Document Document Title
US08268331B2 Nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides for immune modulation
The invention provides gp38 polypeptides, which play a role in immunomodulation, nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods employing these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activities of gp38 nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and therapeutic methods employing these compounds.
US08268323B2 Conformationally stabilized HIV envelope immunogens
Stabilized forms of gp120 polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding these stabilized forms, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, and methods of using these polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells are disclosed. Crystal structures and computer systems including atomic coordinates for stabilized forms of gp120, and gp120 with an extended V3 loop, and methods of using these structures and computer systems are also disclosed.
US08268318B2 Polyalkylene oxides having hindered ester-based biodegradable linkers
The present invention provides polymeric delivery systems including hindered ester moieties. Methods of making the polymeric delivery systems and methods of treating mammals using the same are also disclosed.
US08268317B2 Camptothecin-binding moiety conjugates
The invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various diseased cells containing a targeting moiety (such as an antibody or antibody fragment), a linker and a camptothecin as a therapeutic moiety, and further relates to processes for making and using the said conjugates.
US08268314B2 Bispecific anti-VEGF/anti-ANG-2 antibodies
The present invention relates to bispecific antibodies against human VEGF and against human ANG-2, methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US08268312B2 Alpha-fetoprotein Immu31 antibodies and fusion proteins and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-alpha-fetoprotein antibodies, fusion proteins, and fragments thereof. The antibodies, fusion proteins, and fragments thereof, as well as combinations with other suitable antibodies, are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, germ cell tumors carcinoma and other AFP-producing tumors.
US08268310B2 Prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions
The invention concerns the prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by administration of Factor D antagonists.
US08268309B2 Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cytomegalovirus
The present invention provides novel anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies may be used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection.
US08268306B2 Pesticidal and antiparasitic compositions
This invention relates to pesticide and antiparasitic compositions for the control of pests, diseases and parasites attacking plants and animals. The compositions include, at least one chitinolytic agent or a chitinolytic activity-inducing agent, and sulfide or a sulfide-producing agent from microorganisms or chemical compounds, wherein the chitinolytic agent or the chitinolytic activity-inducing agent and sulfur or a sulfur-producing agent obtaining from microorganisms or chemical compounds are concurrently applied at a range significantly lower than any of the above-mentioned compounds, when they are individually to attain effective control.
US08268305B1 Method and compositions to reduce serum levels of triacylglycerides in human beings using a fungal lipase
The invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing serum levels of triacylglycerides in human subjects. In particular, the invention relates to the oral administration of an effective amount of a fungal lipase formulation, to a human subject having borderline-high or high serum levels of triacylglycerides, for a time period sufficient to reduce serum triacylglyceride levels.
US08268300B2 Material for aneurysm curing
It is an object of the present invention to provide a polymer material, the histocompatibility of which has been improved by irradiation of ion beam, which prevents an aneurysm having a risk of rupture from actually rupturing. The present invention provides a material for treating aneurysms, which is composed of a polymer material containing carbon as a constitutional element, and which is produced by modifying at least a portion of the surface thereof by ion bombardment.
US08268295B2 Cosmetic composition for skin whitening comprising the extract of Magnolia sieboldii as active ingredient
Disclosed herein is a skin-whitening cosmetic composition containing an extract of Magnolia sieboldii as an active ingredient. The Magnolia sieboldii extract has an excellent effect of inhibiting tyrosinase activity and melanin production, and the cosmetic composition containing the Magnolia sieboldii extract as an active ingredient has an excellent skin-whitening effect.
US08268294B2 Photostabilization of retinoids with alkoxycrylene compounds
The photostabilizing electronic excited state energy—particularly singlet state energy from retinoid compounds—has been found to be readily transferred to (accepted by) α-cyanodiphenylacrylate compounds having an alkoxy radical in the four (para) position (hereinafter “alkoxycrylenes”) on one of the phenyl rings having the formula (I): wherein one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkoxy radical, preferably C1-C8, more preferably methoxy, and the non-alkoxy radical R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkyl radical, preferably C2-C20. The alkoxycrylene compounds of formula (I) significantly increase the photostability of retinoid compounds in a composition by at least 3-fold and as much as 10-fold or greater. The ability of the alkoxycrylene compounds to stabilize the retinoid compound is concentration dependent, with the amount of retinoid photostabilization increasing with the concentration of the alkoxycrylene compound.
US08268289B2 Hydrocarbon-decomposing catalyst, process for decomposing hydrocarbons and process for producing hydrogen using the catalyst, and power generation system
The present invention relates to a catalyst for decomposing hydrocarbons including hydrocarbons having 2 or more carbon atoms, comprising magnesium, aluminum, nickel and cobalt as constitutional elements, and further comprising ruthenium and/or palladium, wherein the metallic ruthenium and/or metallic palladium in the form of fine particles have an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 20 nm, and a content of the metallic ruthenium and/or metallic palladium is 0.05 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the catalyst. The catalyst of the present invention is capable of efficiently decomposing hydrocarbons including hydrocarbons having 2 or more carbon atoms (C2 or more hydrocarbons), is less expensive, and exhibits an excellent catalytic activity for decomposition and removal of hydrocarbons, in particular, an excellent capability of decomposing propane, and an excellent anti-coking property.
US08268287B2 Zinc oxide nanorod thin film and method for making same
The zinc oxide nanorod thin film in accordance with the present invention is highly condensed and has ideal photoelectric properties. The method for making the zinc oxide nanorod thin film has two steps: forming a zinc oxide seed layer comprising multiple crystals each having a grain size of 1-100 nm on a basal plate and preparing a zinc oxide nanorod thin film growing solution in which the zinc oxide seed layer is allowed to grow a zinc oxide crystal columnar layer at a growing temperature ranging from 50 to 100° C. for a growing time ranging from 0.5 to 10 hours to form a zinc oxide nanorod thin film, wherein the zinc oxide nanorod thin film growing solution is a 0.001-0.1 M aqueous zinc ion solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine.
US08268277B2 Synthesis of chabazite-containing molecular sieves and their use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins
In a method of synthesizing a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve having 90+% CHA framework-type character, a reaction mixture is prepared comprising sources of water, silicon, aluminum, and phosphorus, as well as an organic template. In one aspect, the reaction mixture is heated at more than 10° C./hour to a crystallization temperature and is retained at the crystallization temperature or within the crystallization temperature range for a crystallization time from 16 hours to 350 hours to produce the silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve. In another aspect, the reaction mixture is heated at less than 10° C./hour to a crystallization temperature from about 150° C. to about 225° C. and is then retained there for less than 10 hours to produce the silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve. The molecular sieve can then be recovered from the reaction mixture and, preferably, used in a hydrocarbon conversion process, such as oxygenates to olefins.
US08268273B2 Method and device for the regeneration of a particle filter arranged in the exhaust gas train of an internal combustion engine
A method and a device for the regeneration of a particle filter, especially a diesel particle filter, arranged in the exhaust gas train of an internal combustion engine, wherein an exhaust gas stream to be cleaned is supplied to the at least one particle filter. The exhaust gas stream supplied to the at least one particle filter is a raw exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine, into which, during regeneration mode, a heated exhaust gas stream at a higher temperature than the raw exhaust gas stream is mixed at a point upstream of the particle filter under the control of at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control device, which actuates a throttle device and/or shut-off device in accordance with predetermined regeneration parameters.
US08268270B1 Coating solution for forming a light-absorbing layer of a chalcopyrite solar cell, method of producing a light-absorbing layer of a chalcopyrite solar cell, method of producing a chalcopyrite solar cell and method of producing a coating solution for forming a light-absorbing layer of a chalcopyrite solar cell
A coating solution for forming a light-absorbing layer of a chalcopyrite solar cell, including a hydrazine-coordinated Cu chalcogenide complex, a hydrazine-coordinated In chalcogenide complex and hydrazine-coordinated Ga chalcogenide complex dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, the hydrazine-coordinated Cu chalcogenide complex being obtained by dissolving Cu or Cu2Se and a chalcogen in dimethylsulfoxide having hydrazine added, and adding a poor solvent to the resulting solution.
US08268267B2 Process for the extraction of specific transition metals
A process is disclosed for separation and recovery of vanadium, molybdenum, iron, tungsten, cobalt and nickel from alumina-based materials, mattes, ores, manufacturing by-products and waste. These elements are oxidized. The oxides are reacted with gaseous HCl to form volatile chloride-bearing compounds that subsequently sublimate. The volatile compounds are condensed in a downward-stepped thermal gradient that allows collection of moderate to high purity compounds of individual elements with exception of a nickel-cobalt co-condensate. Nickel is separated from cobalt by precipitation of nickel chloride from concentrated HCl pressurized with gaseous HCl.
US08268266B2 System for heat integration within a gas processing section
The present embodiments are directed towards heat integration in gas processing units. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a gas processing section. The gas processing section has a gas path, a first shift reactor disposed along the gas path, wherein the first shift reactor is configured to perform a first shift reaction to produce a first shifted gas. A second shift reactor is also disposed along the gas path downstream from the first shift reactor, wherein the second shift reactor is configured to perform a second shift reaction to produce a second shifted gas. A first steam generator is disposed along the gas path between the first and second shift reactors, wherein the first steam generator is configured to transfer heat away from the gas path to generate a first steam.
US08268258B2 Package for an object having a hydrophilic surface coating
A package for an object having a hydrophilic surface includes at least one of a loose cover for the hydrophilic surface and an adsorbing surface, the affinity of which for apolar gases is equal to or greater than that of the hydrophilic surface.
US08268252B2 Nitrosyl special connector
A unique combination of male and female gas connectors for one way transfer of gasses.
US08268244B2 Apparatus to characterize blood and red blood cells via erythrocyte membrane fragility quantification
The present disclosure describes an apparatus for quantifying the quality degradation of individual stored red blood cell (RBC) units, thereby yielding information to improve decisions regarding their respective allocation, patient suitability, and use. The apparatus for quantifying the quality degradation of individual stored (RBC) units comprises: a hemolysis unit; an optical analysis unit; and a computation unit. This apparatus is amenable to clinical implementation as well as indicative of any given unit's relative viability and thus prospective efficacy. This would provide clinicians with actual data on RBC quality when making decisions about which and how many units to use for transfusion of a given patient. Moreover, deploying this testing throughout the supply chain will improve distribution, planning, and inventory control decisions. A vital aspect of this testing system is the accumulation of copious output and other associated data and the mathematical analyses thereof to optimize algorithms by which to characterize each subsequent test output as meaningfully as possible. While the present invention is directed toward applications in blood quality control, the core technology of “quantifying RBC fragility via stress-induced hemolysis and subsequent optical and computational analysis” could have broader application, such as in disease diagnosis.
US08268239B2 Method and apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses
A method for sterilizing contact lenses included in a moist environment in a closed package, wherein the package is heated, wherein the heating is carried out by introducing the package into a space which is at superatmospheric pressure or which is adjusted to superatmospheric pressure and which is heated with dry hot air. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a method.
US08268236B2 Aluminum-based master alloy for manganese alloying of metal alloys, method for producing thereof and use thereof
The invention concerns an aluminum-based master alloy for manganese alloying of metal alloys and a method for producing thereof, and use thereof for production of the metal alloys. The master alloy is aluminum and manganese (Al—Mn) alloy in form of splatters, which contains the following components in mass %: Mn 77-93, other components in total 0-5, Al—the rest. The method for producing the master alloy is characterized in that the temperature for adding the manganese to the liquid metal is in the range from 660 to 1600° C., and the cooling rate of the alloy during casting is in the range of 50-1500° C./sec for obtaining splatters of the master alloy. Thickness of splatters is in the range of 1-10 mm. The master alloys AlMn80 and AlMn90 are designed to be used for manganese alloying of metal alloys, whereas the temperature for adding the master alloy in the liquid metal is in the range from 600 to 850° C. Master alloy and the method according to the invention provides high concentration of manganese in the master alloy, high dissolution rate of the master alloy in the liquid metal and high recovery degree of master alloy when used for alloying metals.
US08268235B2 Implant with a base body of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy
An implant consisting entirely or in part of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy having the composition Gd: 2.7-15.0 wt %, Zn: 0-0.5 wt %, Zr: 0.2-1.0 wt %, Nd: 0-4.5 wt %, Y: 0-2.0 wt %, where magnesium and impurities due to the production process account for the remainder to a total of 100 wt %.
US08268232B2 Dissolution apparatus for noble metals
Provided is an apparatus for dissolving noble metals. A pH adjusting unit controls pH of liquid inside a dissolution reactor in such a manner that a chlorine compound is produced. The noble metal in a noble metal-containing sample introduced into the dissolution reactor is dissolved by the chlorine compound, and the liquid evaporated from an inorganic material extraction unit is recycled to the dissolution reactor.
US08268228B2 Method of fabricating stents from blow molded tubing
Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stent manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed.
US08268226B2 Curing system and method using electromagnetic force and conductive heat transfer
A system for forming a composite structure comprises an electromagnetic press including an upper die, a lower die and an electromagnet. The lower die may be mounted in spaced relation to the upper die for receiving a composite layup therebetween. The electromagnet is energizable such that the upper and lower dies apply a compressive force to the composite layup.
US08268221B2 Process for production of polytetrafluoroethylene sheet, and process for production of polytetrafluoroethylene seal tape
Disclosed is a process for production of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, which is superior in productivity compared to conventional processes and can reduce the cost of production. Also disclosed is a process for production of a PTFE seal tape. The processes comprise the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) applying a force to a PTFE particle suspension comprising PTFE particles, a surfactant and water (a dispersion medium) so that the particles can come close to each other or contact with each other, thereby forming a PTFE-containing solid material having the water and the surfactant included therein; (ii) shaping the solid material into a sheet-like form; and (iii) reducing the water content in the sheet-like solid material.
US08268220B2 Imprint lithography method
Improved wetting characteristics together with improved release characteristics with respect to a substrate and an imprint lithography mold having imprinting material disposed therebetween.
US08268196B2 Antioxidant joint compound and method for forming an electrical connection
A joint compound for electrical connections is disclosed which includes an antioxidant base material and a quantity of stainless steel grit mixed with the antioxidant base material to provide improved mechanical pullout strength. The joint compound has a weight ratio of antioxidant to stainless steel grit in the range of from about 30:70 to about 90:10, preferably, from about 40:60 to about 70:30, and more preferably about 50:50. The stainless steel grit is cut wire having a diameter within the range of from about 0.012 inches to about 0.125 inches, with a preferred diameter within the range of from about 0.012 inches to about 0.030 inches, and 0.017 inches being a more preferred stainless steel grit diameter.
US08268194B2 Oxide semiconductor target
A method of forming an oxide semiconductor layer includes: mounting an oxide semiconductor target in a chamber; loading a substrate into the chamber; vacuuming the chamber; applying a direct current power to the oxide semiconductor target while injecting oxygen and a sputtering gas into the chamber; and forming an oxide semiconductor layer on a surface of the substrate by applying plasma of the sputtering gas onto the oxide semiconductor target. Here, the oxide semiconductor target has a resistance of 1 kΩ or less.
US08268188B2 Synthetic refrigeration oil composition for HFC applications
A refrigeration composition containing at least one ester formed by esterification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid component and an alcohol component, the hydroxycarboxylic acid component chosen from hydroxycarboxylic acids comprising more than one carboxylic acid group, hydroxystearic acid, hydroxylauric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxyarachidic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, hydroxylinoleic acid, hydroxyerucic acid, hydroxyarachidonic acid, ricinoleic acid, and combinations thereof, and the alcohol component containing at least one alcohol; and a base oil lubricant chosen from alkylbenzenes, alkylated naphthenics, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylethers, polyalphaolefins, mineral oils, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.
US08268187B2 Refrigeration oil from gas-to-liquid-derived and bio-derived diesters
The present invention is directed to a refrigerator oil composition comprising (a) at least one diester species having the following structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having from 2 to 17 carbon atoms; and (b) a refrigerant.
US08268175B2 Method for transferring inorganic oxide nanoparticles from aqueous phase to organic phase
A method for transferring inorganic oxide nanoparticles from aqueous phase to organic phase. A modifier is used to change the surface polarity of inorganic oxide nanoparticles, followed by using proper solvents to transfer the modified inorganic oxide nanoparticles form aqueous phase to organic phase. The organic dispersion of modified inorganic oxide nanoparticles can be combined with a polymer to provide a polymer composite with the nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein.
US08268171B2 Bottom control type specimen filtering container and filtering method thereof
A bottom control type specimen filtering container consists of a seal plug (1), a top cap (2), a cylinder body (3), a piston rod (5), pistons (6), a clutch spring (7), a drainage needle (8) and a bottom cap (9). The piston rod (5) is disposed in a central hole (12) at the bottom of the cylinder body (3). The pistons (6) are tightly sleeved on the projections of the piston rod (5). The drainage needle (8) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the piston rod (5) through screw thread. One end of the clutch spring (7) is pressed against the bottom of the cylinder body (3), and the other end is against a flange of the drainage needle (8). Furthermore, a double-layer filtering system composed of a first layer of filter screen (4) and a second layer of filter screen (11) is arranged in the specimen filtering container. The shaft of the first layer of filter screen (4) penetrates through a middle hole of the second layer of filter screen (11) and is fixed in a hole at the top of the piston rod (5). A filtering method comprises the following steps: charging a solution to be filtered into the cylinder body (3); removing the bottom cap (9), and disposing a receiving container below the drainage needle (8); and pushing up the receiving container so as to open the bottom of the cylinder body (3) and discharge the solution from the bottom of the cylinder body (3) to the receiving container.
US08268166B2 Protein skimmer
Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.
US08268165B2 Processes for bitumen separation
Processes are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands and from other bitumen-containing compositions.
US08268164B2 Systems and methods of producing a crude product
The present invention is directed to a crude product composition. The crude product has, per gram of crude product: at least 0.001 grams of naphtha, the naphtha having an octane number of at least 70, and the naphtha having at most 0.15 grams of olefins per gram of naphtha; at least 0.001 grams of kerosene, the kerosene having at least 0.2 grams of aromatics per gram of kerosene and a freezing point at a temperature of at most −30° C.; and at most 0.05 grams of residue.
US08268163B2 Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08268159B2 Electrolytic process to produce sodium hypochlorite using sodium ion conductive ceramic membranes
An electrochemical process for the production of sodium hypochlorite is disclosed. The process may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from seawater or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The process utilizes a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. In the process, water is reduced at a cathode to form hydroxyl ions and hydrogen gas. Chloride ions from a sodium chloride solution are oxidized in the anolyte compartment to produce chlorine gas which reacts with water to produce hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid. Sodium ions are transported from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment across the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane. Sodium hydroxide is transported from the catholyte compartment to the anolyte compartment to produce sodium hypochlorite within the anolyte compartment.
US08268158B2 Plating bath and method
Copper plating baths containing a leveling agent that is a reaction product of a certain imidazole with a certain epoxide-containing compound that deposit copper on the surface of a conductive layer are provided. Such plating baths deposit a copper layer that is substantially planar on a substrate surface across a range of electrolyte concentrations. Methods of depositing copper layers using such copper plating baths are also disclosed.
US08268144B2 Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08268141B2 High-strength sputtering target for forming protective film for optical recording medium
A high-strength sputtering target for forming a protective film for an optical recording medium, obtained by sintering a mixed powder containing, in mol %, 10 to 70% of a zirconium oxide or hafnium oxide and 50% or less (over 0%) of silicon dioxide, and 0.1 to 8.4% of yttrium oxide as necessary, and the remainder containing aluminum oxide, lanthanum oxide, or indium oxide and inevitable impurities, wherein a complex oxide phase of Al6Si2O13, La2SiO5, or In2Si2O7 is formed in a base of the target.
US08268138B2 System and method for chemical potential energy production
The present invention relates to a system comprising a heat source to provide heat at the desired temperature and energy field (e.g. a solar concentrator); an electron source configured and operable to emit electrons; an electric field generator generating an electric field adapted to supply energy sufficient to dissociate gas molecules; and a reaction gas chamber configured and operable to cause interaction between the electrons with the molecules, such that the electrons dissociate the molecules to product compound and ions via dissociative electrons attachment (DEA) within the chamber.
US08268137B2 Electrochemical processing apparatus and processing method thereof
The present invention relates an electrochemical processing apparatus and a processing method thereof. A reciprocating swing unit is used to drive the processing electrode to process a workpiece, and thus simplifying fabrication of the processing electrode, and shortening processes and reducing costs. In addition, by using a high-frequency reciprocating twist and micro-vibrating unit to drive the processing electrode to perform high-frequency reciprocating twists and micro-vibrations, the processing electrode can perform twist without varying the processing gap. Thereby, the electrolyte in the gap can be perturbed and renewed continuously. Accordingly, bubbles and products produced during electrolysis can be removed sufficiently, enhancing processing precision and surface quality using the processing electrode on processing the workpiece.
US08268132B2 Distillation-type drinking fountain
A distillation drinking fountain includes a liquid providing unit having a liquid entry; a heat-exchanging tube having liquid incoming and liquid outgoing ends and a heat-exchanging room, wherein the liquid providing unit connects to the liquid incoming end and communicates with the heat-exchanging room; a hot water tank having a body and a heating unit, wherein the body has a heating room connecting to the liquid outgoing end and communicating with the heat-exchanging room; a steam pipe having first and second ends, wherein the first end communicates with the heating room, and a part of the steam pipe is received in the heat-exchanging room; a condensing unit having a condenser tube, wherein the condenser tube has one end communicating with the second end; a water-collecting unit having a water-storing room connecting to another end of the condenser tube; and an outlet valve communicating with the water-storing room.
US08268131B2 Apparatus and method for recovery of acetic acid from an aqueous solution thereof
The invention disclosed relates to an apparatus and method for recovering acetic acid from an aqueous feed stream containing acetic acid, in particular a stream generated during terephthalic acid production. The apparatus includes: a liquid-liquid extraction column to which water-rich feed streams are fed, having a guard bed situated near the top and within the extraction column for conversion by reaction with acetic acid of alcohol within the mixture to the corresponding ester; and an azeotropic distillation column to remove residual water from acetic acid, to which water-poor feed streams are fed directly at a height of the azeotropic distillation column at which the mixture therein has a similar water concentration. The liquid-liquid extraction column produces an extract comprising an extraction solvent and acetic acid which is sent to the azeotropic distillation column to separate residual water and acetic acid.
US08268124B2 Method for production of pulp
A pulp production process can produce pulp at high yield without using sodium sulfide and high-temperature/high-pressure conditions if compared with the Kraft process and also collect lignin. Pulp is produced by processing wood chips for hydrophlicization at room temperature, using a dilute caustic soda aqueous solution, selectively partially modifying lignin in dilute nitric acid and digesting the wood chips by means of a dilute caustic soda aqueous solution under the atmospheric pressure. Lignin is agglomerated and sorted out from the isolated black liquor.
US08268121B2 Delignification of biomass containing lignin and production of amino lignin aldehyde resins and carbohydrates
Delignification of biomass consisting of lignin containing plant is done by utilizing an amino compound in and aqueous solution at ambient temperature up to 150 degree C. to produce and aqueous solution of amino salt of lignin and an amino-lignin-cellulose which is not soluble in water. The aqueous solution of amino salt of lignin is then filtered off of the amino-lignin-cellulose. The aqueous solution of amino salt of lignin or the amino salt of lignin with the amino-lignin-cellulose may be reacted with an aldehyde to produce an amino-lignin-aldehyde resin or an amino-lignin-cellulose aldehyde resin which may be of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type. The thermoplastic resins are fire resistant, hard, strong, not water soluble and may be used to make exterior fiberboard, OAS boards, plywood, molded products, etc. These urea salts of lignin may also be utilized as long acting fertilizer, to produce plastics and other products.The amino-lignin-cellulose may be hydrolyzed by any suitable means such as acid hydrolysis into carbohydrates which can be fermented in alcohol.
US08268119B2 Method and apparatus for reducing impurities in cellulose fibers for manufacture of fiber reinforced cement composite materials
A method of manufacturing high purity fiber cement grades of cellulose fibers is described. Additional washing steps, coupled with an elevated temperature, are used in the process to extensively wash the pulps and remove substantially all COD components remaining in the pulps. The pulps are counter-currently washed by diffusion and dewatering at elevated temperatures following the brown stock washer systems. During the additional washing steps, the pulps are soaked in counter-current heated water for a pre-determined time and some chemicals may be introduced to chemically break down the COD components in the pulps and to make them more soluble in the aqueous solution. The additional washing steps can be performed using existing equipment at conventional pulp mills.
US08268118B2 Critical dimension reduction and roughness control
A method for forming a feature in an etch layer is provided. A photoresist layer is formed over the etch layer. The photoresist layer is patterned to form photoresist features with photoresist sidewalls. A control layer is formed over the photoresist layer and bottoms of the photoresist features. A conformal layer is deposited over the sidewalls of the photoresist features and control layer to reduce the critical dimensions of the photoresist features. Openings in the control layer are opened with a control layer breakthrough chemistry. Features are etched into the etch layer with an etch chemistry, which is different from the control layer break through chemistry, wherein the control layer is more etch resistant to the etch with the etch chemistry than the conformal layer.
US08268116B2 Methods of and apparatus for protecting a region of process exclusion adjacent to a region of process performance in a process chamber
Apparatus and methods protect a central process exclusion region of a substrate during processing of an edge environ region of process performance. Removal of undesired materials is only from the edge environ region while the central device region is protected from damage. Field strengths are configured to protect the central region from charged particles from plasma in a process chamber and to foster removal of the undesired materials from only the edge environ region. A magnetic field is configured with a peak value adjacent to a border between the central and edge environ regions. A strong field gradient extends from the peak radially away from the border and away from the central region to repel the charged particles from the central region. The strength and location of the field are adjustable by axial relative movement of magnet sections, and flux plates are configured to redirect the field for desired protection.
US08268115B2 Differential pressure application apparatus for use in polishing layers of semiconductor device structures and methods
An apparatus for applying different amounts of pressure to different locations of a semiconductor device structure or other substrate during polishing thereof. The apparatus is configured to be associated with a wafer carrier of a polishing apparatus and includes pressurization structures configured to individually apply pressure to a major surface of the semiconductor device structure during polishing thereof. Systems including the pressure application apparatus, as well as differential pressure application methods and polishing methods are also disclosed.
US08268112B2 Bonding method of resin member
A method for bonding resin members by laser welding in which melting of a resin member can be prevented on the contact surface with a base or a tool used for bonding. In the bonding method, a resin member (1) is mounted on a base (3) and a surface of the base (3) in contact with the resin member (1) is an optical mirror surface. A surface of the resin member (1) is coated with a light absorbing agent (4), a resin member (2) is placed thereon and then a laser light (10) is irradiated from the resin member (2) side in order to melt the resin on the bonding surface of the resin member (1) and the resin member (2), thereby bonding the resin members together. The laser light (11) penetrated through the bonding surface reaches the contact surface where the resin member (1) and the base (3) are in contact with each other, and since the laser light (11) penetrates the bonding surface without being scattered or absorbed, melting of the resin member can be prevented.
US08268110B2 Method and apparatus for floor planks
A method comprising the steps of putting together a first piece including a wear layer, a pattern layer, and a base layer, arranged in a sandwich manner, such that the wear layer is on top of the pattern layer, the pattern layer is on top of the base layer, and the pattern layer is in between the wear layer and the base layer. The method may also include removing portions of the first piece to form a first floor plank, such as by removing a first substantially L-shaped portion of the wear layer, removing a second substantially L-shaped portion of the pattern layer, and removing a third substantially L-shaped portion of the base layer. Adhesive may be applied to locations on the first floor plank where substantially L-shaped portions have been removed to adhere the first floor plank to one or more substantially identical floor planks.
US08268106B2 Multivariate color system with texture application
Implementations of the present invention relate to a translucent and/or transparent polymer-based panel system that incorporates multi-colored insert layers that enable manipulation of color, transparency or light transmission of the finished panel system. Implementations of the present invention also relate to the construction of such panels to avoid the capture and retention of air within the panels through the use of textured surfaces at the lamination interfaces. In addition, implementations of the present invention provide a method of quantifying the optical response achieved in a given panel system and describes types of construction that enable the multiplicity of color and optic manipulation. Furthermore, implementations of the present invention provide methods for applying texture in an efficient, uniform manner.
US08268105B2 Method and an apparatus for producing exam table paper rolls
A method relates to the production of paper rolls for examination tables, obtained from a tape (100) of embossed paper, having two layers (10, 20), joined together. The band (100) is obtained in known way from two continuous webs (1, 2), subjected to subsequent steps of embossing, glue (C) application, coupling and stabilization. The method includes applying measured quantities of a sanitizing and/or disinfectant substance (S) between the two layers of embossed paper (10, 20) before their joining; preferably, the substance (S) is applied to the same continuous web (1) that is aimed at receiving the glue (C), after the embossing step and contemporarily with the glue (C) application, by spot-application of a mixture (M) in aqueous solution containing suitable percentage of the glue (C) and sanitizing substance (S) to the tops (11A) of the embossing relieves (11.) In this case, the application means (240) for sanitizing substance (S) are formed by the same means (220) for applying the glue (C).
US08268099B2 Laser-produced porous surface
A method of fabricating a porous or partially porous three-dimensional metal article for use as a tissue ingrowth surface on a prosthesis. The porous article is formed using direct laser remelting in a cross section of a layer of metallic powder on a build platform without fusing thereto. The power, speed, spot size and beam overlap of the scanning laser is coordinated so that a predetermined porosity of the metallic powder can be achieved. Laser factors also vary depending from the thickness of the powder layer, type of metallic powder and size and size distribution of the powder particles. Successive depositing and remelting of individual layers are repeated until the article is fully formed by a layer-by-layer fashion. In an additional embodiment, a first layer of metallic powder may be deposited on a solid base or core and fused thereto.
US08268097B2 Grain-oriented electrical steel sheet and producing method therefor
A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet has a tension film that does not include chromium. In the present invention, the tension film, including a phosphate and silica as constituents, includes a manganese compound and a potassium compound. The mole ratio K/Mn of potassium to manganese in the film is set to a certain range. The film can be produced by preparing a coating solution by adding a compound, which includes the phosphate and the silica and also includes the potassium and the manganese, and applying the coating solution on a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet after final annealing is completed, followed by drying and baking.
US08268090B2 Domestic appliance with programmable control module
A dishwasher, the program control of which permits the installation of the program control module in the dishwasher, a subsequent programming of the program control and a change to the rinse program sequence pre-programmed in the program control. An electronic program control for the control of rinsing program sequences is provided with a programmable control module and includes an interface, for the external programming of at least one rinsing program sequence, carried out by the program control, which may be directly contacted from outside the dishwasher. By integrating an interface that may be directly contacted from outside the dishwasher, for the external programming of rinsing program sequences in the control module of the program control, the program control can be installed in the dishwasher without pre-programming and programmed in a final step, or after the production of the dishwasher.
US08268089B2 Device that supplies clear rinsing agents in a program-controlled dishwasher
A device for checking the concentration of clear rinsing agent in a rinsing liquid circulated in the means for retaining water of a household appliance is provided. The device includes a processing unit operatively connectable to a sensor having at least one transmitting element that emits an optical signal and at least one receiving element that receives the optical signal emitted by the transmitting element. The processing unit determines the wetting of the sensor with clear rinsing liquid and renders an estimate of the concentration of clear rinsing agent in the clear rinsing liquid as a function of the wetting of the sensor with clear rinsing liquid based upon the energy level emitted by the transmitting element and received by the receiving element.
US08268082B2 Method of operating a dishwasher pump and filtration system
A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash arms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber receives washing fluid through a sampling port that interconnects with the flow conduit. The filter chamber can be fluidly connected to a drain based on the position of a valve which opens when washing fluid recirculation ceases.
US08268079B2 Vacuum film deposition apparatus
There is provided a vacuum film deposition apparatus which forms a film on a substrate by a vacuum film deposition technique, include: substrate holding means for holding the substrate; a deposition preventing member for preventing film deposition at undesired positions within the apparatus; and contacting means for bringing the substrate or the substrate holding means and the deposition preventing member into contact with each other.
US08268076B2 SOI wafers having MxOy oxide layers on a substrate wafer and an amorphous interlayer adjacent the substrate wafer
SOI wafers are manufactured by forming on a silicon substrate a monocrystalline first, cubic 1a-3 metal or mixed metal oxide layer whose lattice constant differs from that of the substrate by 5% or less; forming a second cubic 1a-3 mixed metal oxide layer having a lattice constant within 2% of the lattice constant of the first metal or mixed metal oxide layer, and having a graded metal content to vary the lattice content in the second mixed metal oxide layer from that of the first layer, and thermally treating the layered product in an oxygen atmosphere to form an amorphous interlayer between the substrate and the first metal or mixed metal oxide layer.
US08268075B2 Method of producing zinc oxide semiconductor crystal
A method of producing a zinc oxide-based semiconductor crystal, including: introducing at least zinc and oxygen on a surface of a substrate; and growing a zinc oxide-based semiconductor crystal on the substrate, wherein a total or partial portion of the zinc is ionized in a vacuum atmosphere of 1×10−4 Torr or less and is introduced to the surface of the substrate to grow the ZnO based semiconductor crystal. As a result, it is possible to provide a method of producing a zinc oxide based semiconductor crystal capable of growing a zinc oxide semiconductor crystal having excellent surface flatness and crystallinity and including an extremely small amount of impurities at a high growth rate.
