notch. In operation, the configuration of the notches, singularly or in tandem, serve to reduce the band thread force in the elongate metallic strap when the elongate metallic strap is inserted into the metallic locking head a second (and subsequent) time. |
| US08225455B1 |
Windshield wiper washer apparatus
The windshield wiper washer apparatus is provided in a retrofit kit that is fitted to existing wiper assemblies and washer spray outlets of a vehicle. This basic kit provides for attaching hose clamps and tubes to the existing wiper assemblies. A washer spray outlet adapter takes the place of washer sprays of a vehicle. The washer spray outlet adapter fitting connects to hoses that connect to the hose connections of the tubes of the apparatus. Orifices within the tubes can thereby deliver washer fluid directly to the vehicle windshield, immediately adjacent to the wiper blades. The more complete apparatus provides complete wiper assemblies with hose clamps and hoses fitted. Washer fluid from the existing windshield washer assembly is thereby selectively delivered to the vehicle windshield via energizing of the vehicles existing system pump and controls. |
| US08225454B2 |
Mop disc and fabric frame fixation structure
A mop disc and fabric frame fixation structure includes a fabric frame including cotton strips at the bottom of the fabric frame, a noncircular embedding concave surface at the top of the fabric frame, latch bumps formed in the corresponding embedding concave surface and protruded upwardly, and a concave latch surface concavely formed on at least one side of the latch bump. A disc is embedded into the embedding concave surface and has a latch groove in the corresponding embedding concave surface. Each latch groove is arranged apart from the other. A latch block is formed on an internal wall of the latch groove and protrudes from the corresponding concave latch surface. Thus, the disc is embedded into the embedding concave surface, and the concave latch surface and the latch block are latched with each other, to combine the fabric frame to the disc. |
| US08225451B2 |
Brush assembly
The invention pertains to a novel brush assembly having a plurality of interchangeable brush heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The brush assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely suspension bristles and working springs, capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. The invention may also be useful for cleaning, abrading, scraping, cutting, shaping, adding texture to, removing a material from, otherwise preparing any surface including wooden, metal or ceramic surfaces. |
| US08225447B2 |
Dovetail treating apparatus
An apparatus for treating a dovetail in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, at least two pads for treating, cleaning or polishing a dovetail surface, at least a pair of guide wheels for aligning the apparatus within the dovetail, and at least one motor connected to the pads. The motor is operatively configured to rotate the pads. The dovetail surface is treated, cleaned or polished by sliding the apparatus along the dovetail and activating the motor to rotate the pads. |
| US08225445B2 |
Method for the wet treatment of items of laundry
The invention makes provision for the final wash liquid from the washing device to be separated from the items of laundry in a water-removal device, specifically together with a large portion of the final wash liquid bound in the items of laundry. The items of laundry are then rinsed in the water-removal device. Following this, the rinse liquid is routed away from the items of laundry. The final wash liquid and the rinse liquid are temporarily stored in separate storage tanks and returned to the subsequent wash process in a deliberate manner. A mixture of at least a portion of the final wash liquid and the rinse liquid is fed particularly to the prewash zone in order to prewash the next batch of items of laundry. |
| US08225441B2 |
Reconfigurable pillow
A pillow that can be manipulated into a variety of bent/folded/twisted configurations and can retain each of those configurations until manipulated into a different configuration. The pillow has a segmented toroidal shape and includes an envelope and a flowable fill filling the envelope so that the fill is under positive pressure throughout. The pillow has a plurality of constrictions that, in conjunction with the pressurized fill, provides the pillow with soft hinges that facilitate bending/folding/twisting of the pillow. |
| US08225432B1 |
Toilet clean-out access panel system
A toilet has an open top, a bottom positionable on a floor, a front, a rear and laterally spaced sides. A water passageway through the toilet is in a generally S-shaped configuration with a generally central P-trap. A cutout in the rear of the toilet has a vertical exterior edge, a vertical interior edge, a generally horizontal lower edge and a generally horizontal upper edge, the edges together forming a continuous bearing surface. A removable panel is shaped generally as a mirror image of the toilet between the upper and lower edges of the cutout and has a continuous bearing surface positionable to overlie the bearing surface of the cutout. Mating flanges are on the panel and the toilet adjacent to the bearing surfaces. Bolts with nuts extend through the holes in the flanges to allow separating the panel from the toilet. |
| US08225430B2 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles have a frame unit, lenses and buckles assembled on the frame unit, and at least a head strap with a plurality of stop grooves. Each buckle comprises an abutting arm having a stop end, an operating lever being movable transversely and bringing the abutting arm to move, and an offset portion between the abutting arm and the operating lever. When the operating lever moves transversely, the offset portion makes the stop end of the abutting arm move upward or downward to abut or release the stop grooves of the head strap. The swimming goggles adjust length of the head strap easily. |
| US08225428B2 |
Protective hood
A protective hood for use by a firefighter or other emergency worker. The hood includes a crown portion to cover the top of a wearer's head, the crown portion being made from a material having a primary stretch direction oriented to extend in a transverse, ear-to-ear, direction across the top of a wearer's head; and a lower portion that extends downward from the crown portion, the lower portion being made from a material having a primary stretch direction oriented to extend in a circumferential direction around a wearer's head. |
| US08225425B2 |
Noisemaker apparatus
A noisemaking device comprising a first and second holders in the form of, for example, a pair of gloves, the palm region of each glove is provided with a domed shaped hollow member formed of a rigid, sound transmitting material and which extends upwardly from the surface of the holder so that when the hollow members are caused to be impacted against each other during hand clapping, a distinct sound is generated. |
| US08225422B1 |
Car seat coat
Clothing adapted for a child to wear while traveling in a car seat. The clothing includes sleeves, legs, and a hood connected to a back panel to form an always-open area over the child's chest. The always-open area avoids trapping material of the clothing between seat belt straps and the child's chest. Certain embodiments include a blanket that is sized to form a covering over the always-open area. Desirably, the blanket is optionally removable, to permit its use for other functions. When present, it is currently preferred for an edge of the blanket to be affixed to a visor of the hood. The distal ends of sleeves and legs in certain embodiments are permanently closed. In other cases, the ends may be optionally closed, or structured to remain open-ended. The clothing may include a plurality of layers to provide variable insulation. |
| US08225419B2 |
Protective helmet
A protective helmet includes: a rigid shell including a generally domed-shaped section, a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto. |
| US08230518B2 |
Embedded content requests in a rights locker system for digital content access control
Access to digital content may be controlled by determining a digital content specification and associated authenticated rights locker access request, sending the authenticated rights locker access request and the digital content specification, and receiving a new authenticated rights locker access request and a Web page with clickable links in response to the sending, where at least one of the clickable links is associated with an authenticated digital content request. When an indication of a user selection of one of the clickable links is received, an authenticated digital content request associated with the user-selected clickable link is sent to a digital content repository. The digital content is received in response to the sending of the authenticated digital content request. |
| US08230517B2 |
Opaque message archives
A system includes a server equipped to generate a split encryption key having at least a first key portion and a second key portion, that is used by the server to encrypt at least a portion of a message. Additionally, the first key portion of the split encryption key is retained by the server, while the second key portion of the split encryption key is delivered to a sending client and is discarded from the server. The sending client in turn provides the second key portion to one or more recipients of the message to facilitate recipient access to the message. |
| US08230510B1 |
Scanning computer data for malicious codes using a remote server computer
Scanning of files for malicious codes may be performed by calculating a first hash value of a file in a client computer and providing the first hash value of the file to a remotely located server computer. The server computer may compare the first hash value of the file to first hash values of malicious code patterns to determine if the file is possibly infected with malicious code. A malicious code pattern having a first hash value that matches that of the file may be forwarded from the server computer to the client computer. In the client computer, a second hash value of the file may be calculated and compared against a second hash value of the malicious code pattern to determine if the file is infected with the malicious code. |
| US08230507B1 |
Modular agent for network security intrusion detection system
The present invention provides for the receipt of a request to modify a software agent's configuration at a server-based manager. A determination of the modifications to the software agent is made at the server-based manager. The requested modifications are then delivered to the software agent. The software agent interprets the requested modifications and implements them. |
| US08230506B1 |
Proxy communication detection
Systems, methods and apparatus for a distributed security that provides security processing external to a network edge. The system can identify requests, such as HTTP requests, and can identify embedded resource request identifiers, such as embedded URLs. The embedded resource request identifiers can be classified and appropriate security measures can be initiated based on the classifications. |
| US08230502B1 |
Push alert system, method, and computer program product
