最新美国发明专利第2012-08-28期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08252341B2	Isolation of growth and differentiating factors from colostrum The present invention concerns a novel process for isolating growth and differentiating factors present in colostrum, all in a natural way. This process is characterized by maturation steps (controlled mild acid hydrolysis) and physical steps (molecular filtration) which optimize recovery of measured growth factors and their ability to entice a response on human cells. Advantageously, this process allows the derivation and isolation of growth and differentiating factors with highly disparate sizes (or molecule weights) in pools. These pools can be used in select and varied ways, including cosmetic, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, dermatological, pharmaceutical, medical and veterinary applications. It can also be used as a replacement to fetal calf serum to promote cell proliferation, and above all, cell differentiation.
US08252340B2	Extract for treating thrombotic diseases An extract for preventing or treating thrombotic disease, particularly, an extract of leech and/or earthworm with molecular weight of not more than 5800 Dalton, and processes for preparation, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof. The extract of the present invention has improved significantly safety without any reducing in pharmaceutical activities or the therapeutical effects as compared to existing products.
US08252334B2	Dry powder pharmaceutical compositions comprising surfactants, hydrophobic active principles, and water-soluble excipients, process of preparing, and stable aqueous suspensions thereof Pharmaceutical composition in a dry powder form comprising at least one hydrophobic active principle, at least one water-soluble excipient and at least one surfactant, wherein the particles in said dry powder state have a Volume Mean Diameter VMDd greater than the Volume Mean Diameter VMDw of particles in a suspension obtained from said pharmaceutical composition at standard conditions of dispersion in a water-medium. It is also disclosed a process to prepare such dry composition and an extemporaneous suspension for inhalation therapy obtainable from said dry composition.
US08252332B2	Gastric retained gabapentin dosage form A method of treatment for epilepsy and other disease states is described, which comprises the delivery of gabapentin in a gastric retained dosage form.
US08252325B2	Liposome-encapsulated glutathione for oral administration The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.
US08252323B2	Compositions for mucosal delivery of agents Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The compositions are intended for administration to mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.
US08252321B2	Biosynchronous transdermal drug delivery for longevity, anti-aging, fatigue management, obesity, weight loss, weight management, delivery of nutraceuticals, and the treatment of hyperglycemia, alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, parkinson's disease, aids, epilepsy, attention deficit disorder, nicotine addiction, cancer, headache and pain control, asthma, angina, hypertension, depression, cold, flu and the like Systems and methods for longevity, anti-aging, fatigue management, obesity, weight loss, weight management, delivery of nutraceuticals, and treating hyperglycemia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, Attention Deficit Disorder and nicotine addiction involve synchronizing and tailoring the administration of nutraceuticals, medications and other substances (for example, stimulants) in accordance with the body's natural circadian rhythms, meal times and other factors. Improved control of blood glucose levels, extended alertness, and weight control, and counteracting of disease symptoms when they are at their worst are possible. An automated, pre-programmable transdermal administration system is used to provide pulsed doses of medications, pharmaceuticals, hormones, neuropeptides, anorexigens, pro-drugs, stimulants, plant extracts, botanicals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, phytochemicals, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, essential oils, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, or other physiological active ingredient or precursor. The system can utilize a pump, pressurized reservoir, a system for removing depleted carrier solution, or other modulated dispensing actuator, in conjunction with porous membranes or micro-fabricated structures.
US08252320B2	Transdermal delivery system for sufentanil Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.
US08252315B2	Hypoallergenic composition This invention is directed generally to compositions (including foods, supplements, treats, toys, etc.) for animal (including pet) consumption, and particularly hypoallergenic compositions, and more particularly semi-solid hypoallergenic compositions and hypoallergenic compositions that comprise a hydrolysate. This invention also is directed generally to methods for using such compositions. This invention is further directed generally to processes for making such compositions.
US08252312B1	Oral solid composition comprising a lipid absorption inhibitor The present invention provides an oral solid composition comprising a lipase inhibitor, an acid soluble polymer and an excipient. The composition may further comprise a second active. The composition may also further comprise a functional excipient.
US08252308B2	Feminine anti-itch gel The present invention provides a substantially clear gel designed to reduce itching discomfort when applied to the vulvar tissue. The gel includes at least one anesthetic, protectant, emulsifier, and pH modifier, such as a base. The gel has a pH adapted to vulvar use and may be applied to the vulvar tissues.
US08252305B2	Methods of treating emesis utilizing semi-solid delivery pharmaceutical compositions comprising granisetron A semi-solid delivery vehicle contains a polyorthoester and an excipient, and a semi-solid pharmaceutical composition contains an active agent and the delivery vehicle. The pharmaceutical composition may be a topical, syringable, or injectable formulation; and is suitable for local delivery of the active agent. Methods of treatment are also disclosed.
US08252304B2	Semi-solid delivery vehicle and pharmaceutical compositions for delivery of granisetron A semi-solid delivery vehicle contains a polyorthoester and an excipient, and a semi-solid pharmaceutical composition contains an active agent and the delivery vehicle. The pharmaceutical composition may be a topical, syringable, or injectable formulation; and is suitable for local delivery of the active agent. Methods of treatment are also disclosed.
US08252302B2	Methods and compositions to treat hemorrhagic conditions of the brain The described invention provides a nonhuman animal model system for hemorrhagic brain conditions, methods for evaluating a substance for treating the hemorrhagic brain condition in a mammal, methods for treating hematoma expansion or recurrent rebleeding resulting from hemorrhagic brain conditions in a mammal, and pharmaceutical compositions for administration into or at a distance proximal to the hemorrhagic brain condition.
US08252299B1	Minimum risk liquid natural insect repellent for gnats An minimum risk liquid natural insect repellent which comprises citronellal java type oil as the active repellency for the use against biting gnats and the inactive ingredient is low viscosity white mineral oil petroleum type and is a secondary means of protection, and isopropyl myristate as the emulsifier. In a process which consists of a free gas injection vacuum batch mixture procedure.
US08252295B2	Enzyme treatment of glucans β-(1-6)-Glucanese treatment of glucan from yeast cells, pure or feed grade, especially yeast from the family Saccharomyces and particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides a novel glucan product suitable for use in enhancing the stimulation of host animal immune systems. Solubilization of such yeast cell glucan is further disclosed to extend the usefulness of yeast cell glucan as an adjuvant.
US08252293B2	Binding domain of Plasmodium reticulocyte binding proteins The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides, polypeptides, antibodies and/or vaccines for the prevention and/or treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium vivax. In particular, the polypeptide fragments are derived from the binding domain of the reticulocyte binding proteins of Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium vivax. The present invention also provides recombinant vaccines and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of malaria.
US08252291B2	Bacteriocins and novel bacterial strains Novel bacteriocins produced by novel bacterial strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.
US08252285B2	Antibodies to OX-2/CD200 and uses thereof in inhibiting immune responses This disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting immune responses. The disclosure also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting graft rejection and promoting or prolonging graft survival.
US08252282B2	Nuclear telomerase reverse transcriptase variant The present invention is directed to a novel variant of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (S16AhTERT), which displays properties distinct from those of wildtype telomerase reverse transcriptase. Accordingly, the amino acid sequence of S16AhTERT and nucleic acid sequences encoding same are presented herein, as are methods of use thereof.
US08252270B2	Composition for making-up the skin comprising at least one resin, at least one block copolymer and at least one solid fatty substance, free from volatile oil Disclosed herein is a composition for make-up and/or care of the skin comprising a fatty phase, comprising: at least one resin of number average molecular weight less than or equal to 10,000 g/mol, selected from rosin, derivatives of rosin, and hydrocarbon resins, at least one hydrocarbon block copolymer, at least one fatty substance whose melting point is greater than 25° C. chosen from waxes and pasty fatty substances, wherein said composition comprises less than 5% of volatile oil.
US08252269B2	Impact of calcium phosphate complex on dental caries The present invention relates to chewing gum and confectionery compositions and methods for reducing dental caries in mammals. In particular, the compositions may include a gum base or carrier, sweetening agents and casein phosphopeptide-calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The compositions may be employed to slow the progression and enhance the regression of carious lesions in mammals, particularly in humans.
US08252268B2	Formoterol and mometasone aerosol formulations A pharmaceutical aerosol formulation comprising particles of (a) formoterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or physiologically functional derivative thereof and (b) mometasone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or physiologically functional derivative thereof dispersed in a propellant selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane and a mixture thereof, and a bulking agent having a mass median diameter of less than one micron.
US08252266B2	Recovery of alumina trihydrate during the bayer process using scleroglucan The invention provides methods and compositions for improving the production of alumina. The invention involves adding a product containing one or more polysaccharides to liquor within the fluid circuit of the production process, where one of the polysaccharides is scieroglucan. The use of scleroglucan can impart a number of advantages including at least some of: greater flocculation effectiveness, increasing the maximum effective dosage, faster settling rate. The production process can be a Bayer process.
US08252265B2	Method for making a chalcopyrite-type compound A method for making a chalcopyrite-type compound includes: reacting a reaction mixture in a first solvent under reflux condition to form the chalcopyrite-type compound containing M1, M2, and A, in which M1 is selected from Cu, Au, Ag, Na, Li, and K, M2 is selected from In, Ga, Al, Ti, Zn, Cd, Sn, Mg, and combinations thereof, and A is selected from S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof; filtering the reaction mixture to obtain a crude cake; mixing the crude cake with a second solvent and a powder of a post-treatment material selected from S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof; and heating the mixture under reflux condition.
US08252257B2	Method for purifying gas, gas purifying apparatus, and gas purifying catalyst This invention provides a method involving the use of a non-ammonia-based deNOx catalyst for reducing the amount of NOx in exhaust combustion gas discharged from a boiler and an internal-combustion engine, wherein NOx and CO contained in exhaust gas are allowed to selectively react to reduce and remove NOx. This method involves the use of a catalyst comprising a cerium-zirconium composite oxide with Au supported thereon or a catalyst comprising a cerium-oxide-containing porous carrier with zirconium and Au supported thereon. Use of such catalyst enables purification of NOx and CO in exhaust gas and also enables generation of hydrogen.
US08252255B2	Process for producing purified synthesis gas from synthesis gas comprising trace amounts of sulphur contaminants with a metal-organic framework The invention provides a process for producing purified synthesis gas from synthesis gas comprising sulphur contaminants in the ppmv range, the process comprising the step of: (a) contacting the synthesis gas comprising sulphur contaminants with solid sorbent comprising a metal organic framework, thereby separating sulphur contaminants from the synthesis gas to obtain purified synthesis gas.
US08252250B2	Electroosmotic pump with improved gas management An electroosmotic (EO) pump is provided that includes a housing having a pump cavity, a porous core medium and electrodes. The porous core medium is positioned within the pump cavity to form an exterior reservoir that extends at least partially about an exterior surface of the porous core medium. The porous core medium has an open inner chamber provided therein. The inner chamber represents an interior reservoir. The electrodes are positioned in the inner chamber and are positioned proximate the exterior surface. The electrodes induce flow of a fluid through the porous core medium between the interior and exterior reservoirs, wherein a gas is generated when the electrodes induce flow of the fluid. The housing has a fluid inlet to convey the fluid to one of the interior reservoir and the exterior reservoir. The housing has a fluid outlet to discharge the fluid from another of the interior reservoir and the exterior reservoir. The housing has a gas removal device to remove the gas from the pump cavity.
US08252246B2	Water management system for sterilizer A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.
US08252243B2	Triple helical flow vortex reactor improvements Improvements to a triple helical flow vortex reactor improve the radio-transparent portion of the reactor. A central part is added thereto consisting of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic material. A movable electrode configured to controllably extend into a zone, discharge and retract. A protrusion on the wall optionally aids in the discharge. A feedstock injection unit includes nested pipes: an outer pipe conveys coolants and the inner pipe conveys feedstock. An additional fuel inlet may be connected to an additional reaction chamber connected in series to the reaction chamber. The central part may be porous permitting inward flow of fuel. Slots penetrating the inner wall of the central part enhance the introduction of magnetic and electric fields. An outer shell over the reaction chamber is configured to flow coolant over the outer wall of the reaction chamber.
US08252242B2	System of carbon capture and sequestration Systems of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising a carbon capture assembly including a mixing vessel, a reaction vessel, and a solvent regeneration assembly fluidly connected to the reaction vessel. The solvent regeneration assembly comprises at least one heat exchanger, a cryogenic drying vessel fluidly connected to the heat exchanger, and a hot distillation vessel fluidly connected to the cryogenic drying vessel. An alkali is mixed with a substantially non-aqueous solvent to form a suspension in the mixing vessel. The reaction vessel is fluidly connected to the mixing vessel such that the reaction vessel receives the suspension of alkali and solvent from the mixing vessel through a first input, receives flue gas containing carbon dioxide through a second input and receives water through a third input such that carbonic acid, carbonate, water and heat are formed in the reaction vessel.
US08252239B2	Liquid-liquid extraction system The invention aims to reduce the processing time of liquid-liquid extraction, reduce variations in the amount of extraction of a solute, and improve the extraction efficiency. Provided are a container adapted to contain a continuous phase and a dispersion phase that are mutually immiscible liquids, and a solute dissolved in at least one of the continuous and dispersion phases, a water tank accommodating therein the container and containing water around the container, an emulsification ultrasonic oscillation source disposed outside the water tank, on a plane substantially parallel with the interface between the continuous and dispersion phases, a separation ultrasonic oscillation source disposed outside the water tank, an ultrasonic-oscillation-source driving circuit configured to drive the emulsification ultrasonic oscillation source and the separation ultrasonic oscillation source, and a control unit configured to control the ultrasonic-oscillation-source driving circuit such that it sequentially drives the emulsification ultrasonic oscillation source and the separation ultrasonic oscillation source.
US08252237B2	Substance detection sensor A substance detection sensor comprises an insulation layer (2) having flexibility, two electrodes (3A, 3B) so disposed on the insulation layer as to be opposite to each other at a space therebetween and connected to an electric resistance detector, and a conductive layer (4) which is so formed on the insulation layer as to span the two electrodes and to be electrically connected to the two electrodes. The swelling ratio of the conductive layer (4) is changed according to the type and/or the quantity of a specific substance.
US08252236B2	Method for measuring substrate concentration and device for the same The present invention provides a method for measuring a substrate concentration by accumulating an energy resulting from a reaction between a biocatalyst and a substrate recognized by the biocatalyst to a certain level; and using a dependency of an accumulation rate on the substrate concentration as an index; and a apparatus therefor. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which the measurement of the accumulation rate is carried out by measuring a frequency of an energy release in a certain amount of time when the energy accumulated in the capacitor reaches the certain level and is then released.
US08252227B2	Invention relates to a method of viral inactivation by dry heating The invention relates to a method of viral inactivation by dry heating of a virus present or potentially present in a biological product that has been dried according to the glass transition temperature.
US08252223B2	Methods and systems for integrating fluid dispensing technology with stereolithography An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace. Thus, the present invention is capable of efficiently building single and multi-material SL fabricated parts embedded with complex three-dimensional circuitry using DW.
US08252222B2	Mould and process for shaping a sulphur cement product The present invention provides a mold for shaping a sulphur cement product, which mold has an inner surface describing an inner volume for receiving a cast material, an outer surface and a barrier comprised between the inner surface and the outer surface, which barrier has a thermal conductance per unit area of at most 100 W/m2K in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface. The invention further provides a process for shaping a sulphur cement product.
US08252219B2	Polymer shrink tubes and novel uses therefor Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall.
US08252217B2	Container with injection-molded feature and tool for forming container A container has a base panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the base panel. At least one corner is formed at a junction between the side panel and end panel. A flange extends laterally outward from the upper edges of at least one of the side panel, end panel, and corner. An injection-molded structure extends along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edges of the side wall and the end wall, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container. An apparatus for forming the container and a method of manufacturing are also disclosed.
US08252216B2	Method for the production of railway ties Durable, weather and an insect-resistant railway ties are fabricated by the co-extrusion into a die of at least one mixture comprising asphalt binder and aggregate and recycled plastic, optionally strengthened by fillers such as glass fiber or KEVLAR.
US08252211B2	Drop pelletizing device and method for the operation thereof A drop pelletizing device and method for producing pellets from a low-viscosity plastic melt are provided. The drop pelletizing device can include a die plate with holes, in which the plastic melt can be subjected to a harmonic pressure oscillation such that the plastic melt emerging from the holes forms individual pellet droplets, a pressure vessel, in which prevails an overpressure above the ambient pressure, a discharge device adapted to discharge the individual pellet droplets from the pressure vessel and to reduce the overpressure, a separator adapted to separate the individual pellet droplets from the coolant; and at least one circulating device adapted to agitate the coolant to separated and unclump the individual pellet droplets in the coolant and for producing turbulence within the coolant.
US08252208B2	Calcium fluoride optics with improved laser durability The invention is directed to calcium fluoride crystal optics with improved laser durability that can be used for the transmission of below 250 nanometer (nm) electromagnetic radiation. The optics consist of CaF2 as the major component and, in one embodiment, at least one dopant/amount selected >0.3-1200 ppm Mg, >0.3-200 ppm Sr, >0.3-200 ppm Ba, while Ce and Mn are <0.5 ppm. The doped crystal and optics made therefrom have a ratio of 515/380 nm transmission loss of less than 0.3 after exposure to greater than 2.8 MRads of γ-radiation.
US08252205B2	Method for preparing metal phosphide nanocrystal from phosphite compound and method for passivating nanocrystal core with the same Disclosed herein is a method for the preparation of metal phosphide nanocrystals using a phosphite compound as a phosphorous precursor. More specifically, disclosed herein is a method for preparing metal phosphide nanocrystals by reacting a metal precursor with a phosphite compound in a solvent. A method is also provided for passivating a metal phosphide layer on the surface of a nanocrystal core by reacting a metal precursor with a phosphite compound in a solvent. The metal phosphide nanocrystals have uniform particle sizes and various shapes.
US08252204B2	Glass compositions used in conductors for photovoltaic cells The invention relates to glass compositions useful in conductive pastes for silicon semiconductor devices and photovoltaic cells.
US08252197B2	Agent for processing polyurethane elastomer fibers A processing agent for processing urethane elastomer fibers contains a disperse medium of a specified kind having mineral oil as its principal component and a dispersoid of a specified kind including aliphatic ester compound. The disperse medium is 80-99.99% by mass and the dispersoid is 0.01-20% by mass for a total of 100% by mass. The average particle size of the dispersoid is prepared to be in the range of 0.01-500 μm as measured by a specified measuring method.
US08252190B2	Method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a hard mask defined write pole trailing edge step A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole with a tapered trailing edge step. The resulting tapered trailing edge step maximizes write field at very small bit sizes by preventing the magnetic saturation of the write pole at the pole tip. The method includes depositing a magnetic write pole material and then depositing a magnetic material over the magnetic write pole material. A RIE mask and hard mask are deposited over the magnetic bump material. A resist mask is formed over the RIE mask and hard mask, and a reactive ion etching is performed to transfer the pattern of the resist mask onto the underlying hard mask. Then an ion milling is performed to form a the magnetic step layer with a tapered edge that defines a tapered trailing edge step structure of the write pole.
US08252182B1	Subsurface upflow wetland system for nutrient and pathogen removal in wastewater treatment systems Methods and systems for a subsurface upflow wetland for wastewater treatment that includes a series of parallel treatment cells, each cell including from bottom to top, a layer of gravel, a layer of sand over the gravel to remove pathogens from a septic effluent, a pollution control medium above the sand layer to remove nutrients, total suspended solid, and biochemical oxygen demand and a growth media mixture layered on top of the pollution control media to grow plants, and a gravity distribution system to distribute effluent to the series of parallel treatment cells. The pollution control medium includes at least one recycled material and at least one naturally occurring material. In an embodiment it includes recycled tire crumb, sand and limestone or recycled tire crumb, compost, sand and limestone.
US08252181B2	Horizontal ore filter with replaceable filter elements The horizontal ore filter has a plurality of filter elements covering the circular filter surface thereof and a sub-frame supporting the filter surface. In one aspect, each filter element has a longitudinal concave curvature therein. In another aspect, each sector frame has side flanges thereon. The sub-frame has a plurality of T-bars extending radially along the circular filter surface and each one of these T-bars supports the side edges of two adjacent filter elements. Upon installation of the filter elements to the sub-frame, the sector frames are held tight against the T-bars to ensure a good seal between adjacent filter elements and between each filter element and the sub-frame of the machine.
US08252175B2	Apparatus for separating fish from debris and allowing water passage A method and apparatus for separating fish and debris from water, the apparatus being made up of a frame member within which a rotating drum member is mounted, the drum member containing circumferentially mounted, longitudinally extending chamber members with an open side, and an air distribution member for inducing air into the chambers, facilitating rotation of the drum member. The method and apparatus are conformable for use in areas where the flow of water is a concern.
US08252172B2	Water enhancement system There is a water enhancement system coupled to a water conduit, wherein the water enhancement system is configured to enhance a water supply. The water enhancement system includes a filtration system coupled to a water conduit, configured to filter water flowing therethrough. The water enhancement system also includes an enhancement system coupled to the filtration system, configured to treat water flowing therethrough by dispensing a fluid therein. The enhancement system includes a plurality of cartridge sockets and matching cartridges configured to selectably couple together and contain enhancing fluid. The water enhancement system further includes a treatment bracket coupled about the water conduit and to the enhancement system. The water enhancement system additionally includes a treatment device coupled about the treatment bracket and configured to alter a characteristic of the water flowing therethrough.
US08252169B2	Process for upgrading coal pyrolysis oils This invention utilizes a novel method and set of operating conditions to efficiently and economically process a potentially very fouling hydrocarbon feedstock. A multi-stage catalytic process for the upgrading of coal pyrolysis oils is developed. Coal Pyrolysis Oils are highly aromatic, olefinic, unstable, contain objectionable sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen contaminants, and may contain coal solids which will plug fixed-bed reactors. The pyrolysis oil is fed with hydrogen to a multi-stage ebullated-bed hydrotreater and hydrocracker containing a hydrogenation or hydrocracking catalyst to first stabilize the feed at low temperature and is then fed to downstream reactor(s) at higher temperatures to further treat and hydrocrack the pyrolysis oils to a more valuable syncrude or to finished distillate products. The relatively high heat of reaction is used to provide the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the subsequent stage thus eliminating the need for additional external heat input. A refined heavy oil product stream is recycled to the fresh feed to minimize feedstock fouling of heat exchangers and feed heaters.
US08252167B2	Plating apparatus A plating apparatus for use in forming a plated film in trenches, via holes, or resist openings that are defined in a surface of a semiconductor wafer, and forming bumps to be electrically connected to electrodes of a package, on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The plating apparatus has a plating tank for holding a plating solution, a holder for holding a workpiece and bringing a surface to be plated of the workpiece into contact with the plating solution in the plating tank, and a ring-shaped nozzle pipe disposed in the plating tank and having a plurality of plating solution injection nozzles for injecting the plating solution to the surface to be plated of the workpiece held by the holder to supply the plating solution into the plating tank.
US08252166B2	Method of roughening rolled copper or copper alloy foil A rolled copper or copper alloy foil having a roughened surface formed of fine copper particles is obtained by subjecting a rolled foil to roughening plating with a plating bath containing copper sulfate (Cu equivalent of 1 to 50 g/L), 1 to 150 g/L of sulfuric acid, and one or more additives selected among sodium octyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate under the conditions of temperature of 20 to 50° C. and current density of 10 to 100 A/dm2. The foil has reduced craters, which are defects unique to rolled foils having a roughened surface, has high strength, adhesive strength with the resin layer, acid resistance and anti-tin plating solution properties, high peel strength, favorable etching properties and gloss level, and is suitable for producing a flexible printed wiring board capable of bearing a fine wiring pattern. A method of roughening the rolled foil is also provided.
US08252164B2	Methods for nanowire alignment and deposition The present invention provides methods and systems for nanowire alignment and deposition. Energizing (e.g., an alternating current electric field) is used to align and associate nanowires with electrodes. By modulating the energizing, the nanowires are coupled to the electrodes such that they remain in place during subsequent wash and drying steps. The invention also provides methods for transferring nanowires from one substrate to another in order to prepare various device substrates. The present invention also provides methods for monitoring and controlling the number of nanowires deposited at a particular electrode pair, as well as methods for manipulating nanowires in solution.
US08252163B2	Analysis apparatus for capillary electrophoresis A capillary electrophoresis analysis apparatus is provided for analyzing samples by a capillary electrophoresis method that allows for rapid and highly accurate separation and detection.
US08252161B2	Electrofiltration method Method for improving selectivity and productivity during purification of charged macromolecules and particles by electrofiltration by means of membranes in the electric filed. The ratio between the electric field and the permeate flow through the membrane is kept constant.
US08252160B2	Prevention of fluid delivered to reservoir from wicking into channels within microfluidic device A microfluidic device includes a substrate and a non-valve capillary mechanism. At least a reservoir and one or more channels leading to the reservoir are formed within the substrate. The non-valve capillary mechanism is within the reservoir, and prevents fluid delivered to the reservoir from wicking from the reservoir into the channels.
US08252157B2	Electrolytic copper plating method, phosphorous copper anode for electrolytic copper plating, and semiconductor wafer having low particle adhesion plated with said method and anode An electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing a phosphorous copper anode having a crystal grain size of 1,500 μm (or more) to 20,000 μm in an electrolytic copper plating method employing a phosphorous copper anode. Upon performing electrolytic copper plating, an object is to provide an electrolytic copper plating method of a semiconductor wafer for preventing the adhesion of particles, which arise at the anode side in the plating bath, to the plating object such as a semiconductor wafer, a phosphorous copper anode for electrolytic copper plating, and a semiconductor wafer having low particle adhesion plated with such method and anode.
US08252156B2	Electrode containers and associated methods Electrode containers and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an electrode container includes sides and a top, and the top includes an opening adapted to receive a rod of an electrode. A plurality of flexible members are interconnected about the perimeter of the opening, wherein at least some of the plurality of flexible members overlap with one another. In one embodiment, a method includes removing an electrode from a metal electrolysis cell and placing the electrode into a container, where the placing step includes the steps of engaging at least one lever of a top flap of the container with a surface of the electrode and, concomitant to the engaging step, moving the top flap from a first position to a second position.
US08252155B2	Electrolytic cell for generating chlorine in a pool Disclosed herein is an improved electrolytic cell. The cell includes at least one pair of electrodes, an anode and a cathode. In general the anode includes at least one dimension, which is substantially greater than the cathode. In an exemplary embodiment, the length and the width of the anode are greater than the length and width of the cathode. In a first embodiment of a multi-cell chlorine generator, unequal dimension electrodes are stacked together. In a second embodiment of such a generator, the electrodes are of equal dimensions. In another exemplary embodiment of the improved electrolytic cell in accordance with this invention, the cathode forms a U-shaped member and the anode of at least one dimension being greater is located there between. Another embodiment of the chlorine generator includes at least two cells having the U-shaped cathode. In a first exemplary of embodiment of such a chlorine generator, the electrode are parallel to one another. In a second such exemplary embodiment, the electrodes are parallel and are coincident in plane with one another, respectively.
US08252154B2	Electroplating apparatus An electroplating apparatus includes an electroplating tank, a first supporting bar, a first holding element, two second supporting bars, a number of spaced crossbars, a number of second holding elements, and a power supply. The first holding element is suspended in the tank from the first supporting bar, and the first holding element is configured for holding a plate-shaped workpiece in a manner that the workpiece is oriented along the first supporting bar. The second holding elements are suspended from the corresponding crossbars, each of the second holding elements arranged between the first and one of the second supporting bars and configured for holding a metal block. The power supply includes a cathode for electrical connection to the workpiece through the first supporting bar and the first holding element and an anode for electrically connection to the metal blocks through the second supporting bars and the second holding elements.
US08252151B2	Layout method of bridging electrode In a layout method of a bridging electrode, the method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a transparent electro-conductive layer on the substrate and the transparent electro-conductive layer having a plurality of neighboring patterned blocks; forming an alignment film layer on the substrate and the alignment film layer having a plurality of bridging grooves of a bridging insulation unit crossing between the patterned blocks; forming an electro-conductive layer on the substrate and the electro-conductive layer having a plurality of wires respectively disposed on the bridging grooves, wherein the wires of the electro-conductive layer being formed through an optical compensation mask in conjunction with at least one of over-exposure and over-development; and forming a protection layer on the substrate to enhance optical transmission and to protect the substrate, the transparent electro-conductive layer, the alignment film layer and the electro-conductive layer.
US08252149B2	Method of cleaning and recycling glycol-tainted water from de-icing operations at airports The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to treatment of water contaminated with glycol to be recycled for further effective use of the cleaned water resulting therefrom, especially at airports. More specifically, this invention relates to improved techniques for efficiently and reliably generating continuous flows of cleaned water as well as a continuous flow of recyclable glycol water of controlled concentration.
US08252143B2	Filler for paper making process The present invention relates to a filler comprising clay and cellulose derivative having a degree of substitution of net ionic groups up to about 0.65.
US08252140B2	Plasma chamber for wafer bevel edge processing The embodiments provide structures and mechanisms for removal of etch byproducts, dielectric films and metal films on and near the substrate bevel edge, and chamber interior to avoid the accumulation of polymer byproduct and deposited films and to improve process yield. In one example, a chamber for wafer bevel edge cleaning is provided. The chamber includes a bottom electrode having a bottom electrode surface for supporting the wafer when present. Also included is a top edge electrode surrounding an insulating plate. The insulator plate is opposing the bottom electrode. The top edge electrode is electrically grounded and has a down-facing L shape. Further included in the chamber is a bottom edge electrode that is electrically grounded and spaced apart from the bottom electrode. The bottom edge electrode is disposed to encircle the bottom electrode. The bottom edge electrode is oriented to oppose the down-facing L shape of the top edge electrode.
US08252135B2	Decorative molded article and method for producing the same A decorative molded article which is obtained by transferring hydraulically a hydraulic transfer film comprising a transfer layer including at least two layers of a curable resin layer with an active energy ray and a printed design layer such that the curable resin layer with an ionization radiation becomes a surface layer, wherein the printed design layer comprises a layer printed with a design to be raised which is obtained by using an ink containing an inorganic pigment having a degree of swelling of 200% or more, and the surface of the transfer layer has the raised design corresponding to the design of the layer printed with a design to be raised; and a method for producing a decorative molded article having a raised portion, after a hydraulic transfer film is activated and transferred onto a product to be transferred, the hydraulic transfer film includes a support film, and a printed design layer having a curable resin layer and a layer printed with a design to be raised, which is obtained by using an ink containing an inorganic pigment having a degree of swelling of 200% or more, and the printed design layer does not include a solid print layer obtained by using an ink containing an inorganic pigment having a degree of swelling of 200% or more; the curable resin layer is semi-cured; the support film is removed from the transfer layer, the transfer layer is dried, and the curable resin layer is completely cured.
US08252133B2	PU composite and method of fabricating the same A PU composite and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The fabrication method includes: (a) providing a release paper; (b) coating a fabric layer on the release paper, the fabric layer containing a PU resin, an abrasion resistant, and a colorant; (c) drying the fabric layer; (d) coating a first laminated layer on the fabric layer; (e) drying the first laminated layer; (f) laminating a wet PU foam layer on the first laminated layer; (g) releasing the release paper to form a semi-product; (h) providing a plastic layer, which is of a thermoplastic; (i) coating a second laminated layer on the plastic layer; (j) drying the second laminated layer; and (k) laminating the semi-product of Step (g) on the second laminated layer, so as to form a PU composite. Compared with conventional PU composites, the PU composite of the present invention has better UV resistance, solvent resistance, and abrasion resistance.
US08252132B2	Method and apparatus for repairing an electrostatic chuck device, and the electrostatic chuck device In a repairing method for an electrostatic chuck device in which at least an adhesive layer and an attracting layer are provided on a metal base, a side surface of an eroded adhesive layer is wound with a string-like adhesive and thermal compression is performed thereafter. A repairing apparatus for an electrostatic chuck device, which is used in the repairing method, includes a rotatable table for rotating the electrostatic chuck device and a bobbin for supplying the adhesive to the adhesive layer.
US08252129B2	Method for transforming steel blanks The invention relates to a method for transforming steel blanks. The invention in particular relates to a method for transforming a steel blank comprising kneading in order to obtain very good mechanical properties. The obtained products may notably be used for forming a pressure device component.
US08252127B2	Sputtering target material This invention provides sputtering target materials having high reflectance and excellent heat resistance, which are formed of Ag base alloys formed by adding a specific, minor amount of P to Ag and alloying them.
