| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08274350B2 |
Electric winding body and transformer having forced cooling
An electrical winding body includes an electrically conductive winding and an insulation surrounding the winding. The surrounding insulation surrounds the entire winding and forms a mechanically stable winding body. At least one continuous channel having an opening in the electrical winding body is disposed inside the winding body. An extension element is placed in the openings of the continuous channels to elongate the channels beyond the dimensions of the electrical winding body, thus providing for improved cooling. Side elements are additionally attached on the outer wall of the electrical winding body to create an intermediate space which forms a new cooling channel that produces an additional cooling effect due to an air current created by the chimney effect. |
| US08274349B2 |
Voltage regulation system
A tap-switching autotransformer for regulating the voltage supplied to a facility includes an electronics sub-assembly for controlling switching of the taps. The electronics sub-assembly and the windings are contained in a housing from which the electronics sub-assembly may be removed for repair or replacement. The electronics sub-assembly is adapted to enable an electronically actuated switch to short-circuit two of the taps. A mechanical switch enables a separate short-circuit to be maintained between the taps to enable the electronics sub-assembly to be safely removed from the housing. |
| US08274348B2 |
Single coil solenoid having a permanent magnet with bi-directional assist
A single coil solenoid includes a permanent magnet with bi-directional assist capabilities. The solenoid includes an armature that during de-energization of a single coil of wire is attracted to the permanent magnet thereby maintaining a hold position and during energization of the single coil has a polarity that repels the permanent magnet thereby creating a push/pull force. In this regard, the permanent magnet operates to not only hold the armature but also is used to push the armature when current is induced in the single coil. |
| US08274345B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes a coil, a movable member, first and second fixed contact supports each having first and second fixed contacts, and a movable body having first and second movable contacts. A third fixed contact is arranged on the second fixed contact support at a position away from a line passing through the first and second fixed contacts, and a third movable contact is arranged on the movable body. When the movable member is driven by electromagnetic force of the coil, the movable contacts contact the fixed contacts at a contact portion between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact, a contact portion between the second fixed contact and the second movable contact, and a contact portion between the third fixed contact and the third movable contact. |
| US08274342B2 |
Duplexer and electronic device
A duplexer includes a transmission filter connected between a common terminal and a transmission terminal, a reception filter connected between the common terminal and a reception; and a capacitor connected in parallel with the transmission filter and the reception filter between the transmission terminal and the reception terminal and has a capacitance so that a phase difference between a signal passing from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal through the transmission filter and the reception filter and a signal passing from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal through the capacitor, or connected in parallel with the reception filter between the common terminal and the reception terminal and has a capacitance so that a phase difference between a signal passing from the common terminal to the reception terminal through the reception filter and a signal from the common terminal to the reception terminal through the capacitor. |
| US08274340B2 |
Parallel transmission lines having different path lengths and including different properties for equalizing the path lengths there between
A signal bus includes multiple interconnects for transporting electronic signals. The interconnects have different physical path lengths and different structures to equalize the different the physical path lengths, so that the electronic signals traverse the corresponding interconnects in same period of time. |
| US08274334B2 |
Detection circuit with improved anti-blooming circuit
The detection circuit comprises a photodiode connected to an input of a capacitive transimpedance amplifier. The circuit comprises an anti-blooming circuit connected between the input and an output of the capacitive transimpedance amplifier. The anti-blooming circuit comprises a field effect transistor connected between the input and output of the capacitive transimpedance amplifier. The transistor is of pMOS type when the input of the capacitive transimpedance amplifier is connected to a cathode of the photodiode. The transistor is of nMOS type when the input of the capacitive transimpedance amplifier is connected to an anode of the photodiode. |
| US08274333B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting devices in an RF power amplifier
A method and apparatus are provided for use with a power amplifier for protecting active devices on the power amplifier. A peak detector is used by control circuitry to detect the presence of a peak voltage that exceeds a threshold voltage. In response to the detection of a peak voltage, the gain of the power amplifier is reduced. |
| US08274328B2 |
Amplifying apparatus
An amplifying apparatus includes an amplifier that amplifies a signal, using a voltage supplied; a power source unit that generates a first voltage and a second voltage having an amplitude greater than that of the first voltage; and a switching controller that, when the an envelope signal of the signal becomes current zero, switches between and supplies to the amplifier, the first voltage and the second voltage generated by the power source unit. |
| US08274326B2 |
Equalization circuit
An equalization circuit includes a first differential amplifier having first and second transistors, and a first differential high-pass filter coupled to respective gate terminals of the first and second transistors. A source terminal of the first transistor is coupled to a first input node, and a source terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second input node. The equalization circuit further includes a second differential amplifier having third and fourth transistors, and a second differential high-pass filter coupled to respective gate terminals of each of the third and fourth transistors. A source terminal of the third transistor is coupled to the first input node, and a source terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second input node. Using such a circuit, continuous time decision feedback equalization may be performed. |
| US08274325B2 |
Phase-locked loop
A loop filter for receiving an input signal indicative of a phase-difference between a reference signal and a signal output by a signal generator and forming a control signal for controlling the signal generator in dependence thereon, the loop filter comprising a plurality of filter components that determine the frequency response of the filter, said filter components being arranged so that a first set of said components determines one or more zeros of the filter's frequency response and a second set of said components determines one or more poles of the filter's frequency response, each of said first and second sets of filter components being independent of the other such that the zero(s) and pole(s) of the filter's frequency response may be selected independently. |
| US08274324B2 |
Electrostatic actuator apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator apparatus includes a first voltage generation circuit configured to generate a first voltage, a first switch connected between the first voltage generation circuit and a first node, a second voltage generation circuit configured to generate a second voltage, a second switch connected between the second voltage generation circuit and a second node, a capacitor connected between the first node and the second node, an electrostatic actuator having a drive electrode connected to the first node, and a control circuit configured to perform an operation of sequentially turning on the first switch, turning off the first switch and turning on the second switch when the electrostatic actuator is driven. |
| US08274322B2 |
Charge pump with low noise and high output current and voltage
The present invention discloses a charge pump system with low noise and high output current and voltage, comprising: a four phase clock generator used to generate a first signals group; a serial of delay circuits coupled to said four phase clock generator, wherein each of said delay circuits is coupled to a previous delay circuit relative to each of said delay circuits for delaying a signals group received from said previous delay circuit; a first charge pump circuit coupled to the four phase clock generator and the delay circuits; and an output terminal coupled to the first charge pump circuit; wherein high level of said first signal overlaps two sections of high level of said third signal to generate a first overlapping time and a second overlapping time, and said first overlapping time is not equal to said second overlapping time. |
| US08274319B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a flip-flop circuit formed in a CMOS semiconductor integrated circuit. The flip-flop circuit includes at least a first clock generating inverter that generates a first clock signal and a second clock generating inverter that generates a second clock signal obtained by inverting the first clock signal, the first clock generating inverter and the second clock generating inverter are arranged so as to sandwich a latch unit, the latch unit including a master latch unit and a slave latch unit in the flip-flop circuit, the first clock generating inverter and a first other circuit in the flip-flop circuit are configured to share a source region, the first other circuit being adjacent to the first clock generating inverter, and the second clock generating inverter and a second other circuit in the flip-flop circuit are configured to share a source region, the second other circuit being adjacent to the second clock generating inverter. |
| US08274318B2 |
Duty cycle correction circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus
A duty cycle correction circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a duty correction unit configured to determine a duty correction range in response to a duty correction range control signal, correct a duty of an inputted clock in response to duty correction codes to fall in the determined duty correction range, and generate a duty corrected clock; a duty detection unit configured to detect a duty of the duty corrected clock and output duty information; and a duty correction code generation unit configured to generate the duty correction codes based on the duty information. |
| US08274311B2 |
Data transmission system and method
A system and method are provided for transmission of data bits across a data bus. To reduce power usage, noise, or some combination of the two, the data bus utilizes differential transmission using a three level signal in which a reference signal signifies no difference between input bits. Before the signals are transmitted an analysis is made to choose which one of a set of predetermined polarity reversal combinations is advantageous to encode the data bits. The data bits are so encoded and a formatting value F associated with the chosen polarity reversal is differentially transmitted with the encoded bits over the data bus. The three level differential signal is received at the far end of the bus, the encoded bits are recovered and decoded with use of F. The system and method achieves up to N bits transmitted per N data lines. |
| US08274310B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a non-volatile programmable transistor
A method and apparatus of providing a programmable system using non-volatile programmable transistors are disclosed. A programmable logic circuit, in one embodiment, includes a first programmable transistor and a second programmable transistor. The first programmable transistor includes a first gate terminal, a first source terminal, a first drain terminal, and a first programming terminal. The second programmable transistor includes a second gate terminal, a second source terminal, and a second drain terminal, and a second programmable terminal. The first and second programmable transistors include non-volatile memory elements. The first and the second gate terminals are coupled to an input terminal, and the first drain terminal and the second source terminal are coupled to an output terminal to perform a logic function. |
| US08274307B1 |
Impedance discontinuity compensator for electronic packages
The present disclosure provides for a circuit package that can include a signal input port that receives an electronic signal that includes multiple frequency components and a signal output port that outputs the electronic signal. The circuit package can include a trace having multiple portions that have a portion-dependent impedance. The trace can transfer the electronic signal from the signal input port to the signal output port. The present disclosure provides an apparatus to compensate a package trace parasitics, such as parasitic capacitance, to improve signal fidelity over a predetermined frequency range. The apparatus can provide a broadband impedance matching structure that matches the impedance of an I/O cell to the impedance of a printed circuit board and can compensate for the parasitic effects of both the I/O cell, terminals, and other discontinuities that may be present within the package. |
| US08274305B2 |
Linear voltage generating device for testing performance of power supplies