A system, method and computer program product are provided for alerting users of a plurality of computers of a security event via a network. A security alert is first generated including information relating to a security event utilizing a server. The security alert is then pushed from the server to a plurality of computers via a network. The information of the security alert is then automatically displayed in a front most window of a user interface of the computers. |
| US08230488B2 |
Network system, direct-access method, network household electrical appliance, and program
A network system includes a first device, a second device, and a server device capable of registering the first and second devices in correlation and establishing an always-on connection session with the second device. The first device includes a callback request transmission section for transmitting a callback request containing designation information on the first device on a network to the server device. The server device includes a callback request relay section for transmitting the callback request from the first device to the second device through the connection session. The second device includes a direct-access session establishment request section for connecting with the first device through the network based on the designation information in the callback request received from the server device and transmitting a request for establishment of a session for direct access, and a direct-access communication section for communicating with the first device through the session for direct access. |
| US08230486B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing mutual authentication between a sending unit and a recipient
A method and apparatus for providing mutual authentication between a user and a sending unit, (i.e. target resource) in one embodiment, includes determining, for a user that has been assigned an article, such as a card or other suitable article that has indicia thereon, desired sender authentication information that corresponds to actual sender authentication information that is embodied on the article. The sender authentication information can be located on the article by using the location information provided by the sending unit in a challenge. The method includes determining for the user, corresponding article identification information, such as a serial number that has been assigned to the article, or a shared secret, and sending a challenge for the user wherein the challenge includes at least location information, to allow the user to identify desired sender authentication information located on the article, and sending the article identification information. |
| US08230480B2 |
Method and apparatus for network security based on device security status
A method and apparatus are provided for network security based on a security status of a device. A security update status of a device is evaluated; and one or more of a plurality of security policies are selected to apply to the device based on the security update status. The available security philosophies may include, for example, a “protect the good” philosophy, an “encourage the busy” philosophy and a “shut off the non-compliant” philosophy. The security update status can evaluate, for example, a version level of one or more security features installed on the device or can be based on a flag indicating whether the device satisfies predefined criteria for maintaining one or more computer security protection features up-to-date. |
| US08230476B2 |
Real-time interactive personal video recorder interface
Interacting with a television program includes beginning playback of the program for perception by a user, analyzing the program to detect a cue within the program, automatically pausing playback of the program when the cue is detected, accepting user input data in response to the cue, resuming playback of the program when the user input data is received, and comparing the user input data to a non-user response. Interactivity provided by the program analysis, pausing playback, accepting user input data, resuming playback, and comparing operations supports execution of at least one of an entertainment application and an educational application at a user's site without requiring modification of the television program by a program provider. |
| US08230471B2 |
Method of sharing channel information and related device
To provide convenience to usage of an electronic program guide, known as EPG, the present invention provides a method of sharing channel information for a client device coupled to a server including a plurality of communities. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of channels is received to generate a first program list. Community information corresponding to the device is obtained. One of the communities of the server is selected according to the community information. The first program list is then uploaded to the selected community. |
| US08230468B2 |
Dynamically creating trick files to hide latency in streaming networks
A system and process are provided to reduce the latency associated with delivery of data for trick functions (e.g., fast-forward or rewind) in data distribution systems. In response to a request for a trick function associated with program data being streamed to a user terminal, first trick data frames for the trick function are retrieved from a first computing apparatus (e.g., a storage server) and in the meantime second trick data frames for the trick function are generated at a second computing apparatus (e.g., streaming server). Until the first trick data frames arrive from the first computing apparatus, the second computing device streams the second trick data frames to the user terminal. The second computing apparatus streams the first trick data frame to the user terminal as they arrive. |
| US08230460B2 |
Real-time insertion and reporting of media content
A method can include receiving a plurality of unperfected logs via a network, storing the plurality of unperfected logs in a database based on the anticipated broadcast schedule, transmitting at least one unperfected log by the electronic hub, receiving an inquiry into one or more spots in the available inventory, transmitting data associated with the one or more spots the data to be displayed on a graphical user interface in response to the inquiry, receiving a selection of one or more spots in the available inventory in response, and requesting content related to the selected one or more spots. The method can include receiving and associating advertising content with the selection of the one or more spots, creating a perfected log based on the unperfected log and the received content, monitoring a broadcast of the media outlet, detecting a difference between the perfected log and the broadcast, and transmitting status information. |
| US08230453B2 |
Door opening and closing mechanism provided at the front of an apparatus body
A door opening and closing mechanism includes an apparatus body, a door configured to open and close a side face of the apparatus body, a closing mechanism configured to move the door from an open position to open the side face to a close position to close the side face, a control switch provided in the apparatus body, the control switch being operated from an operation hole opening in the side face, and a control button provided in the door and configured to press the control switch from the operation hole at the close position of the door. The control switch is provided at a position shifted from the operation hole toward the interior of the apparatus body. |
| US08230452B2 |
Miniaturized disc drive containing DVD-compatible optical controller
A miniature optical disc drive includes a DVD-compatible optical controller and a cartridge load module designed to hold a cartridge containing a 32 mm optical data storage disc. |
| US08230450B2 |
Method for executing a software routine identified in a task object
A method for executing a software routine identified in a task object is provided. The method includes accessing a list of software routine identifiers associated with software routines that are executable on a computer server. The method further includes generating a task object generation command having at least a first software routine identifier, parameter data, and link task information and generating a second task object in response to the task object generation command. The second task object includes the first software routine identifier, the parameter data, and the link task information. The method further includes adding the second task object to a task execution queue on the computer server and executing the first software routine identified by the first software routine identifier in the second task object on the computer server to obtain at least a first result value, when the first flag value is a first predetermined value and the result parameter associated with the first task object corresponds to a second predetermined value. |
| US08230449B2 |
Call control enabler abstracted from underlying network technologies
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for controlling a media session. According to one embodiment, a method for controlling a communication session can comprise receiving a request to perform a call control function from an application via a northbound interface of a call control enabler. The northbound interface can provide an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of call control functions. The call control function can be requested from a first network resource via a southbound interface of the call control enabler specific to the first network resource. In some cases, results of the call control function can be received from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the call control enabler. The results of the call control function can then be returned to the application via the northbound interface of the call control enabler. |
| US08230446B2 |
Providing a computing system with real-time capabilities
A computing system is provided with real-time capabilities so that the system is capable of running applications such that one or more real-time criteria are satisfied. An interrupt architecture of the computing system is disabled. The interrupt architecture generates interrupts sent to a firmware of the computing system in response to events. A different architecture is substituted within the computing system for the interrupt architecture. The different architecture is responsive to the events without violating the real-time criteria. In response to the events occurring, the different architecture causes one or more corrective actions to be performed. |
| US08230441B2 |
Virtual world subgroup determination and segmentation for performance scalability
A system and method of decreasing server loads and, more particularly, to decrease server load by automatically determining subgroups based on object interactions and computational expenditures. The system includes a plurality of servers; a subgroup optimization module configured to segment a plurality of objects into optimal subgroups; and a server transfer module configured to apportion one or more of the optimal subgroups between the plurality of servers based on a load of each of the plurality of servers. The method includes determining a relationship amongst a plurality of objects; segmenting the objects into optimized subgroups based on the relationships; and apportioning the optimized subgroups amongst a plurality of servers based on server load. |
| US08230439B2 |
Green computing interchange switching function