US08252125B2	Method for producing a workpiece and a workpiece The present invention, among other things, relates to a method for producing a workpiece by press hardening a semi-finished product, which is distinguished by the fact that the semi-finished product consists of a steel which has a high content of silicon of at least 0.9 wt. %, with a simultaneously small content of manganese of less than 0.9 wt. %, a small carbon content of less than 0.25 wt. %, and a high chromium content of more than 1.20 wt. %, and which by heating is brought to a state in which the structure of the steel that is used is at least partially transformed to austenite, also optionally fully transformed to austenite, and the thus-heated semi-finished product is hot shaped so that after the hot deformation shaping, a structure is present in the workpiece that has a complex phase structure with predominantly martensite and ferrite fractions. In addition, a workpiece is described, which is produced according to this method, as well as uses of such a workpiece.
US08252123B2	Rare earth permanent magnet and its preparation A rare earth permanent magnet is prepared by disposing a powdered metal alloy containing at least 70 vol % of an intermetallic compound phase on a sintered body of R—Fe—B system, and heating the sintered body having the powder disposed on its surface below the sintering temperature of the sintered body in vacuum or in an inert gas for diffusion treatment. The advantages include efficient productivity, excellent magnetic performance, a minimal or zero amount of Tb or Dy used, an increased coercive force, and a minimized decline of remanence.
US08252115B2	System and method for growing nanotubes with a specified isotope composition via ion implantation using a catalytic transmembrane An ion source(s) is configured to generate ions from one or more elements including a plurality of different isotopes or unique molecular combinations of two or more different isotopes from at least one of the selected elements. A selection filter(s) directs a subset of the ions onto a catalytic transmembrane to grow nanotubes of a specific isotope composition on the opposite side of the transmembrane. The nanotubes may be uniformly or selectively doped with dopant atoms. A controller can configure the selection filter(s) to sequentially pass different subsets of ions to form isotope, molecular or element junctions in the growing nanotubes.
US08252114B2	Gas distribution system and method for distributing process gas in a processing system An apparatus and related method for distributing process gas in a vapor deposition system is described. The gas distribution system includes a vertically movable piston within its plenum, and the movement of the piston controls the flow rate of process gas through the vapor distribution plate of the gas distribution system. The piston can be used to accommodate changes in processing parameters that affect flow characteristics and to create edge-enhanced, uniform, and center-enhanced profiles of deposited material on a substrate without the need to replace the vapor distribution plate.
US08252113B2	Method for producing component for vacuum apparatus, resin coating forming apparatus and vacuum film forming system The object of this invention is to provide a method for producing a component for vacuum apparatus and a resin coating forming apparatus capable of easily forming a resin coating on an internal flow path complex in shape.The resin coating forming apparatus (21) comprises a monomer vapor supplying unit (23), a vacuum pumping line (24) for transporting monomer vapor, a connection portion (24c) connectable with the internal flow path of a component (22A) provided on part of the vacuum pumping line (24), and a temperature adjusting unit (31) for depositing the monomer vapor onto the internal flow path of the component (22A) connected with the connection portion (24c) to form a resin coating. The above arrangement permits the formation of a uniform, high-coverage resin coating on the internal flow path of the component (22A) by merely exposing the internal flow path to monomer vapor.
US08252111B2	Heavy concrete It is aimed at providing a heavy concrete, which does not require addition of a thickener such as methyl cellulose, which is less in segregation between a heavy aggregate and a cement paste, and which is high in flowability and excellent in construction ability. The present invention provides a heavy concrete comprising, at least, a cement, a heavy aggregate, and water, mixed with one another, characterized in that the heavy fine aggregate includes hot scarves brought about in a scarfing process of a steel slab surface. The present invention further provides the above-described heavy concrete characterized in that the heavy fine aggregate includes fine aggregate particles passing through a sieve having a nominal size of 0.15 mm, in an amount of 10% to 20% in mass percentage, and the heavy fine aggregate includes spherical particles each having a distortion irregularity of 3.3 or less as defined below, in an amount of 20% or more in the whole of particles having diameters between 50 μm inclusive and 5 mm inclusive in the heavy fine aggregate: [Distortion irregularity]=[Length of circumferential outline of particle]/[Diameter of true circle having the same area as the area of the particle providing the outline].
US08252109B2	Process for the production of cement A process for the production of cement which includes the calcination of calcium carbonate-containing raw meal in a calciner heated by combustion of a carbon-containing fuel with a gas including oxygen and from 0 to 80% by volume of carbon dioxide, and substantially free of nitrogen, and isolating the gas produced by combustion and calcination in the calciner.
US08252104B2	Water-based infrared absorptive ink for ink-jet recording, ink-jet recording method, and ink-jet recording apparatus A water-based infrared absorptive ink for ink-jet recording is provided that absorbs electromagnetic waves in the infrared range without adversely affecting the color tone of recorded objects. The water-based infrared absorptive ink for ink-jet recording contains antimony-tin composite oxide fine particles and a coloring agent.
US08252099B2	Air filtration device An air purifier has a housing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulate pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the air inlet. VOC pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UV filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.
US08252098B2	Nanoparticle filter apparatus for ambient air A device for filtering nanoparticulate matter below 300 nm in size from ambient air within a defined enclosed space comprises at least one filter medium containing at least one filter material, and a fan or blower, which blows or draws the air through the filter medium does so with sufficiently low air velocity in the filter medium that the air has a long residence time in the filter medium, during which time adhesive encounters between nanoparticulate matter and the solid phase of the filter material are highly probable. This air velocity is also being sufficiently low to ensure that, once adhesion has taken place, kinetic de-adhesion by the air flow is highly improbable. Such a device allows to keep the nanoparticle count inside the enclosed space kept below 5000/cc, equivalent to ‘natural woodland’, even though external levels may exceeded 200,000/cc: the removal of nanoparticles by cleaning making this <2.5% the external count.
US08252096B2	Cleaning and/or filtering apparatus The invention relates to apparatus and a method for separating solid particles from fluids and particularly gas flows. The apparatus is particularly for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine or vacuum cleaner. The apparatus includes a cyclone separator which has at least two axial common cyclone separator elements, an inner and outer element, in conjunction with a two-stage electrostatic precipitator. The apparatus allows the filtration of fluid effectively, even if the flow varies over time.
US08252087B2	Process and apparatus for treating a gas containing a contaminant Apparatus, process and article for treating a gas containing one or more of a chemical and/or biological contaminant. The process includes contacting the gas with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a gas depleted of chemical and active biological contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The composition comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate. In one embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include the treatment of breathing gases such as air that may contain chemical and/or biological contaminants.
US08252085B1	Process for the recovery of metals from used nickel/metal hydride batteries The invention relates to the purification of recovered AB5 alloy which is obtained from spent nickel/metal hydride storage batteries by the selective removal of any Ni(OH)2 and the recovery of lanthanum without dissolving any AB5 alloy.
US08252082B2	Filter device in particular for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine Cross-sectional geometries of filter elements for soot particle filters are described, allowing uniform loading of the filter element with soot. Starting with hexagonal cell shapes, other polygonal shapes are arranged around them. All the cross-sectional geometries have in common the fact that the cross-sectional area of all inlet channels is larger than the cross-sectional area of all outlet channels.
US08252081B2	Water dissipation device and method A water dissipation device for removing water vapor or moisture from a breathing circuit is provided, including an upper lid portion, an entry port and an exit port. An outer cover structure extends from the upper lid portion to define an enclosed volume. An inner frame extends from the upper lid portion inside the outer cover structure. The outer cover structure includes a first layer of water or moisture wicking material and a second layer of water vapor breathable medium, and has an inner surface area bounding an inner flow space such that water vapor or moisture can permeate from the inner flow space through the outer cover structure out of device. The device can include an inner cup structure extending from the upper lid portion into the enclosed volume to displace the enclosed volume and define and bound a portion of the inner flow space and compressible volume therein.
US08252077B2	Electrically heated particulate filter heater insulation A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A zoned resistive heater is arranged spaced from said upstream end and includes N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones includes M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one, and wherein the zoned heater includes an electrically insulating material. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.
US08252075B2	Bonded abrasive tool and method of forming A bonded abrasive tool includes a bonded abrasive body having a bond matrix material comprising an organic bond material, abrasive grains contained within the bond matrix material, and not greater than about 5 vol % chopped fiber bundles within the bond matrix material. The tool further has a porosity within the bonded abrasive body, wherein a majority of the porosity comprises pores surrounding the chopped fiber bundles.
US08252072B2	Gasification A downdraft-updraft gasifier (1) and method for the gasification of biomass and waste to produce combustible effluent, the gasifier comprising: a fuel valve (22) for loading solid fuel (11) into a first oxidation zone (8); a first throat (2) defining the lower edge of the first oxidation zone (8); a second throat (4) defining the lower edge of a second oxidation zone (14); a reduction zone (5) linking the first oxidation zone (8) to the second oxidation zone (14) and a vortex discharge pipe (18) for the combustible effluent. The method includes steps of: partially oxidising a biomass fuel in the first oxidation zone (8) to produce char; reducing the char in the reduction zone (5) to form ash; further oxidising any char residue in the ash in the second oxidation zone (14); and extracting the combustible effluent produced in the above steps, by the discharge pipe (18).
US08252071B2	Fuel composition containing a hydrocarbon fraction and ethanol The invention relates to an aqueous fuel composition having a homogeneous liquid phase, a so called microemulsion, containing a liquid hydrocarbon fraction, ethanol and an additive with an emulsifying and solubilizing ability. The composition comprises a) 70-95% by weight of an hydrocarbon fraction having a boiling point within the range from 130 to 425° C., b) 2-25% by weight of ethanol, c) 0.002-0.8% by weight of water, and d) 0.2-25% by weight of an additive comprising 5-100% by weight of an nitrogen-containing surfactant, such as an amine surfactant, an ether amine surfactant, an amine oxide surfactant and an amido surfactant, and optionally an alcohol having a hydrocarbon group of 5-24 carbon atoms. Preferably the additive comprises 5-90% by weight of the nitrogen-containing surfactant and 10-95% by weight of the alcohol. The composition, which can be stored for long periods, may be used as a fuel in diesel engines.
US08252069B2	Cathode of lithium battery and method for fabricating the same A cathode of a lithium battery includes a composite film. The composite film includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a plurality of active material particles dispersed therein. A method for fabricating the cathode of the lithium battery includes the steps of (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes; (b) pulling out, by using a tool, at least two carbon nanotube films from the array of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube film structure; and (c) providing a plurality of active material particles, dispersing the active material particles in the carbon nanotube structure to form a composite film, and thereby, achieving the cathode of the lithium battery.
US08252068B2	Method of manufacturing electrolytic capacitor An electrolytic capacitor is manufactured which includes at least one capacitor element having an anode portion, a dielectric film covering a part of the anode portion and a cathode portion located on the dielectric film; and a piece member attached to each anode portion. The dielectric film is formed on each of a plurality of anode portions including the anode portion. A connecting portion connecting the plurality of anode portions to each other is provided. After the step of providing the connecting portion, the cathode portion is formed on the dielectric film in order to form a plurality of capacitor elements including at least one capacitor element. After the step of forming the cathode portion, the piece member is cut out from the connecting portion in order to separate the plurality of capacitor elements from each other.
US08252065B2	Ureteral stent with conforming retention structure A ureteral stent includes an elongate member defining an axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A first extension member and a second extension member extend from the proximal end portion and each include a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and an end portion. In an unconstrained configuration, the first portion is arcuate and extends away from the axis, the second portion extends from the first portion in a distal direction, and the third portion extends from the second portion in a direction away from the axis. In the unconstrained configuration, the end portions of the first and second extension members are spaced apart from each other sufficiently, and the first extension member and the second extension member are sufficiently rigid, to collectively help retain at least a portion of the ureteral stent within a bladder of a patient.
US08252063B2	Growing prosthesis A growing prosthesis comprising a joint replacement part, a prosthesis stem, a stem-anchoring element, and an element with corresponding drive provided for the lengthening of the growing prosthesis. The element provided for the lengthening of the growing prosthesis is a spindle element arranged in the stem-anchoring element.
US08252062B2	Artificial cementless hip prosthesis stem An artificial cement-less hip prosthesis stem comprises an inner construct 7 which reacts with a load acting on a hip joint and an outer construct 8 for transmitting the load acting on the inner construct to a femur 1. The inner construct has an inner body 7B which reacts with the load transmitted from a neck 7A. The outer construct has both an outer body 8A which is bell mouth-shaped toward an epiphysis so as to surround the inner body 7B and a leg 8B extending toward a medullary cavity. The torsional rigidity given to the proximal end and the distal end of the outer body 8A and the leg 8B is regulated so as to be lower than the torsional rigidity given to an intermediate portion 18 of the outer body 8A.
US08252060B2	Method of installation of intervertebral spacers Disclosed are methods for implant installation and assembly between adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient. The implant has a support body and a rotatable insert therein and the support body is curved for installation between adjacent vertebral bodies transforaminally. An installation instrument is also disclosed for removable attachment to implant and engagement with the rotatable insert to selectively permit rotation between the insert and the support body. The installation instrument extends along a longitudinal tool axis and when the installation instrument is in a first position the insert is rotationally fixed with respect to the support body and when the installation instrument is in a second position the support body may rotate with respect to the insert. Methods of installing multiple implants are also disclosed.
US08252050B2	Implantation of repair chords in the heart Apparatus is provided for adjusting at least one dimension of an implant, including a rotatable structure having first and second openings and a channel extending between the first and second openings. The channel allows passage therethrough of an elongate tool. The second end of the structure has a lower surface having one or more recesses along a circumference thereof. A mechanical element provides a protrusion that is disposed within one of the recesses of the rotatable structure during a resting state of the mechanical element, in a manner that restricts rotation of the rotatable structure. The mechanical element includes a depressible portion coupled to the protrusion disposed in communication with the second opening of the lower surface, and configured to dislodge the protrusion from within the recess in response to a force applied thereto by the elongate tool. Other applications are also described.
US08252042B2	Devices, systems and methods to treat heart failure Several unique intracardiac pressure vents, placement catheters, methods of placement and methods of treating heart failure are presented. The intracardiac pressure vents presented allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to relieve elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms but also limit the amount of flow from the right atrium to the left atrium to minimize the potential for thrombus or other embolic material from entering the arterial circulation. In embodiments, the device comprises a core segment, an annular flange to engage one surface of the atrial septum and two other annular flanges to engage another surface of the atrial septum.
US08252041B2	Stent designs for use in peripheral vessels Stent designs for use in peripheral vessels, such as the carotid arteries, are disclosed. The stents consist of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so that the stent is flexible in a longitudinal direction. The cylindrical elements are generally serpentine wave pattern transverse to the longitudinal axis between alternating valley portion and peak portions, the valley portion including alternating double-curved portions and U-shaped portions. The interconnecting members are attached to the double-curved portions to connect a cylindrical element to an adjacent cylindrical element and interconnecting members are attached to the U-shaped portions to connect the cylindrical element to the other adjacent cylindrical element. The designs include an eight crown and six crown stent which exhibit flexibility and sufficient radial strength to support the vessel.
US08252029B2	Expandable interspinous process spacer with lateral support and method for implantation An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration and the lateral portions each comprise a superior lateral portion and an inferior lateral portion adapted to reside on the lateral side of the respective superior and inferior spinous process in the deployed configuration to maintain positioning of the interspinous process spacer between the two adjacent vertebrae. The lateral portions each comprise an expandable lateral member.
US08252025B2	Vertebral fixation system A vertebral stabilization assembly for stabilizing a vertebral segment. The assembly includes a vertebral anchor, a first stabilization member, a second stabilization member, and a threaded fastener. A post of the first stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a first socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor and a post of the second stabilization member is configured to be positioned in a second socket of the head portion of the vertebral anchor. The threaded fastener is configured to threadedly engage a threaded opening of the head portion such that when the threaded fastener is threaded into the threaded opening, the threaded fastener engages both the post of the first stabilization member and the post of the second stabilization member.
US08252024B2	Spinal support device A spinal support device for providing a guide to a user lying with the user's back on a surface for positioning the user's spine correctly over the surface. The device includes an elongated guide body having a first tubular portion, a second portion, and a third tubular portion parallel to the first tubular portion, wherein the first and third tubular portions are at least partially filled with a filler material such that the second portion forms a gutter or trough between the first and third tubular portions of the guide body.
US08252020B2	Method of capturing and macerating particles in a blood vessel A method of capturing and macerating particles in a blood vessel is provided. A vascular filter device is implanted in the blood vessel at a treatment site. The vascular filter device comprises a filter body and an agitation member disposed within the filter body. Movement of the agitation member acts on particles trapped within the filter body for enhancing the dissolution of the particles, thereby reducing the likelihood of filter occlusion and improving the flow of blood through the vessel. The vascular filter device is preferably collapsible for percutaneous delivery to a treatment site. The agitation member is preferably rotatably coupled to the filter body. A power source is provided for moving the agitation member. In various examples, the power source may take the form of an energy storage device, a drive catheter, or a magnetic field.
US08252013B2	Expandable surgical access device and methods of use An expandable surgical access device can include an elongate member comprising an expansion lumen between a proximal end and a distal end, and an expandable body operably attached to the distal end of the elongate member. The expandable body can be inserted to an internal location in a body in a collapsed configuration. When in a desired position, the expandable body can be expanded outward to an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the expandable body can be adapted to protect adjacent anatomical structures and can have an internal diameter defining an operating lumen sufficient to allow passage of a cannula through the operating lumen. The expandable body may be further expanded inward to a constricting configuration whereby the expandable body can be adapted to constrict about and anchor the cannula in the operating lumen.
US08252009B2	Devices and methods for placement of partitions within a hollow body organ Devices and methods for tissue acquisition and fixation, or gastroplasty, are described. Generally, the devices of the system may be advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or more plications within the hollow body organ. A tissue treatment device attached to a distal end of a flexible elongated member and has a cartridge member opposite an anvil member. The cartridge member and the anvil member are movable between a closed position and an open position relative to one another, and the cartridge member is re-loadable with a removable staple cartridge to form multiple plications within the organ with the same tissue treatment device.
US08252006B2	Single pass gastric restriction with a corkscrew style wall anchor A gastric reduction apparatus endoscopically draws stomach walls into apposition. The apparatus includes an applicator body having a proximal end and a distal end. The applicator body also includes a suction slot shaped and dimensioned for housing a corkscrew anchor. A firing mechanism is associated with the corkscrew anchor for rotation of the corkscrew anchor in a manner causing the corkscrew anchor to penetrate and engage tissue brought adjacent the suction slot. A method for gastric reduction is achieved by introducing a gastric reduction apparatus as disclosed above within the stomach of an individual, applying the corkscrew anchor to a stomach wall and drawing stomach walls together to create a cavity within the stomach.
US08252005B2	System, apparatus, and method for fastening tissue A tissue fastening device includes a suture clip holder and a suture cutter. A suture clip can be releasably secured to the suture clip holder, and a suture line or lines can pass through the clip and adjacent the suture cutter. A first movement of a control handle causes the suture clip to be released from the suture clip holder, and a second movement of the control handle causes the suture cutter to cut the suture line or lines. The first movement is different from the second movement. The first movement can be rotational, with the second movement being longitudinal. Alternatively, the first movement can be longitudinal, with the second movement being rotational. The device may include a main body, an inner body, and an outer body.
US08251999B2	Treatment delivery system A minimally invasive and particularly small system for drilling into bone) and for providing for delivery of medical treatment is provided. The drilling system includes a miniature shaft, a bit, a guide tube encapsulating the shaft during drilling and a capillary tube thereafter, a capillary tube, and a stylet. As a result, a hole, targeted towards a cancerous lesion within the bone, is possible. After removal of the shaft, the treatment may be introduced via the capillary tube after removal of the stylet.
US08251993B2	Method and device for less invasive surgical procedures on animals The present invention is directed to a method and system for less invasive surgical procedures on animals. In accordance with various embodiments, electromagnetic energy is applied in a controlled application and projected into the tissue of an animal. The controlled application of the electromagnetic energy heats the targeted tissue causing cell necrosis, collagen shrinkage or scar tissue production, often without requiring a surgical incision.
US08251991B2	Anchored RF ablation device for the destruction of tissue masses An anchoring member comprises a support structure and at least one anchor secured to the anchoring member. An anchor deflection member supports the anchoring member for sliding longitudinal movement in directions which result in advancement and retraction of a point on the anchor. A deflection lip is positioned relatively inwardly with respect to the guide surface. The deflection lip is positioned to outwardly deflect the point of the anchor as the anchor is advanced from a position removed from the deflection lip toward the deflection lip into contact with the deflection lip and beyond the deflection lip.
US08251985B2	Systems and methods for treatment of prostatic tissue A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.
US08251982B2	Laser apparatus for therapeutic applications Apparatuses and methods for applying laser energy for therapeutic purposes (e.g., relief of pain and/or inflammation in tissues) are disclosed. The synchronization of two spatially overlapping energy forms having closely positioned emission axes and particular emission modalities can in many cases provide strengthened or even synergistic effects in the alleviation or treatment of multiple of acute and/or chronic conditions (e.g., pain and inflammation) afflicting a given tissue. The laser energy forms are characterized in terms of their power levels, activation times, activation periods, pulse durations, pulse periods, wavelengths, and other identified characteristics.
US08251977B2	Catheter steering system A catheter steering mechanism includes a tubular member defining a passage. The tubular member has a longitudinally extending cutaway portion defining a bend-enhancing region formed at a predetermined location along a length of the tubular member. An actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal part of the actuator being fast with a distal part of the tubular member. A restraining arrangement is defined by the tubular member, the restraining arrangement comprising a structure arranged at the bend-enhancing region to retain the actuator substantially within the confines of the tubular member during bending.
US08251974B2	Vapor assisted fluid cutting device and method Various methods and devices are provided for cutting tissue using a high pressure fluid jet. In one exemplary embodiment, a high pressure fluid jet delivery device is provided having a nozzle adapted to direct fluid to a tissue site. A heating element is disposed on the nozzle and is adapted to heat fluid surrounding a high pressure fluid jet flowing from the nozzle to form at least one vapor bubble. The vapor bubble can reduce the interaction between the high pressure fluid jet and the fluid surrounding the high pressure fluid jet.
US08251971B2	Container filled with a liquid concentrate for making dialysate A self standing bag having two side wall sheets and a bottom sheet. To flatten the bag, the bottom sheet is sandwiched between the two side wall sheets and symmetrically folded along a line parallel to its bottom edge, separating the bag into a four-layer part and a two-layer part. In the two-layer part, the bag includes first sloped sealing lines extending between a first two points on the top edges of the side wall sheets and spaced from the vertical side wall edges by a first distance, to a second two points spaced from the vertical edges of the side wall sheets by a second distance less than the first distance. The four-layer part includes second sloped sealing lines extending between the second two points and a third two points on the bottom edges of the side wall sheets.
US08251965B2	Dark colored absorbent articles Dark colored absorbent articles, such as pantiliners or sanitary napkins. More specifically, dark colored absorbent articles are disclosed comprising an apertured topsheet, an underlying layer visible through the apertures of the topsheet and a backsheet, wherein both the topsheet and underlying layer have a L Hunter value of less than 60. Preferably the topsheet, the backsheet and the underlying layer have the same color (e.g., black).
US08251962B2	Protective coatings for medical devices This invention relates to a method of providing a coating on a medical device, especially a dilatation balloon, which improves the durability of the balloon.
US08251951B2	Injection needle cartridge and injector The invention provides a cartridge-type injection needle and injector. The injection needle cartridge has a substantially columnar retaining member for retaining the injection needle penetrating therethrough and a pair of holder members forming a containing space for containing the retaining member. The paired holding members are formed by a first holder member having a first bottom plate and a first slider section and a second holder member having a second bottom plate facing to the first bottom plate and a second slider section. The containing space is axially extendable and retractable in the state in which the slider sections are alternately displaced along the outer periphery of the retaining member and is not axially retractable in the state in which the extreme end faces of the slider sections face to each other.
US08251950B2	Needle guard clip with heel A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
US08251943B1	Vascular shunt A novel shunt comprises: a first lumen having a first end and a second end, wherein the first lumen is composed of a polydimethylsiloxane material; a bulb-shaped portion positioned on each of the first end and the second end; a reinforcing spring extending along the first lumen from the first end and the second end; and a second lumen having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a center portion of the first lumen and the second end is connected to a valve.
US08251941B2	Selective cytopheresis devices and related methods thereof The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.
US08251940B2	Vibration dampening device and method A vibration dampening device is a patch with one or more step members that have distal ends extending from the patch. The patch is removably engaged or adhered to a wearer's skin. With the patch engaged, the distal ends of the step members have freedom of movement with respect to the patch. The patch optionally may further include one or more wing sections integrally formed therein that also have freedom of movement with respect to the portion of the patch engaged or adhered to skin. Step member and/or wing section movement counteracts longitudinal and/or radial vibrations traveling through soft tissue and musculature to dampen such vibrations.
US08251934B2	Orthosis and method for cervical mobilization A method of using a neck brace to move a neck of a person or stabilize the neck includes connecting a vest of the neck brace to a torso of a person. A support member of the neck brace is connected to the vest. A chin support of the neck brace is connected to a chin of the person. Force is applied between the support member and the chin support to move the chin support relative to the support member. A cam member of the neck brace guides movement of the chin support relative to the support member.
US08251926B2	Pacifier system for studying and stimulating the human orofacial system The present subject matter is suited for evaluating biomechanics and electrophysiology of an infant's orofacial system during sucking. The present subject matter includes at least one orofacial sensor and a processor. In various examples, the present subject matter additionally includes one or a combination of: a pacifier having a baglet, a receiver assembly, a stimulation device, a memory, a display, and data acquisition and analysis software. Advantageously, the present subject may non-invasively sample and analyze suck and may stimulate nerve endings in the face of an infant.
US08251922B2	Analysis system for automatic skin prick analysis Analysis system for automatically performing a skin prick analysis by pricking the skin for producing a sample of body liquid and detecting an analyte contained in the sample. The analysis system comprises a magazine with a plurality of compartments each containing a lancing element and an analysis element, and a reusable hand-held instrument having a drive assembly. The drive assembly is adapted for driving at least the following movements by manually generated mechanical force: a coupling movement by which one of the lancing elements is coupled to the drive assembly; a puncturing and sample collection movement of one of the lancing elements contained in the magazine and coupled to the drive assembly; and a remaganizing movement by which the test element is transported back into the compartment of the magazine.
US08251916B2	Revolving tissue sample holder for biopsy device A biopsy device includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder has a rotatable manifold that is configured to redirect fluid from one axial direction to an opposite axial direction. The tissue sample holder also has a plurality of tissue sample trays through which fluid may be communicated. The tissue sample trays define chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. The tissue sample trays are removable relative to the manifold. A cup is configured to cover the manifold and trays. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively index each chamber of the tissue sample trays with the cutter lumen. A feature may prevent rotation of the manifold when one part of the biopsy device is separated from another part of the biopsy device.
US08251915B2	Dermal punch device A dermal punch for extracting skin or tissue samples. The dermal punch has a blade having a pair of walls. Each wall is convex and opens towards each other. The walls are connected to each other at a pair of mating edges. Each wall has a cutting edge. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the minor axis to the major axis of the opening created by the walls is between 1 to 3 and 1 to 4, wherein the major axis extends through the mating edges. The cutting edge is formed of a plurality of teeth and the teeth have a sawtooth shape. The cutting edge has a projecting edge for each wall, and the projecting edge is concave. The cutting length is greater than twice the length of the projecting edge.
US08251914B2	Respiratory profile parameter determination method and apparatus A method of sampling one or more respiratory profile characteristics and monitoring a variety of respiratory profile parameters. The sampled respiratory characteristics include respiratory flow rate, respiratory pressure, and partial pressure of at least one constituent of a patient's respiration. The method detects patient breaths, determines whether each breath is a spontaneous breath or a ventilator-induced breath and calculates various respiratory profile parameters based on the sampled measurements. The method displays the respiratory profile parameters in graphic and numeric forms. Preferably, the method allows a user to select the displayed respiratory profile parameters.
US08251913B2	Blood pressure measuring apparatus A control unit determines the level of sleep of a subject on the basis of biological information measured by a biological information measuring unit starts blood pressure measurement of the subject upon determining that the determined level of sleep satisfies a predetermined condition. The control unit stores the result of the blood pressure measurement in a memory.
US08251910B2	Apparatus for measuring vascular viscoelasticity index The present invention is directed to provide an apparatus for measuring a vascular viscoelasticity index which is noninvasive, simple in structure and yet inexpensive.The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a vascular viscoelasticity index, which measures a vascular viscoelasticity index α by a formula α={(Pb2−Pa2)−(Pb1−Pa1)}/(Va2−Va1) wherein Pb1 is the maximal value of the first pulse wave; Va1 is the local maximum value of a time derivative value of the first pulse wave; Pa1 is the pulse wave amplitude corresponding to the local maximum value Va1; Pb2 is the maximal value of the second pulse wave; Va2 is the local maximum value of a time derivative value of the second pulse wave; and Pa2 is the pulse wave amplitude corresponding to the local maximum value Va2.
US08251905B2	Blood glucose measuring device and method of measuring average postprandial blood glucose A practical measuring device and a measuring method that allow simply measuring average postprandial blood glucose from urinary glucose. The blood glucose measuring device includes a measuring unit that measures postprandial urinary glucose from subject's urine at a predetermined time after meal, a processing unit that calculates average postprandial blood glucose through a period up to the predetermined time after meal, based on the postprandial urinary glucose, a storage unit that stores calibration data including the postprandial urinary glucose and the average postprandial blood glucose in association, and an output unit that outputs data indicating the calculated average postprandial blood glucose. The processing unit calculates the average postprandial blood glucose, based on the postprandial urinary glucose from the urine of the subject who has intaken a desired amount of water or perspired in the period up to the predetermined time after meal, and the calibration data.
US08251899B2	Surgical release apparatuses, systems and methods Surgical release apparatuses, systems and methods are provided. The apparatuses, systems and methods can include one or more cannulas having a base and an insertion body extending from the base with a chamber passing through the base and the insertion body. The cannula can have a movable retractor attached thereto. The retractor configured to facilitate creation of space between the insertion body of the cannula and the retractor. An obturator can be used and can provide a support body configured for insertion into the chamber of the cannula to facilitate the guidance of the cannula. A blade can be provided with a handle, a blade body, and a cutting edge. The blade configured for engaging and being guided by the cannula for the cutting edge to make an incision. One or more spatulas can also be provided. The spatulas can be configured to provide guidance to the blade.
US08251897B2	Endoscope light source device The endoscope light source device includes a semiconductor light source, optical fibers that are inserted into an endoscope, guide first light beams from the semiconductor light source, and are arranged in plural rows in at least an angle portion of the endoscope, an optical coupling circuit that is arranged at a distal end side of the endoscope with respect to the angle portion, and couples the first light beams guided by the optical fibers arranged in the plural rows to obtain a coupled light beam and a wavelength conversion part that is arranged at a distal end side of an endoscope insertion section in the optical coupling circuit, and converts a part or all of the coupled light beam from the optical coupling circuit into a converted light beam having a given wavelength by a phosphor.
US08251896B2	Endoscopic imaging device An endoscopic imaging device for endoscopy in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises an annular illumination tube comprising an annular illumination fiber for illuminating a body vessel during endoscopy. The device further includes a first imaging tube comprising a first imaging fiber for gross examination and navigation through the body vessel. The first imaging fiber is disposed within the annular illumination tube. The device further comprises a second imaging tube comprising a second imaging fiber for cellular imaging. The second illumination fiber is disposed adjacent the first imaging tube and within the annular illumination tube.
US08251893B2	Device for displaying assistance information for surgical operation, method for displaying assistance information for surgical operation, and program for displaying assistance information for surgical operation A device for displaying assistance information for surgical operation 1 includes an endoscope 11, a CT device 30, an image pickup device 20, a surface shape calculating unit 43, a coordinate axis matching unit 44 that matches the shape of the patient surface by the CT device 30 and the shape of the patient surface calculated from the image, an endoscope optical axis calculating unit 45 that calculates a ray indicative of an optical axis in the image pickup direction of the endoscope 11, an intersection calculating unit 46 that calculates an intersection of the ray and the plane constituting the internal parts of the patient 60, and an outputting unit 47 that outputs the information indicative of the intersection after overlapping the information on the information indicative of the shape of the patient 60.