A linear voltage generating device for testing performance of a power supply includes a comparator circuit, an analog to digital (A/D) conversion circuit, and an amplifier circuit. The comparator circuit is configured for receiving a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, and comparing the PWM signal with a reference voltage to output a filtered PWM signal. The A/D conversion circuit is configured for receiving the filtered PWM signal, and converting the filtered PWM signal to a linear digital signal. The amplifier circuit is configured for receiving the linear digital signal, and outputting an amplified linear digital signal to an electric load electrically coupled to the power supply. |
| US08274303B2 |
Schmitt trigger with test circuit and method for testing
A Schmitt trigger circuit having a test circuit and method for testing are provided. The Schmitt trigger test circuit includes switches for reconfiguring the Schmitt trigger for testing by shorting the input and output terminals of an inverter and by opening a feedback path to allow the application of test voltages to the gates of feedback transistors coupled to the inverter. The method includes: directly connecting an input terminal of the inverter to an output terminal of the inverter; providing a first power supply voltage to the feedback transistors coupled to the inverter; measuring a first voltage at the input terminal; removing the first power supply voltage from the feedback transistors; providing a second power supply voltage to the feedback transistors. The test circuit and method reduce the test time by eliminating the need to ramp an input voltage while monitoring the output. |
| US08274302B2 |
Wafer and test method thereof
A wafer and a test method thereof are provided. The invention utilizes a first group of probes to perform a high voltage stress (HVS) test on a first chip, and utilizes a second group of probes to perform a function test on a second chip, where a period of the high voltage stress test overlaps a period of the function test, thereby greatly decreasing the test time of the wafer. |
| US08274301B2 |
On-chip accelerated failure indicator
An accelerated failure indicator embedded on a semiconductor chip includes an insulating region; a circuit located inside the insulating region; a heating element located inside the insulating region, the heating element configured to heat the circuit to a temperature higher than an operating temperature of the semiconductor chip; and a reliability monitor configured to monitor the circuit for degradation, and further configured to trigger an alarm in the event that the degradation of the circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method of operating an accelerated failure indicator embedded on a semiconductor chip includes determining an operating temperature of the semiconductor chip; heating a circuit located inside an insulating region of the accelerated failure indicator to a temperature higher than the determined operating temperature; monitoring the circuit for degradation; and triggering an alarm in the event that the degradation of the circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08274299B2 |
Methods for measurement and characterization of interferometric modulators
Various methods are described to characterize interferometric modulators or similar devices. Measured voltages across interferometric modulators may be used to characterize transition voltages of the interferometric modulators. Measured currents may be analyzed by integration of measured current to provide an indication of a dynamic response of the interferometric modulator. Frequency analysis may be used to provide an indication of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulator or mechanical properties of the interferometric modulator. Capacitance may be determined through signal correlation, and spread-spectrum analysis may be used to minimize the effect of noise or interference on measurements of various interferometric modulator parameters. |
| US08274298B2 |
Calibration structure for flex fuel sensor
A calibration structure (10) for calibrating a flex fuel sensor (12) for a vehicle is provided. The flex fuel sensor has a first sensor electrode (14) and a second sensor electrode (16). The calibration structure includes a first electrode (30), a second electrode (36) spaced from and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and at least one capacitor (40), or at least one resistor (42), or at least one combination of a capacitor with a resistor, of a certain value electrically connected with the first and second electrodes. The first electrode (30) is constructed and arranged to contact the first sensor electrode (16) and the second electrode (36) is constructed and arranged to contact the second sensor electrode (14) to provide a known input value to the flex fuel sensor for calibration of the flex fuel sensor without the use of test liquids. |
| US08274295B2 |
Method for testing an electronics unit
A method for testing an electronics unit, especially an electronics unit of an apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring a process variable, wherein the electronics unit has a plurality of electrical components. At least a part of the electrical components is grouped into at least one group, and this group is supplied with a query signal. A response signal is received from the group, and the response signal is evaluated. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable. |
| US08274294B2 |
Method and device for capturing a fault in an electrical supply grid
A method for detecting a ground fault in an electrical supply system includes using a combination of components and their connections within the supply system to form virtual components, allowing presetting of fault indicators for incoming and outgoing supply lines to individual components. A fault index can be determined for each virtual component in conjunction with a respective association of a correlation coefficient with fault indicators and a subsequent normalization over all fault indicators using a correlation coefficient. Comparison of the indices of all virtual components of the supply system permits a determination of that virtual component in which the highest fault index occurs, and therefore in which there is the highest probability of a fault. The fault search in a supply system can therefore be determined quickly and easily independently of power supply system geometry and configuration. An apparatus performing the method and computer program product, are also provided. |
| US08274289B2 |
Antenna coupling component measurement tool having rotating antenna configuration
Disclosed herein are electromagnetic resistivity logging systems and methods that employ an antenna configuration having at most two transmitter or receiver antenna orientations that rotate relative to the borehole. The measurements made by this reduced-complexity antenna configuration enable the determination of at least seven components of a coupling matrix, which may be determined using a linear system of equations that express the azimuthal dependence of the measurements. For increased reliability, measurement averaging may be performed in azimuthally spaced bins. The coupling matrix components can then be used as the basis for determining logs of various formation parameters, including vertical resistivity and anisotropy. |
| US08274286B2 |
System and method for multi-spectral MR imaging near metal
A system and method for multi-spectral MR imaging near metal include a computer programmed to calculate an MR pulse sequence comprising a plurality of RF pulses configured to excite spins in an imaging object and comprising a plurality of volume selection gradients and determine a plurality of distinct offset frequency values. For each respective determined offset frequency value, the computer is programmed to execute the MR pulse sequence having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency of the MR pulse sequence set to the respective determined offset frequency value. The computer is also programmed to acquire a three-dimensional (3D) MR data set for each MR pulse sequence execution and generate a composite image based on data from each of the acquired 3D MR data sets. |
| US08274285B2 |
Modification of frequency response profiles of steady state free precession for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Apparatus and methods for modification of the frequency response profile of steady-state free precession (SSFP) type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Using alternating dephasing moments within succeeding radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulses, the frequency response function of SSFP sequences can be modified to different shapes such as near triangular or bell shaped. The particular response function as produced by alternating dephasing moments can be used, among others, for functional brain MRI, MR spectroscopy or spatial encoding. |
| US08274279B2 |
Inspection apparatus and method
An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting flaws in electrically conductive materials by observing properties of the back-EMF of the eddy current field generated by driving magnetic flux through the object to be examined. The input signal may include sweeps at several frequencies, and may do so at one time under the principle of wave superposition. The sectorial observations of eddy currents summations may be compared to a known datum for a defect free material, the presence of anomalies in eddy field back EMF divergence tending to provide an indication of an irregularity in the underlying eddy field, and hence in the underlying material itself. The portable unit may have a number of different configurations depending on the nature of the object to be examined, be it a flat or large radius plate, a flange, a rail, or some other structural element. |
| US08274276B2 |
System and method for the non-destructive testing of elongate bodies and their weldbond joints
An arrangement for testing an elongated body 1 or a welded and bonded joint in the body for faults 60 has a device 4, 5 for production of an eddy current in the elongated body 1 or its welded and bonded joint. At least one magnetic field sensor 7 for sensing the magnetic field is provided on the elongated body 1 or the welded and bonded joint. The dimensions of the at least one magnetic field sensor 7 are equal to or less than the fault 60 to be investigated. |
| US08274267B2 |
Hybrid power converter
Power converter circuits, structures, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hybrid converter can include: (i) a first switching device controllable by a control signal; (ii) an inductor coupled to the first switching device and an output; and (iii) a control circuit configured to receive feedback from the output for generation of the control signal to control the first switching device, where the control circuit includes a first detection circuit configured to detect first and second output conditions, the control circuit being configured to operate the first switching device in a switch control in response to the control signal when the first output condition is detected, and to operate the first switching device in a linear control region when the second output condition is detected. |
| US08274266B2 |
Switch mode power supply with dynamic topology
A power supply system has an inductive device, a plurality of switching devices for providing connection of the inductive device to input and output nodes and a ground node, and a switch driver circuit for driving the switching devices so as to enable the power supply to operate in a boost mode to increase the input voltage, in a buck mode to decrease the input voltage, and in a solid-state flyback mode to transfer between the boost mode and the buck mode. In the solid-state flyback mode, the switching devices are controlled to provide switching of the inductive device between an input state in which the inductive device is connected between the input node and the ground node, and an output state in which the inductive device is connected between the ground node and the output node. |
| US08274263B2 |
Battery saver
The battery saver includes a charge pump connected to a control switch to provide a time-hysteretic threshold feature wherein it takes a longer, elapsed time threshold to activate the control switch than it does to deactivate the control switch. Control switch output is connected to a main switch wherein activation of the control switch opens the main switch to de-energize a battery-powered device's battery circuit. Control switch deactivation closes the main switch, which energizes the battery circuit of the battery-powered device. A quick elapsed time threshold allows a vibration sensor, which indicates continuing use of the battery-powered device, to instantaneously deactivate the control switch when vibrations are sensed. When the vibration sensor no longer senses motion in the device, a longer elapsed time threshold is triggered in which the charge pump slowly ramps up current to activate the control switch to turn the battery-operated device off. |
| US08274259B2 |
Method and charge-up circuit capable of adjusting charge-up current
A charge-up circuit includes a charge-up transistor configured to supply a charge-up current to a secondary battery in accordance with a control signal, a detection resistor connected in series with the charge-up transistor to detect the charge-up current, a current-to-voltage conversion circuit configured to generate and output a monitor voltage in accordance with the charge-up current based on each voltage at both end terminals of the detection resistor, a reference voltage generator configured to generate a predetermined reference voltage and including a voltage adjusting mechanism to generate the reference voltage from the constant voltage so that the charge-up current becomes a desired current, and a charge-up current control circuit configured to control the charge-up transistor so that the monitor voltage becomes the reference voltage. |
| US08274249B2 |
Motor drive device with lock protection function