Systems, methods, devices and program products are provided for enabling users of a computing system to measure and compare the green efficiency of a set of resources used in a computing task. With the use of this information, the user can select a desired set of resources to be employed in the computing task to minimize the environmental impact of computing tasks in relation to requirements. In some embodiments, the invention creates metrics for measuring the greenness of a computing task. The metrics are calculated through analysis of the resource computation, energy consumption, consequence of computation, and dimensional characteristics of a computing task. The metrics could be beneficial or other metrics that permit the user or a processing system to make scheduling and execution decisions. |
| US08230435B2 |
Authenticating a processing system accessing a resource
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for authenticating a processing system accessing a resource. An association of processing system identifiers with resources, including a first and second resources, is maintained. A request from a requesting processing system in a host is received for use of a first resource that provides access to a second resource, wherein the request is generated by processing system software and wherein the request further includes a submitted processing system identifier included in the request by host hardware in the host. A determination is made as to whether the submitted processing system identifier is one of the processing system identifiers associated with the first and second resources. The requesting processing system is provided access to the first resource that the processing system uses to access the second resource. |
| US08230434B2 |
Entitlement management system, method and program product for resource allocation among micro-partitions
An entitlement management system for distributing spare CPU processor resources to a plurality of deployment groups operating in a data processing system, the system comprising: a deployment group entitlement component comprising: an allocation component for allocating a plurality of micro-partitions to a deployment group; a determining component for identifying spare CPU processor cycles from a donor micro-partition and distributing the identified spare CPU processor cycles to a requester micro-partition in the deployment group; the determining component further comprises identifying when there are no further spare CPU processor cycles to be donated to any of the micro-partitions in the deployment group and communicating a request to a management entitlement component; and a management entitlement component receiving requests from at least two deployment group entitlement components and identifying if one of the deployment groups has spare CPU processor cycles to donate to a further deployment group and on a positive determination donating the spare CPU cycles to the further deployment group. |
| US08230427B2 |
General interface with arbitrary job managers
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for providing a distributed computing environment in which an arbitrary job manager or scheduler is able to be plugged. In the distributed computing environment, a job is created in a storage location to include one or more technical computing tasks and submitted to the arbitrary scheduler by transferring a reference to the storage location of the job. Since a reference to the storage location of the job is transferred to the scheduler, the interface with the scheduler can be implemented regardless of the scheduler. The scheduler then transfers the reference to the storage location of the job to one or more remote workers. |
| US08230425B2 |
Assigning tasks to processors in heterogeneous multiprocessors
Methods and arrangements of assigning tasks to processors are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to detect an attempt to execute an instruction of a task on a processor not supporting the instruction (non-supporting processor). The method may involve selecting a processor supporting the instruction (supporting physical processor). In many embodiments, the method may include storing data about the attempt to execute the instruction and, based upon the data, making another assignment of the task to a physical processor supporting the instruction. In some embodiments, the method may include representing the instruction set of a virtual processor as the union of the instruction sets of the physical processors comprising the virtual processor and assigning a task to the virtual processor based upon the representing. |
| US08230424B2 |
General interface with arbitrary job managers
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for providing a distributed computing environment in which an arbitrary job manager or scheduler is able to be plugged. In the distributed computing environment, a job is created in a storage location to include one or more technical computing tasks and submitted to the arbitrary scheduler by transferring a reference to the storage location of the job. Since a reference to the storage location of the job is transferred to the scheduler, the interface with the scheduler can be implemented regardless of the scheduler. The scheduler then transfers the reference to the storage location of the job to one or more remote workers. |
| US08230419B2 |
Method, system and program product for capturing central processing unit (CPU) utilization for a process on a virtual machine
The present invention allows CPU utilization for a virtual machine (VM) to be captured from a perspective of a host. Specifically, under the present invention, a work request having a set (e.g., one or more) of jobs is received by a host and allocated to a virtual machine on a node. The work request is typically accompanied by an account identifier such as a multi-value billing code. Once the work request is allocated to a particular VM on the node, a “startacct” script is issued, and a first account record is created. Thereafter, the work request is processed and the CPU utilization needed to complete the set of jobs is monitored. Once the set of jobs is completed, an “endacct” script is issued and a second account record is created. Among other things, the second account record includes the monitored CPU utilization and the account identifier. |
| US08230418B2 |
Computer program product for evaluating the workloads of installation plans in quantity by building a pre-requisite relation knowledge-base
A first embodiment of the invention includes a computer program product including machine executable instructions stored on machine readable media, the instructions for providing an installation plan for installing at least one application in at least one processing system, by implementing a method. The method includes loading a configuration management database (CMDB) for the processing system, the CMDB including a pre-requisite relations knowledge database and a configuration information database. The method also includes receiving installation data for an installation of the at least one application and determining one or more installation plans for the installation of the application based upon the CMDB and the installation data. The method further includes displaying the one or more installation plans to a user, including an indication of a best installation plan. |
| US08230417B1 |
Combined application and execution environment install
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for installing software, including application execution environments, on a computer. One or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in one or more methods that include receiving a request to provide for installation of a software application on a target computer, where the software application requires for operation an application execution environment program including a cross-platform application program interface to provide services to applications that run in the application execution environment; and providing installation of both the software application and the application execution environment program in an installation sequence when the target computer lacks the application execution environment program; wherein the installation of the software application and the application execution environment program are tied together as a single installation transaction, such that they succeed or fail together. |
| US08230414B1 |
Software distribution and cache management across client machines on a network
A system, apparatus and a method are described for providing efficient software distribution and cache management on a plurality of client machines in a network. In one embodiment of the invention, a cache management software agent is installed on one or more client machines to monitor a status of software versions stored locally on the machines. The cache management software agent performs a check before uploading a matching version of a large software application from a network element in order to determine whether the upload is appropriate. In particular, the agent identifies whether a matching version of the application is already present on the client machine to see if the upload is necessary. If a matching version of the application is not resident on the machine, then the latest version of the large software application is uploaded to the client machine from the network element. |
| US08230412B2 |
Compatible trust in a computing device
A method and apparatus for executing a first executable code image having a first version number into a memory of a device in an attempt to establish an operating environment of the device are described. The first executable code image retrieves a second version number from the second executable code image after successfully authenticating the second executable code image. If the first version number and the second version number do not satisfy a predetermined relationship, the second executable code image is prevented from being loaded by the first executable code image. |
| US08230410B2 |
Utilizing a bidding model in a microparallel processor architecture to allocate additional registers and execution units for short to intermediate stretches of code identified as opportunities for microparallelization
An enhanced mechanism for parallel execution of computer programs utilizes a bidding model to allocate additional registers and execution units for stretches of code identified as opportunities for microparallelization. A microparallel processor architecture apparatus permits software (e.g. compiler) to implement short-term parallel execution of stretches of code identified as such before execution. In one embodiment, an additional paired unit, if available, is allocated for execution of an identified stretch of code. Each additional paired unit includes an execution unit and a half set of registers. This apparatus is available for compilers or assembler language coders to use and allows software to unlock parallel execution capabilities that are present in existing computer programs but heretofore were executed sequentially for lack of a suitable apparatus. The enhanced mechanism enables a variable amount of parallelism to be implemented and yet provides correct program execution even if less parallelism is available than ideal for a given computer program. |
| US08230408B2 |
Execution of hardware description language (HDL) programs