US08251892B2	Action display system and endoscope system An action display system includes an action instruction signal generating portion configured to generate an action instruction signal for instructing an action of an acting portion in response to an input to an input portion, an action control portion configured to control a drive portion such that the acting portion acts in accordance with the action instruction signal, the action control portion switchable between a regular mode to enable an action of the acting portion with the first and second degrees of freedom and an action disabled mode to disable an action of the acting portion with one degree of freedom, an image obtaining portion configured to obtain an image associated with an action state of the acting portion, and a display portion configured to display an index associated with the regular mode and the action disabled mode of the action control portion together with the image.
US08251883B2	Automatic balance adjusting centrifuge and the control method thereof The present invention relates to an automatic balance adjusting centrifuge which calculates the magnitude and the location of imbalance of itself based on the vibration generated in the dynamic state and automatically compensate for the imbalance based on the calculation, and the control method thereof. The method includes: (a) measuring the amount of vibration of a rotor of a centrifuge, supporting buckets that load samples, at a predetermined rotational velocity; (b) determining whether the amount of vibration measured in step (a) is greater than an allowed value; and (c) when the amplitude of the vibration is greater than the allowed value, compensating for a weight imbalance of the rotor by an amount calculated based on the vibration amount measured in step (a) and returning to step (a), otherwise, performing a centrifugal separation by accelerating the rotor to a working velocity.
US08251880B2	Hamstring stretching device An apparatus that facilitates the stretching and exercising of the hamstring and back muscles is provided. The apparatus can be used for stretching to improve flexibility, to warm up muscles before physical activity, and/or for physical rehabilitation after injury. The apparatus includes a set of hand grips and a set of foot plates. A user grasps the hand grips and positions the arches of his or her feet above the foot plates. The apparatus includes a user actuated drive mechanism for moving a set of hand grips along the shaft toward the foot plates. The user maintains a grip of the hand grips as the hand grips move along the shaft toward the foot plates, thereby stretching the hamstring and back muscles of the user.
US08251878B2	Dumbbell having adjustable inertial resistance load characteristic A dumbbell having adjustable inertial resistance load in the field of athletic sports devices is disclosed. The structure of the present invention is characterized in that the hand grip of the dumbbell is provided inside with a rotatable main shaft, the two swing hammer rods and the swing hammers at both ends of the main shaft constitute a normal pendulum, and the two pendulums at both ends of the main shaft are connected through the main shaft, so as to be functionally combined into the function of one eccentric pendulum. The main shaft, the two swing hammer shafts and the swing hammers constitute an eccentric pendulum. The two pendulums fixed at both ends of the main shaft may be adjusted at different angles. In case the angle between the two pendulums is zero degree, upon the rotation of the pendulums, the forces between the hand grip and the hand, besides the mutual force in the up-and-down direction, also include the periodic inertial force in the fore-and-aft direction. In case the angle between the two pendulums is non-zero degree, upon the rotation of the pendulums, the forces also include the periodic inertial force in the left-and-right direction. By adjusting the weight of the swing hammer, the distance from the swing hammer to the main shaft and the included angle of the two swing hammer rods, the amplitude of the inertial force may be adjusted. This inertial force is a resistance load, and functionally speaking, the dumbbell of the present invention has the characteristic of adjustable inertial resistance load.
US08251877B2	Systems and methods for functional training exercises having function-specific user interfaces Systems and methods for functional training exercises having a function-specific user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly for performing a functional training exercise that simulates an activity involving a hand-held device includes a load, a support assembly, and a force-transferring assembly. A user interface includes a handle configured to resemble at least a portion of the hand-held device that is grasped by a user. An interface coupling assembly pivotably couples the handle and the force-transferring assembly. A training force applied to the handle by the user during movement of the handle along a functional training path induces an associated force on the load. In particular embodiments, the handle is configured to resemble a golf club, a baseball bat, a racquet, a hockey stick, and a sporting device configured to be thrown, such as a baseball.
US08251871B2	Method for operating an automatic or semi-automatic transmission of a heavy vehicle when in idle-driving mode A method for operating a semi-automatic or automatic mechanical transmission of a heavy truck when driving at idle speed is provided. The method includes supplying fuel to the engine of the heavy truck at a rate that facilitates engine-idle operation. In another step, the method engages the automatic or semi-automatic transmission in a gear higher than the starting gear of the transmission and permits the truck to operate at a first substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. Depending upon traffic and environmental requirements which require a higher speed, the driver upshifts the semi-automatic or automatic transmission by depressing a control device for manual gear selection arranged on a gear shift lever of the truck and then drives the truck at a second substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. The second substantially uniform driving velocity is greater than the first substantially uniform driving velocity.
US08251870B2	Idling-stop cancellation control apparatus of vehicle driving system In an idling-stop cancellation control apparatus of a vehicle driving system of an idling-stop control device equipped automotive vehicle capable of running by a power produced by an engine and transmitted via a transmission whose shift is controlled by a hydraulic pressure produced by an engine-driven oil pump during operation of the engine, a controller is configured to execute, based on engine speed, idling-stop cancellation control by which the vehicle driving system is put into an output torque state suited for vehicle-driving operation, when a hydraulic pressure sensor system provided for detecting a hydraulic pressure used for shift control of the transmission is failed. The controller is further configured to execute, based on the hydraulic pressure, idling-stop cancellation control by which the vehicle driving system is put into an output torque state suited for vehicle-driving operation, when the hydraulic pressure sensor system is unfailed.
US08251869B2	Control system and saddle-straddling type vehicle including the same A driver operates a shift pedal to perform shift change of a transmission via a shift mechanism provided in a vehicle. An operation of the shift pedal is detected by a load sensor. When a sliding gear and a fixed gear of the transmission continue to be separated from each other for a predetermined period of time or longer after a shifting operation by the driver is detected by a load sensor, the rotational speed of the engine is maintained within a target range by an ECU.
US08251865B2	Method for carrying out a load shift in a parallel hybrid vehicle during hybrid operation A method of carrying out a shift under load during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the speed adaptation of the electric machine and the internal combustion engine, required for synchronization to the new gear, is carried out by adapting the speed of the electric machine in a speed regulation mode.
US08251859B2	Multi step transmission A multi step transmission, of a planetary design, which has an external housing and includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. First, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are each accommodated within the transmission housing along with third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth shafts, and at least six shift elements. The at least six shift elements comprises first and second brakes and first, second, third and fourth clutches, whose selected engagement produces different transmission ratios between the drive shaft and the output shaft such that nine separate forward gears and one reverse gear can be achieved. For each of the forward and reverse gears, only three of the six shift elements are engaged.
US08251858B2	Eight speed automatic transmission An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08251857B1	Multi-speed transmission A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US08251849B2	Clutching method and mechanism for electrically variable transmissions An electrically variable transmission includes an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, two electric motors, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include a rotating clutch and a brake. The rotating clutch and the brake share a common fixed connection. The rotating clutch is released by a stationary actuator that engages a rotatable release plate. The actuator is engaged to release the rotating clutch when the brake is engaged.
US08251845B2	Arrowhead with laser An arrow, arrowhead and method of shooting an arrowhead are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a plurality of blades extend outwardly from the body of an arrowhead and a sharpened tip extends forwardly. A front laser diode is disposed in the arrowhead and is arranged so that a laser beam emitted by the diode projects forward from the arrowhead through an aperture in the tip and is coaxial with the tip's center axis. In another example embodiment, the housing includes a rear facing light source to selectively light the nock. The method includes drawing the arrow back on a bow until a forward facing laser beam in an arrowhead of the arrow turns on in response to a hall effect sensor sensing the presence of a magnet on the bow.
US08251841B2	Method and apparatus for analyzing a golf swing This disclosure relates to a method for analyzing a golf swing, and an associated apparatus for use in the method. More specifically, this disclosure relates generally to a method of analyzing a golf swing by impacting a deformable medium with a golf club head. In the method, a club head impacts the deformable medium, causing the deformable medium to change shape. The change in shape may then be correlated to the value of a swing profile characteristic. Alternatively, the deformable medium may include a sensor, such that the sensor senses a measurement that is correlated to a value of a swing profile characteristic. Also disclosed are a deformable medium and a kit for use in the method.
US08251837B2	Floating golf ball A golf ball includes an inner layer, a cover layer, and a cavity. The cavity includes a conduit connecting the cavity with an exterior of the golf ball. The cavity contains a matrix comprising particles of a first material bound together by a second material. The first material has a density greater than water and the second material is water soluble. Upon prolonged submersion in water, the matrix dissolves allowing the first material particles to exit the cavity. The removal of the mass of the first material particles lowers the density of the golf ball, allowing the golf ball to float to the surface of the water.
US08251835B2	Golf club head A golf club head includes a face line. A depth D1 (mm) is 0.100 (mm) or greater and 0.508 (mm) or less. A first curvature radius r1 is smaller than a second curvature radius r2. An upper end point of an edge of the face line is Pa. A point placed at a position where a depth is 0.015 mm is Pb. A point placed at a position where a depth is 0.030 mm is Pc. A point placed at a position where a depth is [(D1−0.03)/2+0.03] (mm) is Pd. A point placed at a position where a depth is [D1/4] (mm) is Pe. The first curvature radius is a radius of a circle passing through the point Pa, the point Pb, and the point Pc; and the second curvature radius is a radius of a circle passing through the point Pc, the point Pd, and the point Pe.
US08251831B2	Ramp A ramp (1) for sporting activities, the ramp (1) including a plurality of ramp portions (10,15,20), at least one of the plurality of ramp portions (10, 15, 20) being moveable with respect to another one of the plurality of ramp portions (10, 15, 20) such that the ramp (1) forms an open ramp position or a closed ramp position.
US08251825B2	Applying graphical characteristics to graphical objects in a wagering game machine Systems and methods for providing programs on wagering game machine peripherals are described. The programs may be shader programs for execution by one or more programmable shaders on a graphics processing unit. The programs may provide a graphical result, e.g. an output on a display, or may provide a non-graphical result of a computation to a general purpose processor on the wagering game machine.
US08251822B2	Computer-readable storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system Correcting data outputted from an input device comprises: input data acquisition for acquiring, as object data, input data outputted from the input device; and a first input data update for sequentially updating the object data, when the input data becomes equal to or greater than an upper limit defined by allowed range of input operation on the input device, until the updated object data indicates a predetermined value which is greater than the upper limit value.
US08251821B1	Method and system for interactive control using movable controllers A movable game controller for controlling aspects of a computer controlled game display with apparatus for determining the linear and angular motion of that movable controller. The apparatus includes a plurality of self-contained inertial sensors for sensing the tri-axial linear and tri-axial angular motion of the moving controller. Each sensor is mounted at a fixed linear position and orientation with respect to the others. The linear and angular motion of the controller is computed from the correlated motion sensor readings of each of the plurality of self-contained inertial sensors.
US08251820B2	Methods and systems for enabling depth and direction detection when interfacing with a computer program One or more images can be captured with a depth camera having a capture location in a coordinate space. First and second objects in the one or more images can be identified and assigned corresponding first and second object locations in the coordinate space. A relative position can be identified in the coordinate space between the first object location and the second object location when viewed from the capture location by computing an azimuth angle and an altitude angle between the first object location and the object location in relation to the capture location. The relative position includes a dimension of depth with respect to the coordinate space. The dimension of depth is determined from analysis of the one or more images. A state of a computer program is changed based on the relative position.
US08251819B2	Sensor error reduction in mobile device based interactive multiplayer augmented reality gaming through use of one or more game conventions Interactive multiplayer augmented reality game play is enhanced in a mobile device used in such game play by establishing a virtual world coordinate system based on one or more game conventions and by reducing device sensor error before, during or after game play using one or more such game conventions.
US08251812B2	Control program for action game A control program for an action game according to the present invention in which one of a plurality of characters moving in a game space is selected to be an attack target, in response to an operation of a game player, comprises: a selectable candidate object judging step of judging each of said plurality of characters as to whether or not it is a selectable candidate object which is qualified to be an attack target and which is in position relationship which could be selected as an attack target, a selection order deciding step of deciding an order of selecting those of said plurality of selectable candidate objects, which have been judged by the selectable candidate object judging step; and an attack target changing step of selecting, based on the selection order decided by the selection order deciding step, one of said plurality of characters as an attack target and sequentially changing the attack target in response to an attack target changing operation by the game player. The control program permits one of a plurality of characters contained in a game space to be efficiently selected as a game target.
US08251808B2	Game transaction module interface to single port printer A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts.
US08251807B2	Game development architecture that decouples the game logic from the graphics logic A disclosed gaming machine is designed to execute a modular gaming software architecture. A plurality of gaming software modules may be loaded into RAM on the gaming machine and executed to play a game of chance. Many of the gaming software modules are designed to communicate via application program interfaces so that the logic in many of the gaming software modules may be designed independently of each other. In particular, the modular gaming software architecture allows a game flow software module used to generate a game of chance on the gaming machine to be decoupled from a game presentation software module used to present the game chance. Thus, a group of games may be designed where the games share a common game flow software module but use different game presentation software modules to change the look and feel of the game.
US08251806B2	Method and system for verifying entitlement to play a game using a biometric identifier A player is permitted to participate in an interactive gaming event from a remote location, such as a hotel room or home computer, once the player's entitlement to participate has been confirmed using a biometric identifier. One method of the invention includes first verifying the identity of a potential player of a gaming event, such as by verifying the age of the player. If verified, the fingerprint of the player is obtained and the fingerprint is stored in association with an assigned identification code. When a player requests to participate in a gaming event from a remote location, the player's identification code is received from the player and is used to locate the corresponding stored fingerprint. The player then transmits their scanned fingerprint. If the transmitted fingerprint and stored fingerprint match, the player is verified as entitled to participate in the gaming event.
US08251803B2	Overlapping progressive jackpots A gaming device accepts a wager. The wager is logically associated with a first progressive jackpot, the first progressive jackpot associated with a first set of participating gaming devices. The wager is also logically associated with a second progressive jackpot different than the first progressive jackpot, the second progressive jackpot associated with a second set of participating gaming devices, the second set of participating gaming devices comprising more gaming devices than the first set of participating gaming devices.
US08251802B2	Automated house way indicator and commission indicator A system for enabling play of a casino table card game is disclosed. At least one of a rank and suit of a set of playing cards is automatically determined. Multiple randomized sets of playing cards of known composition are formed and delivered to a game, and are set by following automatically generated house way instructions. The components of the system include an automatic card shuffler configured to deliver randomized sets of physical cards, the shuffler equipped with a playing card reading system that reads at least one of a rank and suit of markings on each of the playing cards. The automatic card shuffler has a processor that receives the read card information from the playing card reading system and determines a composition of each individual set of playing cards dispensed. Other components of the system include a gaming table with a gaming surface; and at least one display on or proximate the gaming surface in communication with a processor programmed with house way rules for displaying instructions on how to set hands from a distributed set of cards a house way; wherein the monitor displays information on how to set a hand according to programmed house way rules. A method of operating a casino table card game using physical playing cards that are distributed in sets to multiple play positions and set according to automatically generated house way instructions is also disclosed. Processors of the present invention may also cause a display of a house commission amount.
US08251801B2	Automated table chip-change screen feature A system for playing a live game of chance using electronic wagering and enabling player-initiated change of denomination of virtual chips is disclosed. The system uses a gaming table equipped with a card-reading apparatus and multiple dual mode player/dealer displays, each with a player interface. Physical playing cards are electronically read and delivered to the casino table. Electronic information of at least one of rank and count is provided to a game processor. The game processor also sends and receives player information to and from a player display. The player display is divided into two segments, the first segment displaying player information and a second segment displaying dealer information. The player enters wagers and other play decisions through the player interface. The system displays information useful to the player on the first segment and information useful to the dealer on the second segment at appropriate intervals.
US08251798B2	Gaming device having free spin mode with symbol elimination A bonus game that operates in combination with a slot machine base game is provided. The bonus game includes a series of free spins or free evaluations in which symbols of a set of symbols are generated. The free spins also generate executor symbols that alone or in accumulation cause one of the symbols of the set to be eliminated or replaced. In either case the symbols remaining in the set have a higher probability of being generated and a higher probability exists that a larger award paying combination of the remaining symbols will be generated. The elimination sequence can be repeated a number of times further increasing the probability of generating a higher paying award for the player. The present invention is operable with different types of base games such as slot and poker.
US08251797B1	Slot machine game with symbol personalization A slot machine game that customizes winning combinations based on the player's year of birth. In this way, the player's gaming experience can be tailored to themes such as the Chinese Zodiac. The player's year of birth can be inputted directly into the machine or the machine can automatically query the casino database if the player uses his or her player's card to find out the year of birth.
US08251795B2	Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.
US08251793B2	Apparatus and method for facilitating game play in an electronic lottery game network At least one pool of game play records is stored at a central processing system. Each game play record includes a record index selected from a set of unique index values, each associated with a different result type. A record index associated with a particular game play record is communicated from the central processing system to the player terminal in response to a game play request which a player has entered at the player terminal. The player terminal responds to the received record index by generating display commands using data at the player terminal to produce a graphic representation at the player terminal. This graphic representation is consistent with the result type associated with the index value comprising the particular record index which has been communicated to the player terminal.
US08251790B2	Backup random number generator gaming system A gaming system (1) comprises one or more player stations, a primary random event generator (2g) communicable with each player station by means of a communication network, a secondary random event generator (3g) communicable with each player station by means of the same communication network and a controller.
US08251788B2	Agricultural material separator A combine is provided with an improved system for collecting agricultural material, such as stover, from an agricultural field and separating desired parts of the stover, such as corncobs, from undesired parts. The combine is provided with a system for moving the desired portion of the stover to a container and discarding the undesired portion of the stover back on the agricultural field.
US08251785B2	System and method for vertically stacked information handling system and infrastructure enclosures An information technology enclosure has a processing subsystem and infrastructure subsystem in separate shipping containers that cooperate to process information. The processing subsystem has increased information processing density by concentrating information handling systems in a first processing shipping container that is supported with infrastructure equipment in a second infrastructure shipping container. In one embodiment, the shipping containers are arranged in a stacked configuration so that cooled air and exhausted air are exchanged through aligned vents formed in the ceiling and floor of stacked shipping containers.
US08251784B2	System and method to route airflow through dynamically changing ducts The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.
US08251777B2	Polishing slurry for aluminum and aluminum alloys The invention is directed to a method of polishing a surface of an object that includes aluminum. The method includes the step of contacting the surface of the object with a soft polishing pad and a polishing composition. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles, an agent that oxidizes aluminum, and a liquid carrier to polish the surface of the object. The polishing composition includes the abrasive particles suspended in the liquid carrier, and is applied at a pH above about 7.
US08251774B2	Structured abrasive article, method of making the same, and use in wafer planarization A structured abrasive article comprises an at least translucent film backing and an abrasive layer disposed on the backing. The abrasive layer comprises a plurality of shaped abrasive composites. The shaped abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles dispersed in a binder. The abrasive particles consist essentially of ceria particles having an average primary particle size of less than 100 nanometers. The binder comprises a polyether acid and a reaction product of components comprising a carboxylic(meth)acrylate and a poly(meth)acrylate, and, based on a total weight of the abrasive layer, the abrasive particles are present in an amount of at least 70 percent by weight. Methods of making and using the structured abrasive article are also disclosed.
US08251771B2	Electronic toy An electronic toy includes a main body and a moving device disposed under the main body for moving the electronic toy. The moving device includes a fixing board, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a motor. The first wheel and the second wheel are magnetic. The first wheel is rotatably fixed to the fixing board for supporting and moving the electronic toy. The second wheel is rotatably fixed to the fixing board and facing the first wheel. The second wheel is operable to apply a magnetic torque to the first wheel when rotating relative to the first wheel, so as to rotate the first wheel. The motor is connected to the second wheel for rotating the second wheel.
US08251767B2	Apparatus and method for eliminating outgassing of sports lighting fixtures An apparatus and method for reducing lumen depreciation caused by other than lamp lumen depreciation. In one aspect, manufacturing and assembly of the fixture uses clean-room light techniques. In another aspect of the invention, materials that have a propensity to outgas are shielded from direct exposure to light energy. Other aspects of the invention include other methodologies to eliminate causes for lumen depreciation.
US08251766B2	Organic electroluminescent display device and method of fabricating the same A method for fabricating an organic electroluminescent display device including the steps of preparing first and second substrates, forming an organic electroluminescent display on the first substrate, forming a first etching mask film on an upper surface of the second substrate, forming a second etching mask film on a lower surface of the second substrate, performing a first etching process on the upper surface of the second substrate, forming a third etching mask film on an etched portion of the second surface of the glass substrate, performing a second etching process on the upper surface of the second substrate to form a plurality of grooves on the upper surface of the second substrate, removing the first and second etching mask films, the second etching film remaining on the etched portion of the second surface of the glass substrate, and encapsulating the organic electroluminescent display between the first and second substrates.
US08251765B2	Light-emitting device To provide a long lifetime light-emitting element, in particular, to provide a long lifetime white light-emitting element, and to provide a light-emitting element having high luminous efficiency, in particular, to provide a white light-emitting element having high luminous efficiency. In a light-emitting element having, between an anode and a cathode, a first light-emitting layer containing a first light-emitting substance and a second light-emitting layer containing a second light-emitting substance which is provided to be in contact with the first light-emitting layer, the first light-emitting layer is divided into a layer provided on the anode side and a layer provided on the cathode side. At this time, a host material having a hole-transporting property is used for the layer provided on the anode side, and a host material having an electron-transporting property is used for the layer provided on the cathode side.
US08251761B2	Connector A connector member is formed with first slides (22F, 22R) and first locks (23). A cover (70) is formed with second slides (76F, 76R) and second locks (79). The cover (70) is mounted on the connector member slidably between a standby position and a mount position. The first and second slides (22F, 22R) and (76F, 76R) slide on each other to guide a sliding movement of the cover (70) from the standby position to the mount position. At the mount position, the first and second locks (23, 79) engage to prevent a returning movement of the cover (70) to the standby position. The connector member is formed with guide paths (55) for positioning and guiding the cover (70) to the standby position.
US08251760B2	Terminal for electrical resistance element A terminal for electrical resistive elements of molybdenum silicide or alloys of this material, which terminal is arranged to pass through a furnace wall or a furnace ceiling or corresponding insulated wall, where the terminal located at each end of the hot zone of the element has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the element in the hot zone. The invention is characterised in that a terminal connector is connected to each terminal, in that the terminal connector is made from aluminium, in that the terminal connector has a length that fully or partially constitutes the length of the combined terminal length, where the combined terminal length is the length of the relevant terminal of the element and the terminal connector.
US08251759B2	Terminal fitting, a terminal fitting chain, a wire with a terminal fitting and a processing device therefor A wire with a terminal fitting (10) formed by crimping and cutting a terminal fitting with a carrier in which a terminal fitting (12) projecting forward is coupled to a carrier (C). The wire with the terminal fitting (10) is provided with a crimping portion (30) to be crimped into connection with an end portion of an insulated wire 40 formed by covering a core (42) with a coating (43), a link (13) coupling the crimping portion (30) and the carrier (C), and an escaping portion (35) formed by partly cutting off a rear end part of the crimping portion (30) and enabling a cutting mold (53) for cutting the link portion (13) to be arranged at a position where a front end (53A) of the cutting mold (53) is located before the rear end of the crimping portion (30).
US08251754B2	Power connector with improved locking member exposed to the exterior A power connector includes an insulative housing, a power contact retained in the insulative housing, a locking member formed on the insulative housing and a key member. The key member includes a retaining portion fixed in the insulative housing and a protrusion extending along a lengthwise direction of the insulative housing. The locking member locks the key member in a mounting hole of the insulative housing. The locking member includes a locking arm. The locking arm is accessible from outside of the insulative housing to thereby release the key member from the insulative housing.
US08251752B2	High frequency surgical device The invention relates to a high frequency surgical device for generating high frequency energy for separating and/or coagulating of biological tissue, comprising at least one energy source and at least one output socket, into which a longitudinally extending electrically conductive plug contact of an electrosurgical instrument can be inserted, and which output socket comprises a catch for engaging an opposite catch configured in the plug contact, wherein a socket contact is electrically insulated from the catch, which socket contact is electrically connected to the energy source.
US08251751B2	Plug and connector assembly using same The present invention relates to a plug. The plug includes a plug body, a fixing frame, and a number of elastic plates. The plug body is made of an insulating material. A number of gold fingers are disposed on the outer surface of the plug body. The fixing frame is made of a conductive material and sleeves the plug body. The elastic plates are disposed on inner sidewalls of the fixing frame and electrically connected to the fixing frame. Each elastic plate includes an apex. The present disclosure also relates to a connector assembly using the plug.
US08251748B2	Connector assembly having a cavity sealing plug A connector assembly includes an outer housing, an electromagnetic shield, and a plug. The outer housing includes an interior chamber and an opening. The electromagnetic shield is disposed within the outer housing and includes a conductive body having an interior compartment with an aperture. The plug is disposed in the opening of the outer housing and is engaged with the shield around the aperture of the shield. The plug seals the opening in the outer housing and the aperture in the shield to prevent ingress of contaminants into the interior chamber of the outer housing. The plug also restricts emission of electromagnetic interference from the interior compartment of the shield.
US08251745B2	Electrical connector system with orthogonal contact tails Disclosed are electrical connectors and methods of assembling an electrical connector having “standard” (i.e., with electrical contacts having in-line tails), jogged (i.e., with electrical contacts having jogged tails but not connected orthogonally to another connector through a substrate), and/or “orthogonal” (i.e., with electrical contacts having jogged tails that are used in an orthogonal application) leadframe assemblies in the same connector. This provides the flexibility of using some of the available contacts in an orthogonal application and, at the same time, having remaining contacts available for routing on the midplane PCB. Though this could be done using only orthogonal leadframe assemblies, the combination of standard leadframe assemblies with orthogonal leadframe assemblies creates additional spacing between the PCB vias, so that signal traces can be more easily routed on the midplane PCB.
US08251744B2	Electrical connector with magnetic module An electrical connector (100) to be mounted on a substrate provides signal channels between a first side and a second side. The electrical connector includes a transformer (210), a common mode filter (327) and a separated filter (328). The transformer includes a first wire (314) having two opposite ends electrically connected to said first side and a second wire (312) having two opposite ends and a center tap (313). The common mode filter includes a third wire (322) and a fourth wire (324), each of the third wire (322) and the fourth wire (324) having an end respectively electrically connected to the two opposite ends of the second wire (312). The separated filter (328) includes a fifth wire (326) separated from the common mode filter (327) and the transformer (310), the fifth wire (326) having an end electrically connected to the center tap (313) of the second wire (312). Opposite ends of the third, the fourth and the fifth wires (322, 324, 326) are electrically connected to the second side.
US08251743B2	Connector Terminal insert holes 61 are provided in a spacer 60 inserted into an inner housing. In each of the terminal insert holes 61, a lance 62 is provided. The lance is arranged in an obliquely upper position relative to the vertical direction and the transverse direction seen from a central part of the terminal insert hole 61. A bending direction of each lance is set to a direction substantially corresponding to the oblique direction. Further, in the spacer 60, an engaging protrusion part 63 is provided as a mainly terminal engaging part. Thus, the spacer is pushed in to a mainly engaged position from a temporarily engaged position to shift a temporary engagement by the lance to a main engagement by the engaging protrusion part.
US08251742B2	Charging connector A charging connector (10) is provided for connection to a vehicle-side connector (50) in a vehicle. The charging connector (10) has terminal fittings (20) to be electrically conductively connected to vehicle-side terminals (60) in the vehicle-side connector (50), and terminal accommodating portions (15) internally formed with cavities (17) for accommodating the terminal fittings (20). A front wall of each cavity (17) includes a resilient member (30) that allows the insertion of the vehicle-side terminal (60) into the cavity (17) while being held in close contact with the vehicle-side terminal (60) over the entire circumference.
US08251738B2	Terminal for connecting lead ends An electrical connector for connecting the bare end of an insulated conductor with an electrical contact, including a connector housing containing a chamber in which are mounted a bus bar connected with the contact, and a clamping spring normally biased toward the bus bar. A retaining device maintains the spring in a retained open condition spaced from said bus bar, thereby to permit the conductor bare end to be introduced into the chamber toward a clamping position adjacent the bus bar. An operating member is displaced in a controlled manner to release the spring from its retained condition, whereby the spring biases the conductor toward electrical engagement with the bus bar. To remove the conductor, the operating member is operated again to displace the spring toward its open condition.
US08251736B2	Connector assembly for connecting an electrical lead to an electrode A connector assembly is provided for connecting an electrical lead to the electrical contact of an electrode. The connector assembly includes a retention plate having an opening configured to receive the electrical contact of the electrode therethrough such that the retention plate is held on the electrode, and a housing including a body and a receptacle extending into the body. The receptacle includes a size and shape that is complimentarily to the electrical contact of the electrode such that the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical contact therein. The receptacle is configured such that when the electrical contact is received within the receptacle, the receptacle is configured to hold a portion of the electrical lead within the receptacle between the electrical contact and the body of the housing such that the electrical lead is engaged with and electrically connected to the electrical contact. A connection member is configured to hold the housing on the retention plate.
US08251733B2	Cable connector assembly A cable connector assembly includes a housing including a first base and a second base coupled with the first base, at least a circuit board received in the housing and defining two rows of conductive pads located at two opposite sides thereof, at least a cable including a plurality of conductors electrically connecting with one row of the conductive pads of the circuit board, a pulling mechanism movably fixed to an outside face of the housing and separating the cable connector assembly from a complementary cable connector, and a metal shell partially shielding the pulling mechanism. The second base defines through grooves. The first base includes locking pieces inserted into the through grooves with free ends extending out of the through grooves from the outside face and bended to abut against the outside face of the housing.
US08251728B2	Card edge connector with retaining device A card edge connector includes an elongated housing defining a mating cavity extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the mating cavity. Each arm has a locking arm and a stopping arm spaced from each other while commonly extending forward from the housing. A receiving space is defined between the pair of locking arms for receiving said electrical card while the stopping arm is located at a lateral side of the locking arm beyond said receiving space. A pair of retaining devices, each comprises a base plate attached to the locking arm and a retaining portion extending toward the housing and secured in the housing. A blocking portion extends outwardly from the base plate of the retaining device and stands at an exterior side of the stopping arm for preventing the locking arm from moving inwardly overly.
US08251727B2	Card edge connector with floating pad A card edge connector includes an elongated housing defining a mating cavity extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the mating cavity and a supporting portion unitarily extending forward from the housing. A plurality of contacts are divided into an upper row and a lower row and respectively secured on opposite sides of the mating cavity. Metallic devices comprise a pair of retaining members respectively attached to the arms and a pair of soldering pads respectively assembled onto the supporting portions along a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each supporting portion defines a receiving slot running through a front face of the supporting portion and extending along the front-to-rear direction for receiving said soldering pad under condition that the soldering pad could floatably move within the receiving slot.
US08251726B2	Electrical connector having a metal frame with locking portions movable in transverse direction for locking/unlocking a card An electrical connector for receiving a card includes an insulating housing, terminals and a metal frame attached to the housing. The housing includes a base having a terminal-location portion, a pair of sidewalls extending a first direction and a rear wall adjacent to the terminal-location portion. The terminals are arranged in the terminal-location portion along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The metal frame is attached to the housing and includes a base portion located above the terminal-location portion to define a receiving slot between the terminal-location portion and the base portion for receiving a mating end of the card, the base portion is not beyond the terminal-location portion in the first direction and the receiving. The metal frame further includes a pair of locking portions adapted for pressing against a top face of the card to lock the card in the insulating housing and moving outwards in the second direction to release the card.
US08251724B2	Lamp socket and display device having the same Provided are a lamp socket structured to realize a slimmer display device, and a display device having the lamp socket. The lamp socket includes: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of a lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other.
US08251723B2	Interconnection system incorporated with magnetic arrangement An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector each defining a mating end of a regular polygon mating with each other. Each regular polygon defines a center, an imaginary circle around the center and a plurality of vertices at the imaginary circle. A plurality of pins are located at the mating ends which composed of one first pin at the center of the first connector, two second pins at least fulfilling with one half of the vertices and arranged at adjacent vertices in turn, one third pin at the center of the second connector and two forth pins at the vertices respectively in a condition that said two forth pins spaced from each other with a largest distance.
US08251716B2	Electrical connector having similarly shaped contacts inserted in different directions An electrical connector is mated with a counter connector in an inserting direction. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing and two rows of contacts inserted into the insulative housing in two opposite directions parallel to the inserting direction. The insulative housing defines two rows of receiving passageways arranged in a height direction perpendicular to the inserting direction. Each contact received in the receiving passageway defines a base portion, a pair of retaining portions extending from the base portion, a pair of elastic arms extending from the pair of retaining portions and a soldering portion extending from the base portion. All the contacts have a same shape expect lengths of the soldering portions.