US08268071B2 Sulfoaluminous clinker and method for preparing same
The invention relates to a novel sulfoaluminous clinker, to a method for preparing said clinker, and to the use of said clinker for preparing a hydraulic binder and subsequently grout, concrete, or mortar.
US08268067B2 Perfluoropolyether coating composition for hard surfaces
A composition and method of treating substrates, in particular substrates having a hard surface such as ceramics, metal or glass, to render them water, oil, stain, and dirt repellent is described.
US08268063B2 Carrier solvent for fingerprint formulations
A method and composition for transforming a latent physiological biometric into a visible physiological biometric are provided, the method comprising: providing a latent biometric disposed on a surface of an article, wherein said biometric comprises at least one eccrine-derived compound; contacting said latent biometric with a developing solution, wherein said developing solution comprises at least one imaging reagent selected from ninhydrin and 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one and a carrier solvent comprising at least one C3-C4 hydrofluorocarbon; and reacting said imaging reagent with said eccrine-derived compound to produce a visible physiological biometric.
US08268062B2 Coating and method for producing resistant and insulated pipeline structures
The present invention relates to a fire-retardant material and method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an insulating, fire-retardant coating (and method) that shields underlying substrates from thermal and other types of insult. The invented coating is especially applicable to energy transport means including oil pipelines. The invented coating and method is also useful in providing a insulating and fire-resistant coating for a variety of substrates including but not limited to: concrete, metals, foamed polymeric materials (i.e. styrofoam), gypsum, synthetics and other substrates.
US08268059B2 Waste gas system for bioreactors
The invention relates to a waste gas system for bioreactors having a hydrophobic sterile filter, arranged at the end, and a heat exchanger which protects the sterile filter against blocking by liquid media. The gas outflow duct for discharging waste gas from a bioreactor vessel is divided in a cooling zone of the heat exchanger into a multiplicity of subducts and is extended in a heating zone of the heat exchanger to a calming zone. Due to the multiplicity of subducts, a considerably larger surface area for the removal of heat from the waste gas is available, with the result that in the case of laminar flow of the waste gas through the subducts a high effectiveness of the separation of liquids from the waste gas can be achieved. In the heating zone, the waste gas can heat up again due to the reduced flow rate until it reaches the hydrophobic sterile filter by way of taking up heat from the surroundings to a such a degree that the relative vapor contents are below 100% and separation of liquids from residual vapors at or in the hydrophobic sterile filter is precluded.
US08268055B2 Membrane gas dryers incorporating rotatable fittings
A membrane gas dryer includes an upstream fitting assembly, a downstream fitting assembly, a purge tube, and a sample element. The upstream fitting assembly and the downstream fitting assembly include fitting bodies and barrier sleeves. The fitting bodies and the barrier sleeves form purge plenums that are in fluid communication with the purge tube. Sealing interfaces on the fitting bodies maintain fluid-tight seals around the purge plenums as the barrier sleeves rotate about fitting bodies. The sample element includes a water-permeable membrane and passes inside the purge tube such that moisture in a sample gas flowing in a downstream direction through the sample element between the fitting body to the downstream fitting body passes moisture through the water-permeable membrane and into a purge gas flowing in the purge tube in one of an upstream direction or a downstream direction between the purge plenums.
US08268051B2 Portable oil-water separator apparatus
A preassembled and portable crude oil processing apparatus includes a support platform with a gas separator vessel covered by a shed structure and an elongated liquid separator vessel pivotally connected to the support platform. The liquid separator vessel includes support structure which supports it an a horizontal transport configuration. The apparatus is loaded onto a flatbed trailer and transported to a crude oil processing site with the liquid vessel in the horizontal configuration. At the processing site, the apparatus is hoisted off the trailer and deposited on the ground, and the liquid separator vessel is pivoted to a vertical configuration supported by the platform and secured in place. Plumbing associated with the gas separator vessel is then interconnected with plumbing associated with the liquid separator, with piping carrying a crude oil emulsion for processing, and with tanks for storing products of the process.
US08268049B2 Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses having a secondary absorption zone with vortex contacting stages
Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising both a primary absorption zone and a secondary absorption zone comprising a plurality of vortex contacting stages are described. The apparatuses provide improved heat and mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases in processes such as absorption, to selectively solubilize contaminants (e.g., acid gases) from an impure vapor (e.g., sour natural gas). Vortex contacting stage(s) in a zone of vapor-liquid contacting, such as a secondary or finishing absorption zone, are used following bulk absorption in a primary or main absorption zone.
US08268047B2 Methods and systems for helium recovery
The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases (i.e., containing less than about 10 volume % helium and more typically, less than about 5% helium by volume). The present invention more particularly relates to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) systems and multiple (e.g. two) stage vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first stage VPSA system is configured to provide regeneration gas for the TSA system, and/or the VPSA second stage tail gas is recycled to the first stage VPSA system.
US08268046B2 Removal of impurities from hydrogen-containing materials
Methods of purifying hydrogen-containing materials are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a purifier material comprising silica. The silica may be heated at temperature of about 100° C. or more in a dry atmosphere to form activated silica. The activated silica may be contacted with a starting hydrogen-containing material, where the activated silica reduces a concentration of one or more impurity from the starting hydrogen-containing material to form the purified hydrogen-containing material, and where the activated silica does not decompose the purified hydrogen-containing material.
US08268040B2 Method of controlling the order of rapping the collecting electrode plates of an ESP
A method and a system for controlling dust particle emissions from an electrostatic precipitator (1), which has a first and a second bus-section (16, 20), are provided. Dust particle emissions are controlled by observing that a rapping event of the first bus-section (16) is about to be initiated, verifying, before allowing the rapping event of the first bus-section (16) to be initiated, that the second bus-section (20) is ready to receive the dust particles to be released during the rapping event of the first bus-section (16), and then initiating, after verification, the rapping event of the first bus-section (16).
US08268039B2 Process for atmospheric leaching of laterite ores using hypersaline leach solution
An atmospheric leaching process for the recovery of a nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore includes (a) preparing a slurry of the lateritic ore with saline or hypersaline water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) content greater than 30 g/L; (b) leaching the slurry of the lateritic ore with sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure, and (c) recovering nickel and cobalt from the resultant leachate.
US08268035B2 Process for producing refractory metal alloy powders
A process for producing refractory metal alloy powders includes the steps of blending at least one powder with at least one solvent and at least one binder to form a slurry; forming a plurality of agglomerates from the slurry; screening the plurality of agglomerates; sintering the plurality of agglomerates; and melting said plurality of agglomerates to form a plurality of homogenous, densified powder particles.
US08268034B2 Manufacturing method of ferromolybdenum from molybdenite
Provided is a manufacturing method of ferromolybdenum from molybdenite concentrate, and more particularly, a manufacturing method of ferromolybdenum with copper content of 0.5% or less from molybdenite with high copper content without carrying out a separate copper removing process by putting molybdenite, aluminum metal and iron metal, in a heating furnace and reacting them at high temperature to manufacture the ferro molybdenum at the lower portion thereof, forming a slag using aluminum sulfide and iron sulfide as the main components at the upper portion thereof, and putting most of the copper (80 to 95%) existing in the molybdenite in a slag layer. The exemplary embodiment can shorten a process as compared to a metallothermic reduction (Thermit) method of the related art and reduce the consumption of a reducing agent, i.e., aluminum.
US08268032B2 Gasket for providing a seal between two objects
A gasket and sealing system are described herein. One aspect of the invention is a gasket for providing a seal between a first object and a second object. The gasket comprises a base portion for sealing engagement with the first object at a first location and a deflectable portion extending from the base portion. The deflectable portion has an end portion initially spaced from the first object. The deflectable portion is engageable with the second object for sealing therebetween upon engagement with and movement of the second object towards the first object. The end portion is engageable with the first object at a second location upon the second object being further moved towards the first object.
US08268026B2 Controlling the synthesis gas composition of a steam methane reformer
A method for controlling the synthesis gas composition obtained from a steam methane reformer (SMR) that obtains its feedstock as product gas directly from a steam hydro-gasification reactor SHR). The method allows control of the H2/CO syngas ratio by adjusting the hydrogen feed and the water content of feedstock into a steam hydro-gasification reactor that supplies the SMR. The steam and methane rich product gas of the SHR is generated by means of hydro-gasification of a slurry of carbonaceous material and water. The mass percentages of the product stream at each stage of the process are calculated using a modeling program, such as the ASPEN PLUS™ equilibrium process. By varying the parameters of solid to water ratio and hydrogen to carbon ratio, a sensitivity analysis can be performed that enables one determine the optimum composition of the slurry feedstock to the SHR to obtain a desired syngas ratio output of the SMR. Thus one can adjust the hydrogen feed and the water content of feedstock into the SHR that supplies the SMR to determine the syngas ratio output of the SMR.
US08268025B1 Method and system for hydrogen powered fuel cells
The present invention involves methods and apparatus for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell to produce electricity. Water may be supplied in the form of steam for input to a catalytic converter. The converter may have a substrate element disposed therein coated with an oxide that may be oxidizable with steam and reducible back to an original state without use of a chemical agent. The steam may be converted to hydrogen and oxygen with the hydrogen channeled to an input and the oxygen channeled to an output of the fuel cell. The hydrogen output of the fuel cell and the oxygen may be combined to produce steam. The steam from the output may be recycled to the converter.
US08268022B2 Universal synthetic gasoline fuel conditioner additive, method and product-by-process
A process of producing a universal synthetic based gasoline fuel additive that cleans the fuel system including valves surface, lubricates the fuel pump, injectors and valves while allowing for a clean and more efficient burn. A major portion will consist of (a) Alfa-Olefins, (b) 2-propanol (c) Hydroisomerized High VI HT Base Oils, (d) Dimethyl Ketones, (e) Low Flash Mineral Spirits, (f) Low Aromatic Solvent, (g) Isomer Reformate, (h) Solvent Activated Dye. In a preferred embodiment, this universal synthetic gasoline conditioner additive for improving lubrication comprises: alpha-olefins comprising from 5 to 30 percent thereof, by weight; low odor aromatic solvents comprising from 3 to 27 percent thereof, by weight; 2-Propanol comprising of 3 to 30 percent thereof, by weight; and at least one a base oil comprising from 0.50 to 15 percent thereof, by weight; wherein: the percentages by weight are specified in relative proportion to one another.
US08268021B2 Sealed battery and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a sealed battery for the invention uses an outer can 15 with an opening and a sealing plate 16 provided with a rising part which rises perpendicularly from the middle of a flange on the entire circumference of or a part of the fitted face with the battery outer can 15. The method includes inserting the sealing plate 16 into the opening of the battery outer can 15 so that the top faces of both the battery outer can 15 and the flange of the sealing plate 16 are substantially in the same plane, and irradiating the fitted part of the opening of the battery outer can 15 and the sealing plate 16 with a high energy beam for welding.
US08268019B2 Method for making capacitor element
A powder compaction press having opposed rib and channel punches which are interleaved and a production method are used to produce capacitor elements having a uniform compaction density and which are free of surface imperfections.
US08268018B2 Agglomerated animal litter
Lightweight composite particles, primarily comprising various bentonite clays, but which may include other functional solid particles, are formed by introducing expanding gases or air into the particle forming process. The methods presented create the ability to reduce the bulk density of the composite particles while maintaining and in some cases even increasing the particle strength.
US08268016B2 Laundry treatment compositions
The present invention provides a treatment composition comprising a hydrophobic dye.
US08268012B1 Four-bar-linkage brake-included knee joint
A four-bar-linkage brake-included knee joint includes a knee carriage, first and second links rotatably coupled to the carriage, and a clamp member coupled to a joint body. The clamp member forms a through hole that receives an axle to couple the second links. A compression block is received in a rear portion of the joint body and is set in engagement with a back side of the clamp member. The clamp member forms a gap extending from the through hole of the clamp member to a bottom of the clamp member. When a heel of a prosthesis that includes the knee joint is put on the ground, a reaction force is induced in the prosthesis that causes the compression block to directly depress the clamp member thereby reducing the gap to have the clamp member tightly clamping the axle and thus preventing the axle from further rotation.
US08268007B2 Multi-piece prosthetic joint component
An elongate, longitudinally oriented outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve surface defining a radially oriented proximal sleeve border, a radially oriented proximal sleeve rim intersecting the outer sleeve surface at the proximal sleeve border, an outer sleeve body enclosed by the outer sleeve surface and the proximal sleeve rim, and an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem-receiving cavity formed in the outer sleeve body and intersecting the proximal sleeve rim to define a stem-receiving aperture. A joint articulating member includes an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem, an articulating surface, and an interface rim. When the stem is at least partially inserted into the stem-receiving cavity, the proximal sleeve rim and the interface rim interact to change a longitudinal relationship between the outer sleeve and the joint articulating member responsive to relative radially-oriented rotation between the stem and the stem-receiving cavity.
US08268000B2 Composite interbody spacer
A composite interbody spacer includes a first portion formed of a first material and a second portion formed of a second material.
US08267999B2 Intervertebral disc prosthesis
The present invention relates to an intervertebral disk prosthesis comprising at least three parts including a first plate, referred to as the upper plate (1), a second plate, referred to as the lower plate (2), and a core (3), the upper surface of the core (3) being in contact with at least part (10) of the lower surface of the upper plate (1) and the lower surface of the core (3) being in contact with at least part of the upper surface of the lower plate (2), and the lower plate (1) being movable at least with respect to the core (3), characterized in that there are cooperation means between the lower to plate (2) and the core (3), so as to limit or eliminate translation movements of the core (3) with respect to the lower plate (2) along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate (2), and to limit or eliminate rotation movements of the core (3) with respect to the lower plate (2), around an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate (2), the planes passing through the upper (1) is and lower (2) plates forming a substantially constant angle.
US08267997B2 Vertebral interbody compression implant
An apparatus and method for securing boney structures is disclosed which includes a compression mechanism and a force transfer mechanism. The compression mechanism may have bone engagement members that have one portion slideably coupled to a housing positioned within the implant and another portion rotatably coupled to the implant so that a movement of the housing causes the slideable portion to move within the housing and a penetrating member to rotate about the rotatably coupled portion. The force transfer mechanism may be coupled to the compression mechanism to move the housing.
US08267989B2 Inflatable porous implants and methods for drug delivery
The present invention provides inflatable porous implants, such as grafts, stent-grafts, and bladders, as well as methods and kits for drug delivery. In particular, the grafts and stent-grafts of the present invention provide for the delivery of a therapeutic agent into a flow conduit in the body. The inflatable porous implants provide for direct delivery of larger, more precise dosages of drugs over longer administration periods into the body. Moreover, these inflatable porous implants are often flexible when inserted and have a low profile delivery configuration for easy placement. The implants of the present invention further provide a mechanical or structural function in addition to drug delivery in a single integrated structure.
US08267988B2 Side branched endoluminal prostheses and methods of delivery thereof
An expandable prosthetic device and method of delivery that allows the initial placement of multiple guidewires into selected target sites. The prosthesis includes a main body device. This main body device has a separate side branch guidewire lumen that passes through the main body device and through a side opening in the main body device. As the main body device is advanced, the side opening is self guided (by the side branch guidewire) and self-aligns to the side branch vessel ostium. The main body device is then deployed, leaving the side branch guidewire in place. A side branch device is then advanced along the side branch guidewire through the main body device, through the side wall opening and into the native side branch vessel. The side branch device can then be deployed to engage the main body device and the native side branch vessel.
US08267984B2 Neurophysiological activation by vestibular or cranial nerve stimulation
A method of treating a disorder may include positioning a thermoelectric device in the ear canal of a subject and activating the thermoelectric device to deliver caloric vestibular stimulation and/or cranial nerve stimulation effective to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the ear canal may be cooled sufficiently to treat the disorder. In alternative embodiments, the ear canal may be warmed sufficiently to treat the disorder.
US08267982B2 Photodynamic cellular and acellular organism eradication utilizing a photosensitive material and surfactant
The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.
US08267981B2 Suture anchor with improved drive head
A suture anchor is provided including an elongate shank defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one bone-engaging thread formed thereon, and a drive head having a proximal end and a distal end mated to the elongate shank. The drive head has a substantially oval shape and includes at least one suture attachment member formed in a portion of the drive head. The configuration of the drive head is particularly advantages in that it provides a suture anchor having improved physical properties, including a high failure torque and a high stripping strength.
US08267977B2 Canulated titanium implant for correcting flat feet in children
The cannulated titanium implant (screw) for correction of flat feet in children characterized by that: a) the diameter of the stem is D=4.8 mm±25%, recommended 4.8 mm±10%, and especially recommended 4.8 mm, b) it is cannulated, whose diameter is C=2 mm+25%, recommended 2 mm±10%, and especially recommended 2 mm, c) the screw-thread height is 1.15 mm±25%, recommended 1/15 mm±10%, and especially recommended 1.15 mm, d) on the point of the screw, which ends at the angle of 90°, on the apex thread are trisect cuts at the angle of 120°. The edges of the apex thread are cut at the angle of 55°. At the very top of the point of the screw, the trisect cuts of the apex thread go inward the tunnel in the length of the screw by 1.5 mm, e) this type of the point replaces the use of the drill and the tapping device.
US08267974B2 Clamping device
A device for clamping a fixation element which may allow for repositioning of the fixation element. The device may include a body comprising a front end, a rear end, an outer surface, a through bore extending between the front end and the rear end, a structure enabling deformation of at least a portion of the body, and a thread along at least a portion of the outer surface. The body may be tapered and the through bore may be sized and configured to receive a fixation element. The clamping device may also comprise a receiving member having a tapered bore with an inner thread sized and configured to receive the thread of the body. Insertion of the body into the tapered bore of the receiving member may result in at least a portion of the body being deformed. As the body is inserted into the tapered bore, the dimension of the through bore may decrease so that the body firmly engages the fixation element. Such a construction may allow for the body to be loosened from the tapered bore, the fixation element, body or receiving member to be repositioned, and the body re-tightened into the tapered bore.
US08267971B2 Apparatus and methods for vertebral augmentation using linked expandable bodies
Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.
US08267969B2 Screw systems and methods for use in stabilization of bone structures
Methods, systems, devices and tools for placing bone stabilization components in a patient are provided. The systems and devices have a reduced number of discrete components that allow placement through small incisions and tubes. More particularly, the present invention is directed to screws for use in systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for installation of the screw and other subject systems.
US08267968B2 Percutaneous system for dynamic spinal stabilization
Bone anchoring assemblies for use with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for dynamic stabilization of the spine, together with placement systems for use in such techniques are provided.
US08267966B2 Facet joint implants and delivery tools
A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, a pair of implant holder arms, an implant distractor, an internal actuator, and a distractor knob, the system also including a delivery device with a tubular shaft, a receiving assembly, and a pair of forks, where the delivery device is adapted for slidable insertion of the driver assembly, the system also including an implant, a chisel, and an injector. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.
US08267965B2 Spinal stabilization systems with dynamic interbody devices
A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include one or more dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. In an embodiment, the dynamic interbody device includes a keel having a neck and a cylindrical base. The cylindrical base is wider than the neck. In an embodiment, portions of the dynamic interbody device that allow for flexion and/or extension of vertebra coupled to the dynamic interbody device are coupled together by ball bearings.
US08267964B2 System and method for attaching soft tissue to bone
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.
US08267961B2 Barbed suture
A barbed monofilament and a method for making the same is provided. The barbed monofilament has a substantially triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and further has a plurality of barbs formed therein. Successive barbs are staggered around the periphery of the monofilament, and extend inwardly into the monofilament to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively.
US08267958B2 Surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle and zero point adjustment
The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be bendable, in which instrument head an effector including at least one pivotal engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle has a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms for operating the instrument head and/or the effector via gear trains. According to the invention, a clutch which permits a zero point adjustment individual at least over a predetermined pivoting range of the instrument handle is interposed in the gear train effecting the bending motion of the instrument head. The zero point is defined as a relative position of the instrument handle with respect to the tube shaft in which the instrument head adopts a predetermined bending position with respect to the tube shaft.
US08267957B1 Compressor with extended ratchet bar feature
In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a first and second lever arms coupled by a first pivot. A ratchet bar is coupled to the first lever arm by a second pivot. The ratchet bar has a toothed portion extending from an interior face of the first lever arm and a paddle portion extending from an exterior face of the first lever arm. A catch is disposed at a proximate end of the second lever arm and arranged to engage teeth of the toothed portion of the ratchet bar. Engagement with the teeth couples the proximate ends of the first and second lever arms. The ratchet bar is further arranged to rotate about the second pivot in response to downward pressure upon the paddle. Depression of the paddle causes the teeth of disengage the catch, decoupling the first and second lever arms.
US08267953B2 Angioplasty balloon with therapeutic/aspiration channel
An angioplasty balloon catheter with an added channel for delivering medication or removing body fluids distal to the site of angioplasty is disclosed. The balloons are especially useful in the treatment of occlusions in saphenous vein grafts, the coronary and carotid arteries, arteries arising from the aorta and branches thereof and in veins flowing to the heart or their tributaries and sub tributaries thereof.
US08267950B2 Lancing device with independent drive core
A medical lancing device including an independent drive core mechanism incorporating all or a substantial portion of the functional components of the lancing device, whereby the independent drive core mechanism can be incorporated into multiple different external housing configurations for more efficient design and manufacture. Axial adjustment of the position of the independent drive core mechanism within the housing provides lancing penetration depth control.
US08267948B2 Method and apparatus for meniscal repair
An apparatus for suturing tissue includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a first needle attached to the housing and a second needle attached to the housing. A suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion is also included. A first structure is operably associated with the first needle for passing the leading portion of the suture from a near side of body tissue to a far side of the body tissue. A second structure is operably associated with the second needle for retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the body tissue back to the near side of the body tissue.
US08267943B2 Methods and devices for bone, joint, and ligament reconstruction with bands
Spinal stabilization mechanisms act to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across adjacent vertebrae. Methods for spinal stabilization includes placing one or more anchors at each vertebral level, positioning one or more sutures around each anchor at each level such that the each suture forms a loop or band around two adjacent anchors, applying tension to the ends of each suture to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and welding overlapping ends of each suture together to form suture bands connecting the anchors and thereby preventing lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. A suture banding tool may be used to place the sutures around the anchors in a looped configuration, apply tension to the suture ends to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and weld the ends of the suture to form a suture band connecting the anchors. The suture banding tool includes a suture welding tool having opposing jaws having a gap therebetween for receiving a portion of a suture and a heating element for welding the suture, a suture holding device releasably attached to the suture welding tool having at least one recess for holding a portion of a suture in a looped configuration, and one or more sutures.
US08267935B2 Electrosurgical instrument reducing current densities at an insulator conductor junction
An electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another, includes a pair of electrodes each including an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting), an insulating substrate having a first edge, and an insulating layer positioned in a channel formed by the electrically conductive surface within the first edge between the conductive surface and the first edge of the insulating substrate. The insulating layer has a portion proximal to the electrically conductive surface and a portion distal from the electrically conductive surface and a gradient such that the proximal portion has a lower dielectric strength than the distal portion. A coating on one of the pair of electrodes may be disposed in at least partial non-vertical registration with a coating on the opposing one of the pair of electrodes.
US08267933B2 Device for resection and/or ablation of organic tissue by means of high-frequency current and resectoscope
A device for removing organic tissue by means of high-frequency current comprises a loop carrier having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, a loop arranged at the distal end of the loop carrier and being able to be acted upon by high-frequency voltage, the loop having a loop end portion, a connection element connecting the loop with the loop carrier and having a distal connection element portion, the loop end portion and the distal connection element portion forming a wedge-shaped cutter.
US08267932B2 Deflectable sheath catheters
The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.
US08267931B2 Method of ligating hollow anatomical structures
A catheter includes a plurality of expandable primary leads to deliver energy to a fallopian tube, a vein such as a hemorrhoid or an esophageal varix, or another hollow anatomical structure requiring ligation or occlusion. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that the leads can receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another.
US08267923B2 Detachable aneurysm neck bridge
In one embodiment, a neck bridge for bridging the neck of an aneurysm includes a junction region, a number of radially extending array elements attached to the junction region, and a cover attached to one or both of the junction region and an array element. The array elements are configured to be positioned within the aneurysm after the neck bridge is deployed from a delivery device. In a second embodiment, the neck bridge includes a junction region and a braided or mesh-like structure secured to the junction region. The braided or mesh-like structure is made from an elastic material.
US08267922B2 Phototherapy light with dual spring support neck
A phototherapy light device for directing light onto an infant. The phototherapy light device has a base containing an illumination source and a gooseneck type of elongated neck that extends outwardly from the base and has a distal end adapted to be positioned to direct the light onto the infant. An optical fiber transmits the light from the illumination source to the distal end through the optical fiber where the light is passed through a light emanating device located at the distal end of the elongated neck. The elongated neck has two flexible sections, one of which has two coaxial springs to provide flexibility in positioning as well as to impart sufficient strength and rigidity to the elongated neck. The dual spring concept provides a system having reduced stresses while creating a double fault structural system without compromising the flexibility of the elongated neck.
US08267920B2 Methods and systems for neural maintenance and regeneration
Methods and systems are described that release one or both of a neurotrophin and an inhibitor of the degradation of the neurotrophin within or in the vicinity of a highly innervated tissue. In some embodiments, the method includes regulating the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor of degradation over time. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoring the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The system may include a device or multiple devices for the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor as well as a controller. In some embodiments the system may include a sensor device and/or an imaging device capable of detecting the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The release of the neurotrophin and inhibitor of degradation may be part of a controlled release system and regulated over time.
US08267919B2 Catheter assembly with osmolality-increasing fluid
A catheter assembly is disclosed comprising: a hydrophilic catheter; a wetting fluid for wetting of the catheter; and a receptacle enclosing at least the insertable part of the catheter and the wetting fluid. Further, the wetting fluid is a solution incorporating at least one osmolality-increasing compound, and the total concentration of the osmolality-increasing compound(s) is very high, preferably exceeding 600 mOsm/dm3. The wetting fluid could either be arranged in contact with the hydrophilic surface layer of the catheter in the receptacle, for preservation of the hydrophilic surface layer in a wetted state during accommodation in said receptacle and provision of a ready-to-use catheter assembly, or be arranged to keep the wetting fluid separated from the hydrophilic surface layer of the catheter during storage, but to be brought into contact with said hydrophilic surface layer upon activation before an intended use of the catheter. A similar method and wetting fluid is disclosed as well. The provision of the osmolality-increasing compound in the wetting fluid provides several advantages per se, such as a improved properties of the hydrophilic coating, a more predictable and controllable wetting process, a more expedient and cost efficient production, etc. Further, the use of this very high concentration of osmolality-increasing compound in the wetting fluid has proven remarkably efficient.
US08267916B2 Guidewire replacement device
A guidewire exchange device is configured to exchange a guidewire associated with a guidewire port in a medical device. The guidewire exchange device is further configured to interface with the medical device at the guidewire port, remove the guidewire from the medical device, and insert a replacement guidewire.
US08267913B2 Vial adaptors and methods for regulating pressure
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
US08267911B2 Flow-through fluid reservoir
A flow-through fluid reservoir includes a body with a first fluid port, a member movable within the body by an actuator to increase or decrease a volume of a chamber defined by a sidewall of the body. The actuator has a second fluid port. Movable member has a fluid path therethrough such that fluid ports are in fluid communication irrespective of the position of the movable member or the volume of chamber. A shaped slot on the shell of the actuator and a projection on the body cooperate to constrain relative movement of the body and actuator along a path corresponding to the shaped slot. The slot advantageously may include a stop intermediate therealong. A canted aspect of the slot may be used to initiate relative movement of the member within body. The body includes an end wall through which the first fluid port communicates. A shroud is defined by a coaxial extension of the sidewall beyond the end wall to surround the first fluid port, and gripping elements may be provided on the shroud. The projection may include a vent communicating into a space between a flexible barrier and an internal wall of the body. The slot may also have a one-way opening with a cammed roof. A clip may be provided for mounting the reservoir and includes a support member supporting a clip member which releasably receives the shroud and supports a mounting member such as for a sample site.
US08267907B2 Device and method for exothermic treatment of eyelid diseases
Provided herein is a pad for treating the eye comprising a container having an impermeable outer membrane sized to fit generally within the peri-orbital region and sufficiently flexible to mold to the eye; a first chemical in the container; a second chemical in the container, the first and second chemicals selected to have an exothermic reaction for producing heat suitable for treating the eye, the exothermic reaction providing the suitable temperature for a period of time suitable for treating the eye. The container is covered with a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free material which may be presoaked in a pH controlled soap with or without an antibiotic. Other embodiments are also described.
US08267901B2 Dose delivery device with gearing mechanism
A dose delivery device is disclosed where a dose can be set by rotating a dose setting member, whereby a push button is elevated from one end of the device a distance proportional to the set dose from a position fixed relative to the housing, and where the set dose can then be injected by pressing the push button back to its non-elevated position, through which motion a piston rod will move the same or a different distance due to a gearing mechanism being provided between the push button and the piston rod, where the gearing mechanism includes at least a first and a second thread on one or more parts that are rotationally coupled to each other, the first thread engaging a driver, the second thread engaging an element rotationally locked to the driver, one of the threads of the gearing mechanism being left-handed and the other one being right-handed.
US08267900B2 Medication delivery device
The present invention relates to a medication delivery device, to dosing mechanisms suitable for use in medication delivery devices, in particular in pen-type injectors, preferably having dose setting means and a drive device enabling the administration of a medicinal product from a multi-dose medication cartridge, to a use of such device, and to a method of manufacturing or assembling such device.
US08267894B2 Self-contained portable apparatus for administration of a drug solution
A self-contained portable apparatus for administration of a drug solution includes a housing having an enclosure for receiving a flexible pouch containing a drug solution, the output of which is connectable to a conduit for delivering the drug solution to a recipient. A pressurization system is arranged for providing a constant and controllable gas pressure to the housing in order to obtain a controllable delivery of the drug solution. The pressurization system includes a pressure source for delivering positive pressure gas; a pressure accumulation tank connected to the source and the second chamber; a one-way valve arranged between the pressure source and the pressure accumulation tank; and a mechanical pressure regulator arranged between the pressure accumulation tank and the housing. Hereby, an extremely stable and well controllable output pressure and output flow is obtainable.
US08267892B2 Multi-language / multi-processor infusion pump assembly
An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. The processing logic includes a primary microprocessor configured to execute one or more primary applications written in a first computer language; and a safety microprocessor configured to execute one or more safety applications written in a second computer language.
US08267886B2 Catheter having a core wire and a low profile bond
A catheter having a shaft that has at least two spaced-apart lumens is disclosed. A retractable core wire is disposed within at least one of the lumens. The retractable core wire is manipulated by the user to impart variable stiffness to the shaft as the core wire is retracted and extended within the lumen. A catheter having substantially low profile bonds at the junctions where an inflatable balloon is attached to the catheter is also disclosed. The low profile bonds are created by recesses extending around the circumference of the distal end of the shaft, the proximal and distal ends of a stem, and the proximal end of a tip. The catheter having the low profile bond optionally has either a retractable or an embedded core wire. In examples, the catheter has at least one component formed from, co-extruded with, or coated with a lubricious material or a hydrophilic material.
US08267884B1 Wound treatment apparatus and method
Apparatuses and methods for treating wounds are disclosed. An apparatus for treating wounds is disclosed comprising an instrument for generating a low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasma, a means of flowing gas through the instrument, and a means of contacting the wound with the reactive gases flowing out of the instrument. A method for treating wounds using reactive gases is disclosed. The use of atmospheric pressure plasmas for treating wounds is also disclosed.
US08267883B2 Photocatalytic implant having a sensor
An implant comprises a photocatalytic layer on at least one surface and is adapted to act as a sensor. In some embodiments, the photocatalytic layer is a semiconductor oxide that is doped. According to some embodiments, the implant comprises a wave guide. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a light port. According to some embodiments, the implant comprises a reflective material on a surface of the waveguide. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a composite material comprising a first material that has a transmissivity when exposed to a predetermined wavelength of light and a second material that has photocatalytic activity when exposed to the predetermined wavelength of light. According to some embodiments the implant comprises a light source adapted to irradiate the photocatalytic surface.
US08267880B2 Elastic bandage segment
The invention relates to an elastic adhesive unidirectional bandage and to a method for the production and the use thereof. The inventive bandage is embodied in the form of a segment, exhibits elastic and adhesive properties and is designed, in particular for supporting joints and preventing and maximally reducing injuries in certain body regions. The bandage segment is held in position during a long time by means of the adhesive properties thereof and supports natural movements by the elasticity thereof without constrictions and folds. Even, when the bandage is carried for a long time, it does not provoke a foreign body feeling. The bandage segment is easily applicable and optimally anatomically adaptable by the specific design of the elastic areas (for example, only the partial areas of the segment are elastic) and by corresponding shape thereof.