In one embodiment, a hardware implementation of an electronic system may be realized by compiling the HDL description into an executable form and executing the processor instructions. By applying data flow separation technique, the operations of the system can be effectively mapped into the instruction set of complex processors for efficient logic evaluation, in some implementations. An array of interconnected processors may be deployed, in some embodiments, to exploit the inherent parallelism in a HDL description. |
| US08230401B2 |
Performing regression tests based on test case effectiveness
A method for performing a regression test on a software application is proposed. The regression test involves the execution of a subset of selected test cases on the software application (among all the ones being available). In the proposed solution, the selection of the test cases to be regressed is performed according to an effectiveness-based criterion. For this purpose, an effectiveness index of each test case is calculated according to its results being obtained during previous executions of the test case; preferably, the effectiveness index is based on the frequency of negative results of the test case (and secondarily on their variability and recency). The test cases whose effectiveness indexes reach a predefined threshold are then selected for running the regression test (on the assumption that they should be more effective in detecting errors of the software application). |
| US08230400B2 |
Controller for a machine with debug functionality
There is described a control device of a machine, an engineering system and a method for operating said control device. Said control device is used to control and/or regulate the machine and is used to carry out at least one user program which is used to at least perform one function, and said control device comprises a debug function. The functionality of the debug function is limited in large user programs due to the high complexity and the unclearness thereof. According to the invention, in order to improve said function, the user program comprises stop points for the debug function and said stop points can be activated and/or deactivated. |
| US08230395B1 |
Memory mapping for single and multi-processing implementations of code generated from a block diagram model
Methods and systems are provided for automatically generating code from a graphical model representing a design to be implemented on components of a target computational hardware device. During the automatic code generating process, a memory mapping is automatically determined and generated to provide an optimization of execution of the program on the target device. The optimized memory mapping is incorporated into building the program executable from the automatically generated code of the graphical model. |
| US08230392B2 |
Determining the reuse value of a service component
An apparatus for determining a reuse value of a service component associated with a first service in a service orientated architecture, the apparatus including: a first assignor component for assigning a first variable to the service component, the first variable associated with a process of generating the service component; a second assignor component for assigning a second variable to the service component, the second variable being associated with a reuse factor derived from a reuse of the service component in the first service; and a calculation component for using the first and second variables to determine a third variable associated with the service component, wherein the third variable is associated with a reuse value of the service component for reuse in a second service. |
| US08230388B2 |
Smart generator
The Smart Generator of the present invention allows the designer/developer/user to model the EJB components in a natural way without being concerned with implementation-specific details. The developer models the business objects using a UML drawing tool and the Smart Generator creates a set of classes that implements these objects with reference to the Enterprise JavaBeans specification. That is, the Smart Generator automatically create access methods and handling containment of references from the UML diagram. |
| US08230386B2 |
Monitoring distributed applications
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring distributed applications. Declarative application models are used. Operational data for a deployed application can be compared to an application intent expressed in a corresponding declarative application to provide more effective monitoring of application behavior. Application components can subscribe to an event fabric to receive configurations that indicate what events the application is to emit (i.e., publish into the event fabric) for monitoring. Thus, applications essentially subscribe to produce information (as opposed to subscribing to receive information). Monitoring can be dynamically adjusted in response to environment changes. |
| US08230383B2 |
Method for the construction of flexible printed circuit boards
A description is given of a method for the computer-aided construction of flexible printed circuit boards that are arranged in a housing (10) of a device. The method provides a 3D model for determining the fixed points (1 to 4) of the printed circuit board, such as fastening points and connecting points, and a 2D model based on a development of a skeleton model (20) of the printed circuit board, for creating a printed circuit board design (40) comprising a printed circuit board contour and a printed circuit board layout. The two development environments are uniquely assigned to one another. |
| US08230377B1 |
Control set constraint driven force directed analytical placer for programmable integrated circuits
A computer-implemented method of globally placing a circuit design on a programmable integrated circuit (IC) includes dividing, by a placement system, the programmable IC into a grid comprising a plurality of cells, assigning each component of a selected component type of the circuit design to one of a plurality of control set groups according to a control set of the component, and calculating a force including a control set force that depends upon overlap of control sets within the plurality of cells. The method further can include applying the force to at least one selected component of the circuit design and assigning components of the circuit design to locations on the programmable IC by solving a set of linear equations that depend upon application of the force to the at least one selected component to create a global placement. The circuit design including the global placement can be output. |
| US08230373B2 |
ESD analysis device and ESD analysis program used for designing semiconductor device and method of designing semiconductor device
An ESD analysis method and computer program product are disclosed. A circuit simulation is executed of design data of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a first power supply pad, a second power supply pad and a plurality of current paths between the first power supply pad and the second power supply pad, to calculate potentials in the plurality of current paths, when one of an ESD current and an ESD voltage is applied between the first power supply pad and the second power supply pad. An ESD tolerance is checked by calculating a potential difference between a first node coupled to the first power supply pad and a second node coupled to the second power supply pad, based on the calculated potentials. The first node and the second node are determined as nodes to be coupled to a border cell upon the potential difference being lower than a predetermined value. |
| US08230371B2 |
Process-window aware detection and correction of lithographic printing issues at mask level
In one aspect of the invention, a method provides a calibrated critical-failure model for a printing process of a critical feature by virtue of a classification of an optical parameter space according to at least two print-criticality levels. Print failure of a respective critical feature is judged on the basis of a print-failure criterion for the critical feature. The respective print-criticality level is ascertained from test-print-simulation data at a sampling point of a process window for a given point in an optical-parameter space, and from a failure rule. An advantage achieved with the method is that it comprises ascertaining the predefined optical-parameter set from the test-print-simulation data at only one sampling point of the process window, which sampling point is identical for all test patterns. This saves processing time and processing complexity by reducing the number of ascertained optical-parameter sets and their processing in the subsequent scanning and classifying steps. |
| US08230368B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for displaying a word or phrase on an idle screen using a mini planar function
A mobile communication terminal displays a word or phrase on an idle screen of the terminal using a mini planar function. A user provides one or more words or phrases associated with specific events, and when the specific event occurs, the associated word or phrase is displayed. Display attributes may be established and enabled for each of the words or phrases. Alternatively, each of the words or phrases may be associated with a starting time for display and an ending time for display, and if the current time is within the display period for more than one word or phrase, then each word or phrase is displayed. |
| US08230364B2 |
Information retrieval
An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; comprises a search arrangement for selecting a subset of the information items by applying a user-defined search query against the information items, the search arrangement being operable to detect a degree of relevance of each information item in the subset to the search query; and a graphical user interface for displaying a representation of those nodes corresponding to at least some of the subset of information items as a two-dimensional display array of display points within a node display area on a user display; the graphical user interface being operable to display the display points with respective display properties dependent on the detected degree of relevance of the corresponding information item. |
| US08230362B2 |
Computer-assisted and/or enabled systems, methods, techniques, services and user interfaces for conducting motor vehicle and other inspections
A computer-assisted inspection system provides customized workflow based on different types of inspections and other factors. The system can provide different rules that can be activated in response to valuation/pricing, rule-based validation and automatic grading. Features include flat car part picking, easy to use, inspectors can be geographically separated, and system is installable over the internet to provide efficient installation to far-flung install sites. |
| US08230359B2 |
System and method that facilitates computer desktop use via scaling of displayed objects with shifts to the periphery
The system described herein facilitates multi-tasking in a computing environment. A focus area component defines a focus area within a display space—the focus area occupying a subset area of the display space area. A scaling component scales display objects as a function of proximity to the focus area, and a behavior modification component modifies respective behavior of the display objects as a function their location of the display space. Thus, and more particularly the subject invention provides for interaction technique(s) and user interface(s) in connection with managing display objects on a display surface. |