US08251712B2	Printed circuit board module A PCB module includes a first rigid PCB having a first edge connector, a second rigid PCB having a second edge connector, and a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism includes a flexible connecting board, an elastic member, and a fixing member. The flexible connecting has a number of connecting circuit traces isolated from each other. The flexible connecting board is bent in such a manner that a first end portion is in contact with the first edge connector, and a second end portion is in contact with the second edge connector. Thus, the first edge connector is electrically connected with the second edge connector by the traces. The elastic member is compressed between the end portions of the flexible connecting board. The fixing member is configured to fix the first rigid PCB to the second rigid PCB and compress the elastic member.
US08251711B2	Electrically conductive plug arranged in a gap between two adjacent circuit boards to connect the circuit boards to an electromagnetic shield A method and device for electromagnetic shielding is disclosed. An example arrangement includes a first and a second printed circuit board arranged adjacently and having an electromagnetic shield cover. An electrically conductive plug electrically provides an interconnection of the electromagnetic shielding.
US08251710B2	Lamp socket having board supporting means A lamp socket includes an insulative housing defining a base, a lamp receiving portion extending upward form the base with a lamp receiving cavity, a board receiving portion extending downward from the base with a board receiving cavity and a side opening communicating with the board receiving cavity. A contact includes an engaging portion retained in the base, a clamp arm extending upward from the retaining portion and received in the board receiving cavity for contacting with a lamp and an contacting arm extending downward from the retaining portion and protruded in the board receiving cavity; A bottom cover is associated with the board receiving portion and defines a supporting arm protruded upwards in the board receiving cavity.
US08251705B2	Apparatus for and method of magnetically coupling standard electrical plugs An adapter includes a device-side component and a wall-side component. The device-side component has a male socket receptacle to receive an electrical plug and a male socket opposite the male socket receptacle. The wall-side component has a female socket plug to insert into an electrical outlet and a female socket opposite the female socket plug. The male socket is configured to interface with the female socket, regardless of orientation of the male socket with respect to the female socket.
US08251704B2	Instrumentation and schematization of learning application programs in a computerized learning environment A computerized learning method is provided. The method may include receiving a write request from a first learning application program to write a learning level for a skill in a user profile. The user profile is configured to store data indicative of a plurality of skills and a learning level for each skill. The skills and learning levels are defined according to a profile schema. The method may further include writing the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may also include receiving a read request from a second learning application program to read the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may finally include retrieving the learning level from the user profile, and sending the learning level to the second learning application program.
US08251701B2	Interactive language apparatus An interactive educational apparatus, ideally suitable for children. A set of symbol pieces, preferably in the form of letter blocks are provided. An interface board is provided for accommodating one or more selected symbol pieces and a sensor on said interface board generates a signal identifying each symbol piece when placed on the interface board. Media files are stored on a storage medium and each media file has an associated tag. A processor is programmed to match a search key represented by one or more selected symbol pieces with the tags. A display device displays one or more media files having identifier tags matching the search key represented by said selected symbol pieces. These identifier tags provide a way to match up the media files with each search key generated by placement of the symbol pieces on the interface board.
US08251698B2	Orthodontic implant Implant with fastening means (2) to be fixed to the bone of a person's upper jaw (5) or lower jaw (30), with a mounting element (3) for mounting orthodontic appliances, whereby said mounting element (3) is connected to fastening means (2) by means of a connecting piece (4) formed by a rod with a circular section or an elliptic section, which is adapted to extend through the person's gum surrounding the corresponding bone to which said fastening means (2) are intended to be fixed, whereby said fastening means (2) are formed of an osteosynthesis plate which is provided with several recesses (6,7,8,9) through which fit screws (10,11,12,13) for fixing the implant to the bone of said upper or lower jaw, wherein said connecting piece (4) forms an extension of the osteosynthesis plate.
US08251696B2	Aesthetic orthodontic bracket and method of making same An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and the movable member may be made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 μm to about 6 μm. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 μm in size. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 90% of the grains being less than about 10 μm in size.
US08251695B2	Device for drying and/or calcining gypsum A gypsum dryer/calciner includes a calcining space; a first pipe having an inlet connected to a source of hot gases and an outlet emerging in the calcining space; a second pipe having an inlet connected to a source of gypsum and an outlet emerging in the calcining space, the second pipe being concentric with the first pipe; and a force-feeding screw positioned at least partially in the second pipe, the screw carrying the gypsum along in the calcining space.
US08251691B2	Reticulation system for composite component production A fluid reticulation system for a composite component production assembly, the production assembly including at least one pressure chamber (25) having a chamber wall (21) locatable adjacent a composite lay-up or mold, at least a portion of the chamber wall (21) being resiliently deformable, the fluid reticulation system being locatable within the inner volume of the pressure chamber (25) and including means (5) for distributing fluid towards an inner surface (22) of the chamber wall as the fluid enters the pressure chamber.
US08251684B2	Trochoid pump providing axial regulation of a driving shaft A trochoid pump, comprising a driving shaft, wherein a drive gear comprising of a bevel gear is fixed on one end thereof and an inner rotor is penetrated onto the other end thereof, an outer rotor, the center of which is decentered to the inner rotor, wherein both rotors are covered with the cap and the casing, a first regulatory structure, wherein the driving shaft or a means of control fixed on the driving shaft regulates an one-way movement to the casing, a second regulatory structure, wherein an end face on the other side of the driving shaft is engaged with one end of the cap and regulates the other way movement of the cap, wherein the thrust of the driving shaft is axially regulated by the first regulatory structure and by the second regulatory structure.
US08251678B2	Vacuum pump unit The present invention relates to a dry vacuum pump unit capable of achieving ultimate pressure of about 1 Pa. The vacuum pump unit includes a main pump (15) disposed at an outside-pressure side, and a booster pump (16) disposed at a vacuum side. The booster pump (16) and the main pump (15) are coupled in series. The booster pump (16) has a higher pumping speed than that of the main pump (15). Each of the main pump (15) and the booster pump (16) includes a pair of pump rotors (52a and 52b), a casing (50) having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a pair of magnet rotors (54 and 54) rotatable with the pair of pump rotors.
US08251677B2	Blower apparatus The invention relates to a blower apparatus with an electric motor, which drives a blower wheel, is arranged in a motor housing and has a commutator with at least two brushes, which form in each case an associated brush bearing face with respect to the commutator, wherein a cooling air flow for cooling the electric motor is diverted into a cooling air channel of the motor housing by a blower air flow produced by the blower wheel. The invention is based on the object of designing the motor cooling system of the blower apparatus of the generic type in such a way that it is more efficient. The object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the cooling air channel has an air distributor, which splits the cooling air flow into at least two cooling air subflows, which are in each case supplied to one of the brush bearing faces directly and in targeted fashion.
US08251675B2	Input shaft driven hybrid transmission pump A pump for a hybrid transmission includes an input shaft having a mating surface—which may include a flat portion—on an outer surface thereof, and a pump rotor coaxial with the input shaft. The pump rotor has an inner surface corresponding to the mating surface of the input shaft, and is directly and drivingly coupled to the input shaft for common rotation therewith. The hybrid transmission may further include an input housing and pump housing, and a pump pocket—in which the pump rotor operates—defined by the input housing, pump housing, and input shaft. The pump is configured to be testable prior to mating the hybrid transmission to an engine. The pump rotor is bounded axially by the input shaft, and a pump guide is configured to center the pump rotor, and to be installed prior to installation of the pump rotor.
US08251672B2	Electrokinetic pump with fixed stroke volume An electrokinetic pump and fluid delivery system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the fluid delivery system is that it can deliver a fixed volume of fluid with each stroke of the electrokinetic pump. Another feature of the fluid delivery system is that it can accurately deliver fluid at a target flow rate over time. Methods associated with use of the electrokinetic pump and fluid delivery system are also covered.
US08251671B2	Apparatus for controlling an air distribution system An apparatus for controlling an air distribution system for maintaining a rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target air flow rate, wherein the apparatus detects current speed and torque of said motor and generates said current speed signal and torque signal after detection; receives the current speed signal and torque signal and calculates the current air flow rate in the air distribution system wherein the calculated current air flow rate is compared to the target speed signal of the air flow rate and the current air flow rate is adjusted according to the target speed signal of the air flow by generating a control signal; and controls the motor speed in response to the control signal for maintaining the rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target speed signal of the airflow rate.
US08251669B2	Cooling fan A cooling fan includes a fan housing and a stator and an impeller received in the fan housing. The fan housing includes a frame and a mounting portion located in the frame. The stator is received in the frame and mounted to the mounting portion. The impeller is mounted to the stator and rotatable with respect to the stator. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially and outwardly from the hub. Each of the blades includes an inner end connected with the hub and an outer end distant from the hub. Each of the blades forms a tab on the outer end at the end surface.
US08251668B2	Method and apparatus for assembling rotating machines A method for assembling a rotating machine and a blade attachment mechanism are provided. A first dovetail slot having a first axial length and a second dovetail slot having a second axial length are each formed in the attachment mechanism such that the second dovetail slot is radially outboard of the first dovetail slot. First axial length is greater than the second axial length and each slot is substantially parallel to an axial centerline of the rotating machine. A first dovetail lobe having a third axial length that is shorter than the first axial length and a second dovetail lobe having a fourth axial length, shorter than the first axial length and longer than the third axial length, are each formed in the attachment mechanism and positioned to correspond with first and second dovetail slot, respectively, such that the second dovetail lobe is radially outward from the first dovetail lobe.
US08251663B2	Impeller for a pump unit and associated pump unit An impeller is provided for a pump unit, in particular for a waste water pump unit, having two cover plates (2, 4), which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction (X) and are connected to one another by at least one connecting element (8). The impeller has at least one blade (12, 14) which is arranged between the two cover plates (2, 4) and extends from an inner diameter of the impeller to an outer diameter of the impeller. The blade (12, 14) has a continuous slot (16), which extends from the edge (22, 24) of the blade (12, 14) which is situated at the inner diameter to the edge (26, 28) of the blade (12, 14) which is situated at the outer diameter. A pump unit is also provided having an impeller of this type.
US08251660B1	Turbine airfoil with near wall vortex cooling A turbine airfoil having walls with radial extending near wall cooled vortex flowing channels to provide for a high cooling effectiveness with a low cooling flow requirement. A thermal skin is bonded over a main spar in which skewed ribs extend from both the spar and the thermal skin to form a vortex flowing path along the radial channels. The vortex flowing radial channels can be single pass radial channels or connected to form a 3-pass serpentine flow circuit with tip holes to discharge the cooling air from the radial channels and cool the blade tip periphery.
US08251659B2	Insert for through-holes and method therefor An insert and method for altering a through-hole in a body, such as a steam balance hole in a steam turbine rotor wheel. The insert has a body with oppositely-disposed first and second ends, a flange radially extending from the second end of the body, and an outer surface at a perimeter of the body between the first end and the flange. A first bore within the body defines a first opening at the first end, and the first bore and outer surface of the body cooperate to define therebetween a wall capable of being plastically deformed in a radially outward direction. A second bore within the body communicates with the first bore and has a smaller cross-section than the first bore. The installation method entails installing the insert in a through-hole and flaring the wall to clamp the axial thickness of the body between the flange and flared wall of the insert.
US08251658B1	Tip cap for turbine rotor blade A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, and a tip cap that includes a row of teeth and slots extending from a bottom side that engage with similar shaped teeth and slots on a tip end of the spar to secure the tip cap to the spar against radial displacement. The tooth on the trailing edge end of the tip cap is aligned perpendicular to the pressure side wall of the blade in the trailing edge region in order to minimize stress due to the teeth wanting to bend under high centrifugal loads. To reduce stress, some of the teeth include a cutback to shorten the teeth in places where high stress levels would occur.
US08251657B2	Load mitigation device for wind turbine blades The present invention includes a rotor blade (20) having a blade body (30) with a leading edge (26) and a trailing edge (28) and opposed first and second surfaces (34, 36) extending there between defining an airfoil shape (32) in cross-section. A passageway (42) extends through the blade body (30) between the first and second surfaces (34, 36). A flexible member (60) is sealed over one end (50) of the passageway (42). Advantageously, the flexible member (60) is passively responsive to changes in a differential pressure between the first and second surfaces (34, 36) to move between a deactivated position (62) and an activated position (64) where the flexible member (60) extends away from the airfoil shape (32) to function as a load mitigation device (40) for the wind turbine rotor blade (20).
US08251651B2	Segmented ceramic matrix composite turbine airfoil component A segmented component for use with a gas turbine engine comprises a radially extending gas path portion. The gas path portion is for interacting with gas flow from the gas turbine engine. The component is divided into axially aligned segments comprising a forward segment, an aft segment, and a plurality of middle segments disposed between the forward segment and the aft segment. The middle segments comprise radially elongate ceramic matrix composite material plates. In one embodiment, the gas path portion comprises an airfoil for a turbine blade. In another embodiment, the gas path portion comprises a removable platform for a turbine blade. In another embodiment, the gas path portion comprises an airfoil for a turbine vane.
US08251647B2	Guide device The fastening for an attachment of a guide device to a gas outlet housing is positioned in a region radially outside guide blades. In this way, a circumferential position of the guide blades may be freely selected within predefined angles. Collisions are avoided between the guide blades and fasteners.
US08251646B2	Rotating unit for an axial-flow compressor An axial-flow compressor has at least one stator vane row. At least one blade of the stator vane row is provided as a rotating unit (6), with the rotating unit being completely rotatable about a drive axis to act as a rotary compressor and with the drive axis being essentially vertical to a rotary axis of the axial-flow compressor.
US08251643B2	Steam turbine having rotor with cavities A steam turbine and a rotor are disclosed having steam extending internally along at least part of the rotor. The rotor includes an interface and a steam passage system formed in the rotor, the passage system including a first inlet flow passage to the interface, the first inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a first region of an outer surface of the rotor, a first outlet flow passage from the interface, the first outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a second region of the rotor, a second inlet flow passage to the interface, the second inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a third region of the outer surface of the rotor, a second outlet flow passage from the interface, the second outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a fourth region of the rotor.
US08251641B2	Stack of fan case A stack of fan case in accordance with the present invention includes a first casing and a second casing stacked on the first casing. The first casing has a first surface, a second surface and a locking surface opposite to the second surface. An insertion bore formed on the second surface has an alignment bore, a fastening bore communicating to the alignment bore and a limit bump formed at the fastening bore. The second casing has a third surface, a fourth surface and at least one fastening member protruding on the fourth surface. The fastening member of the second casing is inserted into the alignment bore of the insertion bore to protrude on the locking surface of the first casing, and then casings are turned to make the fastening member pass through the limit bump and be accommodated within the fastening bore.
US08251638B2	Wind diverter Apparatuses and methods are provided for a wind diverter at least partially encircling a wind turbine support column to direct the wind from an area around a wind turbine to the rotor blades of the wind turbine. The wind diverter may also reduce turbulence and increases the laminar flow of the airstream delivered to the rotor blades. Additionally, the wind diverter increases both the volume of air and the velocity of the airstream reaching the rotor so as to increase the rotor speed. Increasing the rotor speed increases the energy available to the wind turbine. Energy increases as the cube of the rotor speed and the increased energy produces an increase in the power generated by the wind turbine. The wind diverter also allows a wind turbine to begin producing energy at lower initial wind speeds due to the concentration of air.
US08251637B2	Systems and methods for modifying modal vibration associated with a turbine Shroud assemblies and methods for modifying modal vibrations associated with a turbine are described. A shroud assembly includes an inner shroud and an outer shroud. The inner shroud includes a body with a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is adjacent to a plurality of rotating turbine blades. The inner shroud further includes at least two rails formed on the upper surface and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein an impingement cooling area is defined between the at least two rails. Additionally, the inner shroud includes at least one cross-member formed on the upper surface in a direction transverse to the at least two rails.
US08251631B1	System, apparatus and method for preparing a quantity of drinking glasses for filling and distribution A rotatable chassis receives first and second racks, with inverted glasses in one of the racks, such that the rotation of the chassis results in the inverted glasses sliding into an empty one of the racks in an upright position.
US08251627B2	Holder device and high-pressure pump having the same A holder device has an elastic member and contact members. The elastic member is curved to extend approximately along a major arc of curvature and is elastically deformable to change a radius of curvature thereof. The contact members are circularly arranged along an inner circumferential side or an outer circumferential side of the elastic member so that each of the contact members is opposed to the elastic member in a radial direction of the elastic member. Each of the contact members has a sidewall that is opposed to the elastic member in the radial direction and is curved along an arc of curvature. A radius of curvature of the sidewall is shorter than the radius of curvature of the elastic member in its natural state.
US08251623B2	System for fixing a seat, in particular an aircraft seat, and seat including such a system Provided is a system for fixing a seat in an aircraft, the system including a movable base and slide. The base and slide include a device for hooking into a rail of the aircraft, by movement of the slide between an assembly/disassembly and a hooking position, using a lever articulated on the base and the slide by rods. The lever is movable between a retracted position for assembly/disassembly and an active hooking position, wherein a hook-shaped device of the lever co-operate with a retaining member that is provided at one end of a resilient member. The resilient member is associated with unlocking device that includes a cams which are rotatable in the base and capable of being actuated so as to move the retaining device towards a release position for the hook-shaped device.
US08251621B2	Device for supplying coolant into a shank of a rotary tool as well as a rotary tool, in particular a drill A device for supplying coolant into a shank of a rotary tool as well as a rotary tool, in particular a drill. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08251617B2	Rock anchor cable A rock anchor (10) which includes a cable (12) with a hollow core, an expansion mechanism (20) at one end of the cable, a tube (14), which acts on a load washer (16), in which part of the cable is located, and a wedge (18) which locks the cable to the tube.
US08251616B2	Method and apparatus for pile driving The present invention is directed to a pile driver with a lead that is capable of receiving and supporting a pile in a substantially horizontal orientation and subsequently rotating the lead and received pile from the substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation needed before the pile can be driven into the earth. In one embodiment of the pile driver, the chassis is of a relatively short length to be more maneuverable and the lead is capable of supporting a long and/or quite massive pile. To prevent the chassis, lead, and pile from tipping or being placed in an unstable condition, the pile driver further comprises a movable counterweight system. The method is also directed to methods of using such a pile driver to accomplish the driving of a pile.
US08251602B2	Intermediate adapter and camera system An intermediate adapter includes a first terminal operable to be electrically connected to a lens detecting terminal provided on the camera body when the intermediate adapter is attached to the camera body, a second terminal operable to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the interchangeable lens for providing a ground potential when the interchangeable lens is attached to the intermediate adapter, and a first switch interposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switch is operable to electrically connect the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is on, and disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when the first switch is off. While the intermediate adapter is being attached to the interchangeable lens, the first switch is off to disconnect the electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
US08251600B2	Mechanical shutter and portable electronic device with same A mechanical shutter includes a base, a cover, a primary blade and a secondary blade. The base includes a first through hole and a connecting shaft extending from the base. The cover includes a second through hole and a connecting hole. The connecting shaft of the base extends through the connecting hole to secure the cover to the base. The first through hole is coaxial to the second through hole, thereby cooperatively forming an light passage. The primary blade and the secondary blade are moveably interconnected so when the primary blade rotates around the connecting shaft relative to the base, the primary blade carries the secondary blade to move, and the secondary blade moves together to cover or expose the light passage.
US08251598B2	Camera holder A camera holder includes a supporting frame, a sliding block, and an adjustable assembly. The supporting frame includes a receiving cavity. The sliding block is received in the receiving cavity and slidably attached to the supporting frame. The sliding block and the supporting frame cooperatively support a camera. The adjustable assembly includes a shaft, a gear, a gear rack, a base, and a revolving head. The shaft is attached to the supporting frame. The gear is mechanically coupled to the shaft. The gear rack is meshed with the gear rack. The base is arranged on a horizontal plane and attached to an end of the gear rack to support the supporting frame. The revolving head is attached to the gear, and the revolving head is configured for rotating the gear such that the gear and the gear rack cooperatively raise or lower the camera relative to the horizontal plane.
US08251595B2	Imaging apparatus A lens barrel includes a plurality of lenses moved between a collapsed state where at least one lens is collapsed and a photographic state where at least one lens is disposed at an object side and all lenses are on a photographic axis, a plurality of lens retaining frames each configured to retain the plurality of lenses, a movable cylinder, a positioning member provided inside the movable cylinder, the retractable lens retaining frame retaining a retractable lens to be positioned to a photographic axis position by allowing the retractable lens retaining frame to abut on the positioning member in the photographic state and to be retracted out of the photographic axis in the collapsed state, a preliminary reception portion provided inside the movable cylinder and located on a path along which the retractable lens retaining frame moves from the collapsed state to the photographic state.
US08251588B2	Motion guide device having direction changing passages that cross each other three-dimensionally and a method of assembling the same The present invention provides a motion guide device having inner and outer direction changing passages that mutually cross three-dimensionally, in which a retainer is able to smoothly circulate even when an outer peripheral side of the inner direction changing passage as well as an outer peripheral side of the outer direction changing passage are formed on an end plate.An outer peripheral side (18) of the outer direction changing passage and an outer peripheral side (19) of the inner direction changing passage are so formed on an end plate (5) as to cross each other three-dimensionally. Built in the end plate (5) is an inner/outer direction changing passage component (24) formed to serve as not only an inner peripheral side (25) of the outer direction changing passage but also an outer peripheral side (26) of the inner direction changing passage together with the outer peripheral side (19) of the inner direction changing passage formed on the end plate (5). Built in the end plate (5) in which the inner/outer direction changing passage component (24) is built is a retainer guiding member (29) formed extending over an entire length of the inner direction changing passage and to guide an outer peripheral side of the retainer (10) that passes the inner direction changing passage.
US08251587B2	Motion guide device, relative motion system and displacement absorbing mechanism Provided is a motion guide device having a low rigidity in the vertical direction and a low rigidity in the horizontal direction.The motion guide device has: a raceway rail 15 having a bottom surface 30a, side surfaces 30b and an upper surface 30c and being mounted on one of a base 12 and a moving body 11; and a moving block 16 having a center portion 16a facing the upper surface 30c of the raceway rail 15 and side wall portions 16b facing the side surfaces 30b of the raceway rail 15 and being mounted linearly or curvilinearly movable relative to the raceway rail 15. On a side surface of the moving block 16, a displacement absorbing mechanism 17, 38 is provided. The displacement absorbing mechanism 17, 38 has a mounting member 26, 34 mounted on an opposite one of the base 12 and the moving body 11, and a displacement absorbing portion 31, 37 which is fixed to the mounting member 26, 34 and which is shear-deformed when the mounting member 26, 34 is displaced in a direction crossing an upper surface of the moving block 16.
US08251585B2	Method to manufacture fastening assemblies comprising lumens, method to form bags, corresponding strip of assemblies, and corresponding bags The invention concerns a method to manufacture fastening assemblies (1) for bags, characterized in that, for each assembly (1), it comprises the steps of supplying interlocking profiles (11) provided with flanges (12) for attachment to a bag; mounting an actuating slider (13) on the profiles (11); forming two end stops (2) for the slider (13) in the profiles (11); forming two lumens (3) in the attachment flanges (12); each lumen (3) having a longitudinal extension (E/2); forming two lines of weakness (4) between each lumen (3) and an upper part (111) of the profiles (11). The invention also concerns a corresponding bag-forming method, a corresponding strip of assemblies, and corresponding bag.
US08251580B2	Apparatus and method for protecting overheated hard drive An apparatus and method are provided to monitor the current temperature of a hard drive in a computer system protect, and protect the hard drive from being overheated. The apparatus includes a thermal sensor and a data input/output module. The hard drive stores at least one application program. The thermal sensor senses a current temperature of the hard drive. When the thermal sensor senses that the current temperature of the hard drive ascends to a first preset temperature, the data input/output module ceases the hard drive from being accessed. When the thermal sensor senses that the current temperature of the hard drive descends to a second preset temperature, the data input/output module allows the hard drive to be accessed.
US08251579B2	Robust stator winding temperature sensor Disclosed herein, among other things, is a stator winding temperature sensor. According to an embodiment, the sensor includes at least one sensing wire coil adapted to be connected to a stator. The sensor also includes a body, including a core material surrounding at least a portion of the sensing wire coil, and a laminate material over the core material. The body has a thickness adapted to protect the sensing wire coil. The sensor includes a lead wire adapted to connect to an external monitoring device. The sensing wire coil is electrically connected to the lead wire at a lead step portion of the sensor. In addition, the sensor includes a tab extending from the lead wire and encompassing the lead step. The tab protects the lead step and the sensing wire coil in a region where the sensor extends over an end of the stator.
US08251575B2	Electronic timepiece An electronic timepiece includes a limiting circuit that is controlled by the rotation detecting circuit and limits output of a locking pulse PL. The electronic timepiece prevents the display of the incorrect current time due to impact, by executing impact detection when rotation is detected, and prevents errant hand operation in a magnetic field by not outputting a locking pulse PL by prohibiting impact detection when non-rotation is detected. The electronic timepiece controls the limiting circuit using a ranking-down storing circuit and if the electronic timepiece employs multi-stage load correction, executes impact detection when regularly occurring non-rotation is detected. Thereby, errant deviation in the display of the current time due to impact is prevented. The electronic timepiece prohibits the impact detection and causes the locking pulse PL not to be output when non-rotation other than those occurring regularly is detected. Thereby, errant hand operation in a magnetic field is prevented.
US08251574B2	Differential gear for watch movement A differential gear for watch movement may include a central shaft whereon first and second wheels are rotatably mounted, each of which is provided with a toothing arranged to mesh with a toothing of at least one satellite borne by a satellite carrier also mounted on the central shaft. The first and second wheels may be configured to engage first and second mobiles of the watch movement, the central shaft including a toothing configured to engage a third mobile of the watch movement. Further, the satellite carrier may be secured in rotation with the central shaft by a friction device comprising a tube having a first portion arranged bearing against the central shaft and at least one second portion arranged bearing against the satellite carrier. The tube may include a substantially cylindrical skirt, wherein at least one first tab is formed in such a way that it exerts a force having a radial component on the satellite carrier.
US08251564B2	Light guide plate and backlight source having same An exemplary light guide plate includes an light incident surface, an light emitting surface, a number of parallel V-shaped structures, and a Fresnel lens portion. The light incident surface is configured for receiving light beams. The light emitting surface is adjacent to the light incident surface, and configured for emission of the light beams. The V-shaped grooves are defined in the light incident surface and arranged perpendicular to the light emitting surface. The Fresnel lens portion is provided on the light incident surface between each two neighboring V-shaped grooves.
US08251561B2	Light collimating lightguide A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A lightguide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. The lightguide also has features that exist on one or more lightguide surfaces in the shape of a triangular wedge that reduces the range of angles in the vertical direction within the lightguide. This arrangement enables improved angular performance from out-coupled light.
US08251560B2	Vehicle headlight The disclosed subject matter includes a projector headlight using a plurality of optical units for a low beam with a high visible/visual quality. Each of the optical units can include a plurality of LED devices and a projector lens. The projector lens can include a light-emitting surface including a reflex function and a reflex surface including a light incoming surface that is located on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface. The LED devices can be located adjacent the light incoming surface, and the optical units can be located so that angles between optical axes of adjacent optical units can become substantially a same angle. Thus, the projector headlight can form various favorable light distribution patterns by changing curvature factors of the light-emitting surface and the reflex surface of the projector lens in each of the optical units and by changing the angles between the optical axes of the adjacent optical units.
US08251559B2	Projector type vehicle light A projector type vehicle light is provided that can reduce temperature increase of a solenoid due to heat generated by a light source, while a shade and a projection lens can be disposed closer to each other. The vehicle light can be formed as a headlight and can include a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a projection lens. The projector type vehicle light can further include a shade rotational shaft extending in a left-to-right direction, a base member configured to support the shade so that the shade can rotate around the shade rotational shaft, a solenoid for making the shade rotate between a low-beam position and a high-beam position, and a crank shaft configured to connect the solenoid with the shade for driving. The solenoid can be disposed just below the shade so that a moving direction of the plunger of the solenoid is aligned with the left-to-right direction of the projector type vehicle headlight.
US08251556B2	Rear element for a motor vehicle comprising a lighting unit The present invention relates to a rear-end element (1) for a motor vehicle encompassing an illumination unit (2) for the illumination of a number plate, where the illumination unit (2) illuminates the rear side of the number plate and the illumination unit (2) has a translucent body (3) and an illuminant (4), where the translucent body of the illumination unit (2) has been introduced by way of the side area (5) into the rear-end element (1). The present invention moreover describes a motor vehicle which encompasses a rear-end element described above.
US08251555B2	Lighted exterior mirror assembly for vehicle A lighted exterior mirror assembly includes a housing that houses a reflectance element, and includes a turn signal indicator disposed at a portion of the housing. The turn signal indicator is fixedly disposed at the housing separate from the reflectance element whereby movement of the reflectance element is independent of the turn signal indicator. The turn signal indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a plane that is generally horizontal when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle. The plurality of light emitting diodes may be disposed behind a light-transmitting cover and, when the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle and when the plurality of light emitting diodes is powered, the plurality of light emitting diodes emits light that is viewable at least rearward of the vehicle.
US08251554B2	Lighting apparatus for motorcycle A lighting apparatus has a housing and is disposed at a lower end of a front fork of a motorcycle. The housing includes a front opening disposed on a side of a radiation direction of a lighting body and a side opening disposed on a center side in a width direction of a motorcycle. The side opening in the housing, covered by a lid, is wide enough for the lighting body to pass through. The housing includes a wire guide for withdrawing an electric wire and a drain hole formed in a bottom portion of the housing. The lighting body is fixed on a board. The housing includes rails disposed on an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion thereof, into which an upper end and a lower end of the board are to be fitted so as to position the lighting body in a longitudinal direction.
US08251551B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a planar base, an LED module mounted on the base, an envelope covering the LED module, and a lamp housing having a configuration like a lantern and defining a cavity. An annular receiving groove is recessed from a bottom face of the base. The LED module is attached on the bottom face of the base and surrounded by the receiving groove. The envelope includes a recessed body and an engaging flange extending outwardly from a periphery of the body. The engaging flange of the envelope is received in the receiving groove. The base, the LED module and the envelope are received in the cavity.
US08251548B2	LED module An LED module includes an LED and a lens fixed with the LED for refracting light emitted by the LED. The lens has a center axis and a concaved inner face for incidence of the light and an opposite convex outer face for the light refracting out thereof. The lens is symmetric to a first plane and a second plane perpendicularly intersected with the first plane at the center axis. In the first plane, a peak intensity for the LED occurs within 68-78 degrees off the center axis. In the second plane, a peak intensity occurs within 0-22 degrees off the center axis.
US08251542B1	Decorative light system A light system includes a housing configured to resemble any seasonal or other desired image, i.e., a star, a pumpkin, an Easter egg, a firecracker, etc. The housing includes a rear face, a front face and a peripheral frame with a light-refracting chamber formed therebetween. The peripheral frame includes a plurality of tricolor LED's mounted therein. The rear face of the housing includes a completely-reflective front surface that deflects 100% of all impacting light beams inwardly toward the front face. However, the rear surface of the front face is only partially-reflective so that only a portion of impacting light is reflected back toward the rear face; a remaining portion of impacting light exits the front face and is visible to those nearby. Accordingly, the light generated by the limited number of LED's will create an illusion that an infinite number of light beams are emanating from the housing.
US08251537B2	Lamp tube coupler A lamp tube coupler is that an insulation terminal seat is respectively disposed to two ends of an expansible outer cylinder. A pair of electrode coupling members is disposed to each insulation terminal seat. The electrode coupling members corresponding to each other at the two ends of the expansible outer cylinder form a conduction mode through respective springs. While using every lamp tube coupler, the coupler is disposed between the two lamp tubes. The electrode coupling members at two ends are respectively inserted into the electrode sockets of the two lamp tubes to achieve the goal of cascading at least two lamp tubes.
US08251535B2	Photovoltaic cell and LED assembly and method of making A LED lighting assembly comprising at least one LED; the at least one LED being mounted to a support; at least one solar element for creating electric power from solar power; at least one battery for storing electricity generated by the solar element; at least one wind vane operatively associated with the support; at least one motor/generator having a first mode for generating electric power from the wind turbine; and at least one shaft operatively connected to the at least one motor/generator and the support; the motor/generator having a second mode in which the motor/generator operates to rotate the support; the at least one motor/generator being operatively connected to the at least one battery for storing electric power therein.