A cooling system is provided with a motor drive device, a fan motor, and a Hall element. The motor drive device includes a lock protection circuit and a lock controller. When a control signal instructing rotation of the fan motor that is to be driven instructs stoppage of the motor for a predetermined time-period or longer, the lock controller has the lock protection circuit inactive. At an occasion when the control signal has continued to instruct stoppage of the fan motor for a first time-period or longer, a standby controller starts time measurement, and after a further predetermined second time-period has elapsed, makes at least a part of the motor drive device transition to a standby mode. |
| US08274246B2 |
Inverter control device and AC motor control device using this inverter control device
There is provided a current tracking PWM control circuit that directly generates PWM signals such that inverter output currents id, iq track PWM current references id**, iq**, using the results of comparison of the inverter output currents id, iq and PWM current references id**, iq**, in which, if current references id*, iq* exist, the result of adding the original current reference iq* and a correction signal iqC*, obtained by amplifying the deviation (iq*-iq) of the current reference iq* and iq, is used as the PWM current reference iq** on the q axis side for performing current control, but, in respect of the d axis side, the original current reference id* is used directly as the PWM current reference id** for performing current control. |
| US08274242B2 |
Power supply apparatus for an LED lamp
The present invention provides a power supply apparatus for an LED lamp, which mainly uses an isolation transformer to convert a high voltage AC input signal into a low voltage AC signal and thus generate a driving voltage for driving an LED lamp, comprising: a waveform and frequency modulation module disposed on the primary side of the isolation transformer for modulating an input waveform and a frequency f; and a secondary rectifier filter module disposed on the secondary side of the isolation transformer for converting the low voltage AC signal after passing through the isolation transformer into the driving voltage. In this way, the power supply apparatus for an LED lamp utilizes the principle of persistence of vision of human eyes to modulate the waveforms and frequencies of voltages for driving LEDs and can still maintain the normal operation. |
| US08274232B2 |
Lighting system communications apparatus and method
A communications apparatus and techniques are presented for communicating with ballasts or drivers through lighting system power connections in which the power connections are energized with low levels of power to power communications components in the ballast/drivers while the light sources are off and low frequency AC communications signals are transmitted through the power connections. |
| US08274229B2 |
Reverse polarity series type LED and drive circuit
The present invention of a reverse polarity series type LED is formed by two sets of LED and diode assemblies in reverse polarity series connection wherein the first set is consisted of at least one or multiple homopolar series or parallel connected or series and parallel connected LEDs, and the second set consisting of at least one or more homopolar parallel or series connected or series and parallel connected LEDs for further connection to the drive circuit formed by current-limiting impedance and/or power storage and discharging devices and/or voltage-limit circuit devices in order to produce the required operational characteristics. |
| US08274221B2 |
Plasma-generating structures, display devices, and methods of forming plasma-generating structures
Some embodiments include methods of forming plasma-generating microstructures. Aluminum may be anodized to form an aluminum oxide body having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Conductive liners may be formed within the openings, and circuitry may be formed to control current flow through the conductive liners. The conductive liners form a plurality of hollow cathodes, and the current flow is configured to generate and maintain plasmas within the hollow cathodes. The plasmas within various hollow cathodes, or sets of hollow cathodes, may be independently controlled. Such independently controlled plasmas may be utilized to create a pattern in a display, or on a substrate. In some embodiments, the plasmas may be utilized for plasma-assisted etching and/or plasma-assisted deposition. Some embodiments include constructions and assemblies containing multiple plasma-generating structures. |
| US08274219B2 |
Electro-luminescent display panel including a plurality of island patterns serving as an encapsulation film
An electro-luminescent display panel including an active device array substrate, a pixel definition layer, electro-luminescent devices, an electrode layer and a protective layer is provided. The substrate includes pixel electrodes. The pixel definition layer on the substrate includes openings, each exposing the corresponding one of the pixel electrodes. The electro-luminescent devices are in the openings. Each electro-luminescent device layer is on the corresponding one of the pixel electrode. The electrode layer is on the pixel definition layer and the electro-luminescent devices. The protective layer including a buffer layer, a first and a second encapsulation films is on the electrode layer. The buffer layer covers the pixel definition layer and the electro-luminescent devices. The first encapsulation film partially covers the buffer layer. The first encapsulation film includes island patterns on the pixel electrodes. The second encapsulation film covers the buffer layer and the first encapsulation film. |
| US08274216B2 |
Bottom emission type organic electroluminescent panel
Provided is a bottom emission type organic EL panel capable of preventing or delaying loss of light emission from an end portion of the light emission area and reduction of the light emission area in an organic EL element. This organic electro luminescence panel includes an organic electro luminescence element having at least one organic layer between an anode and a cathode arranged on a substrate. This panel has a main light emission area emitting light with a high luminance and a non-light emission area or a low light emission area emitting light with a lower luminance than the main light emission area, arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area. By limiting the main light emission area to a smaller size than the cathode forming area, the end portion of the cathode forming area is arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area. |
| US08274214B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting device, and electronic device
An object is to improve luminous efficiency of a light emitting element using triplet exciton energy effectively. Another object is to reduce power consumption of a light emitting element, a light emitting device, and an electronic device. Triplet exciton energy generated in a light emitting layer which exhibits short wavelength fluorescence can be effectively utilized by use of a structure in which the light emitting layers which exhibit short wavelength fluorescence are sandwiched between light emitting layers each including a phosphorescent compound. Further, the emission balance can be improved between the light emitting layer including a phosphorescent compound and the light emitting layer which exhibits fluorescence by the devising of the structure of the light emitting layer which exhibits fluorescence. |
| US08274212B2 |
Organic light emitting device including first hole injection layer and second hole injection layer
An organic light emitting device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; an emissive layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first hole injection layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a second hole injection layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first hole injection layer includes a metal fluoride and a first organic hole injection layer forming compound, and the second hole injection layer includes a metal oxide and a second organic hole injection layer forming compound. |
| US08274211B2 |
White organic light emitting device
Provided is a white organic light emitting device (OLED). The white OLED includes a double cavity structure in which a first region and a second region are defined based on a transparent common electrode using a top emission method. A green phosphorescence or fluorescence emission layer is disposed in the first region, a blue fluorescence emission layer is disposed in the second region, a red emission layer is optionally disposed in the first region or the second region, and an optical path control layer (OPCL) for widening color gamut is disposed in a region in which green light and blue light are emitted so that color coordinates are not greatly changed due to a change in thickness of the OPCL and white light having good quality is obtained. |
| US08274207B2 |
EL display panel, EL display apparatus, and method of manufacturing EL display panel
An EL display panel including an EL unit and a thin film semiconductor unit, in which the EL unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a light-emitting layer, and the thin film semiconductor unit includes a substrate, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, an interlayer insulating film, a gate line formed above the interlayer insulating film, a power supply line formed above the interlayer insulating film, in a same layer as the gate line, and side-by-side with the gate line, and an auxiliary line formed above the interlayer insulating film, in a same layer as the gate line and the power supply line, and side-by-side with the gate line and the power supply line. |
| US08274202B2 |
Spark plug with receiving end of ground elbow set above discharge terminal of central electrode and located by one side of central electrode extension line
A spark plug include an insulator, a central electrode, which is in the form of a bar received in the insulator, a metal case, which surrounds the insulator and is grounded, and a ground elbow fixed to the metal case. The central electrode includes a discharge terminal exposed outside the insulator and defining an extension line as an imaginary line extending from the discharge terminal along a central axis of the central electrode. The ground elbow has a connection end and an opposite, sharp-tip-like receiving end. The connection end is fixed to the metal case. The receiving end is set close to but spaced from the discharge terminal and is locate by one side of the extension line. |
| US08274200B2 |
Microfabricated cantilever slider with asymmetric spring constant
Mechanical springs and sliders as used in microfabricated actuators to provide an asymmetric spring constant are described. The asymmetric spring constant provides a propensity for deflection towards one direction, and a propensity for separation (i.e. restoration) towards the other direction. The asymmetry and slider system provides a passive mechanical means to achieve faster switching times and higher switch restoring forces. |
| US08274194B2 |
Auxiliary assembly of an internal combustion engine
In the drive train of a combustion engine an auxiliary arrangement is arranged which is to be coupled with an axial flow machine including a stator and a rotor, in order to perform an actuating movement. The stator has a coil arrangement, and the rotor has an essentially cup-shaped support for permanent magnet elements. The coil arrangement of the stator has at least one cylindrical winding and is at least partially enclosed by two essentially pot-shaped magnetic flux yokes. Each of the pot-shaped magnetic flux yokes has side areas with magnetic flux poles whose outsides are oriented towards the permanent magnet elements of the rotor. The magnetic flux poles of the stator are arranged spaced apart from the permanent magnet elements of the rotor. The magnetic orientation of neighboring permanent magnet elements towards the air gap alternates. |
| US08274193B2 |
Electric motor
The windings (12) wound around each of the teeth (9) form two coil groups (71, 72) of three-phase concentrated windings which are disposed point-symmetrically to each other with respect to the rotational shaft. Each of the coil groups (71, 72) includes a first coil (33), in which the windings (12) are wound around the teeth in a forward direction, and a second coil (34), in which the windings (12) are wound around the teeth in a reverse direction. When each of the teeth (9) is allocated with a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase in this order in a circumferential direction so that the first coil (33) wound for each phase is set to be coils of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase, and the second coil (34) wound for each phase is set to be coils of the −U phase, the −V phase, and the −W phase, the coils of the U, −W, V, −U, W and −V phases are electrically connected between the adjacent segments (14) in this order. |
| US08274192B2 |
Segmented stator assembly
An electric machine and a stator assembly include a segmented stator having stator portions. Each stator portion includes end plates arranged axially on opposing sides of the stator portion, support plates arranged interior to the end plates, stator laminations arranged between the support plates, and stabilizing elements coupling the end plates and the support plates together. Each of the stabilizing elements has a dovetail portion coupled to the end plates and to the support plates. Connectors are provided to connect the stator portions of the segmented stator together. |
| US08274190B2 |
Electric machine rotor bar and method of making same
A method, system, and apparatus including an electric machine having a plurality of rotor bars and a first coupling component configured to electrically couple the plurality of rotor bars together. Each rotor bar of the plurality of rotor bars includes a first metallic material having a first electrical resistivity and a second metallic material cast about the first material, where the second metallic material has a second electrical resistivity greater than the first electrical resistivity. The first metallic material has a first end and a second end opposite the first end and the first coupling component is coupled to the first end of the first metallic material. |
| US08274189B2 |
Motor and window lift