US08267876B2 Walking assist device
A walking assist device having a load transmit portion, a leg link connected to the load transmit portion, and a driving source capable of driving the leg link in a direction to raise a seat member, so that at least a partial weight of a user may be supported by the leg link through the load transmit portion. An electric component to be used for controlling the driving source can be mounted on the walking assist device without degrading the compactness of the walking assist device. At least a part of the leg link is constituted of a cylindrical link member in which at least the electric component, such as a motor driver to be used for the control of the driving source, is partially housed. The walking assist device also includes a heat transfer member for absorbing the heat of the electric component by the cylindrical link member. The heat transfer member is thermally connected to a side plate of the cylindrical link member directed toward the side opposite to the leg of the user.
US08267875B2 Method and system of segmentation and time duration analysis of dual-axis swallowing accelerometry signals
The proposed invention is a method and system for the segmentation of dual-axis accelerometry signals for the purposed of identifying problematic swallowing events. The method and system employ a sensor, a data collection means including an algorithm for the analysis of the data. The proposed invention considers the stochastic properties of swallowing signals in both directions, A-P and S-I to extract events associated with swallowing. A segmentation algorithm may be applied to the signals to establish the time duration of swallows and swallows may be classified with respect to gender, body mass index, age or types of swallow.
US08267874B2 Low friction coated marked wire guide for over the wire insertion of a catheter
A wire guide includes a mandrel that has a proximal portion and a distal portion. A coating having a low coefficient of friction is disposed on at least part of the proximal portion and the distal portion of the mandrel, where a part of the proximal portion and distal portion of the mandrel without the coating indicates a marking on the wire guide. This marking on the wire guide allows a user to determine a trimmable length of a catheter, and the low friction coating enables the user to easily advance the catheter over the wire guide.
US08267873B2 Guidewire catheter
A guidewire catheter includes: a sheath for passing a guidewire therethrough; an operation section connected to an end of the sheath and having a through-hole for passing the guidewire therethrough; a guidewire adapter connected to the operation section and capable of freely extending or retracting relative to the operation section along the axial line of the through-hole, the guidewire adapter grasping the outer periphery surface of the guidewire projecting from the through-hole, and the guidewire adapter being capable of guiding and moving the guidewire relative to the operation section in an axial direction and a circumferential direction of the through-hole; a bar-shaped slide section formed on one of the operation section and the guidewire adapter in the exterior of the through-hole, the slide section being disposed along a line which is parallel with the axial line of the through-hole; a receiver formed on the other one of the operation section and the guidewire adapter and being capable of moving and supporting the freely extendable or retractable slide section; a connection section having a second through-hole formed coaxially with the axial line of the through-hole formed in the guidewire adapter; and a grip section, engaged with the second through-hole, for grasping an outer periphery surface of the guidewire, and the grip section being capable of freely rotatable around the axial line of the second through-hole.
US08267872B2 Steerable guide wire with torsionally stable tip
A steerable guide wire includes a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end. A multi-filament bundle is affixed to the distal end of the core wire. An outer coil surrounds at least a portion of the core wire and the multi-filament bundle. A proximal end of the multi-filament bundle is secured to a distal end of the coil. By locating the multi-filament bundle in the distal tip portion of the guide wire, a guide wire is provided that is highly flexible, has a high degree of tensile integrity, and is highly steerable, even in tortuous vasculature.
US08267870B2 Method and apparatus for body fluid sampling with hybrid actuation
In one aspect, a body fluid sampling device is provided using a penetrating member to extract fluid from an anatomical feature. The device comprises a penetrating member actuator for moving the penetrating member inbound towards the anatomical feature and a non-spring based, penetrating member retractor for moving the penetrating member outbound away from the anatomical feature. The penetrating member actuator may be adapted to move the penetrating member at a velocity greater than a velocity achieved by the penetrating member retractor.
US08267869B2 Multi-purpose biopsy forceps
A method to perform an endoscopic biopsy includes deploying a mechanical forceps through an accessory channel of an endoscope assembly, deploying an optical probe through the accessory channel to an area of investigation, optically evaluating tissue at the area of investigation, actuating the mechanical forceps to grasp a sample of the tissue, and retrieving the mechanical forceps and the optical probe through the accessory channel of the endoscope assembly. A biopsy apparatus includes a delivery conduit, an optical probe configured to investigate the tissue upon a distal end of an optical conduit extending through the delivery conduit, and a forceps assembly slidably engaged over the optical conduit, the forceps assembly comprising jaws configured to operate between a closed position and at least one open position, wherein the jaws of the forceps are urged into the closed position as the forceps are retracted within the delivery conduit.
US08267866B2 Method and apparatus for assessment of bone age using ultrasound
A method and apparatus for controlling access of individuals to a service, device or location in order to restrict access to members of a particular age and/or gender category, by machine-sensing a predetermined biometric characteristic of the individual indicative of the particular age and/or gender category, and utilizing the machine-sensed characteristic for automatically controlling access of the individual. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to controlling access of children to certain Internet sites, TV programs, chat rooms, or other places inappropriate to children.
US08267864B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonograph comprising a probe (10) for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from a subject, a transmitting section (12) for supplying a drive signal to the probe (10), a receiving section (12) for receiving a reflection echo signal outputted from the probe (10), image constructing sections (17, 19, 21) for reconstructing a diagnosis image from the received reflection echo signal, a displaying section (25) for displaying the reconstructed diagnosis image, and a control section for controlling the other sections, wherein the rise of temperature of the probe (10) is suppressed by adequately judging whether the probe (10) is left in the air or not. The ultrasonograph further comprises a judging section (22) for judging from diagnosis image information whether or not the probe (10) is left in the air. If the judging section (22) judges that the probe (10) is left in the air, the control section (26) controls the drive signal supplied from the transmitting section to the probe (10) so as to suppress the rise of temperature of the probe (10).
US08267862B2 Apparatus and method for monitoring health index using electroconductive fiber
Provided are an apparatus and method for monitoring a health index using an electroconductive fiber. In the apparatus, a bio signal acquiring unit measures a bio signal using an electroconductive fiber which is worn around a part of a user's body and in which a resistance is varied according to a user's body volume or body temperature. A health index acquiring unit analyzes the bio signal to acquire a health index. A health index notifying unit notifies the health index. Accordingly, the health index can be easily monitored without limitations on the user's behavior.
US08267860B2 Vaginal speculum
A speculum for internal examination of a body cavity such as a vagina, comprising at least two spoons, each comprising a spoon blade that can be inserted in the body cavity, which spoons are attached to one another via a hinge pin and are hingeable between a closed position in which the spoon blades are essentially in contact with one another and a spread position in which the spoon blades are some distance apart, and at least one operating handle which is located outside the body cavity during use, a body rest being provided which, in conjunction with the operating handle, effects spreading of the spoon blades.
US08267858B2 Wound retractor with gel cap
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop positioned therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity.
US08267848B2 Dunnage device and handler disengagement
A dunnage device is disclosed and can include a dunnage mechanism comprising first and second dunnage converting portions that have an engaged condition, in which the converting portions are associated and configured for converting stock material into dunnage and a disengaged condition in which the converting portions are disabled from converting the stock into dunnage and a dunnage handler configured for receiving the dunnage from the dunnage mechanism and including a first handler portion that has a handling position in which the dunnage handler is configured for controlling the dunnage and a release position, wherein the first handler portion is associated with the dunnage mechanism such that movement of the first handler portion from the handling position to the release position causes the dunnage mechanism to change from the engaged condition to the disengaged position.
US08267845B2 Physical fitness and rehabilitation apparatus
A physical fitness and rehabilitation apparatus is provided for use in combination with an inflatable exercise ball. The apparatus may include a plurality of handles. In use, a user may rest against the ball and the platform while gripping the plurality of handles to improve the user's strength, balance, flexibility, and/or joint stabilization.
US08267841B1 Combination kettle bell and dumbbell
For use with a dumbbell having a transverse connection or connections between two weights, a support structure comprising an elongated handle bar, and means associated with the transverse connection or connections providing releasably connection or connections to the two weights. A preferred clam-shell form of the invention is disclosed.
US08267840B2 Multi-function exercise device
The present invention is directed to an apparatus allowing a user to get an excellent whole-body work out. The invention includes a frame that has a region for completing a pull up type movement, a region for completing a push up style movement and a region for completing a dip style movement as well as variations of movements within. Additionally the assembled unit may act in a similar fashion to a ballet or balance bar to allow completion of a variety of movements and exercises.
US08267837B2 Method and apparatus to control engine temperature for a hybrid powertrain
An internal combustion engine is connected to a transmission to transmit tractive power to a driveline. Engine coolant temperature is determined, and power output of the engine is adjusted based upon the coolant temperature and preferred coolant temperature range. The transmission is controlled to transmit tractive power to the driveline to meet an operator torque request based upon the adjusted power output of the engine.
US08267836B2 Control system for automatic transmission
A control system for an automatic transmission includes a downshift control section configured to increase an engaging capacity of an engaging-side engaging element to engage the engaging-side engaging element and decrease a first engaging capacity of a disengaging-side engaging element to disengage the disengaging-side engaging element when a parameter representing a progressing condition of the downshift reaches a value, thereby carrying out the downshift in a power-on condition. Additionally, the downshift control section is configured to decrease the engaging capacity of the disengaging-side engaging element to a second engaging capacity smaller than the first engaging capacity to continue the downshift which is currently progressing and to cause the engine control section to continue controlling the engine speed when a power-off condition is detected upon an accelerator pedal being returned to a position representing an operating amount during the downshift.
US08267831B1 Method and apparatus for washing, etching, rinsing, and plating substrates
An apparatus comprises a gear mechanism for imparting planetary motion about a central axle to a plurality of mandrels used for holding substrates in a process bath. The plurality of mandrels are mounted to a pair of end plates, the mandrels and end plates collectively comprise a carousel that rotates about the central axle. Each mandrel is also capable of selective rotation about their own mandrel axis parallel to the central axle. The substrates are held by the mandrels at their inner apertures.
US08267829B2 Continuously variable transmission
A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
US08267828B2 Actuator for units comprising a planetary gear
The invention relates to an actuator (10) for units comprising a planetary gear (14), especially a planetary differential gear, whose radially inward region is embodied as a hollow shaft and which is equipped with a drive unit and a driven shaft that cooperates with the unit to be operated. A drive shaft of the planetary gear (14) is connected to the drive unit and can be driven by the same. Said drive shaft is configured as a first hollow shaft (16) while the driven shaft is embodied as a second hollow shaft (40). A planet carrier (28) is provided that is connected to the first hollow shaft (16) or is embodied with the radially inward region thereof as a first hollow shaft (16) in such a way that a rotary movement is also performed by the planet carrier (28) when the first hollow shaft (16) rotates while the drive unit as well as the first (16) and the second hollow shaft (40) encompass a common axis of rotation. Furthermore, at least the smaller of the two internal diameters of the hollow shafts is adapted to the transversal dimensions of a substantially longitudinally extending drive rod of a unit which can be connected to the driven shaft.
US08267827B2 Final drive having a lubrication system
A final drive comprising a lubrication system is provided. The final drive comprises an axle housing and a differential housing. The differential housing is in alignment with the axle housing, and they share a longitudinal axis. The final drive further comprises a lubricant ring having a lubricant ring inner diameter. The lubricant ring travels about an inner surface of the axle housing. Further, the final drive has a longitudinal axis region, defined as the region formed by the lubricant ring inner diameter. The lubrication system comprises a lubrication inlet in fluid communication with a lubricant outlet. The lubrication inlet is disposed in the axle housing to capture a portion of the lubricant ring. The lubricant outlet is disposed in the differential housing to distribute the portion of the lubricant ring generally to the longitudinal axis region.
US08267822B2 Wrap-around drive
A belt drive is provided which includes a circulating belt (8) which is driven by at least one drive element (9) and which drives at least one driven element (10). At least one first tensioning device (20) acts upon the belt (8) in the slack strand and at least one second tensioning device acts in the tightened strand. To prevent or reduce jumps and/or transverse oscillations of the belt (8), the second device (21) guides the belt (8) and at least one third device (22) which is arranged radially inside the belt drive, which is suitable, optionally, limits deviations of the belt (8). The second device (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) also tensions the belt (8) in such a manner that it is subjected to a force (F1) which is smaller than the force (F2) which is oriented counter thereto during the operation of the belt (8) on the second tensioning device (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100).
US08267821B2 Mechanical tensioner with damping mechanism
A mechanical tensioner that includes a pulley arm with a tension pulley for a tension element drive of an internal combustion engine. The pulley arm is mounted to a mounting base that is fixedly attached to the engine. A spring that functions in compression and torsion is located about a pivot axis on the mounting base, with one end connected to the pulley arm and the other end attached to the mounting base. The spring provides torsion to the pulley arm to maintain tension on the tension element, and is also compressed between a mounting flange of the pulley arm and a support flange on the mounting base to transmit an axial force between the pulley arm and an outer hub that is fixed to the mounting base. A shaped bush which functions at least as a damping element, and can also function as a bearing, is located in the space between the outer hub and the pulley arm. The outer surface of the outer hub, the bush and the inner portion of the pulley arm are in the shape of a tractrix pseudosphere to provide increased life and reduced wear.
US08267818B2 Snap together split sprocket
Described herein is a sprocket for interfacing with a perforated material, such as a chain. The sprocket includes a hub and a material-interfacing plate. The hub is shaped to fit around an axially extending shaft, and includes a plurality of hub portions each shaped to fit around a portion of the shaft; and a retaining portion and a hub interlocking portion, each disposed on at least one of the hub portions. The material-interfacing plate has a periphery that is shaped to interface with the perforated material, and includes a plurality of plate portions each shaped to fit around a portion of the hub; and a plate interlocking portion shaped to interlock with the hub interlocking portion and disposed on at least one of the plate portions. The material-interfacing plate is in a secured position when the plate interlocking portion and the hub interlocking portion are interlocked with each other. The interlocked plate and hub interlocking portions prevent the material-interfacing plate from sliding radially off the hub and the retaining portion prevents the material-interfacing plate from sliding axially off the hub when the material-interfacing plate is in the secured position.
US08267814B1 Climate variable lacrosse heads and related methods of use
A first lacrosse head constructed from a first material having first properties or a second lacrosse head constructed from a second material having second properties is selectively used in lacrosse activities, based on environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and/or solar activity, to provide generally consistent head performance as perceived by a lacrosse player across a range of environmental conditions. The first and second heads can be identical in structure, but constructed from different materials. For example, the first head can include a polyamide, optionally, Nylon 6,6 polyamide, and the second head can include a high performance polyamide resin, optionally a polypthalamide. An environmental indicator that provides visual and/or audible output with regard to environmental conditions can be included with at least one of the first head, the second head and a shaft to which the heads can be joined. Related methods of use are also provided.
US08267811B2 Golf ball with spherical polygonal dimples
A golf ball includes an outer spherical surface and a plurality of dimples formed thereon. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the dimples in accordance to the invention have a polygonal perimeter and a substantially spherical, concave depression. The substantially spherical depression comprises a spherical depression and a transitional portion bridging the area between the polygonal perimeter and the spherical depression. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, one or more sides of the polygonal perimeter may be non-linear or curved. The dimples of the present invention may fill the ball's entire outer surface, or the dimples may occupy a predetermined pattern on the ball. The predetermined pattern may also include one or more channels or raised beads on the surface of the ball.
US08267809B2 Mold for forming golf ball, method to manufacture golf ball with same, and golf ball manufactured using the same
A golf ball that, in the process of spherical grinding after forming, can maintain the dimple shape and achieve the designed dimple surface occupation ratio. A mold for forming a golf ball of the present invention has at least two body parts, a cavity being formed within the mold by the joining of the at least two body parts, the body part comprising a cavity wall surface which has a spherical surface shape with the center thereof being at the center of the cavity and dimple-forming protrusions provided on the cavity wall surface, the dimple-forming protrusions being connected to the cavity wall surface at an angle of about 60 or more degrees in a region from about 3 μm to about 20 μm from the cavity wall surface.
US08267807B2 Iron golf club head
An iron golf club head has a faceplate for hitting a golf ball, the faceplate having a back face; a viscoelastic body fixed onto the back face of the faceplate; and a backplate for sandwiching the viscoelastic body with the faceplate, the backplate having a flange that extends out of the periphery of the viscoelastic body and is fixed onto the back face of the faceplate.
US08267806B2 Grip structure and golf club
[Subject] The objective is to provide a grip structure that enables a user to certainly grip a grip part at a predetermined position; concurrently, that excels in visual quality and is aesthetically pleasing.[Resolution Means] Scales 50 are established at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of a grip part 16, for example, on a toe side peripheral part 30 and a heel side peripheral part out of a circumferential surface 28 of the grip part 16, and particularly on the toe side peripheral part 30, the scales 50 are formed with asperity expanding toward a circumferential direction of the grip part 16. This scale 50 functions as a positioning scale and/or an angle adjustment scale. Further, angle adjustment scales 60, 62 and 64 may be established at the lower portion of the grip part 16.
US08267805B2 Three in one-HBC(hand, belly, chest) putter
A “THREE IN ONE—HBC(HAND, BELLY, CHEST) PUTTER” is comprised of three putters that can be assembled from the individual parts in the putter package. A combination putter can be used in any of the three forms, hand, belly or chest for the next round of practice or golf. After each round of golf the golfer may change the configuration to any of the other putter forms for the next round of practice or golf.
US08267803B2 Reconfigurable infant support structure
An infant support structure includes a support frame having a lower member configured to engage a support surface. First and second spaced arcuate posts extend upwardly from the lower member, each of the posts having a distal end portion. A seat portion is disposed between and coupled to the posts. A first end of a toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of one of the posts, and a second end of the toy bar is secured to the distal end portion of the other of the posts.
US08267802B2 Fixed-type, constant-velocity universal joint
A fixed type constant velocity universal joint is capable of securing a ball groove depth larger than conventional products and enhancing performance without an increase in a “force of pushing out balls in an axial direction”, the force having an influence on joint efficiency. In the fixed type constant velocity universal joint, a center of each of a plurality of guide grooves of an outer joint member and a center of each of a plurality of guide grooves of an inner joint member are offset with respect to a spherical surface center of an inner surface and a spherical surface center of an outer surface. A ratio (F/PCR) of an offset amount F to a length of a segment (PCR) ranges from 0.045 to 0.065. A ratio (αt/α) when an angle α is the total of an angle αt and an angle αc ranges from 0.45 to 0.65.
US08267800B2 Torsionally elastic clutch
A torsionally elastic clutch is provided including a primary part and a secondary part connected to transfer torque, and including an elastic connecting member having a first attachment surface placed externally in the radial direction of the clutch, and a second attachment surface placed internally in the radial direction of the clutch, connected to transfer torque with the primary part and the other with the secondary part, the two attachment surfaces are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction of the clutch, and further including a tensioning device, which maintains the relative displacement of the two attachment surfaces. An axial bearing is provided between the primary part and the secondary part, which permits a relative twisting in the circumferential direction of the clutch between the primary part and the secondary part, and additionally the tensioning device applies a compressive stress to the axial bearing.
US08267797B2 Wagering game system having bonus game configurations
A method and system for making a plurality of bonus games available on a gaming machine. The bonus games each have associated bonus game instructions. The bonus game instructions are stored in a bonus game memory. The bonus game is selectable by a player of the gaming machine. The bonus game instructions are removed at a predetermined period of time after the bonus game instructions are stored in order to provide storage for new bonus games. Alternatively the bonus game instructions may be removed if the bonus games are not played frequently. The bonus game may be part of a channel including a plurality of bonus games. The channels of different groups of bonus games may be displayed to the player to assist in bonus game selection.
US08267793B2 Multiplatform gaming system
A multiplatform gaming system comprises in combination: (a) a mobile communication device provided with circuitry suitable to communicate over one or more communication channels; (b) software provided in said mobile device to receive inputs from one or more sensors of the device, and to transmit control data relying on said inputs over a communication channel; and (c) a gaming platform provided with a display, which platform runs software suitable to receive said control data and to control the behavior of a game according to such control data.
US08267784B2 Game system and computer readable medium including a marker position determination portion
There is provided a game system in which areas where operation instruction markers of each player influence each other. The game system 1 determines a division position DP of lane L where an operation instruction marker IM is displayed each time when a predetermined condition is satisfied during a game, and a size of display area DA of the lane of each player based on the determined division position DP. The game system 1 also determines the position of operation instruction marker IM corresponding to each operation timing 20 described in sequence data SD so that the position changes with the progress of music being reproduced, and displays a game image GI where the operation instruction markers IM corresponding to each players P are arranged in the display area DA corresponding to the player P.
US08267779B2 Program, storage medium on which program is recorded, and game device
The present invention provides an image processing method or the like for a game device, in which a ball game involving putting a ball into a goal is executed, and in which more realistic game development can be constructed. An image processing method is carried out in which, in a game device, a ball game of putting a ball into a goal is executed by displaying images of a self-character, a plurality of own-team characters, and a plurality of opponent characters moving in a virtual space, and while a ball holder BH, which is an opponent character, is in possession of the ball, a self-character 20 is caused to move to a delay defense area 27, which is a region located separated, by a second distance (for example 2 m), from a position a first distance away (target position, 3 m) from the ball holder BH on a course line 23 connecting the ball holder BH and a goal G in response to pressing of a delay defense button, which is a single input operation of operation means (controller) operated by a game player (player).
US08267778B2 Video game feedback system and method
In order to track the behavior of a gamer with a virtual environment of a video game, the virtual environment is provided with a set of predetermined objectives. The completion of the predetermined objectives is monitored and recorded. This information is then provided to a game developer. In addition, comparing the record of the predetermined objectives with current game assets associated with the gamer serves to inhibit authorized duplication of game assets.
US08267775B2 Player action incentive arrangement for gaming systems
A processing device measures the time it takes for a player to take some action in a game and bases the award or result in the game for the player at least in part on that measured time. A player receives a more desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a shorter player action time and/or receives a less desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a longer player action time. Providing more desirable results for shorter player action times or less desirable results for longer player action times provides players an incentive that influences them to take the appropriate player actions more quickly.
US08267774B2 Wagering gaming with inter-player competition feature
A variety of inter-player competition features for incorporation into a gaming system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a gaming system is provided with a trail-based game and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, signage, and at least one controller. The community event is triggered by an underlying wagering game. The controller is operative to conduct a trail-based game including a token and a trail having a plurality of steps, mark one or more of the plurality of steps with a marker, display a token on at least one of the steps, reduce an award value for the step on which the token is displayed when the step is marked by one or more marker. The award value being reduced for each of the plurality of players whose marker does not mark the step.
US08267770B2 Controller for initiating function associated with symbol counter used in gaming machine
The present invention is a gaming machine that realizes an exciting game in a video slot format. The gaming machine includes a display and a controller. The display shows reels and gauges. The reel comprises symbols. The gauges are provided so that each of them corresponds to at least one of the reels. The controller controls the movement of the symbols. One of the symbols is a specific type of symbol. The controller counts the number of how many times the specific type of symbol appears in the display reel by reel and reflects the counted numbers in the gauges. When the counted number reaches a threshold, the controller is arranged to initiate a feature on the reel whose gauge's value reaches the threshold.
US08267766B2 Security system and method for lottery tickets
A system and method of printing lottery tickets produces a prize structure with ticket books containing all available prizes. A game generation file is then generated withholding the high tier prizes. A list of validation numbers is then created from ticket books that hold only low tier winning ticket values. In one embodiment, only validation numbers associated with tickets having no redemption value are included in the list Individual validation numbers are then selected at random from the created list of validation numbers, and high tier ticket prize data is assigned to each record associated with a selected validation number. The information is stored in a new file that can be contained on a separate file server from the original generation file, invoking increased access control and monitoring for additional security purposes. The new file contains the raw ticket data that is used in the printing of the tickets.
US08267764B1 Wagering game having enhancements to queued outcomes
A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a wager input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, at least one display configured to display the wagering game and at least one controller operatively configured to verify receipt of a wager and an extra wager, randomly generate an outcome of the wagering game, randomly generate an award modifier, determine if the outcome is a winning outcome, determine an award associated with the outcome if the outcome is a winning outcome, modify the award via the award modifier to yield a modified award, award the modified award to the player, and, separately, store the modified award in a stored award field accessible through a secondary game.
US08267761B2 Storage medium having game program stored therein and game apparatus
In a game apparatus, a plurality of puzzle elements each having a preset attribute are arranged within a predetermined area on the screen of a display device. A puzzle element arrangement pattern within the predetermined area is altered in accordance with a player's operation. In the game apparatus, when the arrangement pattern is altered, a ring-like puzzle element group is identified, which consists of puzzle elements having the same preset attribute and being adjacently arranged in a closed ring within the predetermine area. In the game apparatus, any puzzle element is deleted, which is arranged in a position determined by the identified ring-like puzzle element group defined by the ring-like puzzle element identification means.
US08267759B2 Sub-duct and method of exhausting into a generally vertical main shaft
Sub-ducts and methods of exhausting into a generally rectangular and vertical main shaft are disclosed herein. A sub-duct of one embodiment includes hollow first and second portions. The first portion presents a generally flat attaching wall, a top side that defines an opening, and a bottom side that has an aerodynamic configuration; the second portion defines an intake opening, meets with the first portion attaching wall at approximately a ninety degree angle, and has a configuration complementary to a configuration of an exhaust duct. The first and second portions collectively define a continuous channel between the intake opening and the top side opening. The first portion may have a section of generally constant cross section extending from adjacent the second portion to the top side opening, and the second portion may have a generally constant cross section extending from the intake opening to the first portion.
US08267758B2 Thermal module and method for controlling heat-dissipation wind amount thereof
A thermal module and method for controlling heat-dissipation wind amount thereof is provided. The thermal module is figured in an electronic apparatus having a first heat source and a second heat source. The thermal module includes at least a first wind outlet, a second wind outlet and a first wind-amount adjuster. The first wind outlet is for providing a first wind amount to the first heat source while the second wind outlet is for providing a second wind amount to the second heat source. The first wind-amount adjuster, disposed at the first wind outlet, is for adjusting the first wind amount according to temperature of the first heat source and the second heat source.
US08267756B2 Extraction hood and method for the suction extraction and/or purification of contaminated carrier substances
An extractor hood is used for extracting and/or purifying a carrier that is contaminated with solid and/or liquid substances. In order to improve the extraction and/or purification output of an extractor hood and simultaneously to reduce the amount of maintenance required, the extractor hood uses a pre-filtering unit disposed upstream of the filter unit, whereby at least already a partial flow of the carrier to be extracted and/or to be purified is purified to a certain degree already before it reaches the filter unit that is configured as the main filter.
US08267753B2 Spinner wheel housing
A spinner wheel housing (100) comprises an outer housing (10) having at least one covering element (15), at least one bottom element (16), two front wall elements (11, 12) and two trapezoidal lateral wall elements (13, 14) which are arranged at a distance from each other and encompassed by the front wall elements. At least one of the lateral wall elements (13, 14) has a recess for receiving a guiding sleeve. A guiding sleeve cover (40) is pressed against this lateral wall element (14) by means of at least three clamping claw devices (50) which are fixed to the lateral wall element next to the recess for receiving the guiding sleeve and/or a bottom support element (16). The bottom element is connected to a base support element (17) by means of a plurality of clamping claw devices (70). The base bearing element is adapted to be fixed to a blasting compartment or a foundation.
US08267752B2 Knife sharpening device of circular knife
A knife sharpening device of a circular knife contains a wheel member including a sharpening portion disposed therein, the sharpening portion including an abrasive piece mounted therearound, an annular loop with a hole mounted on a central portion thereof, and a peripheral wheel formed therearound; a retaining member connected with one side of the wheel member and including a first rib disposed thereon, an abutting post with a first limiting block extending therefrom, the first limiting block including an insertion extending therefrom, the abutting post including a biasing projection proximate to the abutting post; a connecting member connected on another side of the wheel member and including a second rib disposed thereon, a second limiting block with an opening and plural locking tabs fixed on a central portion of an inner side thereof, the connecting member including a contacting peg arranged adjacent to an inner side thereof.
US08267751B2 Chamfering tool and method
A chamfering tool adapted to mount on a handheld grinder, the grinder having a guard and the grinder having a grinding face. The chamfering tool includes a fixed mount, to be attached to the guard on the handheld grinder. A moveable mount is attached to the fixed mount. A first guide face is attached to the fixed mount and a second guide face is attached to the moveable mount. The guide face defines a space there between. The space being disposed such that the grinding face of the handheld grinder contacts a work piece held against at least one of the first guide face or the second guide face. An adjustment member is fixed to one of the fixed mount or the moveable mount. The adjustment member hold the moveable guide mount in a user selected position. The adjustment member are adjustable to selectively vary a width of the space between the first guide face and the second guide face.
US08267750B2 Apparatus for precision steeling/conditioning of knife edges
A knife edge enhancing apparatus includes a support having a support surface and knife blade clamping structure mounted to the support and located above the support surface. An object having a knife edge modifying surface which could be abrasive or non-abrasive is mounted to a holder which is freely slidable on the support surface so that the object surface can be manually moved into contact with a knife edge facet. At least one of the clamping structure and the object surface is angularly adjustable to control the angle of contact of the object surface with the knife edge facet.
US08267749B2 Abrasive sharpener having square abrasive rods
An abrasive sharpener having a body and an integral handle. The body possesses a pair of upper slots for receiving an edge to be sharpened. One of slot has a pair of crossed diamond abrasive rods having a square cross section generally along its length. The other slot includes a pair of abutting ceramic blades having triangular configuration. Two offset slot portions having a ceramic rod is also provided on the body.
US08267745B2 Methods of grinding semiconductor wafers having improved nanotopology
Methods for holding a workpiece with a hydrostatic pad are disclosed herein. The pad includes hydrostatic pockets formed in a face of the body directly opposed to the wafer. The pockets are adapted for receiving fluid through the body and into the pockets to provide a barrier between the body face and the workpiece while still applying pressure to hold the workpiece during grinding. The hydrostatic pads allow the wafer to rotate relative to the pads about their common axis. The pockets are oriented to reduce hydrostatic bending moments that are produced in the wafer when the grinding wheels shift or tilt relative to the hydrostatic pads, helping prevent nanotopology degradation of surfaces of the wafer commonly caused by shift and tilt of the grinding wheels.
US08267743B2 Polishing head and tool change arm for a polishing head
A polishing head for use in a polishing machine for optical surfaces, having an axis of rotation and a base body having a holding structure intended to be arranged at a polishing spindle and having a transport element intended to be held at a tool change arm, the transport element being positionable against a holding element of the tool change arm in order to perform a tool change, wherein at least one locking element is provided which can be positioned against the tool change arm such that a positive and/or non-positive joint results.
US08267738B2 Toy
A track set is disclosed herein, the track set having: a first track segment pivotally mounted to the track set for movement between a first position and a second position, the first track segment having a first end and a second end; a perforated vessel secured to the first end of the first track segment, wherein a predetermined amount of water in the perforated vessel will maintain the first track segment in the first position; a second track segment mounted to the track set, the second end of the first track segment being spaced from a receiving end of the second track segment and the second end of the first track segment being elevated from the receiving end of the second track segment when the first track segment is in the first position, wherein at least one toy vehicle positioned proximate to the first end of the first track segment will be held there until an amount of water in the perforated vessel is less than the predetermined amount and the first track segment moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the least one toy vehicle travels away from the first end of the first track segment to the second track segment by traversing a gap between the second end of the first track segment and the receiving end of the second track segment.
US08267737B2 Virtual character video toy with movable display
A display system is provided. The display system may include a housing and a transparent display screen mounted to the housing, the screen configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The display system may further include a sensor mounted to the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing and a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen.
US08267736B2 Animal bubble assembly
A bubble generating assembly has a head section having a bubble generator associated therewith, a body housing and a feet section that is configured as a reservoir for holding bubble solution. The body housing houses a motor and an air generator coupled to the motor, the outer surface of the body housing defining a handle for the assembly, and having an actuator provided on the outer surface of the body housing. A pump system is provided inside the body housing, and draws bubble solution from the feet section to the bubble generator.
US08267734B2 Gate controlled field emission triode and process for fabricating the same
This invention relates to a process for fabricating ZnO nanowires with high aspect ratio at low temperature, which is associated with semiconductor manufacturing process and a gate controlled field emission triode is obtained. The process comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, depositing a dielectric layer and a conducting layer, respectively, on the semiconductor substrate, defining the positions of emitter arrays on the dielectric layer and conducting layer, depositing an ultra thin ZnO film as a seeding layer on the substrate, growing the ZnO nanowires as the emitter arrays by using hydrothermal process, and etching the areas excluding the emitter arrays, then obtaining the gate controlled field emission triode.
US08267732B1 Marine drive lower gearcase with efficient lubricant level
A marine drive having a lower gearcase with a vertical drive shaft driving a horizontal propeller shaft in a torpedo housing has a vent plug setting the level of lubricant in the lower gearcase to be substantially at the top of the torpedo housing.