| US08230358B1 |
Defining motion in a computer system with a graphical user interface
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that defines movement in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system. This method detects an interaction between a cursor and a first object in the GUI. Based on this interaction, the method moves a second object in the GUI. In some embodiments, the movement of the second object is a rotational movement within the GUI. In other embodiments, the second object's movement is a translation movement, such as a rectilinear translation movement or a curvilinear translation movement. Also, in some embodiments, the second object relates to a special effect that is applied to another object in the GUI. For instance, in some embodiments, the second object is a shadow of a third object in the GUI. |
| US08230356B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for concurrent window selection
An apparatus, system and method of concurrent window selection are provided. The invention communicates a directive to a plurality of window modules. Each window module may enter a selected state responsive to receiving a selection directive, enter a deselected state responsive to receiving a deselection directive, and maintain an existing state responsive to receiving a null directive. The state of each window module is independent of and unaffected by the state and the state change of each other window module. The invention further communicates a command to each window module in the selected state. |
| US08230350B2 |
System and method for managing and displaying data messages
A system and method for managing and displaying data messages includes a computing device configured to receive stream data, assign data messages of the stream data to one or more display columns of a graphical user interface, and display the data messages in the assigned columns. The stream data may be embodied as short data messages such as text messages having predetermined maximum character length. The data messages may be assigned to the display columns based on meta-data associated with the data messages such as the author of the data message, the source of the data message, and/or the type of the data message. |
| US08230349B2 |
Intra operator forensic meta data messaging
The inventive system and method for enabling interactive collaboration among video surveillance operators is presented. The device has a message including an incident or meta data having a source identifier, a meta data composer, a transport layer, and a display device, such that the message is packaged using the meta data composer and transmitted using the transport layer to the display device. One embodiment facilitates sharing using a common console, and the other facilitates sharing to one or more operators; both embodiments use a common Meta Data messaging mechanism. Meta data refers to any surveillance related data that is worthy of sharing between operators. It includes, but is not necessarily limited to, salvo information, camera, incident related data, video device location details, etc. |
| US08230346B2 |
Graphical user interface for an information mediation system
A graphical user interface for an information mediation system is provided for assisting the user to discover an information source that matches a sense of value of the user which normally can not be explicitly expressed in language, from a plurality of information sources such as bulletin board sites. The information mediation apparatus collects information from the plurality of information sources, analyzes the information, and generates one or more guideposts corresponding to information values thereof and data indicating a correlation between the plurality of information sources relative to the guideposts. A client apparatus receives one or more guideposts and a set of data containing information indicating the correlation of the information sources relative to the guidepost from the information mediation apparatus, and displays the correlation between these information sources in such a mode that the user can easily understand. |
| US08230345B2 |
Yahrzeit system and method
A method of and system for providing an electronic Yahrzeit display corresponding to the current date including determining a current date, performing a search in a database storing a plurality of Yahrzeit entries to identify the Yahrzeit entries having an anniversary of the death date corresponding to the current date, and electronically displaying the identified Yahrzeit entries in a rotating manner, wherein each of the identified Yahrzeit entries are displayed for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the method and system may convert dates between a plurality of calendars. |
| US08230344B2 |
Multimedia presentation creation
A method for creating a multimedia presentation, the method including determining the physical presence of at least one individual, selecting at least one multimedia object associated with the at least one individual whose physical presence has been determined, creating a multimedia presentation using the at least one multimedia object associated with the at least one individual, determining the physical presence of additional individuals other than the at least one individual, selecting at least one multimedia object associated with each of the additional individuals whose physical presence has been determined, updating the multimedia presentation using the at least one multimedia object associated with each of the additional individuals, and displaying the multimedia presentation. |
| US08230337B2 |
Associating objects with corresponding behaviors
Methods and systems for associating objects with corresponding machine behaviors. Machine behaviors refer to responsive actions that are triggered when an object (which may be physical or electronic) is encountered. Examples of these behaviors include fetching a web page, executing software instructions, etc. A registration system enables machine behaviors to be associated with objects through use of object identifiers. For an electronic object such as an audio or video signal, the identifier can comprise a steganographic in-band watermark, a numeric ID or song/artist name field in a in a file header; a 128-bit hash value obtained by applying a hashing algorithm to the content data, the file header data, a portion thereof, etc. The disclosure particularly focuses on an embodiment utilizing stickers as objects, and watermarks as identifiers, but the technology can be implemented in many other, different, forms. |
| US08230336B2 |
Efficient discovery, display, and autocompletion of links to wiki resources
An efficient system, and process, and user interface is provided for autocompletion of links within wiki page content. An indication is received that a user editing a wiki page desires to add a link to a resource. A user interface is provided to assist the user in autocompleting the insertion of the link into the wiki page. The user is provided with a list of both resource object types and options for each resource object type. The system is extensible in that new resource object types can be added to permit autocompletion of links to multiple resource types. A registration document is maintained by a wiki server that defines the resource object types that are available for autocompletion of links. The registration document contains contact information for providers that ultimately maintain the list of options for each of the resource object types. |
| US08230331B2 |
Differential dynamic content delivery with indications of interest from non-participants
Session document for a presentation, where the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element having an associated indication of interest from a user not participating in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to a user participant; and notifying the user not participating of the presentation of the selected structural element. Typical embodiments also include recording for the user not participating the associated indication of interest in the selected structural element. Typical embodiments also include notifying the user not participating of the identity of at least one user participant. Typical embodiments also include allowing the user not participating to participate in the presentation. |
| US08230327B2 |
Identifying statements requiring additional processing when forwarding a web page description
A system which enables an administrator to conveniently specify statements of a web page description which may require additional processing. The administrator may select from a list of statement types, and a language grammar corresponding to the selected statement type is displayed. The administrator may provide variable data associated with the fields of the displayed language grammar, and a rule instance is created from the language grammar and the variable data. An intermediate server may determine whether each statement of a web page description matches any of the rule instances. If a match is detected, the corresponding statement is determined to potentially require additional processing (such as modification of a URL in a reverse proxy server). |
| US08230326B2 |
Method for associating annotations with document families
The present invention generally provides methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for managing an annotation system that includes storing annotations for a document family, i.e., a series of versions of a data source. Annotations created for one version of the data source may be viewed in context from both subsequent and prior versions of the same data source. Embodiments of the invention associate annotations with both a data source “family identifier” as well as a “version identifier.” Other than adding a family ID to the data source, the data source remains unchanged. The family ID is maintained across different versions of the data source, whereas version IDs are determined for a specific version of the data source. Version IDs can be constructed from each data source directly, and do not need to be stored. |
| US08230324B1 |
Ad size capture tool for publications
Methods, systems, and apparatus for specifying the size of one or more advertisements that can be accepted for inclusion in a publication. In one aspect, a method includes receiving one or more parameters defining a publication, wherein the one or more parameters include one or more of a format, a number of columns, a height and a width; presenting an advertisement inventory table corresponding to the publication, wherein the advertisement inventory table is generated in accordance with the one or more received parameters; receiving input through the advertisement inventory table identifying at least one supported advertisement; and storing, in association with the publication, information defining the at least one supported advertisement. |
| US08230323B2 |
Content distribution system and method
A system and method is provided for automatically identifying information in unstructured text and extracting data representing certain types of information from the text to produce a structured set of templates with the extracted data. The newly structured data is then delivered to different types of user devices in accordance stored criteria associated with each type of device. |
| US08230315B2 |
Encoder, decoder, and encoding system