A window lift has a motor and a gearbox. The motor is a permanent magnet motor, comprising a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. The stator or the rotor comprises a housing and magnets fixed to inner surface of the housing. The radial cross section of the housing comprises n side portions and n connecting portions, where n is an integer greater than 2. Adjacent side portions are connected together by one corresponding connecting portion and the magnets are fixed at portions corresponding to the connecting portions. The radial cross section of each side portion is like a convex curve line, which is curved outwardly relative to a straight line passing through the two ends of the convex curve line. |
| US08274183B2 |
Stator for a linear motor
A stator for a linear motor is described. The stator has a stator member with a coil arrangement, a connecting member with external terminals, a sensor arrangement having at least one Hall sensor, and terminals for the sensor arrangement, as well as a holding member. The holding member is subdivided into a connecting member insertion portion and a stator member insertion portion and has holding devices for disposing the stator member and the connecting member stationarily, releasably and in an accurate position with regard to each other. |
| US08274181B2 |
Structure for transmission in power supply
A structure for transmission in a power supply, particularly to a power structure for transmission for bearing large DC current, wherein the power supply includes a power input port for connecting to DC input power and a DC/DC conversion circuit for converting the DC input power into DC output power. The architecture including at least one power transmission board for disposing the power input port, wherein the power transmission board is electrically connected to the power process board with the DC/DC conversion circuit mounted thereon by at least one power conduction element. Therefore, through the power conduction elements replacing the conventional connecting wires with large diameter to connect the power input port and the power process board without disobeying the safety regulation, not only the space occupied by the bent connection wires can be reduced, but the collisions and damage to other components caused therefrom also can be avoided. |
| US08274178B2 |
System of transmission of wireless energy
A resonant array for the transmission of multiple frequency wireless energy in multiple configurations at a useful distance for grid-coordinate power and information delivery on small aperture and mobile scales where alternatives such as battery, solar, infrared, microwave, or other power-independent means are inappropriate or inaccessible. |
| US08274170B2 |
Wind power turbine including a cable bundle guide device
A wind power turbine for producing electric energy has a pylon extending from a bottom end to a top end; a nacelle fitted to the top end of the pylon to rotate about a first axis; an electric generator fitted to the nacelle to produce electric energy; a blade assembly, which rotates with respect to the nacelle about a second axis; an electric cable bundle extending from the electric generator to a point inside the pylon, such as at the bottom end of the pylon; and a guide device for guiding the cable bundle, and configured to divert the cable bundle radially from a point close to the first axis, to a point substantially away from the first axis. |
| US08274169B2 |
Wind powered generator for a vehicle
The present invention is directed to wind powered apparatus for recharging batteries in an electric powered vehicle, the system includes at least one generator adapted to alternately recharge batteries that supply power to the vehicle, and at least one windmill with turbine blades that automatically adjust blade pitch and operate the generator. Each adjusting turbine blade includes at least one fluid handling system that contains a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid, the handling system including means to reposition the non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid between a first location and a second location within the fluid handling system in response to a fluid viscosity is changed by shear created from blade rotation, the blade pitch changed by a shift in blade center of gravity from the repositioned fluid. |
| US08274165B2 |
Semiconductor substrate, laminated chip package, semiconductor plate and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor substrate has a plurality of groove portions formed along scribe lines. The semiconductor substrate includes: insulating layers formed in the plurality of groove portions; a rectangular unit region in contact with at least any one of the plurality of groove portions; and a wiring electrode including an extended terminal portion extended from the unit region to the inside of the groove portion. The semiconductor substrate is manufactured by forming a plurality of groove portions along scribe lines; embedding an insulating material in the plurality of groove portions and planarizing a surface to form insulating layers; and forming a wiring electrode including an extended terminal portion extended from a rectangular unit region in contact with at least any one of the plurality of groove portions to the inside of the groove portion. |
| US08274163B2 |
Method and apparatus providing integrated circuit having redistribution layer with recessed connectors
A method of making a semiconductor die includes forming a trench around a conductive stud extending from the first side to a second side of a substrate to expose a portion of the stud and then forming a conductive layer inside the trench and in electrical contact with the stud. |
| US08274159B2 |
Group III nitride based flip-chip integrated circuit and method for fabricating
A circuit substrate has one or more active components and a plurality of passive circuit elements on a first surface. An active semiconductor device has a substrate with layers of material and a plurality of terminals. The active semiconductor device is flip-chip mounted on the circuit substrate and at least one of the terminals of the device is electrically connected to an active component on the circuit substrate. The active components on the substrate and the flip-chip mounted active semiconductor device, in combination with passive circuit elements, form preamplifiers and an output amplifier respectively. In a power switching configuration, the circuit substrate has logic control circuits on a first surface. A semiconductor transistor flip-chip mounted on the circuit substrate is electrically connected to the control circuits on the first surface to thereby control the on and off switching of the flip-chip mounted device. |
| US08274158B2 |
Structure, method and system for assessing bonding of electrodes in FCB packaging
Structures, methods, and systems for assessing bonding of electrodes in FCB packaging are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises mounting a semiconductor chip with a plurality of first electrodes of a first shape to a mounted portion with a second electrode of a second shape, wherein the second shape is different from the first shape, bonding a respective one of the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode using a first solder bump, generating an X-ray image of the first solder bump, and determining an acceptability of the bonding of the respective one of the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode based on the X-ray image of the first solder bump. |
| US08274155B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
An interconnect is provided in a first insulating layer and the upper surface of the interconnect is higher than the upper surface of the first insulating layer. An air gap is disposed between the interconnect and the first insulating layer. An etching stopper film is formed over the first insulating layer, the air gap, and the interconnect. A second insulating layer is formed over the etching stopper film. A via is provided in the second insulating layer and is connected to the interconnect. A portion of the etching stopper film that is disposed over the air gap is thicker than another portion that is disposed over the interconnect. |
| US08274151B2 |
Object including a graphic element transferred on a support and method for making such an object
An object including at least one graphic element, including at least one layer including at least one metal and etched according to a pattern of the graphic element, a first face of the layer being positioned opposite a face of at least one at least partly transparent substrate, a second face, opposite to the first face, of the layer being covered with at least one passivation layer fixed to at least one face of at least one support by wafer bonding and forming with the support a monolithic structure, and the layer including at least at the second face, at least one area including the metal and at least one semiconductor. |
| US08274150B2 |
Chip bump structure and method for forming the same
A chip bump structure is formed on a substrate. The substrate includes at least one contact pad and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has at least one opening. The at least one opening exposes the at least one contact pad. The chip bump structure includes at least one elastic bump, at least one first metal layer, at least one second metal layer, and at least one solder ball. The at least one elastic bump covers a central portion of the at least one contact pad. The at least one first metal layer covers the at least one elastic bump. The at least one first metal layer has a portion of the at least one contact pad. The portion of the at least one contact pad is not overlaid by the at least one elastic bump. The at least one second metal layer is formed on a portion of the at least one first metal layer. The portion of the at least one first metal layer is located on the top of the at least one elastic bump. The at least one solder ball is formed on the at least one second metal layer. The at least one solder ball is also on the top of the at least one elastic bump. |
| US08274147B2 |
Method and system for intra-printed circuit board communication via waveguides
Methods and systems for intra-printed circuit board communication via waveguides are disclosed and may include communicating one or more signals between or among a plurality of integrated circuits via one or more waveguides integrated on a printed circuit board. The integrated circuits may be bonded to the printed circuit board. The waveguides may be configured via switches integrated within each of the plurality of integrated circuits. The one or more signals may include microwave signals. The one or more waveguides may be configured for communicating microwave signals with a frequency of 60 GHz or greater. The communication of the one or more signals may be configured via a low frequency control signal, which may include a digital signal. The one or more waveguides may include metal and/or semiconductor layers deposited on and/or embedded within the printed circuit board. |
| US08274146B2 |
High frequency interconnect pad structure
An integrated circuit includes a high speed circuit, an interconnect pad, a passivation layer under the interconnect pad, a first patterned metal layer, and a first via. The high speed circuit is for a high speed signal at a terminal of the high speed circuit. The interconnect pad is on a top surface of the integrated circuit structure. The first patterned metal layer is under the passivation layer having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first patterned metal layer is connected to the terminal of the high speed circuit. The second portion of the first patterned metal layer is under the interconnect pad and is electrically floating when the high frequency signal is present on the interconnect pad portion. The result is reduced capacitive loading on the high speed signal which improves performance. |
| US08274142B2 |
Semiconductor device having stacked multiple substrates and method for producing same
A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of semiconductor substrates each having a pad-formed surface and being mutually laminated; a connection electrode pad formed on the pad-formed surface; a wire connecting the connection electrode pads of the plurality of semiconductor substrates so as to electrically connect the semiconductor substrates; a relay electrode pad that is provided on the pad-formed surface of a lower one of the laminated semiconductor substrates so as to be exposed by an upper one of the laminated semiconductor substrates, and that is connected to the connection electrode pad by a relay wire included in the wire; and a mounting electrode pad that is formed on a mounting surface on which the laminated semiconductor substrates are mounted, and that is connected to the relay electrode pad of the lower semiconductor substrate by the wire. In the device, the wire electrically connects the connection electrode pad of the upper semiconductor substrate to the relay electrode pad of the lower semiconductor substrate. |
| US08274135B2 |
Fuse of semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a fuse for a semiconductor device, and discloses the technique capable of preventing fuse damage, which might occur during a fuse blowing step, with reducing area of the fuse occupying the semiconductor device. The present invention includes a common source region, wherein a plurality of fuses are radially arranged about the common source region, and a fuse box wall is formed outside the fuses. |
| US08274130B2 |
Punch-through diode steering element
A storage system and method for forming a storage system that uses punch-through diodes as a steering element in series with a reversible resistivity-switching element is described. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. Therefore, it is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements. The punch-through diode may be a N+/P−/N+ device or a P+/N−/P+ device. |
| US08274129B2 |
Power transistor with improved high-side operating characteristics and reduced resistance and related apparatus and method