US08251532B2	Back light module and flat display device using the same A back light module and a flat display device using the same are provided. The back light module includes a reflector, at least two light sources and at least one partition. The light sources are disposed above the reflector. The partition is disposed at a substantially central location between the two light sources and is substantially perpendicular to a line connecting the two light sources. The partition is a plate having a uniform thickness, and surfaces of the partition that face the two light sources are reflective.
US08251531B2	Supporting unit, illuminating unit and display device A lamp clip LC supporting a diffusion sheet 46 includes a support pin SP that is in contact with and thereby supports the diffusion sheet 46 and in at least a part of the support pin SP, a helical elastic member is included.
US08251529B2	Thin illumination device, display device and luminary device The invention relates to a thin illumination device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60). The invention also relates to a display device and a luminary device comprising such a thin illumination device. The thin illumination device comprises a translucent plate (2, 23, 31, 41, 51, 66, 73) provided with an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (3, 32, 47, 61, 75) connected by an electric conducting pattern, and a reflector (4, 20, 22, 43, 53, 62, 74) arranged on a first side of the plate at a distance from the plate. Such a construction can be made thinner and works more efficiently than a conventional LED thin-film illumination device.
US08251526B2	Spread reflector for a lamp structure A spread primary reflector for a UV curing lamp employs a substrate that has been faceted. The facets may be produced by means of stamping, etching, or a combination of chemical-mechanical processes. The faceting randomizes the focusing effects of the primary reflector's elliptical curvature while maintaining a total directed energy output and hence a uniform irradiance of a work product. The reflector may be made of a stand-alone reflective material with a preformed faceting pattern, such as from a metal substrate and coated with an optical coating to tailor the reflective properties of the surface of the substrate.
US08251525B2	Retroreflective sheeting including cube corner elements The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
US08251524B2	Projection display apparatus and display method A projection display apparatus for displaying an image on a projection plane by projection, includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image; an angle calculator calculating an angle of the projection plane relative to the projection display apparatus; a straight line detector detecting at least one reference line segment in the captured image; a line segment complementing section setting at least one complementary line segment in the captured image on the basis of the calculated angle so that an area on the projection plane corresponding to an area defined by the reference line segment and the complementary line segment is rectangular; and a keystone corrector correcting a keystone distortion of an image displayed on the projection plane on the basis of the reference line segment and the complementary line segment.
US08251520B2	Optical display systems and methods Optical display systems and methods are disclosed.
US08251519B2	Light integration apparatus for use in a projection device A light integration aparatus for use in a projection device is provided. The light integration apparatus comprises the first integration rod and the second integration rod symmetrically disposed with respect to a symmetric axis. The light emerging ends of the first integration rod and the second integration rod are both disposed towards the symmetric axis. Thus, the light is adapted to be guided through the first integration rod and the second integration rod, and emerge from the light emerging ends to travel parallel to the symmetric axis.
US08251516B2	Projection display device and optical system modulating separated P-polarized light and S-polarazed light An optical system attaining a nearly double resolving power in spite of one projector and also eliminating a convergence device is provided. The system includes an 1:1 relay lens in place of a projector lens of a RGB split-combine projection system, and a quarter-wave plate for P-S polarization separation. In operation, once-modulated RGB composite light is divided into a P-polarized light and a S-polarized light by a PS separation wire grid. The S-polarized light is modulated by a luminance signal Y1 at a Y1 device. The P-polarized light is modulated by a luminance signal Y2 at a Y2 device. The lights modulated by the Y1/Y2 devices are combined with each other at a PS composite wire grid to project a synthetic light on a screen.
US08251510B2	Ophthalmic observation apparatus and ophthalmic observation program An ophthalmic observation apparatus that is capable of performing follow-up of an examinee's eye efficiently and suitably. The ophthalmic observation apparatus for observing an image of an examinee's eye that is obtained by an ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes an input device arranged to output an operation signal given by an examiner, a monitor, and a display control unit arranged to display a first image and a second image of a same portion of the examinee's eye that are obtained at different dates and times of examination on the monitor in a comparable manner, and when changing a display region of the image of the examinee's eye based on the operation signal outputted from the input device, synchronize the change of the display region between the first image and the second image.
US08251507B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus includes: an ink ejection head having ink ejection openings; a conveyance mechanism which is disposed below the ink ejection head and conveys a recording medium facing the ink ejection openings; a recording medium feeder which is disposed below the conveyance mechanism, is capable of stocking therein a recording medium, and feeds a recording medium to the conveyance mechanism; a refeeder which is partially disposed below the recording medium feeder and which refeeds, to the conveyance mechanism, a recording medium having conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; and an ink reservoir which is disposed below the refeeder and reserves therein ink to be fed to the ink ejection head.
US08251505B2	Recording apparatus and method of adjusting temperature of transport belt of recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a transport belt that transports a target, a record head that performs recording by adhering liquid to the target that is loaded on the transport belt so as to be transported, a heating unit that heats the transport belt so as to accelerate drying the liquid that is recorded on the target by the record head, and a cooling unit that forcedly cools a portion of the transport belt that is heated by the heating unit in a position located in the middle in moving the portion of the transport belt to a position corresponding to the record head.
US08251504B2	Reflex Printing with temperature feedback control A method for operating a web printing system enables web and roller changes arising from temperature changes to be identified and used to adjust operation of the reflex registration system. The method includes identifying a temperature change for at least one roller in a web printing system, identifying a temperature change for a web moving through the web printing system at one or more locations in the web printing system, modifying web velocity computations for a reflex registration system with reference to the identified temperature change for the at least one roller and the identified temperature change for the web, and operating printheads to eject ink onto the web at positions identified with reference to the modified web velocity computations.
US08251497B2	Injection molded mounting substrate The present invention relates to a fluid ejection assembly that includes an injection-molded mounting substrate that is formed by a two-shot injection molding process, wherein a housing portion of the mounting substrate is formed by a first shot molding, and a die-attach portion of the mounting substrate is formed within the housing portion by a second shot molding.
US08251496B2	Liquid discharge head having resin supply and support members The invention provides, between a discharge element substrate and a supply member, a support member containing a mixture that contains: a material having an affinity for a material forming the supply member; and another material.
US08251491B2	Ink jet head and its manufacture method An ink jet head is formed with a nozzle surface having a liquid repellent characteristic. The nozzle surface comprises a condensation product made from a hydrolyzable silane compound having a fluorine containing group and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a cationic polymerizable group.
US08251487B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus includes an image recording unit having a recording head for jetting ink onto a recording medium and performing a recording process, a carrier mechanism for mounting and carrying the recording medium, a movement mechanism for moving the carrier mechanism and a recovery mechanism for applying a recovery process to the recording head. When the recovery process is performed, the recovery mechanism is moved to a first position opposing the recording head and otherwise the recovery mechanism is accommodated in the second position out of a carrier route of the carrier mechanism. Thus, an image recording apparatus capable of simultaneously performing all colors of recovery processes and also accommodating the recovery mechanism in saved space and its control method can be provided.
US08251484B2	Method and system for measuring and compensating for sensitivity and backlash in electrical motors that laterally move printheads in a continuous web inkjet printer A method of operating a printer enables a controller in the printer to operate electrical motors for aligning printheads in the printer with greater accuracy. The method includes generating a test pattern on media with a plurality of printheads, identifying a first position for each printhead in the plurality of printheads from test pattern image data, operating an electrical motor operatively connected to one of the printheads to move the printhead in a first direction in the cross-process direction by a predetermined distance, generating a second test pattern on the media, identifying a second position for each printhead, comparing the second position of the printhead with the first position of the printhead to measure a distance moved by the printhead, identifying a first calibration parameter with reference to the predetermined distance and measured distance, and operating the electrical motor with reference to the first calibration parameter.
US08251483B2	Mitigation of shorted fluid ejector units A fluid ejector includes a plurality of fluid ejector units, each fluid ejector unit characterized in part by a pumping actuator that includes an electrode. Whether one or more of the plurality of fluid ejector units is a shorted fluid ejector unit is determined, and the shorted fluid ejector unit is trimmed.
US08251480B2	Ink jet printing apparatus An ink jet printing apparatus printing on a print medium includes a print head having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink while scanning in a scan direction, and a conveyance unit including a pair of rollers for conveying the print medium in a conveyance direction crossing the scan direction by rotation of the rollers. The rollers are provided at a position at an upper stream side in the conveying direction of the print medium from a print position at which printing by the print head is performed. A detection unit is configured to detect a downstream side end of the print medium conveyed by the pair of rollers, with the detection unit arranged at a position that is a distance from the pair of rollers, in the conveyance direction, corresponding to a length of the print medium. In addition, a change unit is configured to change the ejection ports available for printing according to an error in conveyance detected by the detection unit.
US08251478B2	Signal processing of recording medium indicia A method of processing a time-varying output signal from a photosensor is provided. The time-varying output signal corresponds to a plurality of marks or indicia on a recording medium moving into and out of a field of view of the photosensor with the marks having been printed on the recording medium by a printing system. The method includes amplifying the time-varying output signal from the photosensor; converting the amplified time-varying output signal from the photosensor to digitized data points using an analog to digital converter; and averaging a plurality of the digitized data points.
US08251474B2	Droplet ejector A droplet ejector includes: at least one head unit each having a droplet ejection surface; a conveyor mechanism which conveys, an ejection target in a conveyance direction in parallel to the ejection surface, the ejection target being an object on which a droplet from the at least one head unit impacts; at least one pushing component which is arranged to be movable with respect to the at least one head unit in a direction orthogonal to the ejection surface, the at least one pushing component pushing the ejection target in a direction of droplet ejection from the nozzles while protruding from the ejection surface; a pushing drive mechanism which moves the at least one pushing component in the direction orthogonal to the ejection surface; and a control unit.
US08251471B2	Individual jet voltage trimming circuitry Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes a fluid chamber having an ejection nozzle, an electrically actuated displacement device associated with the chamber, and a switch having an input connected to the electric source, an output connected to the electrically actuated displacement device, and a control signal input that is controlled by the controller to control whether the input (and thus the electric source) is connected to the output (and thus the electrically actuated device). The electrically actuated displacement device moves between a displaced position and an undisplaced position to change the volume of the chamber as a capacitance associated with the electrically actuated displacement device changes in charge between an actuated condition and an unactuated condition. The controller provides respective charge control signals to respective control signal inputs to control the extent of change in charge on respective capacitances by the time that the respective switch connects the electrical signal to the respective electrically actuated displacement device.
US08251470B2	Device for use with a carriage carrying a printhead and a sensor In one embodiment, a device for use with a first carriage carrying a printhead and a sensor includes a track. The track is positioned adjacent to a path, the path being followed by the first carriage. A second carriage is movable along the track and carries a target. The second carriage is movable between a first position, in which the target is away from the sensor, and a second position, in which the target is adjacent to the sensor and a reference included in the target is a known distance away from the sensor.
US08251469B2	Low energy solid ink jet imaging apparatus A printhead provides selective heating to a supply of molten ink within an ink flow channel. The printhead is adapted to be in electrical communication with a controller and programmed to determine ink required by a print job. Based on the determined ink required by the print job, the controller accordingly provides selective heating to the printhead. The printhead includes an ink inlet, a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink inlet, and an ink flow channel having a length and extending between the ink inlet and the nozzle. A molten ink supply from a solid ink supply retaining device is received by the ink inlet and ejected from the nozzle on a print medium. A plurality of heating zones is also disposed along the length and adjacent to the ink flow channel to provide heating to the molten ink supply adjacent to each of the plurality of heating zones.
US08251464B2	Brake fluid pressure control device for vehicles A brake fluid pressure control device for vehicles is provided capable of adjusting with a simple control a brake fluid pressure applied to a wheel brake. The control device includes for each system of an X-pipe arrangement: a cut valve as a linear solenoid valve provided to a first fluid pressure path; a pump capable of pressurizing brake fluid on a side toward the wheel brakes than the cut valve on the first fluid pressure path; and a control valve provided on the second fluid pressure path. The control device further includes: a target fluid pressure setting portion for setting a target fluid pressure for each of the wheel brake; and a valve actuating portion for drive-controlling the cut valve and the control valve, based on the target fluid pressure. The valve actuating portion performs for each of the systems the operations of drive-controlling the cut valve by using a higher one of the target fluid pressures of the wheel brakes as a target fluid pressure of the first fluid pressure path, to control the wheel brake having the higher target fluid pressure by driving only the cut valve, and of controlling a wheel brake having a lower target fluid pressure by driving the control valve corresponding to the wheel brake having the lower target fluid pressure.
US08251462B2	Trailer braking device A trailer braking device having a high-pressure main hydraulic circuit of a tractor to which a trailer is attached; to a hydraulic circuit of a master brake cylinder of the tractor; and a trailer brake valve having a driver connected hydraulically to the high-pressure main hydraulic circuit and to the hydraulic circuit. The driver of the device has a piston which is subjected to a first action by an independent circuit that is activated, for example, by the stop lights and a second action produced by the operator, such as a foot acting on a brake pedal, on the hydraulic circuit of the master brake cylinder.
US08251455B1	Mountable fishermans chair A fishing chair mountable on a pier railing or truck tailgate, which includes a frame, for supporting a chair seat; a first arm member extending from the frame to a point above the seat; a pair of finger members extending from the first arm member for engaging over and around a pier railing or truck tailgate; a second arm member extending from the frame for resting against a face of a wall of the pier or tailgate for allowing the chair to cantilever out from the pier wall or tailgate without making contact with the ground below; and a leg extending downward from the frame and having a pair of wheels so that the fishing chair can be rolled onto and away from the mounting position. There is further included a rod holder mounted on the first arm member. In this embodiment the seat is positioned to have a user face the pier railing when the chair is mounted thereupon; and the seat is positioned to have a user face away from the truck tailgate when the chair is mounted thereupon. There are other embodiments depicted in the body of the patent.
US08251453B2	Adjustable armrest support of chair The chair armrest support includes a hollow upper pillar for connecting an armrest and a lower pillar mounted on a chair. The lower pillar penetrates into the upper pillar for form a slidable connection. The lower pillar includes a main body, a sleeve, a positioning board, a T-shaped frame and a linking board. The main body has a hollow portion accommodating the positioning board, T-shaped frame and linking board. The main body is put in the sleeve. There is a positioning slot in the positioning board. A vertical portion of the T-shaped frame penetrates in the main body, and a horizontal portion is fixed atop the upper pillar. A spring is disposed between the horizontal portion and linking board. The linking board is provided with an inclined hole corresponding to a limiting hole of the vertical portion. A bolt penetrates the limiting hole, positioning slot and inclined hole. A handle beside the upper pillar is fixed to the linking board.
US08251451B2	Disc recliner assembly with biased synchronization A recliner assembly provides pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion for a vehicle seat. The recliner assembly includes a rotatable rod extending between a first end and a second end. A first recliner is fixedly coupled to the first end of the rod and is operable between a locked condition wherein the seat back is fixed relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked condition wherein the seat back is selectively pivotally adjustable. A second recliner is operatively coupled to the second end of the rod and is operable between the locked condition and the unlocked condition. A bushing is disposed between the second recliner and the rod. The bushing biases the second recliner against the rod to synchronize the first and second recliners to unlock simultaneously. The bushing also provides a lost motion connection to allow the first and second recliners to lock independently.
US08251449B2	Multi-section angle adjusting structure for a chair back A multi-section angle adjusting structure for a chair back contains a supporting member axially connected to a base and axially inserted to a sliding groove through a shaft to slide in the sliding groove so that the chair back fixed to the supporting member is adjusted to a desired angle relative to the base. The shaft includes a slidable bar fitted thereon to be connected to a slot of the base. Another end of the slot pushes a toothed block biased against by a first spring which contacts with a stop plate so that the toothed block abuts against an end portion of the slidable bar. The slot includes a positioning structure mounted therein, and the positioning structure includes a toothed seat guided by a guiding line to engage with the toothed block.
US08251444B2	Vehicle occupant support An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that provide a mechanism for reducing the peak inertial loading on the occupant including children during lateral acceleration, and has synergistic comfort, convenience and utility features.
US08251438B2	Front-end structure of a motor vehicle Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.
US08251434B2	Fastener cover extension providing buckling path during side impact A vehicle door construction having a 360° grab handle includes a fastener cover that conceals a fastener hole in an A-surface of the vehicle door and which provides a buckling path for the 360° grab handle. An L-shaped cover and a fastener hole configuration is provided in the lateral A-surface to reduce stiffness in the region and to absorb side impact loads.
US08251432B2	Glass seal The present invention relates to a glass seal for attaching an attached part (2) to a glass pane (3) of a motor vehicle, having a mounting profile (1) comprising a mounting arm (4) contacting the surface (5) of the glass pane (3), and a latching profile (7) for receiving an attachment element (8) of the attached part (2), characterized in that the mounting profile is designed such that a lower force is required for assembling the attached part (2) than for removing the same. The invention further relates to an arrangement of a glass seal according to the invention having a glass pane (3) of a motor vehicle, an attached part (2), or a water tank cover (2).
US08251431B2	Opening and closing device for automobile trunk lid An opening and closing device for an automobile trunk lid is capable of producing an optimum pop-up amount by mounting an elastic spring, which is used to hold a trunk lid in a popped-up state in cooperation with torsion bars when the trunk lid is unlocked, in a link mechanism part that transmits the torsional torque of the torsion bars to the hinge arm of the trunk lid.
US08251430B2	Vehicle seat reclining device A vehicle seat reclining device comprises a slider, which has an engaging portion and rotatable portions, and a rail having engagable portions. The engaging portion is retractable from the rail during a backrest tilting operation and advances towards the rail to lock the backrest in a selected tilted position. The engagable portions engage with the advanced engaging portion to prevent sliding of the slider relative to the rail. Clearances are provided between the rail and the slider in a width direction that is orthogonal to a rotational axis defined in the engaging portion. The width direction is also orthogonal to the central axial line of the rail. The rotatable portions project from the slider in a radial direction from the rotational axis and narrow the clearances so as to guide the rotation of the slider relative to the rail around the rotational axis.
US08251427B2	Vehicle seating arrangement including a collapsible seat A seating arrangement for a row of seats in a vehicle includes a right seat connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle, a left seat connected with the vehicle body, and a middle seat positioned between the right seat and the left seat. At least one of the right seat and the left seat is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other seat and the vehicle body. Movement of the at least one seat toward the other seat can collapse the middle seat.
US08251423B1	Truck bed handle assembly A truck bed handle assembly is formed from a handle formed from an elongated handle body having an upper end and lower end. The truck bed handle assembly further includes a handle receiver assembly that is configured for mounting to a sidewall of a truck bed. The handle receiver assembly has a handle receiving portion that engages the lower end of the elongate handle body to hold the handle body in a generally upright orientation. The handle may be a collapsible or non-collapsible handle.
US08251422B2	Apparatus for transferring electronic components in stages A transfer assembly for transferring first and second groups of electronic components simultaneously comprises a holding plate containing first and second sets of suction holes. The respective first and second sets of suction holes are operative to hold the first and second groups of electronic components respectively against the holding plate during transfer of the electronic components. A first vacuum chamber located next to the holding plate is connected only to the first set of suction holes. A vacuum compartment located within the first vacuum chamber encloses a second vacuum chamber. The vacuum compartment includes a sealing sheet in contact with the holding plate which has vacuum holes connecting the second vacuum chamber to the second set of suction holes. First and second vacuum sources are provided for applying vacuum suction forces separately in the first and second vacuum chambers.
US08251420B2	Joint mechanism and joint device The joint mechanism includes a first link, a second link, a third link, a shaft supported on the second link to be rotatable about an axis thereof, and movable in an axis direction thereof, a first worm and a second worm mounted on the shaft, a first worm wheel in mesh with the first worm to pivotally move the first link with respect to the second link, and a second worm wheel in mesh with the second worm to pivotally move the third link with respect to the second link. The first link and the third link are pivotally moved in opposite directions to each other by rotating the shaft, and pivotally moved in identical directions to each other by moving the shaft in the axis direction.
US08251418B2	Gripping device A gripping device comprises a cylindrical thorn, an inner body and an outer body with a plurality of movable arms, each arm comprising a claw, wherein the thorn and the inner body are directly coupled to one another, wherein a spring adapted to force the extractor device to a first position is positioned in between the inner body and the outer body. The gripping device is adapted to be set in a plurality of other positions by moving the inner body and the outer body relative to each other along the symmetry axis. The gripping device is reliable to use and is adapted to grip different sizes of inserts, such as bearings, sleeves, and etc.
US08251416B1	Fireplace log handling device A tool for picking up and carrying cut fireplace logs comprises a somewhat stiff but flexible handle approximately equal in length to the length of the firewood logs and that has hooks replaceably attached to opposed ends of the handle, the hooks having a pointed end arranged to penetrate into the end surfaces of a log when a lifting force is applied to the handle.
US08251413B2	Adjustable bar guide A bar guide for guiding locking bars on sheet metal cabinet doors, or the like, comprises a carrier which can be secured, e.g., spot welded, to the inside surface of the door leaf and a guide element which can be mounted on the carrier and which has a guide surface whose distance from the inside surface of the door leaf is adjustable. According to the invention, the carrier which is spot welded to the door leaf is a pin with a circumferential thread, and an adjusting screw or adjusting nut can be screwed, or is screwed, on this pin. The guide element is a housing which encloses the adjusting screw and which has a guide channel forming the guide surface for the locking bar.
US08251412B2	Door clamp Apparatuses and methods for securing a door. The apparatuses including a door clamp having a stop, a base attached to the stop, a jamb bracket attached to the stop, and a fastener coupled to the jamb bracket. The methods including positioning a stop portion of a clamp horizontally, sliding the stop portion of the clamp under a door and past a far side of the door, rotating the clamp such that the stop portion is vertical, moving the clamp to adjacent a doorjamb, and placing a pin extending through the clamp into the door jamb.
US08251409B2	Cover latching mechanism for electronic device A cover latching mechanism for an electronic device includes a housing and a cover slidably mounted with the housing. The housing has a latching member and at least one limiting member. The cover has a cover body and a guiding rail formed on the cover body. The guiding rail is slidably mounted with the latching member. The limiting member is for preventing the guiding rail sliding apart from the housing.
US08251403B2	Album for collecting thin and flexible objects, in particular photographs An album (10) is described for collecting thin and flexible objects (22), in particular photos or portraits, comprising a multitude of sheets (12) folded in half along a central folding line (14) and joined together with a binding (16) positioned at such central folding lines (14). Each sheet (12) therefore creates a pair of pages of the album (10). At least part of the sheets (12) is provided, on at least one of the two facing surfaces of each sheet (12), with a frame or perimeter border (18) fastened to the surface of each sheet (12). At least one of the sides of the perimeter frame (18) is not joined to the surface of the sheet (12), so as to be able to be lifted in such a way as to define a passage slit (36) to slide in or take out a photograph (22) or another document of substantially the same size as each sheet (12) between the perimeter frame (18) and the corresponding sheet (12).
US08251402B2	Energy absorbing device An energy-absorbing apparatus for occupant protection in vehicles, has a receptacle with a magneto-rheological fluid which in the event of an impact is pressed through a flow zone determining the flow velocity. A device generating a variable magnetic field has pole faces in the flow zone, the magnetic field acting on the magneto-rheological fluid between the pole faces in order to regulate the flow velocity. The flow zone is divided into at least two flow routes by at least one partition forming two additional planar pole faces.
US08251397B2	Advanced weight responsive supplemental restraint computer system An advanced restraint system for a vehicle comprises a weight-sensing unit mounted to one or more seats positioned between the seat mounting frame and the floor means of the vehicle for sensing the weight of a sitting occupant and classifying the occupant accordingly, a computerized system for calculating an operating weight value corresponding to classified weight value, and an airbag system comprising one or more airbags and a deployment unit configured to inflate the airbags with a deployment force acceleration proportionate to the operating weight value when a sufficient collision force is sensed above a predetermined collision force value by a collision sensor.
US08251396B2	Airbag module arrangement In an airbag module arrangement, an airbag module is arranged on a vehicle component, in particular a seatback, the airbag module including an airbag carrier, an airbag and a gas generator, which are jointly attached to a support structure in an installation space of the vehicle component, from which the airbag exits in the event of a triggering and subsequently opens at least one material layer situated over the airbag module and inflates in a passenger compartment, etc.There is a provision for the installation space of the airbag module to be surrounded by a foam part that is closed at least in the direction of inflation, and a fleece-like layer to be situated on the inner side of foam part at least in the desired exit region of the airbag module from the foam part, which has a specifiable perforation in the desired exit region of the airbag module.
US08251394B2	Low rider saddle mount A system including a low rider saddle mount (302) for safe and legal transportation of multiple vehicles (136, 137) is provided. The system includes a low rider saddle mount (302) having a first horizontal member (304) selectively coupled to one of a towing vehicle (132) and a second vehicle (136), and a second horizontal member (306) selectively coupled to one of the second vehicle (136) and a third vehicle (137). The second horizontal member (306) is vertically spaced apart from the first horizontal member (304). The multiple vehicles (136, 137) are towed in a forward direction. The system may further include a universal folding boom trailer (130). A method for towing multiple vehicles (136, 137) is also provided.
US08251393B2	Circulation assisting wheelchair Gentle and substantially linear vertical motion of a wheelchair foot support is expected to assist lower limb circulation for a user with limited leg mobility, reducing risks of clotting or blockage within peripheral blood vessels. Additionally, to whatever extent limb atrophy may be reduced by imposed motion, motion of the foot support may help in maintaining muscle mass and flexibility of ligaments. Accordingly, a circulation assisting wheelchair includes a foot support movably connected to the wheelchair frame by a movable foot support assembly. The movable foot support assembly is connected to a rear wheel of the wheelchair via a drive train, so that normal operation of the wheelchair drives substantially linear vertical oscillating motion of the foot support.
US08251390B2	System and method for providing gyroscopic stabilization to a wheeled vehicle This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.) common to bicycles, but that provides greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at relatively slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings so as to freewheel with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. As such it can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. This gyroscopic effect influences the steering of the wheel by the rider. Due to precession, the wheel tends to follow any excessive bank by the vehicle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank. Likewise, the gyroscopic effect limits the rider's ability to execute excessive steering, thereby preventing jackknife movements. The mass can be an electric-motor-driven flywheel within a shell housing that includes a battery, control system and drive motor. The drive motor engages a surface of the flywheel with a drive tire in a resilient manner to reduce potential damage to the motor.
US08251386B2	Suspension arm for vehicle When a load facing to the rear of a vehicle body acts on a knuckle mounting portion of an arm main body of a suspension arm, if the line of action of the load deviates vertically relative to the cross-sectional center of the arm main body, a moment that vertically deforms the arm main body occurs. However, since there are provided a first inclined projecting portion that is formed so as to bulge upward in an end part on a first vehicle body mounting portion side of a first bottom wall portion and has a height that gradually decreases in going from a first upper wall portion toward the second upper wall portion, and a second inclined projecting portion that is formed so as to bulge upward in an end part on the first vehicle body mounting portion side of a second bottom wall portion and has a height that gradually decreases in going from a third upper wall portion toward the second upper wall portion, it is possible to enhance the rigidity without increasing the weight of the arm main body, thus preventing deformation of the arm main body due to the load.
US08251377B2	Roller skate and wheel trucks therefor A roller skate having enhanced steerability and stability is disclosed. The skate includes a platform for supporting a skater's foot and front and rear wheel trucks secured to the underside of the platform. A pair of front wheels is rotatably mounted in transverse axial alignment on the front wheel truck and a pair of rear wheels is rotatably mounted in transverse axial alignment on said rear wheel truck. The pairs of front and rear wheels are also in parallel axial alignment with each other and mounted on their respective wheel trucks for resiliently controlled, tilting movement about downwardly inclined longitudinal axis. In addition, a fifth wheel is rotatably mounted on the front wheel truck between the pairs of front and rear wheels and in parallel axial alignment with the wheel pairs. An additional preferred roller skate includes a single wheel rotatably mounted to the front toe plate. The front wheel is not tiltable about the skate's longitudinal axis. This roller skate includes three wheels rotatably mounted to a rear wheel truck. The rear wheel truck is mounted to the skate's heel plate by a pivot mount allowing the three rear wheels to pivot about the skate's transverse axis which also allows a rear center wheel to engage a brake pad. Moreover, the rear wheel truck is mounted to the heel plate for providing tilting movement at least partially about the skate's longitudinal axis to permit turning.
US08251376B2	Bicycle suspension having stroke and damper adjustment A bicycle suspension includes a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, a damper adjustment unit, and an electronic controller. The stroke adjustment unit is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension, which is configured to expand and contract within the stroke. The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension. The damper adjustment unit is configured to adjust the damping force applied by the suspension damper. The electronic controller is configured to control the stroke adjustment unit and the damper adjustment unit.
US08251375B2	Body leaning control system, and a saddle riding type vehicle having the same A body leaning control system includes a support mechanism arranged to support a pair of wheels to be movable up and down relative to a vehicle body, a resistance applying mechanism arranged to apply to the support mechanism a resistance to up-and-down motions of the pair of wheels, a lean amount acquiring device arranged to detect a lean amount of the vehicle body, and a controller arranged, based on detection results received from the lean amount acquiring device, to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body exceeds a first angle, and to set the resistance of the resistance applying mechanism to a second resistance smaller than the first resistance when the lean amount of the vehicle body is at the first angle or less. This system can conveniently inhibit the vehicle body from leaning in excess of the first angle.
US08251373B2	Seal performance for hydrogen storage and supply systems The performance and durability of static and dynamic seals for hydrogen storage and supply systems has been improved by utilizing a spring-energized and plastic coated radial seal in combination with at least a mating surface that has been treated by one of a variety of procedures. These procedures include applying to the mating surface a low-friction, hard, and hydrogen impervious coating, chemically polishing the mating surface, and electrochemically polishing the mating surface. Each of these procedures significantly reduces, on a microscopic scale, the surface roughness of the mating surface. The seal can thus form a tighter and more gas-tight seal with the smoother mating surface so as to decrease the loss of hydrogen gas across the seal. The smoother mating surface can also improve seal life by reducing seal surface wear.
US08251364B2	Sheet feeding apparatus A printer has a separating unit, such as a depressing cam and a depressing slider, which presses a middle plate against the biasing force of a spring and separates a sheet on the middle plate from a sheet feeding roller by a predetermined distance, a separation driving unit, such as a DC motor, which moves the separating unit, a measuring unit which measures the driving load applied to the separation driving unit when the separation driving unit drives the separating unit, and a load imparting unit, such as a brake plate, which imparts load to the middle plate, the separating unit, or the like. The brake plate or the like imparts load when a sheet is separated from the sheet feeding roller by the separating unit, and the brake plate or the like changes the load to be imparted, according to the turning angle of the middle plate.
US08251362B2	Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming system using the same A sheet stacking apparatus, including: a stacking section which stacks sheets; a sorting section which changes an ejecting position of the sheet in the stacking device to sort the sheets; an aligning section which aligns the sheet sorted by the sorting section and ejected onto the stacking section; a shifting section which shifts the aligning section based on the ejecting position changed by the sorting section in the stacking section; and a control section which controls at least the aligning section and the shifting section; wherein when the number of sheets as a sheet unit to be sorted by the sorting section is plural, the control section controls the aligning section to align the sheets as the sheet unit, and when the number of sheets is singular, the control section controls at least the aligning section and shifting section not to align the single sheet in the sheet unit.
US08251356B2	Door installation Tool having a body and at least one jamb-securing finger can be used to install a pre-hung door. The body can be removably attached to a building component about a door opening such as a 2×4, with the finger(s) for holding a jamb component of the pre-hung door. The tool may be intrinsically adjustable. A kit may include the tool, a fastener and/or a spacer.
US08251351B2	Traction winch A traction winch for a cable or the like includes a winch frame, at least two sheave assemblies each having at least a first sheave and a second sheave, each sheave having a single circumferential friction surface for the cable. The winch further includes at least two rotatable driveshafts, journalled in the winch frame in a side-by-side arrangement, each drive shaft being associated with a sheave assembly, and at least one motor for driving the driveshafts. The winch includes a differential assembly being provided between each driveshaft and sheave assembly so as to allow for different rotational speeds of the sheaves during operation of the traction winch due to cable elongation.