US08267731B2 Breakaway safety system
There is provided a breakaway safety system for a vessel. The vessel includes: (a) a hull; (b) one or more engine arrangements supported by the hull; and (c) one or more propeller extensions mounted to the hull and coupled to receive motive power from the one or more engine arrangements in operation. The safety system includes: one or more sensors mounted to the vessel for measuring operating parameters of the vessel and generating one or more corresponding input signals; a control unit for receiving the one or more corresponding input signals, and for processing the one or more input signals to generate at least one control output; one or more fracturable regions for mounting the one or more propeller extensions to the at least one hull; and one or more fracturing devices operable to fracture the one or more fracturable regions for jettisoning associated one or more propeller extensions in an event that the control unit detects a potentially hazardous impact event and activates its at least one control output accordingly.
US08267727B2 Low profile plug receptacle
A low profile receptacle plug receptacle is disclosed. The low profile plug receptacle which may have a housing with a partially circular opening that is configured in one embodiment to receive a cylindrical plug. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may have a second opening which has a width smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical plug. A portion of the cylindrical plug may extend past the second opening when inserted into the housing. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may part of an electronic device.
US08267726B1 Modular digital signal cross-connect system
A modular telecommunications device that may be configured with a variety of connector types that enable any telecommunications equipment to route signals through the telecommunications device. The device includes a quad jack frame, a main printed circuit board and an interchangeable back plate that can be replaced by another interchangeable back plate that includes a different connector type. A secondary printed circuit board is included in the interchangeable back plate. The incoming power to the device is provided to the main printed circuit that distributes power throughout the device.
US08267724B2 Electrical connector having offset mounting terminals
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical connector includes a housing that supports a plurality of electrical contacts. Each electrical contact defines a mating end and an opposing mounting end, and a plurality of mounting terminals disposed at the mounting end. The mounting terminals of each contact are arranged in at least one column extending along a longitudinal direction, such that each column is spaced along a lateral direction, and the mounting terminals of adjacent contacts are longitudinally offset.
US08267722B2 Cable connector assembly having improved grounding member
A cable connector assembly (100), comprising a frame (1) have a plurality of passageways (13) and a plurality of openings (14) in a front wall (123) of the frame and in communication with the corresponding passageway (13); a plurality of electrical connectors (2) received in the corresponding passageways (13), each electrical connector (2) having a terminal seat (21), a shell (22) enclosing the terminal seat (21) and a mating portion (25) exposed at the corresponding opening (14); a grounding member (3) having a body portion (30), at least two first contact arms (31) and at least one second contact arm (32) formed with the body portion (30), each first contact arm (31) contacting the shell (22) of one of the electrical connectors (2), said at least one second contact arm (32) extending out the frame (1) and disposed around the front wall (123) of the housing (1).
US08267718B2 High data rate electrical connector and cable assembly
An electrical connector has a first shell, an opposing second shell and a circuit board between the first shell and the second shell. The circuit board has a first side and an opposing second side and includes a plurality of differential pair conductive traces on each side. A first drain wire termination device is provided on the first side and includes at least one separator between at least one of the differential pair conductive traces on the first side and another of the differential pair conductive traces on the first side. A second drain wire termination device is connected to the second side and includes at least one separator between at least one of the differential pair conductive traces on the second side and another of the differential pair conductive traces on the second side.
US08267717B2 FPC connector having rotating actuator
An FPC connector has a main body and an actuator movably attached thereto. When at an opened position, the actuator and the main body form a space therebetween into which an FPC can be inserted. The actuator can then be rotated towards the main body to close the space, such that the FPC is sandwiched and hold between the main body and the actuator. The actuator has a pair of pivots which are received by a pair of slots formed by the pair of support plates fixed to the main body. The actuator has a pair of latches which, when the actuator rotates to the locked position, act against a lock portion of the support plates and cause the lock portions to deform resiliently outwardly. When the latches pass over the lock portions, the lock portions resumes to the original position and lock the latches.
US08267716B2 Cable assembly with ferrule
An cable assembly includes an external cover having a back wall defining a retaining cavity; at least one printed circuit board accommodated in the external cover; two cables arranged in juxtaposed manner, each cable including a number of wires, a shielding layer shrouding the wires, a metallic braiding enclosing the shielding layer and an insulative jacket enclosing the metallic braiding; two ring shaped reinforcement members, each reinforcement member located between the shielding layer and the metallic braiding of a front segment of the each cable; and a ferrule crimped to the front segments of the two cable and encircling the reinforcement members, the ferrule retained in the retaining cavity, and the metallic braiding of each cable sandwiched between the ferrule and the reinforcement member inside the corresponding cable.
US08267712B2 RJ-45 connector assembly and assisting apparatus for unplugging RJ-45 connector
A Registered Jack-45 (RJ-45) connector assembly includes an RJ-45 connector, and an assisting apparatus for unplugging the RJ-45 connector. The RJ-45 connector includes a slanted resilient latch. The assisting apparatus includes a latching portion and a pressable portion. A receiving slot is defined in the front end of the latching portion, to engage with the resilient latch of the RJ-45 connector. When the pressable portion is pressed, the assisting apparatus drives the resilient latch of the RJ-45 connector to deform and disengage from a connector of an electronic device.
US08267711B2 Positive safety latch
An electronic connector latch system provides safety via an internally hidden latch that requires a correctly sized pin to open. The described system is positive, in that it provides a “deadbolt” style latching wherein the pull out force is perpendicular to direction of opening the latch, and latching occurs on both sides of the locking post. The system is still user friendly in that mating the two connectors together can be accomplished without any tools. Mating is achieved with a simple insertion of the mating connector. The latch is captured inside the plastic unit housing, and a stamped sheet metal spring provides high cycle life.
US08267709B2 FPC connector
To provide a connector that increases the amount of elastic deformation of a beam and can improve the contact stability between a flat electrical wire and a terminal while restraining an increase in the difference between the position of a cam in the anteroposterior direction and the position of a pressing portion formed on the cam, a pressing portion that pushes flat electrical wire is formed on the lower surface of center beam of rear connecting terminal. Cam of actuator is positioned between upper beam and center beam of rear connecting terminal. Inclined surface that extends at an angle upward and backward is formed on the upper surface of center beam. Cam pushes inclined surface down.
US08267707B2 Underwater or sub sea connectors
Connector part for making an electrical connection with a complementary connector part while underwater or in a harsh environment, the connector part comprising: first and second axially extending, electrically conductive signal-carrying elements, the connector part being configured such that, on mating with the complementary connector part in normal use, the signal-carrying elements electrically contact with respective signal-carrying elements of the complementary connector part to form signal conduction paths between the connector parts, the signal conduction paths being sealed watertight; and electrically conductive crosstalk suppressing means electrically connected, in use, to earth and being arranged to, in use, extend between and thereby electrically shield the signal conduction paths from each other to suppress signal crosstalk therebetween.
US08267703B2 Connector having metal shell shielding insulative housing
A connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a set of contacts (3) attached to the insulative housing, an insulator (2) retained in the insulative housing (1) and a metal shell (4) covering the insulative housing and the insulator. The insulative housing has a base portion (11) and a tongue potion (12) extending from the base portion (11). The base portion has a retaining slot (1110) and a pair of side walls (113), each side wall has a protrusion (1131) protruding outwardly from an outer face thereof. The insulator (2) is retained in the retaining slot and has a pair of side surfaces (23) facing inner faces of the side wall. At least one clearance is formed between the adjacent side surface and inner face and is corresponding to the protrusions (1131, 1132) respectively in a transverse direction. The metal shell (4) includes a top plate (41), a bottom plate (42), and a pair of side plates (43) passing over the protrusions in a front-to-back direction when the metal shell (4) is assembled to the insulative housing (1).
US08267701B2 Alignment structure having a frame structure and bridging connections to couple and align segments of a socket housing
An apparatus is disclosed for aligning socket housing segments for an area array device. Each socket housing segment includes at least a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface of each socket housing segment provides electrical connections for a portion of the area array device. Socket contact pads are disposed on the first surfaces of the plurality of socket housing segments. The socket contact pads correspond to substrate contact pads disposed on a substrate. One or more alignment structures are disposed at a space between the socket housing segments. Each alignment structure is coupled to at least two of the socket housing segments. The one or more alignment structures maintain a predetermined alignment of each socket housing segment so that the socket contact pads align with the substrate contact pads during a surface mount connection process.
US08267700B2 Connector structure
A connector structure which can realize height reduction of connecting portions and space saving and which prevents separation of a female connector and a male connector from each other due to an impact or vibrations, wherein a conduction structure is formed by bringing connecting pins (9) of a male connector (B2), which are inserted in female terminal portions installed in a flexible circuit board (B3) of a female connector (B1), into pressure contact with pad portions of the female terminal portions (3), and the female connector (B1) and the male connector (B2) are coupled with each other by inserting column-shaped projections (15) of the male connector (B2) into notch ring bodies (14) fixed on the flexible circuit board (B3) of the female connector (B1) and holding the column-shaped projections (15) by restoring force based on elastic deformation of the notch ring bodies (14).
US08267699B2 Backboard and communication device
A backboard is disclosed according to the embodiments of the present invention. Sockets for connecting at least two sub-racks are respectively disposed at two sides of the backboard, and the sockets include first sockets for splicing a first type of sub-cards and second sockets for splicing a second type of sub-cards. Connectors, the number of which is not smaller than that of the second sockets, are disposed at the first sockets, and connectors, the number of which is not smaller than that of the first sockets, are disposed at the second sockets. One of the connectors at the first sockets is connected to one of the connectors at each of the second sockets, and one of the connectors at the second sockets is connected to one of the connectors at each of the first sockets.
US08267698B2 Connector unit with a clicking feeling
A connector unit which is capable of suppressing lowering of a clicking feeling, even if the fitting and removing of connectors to and from each other is repeated. A spring portion that receives a contact portion of each of plug contacts of a plug connector when a receptacle connector and the plug connector are fitted to each other is formed on each of receptacle contacts of the receptacle connector. A protrusion is formed on the contact portion of each plug contact. The spring portion is formed to have an auxiliary contact portion that is urged by the protrusion when both of the connectors are fitted to each other, and a recess that receives the protrusion when the both of the connectors are fitted to each other.
US08267693B1 Pet theme educational board game
An educational board game is designed to teach children how to care for a pet. The game includes a game board having a serpentine path which has a start and a finish and spaces for movement thereon. Game pieces are moved on the spaces between the start and the finish according to a random movement generator controlling the movement of the game pieces along the specified path. The spaces have specified actions when the game pieces land thereon.
US08267687B2 Casting abutment with improved geometry
Casting abutment for a dental implant that includes an apical socket portion, a transition portion bordering coronally on the socket portion, and an occlusal portion bordering coronally on the transition portion, having an apical circumferential collar area. The collar area is provided with an axially closer lying first circumferential platform and with at least two adjacent circumferential step-like areas, wherein the largest diameter of a first step-like area is smaller than the smallest diameter of a second step-like area the second step-like area lying apically with respect to the first step-like area.
US08267685B2 Method of mixing high temperature gases in mineral processing kilns
A method is described for reducing NOx emissions and improving energy efficiency during mineral processing in a rotary kiln. The method comprises injection of air with high velocity/high kinetic energy into the kiln to reduce or eliminate stratification of kiln gases. The method can be applied to mix gases in a rotary kiln vessel or in a preheater/precalciner vessel.
US08267681B2 Method and apparatus for forming a fibrous media
Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.
US08267680B2 Mold having mold tooling
A tooling apparatus for attaching a mold sector to a mold back, the tooling apparatus comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism on the frame for securing the frame to the mold back, at least one fastener positioned on the frame for providing a clamping force to the clamping mechanism for fixing the frame in position on the mold back, a slide assembly slidably engaged with the frame, a biasing mechanism for positioning the slide assembly on the frame and an attaching mechanism for attaching the slide assembly to the mold sector.
US08267674B2 Centrifugal blower assembly
A motor housing includes a motor support portion defining a central axis and including a first end and a second end, a wall surrounding the motor support portion, a surface offset from the wall toward the second end in a direction parallel with the central axis, a cooling air passageway oriented generally parallel with the central axis and offset from the central axis, and an inlet, opening directly into the cooling air passageway, at least partially defined between the wall and the surface. The inlet is configured to permit entry of a tangential airflow into the cooling air passageway, and the inlet is configured to permit entry of a radial airflow into the cooling air passageway.
US08267666B2 Air flow control apparatus
An apparatus includes a valve housing having an inlet port, a first chamber with a first outlet port, and a second chamber with a second outlet port. A first valve opens between the inlet port and the first chamber under a first level of pneumatic pressure at the inlet port. A second valve opens between the first chamber and the second chamber under a second, greater level of pneumatic pressure in the first chamber. A third valve opens between the second chamber and the first chamber under a third level of pneumatic pressure in the second chamber, with the third level being less than the first level.
US08267665B2 Laminar flow rotor and related methods and systems
A rotor blade including a root attachable to a rotor hub. The blade includes a tip and one or more channels aligned within the blade generally between the root and the tip. Each channel has a sealed first end and a second end vented to outside the blade. The channel(s) are vented to one or more exterior surfaces of the blade through one or more apertures in the exterior surface(s).
US08267664B2 Axial compressor blade retention
An axial retention system for restraining axial movement of a machine component having a dovetail within a complimentary-shaped dovetail slot includes: a first substantially T-shaped groove formed in a bottom surface of the dovetail slot; a second substantially T-shaped groove formed in a bottom surface of the dovetail, the first and second grooves in alignment when the dovetail is located within the dovetail slot to thereby form a closed periphery substantially T-shaped slot having a stem portion and a lateral cross portion at one end of the stem component, wherein the other end of the stem is open; and a compressible locking clip adapted for insertion within the substantially T-shaped slot, the locking clip having a pair of oppositely extending lugs receivable in opposite ends of the lateral cross portion.
US08267661B2 Rotor balance device and method
A rotor balance fitting to balance an aircraft rotor includes a ring, bore, and cup. The ring includes an inner surface configured to mate with an outer surface of a blade for the aircraft rotor. The bore is disposed through the ring and configured to receive a blade pin that passes perpendicularly through an axis of the blade and secures the blade to the rotor. The cup is disposed in the ring and is configured to secure a weight.
US08267660B2 Fan module for dissipating heat
A fan module includes a framework and at least two blade assemblies arranged inside the framework. Each blade assembly includes at least two blade units arranged in line. The rotating direction of each blade assembly is opposite to that of adjacent blade assembly.
US08267658B1 Low cooling flow turbine rotor blade
A turbine rotor blade with low cooling flow includes a first forward flowing 5-pass serpentine flow cooling circuit that provides cooling air to a trailing edge row of exit holes and a second forward flowing 3-pass serpentine flow cooling circuit that provides cooling air to a leading edge showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes and to a blade tip cooling channel. The blade tip cooling channel includes a film cooling holes for the blade tip. The low flow cooing circuit provides for cooling of the blade without the need for impingement cooling of the leading edge and trailing edge regions.
US08267653B2 System and method of operating an active flow control system to manipulate a boundary layer across a rotor blade of a wind turbine
An active flow control system for manipulating a boundary layer of air across a wind turbine rotor blade. The wind turbine rotor blade has at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein. The sidewall extends between a leading edge and an axially spaced trailing edge. The active flow control system includes an air discharge assembly that is coupled to the sidewall. The air discharge assembly is configured to selectively discharge air from within the wind turbine rotor blade into the boundary layer. An air suction assembly is coupled to the sidewall and to the air discharge assembly. The air suction assembly is configured to channel air from the boundary layer to the air discharge assembly.
US08267650B2 Sequential stiffness support for bearing assemblies and method of fabrication
A sequential stiffness support is provided for a bearing assembly to improve vibration characteristics of a gas turbine engine and to provide a variable structural stiffness to the support to minimize unbalance load transmissibility. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the sequential stiffness support includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and means for coupling the inner ring and the outer ring. The sequential stiffness support is configured to provide a first stiffness support at a first engine speed and a second stiffness support at speeds greater than the first engine speed. Methods of manufacturing the sequential stiffness support are also provided.
US08267645B2 Shaftless centrifugal pump
A centrifugal pump has impellers that are not connected by a central shaft. More specifically, each of the impellers has a separate hub segment that interlocks with an adjacent hub segment from another impeller. The hub segments are rotated in unison with each other to rotate the impellers.
US08267644B2 Multistage centrifugal compressor
In a multistage centrifugal compressor, a plurality of impellers is attached to the same rotary shaft. Vaned Diffusers and vaneless diffusers are used, as diffusers, for respective compressor stages configuring the compressor. The vaned diffusers are continuously used from the first compressor stage to the middle compressor stage, and the vaneless diffusers are used for the last compressor stage and the previous stage. While high efficiency is maintained at the compressor stages having the vaned diffusers, an operating flow range is secured at the compressor stages having the vaneless diffusers.
US08267640B1 Turbine pump with floating raceway
A turbine pump that permits an impeller to stay compliant with a raceway by the use of a preloaded floating raceway that operates by utilizing fluid floating on both side of the raceway within the pump. Exemplary embodiments of the pump include a mounting frame that is adapted to engage the pump to a drive source; an end frame that is adapted to attach to the mounting frame and includes an inlet section and an outlet section that facilitate fluid flow entering and exiting the pump; a motor shaft enclosed within the mounting frame; a floating raceway that is situated within the end frame and positioned around the distal end of the motor shaft, and includes an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a bypass hole fixed relative to the position of the inlet passage and the outlet passage; a spring located at the top of the floating raceway and at least partially contained within a corresponding cavity located in the end frame that is preloaded to help maintain a desired clearance between the floating raceway and the impeller; and an impeller secured to an distal end of the motor shaft.
US08267637B2 Apparatus for vertically aligning and accumulating stacks of pallets delivered to a pallet dispenser
An apparatus vertically realigns pallets in a stack of pallets. The apparatus has left and right panels with upper portions that are angled outwardly, and lower portions that are substantially vertical. Misaligned pallets in a stack placed in the apparatus engage the upper portions of the panels and are moved toward vertical alignment as the stack is lowered into the apparatus. The apparatus also includes compression plates that are movable between first and second positions relative to the apparatus. In the first positions, the compression plates have surfaces that angle toward each other and engage with misaligned pallets in the stack of pallets as the stack is moved from the apparatus toward a pallet dispenser. In the second position, the compression plates pivot toward the rear of the stack of pallets exiting the apparatus and push the stack into the pallet dispenser, thereby achieving additional vertical alignment of the stack.
US08267634B2 Reduced capacity carrier, transport, load port, buffer system
A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
US08267633B2 FOUP opening/closing device and probe apparatus
A FOUP opening/closing device includes a housing containing a mounting table for mounting the FOUP thereon, an FOUP loading opening, and a delivery opening. The device further includes a rotator for rotating the mounting table, a door opening/closing unit to open or close the door of the FOUP and keep the door open, a mover for moving the FOUP and the door opening/closing unit in a reciprocating manner, to allow the FOUP and the door opening/closing unit to be connected to or separated from each other, and a controller to output control signals for moving the FOUP and the door opening/closing unit via operation of the mover to mount the door of the FOUP to the door opening/closing unit, separating the door from the FOUP, moving the FOUP and the door opening/closing unit away from each other, and rotating the mounting table to make the FOUP face the delivery opening.
US08267631B2 Fitting member positioning device
A fitting member positioning device, that can be reliably fixed in a predetermined position relative to an installation portion, includes a first element having an insert portion received in an insertion hole, the insert portion having a first thread portion, and a second element rotatable relative to the first element and axially movable, having a second thread portion received in the first thread portion. The insert portion includes an integral annular dilating portion, while the second element includes an advancing portion for advancing into and integrally dilating the dilating portion in the circumferential direction when the second element is axially moved with rotation by the first and second thread portions being threaded together, to press the first element against an inner circumferential surface of an insertion hole to prevent movement of the first element.
US08267628B2 Threaded anchor for concrete metal deck floors
A threaded anchor for concrete metal deck floors includes a hollow plastic sleeve having an internally threaded top portion, a flared top end forming several outwardly-extending fingers, and a bottom end. A threaded bolt has a head end and a shaft with external threads mating with the threads of the hollow plastic sleeve. The shaft of the bolt includes internal threads having at least two different diameters. A nut is threaded to mate with the external threads on the bolt. In use, the assembled insert is punched in place through a hole formed in a metal deck layer. The fingers of the plastic sleeve collapse as the assembly is passed through the hole and expand below the deck. The nut is then tightened against the top of the deck to hold the insert in place.
US08267619B2 Road paver
A road paver F has a paving screed E the working width of which can be adjusted continuously. In order to further enlarge the working width in steps at least one paving screed extension can be mounted. A distributing auger is supported in a distributing auger support. Distributing auger extensions can be mounted to the distributing auger. Scraper blades are arranged in casting travelling direction behind distributing auger. At least a scraper blade section functionally associated to a mounted paving screed extension is carried by a channel sheet steel plate being part of the mounted distributing auger extension. The scraper blade section can be adjusted in height direction together with the distributing auger support via a drive which can be remotely controlled during a casting process.
US08267617B2 Expansion joint system
A cover plate system for a gap (15) between two structural members (10, 20) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover (30) that extends across the gap (15) from a first structural member (10) to a second, spaced-apart structural member (20). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors (40) for engaging the cover plate (30) to an underlying structural member (10) and dampers (50, 60) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate (30) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate (30), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.
US08267614B2 Easy install guide slot with snap tab
A rear loaded part for attaching to a mounting plate having a mating part with a pair of parallel side walls each having a proximate end attached to the mounting plate. An upper surface, which extends between the pair of parallel side wall, includes an aperture and an elongated rib extending parallel to the pair of parallel side walls. The rear loaded part having a pair of parallel guide rails with a proximate end and an opposite distal end. The pair of parallel guide rails extends outwardly from the rear loaded part to define an elongated channel which is dimensioned to receive the elongated rib of the mating part. A pair of tabs extends outwardly from the pair of guide rails, and are dimensioned to snap into the aperture of the upper surface to releasably lock the rear loaded part to the mounting plate.
US08267610B2 Apparatus for storing and hygenically dispensing a cleansing solution
An apparatus for dispensing a cleansing solution on to a tissue comprised of: a reservoir container forming an interior volume for holding a cleansing solution and an opening that provides access to the interior volume; a dispersion component comprised of an upper surface, a lower surface, a plurality of holes on the upper surface, and at least one channel between the upper and lower surfaces; and a pump assembly comprised of a tubular member extending from the interior volume of the reservoir container, through the opening, and mated to the lower surface of the dispersion component, in which the pump assembly defines an actuator for pumping the cleansing solution from said interior volume of the reservoir container, through the one or more channels, and through the holes of the upper surface of said dispersion component when a pressure is applied to the dispersion component.
US08267605B2 Capacitor powered personal care devices
A handheld electronic personal care device (with or without an applicator head) comprising a fast charging capacitor, and one or more electric load elements. The device may or may not be designed for use with one or more personal care compositions. Examples of load elements include heating and cooling elements, electric motors, sound and light elements, data storage and processing elements.
US08267598B2 Point to point optical communication system for conveying signals between multiple housings of a device
An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via respective point to point communication paths, where the point to point communication path is maintained while the multiple housing elements of the device move relative to one another. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, the point to point communication paths correspond to channels formed between the multiple housing elements, which in some instances may be at least partially recessed within one or both of the housing elements. In some instances the channels may traverse free space. In still further instances the channel may include a light pipe.
US08267596B2 Fiber optic cable assemblies with fiber access apertures and methods of assembly
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic cable with one or more optical fiber ribbons attached to a fiber optic connector. The connector includes a ferrule assembly and a crimp body with a fiber access aperture. The aperture has at least two walls defining a first width and a second width defining a predetermined delta and a predetermined aspect ratio. The delta and aspect ratio provide optical fiber access for alignment of the optical fiber ribbon to the optical fiber ferrule assembly. A method of making the fiber optic connector assembly is also disclosed.
US08267594B2 Quick release connection
Systems and methods are disclosed that include a fiber optic connection with an alignment chamber. In the alignment chamber is a first fiber optic terminal and a second fiber optic terminal coupled to the first fiber optic terminal. In addition, a securing mechanism is placed within the alignment chamber and forces the first fiber optic terminal and second fiber optic terminal together. Also in this embodiment an ejection mechanism is disclosed that ejects the first fiber optic terminal upon the removal of the securing mechanism.
US08267593B2 Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member with a wheel hub, and at least one inner ring, double row rolling elements, seals and a rolling bearing fit onto the inner circumference of the wheel hub positioned and secured by a retaining ring. The retaining ring is mounted at an inner side position of a bearing center line. A retaining ring groove, for mounting the retaining ring, is formed with a substantially rectangular cross-section. Outer side and inner side corner portions of the retaining groove are formed with circular arc cross-sections. Each corner portion has a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the outer side corner portion is larger than the radius of curvature of the inner side corner portion.
US08267583B2 Three-dimensional macro-chip including optical interconnects
A multi-chip module (MCM), which includes a three-dimensional (3D) stack of chips that are coupled using optical interconnects, is described. In this MCM, disposed on a first surface of a middle chip in the 3D stack, there are: a first optical coupler, an optical waveguide, which is coupled to the first optical coupler, and a second optical coupler, which is coupled to the optical waveguide. The first optical coupler redirects an optical signal from the optical waveguide to a first direction (which is not in the plane of the first surface), or from the first direction to the optical waveguide. Moreover, the second optical coupler redirects the optical signal from the optical waveguide to a second direction (which is not in the plane of the first surface), or from the second direction to the optical waveguide. Note that an optical path associated with the second direction passes through an opening in a substrate in the middle chip.
US08267582B2 Table guided by aerostatic bearing elements for vacuum application
A table for vacuum application which is guided by aerostatic bearing elements, having a fixedly mounted supporting structure and a tabletop which is displaceable in x-direction and y-direction with respect to the fixedly mounted supporting structure by means of slides. The slides are provided with the aerostatic bearing elements for guiding, these aerostatic bearing elements being connected to feed lines for supplying the gas required for the operation of the gas bearings and suction lines for removing this gas. The suction lines comprise at least one variable-length line arrangement having a first pipe member and a second pipe member which penetrate one inside the other without contacting, at least one sealing gap being provided between the pipe members.
US08267581B2 Slide mechanism for electronic device
A slide mechanism includes a fixing plate, a slide plate, and a slide assembly. The fixing plate defines a slide groove and forms a pair of slide rails on opposite sides of the slide groove. The slide plate is positioned on the fixing plate. The slide assembly is positioned between the fixing plate and the slide plate and is allowed an assisted back and forth movement on the slide assembly, and a rotation subjected to friction at the front end of the slide assembly and the slide plate.
US08267579B2 Film packaging bag
A film packaging bag has bag surfaces formed by a bag film and a carrying handle disposed on one of the bag surfaces, whereby the carrying handle has a film strip having a handle segment that is accessible via an opening in the bag film, during use. The film strip is disposed on a carrier sheet, whereby the film strip surrounds the carrier sheet with folded strip ends that follow the handle segment, which sheet is wider than the film strip. The film strip is attached to the bag film by way of the carrier sheet, whereby the carrier sheet is connected with the inside of the bag to the side of the film strip, directly or indirectly.
US08267578B2 Methods and systems for temperature compensated temperature measurements
Methods and systems for compensating temperature measurements by a temperature gauge comprising a first temperature sensor and a second reference temperature sensor, having different thermal properties, located in the same temperature environment to be measured. The methods and systems compensate for errors in the measured temperatures due to variations in the reference sensor caused by temperature effects.
US08267577B2 Ear thermometer and measuring apparatus used with it
An object is to realize an ear thermometer that is configured to easily arrange a sensor in a sensor mirror and is suitable for mass production. The ear thermometer has a probe. The probe includes a probe body and a temperature measuring part joined with the probe body. The temperature measuring part includes a flange coupled with the probe body and a front end part extending from the flange, the front end part incorporating a sensor mirror. The sensor mirror includes a cylindrical holder with an internal concave reflection face, a connection shaft extending from the back of the cylindrical holder, a flexible printed circuit board with a circuit conductor of predetermined pattern, stretched in a front space of the cylindrical holder, a temperature measuring first sensor and a correcting second sensor spaced by a predetermined distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the board and soldered to the circuit conductor on the board, and a protection cover covering a front face of the cylindrical holder. The board is electrically connected, in the temperature measuring part, to the cable passing through the probe body.
US08267569B2 Backlight device and flat display device using same
A backlight device (3) includes: a light guide plate (32); a chassis (31) on which the light guide plate (32) is mounted; a frame member (35) having the light guide plate (32) held between the chassis (31) and the frame member (35); a spot light source (36) arranged near a side surface of the light guide plate (32); a flexible printed circuit board (37) on which the spot light source (36) is mounted; and a heat dissipation plate (31a) (part of the chassis (31)) bonded through a double-faced adhesive (38) to the flexible printed circuit board (37). The frame member (35) is provided with a protrusion portion (351) that is in contact with the flexible printed circuit board (37) and that presses the flexible printed circuit board (37) onto the heat dissipation plate (31a), and a tip portion of the protrusion portion (351) is so tapered as to be located apart from the flexible printed circuit board (37).
US08267568B2 Display device including light guide plate and display panel
A display device includes a light source assembly, a light guide plate (LGP), a lower receiving container, a reinforcing member, a display panel and an upper receiving container. The lower receiving container includes a first coupling portion formed on the first bottom surface. The reinforcing member includes a pressing down part structured to pressing down on an upper surface adjacent to a corner portion of the LGP and a fixing part integrally extending from an end portion of the pressing down part in parallel with a first sidewall of the lower receiving container to have a second coupling portion being coupled with the first coupling portion. The reinforcing member covers the light source assembly. The display panel is disposed on the LGP and the reinforcing member. The upper receiving container includes a third coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion through a coupling member.
US08267565B2 LED illumination device and LED illumination module for generating uniform stripped light source
An LED illumination module for generating uniform stripped light source includes a stripped light-guiding unit, a stripped reflective unit and a light-emitting unit. The stripped light-guiding unit has a light-guiding body and a plurality of first light-guiding microstructures disposed on a top side of the light-guiding body. Each first light-guiding microstructure has a first reflective index. The stripped reflective unit has a reflective body corresponding to the light-guiding body and a reflective layer formed on an inner surface of the reflective body. The stripped reflective unit covers one part of the light-guiding body, the first light-guiding microstructures are disposed between the light-guiding body and the reflective layer, and the reflective layer has a second reflective index that is different from the first reflective index. The light-emitting unit has a first light-emitting module disposed beside one end of the light-guiding body.
US08267563B2 Backlight unit having a point light source and display apparatus having the same
A backlight unit includes; a plurality of point light sources, a light guide plate including lateral sides and main planes substantially perpendicular to the lateral sides, and a printed circuit board on which the point light sources are mounted. At least one side of the light guide plate includes a first plane, which does not correspond to the point light sources, and a light incident plane corresponding to the point light sources and having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the first plane.
US08267557B2 Illumination system for passenger cabin illumination
A light module, a light-module carrier and an illumination system for an aircraft, which allow intelligent illumination and at the same time easy reconfiguration of cabin illumination. The light module provides information relating to its characteristics, while a control system determines a position of the light module on a light-module carrier, and on the basis of the determined position and of the characteristics of the light module adjusts the light module by way of a bus system of the light-module carrier according to a desired illumination.
US08267554B2 Light emitting diode device
A light emitting diode (LED) device comprises a base and a cover packaging of a rectifier diode chip and a light emitting diode chip connecting in series with a metal wire. The LED device can be plugged directly into the socket of the LED light string without any other external rectifier circuits. Moreover, the device has advantages of small size, easy-to-use and easy-to-change. By adopting different connection methods with the LED device, it can achieve anticipative functions, such as half-wave, full-wave and bridge rectifier, etc.
US08267553B2 LED illuminant module for medical luminaires
The LED illuminant module for medical luminaires contains a circuit board capable of heat dissipation, an LED die package, a beam splitter, and a reflector. The LED die package is attached to the circuit board and is covered by the beam splitter, which in turn is pressed by and positioned along with the reflector. Central beams from the LED die package are collimated by the beam splitter to project forward. The side light beams are refracted by the beam splitter, intercepted by the reflector, and directed to a target coverage area along with the central light beams. The illuminant module is able to achieve low energy consumption and ease of manufacturing simultaneously.
US08267551B2 LED road light
An LED road light has a heat sink embedded with an LED module, a base and a light pole holder assembly. The base, the heat sink and the light pole holder assembly are assembled by slidably and respectively mounting ribs into slots. Accordingly, the contact area of such engagement is relatively larger than that using screws, thereby enhancing combined strength and extending the life duration of the LED road light. Besides, the engagement mechanism using ribs and slots also provide workers a convenient and time-saving assembling process.
US08267550B2 LED lamp for easy assembly and fixation
A LED lamp for easy assembly and fixation includes a fixing plate, a vapor chamber, a LED module, an outer frame, and fixing elements. The fixing plate has assembling holes. The vapor chamber has a heat-releasing surface brought into thermal contact with the fixing plate and a heat-absorbing surface opposite to the heat-releasing surface. The LED module includes a circuit board and LEDs arranged on the circuit board. The outer frame is provided with through-holes corresponding to the assembling holes and an accommodating opening corresponding to the LEDs. The fixing elements penetrate the through-holes and the assembling holes respectively to assemble the outer frame with the fixing plate. With this arrangement, the vapor chamber and the LED module can be sandwiched between the outer frame and the fixing plate. Thus, the present invention can be assembled and fixed to a predetermined position with an excellent structural strength.