A method includes forming a transistor device on a first side of a semiconductor-on-insulator structure. The semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, and a buried layer between the substrate and the dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a conductive plug through the semiconductor-on-insulator structure. The conductive plug is in electrical connection with the transistor device. The method further includes forming a field plate on a second side of the semiconductor-on-insulator structure, where the field plate is in electrical connection with the conductive plug. The transistor device could have a breakdown voltage of at least 600V, and the field plate could extend along at least 40% of a length of the transistor device. |
| US08274125B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
An insulation is provided in a portion surrounding a light receiving portion in a semiconductor element, and a sealing resin is provided around the insulation, thereby warping the insulation outward when viewed from the light receiving portion to prevent diffuse light from returning to the light receiving portion of the semiconductor element. |
| US08274119B2 |
Hybrid material accumulation mode GAA CMOSFET
A Ge and Si hybrid material accumulation mode GAA (Gate-All-Around) CMOSFET includes a PMOS region having a first channel, an NMOS region having a second channel and a gate region. The first channel and the second channel have a racetrack-shaped cross section and are formed of p-type Ge and n-type Si, respectively; the surfaces of the first channel and the second channel are substantially surrounded by the gate region; a buried oxide layer is disposed between the PMOS region and the NMOS region and between the PMOS or NMOS region and the Si substrate to isolate them from one another. In an accumulation mode, current flows through the overall racetrack-shaped channel. The disclosed device has high carrier mobility, high device drive current, and maintains the electrical integrity of the device. Meanwhile, polysilicon gate depletion and short channel effects are prevented. |
| US08274111B2 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor memory device having a buried word line structure
A method for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus including a buried gate removes factors deteriorating the operational reliability of the semiconductor device such as the electrical connection between a contact and a word line, and increases a processing margin when forming the contact disposed on a source/drain region. The method includes forming a recess in a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate in a lower portion of the recess, forming a first insulation layer over the gate, growing silicon over the first insulation layer in the recess, and depositing a second insulation layer over the semiconductor substrate and in the remaining portion of the recess. |
| US08274101B2 |
CMOS image sensor with heat management structures
An image sensor includes a device wafer substrate of a device wafer, a device layer of the device wafer, and optionally a heat control structure and/or a heat sink. The device layer is disposed on a frontside of the device wafer substrate and includes a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed within a pixel array region and peripheral circuitry disposed within a peripheral circuits region. The photosensitive elements are sensitive to light incident on a backside of the device wafer substrate. The heat control structure is disposed within the device wafer substrate and thermally isolates the pixel array region from the peripheral circuits region to reduce heat transfer between the peripheral circuits region and the pixel array region. The heat sink conducts heat away from the device layer. |
| US08274095B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having the present high withstand voltage power device IGBT has at a back surface a p collector layer with boron injected in an amount of approximately 3×1013/cm2 with an energy of approximately 50 KeV to a depth of approximately 0.5 μm, and an n+ buffer layer with phosphorus injected in an amount of approximately 3×1012/cm2 with an energy of 120 KeV to a depth of approximately 20 μm. To control lifetime, a semiconductor substrate is exposed to protons at the back surface. Optimally, it is exposed to protons at a dose of approximately 1×1011/cm2 to a depth of approximately 32 μm as measured from the back surface. Thus snapback phenomenon can be eliminated and an improved low saturation voltage (Vce (sat))-offset voltage (Eoff) tradeoff can be achieved. |
| US08274090B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device includes: a substrate; pixels on a first side of the substrate, each of the pixels comprising a first region for emitting light and a second region for transmitting external light; pixel circuits on the first regions of the pixels, each of the pixel circuits comprising at least one thin film transistor; an insulating layer covering the pixel circuits; first electrodes on the insulating layer, spaced from each other on the first regions, and electrically connected to the pixel circuits; a second electrode opposite the first electrodes and formed throughout the first and second regions of all the pixels; an organic layer between the first electrodes and the second electrode; a sealing member facing the first side of the substrate; and an anti-reflection layer located on at least one of a second side of the substrate or an outer side of the sealing member. |
| US08274080B2 |
Semiconductor wafer including guard ring patterns and process monitoring patterns
A semiconductor wafer includes semiconductor chip areas on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor chip areas having thereon semiconductor circuit patterns and inner guard ring patterns surrounding the semiconductor circuit patterns; and scribe lanes on the semiconductor substrate between the semiconductor chip areas, the scribe lanes having thereon outer guard ring patterns surrounding the inner guard ring patterns and a process monitoring pattern between the outer guard ring patterns, the outer guard ring patterns and the process monitoring pattern being merged with each other. |
| US08274074B2 |
Polymer material and device using the same
A polymer material comprising a composition containing a fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) and a phosphorescent compound (B) or comprising a polymer having the structure of (A) and the structure of (B) in the same molecule, wherein the following conditions (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied: (1) at least one of the light emission peak wavelengths of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) is less than 500 nm, (2) the light emission peak wavelengths of the phosphorescent compound (B) are not less than 500 nm, (3) the following relation is satisfied: ETA−ESA 0≧(ETB−ESB0)−0.2 (unit; eV) (Eq 1) (wherein, ESA 0 represents energy of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) at the ground state, ETA represents energy of the fluorescent conjugated polymer (A) at the lowest excited triplet state, ESB 0 represents energy of the phosphorescent compound (B) at the ground state, and ETB represents energy of the phosphorescent compound (B) at the lowest excited triplet state). |
| US08274072B2 |
Ultrathin spacer formation for carbon-based FET
A carbon-based field effect transistor (FET) includes a substrate; a carbon layer located on the substrate, the carbon layer comprising a channel region, and source and drain regions located on either side of the channel region; a gate electrode located on the channel region in the carbon layer, the gate electrode comprising a first dielectric layer, a gate metal layer located on the first dielectric layer, and a nitride layer located on the gate metal layer; and a spacer comprising a second dielectric layer located adjacent to the gate electrode, wherein the spacer is not located on the carbon layer. |
| US08274071B2 |
MOS devices with partial stressor channel
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first lattice constant; a gate dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate; and a stressor having at least a portion in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the gate electrode. The stressor has a tilted sidewall on a side adjacent the gate electrode. The stressor includes a first stressor layer having a second lattice constant substantially different from the first lattice constant; and a second stressor layer on the first stressor layer, wherein the second stressor has a third lattice constant substantially different from the first and the second lattice constants. |
| US08274067B2 |
Memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
Memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. In a memory device, a memory-switch structure is formed between a first and second electrode. The memory-switch structure includes a memory resistor and a switch structure. The switch structure controls current supplied to the memory resistor. A memory region of the memory resistor and a switch region of the switch structure are different from each other. |
| US08274066B2 |
Surface treatment to improve resistive-switching characteristics
This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device layer and associated memory cell structures. By performing a surface treatment process (such as ion bombardment) of a semiconductor device layer to create defects having a deliberate depth profile, one may create multistable memory cells having more consistent electrical parameters. For example, in a resistive-switching memory cell, one may obtain a tighter distribution of set and reset voltages and lower forming voltage, leading to improved device yield and reliability. In at least one embodiment, the depth profile is selected to modulate the type of defects and their influence on electrical properties of a bombarded metal oxide layer and to enhance uniform defect distribution. |
| US08274064B2 |
System and apparatus for dermatological treatment
Exemplary embodiments of system and apparatus can be provided for treating various dermatological and biological conditions using electromagnetic energy in the form of optical radiation. For example, energy can be provided by a chemical reaction, such as by combustion of a fine metallic filament, which can be used to generate a high-intensity pulse of energy without requiring external energy sources. Various parameters of the reactive materials and enclosures can be selected and/or applied to provide a radiation pulse having particular characteristics, including fluence, peak intensity, and radiation wavelength distribution. Various filters may be provided to further modify characteristics of the radiation. Such radiation pulses can be used to irradiate tissue such as skin to obtain various therapeutic or beneficial effects, including improvement in the appearance of pigmented or venous lesions. |
| US08274063B2 |
Composite focused ion beam device, process observation method using the same, and processing method
A composite focused ion beam device has a first ion beam irradiation system that irradiates a first ion beam for processing a sample and a second ion beam irradiation system that irradiates a second ion beam for processing or observing the sample. The first ion beam irradiation system has a plasma type gas ion source that generates first ions for forming the first ion beam, each of the first ions having a first mass. The second ion beam irradiation system has a gas field ion source that generates second ions for forming the second ion beam. Each of the second ions has a second mass smaller than that of the first mass. |
| US08274061B2 |
Scanner and method for setting voltage value of photomultiplier
A scanner includes a plurality of laser stimulating ray sources, a sample stage on which a sample containing a labeling substance is to be placed, a scanning mechanism, a photomultiplier for photoelectrically detecting light released from the labeling substance and producing analog image data, an A/D converter for converting the analog image data to digital image data, and a pixel density signal intensity simulating section for effecting simulation based on pre-scan digital image data produced by setting a voltage value of the photomultiplier to a given photomultiplier voltage value G0 to simulate density signal intensity of each pixel of digital image data that would be produced by setting the photomultiplier to a voltage value G different from the voltage value G0. According to the thus constituted scanner, it is possible to determine the voltage value of the photomultiplier simply and rapidly without causing on the degradation of a sample. |
| US08274057B2 |
Detection element
The present invention provides a detection element that can suppress generation of a residual image. A sensor portion includes a semiconductor layer, an upper electrode and a lower electrode. The semiconductor layer generates charges due to light being illuminated thereto. The upper electrode applies a bias voltage to the semiconductor layer. The lower electrode collects charges that have been generated at the semiconductor layer. The charges that have been generated at the semiconductor layer are collected and accumulated by the lower electrode. In the detection element, a saturation prevention circuit (diode and second bias line) is provided through which the accumulated charges flow-out when the charges that have been generated at the semiconductor layer are collected and a voltage level of the lower electrode becomes a saturation prevention voltage level Vs. |
| US08274055B2 |
Radiation signal-processing unit and radiation detector provided with the same
A radiation signal-processing unit including a position identifying device for identifying an incident radiation position in a radiation detector; a count data-memory device for storing positional information outputted from the position identifying device, a count ratio-calculation device for calculating a count ratio based on the positional information stored in the count data-memory device, a reference count ratio-memory device for memorizing a reference count ratio as the count ratio calculated under a state where fluorescence to be detected does not overlap each other temporally, and a correction instruction device for reading the reference count ratio from the reference count ratio-memory device and comparing the ratio with the count ratio, thereby instructing execution of correction of a radiation generating position to the position identifying device. |