US08251349B2	Apparatuses and methods for an improved vehicle jack Various embodiments of a vehicle jack include a base, an upright support mounted adjacent to and extending upwardly from the base, a toothed rack, a toothed bar pin, and a release handle. The toothed rack has a first end and a second end and defines a plurality of ratchet troughs therebetween, and the toothed rack is mounted adjacent the upright support. The ratchet assembly is adapted to move along a path defined by the upright support, and the toothed bar pin, which is mounted adjacent the ratchet assembly, is adapted to selectively engage a portion of the toothed rack adjacent one of the plurality of ratchet troughs as the ratchet assembly moves along the path. The release handle is mounted adjacent the second end of the toothed rack, and the release handle is adapted to selectively disengage the toothed bar pin from one of the plurality of ratchet troughs.
US08251342B1	Sports board holder An aspect of the invention involves a wheeled sports board holder for hanging a wheeled sports board on a vertical surface, the wheeled sports board including a support deck with an upper portion supported by one or more upper wheels, and having an upper edge, and a lower portion supported by one or more lower wheels. The wheeled sports board holder includes a base with a front and a rear, the rear of the base mountable to the vertical surface; a wheel holder projecting forwardly relative to the front of the base, and having a wheel guide; and a clasp projecting forwardly relative to the front of the base, above the wheel holder, the clasp configured to hold the upper edge of the wheeled sports board towards the vertical surface so that the one or more lower wheels do not contact the vertical surface.
US08251341B2	Flat-panel display monitor A flat-panel display monitor is disclosed. The flat-panel display monitor comprises a display body comprising a support portion formed at an edge thereof; and a support stand connected to the display body so that the support portion of the display body and the support cooperatively support the flat-panel display monitor, the support stand comprising a support member comprising a base portion and two arched plates extending from an end of the base portion; two friction members, each of the two friction members is rotatably clamped by each of the two arched plates; a first connecting bracket connected to first of the two friction members; and a second connecting bracket connected to second of the two friction members, wherein the second connecting bracket is detachably attached to the first connecting bracket.
US08251328B2	Mounting apparatus for data storage device A mounting apparatus for a data storage device includes a bracket, a support member slidably mounted to the bracket, two first and second locking members, and two clamping members. Each first locking member includes a first hook detachably locked to the support member, and a fixing pole to clamp the corresponding clamping member. Each second locking member includes a second hook fixed to the support member, and a fixing portion to fix the corresponding clamping member. When the first hooks of the first locking members disengage from the support member, and the first locking members are rotated to drive the corresponding clamping members away from the support member. When the data storage device is sandwiched between the support member and the clamping members, the first locking members are rotated to make the first hooks lock to the support member.
US08251326B2	Camming clamp for roof seam A clamp described herein can secure a solar cell array to a seam of a standing seam metal roof. The clamp has a cam that is rotated by the tightening of a bolt to cause the cam to engage the seam. The clamp also has a receiver for receiving the seam and the rotated cam. By installing the clamp on the seam, the solar cell array can be secured to the standing seam metal roof without drilling into the roof. Because no screws are required to be drilled into the rooftop, the damage to the rooftop is substantially reduced. Also, by reversing the process described above, the clamp can be uninstalled in a similar fashion.
US08251325B2	Adjustable display bracket A rotatably adjustable mounting bracket for attachment to a display device and a mounting system affixable to mount surface and providing rotational adjustability of the attached display about an axis substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of the display device. The device mounting bracket including at least one set of openings comprising a plurality of openings located in the plate to substantially align with mounting holes located on the display device. Each of the openings having an adjustment portion adapted to receive a portion of the display device fastener attached to the display device and moveable within the adjustment portion to permit rotational movement of the display device relative to the mounting bracket.
US08251324B2	Support arm positioning tab A mailbox support attaching to a post includes an arm for supporting a mailbox at a given height, an opening for freely allowing the arm to slide over the post, and a tab flexibly extending into the opening and designed to limit movement of the arm relative to the post if the post is disposed within the opening.
US08251321B2	Cable management arm connection system A cable management arm connection system includes a main body, a support frame, a support block, a support locking member, and two mounting members. The main body is provided with a sleeve to slide along the support frame. Both ends of the main body are connected to the mounting members, respectively. Both ends of the support frame are connected to the support block and the support locking member, respectively. An engaging button is provided on each of the mounting members and the support locking member. Both the support block and the support locking member are respectively connected for sliding and secured in place corresponding to left or right side of the slide assembly for the main body to extend and slide on the support frame as the slide assembly stretches.
US08251318B2	Disbanded cascaded array for generating and moving plasma clusters for active airflow control An array of electrodes for selectively generating plasma is described herein. The array includes a first electrode disposed along a first dielectric, and at least a second electrode. A second electrode is sandwiched between the first dielectric and the second dielectric. A power supply provides electrical power to at least the first and second electrodes. In turn, a power supply controller controls the power supply, so as to regulate the electrical power supplied to at least the first and the second electrodes, and to cause the first and second electrodes to generate and move plasma to modify different airflow patterns.
US08251310B2	Sail wing aircraft which includes an engine mounted on a pylon Sail wing aircraft which includes a wing (6) and at least one propulsion engine (8). It includes an upper beam (22) which is firmly fixed at its front end to a first frame (12) located on an air inlet (14) of the propulsion engine and which is in addition firmly fixed at its median part to a second frame (16) located to the rear of the first frame. The sail wing aircraft includes in addition a pylon (26) for attachment of the engine onto the fuselage, where the engine is fixed to the pylon (26).
US08251305B2	Rotorcraft with variable incident wing A twin-rotor side-by-side compound rotorcraft has a fuselage and variable incident wing assembly that pivots relative to fuselage. The aircraft also has landing gear assembly and a tail fin assembly. The variable incident wing assembly is pivotally attached to the fuselage, and includes wing members, engines fixedly mounted to the wing members or another area of the rotorcraft, and a mast attached at a fixed angle relative to the wing members. Then engines may also be located near the fuselage or another area of the rotorcraft. The variable incident wing assembly is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis, thereby allowing mast orientation in at least a hover mast position and a forward flight mast position. The rotors provide additional forward thrust and the wings provide additional lift, when the mast is in the forward flight mast position.
US08251301B2	Rotating fluid jet with improved rotary seal An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.
US08251300B2	Peripheral dial sprinkler controller A sprinkler controller includes a central portion and a peripheral switch being moveable in an arcuate path relative to the central portion. The peripheral switch may be a peripheral dial that can be rotated about the central portion. The dial may be rotated to select a particular mode of the sprinkler controller. A display screen is positioned on the central portion. At least two controls are also positioned on the central portion. When a mode is selected by using the peripheral dial, the user may then employ the controls (and the display on the screen) to modify the settings for the sprinkler controller. A method of using the sprinkler controller is also disclosed.
US08251298B2	Installation construction method for boiler facilities With an installation construction method for boiler facilities, the boiler facilities comprise a boiler building configured of a steel structure, and a boiler main unit suspended within the boiler building from the upper portion of the boiler building. A portion of the boiler building is constructed, a portion of the boiler main unit is suspended from the upper portion of the partially-constructed boiler building, and while the remaining steel structure portions are being added to the partially-constructed boiler building so as to construct the boiler building, the remaining portions of the boiler main unit are added to complete the boiler main unit.
US08251296B2	Fluid regulation thermostatic valve, coolant circuit including such valve and method for making such valve The invention relates to a valve (3) that comprises a housing (20) and a thermostatic member (52) having a mobile piston (58) that carries a plug (76) for controlling the fluid flow between two accesses to the housing. In order to simplify the manufacture and the maintenance of the valve, inter alia, a hollow body (54) bearing the thermostatic member is adapted both to be rigidly connected to the fixed portion of the thermostatic member so that the piston can extend inside the inner chamber (64) of the body and so that the plug controls the fluid flow through said chamber, and to be received and sealingly blocked in an inner volume (V20) of the housing so that the fluid cannot flow between the two accesses through the chamber, while a thermostatic assembly (50), defined by the bearing body and the thermostatic member connected together, can be urged as a whole into the inner volume of the housing.
US08251295B2	RFID tag The present invention relates to an RFID tag comprising a heat-resistant substrate made of a plastic film and capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200° C., an antenna formed on the surface of the substrate, an integrated circuit on a silicon chip electrically connected to the antenna and a joint for attaching the chip to the substrate on that the chip is capable of connecting electrically to the antenna. The joint is made of an anisotropically conductive adhesive capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200° C. and having a thermal expansion coefficient essentially similar to that of the silicon chip.
US08251292B2	Processing method of barcode and apparatus thereof A processing method of detecting a barcode from an original image includes: an edge processing process, a barcode positioning process and a projection modification process. The edge processing process is for converting an original image into a binarized input image. The barcode positioning process is for deriving position information of the barcode, and includes: deriving a plurality of luminance groups according to luminance values of all pixels of the input image; utilizing a determining circuit to determine whether each luminance group complies with an identification bar and to derive position information of the identification bars; and deriving position information of the barcode according to the position information of the identification bars. The projection modification process converts the original image into a modified image according to the position information of the barcode.
US08251288B2	Network-centric targeting A network-centric targeting system includes a prepare module to plan for targeting engagements and to identify a target; a sense module to locate targets of opportunity and targets generated by the prepare module to form targeting information; a refine module to enhance the targeting information from the sense module; a track module to maintain a location of a target, a state of the target and target activity, the track module being coupled to the refine module; a target module to select effects and to coordinate delivery of selected effects to the target, the target module being coupled to the track module, the refine module and the sense module; a deliver module to deliver effects to the target, the deliver module being coupled to the track module, the refine module, the target module and the sense module; and an assess module to assess effectiveness of the delivered effects on the target.
US08251282B2	Card reader device with sensor for sensing card trapping device A card reader device has a card entrance for receiving a card and a card enclosure in registration with the card entrance. The card enclosure defines an area in which the card is read. The card reader also has a card transport mechanism for drawing a card into the card enclosure and for ejecting the card from the card enclosure. A sensor is provided for sensing displacement of part of the card transport mechanism in a direction transverse to the plane of transport of the card, and a control circuit ascertains if the displacement of the card transport mechanism fulfills an alarm criterion.
US08251280B2	Bar-code ticket processing apparatus, method of controlling bar-code ticket processing apparatus, and bar-code ticket processing system An object of the present invention is to transmit image data of valid surfaces of all bar-code tickets to an external device by a single bar-code ticket process, regardless of orientations and directions of the bar-code tickets. A bar-code ticket processing apparatus includes a taking unit configured to take thereinto a bar-code ticket; an image-data reading unit configured to read image data of both surfaces of the bar-code ticket taken by the taking unit; a valid-surface judging unit configured to judge the surfaces of the image data read by the image-data reading unit to be valid or not; and a control unit configured to generate ticket data including the image data of a valid surface out of the image data read by the image-data reading unit, based on the judgment result of the valid-surface judging unit.
US08251275B2	Ultrasonic transducers for wire bonding and methods of forming wire bonds using ultrasonic transducers A method of forming a wire bond using a bonding tool coupled to a transducer is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) applying electrical energy to a driver of the transducer at a first frequency; and (2) applying electrical energy to the driver at a second frequency concurrently with the application of the electrical energy at the first frequency, the first frequency and the second frequency being different from one another.
US08251267B2	Vehicle article carrier having single sided releasable and stowable cross bars A vehicle article carrier adapted to be mounted to an outer body surface of a motor vehicle. The carrier has a pair of cross bars that can each be stowed on corresponding pairs of support elements when the cross are not needed for use without the need to completely detach either of the cross bars from their associated support elements. A rear one of the cross bars has a single sided release feature that enables both end supports at opposite ends of the rear cross bar to be simultaneously unlocked or locked from a rear pair of support elements from either end support. The rear cross bar can also be slidably positioned along the rear pair of support elements to better configure the cross bars to support variously sized articles thereon.
US08251266B2	Rotatable accessory attachment platform An accessory attachment platform, including a platform body having a plate attachment portion, wherein the plate attachment portion includes a platform opening; a platform plate portion coupled to an accessory plate portion, through the platform opening, such that the platform plate portion and the accessory plate portion are rotatable relative to the platform body; and a release lever pivotably attached to the platform body, wherein the release lever is pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the release lever is capable of releasably interacting with a primary notch of the platform plate portion such that when the release lever is in the locking position relative to the primary notch of the platform plate portion, the platform plate portion is unable to rotate relative to the platform body.
US08251265B2	Spare tire carrier for all-terrain vehicles A spare tire carrier that preserves the vehicle approach angle. The carrier comprises a hitch anchor configured to be mounted on a vehicle towing hitch; a fork having tines affixed to the back end of the hitch anchor by means of a hinge; a sleeve slidingly mounted on the fork's handle; a lower shoulder bar essentially perpendicularly mounted onto the sleeve; an upper shoulder bar slidingly mounted on the lower shoulder bar and a rim holder affixed to the upper shoulder bar. The device is constructed of telescoping bars that can be slidingly adjusted and kept in place by pins. This design allows the shape of the device to be modified and to accommodate a diversity of tire sizes. This invention can also be used as a jack by positioning the rim holder on the ground as a fulcrum and using the device as a lever to lift a car.
US08251264B2	Continuous casting tundish A tundish assembly, including an element, for preventing or limiting steel reoxidization in the continuous casting of molten steel, is used in combination with a refractory nozzle. The element has an orifice engaging the outer surface of the nozzle, a main surface surrounding the main orifice and having a lowest level lower than the top outer edge of the nozzle inlet portion, and a periphery having an upper face surrounding the man surface of the element. The upper face of the periphery of the element is higher than the main surface of the element and is higher than the surface of the bottom well of the tundish. The main surface of the element is arranged so as to contact molten steel when the tundish is in use.
US08251261B2	Liquid delivery apparatus [Object] To provide a liquid delivery apparatus capable of cutting the number of installation steps, eliminating the necessity of connectors such as couplings, and reducing the apparatus size.[Solving Means] The liquid delivery apparatus comprises a pressure reducing valve for adjusting pressure of pressurized gas, a pressure supply joint for supplying the pressurized gas having the adjusted pressure, and a solenoid valve for selectively establishing or cutting off communication between the pressure reducing valve and the pressure supply joint. The solenoid valve and the pressure reducing valve are arranged integrally with a manifold having channels formed therein. The solenoid valve and the pressure reducing valve are arranged on outer surfaces of the manifold.
US08251260B2	Caulking gun A caulking gun includes a housing forming a handle and supporting a cartridge holder for receiving and holding a caulking cartridge. A flexible push plate is received through the housing to have a front end extending into the cartridge holder to carry a push disk. The housing has front and rear portions respectively receiving therein an advancer and a gripper through which the push plate extends. A guide roller is rotatably received in the housing rearward of the gripper. A rear end of the push plate extends through the gripper and is wrapped around the guide roller for further extension frontward to project outside and above the cartridge holder. When a trigger of the handle comprising a trigger is actuated to cause the advancer to advance the push plate frontward for extrusion of the caulking cartridge to dispense caulking, the gripper holds and prevents the push plate from returning rearward.
US08251254B2	Device and system for handling of dental workpieces A device for handling workpieces. The device has a magazine (12) for holding at least one workpiece, and a delivery location (10). The device is retainable in the magazine by a retainer (s) (43) in the delivery location and displaceable to a position in which the workpiece because of its shape releases the retainer (s) so that the workpiece is free for being removed from the magazine. The device may provide for easy handling of workpieces and may be manufactured cost effectively.
US08251252B2	Twist and lift closure for containers A child-resistant lift-top container is disclosed. The container includes a vessel, a lift-off inner cap and an outer locking cap. The outer locking cap engages the lift-off inner cap and is rotatable about the inner cap. The vessel includes a generally downwardly-facing abutment that engages an upwardly-facing abutment on the locking cap to lock the container and prevent the lift-off inner cap from opening. The container is opened by rotating the outer locking cap to disengage the abutments, permitting the lift-off inner cap to be lifted to open the container. The outer locking cap includes at least one spring that engages a spring-engaging surface on the vessel as the outer locking cap is rotated to assist in disengaging the abutments and to allow the outer locking cap to return to its closed and locked position.
US08251251B2	Container The present invention relates to a container for solids or liquid and a method of opening a container. The container comprises a hollow body which holds the contents and a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container. The closure comprises an opening member which is movable from a retracted position to an opening position in which the closure can be opened. The container further comprises a locking member for securing the opening member, the locking member being movable between a locking position in which the opening member is kept secured in the retracted position and an unlocked position in which the opening member is movable into the opening position.
US08251248B1	Trash container handle An apparatus for facilitating manual movement of a trash container having an upwardly opening container component with a pair of handles, a set of wheels, and a lid, includes an elongated apparatus or “tool” for the user to attach to the handles. A mid section of the tool engages the handles, an upwardly extending upper section provides a lever arm for the user to grasp, and a downwardly extending lower section contacts the container component in opposition to pivotal movement of the object about the handle axis. Preferably, a lid-restraining section is included that restrains pivotal movement of the lid about its hinges when the trash container is tilted on the wheels and moved. A first embodiment hooks onto the handles. A second embodiment includes a bifurcated mid section that engages the handles by extending downwardly through the spaces between the handles and the container component.
US08251245B2	Container with sealing lid A releasably sealable container is disclosed. The container includes a container body, a lid, a gasket and a retaining arm. The container body includes a lip defining an opening. The lid is configured to engage the opening. The lid includes a body and a frame. The gasket is configured to cooperate with the lid and the lip to seal the opening.
US08251240B2	Plastic closure comprising a slide opening for a bottle neck or container neck The plastic closure consists of a rotating cap (1) with a sectoral pouring hole and with a slide (2) guided on its under side in such a way as to be capable of being displaced in a translational manner in relation to the pouring hole. The slide exhibits a downward-projecting cam on its under side. Lying beneath the slide (2) is a gate cap (3). Also present in its cover (6) is a sectoral pouring hole and behind it additionally a groove as a gate guide for the cam on the slide (2). The gate cap (3) is installed in a stationary manner on a bottle neck or a container spout. If the rotating cap (1) is caused to rotate relative to the gate cap (3), the cam of the slide will be guided along the gate guide and will pull the slide (2) into the open position, whereas rotation in the opposite direction will cause the slide (2) to be displaced back into the closed position.
US08251239B2	Sealing lid A sealing lid is disclosed that includes a flexible annular closure membrane surrounded by a heavier annular rim member that is preferably adapted to hold the lid in place on a container to define a first position. The closure membrane can be axially flexed from the first position to a second position using a single hand. In the second position, the membrane axially depresses to lower down the pressure in the container and forms a hermetic vacuum seal with the container. The heavier rim member has a weight that is substantially greater than the weight of the membrane that is adapted to press down the lid over the container. The heavier rim member supports hermetic sealing by facilitating intimate contact between the lid and the container.
US08251238B2	Two-piece closure device A closure device includes a door carrying a series of interconnected shear blocks and a keystone shear block designed to transfer stresses created by pressure acting on the door to a surrounding hub. Each interconnected shear block has a limited rotation relative to its adjacent blocks. A holding band operating handle is in communication with a driving link which, in turn, is in communication with the keystone shear block. Actuating the handle causes the keystone shear block to move in an upward vertical direction. The linear movement of the keystone shear block allows the limited rotation of the interconnected shear blocks to occur, thereby causing the circumferential holding band to collapse within itself from an expanded-engaged position to a contracted-removed position relative to said hub. A pressure warning lock provides a safety device and prevents actuation of the holding band operating handle when the pressure chamber is under pressure.
US08251235B2	Liquid nutrition product dispenser with plural product chambers for separate storage and intermixing prior to use, and related method A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
US08251234B2	Teat A teat for connection to a receiving unit of a drink container has a main body and, adjoining the main body and tapered relative to the main body, a mouthpiece with at least one suction opening and a free end. The teat has a first connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a second connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a suction channel. The suction channel extends within the mouthpiece, opens via a first end into the suction opening and is directed via a second end towards the main body. This second end forms the first connector element for a substantially leak-tight connection to the receiving unit. The main body is designed such that it can be turned back towards the free end of the mouthpiece. The teat is designed such that it can be turned back at least a second location. The teat according to the invention can be connected to the feeding bottle in a simple and hygienic manner, is easy to clean and permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible.
US08251231B2	Corrugated or pleated flat material The invention relates to a corrugated or pleated flat material with a plurality of pleats or corrugations that run parallel to one another and successively define a pleat or corrugation peak and a pleat or corrugation valley, the peak and valley being connected to one another by way of a pleat or corrugation flank, wherein a fluid can flow through the flat material and the flat material has at least one deformable functional layer which rests on a supporting layer in the direction of throughflow of the fluid, said supporting layer comprising a supporting fabric, the functional layer allowing foreign substances to be removed from or delivered to the fluid. In order to develop the flat material in such a way that it has greater mechanical load-bearing capacity and lower resistance to throughflow, it is proposed according to the invention that the supporting fabric is deformable and comprises a twill weave. Furthermore, the use of a supporting fabric of this kind for providing support on the outflow side for a pleated or corrugated functional layer is proposed.
US08251228B2	Process and apparatus for adsorptive bubble separation Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. The process may be used to treat the gas/liquid dispersion after it has been introduced from two or more ducts near the perimeter or from a central duct of the separation vessel. When the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced from a central duct, the rising bubbles are directed by, e.g., a baffle toward the perimeter of the apparatus, where they rise. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a central froth collection launder. Rising froth at the perimeter pushing the froth bed into the reduced area of the center encourages further coalescence of the bubbles and increases liquid drainage from the froth, thus leading to concentration of the collected materials without the need for complex equipment geometry. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line. This improvement assists froth collection because froth can be pulled by suction through the collection system more easily than it can be drained by gravity.
US08251227B2	Methods and apparatus for separating particulates from a particulate-fluid mixture Methods and apparatus for separating particulates from a fluid are provided. The apparatus can include a separation section having at least one wall, a first end, a second end, and an inner metal surface exposed to an internal volume of the separation section. The apparatus can also include a fluid discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end. The apparatus can also include a particulate discharge outlet in fluid communication with the internal volume at the second end. The apparatus can also include an inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume. The inlet can be disposed intermediate the first end and the second end.
US08251225B2	Harvesting of processed carbon nanotubes A method of harvesting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is provided. According to this method, CNT bundles, comprising CNTs associated with metallic catalysts and having amorphous carbon coatings are agitated in an aqueous liquid containing a dispersant with free-flowing grit particles to disassociate the CNTs from the metallic catalysts, remove the amorphous carbon of the amorphous carbon coatings and shorten the CNTs via shearing.
US08251223B2	Cleaning system and a package carrier for a semiconductor package A semiconductor package holder includes two plates, and each plate defining a through-hole. Each of the plates has a set of first members along a periphery of the through-hole and extending into the through-hole. The first members of one of the plates are positioned to overlie the first members of the other of the plates. One of the at least two plates further has a set of second members along a periphery of the through-hole and extending into the through-hole.
US08251222B2	Enhanced structure for packing, transportation and display of diverse products The present invention relates to a novel enhanced structure for packing, transportation and display of diverse products which allows transporting large volumes of products reliably and efficiently from the point of manufacture to the point of sale, structure that gives various competitive advantages related to the containers already known in the market, with the most important being, the solid structural stiffness which comes from a quick and reliable assembling of the whole structure, which is achieved from the configuration of the fastening gussets that attach the upper and lower frames with the support and containment side posts, and the configuration of the structural profiles that make up both the upper frame and the bottom frame.
US08251220B2	Packing structure A packing structure includes a housing and a cushion portion. The housing includes a bottom plate and a sidewall while the cushion portion is disposed on the bottom plate of the housing. A groove and a jaw portion are formed on an end portion of the cushion portion. The jaw portion is located on a side of the groove facing the sidewall and extends away from the bottom plate. A first tongue plate is formed on the sidewall of the housing and bends inward. A free end of the first tongue plate enters the groove through an opening of the groove, wherein a backside of the jaw portion interferes with the first tongue plate to restrict the first tongue plate from leaving the groove. When the cushion portion is under external forces and moves away from the bottom plate, the first tongue plate will support a bottom inner surface within the groove to restrict a displacement of the cushion portion away from the bottom plate.
US08251217B2	Packaging pouch The invention relates to a pouch for containing a product. The pouch comprises a first wall and a second wall which are sealed together in sealed regions. The sealed regions substantially surround a compartment portion within which a product can be located. The pouch includes a tear initiating weakness located away from an edge of the pouch, the tear initiating weakness comprising an elongate weakness which extends along a first axis such that a user can fold the pouch across the tear initiating weakness and initiate a tear from the folded edge substantially along the first axis, the pouch further comprises at least one tear guiding weakness, said tear guiding weakness extending along a second axis transverse to the first axis such that a tear extending substantially along the first axis will meet the at least one tear guiding weakness and be guided along the second axis.
US08251214B2	Method for providing background graphics on blister card A blister card includes graphics printed on a substrate surface, which is then cut to produce an opening through which a blister may be received. The cut-out portion of the substrate is transferred in proper register to a position behind the blister so as to provide a continuous graphic image on the package. A method is also described for providing background graphics on a blister card in the region behind the blister.
US08251211B1	Tool storage box A tool storage box with sliding and rotating functions includes a box body, a sliding base, and a tray for tool head portions. The box body has a space for the sliding base and the tray. The sliding base controls sliding of the tray in the space. The sliding base is provided with a pivotal shaft and a locking hook for controlling the sliding base. The pivotal hole has a pivotal trough. A peripheral surface of the pivotal trough has a positioning surface. The tray has a pivotal shaft and a positioning post for controlling rotation of the tray. The pivotal shaft engages with the pivotal hole of the sliding base to act as a center of rotation of the tray. When the tray slides out of the box body, the positioning post engages with the pivotal trough, and the tray is rotatable by means of an external force.
US08251210B2	Case for an electronic device with a resilient band for holding items Disclosed is a case or attachment device for use with an electronic device having a screen. The case has a base portion with a body having a back wall and side walls extending therefrom forming a receiving opening for receiving the electronic device. The case also includes a resilient band configured to hold one or more items (e.g., ID, credit cards, cash) against the case. The band may be pulled away from the body and items may be slid underneath the band so that they are held between an inner surface of the band and an outer surface of the body. The band may extend in a lateral, a longitudinal, or a diagonal direction. The band may also form a pocket for receiving items therein. The band can hold items against the back wall of the case.
US08251204B1	System and method for electromagnetic retention of vibratory feeder components Disclosed is a vibratory parts feeding system having an electromagnetic securement system for operatively coupling a feeder bowl, inline feeder, and/or hopper bin to their respective base drive units. The securement system includes a metallic plate and a mounting portion, wherein the metallic plate is affixed to or integrated into the feeder bowl, inline feeder, or hopper bin and the mounting portion, which includes an electromagnet, is affixed to or integrated into the base drive unit. The metallic plate and mounting portion are designed to interface with one another, and when the electromagnet is energized, the metallic plate is secured to the base drive unit by the mounting portion.
US08251202B2	Sorter An apparatus for distributing goods delivered on one or more feeding conveyor belts onto two or more removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding conveyor belts as well as the removal conveyor belts are subdivided into a plurality of individual conveyor belts which are arranged in parallel side by side and are driven jointly. A rotary table having an essentially circular contour and also comprising a plurality of parallel individual conveyor belts which are also allocated to a joint drive is positioned between the feeding and the removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding and the individual removal conveyor belts each closely reach up to the individual conveyor belts of the rotary table and are, in essence, adjusted in their length to the circular contour of the rotary table.
US08251183B2	Electricity generating device by applying vehicle weight In an electricity generating device by applying vehicle weight, a rolling vehicle wheel is weighting down on a pressure receiver to actuate a driving mechanism having a restoring function. It is then able to provide a unidirectional rotating torque to drive a generating device to produce electrical power. The mechanical power transmission is performed by a transmission gear unit composed of a driving wheel and a follower wheel interconnected each other with a transmission means therebetween. When the vehicle weight is applied to the driving mechanism by pressing the vehicle wheel on the pressure receiver, the driving mechanism is forced to downwardly urge a ratchet wheel and a driving wheel to rotate that in turn causes the rotation of the follower wheel through the transmission means thereby driving the generating device to operate to produce electricity. The driving mechanism can recover its initial state with the aid of a balancing weight as soon as it has been liberate from the exerted pressure of the vehicle wheel. The device is to be installed flush with the road surface to work.
US08251179B2	Portable safety ladder assembly A portable safety ladder assembly having safety extensions to permit safe and easy access to landing areas, working platforms, scaffolds, etc. The safety extension members have a plurality of horizontal handgrips ergonomically designed to prevent falls from the ladder assembly when a user is ascending upward or descending downward thereon.
US08251173B2	Muffler attachment system An engine includes an exhaust conduit having an exhaust port on an end of the exhaust conduit. The exhaust conduit has an angled inside surface that has a cross section that widens toward the exhaust port. The engine further includes a muffler having a housing with an intake pipe. The intake pipe is inserted through the exhaust port such that the intake pipe is wedged into the angled inside surface of the exhaust conduit.
US08251172B2	Electric power steering device In an electric power steering device, if the temperature of a specific site that increases due to the driving of a steering assist motor exceeds a threshold, the motor current is controlled to be equal to or below a current restriction value. The temperature Toff of the specific site detected when an engine is stopped, and the current restriction value Ioff provided when the engine is stopped are stored into a storage. A temperature difference Ta between the temperature detected when a starter switch is turned on and the temperature Toff is computed. If the temperature of the specific site when the starter switch is turned on is above the threshold, the current restriction value is set to be equal to or above the current restriction value Ioff stored in the storage, according to the temperature difference Ta, over a time following the turning-on of the starter switch.
US08251169B2	Temperature adjustment structure for power storage apparatus A temperature adjustment structure for adjusting a temperature of a power storage module included in a power storage apparatus mounted on a vehicle has a duct forming a moving path of air in adjusting the temperature of the power storage module. The duct has a protrusion portion protruding toward the outside of the duct with respect to a surface forming the moving path. The protrusion portion is located above a connector that is provided additionally for the power storage apparatus and used for electrical connection to equipment (peripheral equipment) placed parallel with the power storage module within the power storage apparatus. At least a connection portion of the connector is located within an area of the protrusion portion when viewed from a vertical direction.
US08251166B2	Hybrid powertrain with assisted starting and method of starting an engine A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is provided that includes an engine having a crankshaft and a motor/generator operatively connected to the crankshaft. An elastic member is operatively connected to the crankshaft and configured to be wound by one of the engine or the motor/generator. A one-way torque-transmitting mechanism is operatively connected to a first end portion of the elastic member and configured to overrun prior to winding of the elastic member. The elastic member is configured to be releasable to allow unwinding of the elastic member to rotate the crankshaft to restart the engine. A method of starting an engine on a hybrid vehicle is also provided.
US08251165B2	Power output apparatus, hybrid vehicle with the same, and control method of power output apparatus When a predetermined change speed state shift condition is satisfied while the transmission connects a carrier with a drive shaft, a hybrid vehicle performs a rotational speed adjustment process of conforming a rotational speed of a motor to a target rotational speed based on a gear ratio of the transmission and a rotational speed of the drive shaft, a connection a sun gear with the drive shaft by a gear train of the transmission corresponding to a target speed, a power transfer process of transferring power between the motors in a simultaneous engagement state to make the motors output power required in a post-change speed state corresponding to a target speed, and a disconnection the carrier from the drive shaft.
US08251158B2	Multi-speed power tool transmission with alternative ring gear configuration A power tool with a housing, a transmission and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism has an actuator, a rail, a switch and first and second springs. The actuator is non-rotatably but slidably coupled to the housing for movement along a longitudinal axis of the transmission between a plurality of positions to selectively engage one or more members of the transmission at each of the positions such that the transmission operates in one of a plurality of different overall speed ratios. The rail is fixedly coupled to the actuator and is received through the switch such that the switch is slidably mounted on the rail. The first and second springs are configured to bias the switch relative to the actuator in different directions.
US08251151B2	Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock Apparatus and methods may be used to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods may be used for running in casing, wellbore components, or a drill string.
US08251150B2	Radial flow valve and method A radial flow valve includes a plurality of flow openings, a first piston and a second piston, the first and second pistons being independently actuable relative to one another, and a sleeve operatively coupled to the second piston, the sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to cover the plurality of flow openings. A method includes positioning a radial flow valve in a subterranean well bore having an upper zone pressure and a lower zone pressure, increase a pressure within the valve to a value above the upper zone pressure to release a first piston within the valve and, after releasing the first piston, reducing the pressure within the valve to a value that is less than the lower zone pressure to thereby cause a second piston within the valve to move and thereby permit fluid flow through the valve.