US08267546B2 Foil mirror with back light
The present invention relates generally to a foil mirror. More particularly, the invention encompasses a foil mirror with at least one back light. The present invention is also directed to a novel foil mirror having a mirror surface that has different reflective colors. The foil mirror is made of a flexible plastic material and is shatter-proof. The back light to the foil mirror is provided by a light source, such as, for example, an LED bulb, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb, to name a few.
US08267541B2 Outdoor illuminating device and illuminating method
An outdoor illuminating device and illuminating method using LEDs as light sources to reduce a load on the environment and effectively function as a crime deterrent to contribute to environmental design for establishing safe and secure communities. Security light (1) capable of simultaneously emitting at least two different colors of illumination light is provided with a plurality of white LEDs (16) and blue LEDs (18) as the light sources. The security light (1) comprises main lighting unit (11) positioned at a predetermined distance (D) above the ground surface (G), first illuminating part (13) for emitting illumination light of white-tint color downward in the direction substantially vertical from main lighting unit (11), and second illuminating part (14) for emitting illumination light of blue-tint color to the outside of the area substantially vertically below main lighting unit (11).
US08267539B2 Light emitting module, and light source and display device having the same
A light emitting module and a light unit having the same are provided. The light emitting module may include a substrate including a body and a plurality of branches that extend from the body. A plurality of light emitting devices may be provided on the branches. A connector may be coupled to the body, and may be electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting devices.
US08267538B2 Illuminating device having point light source
An illuminating device includes a light source and a light diffusing plate. The light diffusing plate includes a light pervious substrate and a light diffusing structure. The light pervious substrate has a lower surface adjacent to the light source and an upper surface at an opposite side of the substrate to the lower surface. A through hole is defined in the substrate to expose a central portion of the light source. The light diffusing structure is formed at the upper surface and includes a plurality of first lens arrays radially extending from the through hole and a plurality of second lens arrays each arranged between two adjacent first lens arrays.
US08267535B2 Exterior mirror element with wide angle portion
A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate and a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The auxiliary wide angle curved portion has a curved recess established at a region of the rear surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and may have a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and may have a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters.
US08267528B2 Illumination source with liquid cooled plate
An illumination source includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at a first wavelength. Light from the LEDs illuminates a phosphor material that generates light at a second wavelength. A reflective polarizer transmits light at the second wavelength in a first polarization state and reflects light at the second wavelength in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The light at the second wavelength reflected by the reflective polarizer is directed back towards the phosphor material without an increase in angular range. In some embodiments the LEDs, having a conformal layer of phosphor material, are attached directly to the first surface of a liquid cooled plate. A liquid coolant contacts a second surface of the plate.
US08267526B2 Methods associated with receiving and transmitting information related to projection
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are related to projection. For example, in at least some embodiments, methods in accordance with the present disclosure include receiving information associated with one or more projection parameters; processing the information associated with the one or more projection parameters to generate one or more projection associated instructions; transmitting the one or more projection associated instructions; and wherein at least one of the receiving information, the processing the information, or the transmitting is performed at least partially using one or more processing devices.
US08267525B2 Adjusting system and projector including the same
An adjusting system for a projector includes a reference point projection unit, an infrared apparatus, a micro controller unit (MCU), and a graphic processing unit (GPU). The reference point projection unit stores reference points. The reference points are projected on a screen to form projection points. The infrared apparatus includes infrared devices mounted on a front surface of a body of the projector. The infrared devices emit infrared signals to the screen and form light points on the screen. When a projection angle of the projector is 0 degrees, the light points overlap the projection points respectively. When the projection angle of the projector is a certain angle, the MCU controls the GPU to make adjustment corresponding to the infrared devices which receive the reflected infrared signals, until the projection points overlap the light points respectively.
US08267524B2 Projection system and projector with widened projection of light for projection onto a close object
A projection system includes a first projector and a second projector configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal. The first projector and the second projector direct light to be supplied to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface. A part of an image projected by the first projector overlaps with a part of an image projected by the second projector on the light receiving surface.
US08267523B2 Image projecting system, method, computer program and recording medium
A plurality of projector apparatuses project images based on inputted image signals onto a screen so that the images are displaced relative to one another by a predetermined amount and superimposed. The luminances of an image region composed of a plurality of projected images that have been projected onto the screen are observed. Luminance values of pixels that construct an image to be projected by each projector apparatus are adjusted based on an observation result and are supplied to the plurality of projector apparatuses. The image region composed of the plurality of projected images is presented by superimposing a first projected image and a second projected image that has a higher resolution than the first projected image. Predetermined pixels in the image region are presented by superimposing corresponding pixels in the projected images from n adjacent projector apparatuses.
US08267520B2 Method for aerial display of images
The present invention relates generally to optical imaging and specifically to methods and systems for generating observable real images. The method consists of steps in configuring an image source and optical components, and defining the position of an observer in such a way that a binocular observation leads to a perception of a three-dimensional object being located in front of a background, and/or “hanging in mid-air” in front of an apparatus designed in accordance with the present invention. Particular embodiments of the invention may include various apparatus for implementing the method.
US08267518B2 Systems and methods for altering visual acuity
Provided are systems operable to effect a temporary change in a modulation transfer function (MTF) of a target imaging system. The systems include a light source operable to produce light for transient propagation onto at least a portion of the target imaging system, a power source in operative communication with the light source and configured to effect the production of light from the light source, and a transmission unit in operative communication with the light source and configured to propagate the produced light onto at least a portion of the target imaging system. The propagated light is configured for absorbance by the portion of the target imaging system; the absorbance causes an increase in temperature and a change in a refractive index profile of at least the portion of the imaging system. The change in refractive index profile produces a temporary change in the MTF of the imaging system.
US08267517B2 Eyeball motion measurement apparatus
An eye movement measurement apparatus 1 measures movement of a cornea 101 by imaging a corneal reflection light image L2 generated as a result of irradiating the cornea 101 with infrared light L1. The eye movement measurement apparatus 1 includes: an imaging section 5 having a sensor section 51 including a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally, for generating imaging data including the corneal reflection light image L2 made incident on the sensor section 51; a bright spot position operation section 6 that calculates a position of the corneal reflection light image L2 in the imaging data; and a tremor signal operation section 7 that generates a third data string indicating a tremor component included in movement of the cornea 101 by calculating a difference between a first data string concerning temporal changes in position of the corneal reflection light image L2 and a second data string obtained by smoothing the first data string. Accordingly, an eye movement measurement apparatus capable of accurately detecting a tremor component is realized.
US08267516B2 Fundus imaging apparatus and method therefor
A fundus image is displayed, which enables accurate positioning and focusing to be easily performed with respect to an eye to be examined even on a small display unit by selecting a display magnification. At a first display magnification, an opening portion “m” of a mask specifying a predetermined angle of field of the fundus is displayed with no part missed in both of horizontal and vertical directions of a display unit 15. At a second display magnification, the opening “m” of the mask is displayed with no part missed in the horizontal direction in the display area of the display unit 15 and with some part missed in the vertical direction. Thus, the second display magnification is used to observe an essential part when the fundus is accurately observed.
US08267510B2 Inkjet recording method
A inkjet recording method is provided in which occurrence of curling at the time of double-sided recording is prevented. In the method, an inkjet recording medium is used which includes resin coated paper having a resin layer A of thickness “a” at one side of base paper, and a resin layer B thinner than the thickness “a” by a thickness of 3 μm to 20 μm at the other side of the base paper, and ink receiving layers each of which includes an inorganic pigment and a binder and are provided at both sides of the resin coated paper; and an image is recorded on the ink receiving layer at the resin layer B side of the resin coated paper, and subsequently an image is recorded on the ink receiving layer at the resin layer A side of the resin coated paper.
US08267507B2 Printing method and printing apparatus
There is provided a printing method that is performed by using a first nozzle ejecting color ink that is used for printing an image on a medium and is cured in a case where irradiation of an electromagnetic wave is received, a second nozzle ejecting a process solution that is used for processing the surface of the medium and is cured in a case where irradiation of an electromagnetic wave is received, and an irradiation unit emitting the electromagnetic wave. The printing method includes printing an image constituted by color dots on the medium by ejecting the color ink from the first nozzle so as to form the color dots on the medium and forming process dots in areas other than the image on the medium by ejecting the process solution from the second nozzle, emitting the electromagnetic wave onto the color dots and the process dots, coating the color dots and the process dots with the process solution after the electromagnetic wave is emitted onto the color dots and the process dots, and emitting the electromagnetic wave onto the process solution with which the color dots and the process dots are coated.
US08267505B2 Inkjet inkset and methods
There is disclosed an ink set and method for printing an inkjet ink image on a nonporous substrate. The inkset and method comprise one or more inkjet inks comprising at least one first pigment-based inkjet ink having a first colorant load of a pigment and a polymeric latex binder; and at least one second pigment-based inkjet ink having a second colorant load of the pigment and a polymeric latex binder, the second colorant load being less than the first colorant load, and the second pigment-based inkjet ink applied to a substrate in an amount to provide a total ink loading of from about 10 g/m2 to about 30 g/m2.
US08267500B2 Single-pass inkjet printing
A single-pass print head has multiple orifice plates each serving some but not all of the area to be printed.
US08267493B2 Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator including a sliding storage member that is height adjustable through a vertically moving shelf with a multi-level configuration, and which can be selectively withdrawn from inside a storage space to the outside, where a user can improve usability of storage space in the refrigerator by selectively adjusting the height of the vertically moving shelf.
US08267492B2 Method of routing utilities through an articulated hinge
An articulated hinge allowing non-circular motion of a refrigerator door and having a mechanism for transmitting utilities through the hinge is provided. A support rod for preventing torsional deformation of a refrigerator door adapted to carry utilities to an in-door dispenser is also provided.
US08267487B2 Regenerative braking actuator apparatus
An actuator apparatus includes a booster creating an infinite boost ratio while a plunger valve does not contact with a reaction disc, and an oil reservoir and a pedal simulator unit forming a hydraulic circuit to follow hydraulic hysteresis characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to achieve insensibility of pedal changes transmitted from a master cylinder, minimize changes in pedal feel according to changes of pedal effort correspondingly generated, while blocking vibration transmitted to the pedal when achieving regenerative braking, and provide pedal feel following or simulating the hydraulic hysteresis characteristics.
US08267485B2 Electronic braking system and method for drawbar trailers
A system and method for braking a drawbar trailer having a front axle and one or more further axles, each axle having at least two wheels, includes first sensors which sense the axle load of at least one axle, and second sensors which sense the rotational wheel speeds. Brakes actuatable with a pneumatic brake pressure brake the trailer. Brake signals generated in the towing vehicle are transmitted between the towing vehicle and the trailer. A control unit receives these brake signals and the sensor signals, and determines the axle load. The operating pressure is adapted to the brake pressure which is fed to the brakes. The control unit detects the brake pressure value as a function of (i) the specific axle loads of the front axle and the other axles and (ii) the received brake signals, and actuates the brakes such that the detected brake pressure is made available.
US08267484B2 Quick-release axle
An axle arrangement (1) for two-wheelers, particularly for bicycles, includes a quick-release axle (2) having an axle (6) as the supporting part for a hub (7). The axle (6) can be inserted in receiving or dropout ends (3, 4) of a fork (5), a linkage, a rear end or similar mount. The axle (6) has a threaded end (16) and a quick-release fastener (9) with a tensioning lever (10) on the other end. One of the dropout ends (3, 4), or an intermediate supporting part that can be connected to the dropout ends (3, 4), has a screw-in thread (15) for screwing in the one threaded axle end (16) of the axle (6). In addition, an adjustable stop may be provided for the purpose of limiting the screw-in depth of the threaded axle end (16) in the screw-in thread (15) of the dropout ends or in the screw-in thread (15) of the intermediate supporting part connected to the dropout ends (3, 4).
US08267482B1 Foam configured to suppress dust on a surface to be worked
In one aspect of the invention, a system for removing aggregate from a natural or man-made surface includes a vehicle with a frame and a conveyor. The conveyor has an intake end and an output end. An excavation drum is connected to an underside of the frame and is enclosed within an excavation chamber, which is defined by a front plate, side plates, and a moldboard. The intake end of the conveyor that protrudes into the excavation chamber is configured to remove the aggregate from the excavation chamber, and a dust suppressant nozzle is configured to apply a foamed dust suppressant to the natural or man-made surface prior to being degraded by the excavation drum.
US08267478B2 Vehicle seat and assembly method
A vehicle seat includes a backrest connected to a sitting part by a backrest adjustment element. The adjustment element has a part that is connected to the backrest or to the sitting part. At least one means is formed, incorporated, shaped and/or arranged in the backrest, in the part and/or the seat part for securing the position of the part relative to the backrest and/or to the sitting part in at least one direction.
US08267474B2 Portable self-contained pneumatic lift chair
A portable self-contained pneumatic lift chair is provided with a motor operated compressor and controls for pumping air into a bladder and exhausting air from the bladder to raise and lower patients seated on the chair. The seat is guided up and down by loops on the seat surrounding guideposts extending upward on a base under hand operated controls. Braces between the posts are used to make the chair sturdy and can be adjusted to control the distance the chair is raised and lowered and, with post height and bladder size, used to control maximum and minimum height of the seat.
US08267473B2 Plastic booster seat apparatus
A stackable plastic booster seat apparatus with a body having a set of four corner cylindrical portions. A right foot having cylindrical portions engages two of the corner cylindrical portions and a left foot engages the other two corner cylindrical portions. The body includes a back with a lumbar support, a seat with a safety bump and a downward and rearward slope such that a child tends to sit properly in the apparatus away from the safety bump and against the lumbar support.
US08267467B2 Reinforcement for cab in construction machine
A cab in a construction machine, the cab including frame members including a hollow first frame member connected to a second frame member in order to form a corner portion, the first frame member including a pass-through portion formed at a first side surface portion of the first frame member; a reinforcing member that is installed at the corner portion, wherein at least one of two sides of the reinforcing member passes through the pass-through portion and abuts against an inner surface of a second side surface portion of the first frame member that is at an opposite side of the first side surface portion; and a reinforcing plate that abuts against an outer surface of the second side surface portion, wherein the at least one of two sides of the reinforcing member is supported and reinforced by the reinforcing plate.
US08267466B1 Truck bed design for automotive and equipment delivery
An improved truck bed design for automotive and equipment delivery preferably includes at least one front section, a rear section and a front pan. A front of the rear section is preferably pivotally retained on a rear of the front section. The front pan is attached to a front of the front section. The front section includes a plurality of front lengthwise support members, at least one cross member and two front deck plates. The rear section includes two first rear deck plates, a second rear deck plate, a plurality of rear lengthwise support members and at least two improved air bag retention systems. Each improved air bag retention system includes an air bag, an air bag bracket and a base bracket. The front pan is formed from a single piece of material, which includes a base member, a first side member and a second side member.
US08267465B2 Reinforcing part for an air-guiding device of a motor vehicle
A structural reinforcing member for motor vehicle wind deflectors has a shaped configuration with at least one curved portion, and a plurality of mutually spaced apart, plastically formed deformation sections which provide structural rigidity to maintain the shaped configuration and geometry of the reinforcing member.
US08267464B2 Latching system
A door latching system for a vehicle and method of latching are provided. The system includes a carrier and a receiver each connected to one of a door and a door interface. The latching system, when non-actuated, does not substantially protrude from the latching faces of the door and door interface into an opening therebetween. The latching system is adaptable to a vehicle defining a continuous access opening closed by independently openable and closeable doors. The latching member is actuated to move from a retracted position to a protracted position in response to a triggering event, which may be defined by a sensor. In the protracted position, the latching member engages the receiver and the carrier to operatively latch the door and door interface portion. A latching feature defined by the latching member may be selectively engageable with a retaining member when the latching member is in the protracted position.
US08267463B2 Door impact beam
A door impact beam for a motor vehicle includes a formed metal sheet defined by a longitudinal axis and having a tubular cross section which has a closed circumference in a center portion of the metal sheet, and is configured with open circumference at both end portions of the metal sheet which adjoin the center portion in a direction of the longitudinal axis. Each end portion is defined by an opening angle which continuously increases from the center portion to respective ends of the end portions.
US08267462B2 Versatile vehicle body protector and method of using same
A vehicle body protector of the present invention comprises one or more section, with each of the sections comprising one or more layers of compressible rubbery substance. Each section also comprises a face side, an attachment side, and a holder. The holder is intended for securing one or more sections to the body of a vehicle. At least one of the sections is shaped in the form of a raised visually-recognizable symbol. The method of simultaneously advertising and protecting the vehicle's surface from bumps and scratches, utilizing the vehicle body protector of the present invention is also described and claimed.
US08267460B2 Front cover for a vehicle
The front body cover includes a lens for a headlight device. A front portion or edge of the lens bulges forward of a straight line connecting the front edges of a handle cover with the front edges of a front fender. This arrangement reduces the wind resistance around the front of the motorcycle and improves aerodynamic performance.
US08267458B2 Seat assembly for a vehicle having a vertically extended striker mechanism
A seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a floor and a structural pillar includes a seat base connected to the vehicle floor and a seatback pivotally connected to the seat base. The seatback is capable of pivoting between a stowed position wherein the seatback is folded toward the seat base and an upright position wherein the seatback is generally perpendicular to the seat base. A striker mechanism is provided on a top outboard corner of the seatback. The striker mechanism is arranged to be movable between a generally vertically extended position wherein the striker mechanism engages a latch located on the structural pillar of the vehicle when the seat is in the upright position, and a retracted position wherein the striker mechanism is pivoted toward the top outboard corner of the seatback as the seatback is pivoted from the upright position toward the stowed position.
US08267456B2 Compact seating arrangement
A compact seating arrangement for a vehicle, the seating arrangement comprising three seats: a front driver's seat arranged centrally and, at least to some extent, forward of two transversely aligned rear passenger seats, wherein the driver's seat extends transversely so as to be positioned in front of part of each of the rear passengers' seats, the extent of the overlap in the transverse position of the driver's seat and the rear passenger seats being such that each side of the driver's seat is required to be shaped so as to be able to accommodate at least part of a leg of a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a respective one of the passenger seats.
US08267453B1 Rotatable hard cover roof for a pop-out on a trailer
A hard cover roof to cover the open top of a pop-out and is rotatably hingeably affixed to the roof of the trailer and slidably engaged with the pop-out through mating track mechanisms on the underside of the roof and the top exterior rear wall of the poop-out so that the roof track mechanism can slide relative to the track retaining mechanism of the pop-out so that it covers the top opening the pop-out is in the fully extended condition and rests over the exterior rear wall of the pop-out when the pop-out is in the retracted condition within the trailer.
US08267451B2 Container gripper provided with a position sensor
Container gripper comprising a main frame (2) and movable supporting members (7) for gripper fingers (8-9) movable between an open position and a closed position. The container gripper is provided with a finger displacement detecting sensor (20, 21) which is responsive to the instantaneous position of the gripper fingers (8, 9). The finger detecting sensor may consist of a Hall effect assembly (20) formed by a magnet (10) and a Hall effect sensor (4) or of an optical encoder (21).
US08267450B2 Elevator for gripping and lifting a riser joint
An elevator for gripping and lifting a riser joint or several interconnected riser joints of a completion and work over riser. A body includes a through bore for receiving a production pipe of a riser joint. The through bore is accessible via a longitudinal opening in the body. The body includes at least one locking device including a hydraulic cylinder. A piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is moveable to and fro between an unlocking position, in which the piston rod allows a production pipe of a riser joint to pass into or out of the through bore via the longitudinal opening, and a locking position, in which the piston rod prevents a production pipe received in the through bore from passing out of the through bore via the longitudinal opening.
US08267448B2 Cam arm actuated backup tong
A backup tong that comprises an activating mechanism for advancing a jaw die mounted on a jaw carrier within the backup into engagement with a pipe positioned centrally therein. The jaw carrier is fitted within the tong body to permit a sliding action radially toward the center point of the opening in the backup tong. Such mechanism includes a cam surface located along a first extension of a cam arm which pivots around a fixed pivot pin carried by the body of the backup. The other extension of the cam arm is connected toward its outer end to an actuator, anchored at one end to the backup body and oriented at the other end to swing the cam arm about the pivot pin.
US08267438B2 Two-piece flange adapter
A two-piece flange adapter including two identical flange parts. Each flange part has two ends, with each end having a planar mating surface disposed at each end of the channel disposed on an inner diameter surface of the flange part. A projection extends from one planar mating surface and is formed to continue the channel for a predetermined distance past the planar mating surface. The other end of the flange and channel define a groove having a depth that accepts the projection of a mating flange part to form a complete channel. A gasket having a cross-sectional area with an internal cavity is compressively disposed in a pocket defined by the channel and the mating pipes. The cross-sectional area of the gasket occupies less than 87% of the pocket and can also occupy approximately 82-84% of the pocket.
US08267434B2 Hose coupling provided with non return valve and a combined locking and obstructing body
Hose coupling incorporates male part and a female part being provided with elements which in corporation with a slide axially displaceable sleeve on the female part renders possible pressure relief at disconnection. These elements are constituted by an angular locking pawl one portion of which is insert able in an axial groove in the female part and has such length that always at least some part thereof is surrounded by the sleeve. The other inwardly directed part of the locking pawl has such length that it extends into the groove of the male part when locking pawl is influenced by the sleeve. The locking pawl is a combined element. To lock the male part when the coupling is connected and lock the male part in an alternative position when it's pressure relieved.
US08267431B2 Connector
A connector includes a body portion having a cylindrical insertion hole for inserting therein a connection member, and a cylindrical connector cover. The body portion includes a claw portion elastically deformable to a radial outside. The connector cover includes a claw release portion through which a limitation of an elastic deformation of the claw portion is released, and a claw limiting portion configured to limit the elastic deformation of the claw portion toward the radial outside. When the connector cover is located at a release position, the claw release portion is opposite to the claw portion but the claw limiting portion is not opposite to the claw portion. In contrast, when the connector cover is moved to a lock position, the claw limiting portion is opposite to the claw portion, and the claw portion is engaged with an engagement portion provided on the connection member.
US08267429B2 Lower structure of automotive vehicle
A positioning pin and a bolt hole positioned near this pin are provided at a plate-shaped rear-portion attachment face portion of a suspension cross member. A positioning hole having the positioning pin inserted thereinto and a bolt hole positioned near this positioning hole are provided at a tunnel frame on the side of a vehicle. The rear-portion attachment face portion and the tunnel frame are fastened by a bolt inserting into the bolt holes together with a nut. Accordingly, the support rigidity of the suspension cross member during the normal vehicle traveling can be secured and the smooth retreat of the power unit to restrain the collision load from having bad influence on passengers in the vehicle frontal collision can be achieved.
US08267428B2 Energy absorbing countermeasure
An energy absorber for a vehicle includes an elongate member having lateral and longitudinal axes. The elongate member may include one or more channels which are oriented to have walls which extend in the general direction of the lateral axis. An upper surface of at least one of the channels may have an engagement feature that may be configured to engage a stationary member of a vehicle when an impact force brings the engagement feature into contact with the stationary member. The channels may be configured to deform and collapse to absorb at least some of the impact force.
US08267422B2 Air bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system
An airbag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The airbag module comprises an airbag, a gas generator, a gas generator support, and a visible surface facing the vehicle interior in the installed state formed by different segments of the airbag module. At least two of the segments comprise optically and/or haptically different surfaces and are mechanically connected to each other by means of mechanical interfaces such that the mechanical connection between the segments is at least partially released when triggered by opening the interfaces so that an opening is formed in the visible surface through which the airbag can exit the airbag module. All segments contributing to the formation of the opening for the airbag by opening the interfaces when triggered are thereby directly fastened to the gas generator support.
US08267421B2 Snowboard binding with a controlled instep element
The invention relates to a snowboard binding with a sole-plate which is to be fastened on the surface of a snowboard and to which, firstly, an instep element is fastened or coupled, which instep element can be adjusted between a clamping position and a release position and by means of which the upper side of a shoe, which can be accommodated in the snowboard binding can be partially embraced, and to which, secondly, a leg support is pivotably coupled, which leg support can be pivoted between a rear entry position and a front travelling position with control means provided by means of which a pivoting movement of the leg support into the entry position is coupled at least in some sections to an adjustment movement of the instep element from the clamping position into the release position.
US08267420B2 Hitch
A hitch system includes a handle portion including a handle loop, a pin portion extending from the handle portion, a pair of opposite retainers and a trigger. The retainers are movable between a retracted position relative to the pin portion and an extended position relative to the pin portion. The trigger is coupled to the retainers to actuate the retainers between the retracted position and the extended position.
US08267419B2 Extended forward tow saddlemount—single rail
An extended forward tow, single rail saddlemount or tow bar is disclosed. The tow bar allows a first towing truck to mount a second truck, facing forward, behind the first truck, in order to tow the second truck. The tow bar allows the towed truck to face forward during transport, thus allowing for normal loads and stresses of movement on the towed truck, rather than the much higher high wind loads and unusual stresses imposed by a rear-ward facing tow. The saddlemount is also designed to minimize the required vertical rise on the towed truck, which also avoids additional stresses during loading and unloading onto the towing truck. Lower stress is achieved by using a pivot pin nearer the towed truck rather than the usual pivot pin or king pin on the towing truck.
US08267418B1 Cap of bicycle headset with easy adjustable mounting bracket
A cap of a bicycle headset with an easy adjustable mounting bracket includes a cap, a mounting bracket, a fastener, and a joining structure. The bicycle headset engaged in a steer tube includes the fastener positionable between a first engaging position in which the cap is rotatable about the fastener and the pivot is not tightly disposed in the recess and the bracket is pivotal to various pivoting positions with respect to the cap and a second engaging position in which the cap is fixedly positioned on the steer tube and the pivot is not tightly disposed in the recess and the bracket is fixedly positioned at one of the pivoting positions.
US08267415B2 Suspension arm
A suspension arm may include first and second metal housings, a metal connecting portion including first and second panels, wherein the metal connecting portion connects the first and second metal housings at distal ends thereof respectively, and wherein a burred first panel connecting portion and a burred second panel connecting portion are formed respectively to the first and second panels, and a reinforcement member wrapping the first and second metal housings and the metal connecting portion, wherein the first panel and the second panel are connected by inserting the burred second panel connecting portion into the burred first panel connecting portion.
US08267409B2 Methods and apparatus for manually propelling a golf pull cart
Apparatus and methods for propelling a multiple-wheeled golf bag cart over a terrain are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to be attached to a handle of the golf bag cart and further configured to be attached to the waist of a golfer. The apparatus includes a belt member for attachment to the waist of the golfer, a deformable member configured to be disposed between the cart handle and the belt member for controlling movement of the cart while the cart is being towed, and a mounting member for attachment to the handle for connecting the deformable member to the handle.
US08267407B2 Cylinder head gasket
Cylinder head gasket with a gasket plate comprising a plurality of sheet metal layers and at least one combustion chamber opening, an inner layer being arranged in the gasket plate directly between two functional layers having sealing beads arranged one over the other, which enclose the combustion chamber opening and have bead feet lying in the planes of the functional layers and bead crests with which sealing beads of the two functional layers all project over the functional layers in a first direction extending perpendicularly to the gasket plane, at least one ring zone of the inner layer being clamped between the bead feet of the one functional layer and at least one bead crest of the other functional layer when the gasket is pressed; to minimize arching of this ring zone, it is stiffened and/or those ring zone regions against which at least one bead crest of one functional layer lies when the gasket is pressed are supported by bead feet of the other functional layer.
US08267400B2 Sheet processing apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus includes an opening/closing member which is turnably supported by an apparatus body and through which a user accesses the apparatus, and a conveying guide which is movably supported by a user access door and which includes a sheet conveying surface. When the opening/closing member is opened in a state where a sheet remains on the sheet conveying surface, the conveying guide is separated from the opening/closing member by the remaining sheet.
US08267389B2 Device for applying pressure to a workpiece
In a device for applying pressure to a workpiece comprising a contacting element for a workpiece, a holding device and a bearing device by means of which the contacting element is retained on the holding device, wherein the bearing device comprises a holding head and a holding head seating space, and wherein the holding head seating space has a bearing portion for the holding head, it is provided that the bearing device comprises a bearing shell which is a part separate from the holding head and the holding head seating space, and that the bearing is fixed on the holding head seating space and forms the bearing portion.
US08267385B2 Holding device for fixing a substrate
The invention relates to a holding device (1), especially for fixing a glass substrate during a cutting process. The holding device comprises a housing (2) and a plunger (3) which can be axially displaced in relation to the housing (2). The plunger has a first and a second end section (4, 5), the first end section (4) projecting from the housing (2) and having a suction element (6). The aim of the invention is inter alia to improve a known holding device in such a manner that the substrate can be approached and fixed almost without the application of force. The holding device (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the plunger (3) is received in the housing (2) by a pneumatic spring. A holding system (20) comprising a plurality of holding devices (1) is protected in a support plate (24), the support plate (24) having a vacuum channel collector (21) which is connected to vacuum channels (13) and which is connected to a common vacuum pump (14).
US08267379B2 Cable guiding device
A cable guiding device includes a base, upper and lower guide members disposed along a longitudinal direction, in which two ends of the upper guide member are mounted on the base and two ends of the lower guide member are mounted on the base. A slider defining a central cavity is penetrated therethrough in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Upper and lower movable members are fitted slidably over the upper and lower guide members respectively, in which two ends of the upper movable member are mounted on two longitudinal side walls of the slider, and two ends of the lower movable member are mounted on two longitudinal side walls of the slider respectively. Upper and lower guiding rollers are fitted rotatably over the upper and lower movable members and disposed within the central cavity respectively.
US08267378B1 Triple cylinder with auxiliary gas over oil accumulator
A hydraulic lift system for artificial lift pumping or industrial hoisting comprises a three chamber cylinder, a gas over oil accumulator, a large structural gas accumulator and a large flow pilot operated check valve. A matrix variable frequency drive, a standard variable frequency drive, an electrical squirrel cage motor or a natural gas engines are part of the main prime mover alternatives.
US08267373B2 Locking non-metallic single lever control
A single lever control for manually manipulating a hydraulic valve spool of a directional control valve, which comprises an elongate shaft encased within an outer casing and having first and second ends each being fixedly attached to an end cap and a pivot block, respectively. The outer casing comprising a cylindrical cup for housing a biasing element whereupon an applied upward force on the cylindrical cup causes the outer casing to move upwardly to the extent of lifting a latching member pivotally connected to the pivot block and releasing a locking mechanism. The mounting assembly comprising an adapter plate integrally connected to a vertical support member and having a large aperture for receiving a moveable stem associated with the hydraulic valve spool, an arrangement of which allows a valve-actuating stem associated with the pivot block to movably interact with the moveable stem as the single lever control is selectively manipulated.
US08267372B2 Cover-equipped manual valve
A cover-equipped manual valve having a ratchet mechanism for preventing rotation of a knob, comprising: a rod formed with an external thread portion on an outer periphery thereof, the rod being unconnected to the knob and held against rotation; a sliding nut of a cylindrical shape, the sliding nut being rotatably held by a body and internally formed with an internal thread portion threadedly engaged with the external thread portion of the rod; an engagement member fixed to the knob, the engagement member being elastically deformable to be engaged with the sliding nut and to be disengaged from the sliding nut when larger torque than a predetermined value is applied to the engagement member; and a knob cover of a hollow shape for covering the knob.
US08267368B2 Electronic device
An electronic device of the present invention includes a plate-shaped stand member rotatably attached to a back surface of the housing, and a holding member capable of holding the stand member at a predetermined upright support angle with respect to the back surface of the housing, wherein the holding member regulates the rotation of the stand member at a predetermined rotation angle exceeding the upright support angle from a stored position with respect to the housing. With such a configuration, an electronic device such as a portable television can be provided, in which a stand is unlikely to be broken even when the electronic device topples over and a pressing force further is applied thereto.
US08267366B2 Display suspending frame device
A display suspending frame device includes a securing frame, and a first suspending frame and a second suspending frame for mounting respectively to first and second displays to permit suspension of the first and second displays on the securing frame one above the other. The second suspending frame is disposed below the first suspending frame and is capable of upward and downward adjustment by virtue of the configuration thereof or through a fine-tuning unit. Thus, the second display is adjustable in height position to abut against a bottom side of the first display so as to eliminate any clearance between the first and second displays.
US08267365B2 Apparatus for securing a measuring or display unit on an object
An apparatus for securing a measuring or display unit on an object. Included is elongated guide element, on which an orientation aid and a holder for the measuring unit or for the display unit are arranged shiftably in the longitudinal direction of the guide element, wherein the orientation aid and the holder are so positionable relative to one another, that the object is held clamped between the orientation aid and the holder or a mounted sensor, and wherein a resilient tensioning apparatus is provided, with which the measuring or display unit is pressable with a defined clamping force onto the object.