| US08274053B2 |
System and method for valve seat gap evaluation
A method of detecting a gap between a valve seat insert and a port in a cylinder head may include heating the valve seat insert and the cylinder head and generating a thermal image of the valve seat insert and the cylinder head at an interface between the valve seat insert and corresponding port in the cylinder head housing the valve seat insert. The thermal image may be evaluated to determine the magnitude of a gap between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head based on a temperature at the interface between the valve seat insert and the cylinder head. |
| US08274052B1 |
Specimen identification system and specimen identification device
In a specimen identification system, an oscillator directs a THz wave toward a channel that accommodates a specimen. A receiver detects the THz wave transmitted through the specimen. A first controller controls the oscillator to sweep the oscillation frequency of the THz wave within a frequency band. A receiver generates a receiving signal by sweeping the receiving frequency of the THz wave within the frequency band. A specimen identification unit specifies the specimen based on the waveform of the receiving signal within the frequency band. |
| US08274050B2 |
Radiometry using an uncooled microbolometer detector
An infra-red imaging camera comprises focusing optics for gathering infra-red energy from an external scene, and an uncooled and unshielded detector arranged to detect infra red energy. Internal temperature sensing together with approximation of the temperature response of the camera provides a time varying calibration that allows the infra-red energy received at the detector to be used as a temperature measurement for objects in the camera's field of view. |
| US08274043B2 |
Estimation of ion cyclotron resonance parameters in fourier transform mass spectrometry
The present invention comprises a method and system for accurate estimation of the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) parameters in Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FTMS/FT-ICR MS). The parameters are essential to estimating the mass to charge ratio of an ion from FT-ICR MS data, the intended purpose of the instrument. Achieving greater accuracy in the parameters assists in greater accuracy of the mass to charge ratio of an ion, and obtaining an accurate estimation of the mass to charge ratio of an ion further aides in detecting mass with sub-ppm accuracy. Estimating mass in this manner enhances identification and characterization of large molecules. The inventive method and system thereby enhances the data obtained by conventional FTMS by accurately estimating ICR parameters. Ultimately, accurate estimates of the masses of molecules and detection and characterization of molecules from FT-ICR MS data are obtained. |
| US08274042B2 |
Imaging mass spectrometry for small molecules in two-dimensional samples
The invention relates to spatially resolved mass spectrometric measurement and visualization of the distribution of small molecules in a mass range from approximately 150 to 500 Daltons, for example drugs and their metabolites, in thin sections or other two-dimensional samples, preferably with ionization of the molecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption. The invention includes the steps measuring a daughter ion produced by forced decomposition of the molecular ion instead of the ionized analyte molecule itself, the daughter ion having a much better signal-to-noise ratio. The daughter ions are detected in a relatively simple reflector time-of-flight mass spectrometer instead of using an expensive time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometers for the measurement of the daughter ions. Advantageously, substantially faster and less expensive scanning of the thousands of mass spectra which serve as the basis for visualizing the spatial distribution of the analyte molecule is achieved, while the mass resolution and sensitivity are at least equally good. |
| US08274041B2 |
Water detection and 3-phase fraction measurement systems
Methods and apparatus enable monitoring a hydrocarbon well for water within a flow stream of the well. A water detector includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared light that includes a water absorbent wavelength band. A detector detects attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream. The water detector outputs a presence of water and/or a phase fraction or quantification of water as determined based on the attenuation. Detecting attenuation of a substantially transmissive wavelength band with respect to water simultaneously with detection of the attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band can enable correction for non-wavelength dependent attenuation. |
| US08274040B2 |
Substrates and optical system having at least one optical waveguide, at least one nanometer-scale aperture and at least one lens array and methods of use thereof
This invention provides substrates for use in various applications, including single-molecule analytical reactions. Methods for propagating optical energy within a substrate are provided. Devices comprising waveguide substrates and dielectric omnidirectional reflectors are provided. Waveguide substrates with improved uniformity of optical energy intensity across one or more waveguides and enhanced waveguide illumination efficiency within an analytic detection region of the arrays are provided. |
| US08274037B2 |
Automatic calibration technique for time of flight (TOF) transceivers
A system and method for automatically calibrating a Time-of-Flight (TOF) transceiver system for proximity/motion detection, is provided. Moreover, the system comprises a component that senses a signal (e.g., current or voltage) at an light emitting diode (LED), an attenuator, a signal injector at a sensor and a switching circuit that toggles between a normal mode (e.g., when signal from the sensor is input to the sensor front end) and a calibration mode (e.g., when signal from the attenuator is input to the sensor front end). During the calibration mode, the sensor front end identifies the phase delay error within the signal path, including board and/or package parasitic, and accounts for the phase delay error during proximity/motion detection in the normal mode. |
| US08274036B2 |
Processing method and apparatus for energy saving of an active infrared induction instrument powered by a dry battery
An active infrared induction instrument powered by a dry battery capable of reducing power consumption through the adjustment of the emitter pulse width. The infrared emitted LED emits infrared signals, which, after being reflected by an object, are received by the infrared photodiode. The infrared signals received the infrared signals received by the infrared photodiode then enter an integrated circuit chip through a comparator. The pulse widths of the infrared emission pulse signals are dynamically adjusted after the width of the pulse series is received by the discrimination chip, thus reducing the emission power consumption to save energy. |
| US08274035B2 |
Photosensor circuit having a level shifting circuit for biasing a first node with an operation voltage signal and a phototransistor for modulating the level of the operation voltage signal
A photosensor circuit including a first node, a level shifting circuit, a phototransistor and an inverter is provided. The first node has an operation voltage signal. The level shifting circuit is coupled to the first node for biasing the first node, so that the operation voltage signal is biased to an operation biasing level. The phototransistor is coupled to the first node for receiving an optical signal and accordingly generates a first electrical signal by means of controlling the level of the operation voltage signal. The inverter receives the first electrical signal and accordingly generates and outputs a second electrical signal, which indicates the intensity of the optical signal. |
| US08274033B2 |
Photoelectric converter
Disclosed is a photoelectric converter.According to the present invention, a photoelectric converter comprises a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, either scan circuits or detection circuits, at least, that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions. |
| US08274030B2 |
Solar concentrator and portable tracking device
The present disclosure relates to a concentrator, particularly a terrestrial solar concentrator to harness the sun's energy, and a tracking system. The concentrator includes a parabolic or other curved reflective surface and an absorber positioned at the focus of the curved reflective surface. Parabolic ribs give shape to the reflective surface. The tracking system includes a rotating, swiveling, or pivoting joint. One or more cables attach to the tracking system. Selectively applying tension to the cables causes the tracking system to rotate, swivel, or pivot at the joint to track an object. |
| US08274027B2 |
Transparent silicon detector and multimode seeker using the detector
A laser energy detector may include at least one photodetector device formed on a semiconductor substrate. The photodetector device may have an active area effective to detect laser energy at a laser wavelength. The active area of the laser energy detector may be substantially transparent for a first wavelength band within an infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
| US08274021B2 |
Fully integrated temperature regulator for biochemical applications
The invention is an integrated temperature regulator that can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technology. The integrated temperature regulator can include a reaction chamber, for example fabricated from PDMS, in which chemical or biochemical reactions of interest can be carried out. The temperature regular can also be used to regulate the temperature of some circuits, e.g. an effective-inductance-change based magnetic particle sensor, to achieve a stable operation performance, such as an improved sensitivity. The integrated temperature regulator includes as subcomponents a temperature sensing circuit that receives a thermal signal from the vicinity of the reaction chamber, a temperature reference circuit, and a temperature control circuit that controls a heater based at least in part on the difference between the sensed temperature and the reference temperature. The various subcomponents can be programmable. |
| US08274018B2 |
Apparatus for use in direct resistance heating of platinum-containing vessels
An apparatus for use in direct resistance heating of a molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a finer or connecting pipe, is provided. The apparatus comprises a flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall during use of the flange and an outer ring that receives electric current during use of the flange. The innermost ring comprises a high-temperature resistant metal preferably comprising at least 80% platinum, and the outermost ring preferably comprising at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. Either one or both of the width or thickness of one or both of the inner or outer rings varies as a function of angular position relative to the vessel. The width and/or thickness of the inner and the outer rings with relation to each other produces a uniform current distribution in the flange and the vessel. |
| US08274017B2 |
Multifunctional heater/chiller pedestal for wide range wafer temperature control
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a semiconductor processing chamber and, more specifically, a heated support pedestal for a semiconductor processing chamber. In one embodiment, a pedestal for a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The pedestal comprises a substrate support comprising a conductive material and having a support surface for receiving a substrate, a resistive heater encapsulated within the substrate support, a hollow shaft coupled to the substrate support at a first end and a mating interface at an opposing end, the hollow shaft comprising a shaft body having a hollow core, and a cooling channel assembly encircling the hollow core and disposed within the shaft body for removing heat from the pedestal via an internal cooling path, wherein the substrate support has a heat control gap positioned between the heating element and the ring-shaped cooling channel. |
| US08274015B2 |
Culinary heater rolling pin device
A heater rolling pin having a roller body, stainless steel axles, hollow roller interior, roller outer surface, a handle mounted to each axle, electrical tactile switch secured to one end of the roller, a heater secured inside the roller interior, batteries and a battery holder at the opposite end of the roller. The internal heater makes the outer surface of the roller hot. The roller is manufactured from food grade aluminum alloy and is hard anodized and dyed to make the surface very hard and scratch resistant. The roller has two food quality, high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic handles with stainless steel axles. |
| US08274013B2 |
System for tracking and analyzing welding activity
A system and a method for tracking and analyzing welding activity. Dynamic spatial properties of a welding tool are sensed during a welding process producing a weld. The sensed dynamic spatial properties are tracked over time and the tracked dynamic spatial properties are captured as tracked data during the welding process. The tracked data is analyzed to determine performance characteristics of a welder performing the welding process and quality characteristics of a weld produced by the welding process. The performance characteristics and the quality characteristics may be subsequently reviewed. |
| US08274009B2 |
Automotive body shop flexible framing gate changing system