US08251148B2	System for active heave compensation and use thereof A system for active heave compensation of the running block in a drilling derrick on board a floating off shore platform comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder (1) which is connected to a hydraulic power unit (3) for the supply of hydraulic pressure fluid to the hydraulic cylinder (1), a control unit (6) which regulates the supply conditions of the pressure fluid to the at any time active side (A, B) of the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic fluid concurrently being permitted to leave the passive side (B, A) of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic power unit (3) comprises a pump unit (4) which via respective conduits (9a, 9b) are directly connected to the two sides (A, B) of the hydraulic cylinder (1) in order to form a generally closed hydraulic system therewith. The hydraulic fluid delivered by the pump unit (4) to the conduits (9a, 9b) to the active cylinder side is drawn from the conduit (9b, 9a) to the passive cylinder side, while the control unit regulates the output of the pump unit. The hydraulic system further comprises an accumulator (11) which equalizes the volumetric difference between the two sides of the hydraulic cylinder when it is a common double-acting cylinder. The system may also be provided with a hydraulic transformer (23) for regeneration of hydraulic power during passive operation of the compensation system.
US08251146B2	Frac sleeve system and method A system including a plurality of differential pressure actuated tools; a seat receptive to a plug; a first conduit fluidly communicating tubing pressure upstream of the seat to one end of each of the plurality of tools; and a second conduit fluidly communicating tubing pressure downstream of the seat to an opposite end of each of the plurality of tools and method.
US08251144B2	Flow diverter A downhole tool comprises a body defining a fluid inlet and two or more fluid outlets. A valve arrangement cycles the proportion of fluid directed from the inlet to each of the outlets. One of the outlets may be associated with a fluid pressure responsive device, such as a cleaning blade.
US08251139B2	System and method for sealing couplings in downhole tubing strings For oil production systems, an interior two-part seal ring of resilient material is disposed within a coupling sleeve which receives threaded tubing ends in its opposite ends. The seal is asymmetric, with tapered ends of different lengths and taper angles. A length for mill end engagement is shorter than the length for field end engagement which may be made up and disconnected repeatedly. The seal configuration includes a principal body with a inwardly directed ridge between its tapered ends and a reinforcing ring of different, less permeable material, abutting the ridge and closing off one or more radial ports in the wall of the body. The central body also includes a circumferential gas groove about is periphery, which together with the radial ports, facilitates collection and release of gases permeating the seal body under high down-hole pressures.
US08251138B2	Securing layers in a well screen assembly A well screen assembly includes an elongate base pipe, a shroud layer about the base pipe, and a mesh layer between the shroud layer and the base pipe. A portion of the mesh layer overlaps another position of the mesh layer to form an area of overlap. A spine is positioned proximate substantially an entire length of the area of overlap, and transmits a force from the shroud layer to the mesh layer that compresses and seals the area of overlap against passage of particulate.
US08251134B2	Removable tube heat exchanger with retaining assembly A header plate assembly for a heat exchanger includes a plate having a tube side and a tank side. A plurality of apertures extends through the plate. Each aperture has a first portion on the tube side of the plate, the first portion having a first cross-dimension, and a second portion adjacent the first portion and having a second cross-dimension that is smaller than the first cross-dimension, with a first shoulder being formed between the first and second portions. Each of a plurality of collars has an aperture extending therethrough, with a portion of each collar being received in the first portion of one of the apertures in the plate. A seal is positioned in each of the first portions of the apertures and between one of the collars and one of the first shoulders. A plurality of fasteners secures the collars to the plate.
US08251133B2	Helical coil-on-tube heat exchanger A coil on tube heat exchanger is provided that uses multiple parallel helical coil tubes to limit liquid pressure losses while providing similar performance and production times to previous coil and tube designs. Two or more coil tubes are wrapped together around a center tube in a helical fashion, permitting the heat exchanger to be used in a counter-flow, or contra-flow, implementation. Use of the heat exchanger includes flowing a first liquid, such as waste water, through the center tube and flowing a second liquid through the plurality of channels. Embodiments of the present invention provide reduced pressure loss, higher performance and are generally faster to manufacture than prior heat exchangers.
US08251132B2	Heat sink assembly and method for manufacturing the same A heat sink assembly includes a base, a fin group and a heat pipe connecting with the base and the fin group. The fin group includes a plurality of fins. Each of the fins defines a recess at a lower portion thereof. The heat pipe includes an evaporating portion extending through the base and a condensing portion extending through the fin group. The base is interferentially fitted into the recesses of the fins. The base, the fin group and the heat pipe directly and intimately connect with each other. The recess and the base have correspondingly T-shaped profiles. Each fin forms a bended flange defining the recess. The bended flange intimately contacts with the base and the evaporating portion of the heat pipe.
US08251129B2	Refractory material, continuous casting nozzle using the refractory material, production methods for the continuous casting nozzle, and continuous casting methods using the continuous casting nozzle In an operation of continuous casting of steel grade such as aluminum-killed steel where a nozzle clogging phenomenon is particularly likely to occur, it is intended to prevent adhesion of inclusions (typically, Al2O3) on a nozzle used in the casting operation, and clogging of the nozzle due to the inclusions. A refractory material 10 is arranged to define a part or an entirety of a molten steel-contacting surface of a continuous casting nozzle, wherein the refractory material 10 contains: a CaO component in an amount of 0.5 mass % or more; one or both of B2O3 and R2O (R is one selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Li) in an amount of 0.5 mass % or more; Al2O3 in an amount of 50 mass % or more; and free carbon in an amount of 8.0 to 34.5 mass %, and wherein a total amount of CaO, B2O3 and R2O is in the range of 1.0 to 15.0 mass %, and a mass ratio of CaO/(B2O3+R2O) is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0.
US08251128B2	Method of producing copper alloy wire Provided is a method of continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire by adding phosphorus or an element which is less soluble than phosphorus to molten copper. The method includes: adding an element less soluble into a heating furnace for maintaining molten copper sent from a melting furnace at a predetermined high temperature; transferring the molten copper sent from the heating furnace to a tundish; adding phosphorus to the molten copper after decreasing the temperature of the molten copper in the tundish; supplying the molten copper from the tundish to a belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus; and rolling a cast copper material output from the belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus, thereby continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire.
US08251127B2	Strip casting apparatus with independent delivery nozzle and side dam actuators An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.
US08251126B2	Refractory metal core assembly A process for casting a turbine engine component is provided. The process comprises the steps of placing a refractory core assembly comprising two intersecting plates in a die, encapsulating the refractory core assembly in a wax pattern having the form of the turbine engine component, forming a ceramic shell mold about the wax pattern, removing the wax pattern, and pouring molten material into the ceramic shell mold to form the turbine engine component.
US08251125B2	Metal mold apparatus In a state in which an insert is fitted to an inner portion of a main mold, a hole passing through from an outer portion of the main mold to a cavity of the insert is provided in the main mold to the insert. An extrusion pin bush is inserted into the hole from a side of an opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole. A stopper, which is loosely inserted into an outer periphery of a base end side protruding to the outer portion of the main mold from an inner diameter portion of the extrusion pin bush of the extrusion pin, is attached by screw to a thread portion provided in the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold. The extrusion pin bush abuts on a locking portion provided on the side of the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole by the stopper.
US08251124B2	Molding machine A molding machine that defines upper and lower mold cavities while cope and drag flasks, having a match plate sandwiched therebetween, are rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position. An upper squeeze member is insertable into the cope flask. A pressure-applying plane of the upper squeeze member defines an upper mold cavity together with the match plate and the cope flask. A pivoting frame supports the cope and drag flasks, having a match plate sandwiched therebetween, and the upper squeeze member, such that they rotate in unison between a horizontal position to a vertical position. A fixed filling frame abuts the drag flask when the cope and drag flasks are in the vertical position. A lower squeeze member has a pressure-applying plane that is oriented horizontally. The pressure-applying plane of the lower squeeze member defines a lower mold cavity together with the match plate, the drag flask, and the filling frame.
US08251122B2	Compensation grooves to absorb dilatation during infiltration of a matrix drill bit A down hole tool casting assembly, a gauge ring, and a method for preparing the gauge ring for use within the assembly. The gauge ring includes a bit diameter mold and one or more junk slot displacements extending inwardly from the interior surface of the bit diameter mold. The junk slot displacement includes a first end, a second end, and a junk slot displacement face extending from the first end to the second end. At least one groove is formed within the interior surface of the gauge ring, which alleviates stresses formed within the casting during the casting process. According to some embodiments, at least one groove is formed within the junk slot displacement face. According to some embodiments, at least one groove is formed within the interior surface of the bit diameter mold. Optionally, a pressure absorbing material is inserted into one or more grooves.
US08251117B2	Method and apparatus for removing a film from a surface A tool and method for removing a film from a surface is provided, wherein the tool can include a frame, a handle operably coupled to the frame, a number of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a cylinder rotatably coupled to the frame, an arm rotatably coupled to the frame, and a number of separating devices operably coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the wheels can rotate about one or more axes parallel to the surface. The cylinder, which collects the removed film, rotates about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface. The arm can rotate about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface.
US08251116B2	Device for turning up a tire-building component on a tire-building drum An apparatus for upturning a tire-building component on a tire-building drum has a roller lever. To provide an apparatus which is capable of upturning a tire-building component on a tire-building drum, and which achieves the upturn of the tire-building component without defects, in particular unintended creasing in the side wall, it is proposed that, during the procedure of preparation for upturning, a spacer provides separation between the roller and the segment in such a way that the roller is in essence in contact exclusively with the tire-building component. The roller therefore rolls along the tire-building component.
US08251108B2	Food dispensing apparatus A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.
US08251105B2	Automatic kit, with a selector valve, for repairing and inflating inflatable articles A kit for repairing and inflating inflatable articles has a compressor unit for producing compressed air; a container containing sealing fluid injectable into the inflatable article by means of a stream of compressed air from the compressor unit; a fluid line designed to connect the compressor unit to the inflatable article; and a sensor for determining a connection status to the inflatable article.
US08251103B2	Papermaker's forming fabric with engineered drainage channels A papermaking forming fabric includes: a set of top MD yarns; a set of top CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of binding yarns that interweaves with and binds together the top and bottom fabric layers. The fabric has a Channel Factor (CF) of greater than 2.0, the CF being defined in Equation (1) as: CF=(PSMW/PSML)×(SOA % PS/SOA % RS) (1) wherein: PSMW=the CMD width of an interstice between adjacent top MD yarns; PSML=the MD width of an interstice between adjacent top CMD yarns; SOA % PS=surface open area in the top fabric layer; and SOA % RS=surface open area in the bottom fabric layer.
US08251101B2	Refrigerant piping unit and method of manufacturing pipe for the same A refrigerant piping unit includes a pipe and a joint coupled to the pipe. The pipe includes a main section, an end section and a bent section between the main section and the end section. The end section includes a flange portion adjacent to the bent section and a thick end portion opposite to the bent portion with respect to the flange portion in an axial direction. The flange portion is expanded in a radially outward direction and is engaged with the joint. The thick end portion is expanded in the radially outward direction and has a thickness greater than a thickness of the main section. The thick end portion has a groove on its outer surface. The end section has a flat inner surface extending continuously from an inner surface of the bent section throughout inside of the flange portion and the thick end portion.
US08251100B2	Needle-type stepped cylindrical stopper for automatic control of water consumption in pipelines The invention in question relates to a needle-type stepped cylindrical stopper for automatic control of water consumption in pipelines, of two types, each type having two sections for automatically controlling water consumption, irrespective of the water pressure in the line or when the taps are opened, for use in automatic water-saving devices and pressure-sensitive flow controllers, such as to enable, with a single automatic water-saving device, incorporating the needle-type stepped stopper of this invention, automatic control of minimum water consumption, from 4.0 liters per minute as a minimum at a maximum static pressure of 0.2 kilograms per square centimeter up to a maximum water consumption of 10.0 liters per minute at a maximum static pressure of 6.0 kilograms per square centimeter.
US08251098B2	Slide vane for hydraulic power steering The invention relates to a slide vane (20) for a hydraulic power steering of automotive vehicles with a tubular control sleeve (24). Said control sleeve is connected to an output shaft (28) and comprises first control grooves (32) in its inner surface (34). Further, there is provided a tubular sliding sleeve (26) that is disposed at least in portions within said control sleeve (24). On its outer surface (38), the sliding sleeve (26) comprises second control grooves (36) that may be brought to coincide with the first control grooves (32) of the control sleeve (24), said first control grooves (32) being disposed substantially in the circumferential direction of the tubular control sleeve (24) and said second control grooves (36) substantially in the circumferential direction of said tubular sliding sleeve (26). The relative position of said control sleeve (24) and of said sliding sleeve (26) being relatively variable in the axial direction.
US08251096B2	Slide valve A slide valve for regulating the hydraulic pressure at a working connection to values between a low pressure and a high pressure, for which purpose a valve slide is accommodated in a hole of a housing such that it can move linearly, which housing has a low pressure connection, a high pressure connection and the working connection, for which purpose the working connection is connected to the low pressure connection in the first position of the valve slide, while the working connection is separated from the two further connections in a second position of the valve slide, and having a third position of the valve slide, in which the working connection is connected to the high pressure connection (P). A plurality of radial holes are arranged in the valve slide, through which radial holes flow can pass and which radial holes interact with a plurality of circumferential control edges in the housing which seal the valve slide in the hole in a leakfree manner by means of suitable sealing rings.
US08251094B2	Water tap The water tap has a tap stand and a storage frame. The tap stand is has a flowing channel formed through the tap stand. The storage frame is mounted on the tap stand and has a flowing groove and a storage hole. The flowing groove is annular and formed in a top surface of the storage frame and communicates with the flowing channel of the tap stand. The storage hole is formed through the storage frame to provide a storage function.
US08251091B2	Temperature insensitive mass flow controller A temperature insensitive mass flow controller comprising a main flow line, a capillary tube coupled to the main flow line across a bypass a thermal sensing element coupled to the capillary tube and a mass flow controller housing adapted to at least cover the capillary tube. A first heat sink has been coupled to the mass flow controller internal to the mass flow controller housing and coupled to the capillary tube. The heat sink being adapted to control a temperature of a gas in the capillary tube.
US08251088B2	Variable orifice for particulate coal conduit A simplified variable orifice for a conduit furnishing a stream of particulate coal to a burner for a turbine in an electrical utility plant. Two plates are installed across the conduit, one of them being fixed and the other being variable in angular position relative to the first. A lockable mechanism is provided externally of the conduit to manually adjust the degree of blocking and to indicate the position of the movable plate.
US08251086B2	Rotary gate valve with secondary seal A rotary gate valve includes first and second opposing housing members having coaxial pathways and defining a gate channel when joined together. A gate is positioned within the gate channel when the valve is in a closed position to prevent media from flowing through the pathways and rotationally displaced from the channel when the valve is in an open position to allow media to flow through the pathways. First and second annular primary sealing sleeves are disposed within the first and second housing members and are adapted to sealingly engage each other when the valve is in the open position, and with the gate valve when the valve is in the closed position. A secondary sealing member is disposed around an upper portion of the gate and secured between the housing members above the first and second annular primary sealing sleeves to prevent process media from entering the housing members.
US08251085B2	Leak prevention method for gas lines The present invention provides failsafe system for cutting gas off gas flow in response to electrical insults that may damage gas tubing. The invention uses an inductive sensor to detect electrical surges along a ground conductor that provides a ground path for gas tubing. The sensor is coupled to control circuitry that provides a continuous pulse train to a solenoid that forms part of a valve that controls gas flow through the gas tubing. The pulse train from the control circuitry keeps the valve open. In response to an electrical surge detected along the ground conductor (e.g., from lightning), the control circuitry stops the pulse train to the solenoid, which in turn causes the gas valve to close and stop the gas flow through the tubing.
US08251084B2	Swivel safety breakaway connector A safety breakaway connector has a male fitting and a female fitting inserted into one another. The female fitting includes a swivel that rotates about an angle to a breakaway portion of the invention. The swivel has a female portion connected to the breakaway portion and a male portion that pivotally connects to a nozzle. The male portion has an axis spaced apart from the axis of the breakaway portion. The male portion rotates or pivots about the female portion subject to a biased cam. The biased cam has a ball bearing that travels within a race formed in the male swivel. The biased cam provides an offset to the connector so that a fuel line in communication therewith avoids an orientation perpendicular to the direction of travel of a vehicle. The breakaway portion then detaches the fuel line cleanly from the swivel that remains with the fuel nozzle.
US08251083B2	Systems for preventing overinflation of inner tubes and children's ride-on vehicles including the same A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A tire system also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A children's ride-on vehicle also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure.
US08251080B1	Fluid treatment canister and system A fluid treatment canister that may be used with, or independent of, a fluid treatment system, comprises a treatment housing, a first treatment housing end that is covered, and a second treatment housing end. A barrier support is coupled with the second treatment housing end, and includes a first and second barrier support portions, and is capable of receiving a barrier disposed between the first and second barrier support portions.
US08251075B2	Cosmetic compact A cosmetic compact comprising a lid (2) hingedly connected to a base (3), a dispensing orifice (20) and a cosmetic dispenser (10) for dispensing liquid cosmetics disposed in a recess in the base. The cosmetic dispenser (10) comprises a pump mechanism (14) and an actuator (12). The pump mechanism (14) being operatively connected to the actuator (12) so as to actuate the dispenser (10). The actuator (12) being attachable to a plunger (35) of the pump mechanism (14) and comprising an actuating linkage (23) having a portion offset to the plunger axis such that when pressure is applied to the actuating linkage (23) in a direction transverse to the plunger axis the plunger (35) moves axially. The compact further comprises an inner lid (11) hingedly connected to the base (3), the inner lid (11) comprising a button (7) in cooperation with the actuator (12) such that when pressure is applied to the button (7) the plunger (35) moves axially to expel liquid from the dispensing orifice (20).
US08251070B2	Methods for treating airways This relates to a method of treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The method also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.
US08251068B2	Insertion aid for percutaneous tracheostomy A device for inserting a tracheal tube into a tracheostomy has as insertion aid with a shaft (6, 6′, 14) which can be inserted through the tracheal tube, and a conical tip (2, 13) which is or can be joined to the tracheal tube. In order to provide a device for inserting a tracheal tube which considerably reduces the risk of injury when inserting the tracheal tube, which makes the insertion process easier, the inserted tube being highly comfortable even with a long-term use, keeping low the danger of injuries or sore points in the trachea, the insertion aid according to the invention has a conical tip (2, 13) which can have a small base diameter in a first state and a large base diameter in a second state. The insertion aid includes a section (6′, 14) adjacent to the conical tip (2) whose diameter corresponds at the most to the inner diameter of a tracheal tube (1) to be inserted by means of the insertion aid, the small base diameter of the conical tip also being at the most equal to the inner diameter of the tracheal tube, while the large base diameter of the conical tip is larger than the inner diameter of the tracheal tube and preferably corresponds to approximately the outer diameter of the tracheal tube to be inserted with the insertion aid.
US08251067B2	Bronchial flow control devices with membrane seal Disclosed is a flow control device for a bronchial passageway. The device can includes a valve member that regulates fluid flow through the flow control device, a frame coupled to the valve member, and a membrane attached to the frame. At least a portion of the flow control device forms a seal with the interior wall of the bronchial passageway when the flow control device is implanted in the bronchial passageway. The membrane forms a fluid pathway from the seal into the valve member to direct fluid flowing through the bronchial passageway into the valve member.
US08251066B1	Exhalation port with built-in entrainment valve A pressure sensitive valve device for use with respiratory equipment of the type that produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device combines the exhalation and entrainment functions in one valve with a single air path. The valve device provides an exhaust valve function during normal operation and provides a less restricted access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction. The valve device includes a valve element that moves between at least two positions. During normal operation, when the pressure generating system is generating a flow of gas, the valve element is in a “closed” or “exhaust valve” position. When in the exhaust valve position, the gas flow to the atmosphere is restricted without being completely blocked off. When the flow of gas is decreased or interrupted, the valve element moves to the “entrainment valve” or “open” position that allows a greater, i.e., less restricted flow, of gas between the user and the ambient atmosphere.
US08251062B2	Breathing assistance device, and method of regulation A breathing assistance device having: a turbine for generating flow of pressurized respiratory gas, a duct for carrying pressurized gas to a patient, a mechanism to control gas pressure capable of elaborating a pressure setting for the turbine, the turbine is connected to a speed sensor for acquiring a signal corresponding to the rotation speed of a rotating element of the turbine, and the mechanism of controlling the calculation linked to the speed sensor in order to elaborate using the signal, a pressure setting sending the pressure setting to the turbine. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for regulating the pressure of a respiratory gas delivered by a turbine to a patient, the method involving elaborating a pressure setting for the turbine, characterized in that the pressure setting is elaborated using a signal representative of the rotation speed of a rotating element of the turbine.
US08251059B2	Powder inhaler The subject invention provides a powder inhaler enabling the user to complete powder drug inhalation with fewer steps, for improved user convenience.A powder inhaler of the present invention comprises: a housing 1A having an admission port 2f on one end; a supplier having a drug-discharging hole, provided inside the housing 1A with a capacity sufficient to contain plural doses of a fine powder drug; a drug carrier having a measurement concave portion for receiving a single dose of a drug from the drug-discharging hole, the drug carrier being supported inside the housing 1A while being movable between a drug-receiving position for allowing drug supply from the drug-discharging hole to the measurement concave portion, and a drug-inhalation position for allowing drug inhalation from the measurement concave portion through the admission port; a cover cap C2 pivotably mounted to the housing 1A; and a vibrating means 60 brought into operation by pivoting the cover cap C2 so as to vibrate the supplier.
US08251057B2	Hyperbaric chamber control and/or monitoring system and methods for using the same In a first aspect, a monoplace hyperbaric chamber providing Venturi induced gas circulation and ventilation is disclosed. The chamber includes a control and monitoring system that offers reduced oxygen consumption, duplex pressure gauges, referenced flow control, a patient activated stop function, an independent pressure time recorder, and/or a precise pressure control circuit that uses a 1:1 forced-balanced volume amplifier adapted to supply gas to and exhaust gas from the chamber through different penetrators and/or use flow-control check valves supplied with static reference or set pressures. A computer control and monitoring subsystem is also disclosed. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08251050B2	Magnetic drive bypass system for paintball loader A drive system for a regulating the rotation of a drive system or agitator in a paintball loader is disclosed. It is designed to regulate the rotation of a feeder, especially during a jam or when projectiles in a hopper become misaligned. This allows a user to quickly and effectively clear a jam and resume or continue rapid fire without damaging projectiles, the loader or the paintball marker.
US08251047B2	Fuel rail for attenuating radiated noise A fuel rail includes an elongated tube having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The elongated tube defines a fuel passageway for directing fuel toward the plurality of outlets. The fuel rail also includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the elongated tube to divide the fuel passageway into a plurality of chambers such that each outlet is positioned in one of the plurality of chambers. The plurality of baffles restricts fluid flow between adjacent chambers. A majority of the plurality of outlets are located essentially at an acoustic node of each corresponding chamber to reduce noise generated by the fuel rail.
US08251045B2	Fuel supplying system of LPI engine A fuel supplying system of an LPI engine is capable of improving performance of a fuel pump by decreasing suction pressure thereof. A fuel supplying system of an LPI engine may include a fuel tank storing fuel, a fuel pump feeding fuel supplied by the fuel tank to the engine through a fuel supplying line, and a fuel return line for returning fuel from the engine to the inside of the fuel tank. The fuel pump may be divided into a pump chamber and an operating chamber, and a vent hole is formed at a case of the fuel pump.
US08251028B2	Valve operating apparatus for internal combustion engine The present invention makes it possible to favorably change valve-opening characteristics of a valve using a simplified configuration without leading to an increase in the number of components and also without causing an increase of friction due to sliding, in a valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the valve-opening characteristics of the valve are variable. A changeover mechanism for switching the connection/disconnection of rocker arms disposed between cams and a valve is provided. When a slide pin reaches a displacement end in the retreating direction of changeover pin, the biasing force of a return spring acting on changeover pins is received by an engaging part between a notch part provided in the slide pin and a lock pin in a state separated from a camshaft.
US08251025B2	Two-stroke engine The two-stroke engine has a plurality of intake passages extending from the external air inlet port through the crankcase, separating the intake air charge from the air and oil vapor within the crankcase. The piston has one or more corresponding inlet tubes depending therefrom that telescope within the crankcase intake passages as the piston reciprocates. All intake air travels through these passages and is separated from the remainder of the crankcase volume. The incoming air charge passes through a concentric poppet valve in the piston crown to enter the combustion chamber. Fuel is provided by conventional direct or port injection and ignition is provided by one or more conventional spark plugs. Diesel operation is achievable when the engine is configured appropriately. Exhaust exits the combustion chamber through a poppet valve in the cylinder head, the poppet valve being actuated by a rocker arm and pushrod from a crankshaft driven cam.
US08251023B2	Cooling arrangement at a vehicle A cooling arrangement for a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. The cooling arrangement includes an air passage through which air flows in a specific direction, and at least three cooling elements to effect cooling of a medium. The three cooling elements are arranged one after another in the air passage such that at least part of the air which flows through the air passage flows successively through all of the cooling elements and cools the media in the respective cooling elements. The cooling elements are arranged one after another in the air passage in a sequence which is related to the temperature of the media in the respective cooling elements such that the air which flows through the cooling elements in the air passage cools a succession of media, each media in succession is at a higher temperature than the one preceding it.
US08251015B2	Recirculating birdbath A birdbath is disclosed that recirculates water and includes a substantially hollow pedestal that supports a basin. The pedestal forms a water reservoir therein and has an open top end and a sealed bottom end. The basin has an inner wall and an outer wall, both of which are joined at least at a peripheral edge of the basin and separated by a distance sufficient to allow the water to flow therebetween. The outer wall is open at a central portion and is adapted for engaging the open top end of the pedestal for attaching the basin thereto. The inner wall has an aperture formed therethrough at a center portion thereof, and at least one drainage aperture formed proximate the peripheral edge of the basin. A water pump is disposed within the reservoir of the pedestal for pumping water from the reservoir through a basin supply conduit, through the aperture of the inner wall, and into the basin. Once the water reaches the at least one drainage aperture, it drains between the inner and outer walls, and flows through the central portion of the outer wall and back into the reservoir.
US08251012B2	Substrate processing apparatus and semiconductor device producing method Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, including: a processing container; a gas supply section to supply a desired processing gas to the processing container; a gas exhaust section to exhaust a surplus of the processing gas from the processing container; a substrate placing member to place a plurality of substrates thereon in a stacked state in the processing container; and an electrode, to which high frequency electric power is applied, to generate plasma for exciting the processing gas, the electrode including two thin and long linear sections disposed in parallel and a short-circuit section to electrically short-circuit one ends of the linear sections, and the linear sections extending beside the substrates in a direction substantially perpendicular to main faces of the substrates.
US08251009B2	Shadow frame having alignment inserts The present invention generally includes a shadow frame with alignment inserts that may permit the shadow frame to be properly aligned on the susceptor. The shadow frame may have one or more alignment inserts. The alignment inserts may be coupled to a cavity formed in the bottom surface of the shadow frame. The alignment inserts may be shaped to receive an alignment button that may be present on the susceptor. Thus, as the susceptor raises to the processing position and retrieves the shadow frame, the shadow frame may align properly on the susceptor.
US08251004B2	Device for transporting structures on water A device for transporting structures on water, as well as dismounting or installation of the structure(s) includes an elongated tilting frame (8) hingedly connected at a pivoting point (10) to a water vessel (6). The tilting frame (8) holds one or more support cribs (5) designed for being displaceable relative to the tilting frame and possibly relative to each other, the tilting frame further being designed to be able to assume an essentially horizontal or slightly tilted position, corresponding to a transport position, and being designed for being able to be tilted about the hinge connection to an essentially vertical position by suitable means, the vertical position corresponding to a lifting or operating position wherein the structure(s) carried by the support crib(s) may be lifted or lowered up from or down into the water, respectively, or up or down above water level.
US08250999B2	Sewing machine with detachable needle plate A sewing machine includes a feed dog which transfers workpiece cloth, a needle plate having a first hole through which a needle is passed and a second hole through which a feed dog is movable upward and downward, a bed to which the needle plate is detachably attachable, a feeding mechanism which drives the feed dog in a front-back direction and in an up-down direction, an engaged portion formed in the needle plate, an engaging portion formed in the feed dog or the feeding mechanism, and a switching unit which switches the feed dog or the feeding mechanism between a transfer position where the feed dog transfers the workpiece cloth and a needle plate adjusting position which differs from the transfer position and where the engaging and engaged portions are engaged with each other thereby to determine a fixing point of the needle plate on the bed.
US08250997B2	Multiple needle sewing machine A multiple needle sewing machine. The sewing machine includes a needle head, a first needle and a second needle both coupled to the head, a drive mechanism, a gripper shaft, and a first gripper hook and a second gripper hook both coupled to the gripper shaft. The drive mechanism is configured to translate the first needle together with the second needle, and to individually translate only one of the first needle or the second needle.
US08250994B2	Collapsible material, placement rack, incineration method, lost-wax mold, and mold collapsing method A collapsible material is provided which maintains a predetermined strength and shape until it is heated and increased in temperature to a desired temperature and then can collapse, after a lapse of a predetermined time. The collapsible material of the present invention is characterized by comprising a base formed of a hydrate of a hydraulic material and unexpanded vermiculite particles dispersed in the base. In the collapsible material of the present invention, it is preferable that the hydraulic material is formed of at least one of cement and gypsum and the unexpanded vermiculite particles are contained in an amount of 0.5 to 15 wt %. Also, in the collapsible material of the present invention, it is preferable that ash balloon particles are contained in an amount of 0.5 to 20 wt %. Further, in the collapsible material of the present invention, it is preferable that a coating film formed of a hydrate of the hydraulic material and silica powder is formed on the surface of the base.
US08250990B2	Magnetic levitation train provided with an eddy-current brake A magnetic levitation railway having an eddy-current brake (20) cooperates with a reaction rail (8) of the driveway (2). The eddy-current brake (20) has at least one brake magnet (21) which is movably mounted to the vehicle (1) and transversely to the reaction rail (8) and which is made to abut the reaction rail (8) if a normal force, for example, fixed by means of springs (27) is exceeded.
US08250985B2	Structural metallic binders for reactive fragmentation weapons A munition is described including a reactive fragment having an energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also described including forming a energetic material; combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment. The munition may be in the form of a warhead, and the reactive fragment may be contained within a casing of the warhead.
US08250984B2	Mine-defeating submunition In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a submunition is contemplated having a submunition body, an explosive payload housed within said submunition body and an elongated delay member housed within the submunition body, the elongated delay member coated with at least one reactive material that provides a controlled time delay between submunition impact and detonation of the explosive payload. The submunition may also comprise an elongated pendulum having a hollow core sized to receive said elongated delay member, the elongated pendulum adapted to be movable between a locked position that mitigates likelihood of inadvertent detonation of the explosive payload and an unlocked position that enables detonation of the explosive payload.
US08250983B2	Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a press-fitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile.
US08250981B1	Underwater hydro-reactive explosive system An underwater hydro-reactive explosive system includes a pressure vessel with a central section of water disposed between identical sections of a material selected from the group consisting of thermites, intermetallics, nano-sized metallic particles, and micro-sized metallic particles. The water is provided in a stoichiometric quantity that provides a complete reaction with the material following simultaneous detonation of the sections thereof.
US08250980B1	Release mechanism apparatus An exemplary firing pin with a release mechanism apparatus at least partially composed of an elastic thermoplastic material. The apparatus includes a rod with a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion includes an integral cage-like element with a plurality of restraining wall elements, which, interiorly, are undercut defining an interior chamber with a volume sufficient to accommodate a cable stop element and define an aperture in communication with the chamber. The aperture is sized to accommodate a cable or the like, but small enough to prevent the stop element seated in the chamber from moving, so long as the restraining wall elements are constrained. The restraining wall elements are generally constrained by a substantially rigid element, such that they cannot deform, flaring open, even if the cable is under tension.
US08250979B2	Multiple bay ejection device system An ejectable device is provided having multiple ejection bays. The ejectable device includes an impulse cartridge having multiple charges that are independently activatable. The ejectable device further includes an orientation adapter that allows reliable connectivity between the impulse cartridge and a signal source.