US08267361B1 Attachment to a long lens support device which functions as both a ball head and a gimble head
An attachment for a photographic instrument including a camera, comprising a transverse rotatable member having a top arcuate vertical support. A first top arcuate member is comprised of a gap and a second top arcuate member has an arcuate recess, wherein the top arcuate vertical support is connected to the respective first and second top arcuate member, which forms a seat as a housing of a universal joint. The universal joint is affixed to a shaft having a concentric bearing, which is further affixed to the camera mount, so that the camera mount can be rotated. A pin is affixed to the universal joint opposite to where the shaft is affixed. When the shaft having the bearing is downwardly and rotatably positioned inside of the recess, the pin is also upwardly positioned inside of the gap.
US08267357B2 Waterproof cable guide device for railway vehicle
A waterproof cable guide device for a railway vehicle, comprises an elastic member of a substantially rectangular prism shape, which has a plurality of through-holes into which the plurality of electric cables are inserted, respectively, the plurality of through-holes penetrating the elastic member in a forward and backward direction, the elastic member being divided in positions of the through-holes or having slits extending from an outer peripheral surface of the elastic member to the through-holes, respectively; a plurality of divided press casings into which a casing is divided in a vertical direction and in a lateral direction, the plurality of divided press casings surrounding a front surface, right and left side surfaces and upper and lower surfaces of the elastic member so as not to cover the through-holes; a first fastener member which tightens the plurality of divided press casings toward the cable guide; a second fastener member which tightens the plurality of divided press casings closer to each other in the vertical direction; and a third fastener member which tightens the plurality of divided press casings closer to each other in the lateral direction.
US08267356B2 Tension balancer
A tension balancer which includes an axis body including a latch part, a column shaped main body including a bottom part which has at least two first through holes arranged at equal intervals in a concentric circle from the center, and an open upper part, a spring base housed within the main body and having an aperture for joining an end of the axis body to the center, and at least two second holes arranged at equal intervals in a concentric circle from the center, an upper lid having an aperture for pushing through the main body of the axis body to the center, and at last two second through holes arranged at equal intervals in a concentric circle from the center, the upper lid being screwed to the main body by a bold and nut which passes through the first, second and third through holes, and at least two or more spring unit groups sandwiched between the spring base which is housed within the main body and the upper lid.
US08267354B2 Fitting
A fitting for joining a first component to a second component, the fitting comprising a composite part and a reinforcement element. The composite part is formed from a composite material and comprises: a base; an end wall meeting the base at a first corner; and a side wall meeting the end wall at a second corner and the base at a third corner. The reinforcement element is shaped such that it can be fitted to the composite part and engage the end wall of the composite part, the first corner of the composite part; and the second corner of the composite part.
US08267350B2 Jam-tollerant actuator
An actuator, comprises a housing, a first prime mover for producing rotary motion, a first gearbox arranged to convert in use the rotary motion from the first prime mover into rotary motion having higher torque and lower speed. The first gearbox comprises a casing mounted for rotation relative to the housing of the actuator and a second gearbox arranged to convert rotary motion of the casing of the first gearbox into rotary motion having lower torque and higher speed.A brake is arranged to act on the rotary motion having lower torque and higher speed from the second gearbox. In use when the first gearbox is not jammed, the brake may be applied to resist relative rotation between the casing of the first gearbox and the housing of the actuator.When the first gearbox is jammed, the brake may be released thereby allowing the casing of the first gearbox to rotate relative to the housing of the actuator. The actuator may thereby be jam-tolerant. A second motor may also be provided.
US08267346B2 Spool assembly with a sealing barrel
A spool assembly has a central cylindrical barrel or tube portion formed from a substantially rectangular planar material, such as thin-gauge sheet aluminum or tin-plated steel, with beveled corners. The formation of the barrel from the substantially rectangular planar material results in a seam with shallow V-notches of the seams at the opposite ends of the barrel. A circular flange sub assembly is attached to each end of the barrel and extends radially outwardly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. Each flange sub assembly comprises an outer flange and an inner flange core joined by an annular ring or curl that defines a circular hub recess or cavity for receiving the respective end of the barrel. A portion of the seam at the end of the barrel is secured within the circular hub recess or cavity; whereby the flanges are keyed onto the ends of the barrel, thereby preventing circumferential slippage of the flanges on the barrel.
US08267345B2 Paper roll mounting device
A paper roll mounting device, configured to enable a paper roll to be supported by a paper roll supporting means provided to each arm of pairs of arms by rotary-driving a female screw member to individually move each arm in a direction parallel to a rotating shaft, is provided with: a female screw rotation amount signal output means provided to output a rotation amount signal corresponding to a rotation amount of the respective female screw member, individually on a female screw member basis, in response to rotation of the female screw member; and an arm stop position control unit configured to enable setting of a reference position for each of the arms, and, when changing a position of each of the arms in an axis direction of the rotating shaft, to enable input designation of a stop position of each of the arms, and to detect a current position of the arms with respect to the reference position by calculating a movement amount of the arms based on the rotation amount signal, and thereby move each of the arms to the designated stop position and cause each of the arms to stop at the designated stop position. This makes each of the arms stoppable at a desired position in the direction parallel to the rotating shaft.
US08267340B2 Airflow pulverization and classification device, and pulverization method
The airflow pulverization and classification device includes a pulverizer and a classifier. The pulverizer includes a pulverization chamber including a collision member; a jet nozzle directing jet flow toward the pulverization chamber; a feeder feeding a particulate material; a supply nozzle having an acceleration tube connected with the jet nozzle and the pulverization chamber, and a supply tube connected with the feeder and the acceleration tube to supply the particulate material the acceleration tube so that the particulate material is collided with the collision member; and a pressure gauge measuring a static pressure in the feeder and/or the supply tube, and/or a static pressure at the junction of the acceleration tube and the supply tube to control the supply conditions of the particulate material supplied to the acceleration tube on the basis of the measured static pressure.
US08267338B2 Safety inlet apparatus for a paper feed opening of a shredder
Safety inlet apparatus for a shredder paper feed opening includes upper cover, safety cover, paper feed passage block, and elastic member. A safety cover end section covers the shredder paper feed opening, and rotatably couples to the upper cover. Paper feed passage block is positioned between shredder paper feed opening and elastic member, and the safety cover pivots to the upper cover. Paper feed passage block is slidably arranged on the upper cover near shredder paper feed opening, connecting to the safety cover second end section. Elastic member ends respectively connect to the upper cover inner wall and the paper feed passage block. Paper feed passage block may be fixed to, or integrated with, the second end section, or may limit a stud on the second end section.
US08267333B2 Fuel injector and method of assembly therefor
A fuel injector and a method of assembly includes a determination of various flow areas through clearances or openings formed in various components of the injector. With the various flow areas determined, the various components can be classified according to their flow areas such that sets of components can be selected having desirable flow area characteristics for assembly of the fuel injector.
US08267328B2 Electronically controlled fitting
The invention relates to a fitting, in particular a washstand or bathtub fitting comprising an electronic control device for controlling a mixing device or a shut-off device for closing a pipe and an operating device, which is formed by a plate which is contact-sensitive and/or which is provided with proximity switches, for operating the control device. The plate is embodied in such a manner that at least two parameters from a group comprising a temperature parameter, a dispensing parameter, a volume flow rate parameter and a time parameter can be set at the same time by means of a sweeping motion, which is executed on the surface of said plate, by means of selectively touching different areas of the surface thereof and/or by means of a contact-free motion in front of the surface thereof.
US08267327B2 Payment card manufacturing technology
A payment card manufacturing process glues a thin battery and an autonomously reprogrammable magnetic device to the inside surface of one of two outer front and rear laminate sheets. The magnetic device is pressed through a precisely cut rectangular hole provided for it in the rear laminate sheet, and is sealed with a gasket bead. Such magnetic device is critically placed flush in a magnetic stripe area, and the end gaps are such that they will minimize adverse magnetic transitions seen by a reader between the magnetic stripe field and the autonomously reprogrammable magnetic device. The surfaces of the battery, electronics, and laminate sheets, are plasma treated to promote adhesion. These are then all sandwiched together inside a heated mold that is tilted or vibrated just before a two-part polyurethane is injected. Each of the two polyurethane parts is temperature adjusted to match viscosities and thus improve mixing. The liquid polyurethane is injected through a nozzle and manifold to fill all the voids between the laminate sheets, and air escapes or is vacuumed out the top edge of the mold. The polyurethane sets quickly and sheets of sixteen or more payment cards can then be de-molded and singulated.
US08267326B2 Tag for bottle neck having integral locking ring
A tag having an integral locking ring for attachment to a bottle neck with a perimetrical undercut thereabout. The tag includes a housing having upper and lower portions, a retaining device and a cable tie. The housing is formed by an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion that defines an interior. The housing portions have corresponding openings therethrough and corresponding notches that form a passage into the interior. The retaining device is located inside the housing and has an aperture that is adjusted by tightening the cable tie. After the neck of the bottle is inserted through the openings in the housing and the adjustable aperture of the retaining device, the cable tie is tightened to seat the retaining device in the undercut of the neck and secure the tag to the bottle. The housing can also provide support for an electronic security and/or identification device.
US08267325B2 Wristband with elastic portion and inelastic portion containing a RFID inlay
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes: a first substantially inelastic portion (12); a second substantially elastic portion (14); and an RFID inlay (16) provisioned to wirelessly communicate with a reader device, wherein the RFID inlay (16) is at least one of carried on or encapsulated in the first portion (12). A compressible foam or mesh (13) is provided to create an air gap to increase the read range of the RFID inlay (16).
US08267324B2 Antenna interface having a pause detector
An antenna interface of a contactless device including a current source configured to provide a current signal which is dependent on a radio frequency field; and a pause detector coupled to the current source and configured to detect a field pause from the current signal and output a field pause signal.
US08267322B2 Method and apparatus for correcting decoding errors in machine-readable symbols
The present invention is a system and method for decoding an image of a bar code. Decoding the barcode includes tokenizing a plurality of pixels in the image of the barcode based upon a plurality of thresholds to form a first set of tokens. Decoding the barcode also includes re-tokenizing the plurality of pixels in the image of the barcode based upon the intensity of the pixels in the plurality of tokens, and the relativity intensity of neighboring tokens, to form a second set of tokens.
US08267319B2 Antenna, and radio frequency identifying device and method
A radio frequency identifying device minimizes a null point area within a radiation pattern by horizontally or vertically vibrating an antenna plate radiating a radio frequency beam by using at least one vibration motor.
US08267313B2 System and method for providing a gift card which affords benefits beyond what is purchased
A system, computer product and method are provided for a card issuer providing a prepaid gift card to a purchaser, the gift card usable by a recipient of the card to pay merchants who participate in a financial network. The method includes receiving a payment of a predetermined amount, and loading the predetermined amount received from the purchaser into the prepaid gift card. The method further includes activating the loaded prepaid gift card, the activated prepaid gift card being usable by the recipient for paying any of the merchants in the financial network until the predetermined amount loaded in the prepaid gift card is exhausted, and being usable by the recipient to obtain a benefit beyond what is purchased from at least some of the merchants in the financial network.
US08267311B2 Improvements to methods of in-field analysis
The present invention relates to the use of unique markers in the identification and tracking of objects. The present invention provides large numbers of unique markings for application to items as part of a marking system. The present invention provides a new approach to laboratory analysis and a means of rapid in-field identification of goods using a hand-held scanner. It provides data that can be used as a means of product tracking, identification of counterfeit product and to prove ownership of stolen goods.
US08267306B2 Selection systems
The present invention relates generally to a system and method to guarantee that a personal choice corresponds with an electronic encoding of this choice and, more particularly, to a system and method for its production, and allows the verification to a human that his or her choice has been taken into account which is easily auditable.
US08267305B2 Carrier handle for plant tray/pot
A carrier handle for insertion into a plant tray or pot includes highly flexible locking tabs at opposite ends. Each of the opposed ends includes a generally triangular tab which deflects for ease of insertion into an aperture in a tray or pot. The handle includes a center section with inwardly projecting concave indentations for defining a handhold centered for balancing the item being carried.
US08267303B2 Wire bonding apparatus with a textured capillary surface enabling high-speed wedge bonding of wire bonds
Methods and systems are described for enabling the efficient fabrication of wedge-bonding of integrated circuit systems and electronic systems.
US08267302B2 Surgical instrument and loading unit for use therewith
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a drive assembly, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members, a dynamic clamping member, and a tissue stop. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a movable handle of the handle assembly. The endoscopic portion defines a first longitudinal axis. The jaw members are each longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The dynamic clamping member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal portion of the drive assembly and includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical beam having a cutting edge on a distal portion thereof. At least a portion of the dynamic clamping member is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue stop is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and configured to impede tissue from distally escaping the jaw members.
US08267301B2 Surgical stapler
A surgical stapler comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher movable distally to advance staples from the shell assembly into contact with the anvil assembly. First and second alignment pins operatively associated with the pusher have distal ends positioned distally of the pusher, the alignment pins movable between a first non-engaged position spaced from the anvil assembly and a second position in engagement with the anvil assembly.
US08267300B2 Dampening device for endoscopic surgical stapler
A surgical instrument including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector may comprise a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw may be movable relative to the second jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The surgical instrument may comprise a closure assembly which may be operably engaged with the first jaw. The closure assembly may comprise a closure trigger and a dampening system. The closure trigger may be configured to be actuated from a first position to a second position to close the first jaw. The dampening system may be configured to retard the opening of the closure trigger. The dampening system may comprise an aperture configured to receive the projection at a first end of the aperture and a seal configured to form a fluid seal between said projection and said aperture sidewall.
US08267299B2 Gas combustion-type driving tool
A driving piston 7 is provided so as to be slidable in an up-down direction within a driving cylinder 6 disposed within a body 1. A movable sleeve is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the driving cylinder 6 on the cylinder so as to be movable in the up-down direction. When the movable sleeve 11 is moved upward to abut against a cylinder head 10 provided in the upper direction, a sealed combustion chamber 5 is formed. When combustible mixed gas is explosively burnt within the combustion chamber 5, high-pressure combustion gas acts on the driving piston 7 to thereby impulsively drive the piston, whereby a fastener is driven out by a driver 8 coupled on the lower surface side of the driving piston 7. Elastic members 15 are disposed between the movable sleeve 11 and the cylinder head 10. The elastic members 15 bias the movable sleeve 11 downward.
US08267298B2 Combustion-engined setting tool
A combustion-engined setting tool for driving fastening elements such as, e.g., nails, bolts, or pins in a workpiece, includes a plate-shaped member (17) axially displaceable in the tool combustion chamber (14), a member (33) for displacing the plate-shaped member (17), a holding device (30) for retaining the plate-shaped member (17) at an axial end (15) of the combustion chamber (14) against action of the displacing member (33), with the holding device (30) having magnetic elements (31) for producing a holding force for retaining the plate-shaped member (17) and a device for overpowering the holding force produced by the magnetic elements (31).
US08267297B2 Fastener driving tool using a gas spring
A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
US08267290B2 Bag with reinforced adjustable shoulder strap
A shoulder strap assembly includes a shoulder-engaging portion to which a buckle is fixed and a length-adjustable strap which cooperates with the buckle. The length-adjustable strap includes a portion reinforced by metal threads connected to metal threads provided adjacent the fabric wall of the bag to deter cutting through the strap. The reinforced portion of the length-adjustable strap extends through a longitudinal aperture in the shoulder-engaging portion and an unreinforced portion of the strap is provided to extend in a loop around part of a tension-locked buckle.
US08267287B2 Variable length coordinate set hanger
A coordinate set hanger has a primary hanger with a first body, a hook extending upward from the first body, a first means for suspending a garment from the first body, and a first connection tab extending downward from the body, operative to releasably suspend a dependent hanger therefrom. A connection link having a locking end at each end thereof, the locking end having at least one snap lock with at least one horizontal surface is releasably attachable to at least a connection tab of a primary hanger. A dependent hanger has a body and a second means for suspending a garment from the second body, and a second connection tab extending upward from the second body. The second connection tab is operative to releasably secure the locking end of the connecting link therein. In other embodiments, the component parts of the coordinate set hanger are modular, or may include a dependent loop for integration with existing hanger stock.
US08267285B2 Microdispensing pump
Various pump features are provided. In a first aspect, a pump is provided having an actuator with a nozzle and a releasable cap having a first shield located to entrap a fixed volume of air about the nozzle. In a second aspect, a valve seat is located along a pump's internal fluid passage with deflectable spring arms extending therefrom that are-deflectable in response to movement of a check valve element. In a third aspect, a compliant shut-off valve feature is provided, wherein, a first end of a tubular piston is deflectable in response to interferingly engaging the head of the poppet. In a fourth aspect, a pump includes a pump inlet, and a reservoir having a first portion and a second well portion in open fluid communication. Fluid may be trapped within the well portion at various angular orientations of the pump.
US08267284B2 Two-stroke foam pump
A two-stroke foam pump includes a piston housing and a piston assembly retained therein, the interaction of the piston housing and piston assembly defining a compressible mixing chamber. Movement of the piston assembly within the piston housing in one direction increases the volume of the compressible mixing chamber to draw liquid and air therein, and movement of the piston assembly within the piston housing in a direct opposite thereto decreases the volume of the compressible mixing chamber to expel liquid and air from the compressible mixing chamber as a foam product.
US08267283B2 Personal hydration system
In one embodiment, a personal hydration system includes a fluid reservoir having first and second spaced apart apertures. A first port is coupled to the first aperture, and a second port is coupled to the second aperture. A flexible tube has a first end that is coupled to the second port for communication with an interior of the fluid reservoir. The personal hydration system further includes a handle having a first end coupled to the first port, and a second end coupled to the second port. A channel near the second end of the handle extends over at least a portion of the first end of the tube and thereby captures the first end of the tube between the channel and the fluid reservoir.
US08267282B2 Quantitative dropper structure
A quantitative dropper structure includes a resilient bottle body, a nozzle detachably sealingly connected to a bottle opening of the bottle body, and a transfer mechanism having a flow path formed of a first transfer pipe, a remaining liquid reservoir and a second transfer pipe. The nozzle has a dispensing orifice and a bottom wall formed with a perforation. The first transfer pipe has a first end communicating with the remaining liquid reservoir and a second end downward extending near to a bottom section of the bottle body. The second transfer pipe has a front end passing through the perforation to communicate with the liquid reservoir and a rear end communicating with the remaining liquid reservoir. When compressed, the liquid flows in the flow path into the liquid reservoir. After a predetermined volume of liquid is contained in the liquid reservoir, the liquid is quantitatively dispensed from the dispensing orifice.
US08267278B2 Container
The container includes a base and a detachable cover. To releasably attach the base and cover, the base includes a first closure portion and the cover includes an engagable second closure portion. In one aspect, the first and second closure portions are configured for engagement in both a fully engaged position and an intermediately engaged position. In the intermediately engaged position, the container can be further configured to vent steam during, for example, microwaving. In another aspect, the container including the first and second closure portions can be configured for simplified engagement of the base and cover, preferably by enabling engagement via a downward push applied to the center of the cover. In yet another aspect, the first and second closure portions can be configured with diverging flanges that simplify detachment of the base and cover.
US08267276B2 Cap for holding powder to mixed with a fluid in a bottle
A cap for holding a powder to be mixed with a fluid in a bottle has a product cap with a reservoir. The product cap has a top wall and a side wall. The product cap has a number of inner protrusions on the side wall and a number of outer protrusions on the side wall. A cylindrical safety gate has a number of grooves. The inner protrusions of the product cap mate with the grooves of the safety gate. The cylindrical safety gate has a gate and an aperture at an end of the cylindrical safety gate. A bottle cap with a cylindrical body has a threaded end and a gate end. The gate end has a number of grooves that mate with the outer protrusions. The bottle cap has a gate and an aperture between the threaded end and the gate end.
US08267274B2 Closure having a drip minimizing lid
A dispensing closure system is provided for a container that has an opening to the container interior. The preferred embodiment of the system includes a closure having a closure body for extending from the container at the container opening and a lid hingedly attached to the closure body. The closure body has a dispensing spout, and the lid includes a hollow spud for entering the spout. A spud rim can be provided on the spud, extending inwardly towards the hollow interior of the spud. A lid rim can additionally or alternatively be provided on the inside surface of the lid, positioned within the hollow interior of the spud.
US08267272B2 Vented container and method of manufacturing
A venting device that may be used directly with a container or via a vent cap for a container, includes a venting mechanism having one or more collapsible dome structures and an absorbent material to prevent leakage of liquid or flowable contents from within the container. The construction relies on a combination of venting domed structures and expandable absorbent material to seal one or more openings in a container and or cap.
US08267265B2 Unitary container and flip-top cap assembly having child resistant safety features
Containers with child resistant safety caps are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the cap contains (1) an overlay and (2) a solid base. The overlay fits around at least a portion of the cap's solid base. At an end of the overlay is a thumb tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the cap. The overlay also contains a skirt that is perpendicular to the thumb tab. The skirt of the overlay contains a tab. At the end of the solid base proximal to the location of the tab on the overlay (when the cap is in the closed position) the solid base contains a notch. When the cap is shut, the overlay is secured around the solid base. If an upward force is only applied to the thumb tab, and then the overlay is lifted up, while the solid base of the cap remains secured to the container. If an upward force is applied to the thumb tab while simultaneously, sufficient inward force is applied to tab on the overlay to contact and secure the tubular skirt of the cap, then the solid base of the cap is simultaneously lifted up along with the overlay, thereby opening the container. In one embodiment, the overlay contains a top. In another embodiment, the overlay does not contain a top.
US08267263B2 Riser deck
Elongated metal risers are oriented perpendicular to the front end of a shelf, and extend from proximate the front edge of the shelf to at least the rear edge of the shelf. The risers are roughly from one and a half inches to four and a half inches (forty to one hundred fifteen millimeters) in height, and three to six inches (seventy five to one hundred fifty millimeters) in width. A package stored on the shelf is advantageously supported by left and right side risers and a center riser disposed beneath therebetween, thereby forming left and right insertion channels adjacent the center riser. In storing and retrieving objects from the shelf, a forklift machine advances with its left and right forks aligned with the left and right insertion channels, until the forks are securely under the object. By this configuration, a package lacking apertures for receiving the blades of a forklift machine does not need to be secured to a wooden pallet in order to safely maneuver the package on or off of a storage shelf by means of a forklift machine.
US08267260B2 Storage device
A storage device includes a supporting frame, a storage unit, a partitioning component, and a connecting belt. The supporting frame includes a hanger and is formed with an engaging hole. The storage unit is coupled detachably to the supporting frame, and includes a bottom wall and a surrounding wall cooperating with the bottom wall to define a storage space. The partitioning component is disposed in the storage unit for dividing the storage space into at least two compartments. The connecting belt is for connecting the partitioning component to the supporting frame.
US08267257B2 Turntable oven rack
A rack for an appliance is provided. The rack includes a main support platform having a first support frame, an auxiliary support platform having a second support frame, and a plurality of elongated support members attached to the second support frame to form an auxiliary support surface. The auxiliary support platform is rotatable relative to the main support platform. In one example, the auxiliary support platform is rotatably connected to the main support platform. In addition or alternatively, a rotational drive member is operatively attached to the main support platform and operatively attached to the auxiliary support platform for causing rotational movement of the auxiliary support platform relative to the main support platform. Further, an appliance is provided including a main body having an interior cavity bounded by at least one wall section, and the main support platform is configured to be supported within the interior cavity.
US08267256B2 Device for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches and separation system further integrating a destemming device
A device (1) for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches is mounted in a harvesting machine. The sorting device includes at least two transverse sorter bars (3) driven with a cyclic relative movement, the cyclic relative movement enabling longitudinal displacement of the stream over the bars, while opening passages (4) between them. The passages allow detached berries to drop under the sorting device.
US08267254B2 Fluid separator for trash and other materials
A separator for separating trash into its constituents. An inlet conduit accelerates the trash mixture into an expansion chamber allowing the lighter weight materials to move apart from heavier materials. An air fan applies air pressure to the lighter weight materials drawing off the lighter weight materials while the heavier materials fall towards a collecting conveyor by the force of gravity.
US08267249B2 Forward leaning storage and dispensing box
A forward leaning, hinged-lid storage and dispensing box is described, suitable for use with flat, stacked articles such as index or playing cards, dry stiff articles and pads such as cleaning or burnishing pads, or the like. Minimally the box of the present invention comprises in combination; a back panel; side panels; a bottom panel; a front panel; a top panel; and, a lid hinged to the front panel that forms at least a portion of both the front and top panels of the closed box, and wherein the lid drops and opens forward on at least one hinged connection, and wherein the front panel is angled forward from vertical at least a few degrees. In this way, stacked flat articles loaded into the box will necessarily lean against and parallel to the inside surface of the front wall, ready for easy reach and removal one-at-a-time by the consumer.
US08267248B2 Shrink pack and method for making a shrink pack
A method for making a shrink pack (1) is disclosed wherein pre-cut films (10, 11) of a shrinkable film (3) are cut off diagonally to a longitudinal direction (30) of the film (3). The pre-cut films (10, 11) are wrapped in each case about at least two articles (2). The pre-cut films (10, 11) are shrinked onto the wrapped articles (2) to form a shrink pack (1) in each case. The film (3) is cut before the shrink-on process and before the cutting off into pre-cut films (10, 11) respectively into at least two film webs (4, 5, 6, 7) along the longitudinal direction (30). Then, at least two adjacent film webs (4, 5, 6, 7) are brought together at their adjacent sides (14, 15, 16, 17) in longitudinal direction (30) such that they form an overlap (9) with a width (31) at the adjacent sides (14, 15, 16, 17). A shrink pack (1) is also disclosed.
US08267247B1 Power tool storage case
A power tool storage case for storing an electric power tool includes an open-topped main body having a storage portion capable of storing an electric power tool, a lid member having an end edge hingedly connected to an end edge of the main body, an outer surface facing upward when an opening of the main body is closed by the lid member, and a sub-storage portion formed in the outer surface of the lid member, and an outer lid for opening or closing the sub-storage portion and having an end edge hingedly connected to the end edge of the lid member, and another end edge engageable or disengageable with the lid member. The main body and the lid member are hingedly connected by at least one shaft, and the outer lid and the lid member are hingedly connected by the same shaft.
US08267244B2 Packaged gate systems and method of display
A packaged gate system includes a gate and a box having an interior space in which the gate is positioned. The box has front and rear major surfaces, a bottom surface, a top surface and a side surface that defines an edge of the box. An opening is defined in an uppermost portion of the side surface, a portion of the top surface and a portion of at least one of the front and rear major surfaces. A transparent insert is positioned in the opening and is secured to at least one of the box and a portion of the gate, The portion of the gate, which may include a connector assembly, will be visible to a consumer when the packaged gate system is stacked edgewise together with like packaged gate systems on the bottom surface with the side surface facing the consumer. The insert may also be configured to define a gripping handle that a consumer may use to pull the packaged gate system outwardly in order to extract it from the stack.
US08267243B2 Postal sorting machine with a manual feed station
A postal sorting machine comprising an automatic feed station (8) with an unstacker device (2), a manual feed station (9), and a sorting conveyor adapted to move mailpieces in series one behind another in a conveying direction (31), the automatic feed station being designed to feed the conveyor automatically with mailpieces from a stack of mailpieces, the manual feed station (9) being adapted to receive mailpieces inserted individually and to place them in the conveyor. The manual feed station (9) comprises a protective cover forming a sort of tunnel over the conveyor, and an insertion slot (26) provided in the protective cover and through which a mailpiece can be inserted into the tunnel, said slot being in vertical alignment with a mailpiece receiving and handling space (34) for receiving and handling a mailpiece in the conveyor, which space is funnel-shaped.
US08267240B2 Auger conveyor
An auger conveyor includes a housing, at least one first mounting bracket, at least one second mounting bracket, an auger screw and one or more auger support assemblies. The first mounting bracket has a first landing and the second mounting bracket has a second landing. The first and second mounting brackets are attached to the housing at diametrically opposite positions. The one or more auger support assemblies each have a lateral member connected to a bushing assembly. The auger screw has a rotational axis and is rotatably mounted relative to the bushing assembly. First and second ends of the lateral member each have a geometry adapted to slidably engage with the first and second landings, respectively. The auger screw and the one or more auger support assemblies are adapted to be received within and removed from the housing as an assembled unit, through the first end of the housing.
US08267235B2 Torque limiting clutch assembly
A friction clutch comprising a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates, wherein at least a portion of each of the first clutch plates is frusto-conical in shape and wherein at last a portion of each of the second clutch plates has a shape that conforms to the at least the portion of the first clutch plates. A method for forming a friction clutch is also provided.
US08267232B2 Clutch arrangement for motor vehicle transmission and method for engaging and disengaging a gearspeed
A clutch arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle transmission (80) is proposed for connecting a shaft (12) to a rotational element (14), in particular to a freely moving wheel (14), which is mounted thereon, wherein the clutch arrangement (10) has: a sliding sleeve (22) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the shaft (12) and is mounted in an axially displaceable fashion on the shaft (12) between a closed position and an open position and has a first sliding toothing (24); a clutch element (26) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the rotational element (14) and has a second sliding toothing (28) into which the first sliding toothing (24) can be inserted axially in the closing direction (30) in order to connect the rotational element (14) to the shaft (12) in the closed position; and an actuator arrangement (40) for axially sliding the sliding sleeve (22). In this context, the actuator arrangement (40) has an electromagnet arrangement (46) which can be actuated in order to slide the sliding sleeve (22) axially (FIG. 1).
US08267230B2 Traveling bag protector
A protective covering for a traveling bag comprising a housing having a cavity dimensioned to encompass the covered traveling bag is provided. The housing has substantially an equivalent shape to the covered traveling bag. The housing further comprises of an upper section, lower section, front section, back section, a first side section and opposite second side section. Each section can be a panel with a polygonal shape. A slot disposed within the upper panel such that it is aligned over the handle of the covered traveling bag and is dimensioned to hold the handle of the covered bag in a telescoped position. The lower panel further comprises at least one opening in the dimensioned to accommodate the bottom of the covered traveling bag. The protective covering further comprises an inlet for insertion and removal of the traveling bag into the cavity of the housing.
US08267226B2 Latching mechanism
A method and apparatus for retarding rotation of at least one wheel, the apparatus including at least one braking member, a latch member secured to the braking member and movable between a first position and a second position, and a latch actuating member arranged to determine the position in which the latch member is positioned. The braking member is movable into a braking position in which rotation of the at least one wheel is retarded when the latch member is in the second position.
US08267223B2 Drive assembly and motor vehicle equipped with drive assembly
In a drive assembly of the invention, a first catch tank is provided above a casing that keeps lubricating oil accumulated in a bottom thereof for immersion of part of a rotor of a motor MG3 and of part of a differential ring gear of a differential gear. The first catch tank temporarily keeps the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the differential ring gear. The lubricating oil kept in the first catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings. A second catch tank is arranged to temporarily keep the lubricating oil scooped up from the bottom of the casing by the rotation of the rotor of the motor MG3. The lubricating oil kept in the second catch tank is flowed down by the force of gravity and is fed to peripheral bearings. This arrangement desirably shortens oil paths connecting the respective catch tanks to the peripheral bearings and ensures smooth supply of the lubricating oil to all the peripheral bearings and other oil-requiring sites.
US08267222B2 Compact scissors lift
The compact scissors lift includes a chassis having a body, a pair of wheels disposed at one end and a pair of steering wheels at the opposite end; a lifting linkset assembly disposed substantially within the base, the linkset assembly shaped to form space for the steering wheels; a steering system operatively connected to the steering wheels in front of the linkset assembly; and a deployable safety guard mechanism, on at least one side of the chassis. Having the linkset assembly within the chassis body reduces the overall stow height of the lift to thereby increase access to work areas, decrease physical expenditure on the user, increase stable steering and increase safe operation on potentially hazardous terrain.
US08267221B2 Sound box and electronic device using same
An exemplary sound box includes a box body and two speakers mounted in the box body. The box body defines two expanded portions and a connecting portion interconnecting the two expanded portions. Inner spaces of the connecting portion and the two expanded portions communicate with each other and cooperatively constitute a sound chamber of the sound box. Each of the expanded portions defines an opening therein. The two speakers are attached to the box body at the openings of the s two expanded portions respectively. This disclosure further discloses an electronic device configured with the sound box.
US08267220B2 Electric power steering control apparatus
An electric power steering control apparatus can reduce a steering vibration such as shimmy vibration generated due to the structure of a vehicle without adding new mechanism elements. The apparatus includes a torque sensor for detecting steering torque generated by a driver, a torque controller for calculating an assist torque current for assisting the steering torque based on the detected steering torque, a vehicle speed detector for detecting the speed of the vehicle, a specific frequency detector for detecting a specific frequency from the detected vehicle speed, a motor angular velocity calculator for calculating a motor angular velocity from a motor angle detected by an angle detector, a phase compensator for converting a vibration frequency of the motor angular velocity, and a vibration suppression current calculator for calculating a vibration suppression current to suppress the steering vibration from respective output signals of the phase compensator and the specific frequency detector.
US08267219B2 Vehicle steering system
In a steering system for a vehicle incorporated with a rear drive electric motor (5) for driving a pair of rear wheels (3rl, 3rr) that can function as a regenerative brake for the rear wheels, a steering torque control unit (38) reduces a steering assist torque provided by the power steering assist unit (21) when the rear drive electric motor is providing a regenerative braking. When the rear wheels are braked by a regenerative braking action without substantially applying a brake to the front wheel, the vehicle may acquire a temporal oversteer tendency. However, by increasing the effort required to steer the front wheels, such a tendency can be canceled or compensated, and the vehicle operator is enabled to control the vehicle without experiencing any unfamiliar feeling or discomfort. The effort required to steer the front wheels can be increased by decreasing the assist steering torque or providing a reactive steering torque at such a time.