An automotive body framing system includes a setter supported by parallel spaced tracks for movement from a work position to a standby position and to a gate change position and driven by corresponding racks and synchronized pinion drive units. Opposing gate storage belt shuttles are located at the gate change position for receiving the setter therebetween, and a gate staging cart is supported in back of the setter by parallel tracks and is also moved between opposing gate storage belt shuttles by synchronized rack and pinion drive units. Power operated registration units are positioned on the setter to register each gate received at precise horizontal and vertical positions, and the setter, staging cart and gate storage belt shuttles each have a series of resilient guide and support rollers to provide for quiet operation during rapid transfer of the gates on the setter, staging cart and belt shuttles. |
| US08274008B2 |
EDM spindle assembly with fluid seal
An EDM spindle assembly is provided comprising a pull stud, an electrode holder, a fluid seal, and a seal holder. A threaded outside diameter of the seal holder is threadedly engaged with a threaded inside diameter of a counter bore formed in the tail end of the electrode holder. A threaded outside diameter of the pull stud is threadedly engaged with the threaded inside diameter of the counter bore. The threaded inside diameter of the counter bore in the electrode holder comprises a longitudinal threading dimension that is sufficient to accommodate the entire longitudinal threaded outside diameter of the seal holder and a portion of the longitudinal threaded outside diameter of the pull stud sufficient to create threaded engagement, with the fluid seal positioned in the seal accommodating space. |
| US08274003B2 |
Button structure
A button structure assembled in a button area below a touchpad. The button structure includes a circuit board and a button frame. The circuit board has a first switch and a second switch corresponding to the button area. The button frame has a left side button portion, a right side button portion, and a contacting elastic portion, wherein the left side button portion is corresponding to the first switch, the right side button portion is corresponding to the second switch, and the contacting elastic portion is contacted against the circuit board and between the first switch and the second switch. |
| US08274002B2 |
Modular keyboard and manufacturing method thereof
A modular keyboard includes an upper casing, a lower casing corresponding to the upper casing, an electric conduction element and a circuit board. The upper casing includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other, and a plurality of press keys disposed on the first side. The lower casing is set for sealing the second side, and an enclosure space is formed between the upper casing and the lower casing. The electric conduction element is installed on the second side in the enclosure space, and the circuit board is installed between the electric conduction element and the lower casing. With a supersonic welding technique, the upper casing and the lower casing are engaged with each other to seal the enclosure space and isolate the electric conduction element in the enclosure space and the circuit board from the exterior. |
| US08273996B2 |
Z-directed connector components for printed circuit boards
A Z-directed connector component for insertion into a printed circuit board and providing electrical connections to internal conductive planes contained with the PCB and/or to external conductive traces on the surface of the PCB. In one embodiment the Z-directed component is housed within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The body of the Z-directed connector component may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. Methods for mounting Z-directed components are also provided. |
| US08273994B2 |
BGA footprint pattern for increasing number of routing channels per PCB layer
A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a ball grid array (BGA). The PCB further includes a first BGA pad having a circular shape, and a first via having a circular shape, where the circular shape of the first via overlaps a portion of the circular shape of the first BGA pad and is rotated diagonally relative to a center of the first BGA pad. The PCB also includes a second BGA pad having a circular shape, and a second via having a circular shape, where the circular shape of the second via overlaps a portion of the circular shape of the second BGA pad and is rotated diagonally relative to a center of the second pad, and where a center of the second via is located at a first distance from the center of the first via and at a first angle relative to an axis that crosses a center of the first via. |
| US08273990B2 |
Flexible flat circuit cable with gapped section
A flexible flat circuit cable includes first and second flexible circuit substrates extending in an extension direction. The first flexible circuit substrate has a first surface forming a first conductor layer and an insulation layer, and the second flexible circuit substrate has a first surface forming a second conductor layer and an insulation layer. A bonding material layer is applied at a predetermined section between the first flexible circuit substrate and the second flexible circuit substrate to bond the first and second flexible circuit substrates together in such a way to maintain a predetermined spacing distance between the first and second flexible circuit substrate and forming a gapped segment at sections where no bonding material is applied. The first and second flexible circuit substrates form a cluster section within the gapped segment, which has opposite ends respectively forming first and second connected sections each of which forms a connection plug or is provided with a connector. |
| US08273989B2 |
Cable management accessories
A vertical cable manager includes a base, an interconnected double-spine assembly topped by a top frame, and a pair of doors. The double-spine assembly is supported by the base. Each door is removably coupled at each lower corner to the base and at each upper corner to the top frame, thus permitting each door to be opened or hinged along either of its lateral sides or removed entirely. The double-spine assembly may support selectively repositionable mounting members, which may in turn support a large cable spool, a selectively repositionable shelf-mounted handle spool assembly, and various other cable management accessories. |
| US08273985B2 |
Junction box
A junction box includes a base, a cover snap-fitted into the base and a ventilation valve on the cover. The ventilation valve includes a first hollow cylinder that has a first inner bore having a first thread and a bottom having an open area that includes an annular flange; a second hollow cylinder; and a waterproof air-permeable membrane. The second hollow cylinder has a second thread on an outer surface thereof, a first end, a second end and a second inner bore. The first end has an annular groove. The waterproof air-permeable membrane is disposed between the first end of the second hollow cylinder and the bottom of the first hollow cylinder. A specific distance, smaller than an axial feeding amount of the first thread when being threaded by one turn, is formed between the top of the annular flange and the top of the annular groove. |
| US08273983B2 |
Photonic device and method of making same using nanowires
A photonic device, a method of making the device and a nano-scale antireflector employ a bramble of nanowires. The photonic device and the method include a first layer of a microcrystalline material provided on a substrate surface and a second layer of a microcrystalline material provided on the substrate surface horizontally spaced from the first layer by a gap. The photonic device and the method further include, and the nano-scale antireflector includes, the bramble of nanowires formed between the first layer and the second layer. The nanowires have first ends integral to crystallites in each of the first layer and the second layer. The nanowires of the bramble extend into the gap from each of the first layer and the second layer. |
| US08273982B2 |
Photoelectric converting device
A photoelectric converting device comprises: a first electrode layer having conductivity; a metal filled dielectric layer formed on said first electrode layer and comprising a dielectric base material in which a plurality of micropores are formed, and a plurality of conductive fine metal bodies made of a metal material which fills said plurality of micropores formed in said dielectric base material; a photoelectric converting layer that is formed on said metal filled dielectric layer and is made of a photoelectric converting material; and a second electrode layer having conductivity that is formed on said photoelectric converting layer; each of said fine metal bodies including a protruding unit that protrudes from said dielectric base material to within said photoelectric converting layer, and being electrically connected to said first electrode layer; said photoelectric converting layer covering said protruding unit of each of said fine metal bodies. |
| US08273980B2 |
Photovoltaic roof ridge cap and installation method
A photovoltaic roofing system and a method of installing the photovoltaic ridge cap structure have been provided. The photovoltaic roofing system includes a ridge cap adapted to cover a ridge of a roof structure. The system also includes at least one photovoltaic cell disposed within the ridge cap. The method of installing a photovoltaic ridge cap structure includes mounting the ridge cap over multiple photovoltaic cells along a ridge of a roof structure. The method further includes routing electrical leads from each photovoltaic cell through one or more openings along the ridge of the roof structure. |
| US08273977B2 |
Audio system, signal producing apparatus and sound producing apparatus
An audio player is connected to an automatic playing musical instrument, and command files and audio data files are prepared in the file format defined in the Red Book in the audio player, although the time data are stored in the time data fields of the longitudinal time codes, the user's data fields are available for commands to the automatic player and identification of a music data file; when a user instructs the audio player to control the automatic player for a solo performance, a quasi audio signal is produced from the command data for the solo performance; when a user instructs to a performance in collaboration with the automatic player, the audio signal, which expresses the pieces of audio data and a music data file, is supplied to the automatic player so as to reproduce the music tune through the acoustic tones and electric tones. |
| US08273975B2 |
Flute
A flute has a pipe. The pipe has a linear body tube and a linear mouthpiece tube. The body tube has multiple keys for changing the pitch of the flute. The mouthpiece tube is connected to the body tube and has a mouthpiece plate. A curved tube is mounted on one end of the mouthpiece tube facing the body tube. The curved tube, mouthpiece tube and body tube are aligned with one another. |
| US08273974B1 |
Folding mechanism for bolt-on neck stringed instruments
This invention applies to a bolt-on neck guitar or similar instrument or device. The mechanism of this invention, a multiple section hinge with one end flap attached to the neck and the other end flap attached to the body while the center section stays sandwiched between the neck and the body in normal use, allows the removal of the neck screws with the strings under tension by the hinge absorbing the horizontal stress produced by the tension of the strings. The neck is then rotated 180 degrees to rest on top of the body where it can be secured with a clamp or a strap for transportation or stowage. The neck holding screws can be replaced with a large single one, reducing the time required to loosen the neck, while still maintaining the possibility of using the normal four screws in addition to or in lieu of the single one if so desired, since the tone of the guitar is improved when the pressure of the neck-body junction is increased and distributed over a larger area. By folding the neck on top of the guitar, the bulk and the chances of damaging the instrument are greatly reduced, since the neck can be secured at both ends and the instrument can fit in boxes or pieces of luggage in which an ordinary guitar would not fit, in particular a carry-on size piece of luggage, which allows the traveler guitarist to have full control of the whereabouts of the instrument at all times. |
| US08273970B1 |
Inbred maize variety PH183G
A novel maize variety designated PH183G and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH183G with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH183G through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH183G or a locus conversion of PH183G with another maize variety. |
| US08273966B2 |
Soybean variety A1016274
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016274. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016274. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016274 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016274 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273957B2 |
Δ-15 desaturase genes suitable for increasing levels of omega-3 fatty acids
The present invention relates to fungal Δ-15 fatty acid desaturases that are able to catalyze the conversion of linoleic acid (18:2, LA) to alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, ALA). Nucleic acid sequences encoding the desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising the desaturase genes, and recombinant host plants and microorganisms expressing increased levels of the desaturases are described. Methods of increasing production of specific omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids by over-expression of the Δ-15 fatty acid desaturases are also described herein. |
| US08273955B2 |
Spontaneous nodulation in plants