A coding system in which the coding apparatus generates information bits and parity bits and transmits the parity bits and information bits selectively to the decoding apparatus. The decoding apparatus predicts the information bits, stores the predicted information bits, also stores the parity and information bits received from the encoding apparatus, combines the received information bits with the predicted information bits, and uses an error correcting decoder to decode the combined information bits and the stored parity bits. Combining the predicted information bits with received information bits improves decoding accuracy and enables the decoding apparatus to conserve computational resources. |
| US08230308B2 |
Decoding apparatus and decoding method using an additional add-compare-select operation on decoded data in the event of an error in the decoded data
The decoding apparatus includes an ACS unit to execute an add-compare-select operation on encoded received data, and an error detector to detect whether there is an error in decoded data calculated based on the executed add-compare-select operation, and if there is an error in the decoded data, the ACS unit additionally executes the add-compare-select operation on the received data. |
| US08230306B2 |
Method and apparatus relating to channel decoding
The present invention relates to channel decoding and provides ways and means for improved channel decoding of data frames. The frame has been channel encoded and transmitted to a receiver (3a). The frame includes a part (51, 53) with information that is unknown to the receiver and another part (54, 55) with information for which the receiver generates at least one data hypothesis predicting its information content. The receiver performs a hypothesis-based decoding (149) of the received encoded frame, wherein the at least one data hypothesis is used to improve a probability of successful decoding. The invention may advantageously be used to improve decoding of frames containing short control messages with fill bits, e.g. acknowledgement messages (17). |
| US08230305B2 |
Extended single-bit error correction and multiple-bit error detection
Some embodiments include apparatus and methods to prevent at least one of misidentifying and ignoring multiple-bit errors if the multiple-bit errors include a plurality of erroneous data bits that belong to only one specific group of a plurality of groups of data bits and if none of the other groups of the plurality of groups have errors. |
| US08230304B2 |
Wireless transmit/receive unit having a turbo decoder with circular redundancy code signature comparison and method
An iterative turbo decoder for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) of a wireless communication system and method for error correcting received communication signal data are provided. The decoder implements a stopping rule through use of signature codes to determine whether successive iterations of decoder data are the same. |
| US08230302B2 |
Data protection method for memory
A data protection method is provided. The data protection method is adapted for a plurality of pages of a plurality of blocks in a memory. The data protection method records bit error weight values and erasing times of the blocks during routine operations of the memory. Therefore, when the system is in an idle status, the data of those blocks having higher bit error weight values can be recovered. Further, the data protection method moves data of those blocks having less erasing times to other blocks, so as to release the blocks having less erasing times from the data area for use. Then, the data protection method utilizes all blocks of the non-volatile memory in an average manner, so as to effectively protect the data saved in the memory and average the erasing operations. |
| US08230301B2 |
Memory device including memory controller
A memory device includes a semiconductor memory including a plurality of memory cells, and a controller including a buffer which temporarily stores data, a data pattern check circuit which checks a predetermined data pattern of data that are stored in the buffer and are to be stored in a plurality of neighboring ones of the memory cells, and sends an address in accordance with a result of the check, and a data correction circuit which corrects a value of data at the address that is sent, and sends the corrected value to the semiconductor memory. |
| US08230293B2 |
Forward error correction
A receiver is arranged to start receiving a data frame 80 including application data followed by parity data. An erasure information table is generated, and includes one element for each element of a data frame 80. If there are no errors in the application data, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without receiving the parity data, and the application data is used without correction being needed. If the number of errors in the application and parity data exceeds the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without further parity data being received and the data is not decoded. If the number of errors is smaller than the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep when sufficient parity data is received to correct errors in the application and parity data. This can save power in the receiver. In another embodiment, the erasure information table includes one element for each column of a data frame. |
| US08230291B2 |
Dynamic overwriting of physical downlink control channel for hybrid automatic repeat request associations for downlink semi-persistent scheduling
A method for assigning hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process ID is provided. The method includes, when a retransmission associated with a first initial semi -persistent scheduling (SPS) transmission having a first HARQ process ID is expected to occur after a second initial transmission previously configured with SPS resource, explicitly assigning a second HARQ process ID to the second initial transmission wherein the second HARQ process ID is different from the first HARQ process ID. |
| US08230289B2 |
Data processor system and a method for communication data
A data processor system includes a first data processor unit for transmitting data units to a second data processor unit and a retry buffer for temporarily storing transmitted data units. The second data processor unit receives the transmitted data and includes an error detector for detecting an error in the received data. When an error is detected, the first data processor unit is notified and a controller causes a data selector to select data from a retry buffer. The first data processor unit limits retransmission of a data unit to a predetermined maximum number of times irrespective of whether the data unit is correctly received or not. This allows for an undisturbed flow of streaming data with an increased reliability. |
| US08230288B2 |
Data transmission apparatus and method for applying an appropriate coding rate
Provided are a data transmission apparatus and method which apply an appropriate coding rate according to significance of bits or bit groups included in uncompressed data and retransmit all or part of the data when a transmission error occurs in the data while the data is being transmitted over a wireless network. The data transmission apparatus includes a mode termination unit which determines a retransmission mode for an initial transmission packet which has a transmission error; a packet generation unit which generates a retransmission packet, which includes at least part of the initial transmission packet, according to the determined retransmission mode; and a communication unit which transmits the retransmission packet through a communication channel. |
| US08230279B2 |
Logic circuit protected against transient disturbances
The invention concerns a circuit protected against transitory perturbations, comprising a combinatorial logic circuit (10), having at least an output (A); a circuit (20) generating an error control code for said output, and a storage element (24) provided at said output, controlled by the circuit generating a control code to be transparent when the control code is correct, and to maintain its status when the control code is incorrect. |
| US08230278B2 |
Test system having a sub-system to sub-system bridge
A test system having a sub-system to sub-system bridge may be provided that utilizes the useful attributes of a plurality of circuit testing techniques, while reducing deficiencies associated with certain types of circuit testing. A bridged test system structure is utilized to facilitate circuit testing that is more effective and time efficient. The method analyzes performance data acquired by a first component for one or more circuits, and sends that performance data to a second test component. The second test component provides test signals to the circuits, using the performance date to enhance the use of the test signals, and also provides test response data for the circuits in response to the provided test signals. |
| US08230273B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus performs data communication with a base station using a plurality of transport channels (TRCHs) that share a frequency band, and selects a reference TRCH using coding schemes of data to be transmitted using the TRCHs. After that, the wireless communication apparatus performs outer loop control so that a block error rate (BLER) of the data to be transmitted using the reference TRCH is set to a target BLER. |
| US08230271B2 |
Detecting software race conditions
Detecting a race condition is disclosed. An indication of a store operation to a memory address is received. An identifier of the memory address is stored. The identifier is used to detect an occurrence of a memory operation that is not associated with a previous ordering operation. |
| US08230270B2 |
Monitoring device
The invention relates to a monitoring device for a processor comprising a means for monitoring the power consumption of the processor and a means for analysing the power consumption to detect abnormal operation of the processor. |
| US08230268B2 |
Technology infrastructure failure predictor
Apparatus and methods for reducing infrastructure failure rates. The apparatus and methods may compile and store data related to the physical devices and applications associated with an infrastructure change. Variables may be derived from the stored data using a range of methods and multiple variable values may be consolidated. A model may be developed based on the values and relationships of the derived variables. The model may be applied to assess the risk of a prospective infrastructure change. |
| US08230264B2 |
System evaluation apparatus
An apparatus for evaluating a change of an existing system to a modified system by using a test system including a subsystem having the same configuration with either of the existing subsystem and the modified system includes: a memory for storing configuration information of the test system and test information; and a processor for executing a process including: activating the test system to execute test on the subsystem, collecting test information from the test system, and storing the test result information while the subsystem has the same configuration as the existing system; confirming the test system has been modified; and activating the test system to execute test on the subsystem, collecting test result information from the test system, and storing the test result information while the subsystem has the same configuration as the modified system. |