US08267215B2 Drinking level detecting system and drinking level detecting method
There is provided a drinking level detecting system and a drinking level detecting method capable of improving the detection accuracy of the drinking level by allowing a third person to correct the drinking level of a driver. In a system or method which detects the drinking level of a driver of a vehicle, the drinking level of the driver is detected by an alcohol detector or the like, and the detection result is corrected by a third person other than the driver when there is an error in the detection result. Accordingly, even when the drinking level detected by the alcohol detector or the like is incorrect, the drinking level can be corrected after ensuring reliability by the determination by the third person.
US08267213B2 Omnidirectional vehicle
An inverted pendulum type omnidirectional vehicle includes: a pair of wheels; a drive mechanism; a control apparatus; an auxiliary wheel; and a vehicle body. Each of the wheels includes: a rotation member capable of rotating about the wheel axis; a plurality of free rollers which are disposed all around an outer circumference of the rotation member, and each of which is brought into contact with a road surface at a lowest position of the rotation member and is rotatable about a rotation axis diagonal with respect to the wheel axis. The free rollers on both sides in contact with the road surface at ground contact portions each have the rotation axis extending in parallel with the road surface, and are arranged in an orientation in which a distance between the rotation axes of the free rollers is shorter toward a side of the auxiliary wheel.
US08267212B1 Snowmobile having front tracks with brakes
A central endless drive track is disposed below the seat of a snowmobile. At least two left wheels are operatively connected to a left track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A left track engages the left wheels. A left brake is connected to the left track frame and selectively engages one of a first left wheel and the left track to brake the left track. At least two right wheels are operatively connected to a right track frame disposed forwardly of the seat. A right track is disposed around the right wheels. A right brake is connected to the right track frame and selectively engages one of a first right wheel and the right track to brake the right track. A brake lever causes the left and right brakes to brake the left and right tracks respectively.
US08267205B2 Riding work vehicle
A riding work vehicle includes right and left wheels, at least one caster wheel, and a working machine. The lawnmower vehicle further includes traveling motor, steering motor, a traveling system clutch, and a steering system clutch. The traveling system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from an axle of the caster wheel to the traveling motor in a state where the traveling motor is deactivated. The steering system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from a steering shaft for the caster wheel to the steering motor in a state where the steering motor is deactivated.
US08267203B2 Earth-boring tools and components thereof including erosion-resistant extensions, and methods of forming such tools and components
Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an erosion-resistant extension, and a shank. The erosion-resistant extension includes a generally tubular body, and an erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within a fluid passageway. The erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within the fluid passageway exhibits an erosion resistance greater than an erosion resistance exhibited by a material of the generally tubular body. Methods of forming an erosion-resistant extension include lining at least a portion of a wall of a generally tubular body within a fluid passageway extending through the generally tubular body with an erosion-resistant material.
US08267201B1 Method and apparatus for disposal of cuttings
A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings 500 from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform 510, comprising providing a barge 10, the barge 10 having at least one storage area 30, a cover 100 operably connected to the at least one storage area placing the cover 100 in a first open state so that cuttings 500 can be placed in the at least one storage area 30; transporting the drill cuttings placing the cover 100 in a closed state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 of the barge 10 are contained; transporting the barge 10 from the drilling platform 510 to a collection site 540; placing the cover 100 in a second open state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 can be removed; and removing the cuttings 520 from the storage area 30.
US08267200B2 Cuttings treatment and reuse
A method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinization cell, the desalinization cell having a high end, a low end, and a cuttings pad. The method further includes washing the drill cuttings in the desalinization cell with a liquid phase and removing a cuttings runoff from the drill cuttings. Also, a method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinator, the desalinator having a geometric structure having a perforated side. The method further includes adding a liquid phase to the desalinator through the perforated side, washing the drill cuttings in the desalinator with the liquid phase, and producing desalinated drill cuttings and a cuttings runoff.
US08267196B2 Flow guide actuation
In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole drill string assembly comprises a bore there through to receive drilling fluid. A turbine may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid. At least one flow guide may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid wherein the flow guide acts to redirect the flow of the drilling fluid across the turbine. The flow guide may be adjusted by an actuator. Adjustments to the flow guide may be controlled by a downhole telemetry system, a processing unit, a control loop, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments the turbine may comprise rotatable turbine blades.
US08267191B2 Impact tool
In an upper surface of a crank housing is provided an inlet for grease which is configured to be openable and closable by a cap. A vibration damping mechanism, which includes a counterweight provided with a connecting pin loosely fitted in a connecting hole of an eccentric pin when the cap is attached, is mounted in the cap, whereby the vibration damping mechanism is allowed to be taken in and out of the crank housing through the inlet by attachment and detachment of the cap to and from the inlet.
US08267189B2 Hand-held power tool with a pneumatic percussion mechanism
A hand-held power tool includes a motor-driven percussion mechanism. The percussion mechanism includes a guide tube (21) and a reciprocating driving member (22) displaceable in the guide tube (21) for driving, via a gas spring, an impact member (23) likewise displaceable in the guide tube (21). The percussion mechanism further includes a motor-driven eccentric wheel (17) rotatable about an axis (D) which is spaced from the percussion mechanism axis (S) in a direction perpendicular to the percussion mechanism axis (S) by a distance (X). A connection rod (29) is eccentrically supported on the eccentric wheel (17) and connected to the driving member (22) for converting a rotational movement of the eccentric wheel (17) into a reciprocating movement of the driving member (22).
US08267181B2 Open-hole mudcake cleanup
Apparatus and methods for performing downhole operations. The apparatus can include a sealing mechanism having an inner bore formed therethrough; a check valve adjacent the sealing mechanism; a circulation device adjacent the check valve; and a rotatable nozzle adjacent the circulation device. The circulation device can include a first tubular member having a radial hole formed therethrough, and a second tubular member disposed about at least a portion of the first tubular member. The second tubular member can also have a radial hole formed therethrough, and the second tubular member can be adapted to longitudinally move about the first tubular member from a first position to a second position.
US08267179B2 Connection tool with indexing system
A connection tool for connecting a pipeline to a subsea connection structure which includes a connection porch (22) into which the pipeline is connected, the tool comprising:—a tool chassis (26);—a carrier (28) mounted on the chassis (26) and adapted to releasably carry the pipeline;—at least one locating member (30) positioned at the front of the chassis (26) so as to be engageable with the locating posts (24) on the connection porch (22) to hold the chassis (26) adjacent to the connection porch (22), a hinge connecting the locating member (30) to the chassis (26), such that the azimuthal orientation of the chassis relative to the connection porch can be varied when the locating member (30) is engaged with the locating post, wherein the locating member (30) includes a locking member that engages the locating post when the locating member (30) is engaged thereon.
US08267175B2 Method for wellbore servicing to enhance the mechanical strength of cement using electrochemically activated water
A wellbore servicing method comprises converting a water into an electrochemically activated water, preparing a wellbore servicing composition comprising the electrochemically activated water, and placing the wellbore servicing composition in a wellbore. Also, a cement composition comprises a cement and an electrochemically activated water.
US08267174B2 Internal retention mechanism
An anchoring device for stopping movement of a sliding component in a mandrel or case is disclosed. The anchoring device includes an elastically deformable anchor seat and an elastically deformable anchor retainer insertable into the anchor seat. The anchor seat has a groove profile thereon which will mate with a groove profile on the mandrel in an anchoring position. The retainer is insertable into the anchor seat and will hold the anchor seat in the anchoring position.
US08267173B2 Open hole completion apparatus and method for use of same
An open hole completion apparatus (80) includes an outer tubing string (56) disposed in an open hole portion of a wellbore (32). The outer tubing string (56) includes a sand control screen (102) and a shrouded closing sleeve (91). An inner tubing string (84) is at least partially disposed within the outer tubing string (56). The inner tubing string (84) includes a crossover assembly (114). The shrouded closing sleeve (91) has a shroud (92) that creates a channel (98) with a portion of the outer tubing string (56) by extending over a fluid port (94) of the shrouded closing sleeve (91) toward the sand control screen (102), such that when a treatment fluid is pumped through the inner tubing string (84), the crossover assembly (114) and the fluid port (94), the treatment fluid is injected into the wellbore (32) remote from the fluid port (94).
US08267171B2 Apparatus and method of monitoring an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage
An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring and controlling a power system of an electrical submersible pump assembly. A sensor monitors an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage at a neutral point of a motor of the electrical submersible pump assembly. The sensor measurement is transmitted to a controller at the surface. The controller analyzes the alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage and then adjusting an operation of the electrical submersible pump assembly, or scheduling maintenance, accordingly. Also, a model of a power system of an electrical submersible pump assembly is created to predict an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage. The model is modified as necessary responsive to measurements from the sensor. A controller adjusts surface currents according to the model of the power system to match downhole motor drive currents to thereby optimize the power system.
US08267170B2 Offset barrier wells in subsurface formations
A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.
US08267169B2 Methods and apparatus for attaching accessories to sand screen assemblies
Disclosed herein is an assembly for use in a wellbore which includes a base pipe; a filter medium surrounding at least a portion of the external surface of the base pipe; and an internally profiled sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the filter media. Also included is a method for attaching a hardware accessory to a sand screen assembly which includes providing a base pipe having an inner surface and an outer surface; surrounding the outer surface of the base pipe with a filter medium; engaging the sleeve with the filter medium; and connecting the hardware accessory to the sleeve. Also included is a downhole apparatus which includes a basepipe, where at least a portion of the external surface of the basepipe is profiled; and a sleeve mounted external to the basepipe, where the internal profile of the sleeve corresponds to the external profile of the basepipe.
US08267163B2 Radiator tube dimple pattern
A tube for a heat exchanger is disclosed, the tube including a plurality of protuberances formed on an inner surface of the tube. The protuberances are arranged in a pattern that maintains a substantially constant cross sectional hydraulic area along a length of the tube.
US08267162B1 Bi-directional pressure relief valve for a plate fin heat exchanger
A bi-directional pressure relief valve for a plate fin heat exchanger including an elongated heat exchanger tube having ends and a channel for the flow of a fluid from one end of the tube to the opposite end and a bi-directional reed valve positioned within the channel. The reed valve allows fluid to flow within the channel in either direction when a pressure differential across the reed valve is sufficient to urge the reed valve to an open position, thereby enabling the heat exchanger to be used independent of the direction of fluid flow through the heat exchanger.
US08267155B2 Vehicular air conditioning apparatus
In a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a first blower unit is connected by a connection duct to a side portion of a casing having respective air passages defined therein, and a second blower unit separate from the first blower unit is connected to a lower portion of the casing. In addition, air that is supplied to the interior of the casing from the first blower unit and air that is supplied to the interior of the casing from the second blower unit are prevented from mixing together mutually inside the casing by first and second ribs, and by ribs, which are formed respectively to face toward an evaporator and a heater core.
US08267142B2 Modular labeling station
Modular labeling station suitable for being detachably connectable to a labeling machine in a labeling arrangement. The labeling station comprises a base suitable to lay on a floor at a side distal from the labeling machine and to lay substantially on the labeling machine at a side proximal to the labeling machine itself, and a labeling unit mounted on the base in an adjustable manner. The base lays on the labeling machine at a portion that is structurally independent from the labeling unit.
US08267140B2 Multi-layer extrusion head for self-sealing cable
An extrusion head may be provided. The extrusion head may include an inner flow path, an outer flow path, and at least one sealant flow path. The inner flow path may be configured to direct a flow of an inner layer around a conductor. The outer flow path may be configured to direct a flow of an outer layer around the inner layer. The at least one sealant flow path may extend to a connecting point with the inner flow path and the outer flow path. The at least one sealant flow path may be configured to direct a sealant to fill at least one sealant channel region between the inner layer and the outer layer. The connection point may be configured to cause the flow of the inner layer and the flow of the outer layer to join before the sealant fills the at least one sealant channel region.
US08267139B2 Method for manufacturing a laminated mould part
A method for manufacturing a laminated mould part, preferably of a mould part for the inner trim of a vehicle, consisting of a shape-stable carrier part and a visible-side lamination connected to this, of film, fabrics or similar decorative lamination materials, with which a heated blank of a mat-like or plate-like semifinished product of fibre materials containing binding agent, is moulded into a mould part in a moulding tool, and thereby simultaneously is connected to the lamination (one-shot method). The lamination is regionally connected with the help of “rams” before the moulding procedure or lamination procedure with the semifinished product, in order to achieve an exact positioning of a seam or likewise.
US08267133B2 Pneumatic tire
Lateral grooves 6 are disposed in a land portion 4 between main grooves 2 at prescribed intervals in a circumferential direction TC of the tire, the lateral grooves 6 extending from the main grooves 6 to a circumferential groove 5. Blocks 7 are defined by the main grooves 2, circumferential groove 5 and lateral grooves 6. At least two sub-grooves 8 are disposed in each block 7 at a prescribed interval in the tire circumferential direction TC, the sub-grooves 8 extending from a main groove 2 adjacent thereto in a width direction of the tire. At least three block portions 7A, 7B and 7C are formed. The width of the main groove 2 adjacent to the block 7 is varied by making the block widths Wa, Wb and Wc of the block portions 7A, 7B and 7C different from each other. A groove wall surface, facing the main groove, of a block portion less in width has a greater inclination angle with respect to a tread normal direction. This allows for provision of a pneumatic tire capable of improving steering stability on a dry road surface and on a snow road surface.
US08267129B2 Control of fluid transfer operations
Some methods and related apparatus for manipulating a fluid conduit for insertion into a substantially re-sealable membrane include determining an orientation and position of a fluid conduit relative to the membrane. In an illustrative example, a syringe needle having a beveled leading edge may be manipulated by an automated device to be oriented and aligned with an aperture made upon a previous insertion of a needle into a membrane. In some examples, a predetermined number of insertions may be made in the same aperture by aligning and orienting one or more needles with the aperture. In some examples, multiple needle insertions may be controlled to produce apertures that are substantially spaced apart. Such procedures may, for example, advantageously extend the integrity of the membrane against leakage and/or contamination.
US08267128B2 Method for filling a container with gas
Gas container and method for filling a container with gas. The method includes inserting an electrically conducting stretched material into the container before inserting gas into the container, electrically connecting to an electrical ground and at least one of the electrically conducting stretched material and an area in a vicinity of an outlet opening of a filling pipe for inserting the gas into the container, and inserting gas into the container under compression.
US08267126B2 Cotton towel with structural polyester reinforcement
A mostly cotton yarn terry cloth product is provided with borders having high content polyester yarns. The polyester borders are more rugged, and thus aid in preventing fraying and failure along the edges. In addition, reinforcing ribs, also formed from yarns have a high polyester content, may be provided that extend from a border on one side of the terry cloth product to a border on the other side. This feature anchors the borders in place, limiting failure at the juncture of the border and the adjacent cotton.
US08267120B2 Control valve assembly for load carrying vehicles
A control valve assembly is provided for a load carrying vehicle that includes a storage space and a dumping mechanism. The control valve assembly includes a housing and a sliding valve positioned within the housing and movable between a first position, and a second position. The sliding valve includes a first piston that defines a first piston first surface and a first piston second surface, and a second piston that defines a second piston first surface and a second piston second surface. The first piston second surface faces the second piston first surface. A pilot system includes a first pilot passage in fluid communication with the first piston second surface to selectively actuate the sliding valve toward the first position, and a second pilot passage in fluid communication with the second piston first surface to selectively actuate the sliding valve toward the second position.
US08267116B2 Strainer and anti-backflow device for compressors
A backflow and strainer device is presented. The device is a unitary unit that prevents backflow of fluid gas in a compressor and prevents dirt particles and debris from entering the compressor, thereby damaging the components. A valve mechanism moves between an open position and a closed position to either allow or prevent fluid gas from flowing into the compressor. A mesh portion is disposed in the device to trap all dirt particles and debris to prevent them from entering the compressor. The valve mechanism responds to the higher and lower pressures associated with the operation and shutdown of compressors.
US08267114B1 Integrated positioning mechanism of hydrant shell plate
An integrated positioning mechanism of hydrant shell plate, of which the hydrant has an upper shell plate, a lower shell plate and an integrated positioning mechanism; the upper shell plate has a pedestal, an upper base plate, screw holes and a mating side; the lower shell plate is assembled beneath the upper base plate of the upper shell plate, and provided with two threading seats and an assembly side; moreover, the integrated positioning mechanism comprises a locking portion with a flange and a concave coupled together, as well as two bolts, thus enabling limited assembly of the upper and lower shell plates; with this unique design, the present invention allows two bolts and the locking portion to position the hydrant more stably and firmly by a three-point fixation way, thus improving substantially the quality of the hydrant with innovative applicability.
US08267111B2 Pressure balance valve
A temperature controlling valve includes a housing and a valve core installed in the valve core, the housing including a fist end wall having a first limiting elements and a second end wall having a second limiting element, and the first and the second limiting elements being fixed to fourth openings on two ends of the valve core to decrease cross sectional areas of the fourth openings for flowing the cold and the hot waters to be less than cross sectional areas of first and second inlets to flow the cold and the hot waters of the housing, such that a pressure in the valve core is gathered well to sense a pressure difference between the cold and the hot waters precisely and balance the pressure difference.
US08267108B2 Additive dispensing system and method
A liquid metering device that dispenses liquid into an adjacent reservoir at a precise ratio relative to the total volume of the adjacent reservoir as the reservoir is filled with liquid. The hydrostatic dispensing system includes an additive reservoir, a calibrated dispensing vessel, a hydrostatic pressure chamber, and a three-way valve that passively arms and dis-arms the system. The precise dispensing of liquid by a calibrated dispensing vessel into the adjacent reservoir is accomplished entirely through the management and arrangement of hydrostatic pressure creating a liquid piston generated by the addition of liquid to the adjacent reservoir and its subsequent application to the liquid in the calibrated vertical column that displaces the calibrated volume of liquid into the reservoir at the same rate that liquid is added to the reservoir.
US08267098B2 Hair straightener
A hair straightener device encompasses a straightening tool that is comb-like. The straightening tool has a row of tines that are spaced apart respectively to each other by one hair receptacle. Each tine is associated with at least one first molded part 7 that is movably mounted. It is movably supported relative to the additional tine that surrounds the hair receptacle. The straightening tool furthermore surrounds a second molded part which is associated with the additional tine that surrounds this hair receptacle. This serves the implementation of a hair shaping gap between the molded parts of a hair receptacle. The hair shaping gaps that are located between the molded parts are undercut at least in the hair shaping position of the molded parts toward one another in the direction toward the border, of the hair receptacle, that connects the tines.
US08267096B2 Low sidestream smoke cigarette with combustible paper
A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod, and a combustible treatment paper having a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct for said catalyst.
US08267089B2 Cushion inside a cushion patient interface
A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.
US08267082B2 Medicaments magazine for an inhaler, and a multi-dose powder inhaler
The invention is a medicament magazine having at least one medicament chamber for use in a powder inhaler, wherein the magazine is formed from two foil strips applied to one another and the at least one medicament chamber is formed between the foil strips as depicted in exemplary FIGS. 1a and 1b. The medicament chambers have an internal structure (3) which comprises in its interior a space for receiving a powdered medicament and stabilizes this inner space against external mechanical influences. In another embodiment in which the internal structure preferably also has a stabilizing function, the structure has means for opening one foil strip. In addition, the medicament chamber contains a retaining device which holds the internal structure on the medicament magazine after the medicament chamber has been opened.
US08267076B2 Engine control apparatus
The present invention performs correction appropriately according to errors in the fuel system and air system respectively and corrects both variations in the air-fuel ratio and torque. When the difference between a target air-fuel ratio and a real air-fuel ratio is equal to or below a predetermined value when feedback control based on the air-fuel ratio of an exhaust manifold 10A is in progress, the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder cyl—1 having the largest variation of angular acceleration is corrected to the rich side, for example, by increasing the amount of fuel. Angular acceleration per cylinder is then detected again and when the variation in angular acceleration among cylinders is not eliminated, it is judged that there is an error in the amount of air control of the cylinder having the largest variation and the amount of air, amount of fuel, ignition timing or the like are corrected.
US08267074B2 Control for knock suppression fluid separator in a motor vehicle
A fuel system for an engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel system are described. As a non-limiting example, the fuel system is controlled in response to engine operating conditions.
US08267073B2 Air intake apparatus for internal combustion engine
A housing has an intake passage extending substantially in a vertical direction of a vehicle. A valve is configured to open and close the intake passage. A shaft supports the valve. A bearing supports the shaft. A hose is connected with an upper side of the housing in the vertical direction and configured to lead intake air into the intake passage. A communication passage configured to communicate an inside of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle with the hose. The communication passage has an opening in the vicinity of a point directly above the bearing. The hose has a wall surface defining a condensate passage, which connects the opening with a target location from which condensate is to be dropped.
US08267071B2 Device for separating liquids from gases
The invention relates to a device for separating liquids from gases, especially for separating oil particles from blow-by gases of the crankcase ventilation of internal combustion engines.Proceeding from the drawbacks of the known prior art, a device is to be provided that is characterized by a simple, cost-effective and space-saving construction and with which a high separation performance can be achieved. As a solution, it is proposed that the individual flow tubes 2 have at least one tangentially arranged gas inlet 3 at their end facing towards the direction of gas inlet and are closed at the front side 2a adjacent thereto by means of a cover 5, wherein a combined rotational and axial flow with a vortex component is generated in the flow tubes 2, wherein the rotational flow in the individual tubes 2 repeatedly rotates by 360°.The individual flow tubes 2 are part of a base support that has a circumferential edge 1a. A base support has, for example, from 30 to 40 flow tubes 2 that are immediately adjacent to one another or are arranged in the form of groups. The flow tubes 2 have an inner diameter D of, for example, 5 mm and a length of from 10 to 20 mm.Due to the tangential introduction, the gas flow reaches higher rotational frequencies, and greater centrifugal forces are produced, whereby a clearly improved separating performance is achieved. The device may be designed as a very small and effective component that requires only a small installation space.
US08267070B2 Intake mixture introducing apparatus
High pressure regions (31H to 35H) and low pressure regions (31L to 34L) are created based on the exhaust gas flow at curves in an EGR pipe (30), thereby enabling the exhaust gas pressure at inlets (21b to 26b) of gas introduction passages (21a to 26a) to be adjusted. Accordingly, regardless of the number of cylinders or whether the lengths of the flow paths of the EGR pipe (30) are the same, the exhaust pressure at the inlets (21b to 26b) of the gas introduction passages (21a to 26a) can be appropriately adjusted so any difference in pressure of exhaust gas introduced into branch pipes (21 to 26) can be reduced. In this way, the EGR rates of the cylinders can be made closer or the same such that stable combustion can be achieved, thus enabling stable engine operation to be maintained. The EGR pipe (30) is arranged weaving closely between the branch pipes (21 to 26) so space efficiency can be improved and a sufficient amount of exhaust gas can be introduced evenly into the cylinders.
US08267064B2 Engine fuel supply system
Apparatus for controlling dual fuel supply to a fuel injected engine having an electronic engine management system (1) that supplies a primary injector control signal (8) to each of primary fuel injectors (2), the apparatus comprising an emulator (11) that emulates the electrical characteristics of a primary injector, a fuel control switch (10) that switches the primary injector control signal (8) from the primary injector (2) to the emulator (11) when an alternative mode is selected, a monitor (16) that monitors the primary injector control signal (8) to produce a monitor signal, and a controller (4) that processes the monitor signal to derive an alternative control signal which is used to control the primary fuel supply or a mixture of the primary fuel and a secondary fuel such as LPG, to the engine. Preferably the primary fuel supply is modulated by controlling injector control pulses. A secondary fuel may also be injected (3) and controlled by the controller (4).
US08267063B2 Shaping a fuel charge in a combustion chamber with multiple drivers and/or ionization control
The present disclosure is directed to injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. These integrated injectors/igniters can include, for example, multiple drivers used to shape charges, controllers used to modify operations based on ionization parameters, and so on.
US08267060B2 Lubrication structure of cranking rotational force transmission mechanism for internal combustion engine
The lubricant-return holes are provided in the intermediate portion of the ring gear. Thus, the lubricant stagnating above the first oil sealing member can be easily discharged to the oil pan side via the lubricant-return holes even when the ring gear has stopped rotating in response to the starter motor being turned off after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine. As such, the level of the surface of lubricant stagnating between the ring gear and the outer race member does not rise, and therefore the lubricant surface virtually does not reach the outer race and the one-way clutch that are rotating while the internal combustion engine is running. Thus, bubbling of lubricant and production of sludge, which may otherwise be caused by agitation of the lubricant surface, can be prevented.
US08267059B2 Switchable finger lever
The invention proposes a switchable finger lever (1) comprising an inner lever (2) comprising on one end (4), a support (5) for a gas exchange valve and on another end (6), a contact surface (7) for a head of a support element, said inner lever (2) comprising on the one end (4), pivotable outer arms (8) made separately from each other, which outer arms (8) comprise on their upper sides (10), contacting surfaces (11) for high lift cams, a coupling device (12) comprising a coupling slide (13) for simultaneously connecting the outer arms (8) to the inner lever (2) being seated in a section of the another end (6) in the inner lever (2), which coupling slide (13) is seated in an oblong hole (14) extending transversely through the inner lever (2) as also in longitudinal direction of the finger lever (2), the coupling slide (13) comprises two end portions (15) which protrude beyond the outer walls (9),and for effecting coupling, the coupling slide (13) can be displaced with the two end portions (15) partially under entraining surfaces (16) of the outer arms (8), whereas for effecting uncoupling, the coupling slide (13) can be displaced out of the entraining surfaces (16), and at least one restoring spring (17) extends in the region of the another end (6) between the inner lever (2) and the outer arms (8).
US08267055B2 Variable compression ratio engine
An eccentric ring is interposed between the big end bearing of the connecting rod and the crankpin.The eccentric ring is secured at one end of a secondary connecting rod, the other end of the secondary connecting rod being rotatably mounted on a crankpin of a secondary crankshaft.The angular displacement of the rotation axis of the secondary crankshaft about the rotation axis of the crankshaft controls the compression ratio.The secondary crankshaft and the secondary connecting rod carry a tiny part of the loads of the engine, some 1/20, enabling compact, true lightweight and robust structure.The kinematics of the piston remains unchanged.The balance of the engine remains unchanged.The application on V engines is more economical: a small secondary connecting rod per pair of cylinders, a single and slight secondary crankshaft and a single control frame is all it takes.
US08267052B2 Engine provided with oil circulation path and cooling fluid path
An engine which can easily cool oil within an oil circulation path. The oil circulation path includes an oil reservoir, an oil pump for sucking oil from the oil reservoir so as to pressurize the oil, an oil supplying oil passage conducting the oil from the oil pump to each of lubrication points, and an oil returning oil passage for returning the oil to the oil reservoir from the lubrication points. The cooling fluid path includes a cooling fluid pump, and a cooling fluid passage for supplying the cooling fluid, which conducts the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid pump to the cooling points. The oil passage and the cooling fluid passage come into contact with each other at one or more points of the engine main body so as to be heat exchangeable via a partition wall.
US08267051B2 Water heater
There is provided an indoor mounting water heater in which combustion exhaust gas is discharged to the outdoors via an exhaust duct, wherein a decrease in draft force caused when the number of burner groups to be burned is reduced by a capacity changeover mechanism to decrease the combustion capacity can be prevented, and the heat efficiency can be improved. An air supply chamber 81 is divided into a plurality of parts 82 and 83 corresponding to a plurality of burner groups 51 and 52. The air sent from an air supply fan 84 is supplied to only a part of the air supply chamber corresponding to a burning burner group.
US08267049B2 Clawminator systems
A cat claw trimming and exercise device permitting a cat to physically exercise both its legs and trim its claws simultaneously. The cat claw trimming and exercise device comprises a vertical post, a flat base, and a sandpaper cartridge. The flat base has a textured surface permitting a cat to stabilize itself using its back legs while using the device. The sandpaper cartridge is removably installable and has a cardboard tube with a hollow inner volume and a surface coating. Further, a kit is disclosed comprising: a replaceable sandpaper cartridge, a user instruction manual, and a cat claw trimming and exercise device. A method of use is also disclosed for using the present invention.
US08267048B2 Breakable down folding pet crate
A pet crate having a top, a bottom, and a cage between the top and bottom. The cage can be engaged to and disengaged from each of the top and bottom. When engaged to the top and bottom, or when disengaged from either one or both of the top and bottom, the cage is endless and can safely hold a pet therein. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable into a closed, endless and flat configuration such that the cage can be stored between the top and bottom such that the crate as a whole in such stored configuration is generally flat. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable out into a fence configuration by disconnecting two ends of the cage.
US08267046B2 Production of bivalve tetraploid mollusks from diploid parents
The invention relates to a method for producing viable tetraploid bivalve mollusks, by fertilisation of diploid female ovocytes with diploid male sperm, followed by the induction of the retention of the first polar body of the fertilised eggs, isolation from the obtained larvae of a larval sub-population enriched in tetraploids and selective raising of said sub-population.
US08267044B2 Method and apparatus for rescue of aquatic mammals
An aquatic mammal rescue device and method includes an array of suction cup lifters that adapt to contact and adhere to the body of an aquatic mammal on land or at the surface of water. The array is lifted to raise the aquatic mammal from the ground or water for transport. The rescue device may be part of a vehicle capable of land, sea, and/or air travel or it may be movable by attachment to a separate vehicle of other lifting mechanism (e.g., crane). The device may be used to transport a beached mammal (e.g., a whale) back to the water or to a treatment facility. It may also be used to take an injured animal from the wild or a tank to a treatment facility.
US08267043B1 Canine cooling assembly
A canine cooling assembly includes a base that has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. A housing is attached to and covers the top side of the base. The housing includes a bottom wall, a top wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends between the top and bottom walls. The top wall has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A blower is in fluid communication with the housing and injects air into the housing to force air outwardly through the apertures. An animal is positionable on the housing to be cooled by air ejected from the apertures.
US08267042B2 Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
The shower plate is arranged to seal an upper opening of a process container that is configured by a chamber, a spacer, and an upper plate. A plasma excitation gas is spurted into the chamber through the opening portions of the shower plate. Microwaves are supplied to a slot antenna arranged outside the shower plate, thereby generating plasma. Atmospheric air in a first gap between the inner wall of the spacer and the outer circumferential surface of the shower plate and a second gap between a radiation surface of the slot antenna and the dielectric cover plate is sucked by a gas suction unit through gas exhaust holes. The toxic gas is purified by a gas purification unit. Thus, the toxic gas is prevented from leaking out of the plasma processing apparatus even when the shower plate is broken.
US08267039B2 Coating apparatus and method of applying coating liquid
To provide a coating apparatus and a coating method capable of accurately control the coating width of a coating liquid on an article to be coated. A coating apparatus 100 include conveying means having a plurality of rollers 21 and 22 for conveying a belt-shaped article to be coated, a coating die 11 for applying a coating liquid 32 to the article to be coated 31, the article to be coated 31 being conveyed by the conveying means, and positioning means for changing the position of the coating die 11 with respect to the article to be coated 31 in response to a coating width indicating the width of the coating liquid 32 applied to the article to be coated 31, wherein the coating die 11 vertically applies the coating liquid 32 from a position that is located at where the article to be coated 31 is wound by the roller 21 and below the central portion of the roller 21, and the positioning means controls the width of the coating liquid applied to the article to be coated 31 by moving the coating die 11 in horizontal directions.
US08267029B2 Hatch mechanism
A hatch mechanism for releasably securing a hatch to a deck of a vessel may include a latching mechanism comprising a housing extending generally outwardly from a bottom surface of the hatch. The latching mechanism may also comprise a strong back disposed within a opening in the housing and extending generally parallel to the bottom surface of the hatch. Upon application of a pressurized fluid, an actuator may be configured to bias a wedge against the opening in the housing and the strong back such that the wedge urges the strong back towards the bottom surface of the hatch. A method of releasably securing the hatch to deck may comprise providing a source of a pressurized fluid and applying the pressurized fluid to a latching mechanism to releasably secure the hatch to the deck.
US08267028B2 Semi-continuous composite rigging system
A semi-continuous composite rigging system is provided including at least one discontinuous shroud and one continuous shroud. The discontinuous shroud and the continuous shroud are coupled at their end portions to attachment points on a sailboat or other structure by terminal coupling devices. The continuous shroud is further coupled to the sailboat at one or more intermediate locations between its first end portion and its second end portion. These intermediate locations are coupled to the boat by non-terminal coupling devices. A hybrid coupling device may be used in place of a terminal and a non-terminal coupling device at one or more attachment points on the sailboat. The semi-continuous rigging system provides for achieving a desired balance of certain performance characteristics of a sailboat by utilizing a combination of discontinuous shrouds, continuous shrouds, terminal coupling devices, and non-terminal coupling devices.