US08250978B2	Semiconductor bridge, igniter, and gas generator The invention provides a semiconductor bridge, an igniter, and a gas generator each of which satisfies a high-speed responsiveness required of, for example, an automotive side inflator. The semiconductor bridge includes a bridge part heated by being supplied with a current. The bridge part is disposed on a substrate. The bridge part includes a first layer and an ignition bridge layer. The first layer is formed on the substrate and has insulating properties. The ignition bridge layer serves as a second layer disposed on the first layer. The width of the bridge part at the first layer and the width of the bridge part at the second layer are substantially equal to each other. A space is provided around the bridge part. With this structure, the diffusion of current and heat into the substrate can be restricted to the minimum level, and the ignition time can be quickened as an ignition characteristic. Each of the igniter and the gas generator includes the semiconductor bridge.
US08250976B2	Cantilevered blanket cylinder lifting mechanism An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.
US08250974B2	Apparatus for applying oscillating electromagnetic fields, particularly for treating liquid, pasty, semi-solid or granular products, and method of use of such apparatus and system incorporating same The invention relates to an apparatus for applying oscillating magnetic fields, particularly for treating liquid, pasty, semi-solid or granular products, to a method of use of such apparatus, and to a system incorporating it. The apparatus comprises at least one pipe of an electrically insulating material for conveying the products to be treated, at least one plurality of electrodes around the periphery of the pipe, and means for generating one high frequency oscillating electric voltage. Each of the electrodes has a substantially annular shape, with an inner surface having a minimum radial distance from the outer cylindrical surface of the at least one pipe, which is sufficient to prevent electric currents from passing to the product to be treated. The inner surface has at least one substantially conical edge with a predetermined conicity angle to allow use of relatively high voltages with no risk of discharges to air.
US08250973B2	Steam peeling system A steam peeling system has a rotatable pressure vessel (1) for steam treating and peeling product. The vessel is substantially spherical, having an oblong configuration with opposed flattened side surfaces. The pressure vessel has at least one internal lifter (51a, 51b, 51c) for entraining and lifting the product relative to the axis of rotation of the pressure vessel (1) when it is rotated. The pressure vessel also at least one internal region (53) that is closed-off against ingress of steam during product treatment. This region (53) defines a steam saver. The system can include a batcher for delivering the product to be peeled to the vessel. The pressure in the vessel can be released on completion of a peeling operation. Arrangements can be included to minimize release of entrained solid matter or odors in the exhaust steam. A controller minimizes unproductive displacement of the pressure vessel and can control the rotation speed and direction.
US08250969B2	Apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of infusions, particularly coffee, in variable volumetric doses An apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of doses, in selectable variable volumes, of infusions, particularly of coffee, by means of pressurised water, comprising a cylindrical infusion chamber provided with a closed end and an opposed open end, a piston with an end axially insertable into said infusion chamber via said open end and removable therefrom, water feeding element for feeding a predetermined quantity of pressurised water into said chamber and for opening into the latter in the zone comprised between the end of the piston inserted into the chamber and the closed end of the chamber.
US08250967B2	Automatic transmission servo A servo for hydraulically operating a brake band of an automatic transmission includes a housing having a bore engaging portion for engaging an existing servo bore in a case of the automatic transmission and an external portion for positioning externally of the servo bore, the external portion of the housing including an interior bore. The servo also includes a piston disposed in the interior bore of the external portion of the housing for reciprocating movement, the piston being externally remote from the servo bore and having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the servo bore. An actuator rod for engaging and operating the brake band of the automatic transmission is attached to the piston to reciprocate with the piston. The servo connects to existing hydraulic circuits within the servo bore to supply pressurized fluid for operating the servo.
US08250965B2	Jack system with automatic locking of the piston in high position, especially for aircraft A jack system provided with a cylinder provided with a first stopper. The jack system also includes: a body hinged about an end of the piston, the body including a second stopper and being able to occupy a first angular position authorizing the extraction of the piston, as well as a second angular position uniquely allowed when the piston occupies a position such that the second stopper is located beyond the first stopper in an extraction position, the body occupying the second position providing the facing of the first and second stoppers; and an electromagnetic attraction/repulsion device designed to provide the displacement of the body from the first position to the second position, and inversely.
US08250956B2	Miter saw with work surface extensions A miter saw with work surface extensions comprises a base with a rotatable table positioned on the base. The miter saw further comprises a bevel support is that is pivotable with respect to a table surface. A cutting blade is supported by the bevel support. A work surface extension is moveably connected to the base between a retracted position and an extended position. The work surface extension provides a work surface that is substantially planar with the table surface. At least one elongated member is fixed to the work surface extension and moveably engages the base. A substantial portion of the at least one elongated member is positioned within or under the base when the work surface extension is in the retracted position. The substantial portion of the at least one elongated member is positioned between the base and the work surface extension when the at least one elongated member is in the extended position.
US08250947B2	Ratchet wrench A ratchet wrench includes a head having a compartment. The compartment includes a first compartment section rotatably receiving a drive member and a second compartment section slideably receiving two pawls releasably engaged with the drive member. A switch is rotatably received in a switch groove formed in a side of the head and in communication with the second compartment section. A reversing plate is rotatably mounted to an engaging portion of the drive member extending beyond the head. The reversing plate includes a control section having a guiding groove. The switch includes a pin slideably engaged in the guiding groove. The switch pivots in the switch groove with the pin sliding in the guiding groove when the reversing plates pivots to control engagement between the drive member and the first and second pawls for controlling a driving direction of the ratchet wrench.
US08250942B2	Apparatus with adjustable freedom from backlash for a control device An apparatus is provided for exerting on a regulating piston of a control device a regulating force that is a function of the position of an actuating lever. The apparatus comprises a bearing arrangement for supporting the actuating lever, a first arm and a second arm, each of which is rotatably mounted on the bearing arrangement independently of the others. The apparatus additionally includes a carrier element that is connected to the actuating lever, and an elastic element connecting the first arm and the second arm to one another. The apparatus is especially distinguished by the fact that the position of the carrier element relative to the first arm and to the second arm is adjustable to establish freedom from backlash.
US08250938B2	Vehicle transmission An automatic powershift vehicle transmission comprising an input shaft; an output shaft; first and second intermediate shafts parallel to the input shaft; a lay shaft parallel to the output shaft; gearing providing first, second, third and fourth forward driving paths from the input shaft to the output shaft; a first clutch and a second clutch between the ends of the input shaft to establish driving connections; a third clutch for establishing the first or third forward driving path when the first clutch is operative; and a fourth clutch for establishing the second or fourth forward driving path when the second clutch is operative.
US08250934B2	Multi-axis force sensor and acceleration sensor There is provided a multi-axis force sensor including first and second bridge circuit groups detecting resistances of respective first and second groups of strain resistance elements provided at respective strain producing portions. The strain producing portions are formed on two axes intersecting with respect to each other at a right angle. The first group of strain resistance elements are arranged on one axis across an action portion so as to face with respect to each other, and the second group of strain resistance elements are arranged on another axis across the action portion so as to face with respect to each other. The first bridge circuit groups respectively output a positive voltage when receiving tensile force, and the second bridge circuit groups respectively output a negative voltage when receiving tensile force.
US08250933B2	Method and system for measurement of a flow rate of a fluid A system for measuring a flow rate of a fluid through a plurality of tubes sharing a common flow orifice, the system includes an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of sensors in communication with a plurality of tubes sharing a common flow orifice. The system includes an electronic module coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the electronic module connecting selected sensors to a flow rate analyzer for determining a flow rate of fluid through the plurality of tubes on which the sensors are in communication with.
US08250930B2	Device for measuring the mass flow of milk in particular during the milking process The device for measuring the mass flow of a foaming fluid, in particular of milk during milking, comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a measuring device for determining the mass flow. The housing is structured such that mixing the foam portion with the liquid portion of the fluid can be achieved. To this end, the inlet runs substantially tangentially into the housing interior.
US08250926B2	Fabrication method of a flexible capacitive pressure sensor The invention relates to a capacitive pressure sensor and a method for fabricating thereof. The capacitive pressure sensor comprises a cover, a plurality of first electrode, a substrate and a plurality of second electrode. The cover owns an upper wall and a plurality of side walls. The plurality of first electrode is disposed on the inside of the upper wall of the cover. The side walls of the cover are connected to the substrate to form a space. The plurality of second electrode is disposed on the substrate. The plurality of first electrode and the plurality of second electrode are both in the space. In the invention, the material for cover, the plurality of first electrodes and the substrate are all flexible polymeric material.
US08250925B2	Workpiece composite having a preform and a gel A workpiece composite includes a preform part and a gel accommodated in a recess in the preform, the recess being enclosed by at least one edge which serves as a creep barrier to prevent the gel from spreading. The at least one edge of the recess defines a termination point of at least one surface which is provided with a coating made of an oleophobic material in an area adjacent to the at least one edge.
US08250924B2	Industrial process device utilizing piezoelectric transducer A process device for coupling to an industrial process for use in monitoring or controlling the process includes a device housing configured to physically couple to the industrial process. A process variable sensor is configured to measure a process variable and measurement circuitry coupled to the process variable sensor provides an output related to the sensed process variable. A piezoelectric transducer provides an electrical output related to pressure pulsations in the industrial process. Electrical circuitry in the housing includes an input configured to receive the electrical output from the piezoelectric sensor.
US08250923B2	Ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus An ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus is capable of inspecting a weld line and of detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an angle in an X′-Z plane. The direction of a normal to the surface is defined as an X axis. The direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis. An axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X′ axis. A control mechanism performs signal processing of signals reflected from the defect or defects to detect the defect or defects and to measure the length of the defect or defects.
US08250918B2	Mechanical quantity sensor and method of manufacturing the same A mechanical quantity sensor includes a first structure having a fixed portion with an opening, a displaceable portion arranged in the opening and displaceable relative to the fixed portion, and a connection portion connecting the fixed portion and the displaceable portion, a second structure having a weight portion joined to the displaceable portion and a pedestal joined to the fixed portion, and arranged and stacked on the first structure, and a base having a driving electrode and a detection electrode arranged on a face facing the weight portion, connected to the pedestal, and arranged and stacked on the second structure. The second structure has a recessed portion arranged in an area on a face of the weight portion facing the second base, the area corresponding to an area where the driving electrode and the detection electrode are not arranged.
US08250915B1	Tire changer with actuated load roller A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulated the operation of a motor, which may be hydraulically driven, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to regulate the operation of a hydraulic actuating means for engaging a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means adapted to hold the tire during rotation of the wheel rim enabling automated adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.
US08250913B2	System for calculating SCR conversion efficiency for diesel vehicles and method thereof A system for and process of is provided for calculating SCR conversion efficiency by applying a reference control signal by which a urea dosing module is controlled to an NOx conversion value respectively in absorption and release modes of NH3 according to a loading amount of the NH3 determined from the SCR efficiency map. The system and process may include a process of determining the NOx conversion value according to a loading amount of NH3, a process of detecting the reference control signal of the dosing module injecting the urea solution, and a process of calculating the SCR conversion efficiency based on the determined NOx conversion value and reference control signal of the dosing module.
US08250911B2	Control module response testing systems and methods A testing module includes a first input, a second input, an output, a decoder module, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and an output generator module. The testing module receives a throttle position signal from a throttle position sensor of a vehicle at the first input. The decoder module generates a first throttle position based on a length of at least one pulse in the throttle position signal. The A/D converter generates a second throttle position based on the throttle position signal. The testing module receives user input at the second input. The output generator module generates a test signal in a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) format based on the user input and one of the first and second throttle positions. The testing module outputs the test signal to a control module of the vehicle at the output.
US08250909B2	Pressure measuring device A pressure measuring device suitable for disposition in a chamber of an internal combustion engine. The pressure measuring device has a housing, a force transmitting element that is effectively connected to a pressure sensor, and a sensor cage that surrounds the pressure sensor. The sensor cage is connected to the housing by a circumferential weld seam only at one connection segment of the housing. In this way, it is possible to achieve a defined pre-tensioning of a metal diaphragm that is connected on the one hand to the sensor cage and on the other hand to the force transmitting element.
US08250908B2	Wave sensor apparatus including gas removing unit and method of detecting target material in liquid sample Disclosed is a wave sensor apparatus including a unit for removing a gas and a method of detecting a target material in a liquid sample, the method including removing a gas in the liquid sample.
US08250897B2	High strength workpiece material and method and apparatus for producing the same A method for producing a high strength workpiece material includes the steps of: placing an alloy material 10 into a central space of a cylindrical mold 2; vertically compressing both end faces of the material in the central space with a press member 5 and a first support member 3, thereby causing one lengthwise end of the material to flow radially outward along an end face of the cylindrical mold 2 to form an expanded part; bringing the press member 5 into contact with a lengthwise end face of the expanded part so as to press the expanded part against the end face of the cylindrical mold 2; and increasing the distance between the press member 5 and the end face of the cylindrical mold 2 while decreasing the distance between the press member 5 and the first support member 3, thereby continuously causing the radially outward flow from one end to another end of the material to gradually increase the thickness of the expanded part.
US08250893B2	Adjustable knurling tool A knurling tool, with a base body featuring an axis and adapted to be clamped into a machine tool, which accommodates a holder and knurling wheels rotatably mounted in the holder, wherein knurling wheels arranged at equal circumferential distances are mounted in the holder around a wheel axis which embraces a first angle α1 with respect to the supporting axis, wherein a workpiece cone is insertable between the knurling wheels along the supporting axis and the knurling wheels embrace a second cone angle α2, wherein the holder features three segments, each of which mounting one knurling wheel via a bearing pin, an adjustment device is provided by which the segments, being guided radially, are radially adjustable synchronously about a certain amount, and fixing means are provided which fix the adjustment device and the segments, respectively, in an occupied position.
US08250892B2	Closure device for explosion forming Through the invention, a closure device for explosive forming with a connection unit movable relative to the explosive forming die between a working position on the die and a rest position is to be configured, so that the explosive forming die can be closed in simple and reliable fashion and, at the same time, the explosion forces supported. This task is solved by a closure device, in which a wedge structure is guided to move on a static holding structure and is motion-coupled to the connection unit, the resulting movement of the connection unit being directed across the movement of the wedge structure.
US08250889B2	Compact power lock A compact power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate with a key lockable latch that relies on a lock lever for its operation. The power lock includes a linear power actuator attached to a sliding actuating link with two tabs that engage the lock lever of the key lockable tailgate latch. The actuating link is arranged alongside the linear power actuator so as not to add to its length and to attain maximum compactness. The spacing of the two tabs is such that the lock lever can move freely between the locked and unlocked position when it is activated by the key lockable tailgate latch. When the actuator is energized by voltage pulses of alternating polarity its motion is transferred to the attached actuating link and the tabs push the locking lever to or fro to lock or unlock the tail gate.
US08250885B2	Laundry machine A laundry machine includes a cabinet and a partition wall dividing an inner space of the cabinet into a first space for main laundry treatment and a second space for auxiliary laundry treatment. An air supply unit is provided outside of the second space and supplies a downward airflow into the second space.
US08250884B2	Rotary fiberizer A method of forming fibers from molten mineral material is provided. The method comprising the steps of: rotating a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, the orificed peripheral wall having a top row of orifices, introducing molten mineral material to the spinner to create a fan of primary glass fibers, creating an annular combustion flow of heated gas and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas substantially through the primary fibers, creating an annular flow of attenuating air with an annular blower, the annular flow of attenuating air being sufficient to attenuate the primary fibers into secondary fibers, directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are radially spaced apart at the level of the top row of orifices, and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are brought together at a position below the top row of orifices.
US08250882B2	Insulated shipping container and method of making the same Insulated shipping container and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container comprises an outer box, an insulated insert, an insulated cover, a payload container and a plurality of coolant members. The outer box comprises a rectangular prismatic cavity bounded by a plurality of rectangular side walls, a closed bottom end, and top closure flaps. The insulated insert is snugly, but removably, disposed within the outer box and is shaped to define a bottom, four sides and a top. The top includes a raised peripheral edge and a recessed shelf. A large rectangular prismatic cavity surrounded by a plurality of smaller cavities extends downwardly from the recessed shelf. The large cavity of the insulated insert is adapted to receive a payload container, together with a pair of coolant saddle bags adapted to surround the payload container. Each of the smaller cavities of the insulated insert has a “top hat” shape when viewed from above, with each of these cavities including a comparatively wider but shorter and shallower section and a comparatively narrower but longer and deeper section. The wider but shorter and shallower section is dimensioned to loosely receive a coolant brick, with the unoccupied portion of the section and the completely unoccupied narrower but longer and deeper section providing air spaces for convection.
US08250876B2	Modular cooling system A modular cooling system includes a positive displacement compressor and a microchannel heat exchanger for cooling a heat generating device such as a semiconductor.
US08250872B2	Refrigerating apparatus control circuit, refrigerating system, and refrigerating apparatus control method A refrigerating driving control section controls the driving of the refrigerating apparatus. A control constant storage section stores data in which information indicating the object to be refrigerated by the refrigerating apparatus and control constants that the refrigerating driving control section adopts for the object are associated together. An operation of operation section specifies the object. From the control constant storage section, the refrigerating driving control section reads the control constants corresponding to the object specified by the operation section, and the driving of the refrigerating apparatus is controlled on the basis of the read control constants.
US08250868B2	Variable geometry turbine having intermeshing control and guide blades The invention relates to a variable turbine geometry (28) of an exhaust gas turbocharger (2) of a motor vehicle, with a fixed guide blade ring (20) and an axially moveable control blade ring (15), wherein an axial relative position of guide blades (21) of the guide blade ring (20) to control blades (15) of the control blade ring (13) defines the size of inflow cross sections to a turbine wheel (11) of the exhaust gas turbocharger (2), and wherein the guide blades (21) and the control blades (15) extend in directions opposite to each other as far as to their respective free ends (18) and the control blades (15) are arranged on a cross carrier of the control blade ring (13), which as a function of the axial relative position opens, partially opens or closes additional inflow paths (29) for the enlargement or the reduction of the inflow cross sections.Furthermore, an exhaust gas turbocharger (2) with such a variable turbine geometry (28) as well as a method for the control of the inflow of an exhaust gas turbine with such a variable turbine geometry is proposed.
US08250867B2	Arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases in a supercharged combustion engine An arrangement for recirculation of exhaust gases of a supercharged combustion engine includes a return line for recirculating exhaust gases, an air-cooled EGR cooler and a bypass line having an extent such that it can lead recirculating exhaust gases past the EGR cooler. A valve is operable to be placed in a first position to lead the whole flow of recirculating exhaust gases through the EGR cooler during situations where there is no risk of ice formation in the EGR cooler, and in a second position to lead the whole flow of recirculating exhaust gases through the bypass line during situations where there is risk of ice formation in the EGR cooler.
US08250865B2	Using compressed intake air to clean engine exhaust gas recirculation cooler Systems and methods for using compressed intake air that is free of soot particles to clean the EGR cooler of an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger are provided herein. One example system includes an EGR valve for selectively diverting a portion of exhaust gas through an EGR conduit to an intake side of the internal combustion engine. The EGR cooler is disposed in the EGR conduit. The compressed intake air delivery system is configured to selectively divert a portion of compressed intake air compressed by the turbocharger through the EGR cooler to remove soot particles deposited in the EGR cooler.
US08250859B2	Exhaust emission control device An exhaust emission control device is disclosed. The exhaust emission control device includes a particulate filter incorporated in an exhaust pipe to capture particulates in exhaust gas, a selective reduction catalyst arranged downstream of the particulate filter to selectively react NOx with ammonia, even in the presence of oxygen, and urea water addition means capable of adding urea water as reducing agent between the catalyst and the filter. The urea water addition means is arranged at an upstream end of a longest linear portion. At least one bend is formed in a passage which guides the exhaust gas from the urea water addition means to the selective reduction catalyst.
US08250856B2	Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine In an internal combustion engine, an NOX selective reducing catalyst (15) is arranged in an engine exhaust passage. Aqueous urea is fed from an aqueous urea feed valve (17) into the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15) to selectively reduce the NOX contained in the exhaust gas with the ammonia generated from the aqueous urea. The moisture contained in the exhaust gas is recovered and stored in a water tank (21). It is provided with a high concentration aqueous urea tank (22) storing high concentration aqueous urea having a higher urea concentration than the urea concentration of the aqueous urea fed to the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15), and the high concentration aqueous urea is diluted with the recovered moisture thereby generating aqueous urea fed to the NOX selective reducing catalyst (15).
US08250855B2	Procedure for operating a reducing agent metering valve of a SCR-exhaust gas purifying system A procedure for dosing a reducing agent into the exhaust gas of an combustion engine with a valve is presented, which shows a solenoid and a movable seal body for adjusting a percolation profile, whose value is depending on the current through the solenoid, whereby the valve is triggered by a current profile, which shows two consecutive sectors. The procedure distinguishes itself in that it is checked in the first sector whether the valve is frozen or whether a danger of freezing exists, and that an electric energy that has been fed into the solenoid with the electric current is set in the second sector depending on the result of the checking. Furthermore a controller is introduced, which is customized for controlling the process of such a procedure.
US08250854B2	Self-starting turbineless jet engine The self-starting turbineless jet engine has fuel delivery, fuel combustion and airflow components, but it does not contain and therefore avoids the limitations associated with turbines or other moving parts other than those associated with the fuel delivery. The jet engine provides inlet louvers or vanes which direct air through an internal restriction to before mixing it with a fuel for combustion in a combustion chamber. While most of the combustion gases are exhausted through an outlet portion of the turbineless jet engine, a portion of the combustion gases are mixed with air received from an aft inlet duct in sixteen thermodynamic air compressors and back through a centrally located hot gas and fire pressure conduit where the gases are further redirected by a high temperature insulated nose cone back into the air flow received by the inlet louvers, thereby providing heat and air compression, even at zero airspeed.
US08250848B2	Steam turbine power system and method of assembling the same A method of assembling a steam turbine power system with a coolant source is provided. The method includes providing a first steam turbine train including a first high pressure turbine assembly, a first low pressure turbine assembly coupled in flow communication with the first high pressure turbine assembly, and a first condenser coupled in flow communication with the first low pressure turbine assembly. The method also includes providing a second steam turbine train including a second high pressure turbine assembly, a second low pressure turbine assembly coupled in flow communication with the second high pressure turbine assembly, and a second condenser coupled in flow communication with the second low pressure turbine assembly. The method further includes coupling cooling tubes to the first condenser and the second condenser, the cooling tubes configured to deliver coolant from the coolant source through the first condenser, from the first condenser through the second condenser, and from the second condenser back to the coolant source.
US08250842B2	Cutting device with shear bar clearance control A cutting device for crop has a cutting tool which can be set into rotation, and a shear bar which can be displaced relative thereto, each of the two diametrically opposed ends of which is coupled to a control unit, thereby enabling the clearance position of the shear bar relative to the cutting tool to be changed, and a control device which activates the control units in order to change the clearance position of the shear bar, and to move the shear bar toward the cutting tool, the control device can be operated to activate the control units to each perform a working step in alternation, so that within this working step the particular activated control unit initially moves the end of the shear bar assigned thereto toward the cutting tool by a first adjusting distance, and then away from the cutting tool by a second adjusting distance, wherein the second adjusting distance is smaller than the first adjusting distance.
US08250836B2	Apparatus and method for automatically loading drums into drum container An apparatus and method for automatically loading drums into a drum container, in which, when the drums filled with radioactive waste are loaded into the drum container, the drums are fed to a designated position, and placed at a fixed position, reducing loading time and manpower as well as minimizing radiation exposure risk associated with radioactive waste treatment. The apparatus includes a drum feeder having conveyor modules transferring the drums and a turntable rotating a drum transferred to an orientation where the drum can be gripped, for sequentially loading the drums, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane that grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid.
US08250828B2	Anchor with cement contour In an anchor for use in a lightweight construction panel including a support core provided at opposite sides with upper and lower cover plates, wherein the anchor comprises a cylindrical body having a bottom and including a cement containment and a displacement body for moving, upon insertion of the displacement body, engagement elements of the cylindrical body outwardly and causing the cement to be released from the containment and be directed via passages provided by the anchor into areas next to the top and bottom plates of the lightweight construction panel, where the cement solidifies for firmly connecting the anchor to the lightweight construction panel.
US08250827B2	Hanger with gripping tabs A joist hanger used to attach a joist to a support member or header designed to minimize the noise caused by the rubbing of the members of the connection, during loading. The joist hanger includes a seat and a pair of side walls extending upwardly in spaced relationship therefrom to receive the end portion of an joist. The bottom of the joist rests on the seat, and the side faces of the joist extend upwardly therefrom in spaced relationship from the side walls of the hanger. Inwardly projecting guides formed in the side walls of the hanger, hold the joist at selected points, maintaining the spaced relationship between the sides walls of the hanger and the side faces of the joist. The inwardly projecting guides can be formed with embossed portions connected to the side walls of the joist. The joist hanger is also formed with back flanges and top flanges that are relatively narrow compared to the back flanges.
US08250825B2	Flooring and method for laying and manufacturing the same A flooring includes rectangular floorboards with long sides and short sides, the floorboards being joined in a herringbone pattern, long side to long side and long side to short side, wherein the floorboards have a surface layer of laminate, and the long sides of the floorboards have pairs of opposing mechanical connectors which at least allow locking-together both horizontally and vertically by inward angling.
US08250824B2	Floor member The floor member, in the form of a floor tile or a floor plank, that is formed of a flexible, non-rigid material, has a bottom portion formed with a plurality of moisture dispersal pathways that lead toward peripheral side edges of the bottom portion. The moisture dispersal pathways permit any moisture that develops between a floor base and the bottom portion of the floor member that is installed on the floor base to flow in the moisture dispersal pathways toward at least one of the peripheral side edges of the bottom portion, for passage beyond the one peripheral side edge of the bottom portion. Adjacent tiles of a floor tile installation have communicable moisture dispersal pathways such that moisture is not entrapped below the floor member and can migrate through the communicable pathways to an outermost peripheral side edge of the floor tile installation for dissipation of moisture into the ambient air.
US08250822B2	Wall framing system, method and product An improved system, method and product are disclosed for attaching non load-bearing metal wall studs to an overhead metal track in metal stud framing systems used for wall partitioning, in a manner that allows the overhead track to deflect under load without transferring the load to the studs and any attached wall partitions. The system features compression spring attachment products that frictionally engage overlapping flange portions of the track and studs so that any overhead load-induced movements of the track are not transferred from the track to the studs, or to any wall partitions attached to the studs.
US08250821B1	Under a deck ceiling drainage system A ceiling drainage system disposed beneath an outdoor deck wherein the deck includes a frame structure supporting multiple parallel deck floor panels and the drainage system includes a U-shaped frame structure secured to the deck frame with multiple interlocking drain trays having one end secured to the drainage system U-shaped frame structure, a gutter extending between the free ends of the U-shaped frame structure, and the opposite ends of the drain trays interlocked with the gutter.
US08250816B2	Drilling rig structure installation and methods A method for installing rig structure (e.g. cabin, house, a doghouse) on a drilling rig, the method including: connecting support apparatus to a substructure of a drilling rig, supporting a drilling floor; moving a movement apparatus supporting a rig structure to position it adjacent the support apparatus, by moving movement apparatus on ground adjacent the substructure, moving the support apparatus into a connecting orientation with respect to the structure; connecting raising apparatus to the structure, the raising apparatus connected to the support apparatus; raising the structure up to the drill floor with the raising apparatus; and securing the structure to the support apparatus. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US08250815B2	Window well cover A window well cover that is universal to the extent that it will work on different sizes and shapes of window wells within a certain range for each size of window well cover produced.
US08250814B2	Unitary configured bird repellent apparatus A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.
US08250812B2	Slider window assembly A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a fixed panel formed of a single pane encircling an opening formed therein, a slider panel movable along a horizontal axis between closed and open positions, an injection-molded plastic slider frame adhesively bonded to the fixed panel, and at least one seal member forming a seal between the slider frame and the slider panel. The slider frame includes a sealing frame extending entirely about the opening, an upper run located above the opening and receiving the slider panel, and a lower run located below the opening and receiving the slider panel. There is preferably a substantially continuous adhesive bond between the slider frame and the fixed panel that entirely encircles the opening.
US08250809B2	Apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants A self-contained apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants that comprises a reservoir for containing a liquid nutrient solution, a conical tower, a power supply, and a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution through the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution from the reservoir vertically to a distribution pipe. Gravity then pulls the liquid nutrient solution downward through the distribution pipe, which is sealed at the opposite end. The pressure created within the distribution pipe creates sufficient force to disperse the liquid nutrient solution through the opening(s) in the distribution pipe onto the exposed root mass. Once the nutrient solution has been dispersed into the conical tower it is absorbed by the exposed root mass. The un-absorbed liquid nutrient solution collects the in base of the conical tower and is returned to the reservoir to be reused.
US08250808B2	Super-enhanced, adjustably buoyant floating island A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and/or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone/vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and/or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.
US08250807B2	Methods to increase yield of plants grown at high populations An increase in the total grain and biomass yields and photosynthetic rates of plants grown at high densities achieved by novel methods of defoliating the primary-source leaf of a majority of such plants. In particular the methods provide for increased grain and biomass yields, including for example, increased average kernel mass for maize plants, and photosynthetic rates through the timely removal of the primary-source leaf of a majority of the plants grown at high densities. This invention also relates to seeds obtained by using the disclosed methods.
US08250806B2	Microbial blend compositions and methods for their use Microbial blend compositions and method for their use are provided. The subject compositions comprise a plurality of distinct microbial species that all share the following characteristics: (i) are antagonistic against a plurality of microbial pathogens; (ii) are non-pathogenic towards plants and animals; (iii) are tolerant of high temperatures; (iv) grow rapidly; and (v) proliferate on a complex substrate. In many embodiments, the compositions further include a carrier, e.g., a liquid or solid carrier medium. In practicing the subject methods, the compositions are applied to at least one of soil and plant tissue, and in certain embodiments are applied in conjunction with a complex substrate. Also provided are methods of preparing the subject compositions.
US08250799B2	Method and apparatus for trigger assemblies for firearms Applicants have disclosed an improved trigger assembly for firearms, and a related method, to avoid premature firing after an unintentional trigger pull, especially where light trigger pulls have previously been set. In the preferred embodiment, Applicants' trigger assembly has two non-coaxial triggers: a slotted primary trigger and a secondary trigger which can pivot into the slot. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger initially pushes against the secondary trigger until it pivots and nestles within the primary trigger's slot. Continued pulling on both the secondary and primary triggers causes a sear to fall off the primary trigger and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull, where the secondary trigger is not pulled back enough to nestle within the primary trigger's slot, a protrusion on the secondary trigger blocks the sear from falling, thereby avoiding discharge.
US08250797B2	Two-piece wristband with slidable extension for user-selectable sizing A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a body extending from a first to a second end, and the body may include a recessed surface or other receiving portion. The wearable band further includes a second band element or slidable extension with a body extending from a first to a second end. To provide user-selectable sizing, the second band element may be selectively positioned by sliding within the receiving portion of the first band element body so as to extend inward a desired engagement depth from the second end of the first band element body. A portion of the second band element body extends outward from the opening of first band element body such that this extending portion and a length of the first band element body combine to define an overall length of the wearable band assembly.
US08250793B1	Multi-image personalized license plate display apparatus A multi-image license plate assembly having a series of horizontally disposed rotating display members operably controlled by a rotational drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can be a series of gears, pulleys, belts, chains, a worm gear assembly, or other means. The horizontally disposed rotating display members rotated about a horizontal axis. The rotating display members preferably have three image surfaces. An image is segmented, with each segment applied to a respective image surface of each of the display members, such that when the image surfaces are aligned, the complete image is displayed. The image can be applied directly to the rotating member or applied to an insert. An adapter mount is provided for fastening the multi-image license plate assembly to a vehicle.
US08250790B2	Printing product that may revolve and illuminate to form a 3-D vision A printing product that may revolve and illuminate to form a 3-D vision comprises a main body (1), a revolver (2) arranged on the main body, a circuit device (3) for driving the revolver to rotate, and a trigger switch (4) for controlling disconnection or connection of the circuit device. The circuit device drives the revolver to rotate via a motor (31). The revolver is located in a segmental orifice (10) provided in the main body. A set of luminous elements (20) connecting with the circuit device is arranged on the revolver. The present invention provides an electrical driving apparatus for a greeting card, a book and so on. The revolver is made rotate by the electrical driving apparatus, thus forming a 3-D vision when the luminous elements on the revolver are rotating. Furthermore, the revolver of the present invention is arranged in the horizontal direction, and a rotating space is left for the revolver beforehand by providing the segmental orifice in the main body. Therefore, the space occupied by the printing product will not be increased and the revolver will form a 3-D vision, so an interest of the product may be greatly enhanced.

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