| US08230262B2 |
Method and apparatus for dealing with accumulative behavior of some system observations in a time series for Bayesian inference with a static Bayesian network model
A method and apparatus are provided for determining the probability that one or more problems have occurred within a complex multi-host system. A probabilistic model representing the cause/effect relationships among potential system problems identifies the probability that a problem occurred in the system based at least on system measure states that are input into the probabilistic model. System measure states may be determined based on an aggregation of system measurement values taken periodically. Aggregating system measurement values may be performed over system measurement values that were taken during a recent time interval. A rolling count aggregation function may be used for this purpose. A rolling count function counts the number of system measurement values taken within the recent time interval that lie within a particular range of values. A system measure state may be determined based on whether the rolling count exceeds a threshold associated with the system measure. |
| US08230258B2 |
Control method of system monitoring device, program, and computer system
A system monitoring device retains hardware state information of a computer system and OS software state information of a hardware control instruction given by OS software and monitors and controls the entire computer system. When state change of the hardware state information and OS software state information is recognized, save information is stored in a non-volatile memory. When re-activation accompanying active replacement of the system monitoring device, which has failed, is recognized, the save information is read from the non-volatile memory, and the corresponding hardware state information and OS software state information before device failure is restored. The operating hardware is recognized according to save information, and the hardware state information generated for the recognized hardware during active replacement is restored. The operating OS software is recognized according to the save information, and the OS software state information generated for the recognized OS software during active replacement is restored. |
| US08230256B1 |
Method and apparatus for achieving high availability for an application in a computer cluster
A method and apparatus for achieving high availability in a computer cluster is provided. In one embodiment, a method for failing over a software application to a virtual machine from a physical computing environment comprises processing at least one virtual machine file at a backup computer, wherein the at least one virtual machine file is preconfigured with a software application that is hosted by a computer cluster and in response to an occurrence a fault at the computer cluster, accessing the at least one virtual machine file to operate the software application. |
| US08230250B2 |
Computer having power saving state control function and control method thereof
A computer has a plurality of sleeping modes to be switch directly. The power supply assemblies provide a plurality of power supplies to elements in the computer. The storage module is used to store executing data corresponding to each sleeping mode. The power management module is used to set the number of the power supply assemblies which need to be switched on in each sleeping mode. The control module determines the sleeping mode which is switched to according to a received trigger event and sends a first switching signal to the storage module to make the storage module store the executing data and a second switching signal to the power management module to make the power management module set the number of the power supply assemblies and switches the sleeping mode of the computer directly. |
| US08230242B2 |
Accessory power management
Methods, apparatus, and circuits for managing power among portable computing devices and one or more accessories. One example provides commands to improve power management between a portable computing device and one or more accessories. Other examples provide commands that may allow a portable computing device to charge at a maximum available current level while providing an accessory with sufficient current for its proper operation. Another may help prevent a portable computing device from drawing a high level of current that could be detrimental to an accessory, while others provide commands that may allow a battery pack to instruct a portable computing device to not charge its internal battery. Another example may allow a portable computing device to determine which power supply among multiple power supplies should be used to power an accessory, while others may allow an accessory to retrieve charging current parameters from a portable computing device. |
| US08230241B2 |
Storage power supply system, storage device, and control thereof
The present invention discloses a storage power supply system includes a first storage device coupled with a network, a second storage device coupled with the network and an uninterrupted power supply. The uninterrupted power supply comprises a backup circuit that supplies backup power when commercial power supply is interrupted. The uninterrupted power supply comprises a power supply state signal generation circuit that generates a power supply state signal indicating a state of the power. The power supply state signal includes a backup state signal indicating a supply of backup power. The first storage device performs a self-processing corresponding to a state in which backup power is supplied when the backup state signal generated by the power supply state signal generation circuit is inputted. The second storage device performs a self-processing corresponding to a state in which backup power is supplied in response to the input of the backup state signal from the power supply state signal generation circuit to the first storage device. |
| US08230231B2 |
One time password key ring for mobile computing device
Single-use character combinations are a secure mechanism for user authentication. Such “one-time passwords” (OTPs) can be generated by a mobile device to which the user otherwise maintains easy access. A key exchange, such as in accordance with the Diffie-Hellman algorithm, can provide both the mobile device and a server with a shared secret from which the OTPs can be generated. The shared secret can be derived from parameters posted on the server and updated periodically, and the mobile device can obtain such parameters from the server before generating an OTP. Such parameters can also specify the type of OTP mechanism to be utilized. A second site can, independently, establish an OTP mechanism with the mobile device. For efficiency, the first server can provide an identity token which provides the mobile device's public key in a trusted manner, enabling more efficient generation of the shared secret with the second server. |
| US08230229B2 |
Security in computing networks
A system for verifying the security of communications between a set of nodes via a high-bandwidth, insecure communications channel. A number of embodiments are described for enabling authenticated communication between the nodes in an environment wherein there is a high bandwidth Dolev-Yao network amongst the nodes and non-spoofable, low-bandwidth empirical channels between each pair of nodes. |
| US08230223B2 |
Approach for managing access to messages using encryption key management policies
Controlling access to disseminated messages includes implementing one or more key management policies that specify how various encryption keys are maintained and in particular, when encryption keys are made inaccessible. Deleting a particular key renders inaccessible all copies of messages, known or unknown, associated with the particular key, regardless of the location of the associated messages. A message may be directly or indirectly associated with a deleted key. Any number of levels of indirection are possible and either situation makes the message unrecoverable. The approach is applicable to any type of data in any format and the invention is not limited to any type of data or any type of data format. |
| US08230221B2 |
Routing advertisement authentication in fast router discovery
A method and a Mobile Node are provided for authenticating an Advertisement message received from an Access Router through an Access Point. The Advertisement message comprises a Hashed Nonce Value and a Nonce Index corresponding to a Nonce Value held in the Access Router. Upon receiving the Advertisement message from the Access Point, the Mobile Node initiates a process for configuring an IP address, by use of information received in the Advertisement, for having a session with the Access Point and the Access Router. In parallel, either the Access Point or the Mobile Node sends the Nonce Index directly to the Access Router. The Access Router replies with the Nonce Value sent to the Mobile Node. The Mobile Node hashes the Nonce Value received from the Access Router and compares a Result of the hashing with the Hashed Nonce Value. If the Result matches the Hashed Nonce Value, the Advertisement is considered authenticated and the IP address configured according to the Advertisement is kept in the Mobile Node. |
| US08230220B2 |
Method for realizing trusted network management
A method for realizing trusted network management is provided. A trusted management agent resides on a managed host, and a trusted management system resides on a management host. The trusted management agent and the trusted management system are software modules, which are both based on a trusted computing platform and signed after being authenticated by a trusted third party of the trusted management agent and the trusted management system. Trusted platform modules of the managed host and the management host can perform integrity measurement, storage, and report for the trusted management agent and the trusted management system. Therefore, the managed host and the management host can ensure that the trusted management agent and the trusted management system are trustworthy. Then, the trusted management agent and the trusted management system execute a network management function, thus realizing the trusted network management. Therefore, the technical problem in the prior art that the network management security cannot be ensured due to the mutual attack between an agent, a host where the agent resides, and a manager system is solved, and trusted network management is realized. |
| US08230212B2 |
Method of indexing security keys for mobile internet protocol authentication
The present invention provides a method involving a mobile node, a home agent, and an authentication server in a wireless communication system. The method includes generating, at the authentication server, a first security key that indicates a secure association between the home agent and the mobile node based on a second security key that indicates a secure association between the mobile node and the authentication server. The method also includes generating, at the authentication server, at least one first index associated with the first security key. The first index is also generated by the mobile node. The method also includes storing, at the authentication server, the first index and the first security key. |
| US08230211B2 |
Method for setting basic input/output system
A BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setting method is disclosed, which is applicable to a computer equipped with a MEMORY a CMOS RAM (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Random Access Memory), and a BIOS-ROM (Basic Input/Output System Read-Only Memory) storing a first setting document. The BIOS setting method includes: providing a setting interface to allow a user to perform settings so as to form a second setting document; storing the second setting document in the BIOS-ROM; and loading the first and second setting documents to the MEMORY during a POST (Power On Self Test) process of the computer; saving the first setting document, or alternatively revising the first setting document and/or combining the first setting document with the second setting document according to the second setting document if loaded, so as to form a third setting document; and loading the third setting document to the CMOS RAM to perform a system initialization according to the third setting document. |
| US08230209B1 |
Method and apparatus for automatically providing a user the opportunity to boot from an alternate storage device where a valid operating system resides
Automatically presenting the user, at boot time, the option of booting from a default device or from any of a plurality of storage devices that contain bootable partitions. This overcomes current methodologies that are not automated, needs manually intervention, and requires a degree of sophistication that the user, most probably does not have. This is very simple for the user to use and automatically presents a current and up date list of bootable partitions. |
| US08230208B2 |
Booting an operating system of a system using a read ahead technique
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for generating a list of files accessed during an operating system (OS) boot process to profile the OS boot process, and optimizing the list of files to generate an optimized file list for use in future OS boot processes, where the optimizing is according to a first optimization technique if the files were accessed from a solid state medium and according to a second optimization technique if the files were accessed from a rotating medium. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08230206B2 |
Bios parameter erasing method and apparatus applied to computer system
A computer system includes a triggering device; and a motherboard, connected to the triggering device, further comprising: a memory stored with a setting parameter of a basic-input-output-system; and a counter connected between the triggering device and the memory; wherein an erasing signal, for erasing the memory, is outputted to the memory from the counter according to a triggering signal outputted from the triggering device while a boosting procedure cannot be successfully executed by the computer system. |
| US08230202B2 |
Apparatus and method for condensing trace information in a multi-processor system
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to characterize a coherency controller. The executable instructions define ports to receive processor trace information from a set of processors. The processor trace information from each processor includes a processor identity and a condensed coherence indicator. Circuitry produces a trace stream with trace metrics and condensed coherence indicators. |
| US08230201B2 |
Migrating sleeping and waking threads between wake-and-go mechanisms in a multiple processor data processing system
A wake-and-go mechanism is provided for a data processing system. The wake-and-go mechanism detects a thread running on a first processing unit within a plurality of processing units that is waiting for an event that modifies a data value associated with a target address. The wake-and-go mechanism creates a wake-and-go instance for the thread by populating a wake-and-go storage array with the target address. The operating system places the thread in a sleep state. Responsive to detecting the event that modifies the data value associated with the target address, the wake-and-go mechanism assigns the wake-and-go instance to a second processing unit within the plurality of processing units. The operating system on the second processing unit places the thread in a non-sleep state. |
| US08230197B1 |
Memory usage in imaging devices
Imaging devices incorporating semi-volatile memory are described herein. According to various embodiments, a communication interface may receive image data that is stored in a NAND flash memory device divided into three regions. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08230196B1 |
Configurable partitions for non-volatile memory
Example embodiments for configuring a non-volatile memory device may comprise configuring M physical partitions of the non-volatile memory into two or more banks, wherein the two or more banks respectively comprise one or more of the M physical partitions, and wherein at least a first of the M physical partitions comprises a first size and wherein at least a second of the M physical partitions comprises a second size. |
| US08230194B2 |
Storage device
A storage device is provided with a file I/O interface control device and a plurality of disk pools. The file I/O interface control device sets one of a plurality of storage hierarchies defining storage classes, respectively, for each of LUs within the disk pools, thereby forming a file system in each of the LUs. The file I/O interface control device migrates at least one of the files from one of the LUs to another one of the LUs of an optimal storage class, based on static properties and dynamic properties of each file. |
| US08230192B2 |
System and method for QoS-based storage tiering and migration technique
The present invention is directed to a method for providing Quality Of Service (QoS)-based storage tiering and migration in a storage system. The method allows for configurable application data latency thresholds to be set on a per user basis and/or a per application basis so that a storage tiering mechanism and/or a storage migrating mechanism may be triggered for moving application data to a different class of storage. |
| US08230190B1 |
Storage device with built-in data security system
A fixed disc drive includes a built-in user level security system. The system includes instructions that create an user interface upon a computer allowing interaction with security features of the drive without relying upon BIOS compatibility. In a specific embodiment, the user level security interface is provided by the disc drive during the system boot sequence. A method of disc drive security includes receiving a request from a computer to provide an operating system, and responsively providing user level security interface instructions. The user level security instructions are then executed by the computer to generate a user level security interface. If the drive is in a locked state, the interface requires an user to provide an acceptable password otherwise access to data on the drive is forbidden or otherwise restricted. |
| US08230188B2 |
Storage management apparatus, storage system, and storage management method
A storage management apparatus controls the storage device such that data is redundantly stored in each of an opened area and a closed area. The storage management apparatus includes an area laying-open unit and a re-redundancy unit. The area laying-open unit deletes or compresses data stored in the at least two closed areas, converts one of the closed areas into the opened area and writes data corresponding to a write request to the opened area and to at least the other of the closed areas, if a capacity of the storage device reaches a given value. The re-redundancy unit converts memory area of an add-on storage device into the closed area and copies data in an opened area, placed in a redundant-storing relationship with the data deleted or compressed by the area laying-open unit, to the closed area, if the storage device is added on. |
| US08230185B2 |
Method for optimizing cleaning of maps in FlashCopy cascades containing incremental maps
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to determine whether a target disk of a map contains data unavailable to a downstream disk from an upstream disk in a FlashCopy cascade and detect whether the downstream disk has a copy of the data. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to copy the data from the target disk to the downstream disk, if the target disk of the map contains data unavailable to the downstream disk from the upstream disk and the downstream disk does not have the copy of the data. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to refrain from copying the data from the target disk to the downstream disk, if the target disk of the map does not contain data unavailable to the downstream disk from the upstream disk or the downstream disk does have the copy of the data. Moreover, the programming instructions are operable to remove the map from the FlashCopy cascade. |
| US08230184B2 |
Techniques for writing data to different portions of storage devices based on write frequency
Techniques for writing data to different portions of storage devices based on write frequencies are disclosed. Frequencies of data writes to various portions of a memory are monitored. The memory includes various storage technologies. Each portion includes one of the storage technologies and has a respective lifetime. An order that the portions are written into and recycled is dynamically managed to equalize respective life expectancies of the portions in view of differences in endurance values of the portions, the monitored frequencies of data writes, and the lifetimes. In some embodiments, the storage technologies include Single-Level Cell (SLC) flash memory storage technology and Multi-Level Cell (MLC) flash memory storage technology. The SLC and MLC flash memory storage technologies are optionally integrated in one device. In some embodiments, the storage technologies include two or more different types of SLC flash memory storage technologies, optionally integrated in one device. |
| US08230183B2 |
Techniques for prolonging a lifetime of memory by controlling operations that affect the lifetime of the memory
Techniques are provided for prolonging a lifetime of memory by controlling operations that affect the lifetime of the memory. At least one aspect associated with the memory lifetime is identified and at least one of the operations is delayed, based on the at least one aspect. The operations include a write operation, an erase operation, a program operation, and/or any other operation that is capable of reducing the memory lifetime. |
| US08230182B2 |
System and method for providing more logical memory ports than physical memory ports
Some embodiments provide for a method of mapping a user design to a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The method is for a configurable IC that implements a user design with an associated user design clock cycle. The IC operates on a sub-cycle clock that has multiple sub-cycle periods within a user period of the user design clock cycle. The method identifies multiple port accesses to a first multi-port memory defined in the user design. The accesses are in a single user design clock cycle. The method maps the multiple port accesses to the first multi-port memory to multiple physical-port memory accesses to a second physical-port memory in the configurable IC during multiple sub-cycles associated with a single user design clock cycle. |