US08267026B2 Passenger ship with outer passageways provided with ventilation means
A passenger ship includes at least one superstructure having several superposed decks. At least some of the decks include contiguous passenger cabins having an outer longitudinal passageway, which extends between the latter and the hull. Each outer passageway is at least partly closed along its longitudinal side opposite to the cabins. At least one of the opposite ends of each outer passageway is open. The floor which separates outer passageways of two superposed decks is at least partly slatted. The ship includes air-conditioning for the cabins, with discharge of the treated air from the cabins towards the outside world, via said outer passageways. The passenger ship ensures ventilation of the passageways along both longitudinal and vertical directions, respectively, and with the air-conditioning.
US08267023B2 Apparatus and method for multiple yarn color and multiple pile height tufting machine
A tufting machine comprising a yarn applicator adapted to receive feed yarn and penetrate a surface covering backing and a cutting means adapted to cut the feed yarn to produce a stitch. The tufting machine also comprises a yarn control module that includes a yarn feed wheel adapted to guide the feed yarn, an actuator adapted to move the yarn feed wheel between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a yarn feed gear adapted to engage the feed yarn when the actuator moves the yarn feed wheel into the engaged position. The tufting machine further comprises a power source adapted to move the yarn feed gear and a remote process control computer system adapted to send a first signal and a second signal to the yarn control module. The tufting machine produces a patterned surface covering having a plurality of yarn colors and a plurality of pile heights.
US08267022B1 Textile sewing machine with arcuate article-supporting machine bed
A generally barrel-shaped machine bed is designed for a textile sewing machine. The sewing machine is adapted for stitching together with thread multiple overlying plies of flexible ballistic fabric. The machine bed defines a substantially semi-cylindrical work surface, such that the stitched ballistic fabric substantially conforms to a curved shape of the work surface and substantially retains the curved shape when sewn.
US08267019B2 Foldable frame improved structure for foldable tabletop or bed
A foldable table or bed comprises outer frames 1 and 2, leg frames 1 and 2, and leg frame expanding rods. Each outer side of the outer frames 1 and 2 is a flat panel of rectangular shape. Each inner side of the outer frames 1 and 2 is concave for containing leg frames 1 and 2 and leg frame expanding rods. The outer frames 1 and 2 are connected to each other with hinges on the ends of each adjacent side to form a case which can be folded and unfolded via the hinges. The leg frames 1 and 2 are inverted-square-bottomed-“U”-shaped and set in outer frames 1 and 2. Leg frame expanding rods are installed under each leg frame shaft to increase the height of the table.
US08267016B2 Open/close control system for inspection lid
An open/close control system for an inspection lid adapted not to open while a vehicle travels. An emergency release device is provided behind the inspection lid, where the emergency release device disables power transmission of a driver which opens and closes a side entrance/exit door of a railway vehicle. The emergency release device is installed in a space inside a wall surface inside the vehicle, and the space can be opened and closed by the inspection lid. The open/close control system has a locking device provided in the space inside the wall surface in order to restrict rotation of the inspection lid, and also has an open/close controller which detects traveling of the railway vehicle to actuate the locking device.
US08267015B2 Multi-component projectile rotational interlock
A projectile has a leading part, a trailing part and a cylindrical interface that interconnects the leading and trailing parts. A non-round aperture having a predetermined longitudinal extent is formed in the trailing end of the leading part and a non-round peg having a predetermined longitudinal extent substantially equal to the predetermined longitudinal extent of the non-round aperture is formed in the leading end of the trailing part. The non-round peg is slideably inserted within the non-round aperture when the leading end of the cylindrical interface abuts the trailing end of the leading part and the trailing end of the cylindrical interface abuts the leading end of the trailing part so that the leading and trailing parts of the projectile rotate conjointly with one another when the projectile is rotating about its axis of rotation.
US08267011B2 Stamp with drainage channels for transferring a pattern in the presence of a third medium
A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described.
US08267010B2 Self-contained compactor apparatus with protective coating
A self-contained compactor apparatus which includes a charge chamber and a compacting chamber for compacting and storing waste contained within the chamber. The charge chamber and the compacting chamber are integrally formed as a compacting/storage container. The compacting/storage container has a top wall, a bottom wall, a sidewall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a protective coating provided on at least a portion of an interior surface of the bottom wall and on at least a portion of an interior surface of the sidewall.
US08267007B2 Carbonation device
The carbonation device includes a cap system selectively mounted to the mouth of a liquid container. The cap system includes a cap, a rotatable control ring coaxial with and selectively attached to the cap, a reaction vessel selectively attached to the bottom of the cap, and an elongate distribution tube selectively mounted to the cap. The reaction vessel is filled with a preselected amount of carbonating material such that when the control ring is rotated in one position, water may be introduced into the vessel to initiate the carbonation reaction. In another position, the carbonating gas flows into the liquid via the distribution tube. Other rotated positions permit locking and unlocking of the control ring. The carbonation device also includes a drop-in configuration that serves as a self-contained carbonation distribution vessel.
US08267005B2 Multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine and method for its production
The present invention relates to a multi-part piston (10) for an internal combustion engine, having an upper piston part (11) having a piston crown (13), and a lower piston part (12), whereby the lower piston part (12) has pin boss supports (32) and pin bosses (18) connected with them, whereby the upper piston part (11) and the lower piston part (12) each have an inner (21, 25) and an outer (22, 26) support element, which elements delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel (29). According to the invention, it is provided that the inner support elements (21, 25) delimit a cavity (31) that is open toward the pin bosses (18), and that the cavity (31) is provided with a separate cooling oil collector (35) that has at least one cooling oil opening (37, 38).
US08267001B2 Composite armor and method for making composite armor
A composite armor panel and a method for making the armor is disclosed. In one embodiment the armor consists of a plurality of ceramic tiles (21) individually edge-wrapped (52) with fiber or edge-wrap fabric, which are further wrapped with a face-wrap fabric, and encapsulated in a hyperelastic polymer material (31) permeating the fabric and fibers, with a back plate (41) adhered to the encapsulated tiles. In one embodiment the hyperelastic polymer (31) is formed from a MDI-polyester or polyether prepolymer, at lease one long-chain polyester polyol comprising ethylene/butylene adipate diol, at least one short-chain diol comprising 1,4-butanediol, and a tin-based catalyst.
US08267000B1 Munitions endgame geometry for optimal lethality system
A system that guides an airborne weapon toward a target, in order for the weapon to fuze at the target, so as to increase the probability of kill of the target. The system uses a lethality database that lists the various vulnerabilities for each target so that the weapon may fuze at a point that achieves maximum exploitation of the vulnerabilities. The system continually updates during weapon fly out in order to continually update the best achievable aim point for the weapon based on the changing encounter geometry between weapon and target.
US08266998B1 Firearm modification kit
A kit, system and method for modifying an AK-variant firearm to permit bolt carrier pull back by the right or left hand. The kit, system and method includes a receiver cover including an arch-shaped crown and a pair of opposing retaining fins affixed to the bottom of the crown. One retaining fin has a slot that extends along the length of its upper portion. A guide track is affixed to the retaining fin having the slot. A charging handle assembly is secured to the guide track and is slidably engaged with retaining flanges and adapted to move along the guide track. An auxiliary charging handle is affixed to, and projects from, the slide. An engagement pin affixed to the slide projects inwardly to extend through the slot to engage the bolt carrier and move it when the charging handle is pulled.
US08266997B2 Table saw throat plates and table saws including the same
Throat plates for table saws and table saws including the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws include at least one securement mechanism adapted to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate includes an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.
US08266994B2 Power miter saw having removable lower guard operating mechanism
Embodiments of a power miter saw of the type which has an upper fixed blade guard for encasing upper reaches of an installed saw blade without encasing the blade arbor, and a lower swinging blade guard for covering the lower reaches of an installed blade when saw is in its rest position and for exposing the saw blade when moved to its operational position, the saw comprising an elongated linkage mechanism having opposite end portions interconnecting a frame support and the lower blade guard for moving the lower blade guard in response to movement of the saw between the rest and operational positions, such that the lower blade guard covers the lower reaches of the blade when the saw is in its rest position and uncovers the lower reaches of the blade when the saw is moved to its operational position, the linkage mechanism being configured to be selectively detachable from the frame support, thereby enabling the lower blade guard to be placed in at least first and second positions wherein the first position enables normal movement of the saw between its rest and operational positions, and the second position wherein the lower blade guard is raised to expose a blade arbor to facilitate changing of the blade.
US08266991B2 Pipe cutter
A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
US08266986B2 Transmission hydraulic control system having a dual element pump
A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a motor, a sump for storing a hydraulic fluid, and a dual element pump connected to the motor. The dual element pump has at least one input port connected to the sump, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. The dual element pump provides a first volume of hydraulic fluid to the first outlet port and provides a second volume of hydraulic fluid to the second outlet port. The first volume is greater than the second volume. The first outlet port is connected to a diversion valve. The second outlet port is connected to a high pressure hydraulic circuit. The diversion valve is operable to transmit the hydraulic fluid from the first outlet port to a low pressure hydraulic circuit and the high pressure hydraulic circuit.
US08266980B2 Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus includes a first shaft coupled to a steering wheel, a second shaft arranged to be eccentric relative to the first shaft, and a joint mechanism for coupling the first shaft and the second shaft to each other. The joint mechanism includes a cam having a cam groove that extends in a direction perpendicular to the first shaft, a cam follower that can slide in the cam groove, an eccentric pin for coupling the second shaft and the cam follower to each other at a position eccentric relative to the second shaft. An outer cylinder serving as a protective member is arranged concentrically with the eccentric pin, so as to surround the outer circumference of the eccentric pin. At least part of the eccentric pin and the outer cylinder is arranged in the cam groove.
US08266979B2 Vertical articulated robot
A vertical articulated robot includes a base; a turning base provided on the base so as to be pivotable about a first rotation axis; a first upper arm provided on the turning base so as to be turnable about a second rotation axis that is in a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis; a second upper arm provided on a distal end portion of the first upper arm so as to be pivotable about a third rotation axis that is perpendicular to the second rotation axis; a front arm provided on a distal end portion of the second upper arm so as to be turnable about a fourth rotation axis that is in a plane perpendicular to the third rotation axis; and a wrist assembly mounted on a distal end portion of the front arm. A motor that rotates the second upper arm is mounted on a frame of the second upper arm.
US08266977B2 Seven speed dual clutch transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second interconnecting members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08266976B2 Direct drive electromechanical linear actuators
Direct drive electromechanical rotary-to-linear actuators include one or more electric motors mounted in a housing. Each motor includes a stator and a rotor. The motor drives a planetary drive mechanism that includes an elongated central shaft having one or more helical threads on an external surface coupled to the rotor for conjoint rotation. A planetary nut having helical threads on an internal surface is disposed concentric to the shaft, and a plurality of planetary rollers are disposed concentrically between the shaft and the planetary nut. Each of the rollers has a helical thread on an external surface that is complementary to and in engagement with a thread of the shaft and a thread of the nut. Rotation of the rotor is converted with mechanical advantage into linear movement of the planetary nut. The actuators provide backlash-free operation, higher stiffnesses, slew rates and frequency responses, and better overall efficiency.
US08266975B2 Rotation device and electronic assembly utilizing the same
An electronic assembly comprises a rotation device comprising a fixed platform defining a through hole. An annular groove is formed in the inside wall of the fixed platform. A first transmission element seats a plurality of teeth. A second transmission element is located in the through hole, and comprises a threaded axis portion and a toothed portion meshing with the plurality of teeth. A third transmission element comprises a rotation portion rotatably mounted in the interior of the annular groove of the fixed platform. A threaded hole is defined in the rotation portion, and is configured for cooperating with the threaded axis portion. A driver source is fixed on the fixed platform and is configured for rotating the first transmission element. An electronic device is mounted on the third transmission element.
US08266974B2 Process for testing a detector mounted within a duct
A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
US08266971B1 Surface force distribution sensor by frequency-domain multiplexing
One embodiment of a surface force distribution sensor includes an elastic dielectric (108) sandwiched by a first plurality of compliant, conductive carrier elements (110) and a second plurality of conductive pickup elements (106), as well as a system for frequency-domain demultiplexing including at least a microprocessor (209). A plurality of signals is generated, each of which has a different fundamental frequency and is connected to a different carrier element. The pickup and carrier elements are arranged so that each pickup element overlaps one or more carrier elements. When forces are applied to a nonconductive compliant layer (112), the distance between one or more carrier elements and one or more pickup elements decreases at their points of overlap, increasing the amplitude of carrier signals capacitively transmitted to the pickup elements. The microprocessor demultiplexes the signals received from the pickup elements to determine the amplitude of each carrier signal received, and thereby the applied force, at each point of overlap on the surface of the compliant layer. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08266962B2 Acceleration sensor
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor mass element configured to move in response to an applied acceleration. The mass element is defined by trenches etched into the semiconductor substrate and a cavity below the mass element. The semiconductor device includes a sensing element configured to sense movement of the mass element and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit formed on the substrate.
US08266961B2 Inertial sensors with reduced sensitivity to quadrature errors and micromachining inaccuracies
Inertial sensors with reduced sensitivity to quadrature errors and micromachining inaccuracies include a gyroscope incorporating two specially-configured single-axis gyroscopes for sensing rotations about two orthogonal axes (the axes of sensitivity) in the device plane, where each single-axis gyroscope includes a resonator having two rotationally-dithered shuttles interconnected by a fork and each shuttle is configured to tilt out-of-plane along a tilt axis perpendicular to the axis of sensitivity and includes corresponding Coriolis sensing electrodes positioned along an axis perpendicular to the tilt axis (i.e., parallel to the axis of sensitivity). The two single-axis gyroscopes may be interconnected, e.g., by one or more in-phase or anti-phase couplings interconnecting the forks and/or the shuttles.
US08266960B2 Systems and methods for potted shock isolation
Systems and methods for potted shock isolation are provided. In once embodiment a shock isolation system comprises an isolator comprising an outer ring for mounting to an external housing, and an inner ring connected to the outer ring via an isolating element; and an inertial sensing assembly comprising: at least one circuit board secured to the inner ring of the isolator, the at least one circuit board further comprising a triad of gyroscopes and a triad of accelerometers; and a low durometer highly dampened supporting material encapsulating a first surface of the at least one circuit board.
US08266959B2 System and method of identifying the orientation of a tri-axial accelerometer
A system and method for analyzing a device that includes a mass configured for motion. The system includes a tri-axial accelerometer disposed to detect acceleration vectors of the device and to output three channels of acceleration data, and a user interface receiving the three channels of acceleration data. The user interface is configured to correlate the three channels of acceleration data with a reference frame defined by three orthogonal axes intersecting at a vertex, and includes a display and a selector. The display shows sets of options that represent dispositions of the device with respect to gravity, placements of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device, and orientations of the tri-axial accelerometer with respect to the device. The selector selects one device disposition option, one tri-axial accelerometer placement option, and one tri-axial accelerometer orientation option.
US08266956B2 Process for demonstrating tissue product break-through
A method for demonstrating the comparative break-though strengths of at least two tissue products is disclosed. The steps include: a) providing a break-through test apparatus b) providing the tissue products; c) observing a first condition of each tissue product; d) disposing a first of the tissue products between a lower platen and an upper platen in a face-to-face-to-face relationship between coextensive apertures disposed within the lower and upper platen; e) providing a simulated mucous composition; f) directing a first portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the first tissue product; g) observing a second condition of the first tissue product; h) disposing a second tissue product between the coextensive apertures; i) directing a second portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the second tissue product; j) observing a second condition of the second tissue product; and, k) comparing the second condition of the first tissue product and the second condition of the second tissue product.
US08266955B2 Tire monitoring device and system
A tire monitoring device may be used in conjunction with a tire monitoring system for a vehicle. The tire monitoring device includes a tire monitoring sensor unit having a state monitoring sensor monitoring a tire state, such as a tire pressure, and a first acceleration sensor and a second acceleration sensor respectively measuring accelerations in first and second directions on a plane perpendicular to a wheel axis, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a wheel is on the left or right side of the vehicle on the basis of a relationship between alternating signals of the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor and determining whether or not a tire event has occurred with reference to a calculated value based on the accelerations measured by the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor. The tire monitoring device performs minimum operation required for automatic tire location recognition, thereby minimizing battery consumption and reducing the calculation load of the tire monitoring device itself and a central control unit.
US08266952B2 System and method for quantifying the presence of components in the exhaust of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles
A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, extractive sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions.
US08266951B2 Particle analysis in an acoustic cytometer
The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustically manipulating one or more particles. Acoustically manipulated particles may be separated by size. The particles may be flowed in a flow stream and acoustic radiation pressure, which may be radial, may be applied to the flow stream. This application of acoustic radiation pressure may separate the particles. In one embodiment, the particles may be separated by size, and as a further example, the larger particles may be transported to a central axis.
US08266950B2 Particle analysis in an acoustic cytometer
The present invention is a method and apparatus for acoustically manipulating one or more particles. Acoustically manipulated particles may be separated by size. The particles maybe flowed in a flow stream and acoustic radiation pressure, which may be radial, may be applied to the flow stream. This application of acoustic radiation pressure may separate the particles. In one embodiment, the particles may be separated by size, and as a further example, the larger particles may be transported to a central axis.
US08266947B2 Cetane number estimating apparatus and method
A cetane number estimating device (1) comprises cylinders which are provided to an internal combustion engine where a part of the exhaust gas can be fed back from the exhaust system to the intake system, injection device (30) for injecting fuel into the cylinders, measuring device (40) for measuring the ignition timings in the cylinders, and estimating device (20) for estimating the cetane number of the fuel according to the measured ignition timing as well as any one of a first correlation between the ignition timing corresponding to the stage at which when one cylinder is in the intake stroke, another cylinder in the exhaust stroke exhausts non-burned gas and the cetane number and a second correlation between the ignition timing corresponding to the stage at which when one cylinder is in the intake stroke, another cylinder exhausts burned gas and the cetane number.
US08266943B2 Flow rate estimation device for a blood pump and a blood pump system including the device
In a flow rate estimation device of a blood pump, a general flow rate estimation formula which includes a correction term is formed based on a plurality of blood pumps. Measured data obtained from an objective blood pump implanted inside a patient is substituted into the correction term, thus forming a flow rate estimation formula of the objective blood pump. The flow rate Q of the objective blood pump is estimated based on the flow rate estimation formula and the values of the rotational speed N and the consumption current I of the motor of the objective blood pump, and the attribute data Z of the blood of the patient.
US08266942B2 Bending machine
A bending machine includes an operating platform, a lower die clamp received on the operating platform, an upper die holder, and an upper die clamp. The upper die holder includes a main body, a positioning pin, a spring, and an operating rod. The main body includes a lower surface and two opposite side surfaces, the lower surface defines a sliding groove having a bottom surface with a positioning hole defined thereon. One of the two opposite side surfaces defines a sliding slot communicating with the positioning hole. The spring and the positioning pin are received in the positioning hole in sequence. The operating rod is received in the sliding slot with one end received in the latching hole and the other end extending out of the sliding slot. The upper die clamp is slidable in the sliding groove and defines a pinhole corresponding to the positioning pin.
US08266939B2 Method for hydroforming and hydroformed product
The object is to raise the yield by greatly eliminating the disposed amounts of the tube ends, prevent wrinkles due to closing the mold while applying internal pressure, cutting the plurality of steps of hydroforming and pre-processing of the tube ends, cutting the mold costs by simplifying the mold mechanism, and obtaining a hydroformed product formed with a flange along its entire length.For this reason, the present invention provides a hydroforming method which places a metal tube to a lower mold in the state with the tube ends sticking out from it and injects a pressurizing fluid into the metal tube through the inside of a seal punch and gradually presses seal punches against tube ends of the metal tube to apply a predetermined pressing force and fill the inside of the metal tube with the pressurizing fluid to apply a predetermined internal pressure, next, in the state with the internal pressure and pressing force applied, lowers the upper mold and closes the mold so as to deform the tube and end the processing in the state with the tube ends sticking out from the mold, and, further, boosting the internal pressure in the metal tube after closing the mold and ending the forming operation and a hydroformed product processed using these methods and having a flange across the entire length in the longitudinal direction.
US08266935B2 Lock mounting system
A lock mounting structure for mounting a lock to a part of a container is disclosed. The lock mounting structure comprises an outer part adapted to form an outer portion of the container part and an inner part adapted to form an inside portion of the container part and having a first surface for facing towards the inside of the container. The inner part includes a mounting structure for mounting the lock thereto. The mounting structure extends outwardly from the first surface. The structure also includes an aperture for accessing a key receiving end of the lock. The lock mounting structure is formed as an integral piece.
US08266931B2 Washing machine improving washing efficiency
Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.
US08266924B2 Process of making low loss visible-IR transmitting glass-ceramic spinel composites
This invention pertains to a process of bonding a magnesium aluminate spinel article or articles and a germanate glass article or articles including the step of heating them together above the softening temperature of the glass.
US08266921B2 Data center
A data center includes an air-conditioned room, two rack rows formed on a floor surface of the air-conditioned room and each composed of a plurality of racks arranged in a horizontal direction, each of the plurality of racks housing electronic devices in multistage configuration, an air conditioner for conditioning air in the air-conditioned room to eliminate heat generated from the electronic devices housed in the plurality of racks, and a hot zone in the air-conditioned room. The hot zone is defined by the two rack rows arranged on the floor surface of the air-conditioned room such that rear sides thereof are opposite each other at a distance, a ceiling disposed above the two rack rows, two panels disposed at both ends of the two rack rows in the horizontal direction and extending from a lower end of the two rack rows to the ceiling, and two partitions disposed at an upper front top end of the two rack rows and extending to the ceiling. The ceiling includes an exhaust port for discharging heat in the hot zone, and the air conditioner is operable to introduce air-conditioned air from the air-conditioned room through front sides and then the rear sides of the two rack rows into the hot zone. The data center further includes a heat recovery means for recovering a heat of the air discharged through the exhaust port from the hot zone before cooling down the air by the air conditioner.
US08266916B2 Cover for a wall-mounted packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC) unit
Embodiments of the present invention provide a cover for a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) unit. Embodiments of the cover include a gasket on an interior portion of the cover sealing against a portion of the PTAC unit to prevent air recirculation. Other embodiments of the cover include a screen configured to capture large debris. Other embodiments of the cover include solid wood panels with stain and lacquer on both sides of the panels.
US08266915B2 Energy conversion device
A thermodynamic energy conversion device (14) based on the effect of differential evaporation generated by a convex liquid surface and by a temperature gradient is constructed for the use either as a heat or hydraulic pump. In one arrangement the device (14) comprises two heat conductive containers (1) and (2); a working liquid (5) disposed in said containers with open surfaces (6) and (6′); a vapor (7) of the working liquid; a porous device (8) for creating at least one convex meniscus (9) on the open surface (6), of the working liquid (5) in one of the containers said convex meniscus having higher mean curvature than that of the open surface (6′); means (10) for connecting containers (1) and (2) to an external hydraulic circuit (11). An efficient external combustion engine using such a device (14) is disclosed.
US08266911B2 Premixing device for low emission combustion process
A premixing device is provided. The premixing device includes an air inlet configured to introduce compressed air into a mixing chamber of the premixing device and a fuel plenum configured to provide a fuel to the mixing chamber via a circumferential slot and over a pre-determined profile adjacent the fuel plenum, wherein the pre-determined profile facilitates attachment of the fuel to the profile to form a fuel boundary layer and to entrain incoming air through the fuel boundary layer to facilitate mixing of fuel and air in the mixing chamber.
US08266906B2 Asymmetric split-inlet turbine housing
A turbine housing for a turbocharger for use in a reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a housing having a housing axis and configured to house a rotatable shaft having a turbine wheel disposed thereon. The housing includes a volute having a volute chamber disposed around the housing axis for receiving the turbine wheel. The volute has a first volute inlet providing a first flow path in fluid communication with the volute chamber and second volute inlet providing a second flow path in fluid communication with the volute chamber. The first volute inlet is circumferentially spaced about the housing axis from the second volute inlet by a phase angle α. The first volute inlet is also radially spaced about the housing axis from the second volute inlet, and may also be axially spaced from the second volute inlet along the housing axis.
US08266905B2 System for limiting engine output power by controlling fueling
A method for controlling fueling of an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine may include an intake manifold, one or more exhaust manifolds and a turbocharger coupled between the intake and exhaust manifolds. The method may comprise estimating an operating condition of the turbocharger, determining a maximum value of an operating parameter as a function of the estimated operating condition of the turbocharger, measuring a value of the operating parameter, determining an error value as a function of the maximum value of the first operating parameter and the measured value of the operating parameter, and limiting fuel supplied to the engine based on the error value.
US08266898B2 Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine is provided that performs stoichiometric burn operation under control for providing a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio as basic control for an air-fuel ratio. A particulate filter (PM filter) is provided in an exhaust passage of the engine to trap particulate matter PM contained in exhaust gas. If it is judged that the PM filter will have excessively elevated temperature, fuel cut is prohibited during deceleration. Otherwise, before the prohibition of the fuel cut, the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is controlled so that the atmosphere of the PM filter is brought into an atmosphere slightly leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
US08266896B2 Exhaust purification system for internal combustion engine
A technique is provided that enables reducer concentrations in exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust purification device on the upstream side and an exhaust purification device on the downstream side provided to an exhaust pipe in series to be controlled separately with a simple configuration. Included are the two exhaust purification devices provided to an exhaust passage in series, a bypass passage that bypasses the exhaust purification device on the upstream side, an exhaust control valve provided to the bypass passage, and reducer supply means provided on the upstream side of a branch portion. A reducer is supplied intermittently from the reducer supply means to periodically change the reducer concentration in the exhaust gas, and the exhaust control valve is opened or closed periodically at a predetermined timing with respect to the change in the reducer concentration. Accordingly, the supplied reducer is distributed to be introduced to the exhaust purification device on the upstream side or to be introduced to the exhaust purification device on the downstream side via the bypass passage.
US08266887B2 Rocket engine nozzle system
The rocket engine nozzle system comprises a set of individual nozzles distributed in a ring around a central core of axially symmetrical shape that presents a central axis. Each individual nozzle placed at the periphery of the central core comprises a circular section throat for receiving gas from a combustion chamber, and a diverging portion that is tangential to the central core. The diverging portion has an outlet section that presents first and second lateral sides that converge radially towards the central axis of the central core, a curved outer side having its convex side facing outwards, and an inner side situated in the vicinity of the central core.
US08266885B2 Method and systems for adaptive ignition energy
A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.
US08266880B2 Interlocking belt guards for a draper header
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.
US08266877B2 Packing method and unit for folding a sheet of packing material about a parallelepiped-shaped article
A packing method and unit for folding a sheet of packing material about a parallelepiped-shaped article, the packing unit having: a conveyor for feeding the article along a path; a feed device for feeding the sheet of packing material perpendicularly to the path and in front of the article, so the article, as it moves forward, intercepts and gradually folds the sheet of packing material into a “U”; two lead-in devices mounted to move parallel to the path and positioned on opposite sides of the article, so the article is enclosed between the two lead-in devices; and an actuating device for feeding the two lead-in devices parallel to the path and together with the article, so the sheet of packing material is also intercepted by the lead-in devices.
US08266876B1 Matchbooks having advertising media
Improved matchbooks having separable message sheets are provided for. The novel matchbooks each comprise a comb of matches having a plurality of matches and a cover. The cover is attached to and folded over the comb such that the cover substantially encloses the comb when the cover is in a first closed position and permits a consumer to access the matches in the comb when the cover is in a second open position. The cover has igniting material on the cover on which the matches may be struck and ignited. The matchbooks also have a message sheet providing a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The message sheet is separably connected to the cover such that the message sheet is separable from the cover. Thus, the message sheet may be removed from a novel matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the matchbook.
US08266874B2 Weighing device for a packaging machine
The invention relates to a weighing device for a packaging machine. Empty capsules that are still closed are removed from a capsule holder, weighed on a gravimetric scale, placed back into an empty capsule holder, and then taken apart. The device makes it possible to remove empty capsules and replace them at full machine speed, without a loss of any consequence in output. It is possible to use a gravimetric measurement method to carry out a tare weighing of the capsules. An additional weighing device for filled capsules is integrated into a capsule transport device to determine the net weight based on the tare weight and the weight of the full capsules. Such a combination of a gravimetric tare weighing and a gross weighing to statistically determine the net weight is particularly well-suited to an intermediate capsule filling device.
US08266873B2 Vacuum skin packaging laminate, package and process for using same
The present invention is directed to vacuum skin packaging laminates. The laminates include a first film, a second film, an adhesive bonding the first film to the second film, and an adhesive-free interfacial section between the first and second films. The laminate is adapted to provide substantially horizontal first film-surface above the product for displaying product markings and a thermoformable second film-surface for conforming to the shape of the product. The present invention also is directed to vacuum skin packages formed from such laminates, and methods of packaging a product.
US08266871B1 Waste disposal devices with advanced control
Waste disposal device adapted to receive a waste-containing member includes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid connected to the container and having a first, closed position covering the opening of the container and a second, open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present in the container. The rotation mechanism is arranged to rotate the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid. A switch mechanism enables opening movement of the lid to cause the rotation mechanism to rotate the waste-containing member or prevent the rotation mechanism from rotating the waste-containing member depending on a setting of the switch mechanism.
US08266869B1 Manual cup sealer
A manual cup sealer includes a frame unit, a sliding carrier board slidably mounted in the frame unit and carrying a lower electric heat sealing die, a transmission shaft pivotally mounted in the frame unit, a first link coupled to the transmission shaft, a first spring member connected between the first link and the sliding carrier board, a die link connected to the transmission shaft through a second link and holding an upper electric heat sealing die, and a handlebar operable by a user to rotate the transmission shaft clockwise/counter-clockwise for causing the sliding carrier board to be moved in and out of the frame unit and the upper electric heat sealing die to be lowered toward the lower electric heat sealing die to seal a sealing film to a plastic cup in the lower electric heat sealing die.
US08266867B2 Building panels
A tough, water-proof building panel, made of fiber-reinforced polymer, is useful in making structural walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings. Upstanding such walls can have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Panels effectively have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall panel, at spaced locations along the length of the panel. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid thermally insulating foam. Optional reinforcing studs are attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extend inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel. Panels can be made by e.g. assembling pre-fabricated blocks and/or webs, by evacuating a mold, and by pultrusion.
US08266864B2 Readily configured and reconfigured structural trusses based on tetrahedrons as modules
Truss structures assembled from modules comprising one hinge link, four spacer links and four apex joinders, one at each end or each hinge link. The second hinge link to complete a tetrahedron is missing from the module, and is provided by the hinge link of a next in line module so as to provide a series of joined tetrahedrons. When the strut is assembled, the apex joinders enable the strut to be formed into a wide variety of shapes.
US08266863B2 Kit for joining flat, relatively thin members that adjoin each other along their narrow face
The system relates to a system for joining flat, relatively thin members that adjoin one another along their narrow face, the members having grooves incorporated into the narrow faces that are parallel to the surface and have groove walls that are parallel to each other, and the joining element being inserted into the grooves of two adjacent members and bridging the partition gap between the members in the manner of an external tongue. In this context the joining element (11) has, on its part (12) that can be inserted in the manner of an external tongue in the longitudinal center on its side that faces away from the visible surface of the members, one continuous web or a plurality of aligned webs (13) that preferably protrude at a right angle, from which detent webs (14, 15) protrude on both sides, each of which has a detent projection (16, 17) that projects toward the external-tongue-like part (12), and on the bottom of the member (1, 2), which faces away from its visible surface, detent grooves (7, 8) being provided that run parallel to the adjacent edge at a distance corresponding to the width of the detent webs (14, 15).
US08266855B1 System of interlocking concrete blocks
A building block system for building concrete block walls. The system features a main block, a first corner block, a second corner block, a first end block, and a second end block. The blocks interlock with each other via first mating components, second mating components, third mating components, and upper protrusions disposed on various ends of the various blocks. Many of the blocks feature a center aperture, which can engage the mating components and upper protrusions. Generally, the first mating components and upper protrusions can engage the second mating components.
US08266852B2 Method for manufacturing a filled insulated glass unit and such a unit
An ornamental filled glass unit (“FGU”) is manufactured by placing a first glass lite in a horizontally supported position and affixing a spacer frame around a periphery of the first surface, providing a space for filling. A first joiner element centered on the first surface, the joiner element having an upward height that slightly exceeds an intended gap between the first lite and a second lite to be placed on the spacer frame. Additional joiner elements may be used, depending upon the area of the first surface. A filler design is built by arranging a plurality of infill elements in the filling space. The second lite is affixed to an adhesive sealant around a top surface of the spacer frame, and to an adhesive on an upwardly-extending surface of each joiner element. The filler design is spatially maintained when the filler space is sealed by the second lite.
US08266847B2 Three-dimensional solar arrays
An assembly for retaining a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a three-dimensional array, the assembly including a plurality of overlapping vertically spaced grid layers each defining a plurality of horizontally spaced positions, wherein the photovoltaic modules are arranged and retained in the positions of successive grid layers in substantially non-overlapping vertical relationship so that none of the photovoltaic modules in any grid layer substantially vertically occludes any other of the photovoltaic modules in any other grid layer.