Formation of nitrogen fixing root nodules in legumes is induced by perception of lipochitin-oligosaccharide signal molecules secreted by compatible Rhizobium bacteria, which triggers a common symbiotic pathway. The present invention provides a spontaneous nodule formation (snf1-5g) mutant, in which the formation of symbiotic nodules is deregulated, leading to nodule development in the absence as well as in the presence of Rhizobium bacteria and/or exogenous rhizobial signals. The invention further provides an isolated DNA sequence encoding a mutant chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase whose activity results in this `gain of function′ phenotype of spontaneous nodule formation. Furthermore the snf1-5g gene is shown to confer a spontaneous nodule formation phenotype to plants having a nodulation deficient genetic background. A gene of the invention, that confers a spontaneous nodulation phenotype, has utility for the transfer and establishment of nitrogen fixing capability in non-nodulating plants, and thereby reducing the nitrogen fertilizer dependence of non-nodulating crop plants. |
| US08273953B2 |
Antisense DNA of sweetpotato expansin cDNA and method for increasing storage root yield using the same
Disclosed herein are antisense DNA of a sweetpotato expansin (IbExpansin) cDNA, a plant transformation vector carrying the same, and a method for increasing storage root production using the same. The transgenic sweetpotatoes prepared using the antisense DNA of IbExpansin cDNA have storage root production increased by up to one and half times. Thus, the gene is useful in the generation of highly productive transgenic storage roots for the increase of bioethanol production. |
| US08273952B2 |
Plants having improved growth characteristics and method for making the same
The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics by modulating expression in a plant of a plant nucleic acid encoding a cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) and/or by modulating activity in a plant of a plant CDK protein, which CDK protein comprises different motifs or which CDK nucleic acid encodes such protein. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a plant CDK nucleic acid and/or modulated activity of a plant CDK protein, which CDK protein comprises different sequence motifs or which nucleic acid encodes such protein and which plants have improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants. The invention additionally relates to specific nucleic acid sequences encoding for the aforementioned proteins having the aforementioned plant growth improving activity, nucleic acid constructs, vectors and plants containing said nucleic acid sequences. |
| US08273951B2 |
Down-regulation of gene expression using artificial micrornas
Isolated nucleic acid fragments comprising precursor miRNA, and artificial miRNAs and their use in down-regulating gene expression are described. |
| US08273948B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7M651
A novel maize variety designated X7M651 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7M651 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7M651 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7M651, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7M651. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7M651. |
| US08273946B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7M672
A novel maize variety designated X7M672 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7M672 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7M672 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7M672, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7M672. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7M672. |
| US08273945B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X08A169
A novel maize variety designated X08A169 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A169 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A169 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A169, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A169. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A169. |
| US08273942B2 |
Disposable absorbent article having capacity to store low-viscosity fecal material
A disposable absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet with apertures large enough for low-viscosity fecal material to pass through to a fecal material storage element. The fecal material storage element immobilizes the fecal material in position for dewatering, so that the solid components of the fecal material are separated from the liquid components of the fecal material and the liquid components can be absorbed by an absorbent core. This arrangement provides for easier cleaning of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed. The fecal material storage element may extend beyond one or more edges of the absorbent core. |
| US08273940B2 |
Wearable article having a temperature change element
A wearable article useful for facilitating toilet training. The wearable article includes a temperature change element providing a cool/wet signal when wetted which causes discomfort to the wearer. The temperature change element comprises a temperature change substance disposed on an impermeable material in order to maximize the thermal signal provided to the skin of the wearer. |
| US08273936B2 |
Process for cracking heavy hydrocarbon feed
A process for cracking a heavy hydrocarbon feed is disclosed. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is passed to a first zone of a vaporization unit to separate a first vapor stream and a first liquid stream. The first liquid stream is passed to a second zone of the vaporization unit and contacted intimately with a countercurrent steam to produce a second vapor stream and a second liquid stream. The second vapor stream is contacted with a wash liquid in a rectification section to form a rectified stream. The first vapor stream and the rectified stream are cracked in the radiant section of the steam cracker to produce a cracked effluent. |
| US08273934B2 |
Process for producing para-xylene
A process for producing a PX-rich product, the process comprising: (a) providing a PX-depleted stream; (b) isomerizing at least a portion of the PX-depleted stream to produce an isomerized stream having a PX concentration greater than the PX-depleted stream and a benzene concentration of less than 1,000 ppm and a C9+ hydrocarbons concentration of less than 5,000 ppm; and (c) separating the isomerized stream by selective adsorption. |
| US08273931B2 |
Zeolite catalyst with deposited germanium, aluminum and platinum for aromatization of alkanes, process of making and process of using thereof
The present invention is for a catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes having three to five carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio (Si:Al) greater than 15:1, such as MFI or ZSM-5, on which germanium, aluminum and a noble metal, such as platinum, have been deposited. The catalyst may be bound with magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The aluminum and germanium may be deposited simultaneously on the zeolite. |
| US08273929B2 |
Continuous process for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons
A method comprising: providing an alkyl halide stream; contacting at least some of the alkyl halides with a coupling catalyst to form a product stream comprising higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen halide; contacting the product stream with a solid reactant to remove at least a portion of the hydrogen halide from the product stream; and reacting the solid reactant with a source of oxygen to generate a corresponding halogen. |
| US08273924B2 |
Method for producing 1,2-propandiol by low-pressure hydrogenation of glycerine
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, especially a stream obtained on the industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a low pressure hydrogenation. |
| US08273923B2 |
Process for manufacturing a chlorohydrin
A process for manufacturing a chlorohydrin by reacting a polyhydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a polyhydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof with a chlorinating agent in a reactor containing a liquid reaction medium wherein the chlorinating agent is used at least partially in the gaseous form, and wherein said reactor is stirred by means of a stirring system comprising at least one radial-flow impeller and at least one axial-flow impeller. |
| US08273920B1 |
Acetylenic quaternary surfactants
The surfactants of this invention are quaternary ammonium compounds based upon 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol. These surfactants, not only decrease the surface tension of aqueous systems, but by virtue of the cationic nitrogen containing moiety have outstanding substantivity for hair, skin and textile fibers, lacking in the parent non-ionic. |
| US08273919B2 |
Compound, synthesis method thereof, and oil additive
Problem: To provide a novel compound capable of preventing pyrolysis of fluorinated oils when it is used as an additive for the fluorinated oils.Solution Means: A compound represented by Formula (1): wherein Y represents an oxygen atom (O), a sulfur atom (S), a CO group, a SO group, or a SO2 group; k is an integer from 1 to 5; m is an integer from 1 to 10; and n is an integer of 1 or more; and wherein two substituents on each phenyl group may be in any of ortho-, meta-, and para-positions. |
| US08273916B2 |
Crystal comprising (2R)-2-propyloctanoic acid and amine
According to the present invention, crystals comprising (2R)-2-propyloctanoic acid and an amine, which can be used as bulk drugs for safely orally administrable solid preparations with keeping the pharmacological effect, are provided. Among these crystals, the crystal with dibenzylamine per se is particularly useful as bulk drug for pharmaceuticals and can be used as an intermediate to produce (2R)-2-propyloctanoic acid having an optical purity of more than 99.5% e.e. which has not been obtained. |
| US08273903B2 |
Method for preparing the citraconic anhydride and method for isomerizing/dehydrating itaconic acid
The disclosure provides a method for preparing the citraconic anhydride and a method for isomerizing/dehydrating itaconic acid. The method for preparing the citraconic anhydride includes the following steps: providing itaconic acid as a starting material; and subjecting the itaconic acid to an isomerization/dehydration reaction in the presence of a catalyst to obtain the citraconic anhydride, wherein the catalyst includes a heteropolyacid or heteropolyacid salt. |
| US08273902B2 |
Process for production of 1-(3-(2-(1-benzothiophen-5-yl)-ethoxy)propyl)azetidin-3-ol or salts thereof
A Process for production of 1-(3-(2-(1-benzothiophen-5-yl)ethoxy)propyl)azetidin-3-ol or salts thereof which comprises using as a starting compound as a (phenylthio)acetic acid derivative or salts thereof represented by the general formula: wherein X1 represents a halogen atom, is useful as a safe process for mass production of 1-(3-(2-(1-benzothiophen-5-yl)ethoxy)propyl)azetidin-3-ol or salts thereof which is useful as a remedy for disease of central and peripheral nerve. |
| US08273900B2 |
Organic compounds
There are described cyclohexyl amide derivatives useful as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF1) receptor antagonists. |
| US08273898B2 |
Oxadiazole derivative, light-emitting element, display device, lighting device, and electronic device
Provided is a bipolar substance having high excitation energy, in particular, high triplet-excitation energy. An oxadiazole derivative represented by General Formula (G1) below is provided In the formula, Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in a ring. R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in a ring. R2 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms in a ring. |
| US08273897B2 |
Method for producing 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivative by amide hydrogenation
Process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives, wherein compounds of the general formula (IV) are reduced to the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives of the general formula (III), where the A radical is as defined in the description: |
| US08273894B2 |
Biphenyl compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, d, m, n, p, s, t, W, Ar1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders. |
| US08273893B2 |
Piperidinic derivatives, pharmaceutic compositions containing the same and preparation processes
Pharmaceutical compositions containing new molecules capable of inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, thus being useful in the treatment of pathologies associated to cholinergic transmission, such as memory related disorders, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, Miastenia Gravis or in the treatment of intoxications induced by chemical agents of central action The production processes of pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08273890B2 |
Thiophene-imidazopyridines
The invention relates to thiophene-imidazopyridine compounds according to formula (I), wherein the substituents and symbols are as defined in the description. The compounds are inhibitors of PIk1. |
| US08273884B2 |
Methods of making cyclic, N-amino functional triamines
The present invention provides strategies for making cyclic triamines. Reactant media including certain precursors and/or certain types of catalysts can be converted into cyclic triamines with improved conversion and selectivity. The strategies can be incorporated into reactions that involve transamination schemes and/or reductive amination schemes. In the case of transamination, for instance, using transamination to cause ring closure of higher amines in the presence of a suitable catalyst leads to desired cyclic triamines with notable conversion and yield. In the case of reductive amination, reacting suitable polyfunctional precursors in the presence of a suitable catalyst also yields cyclic triamines via ring closure with notable selectivity and conversion. Both transamination and reductive amination methodologies can be practiced under much milder temperatures than are used when solely acid catalysts are used. Preferred embodiments can produce reaction mixtures that are generally free of salt by-products. |
| US08273883B2 |
Method for producing optically active 2-arylpiperazine derivative
The objective of the present invention is to produce an optically active 2-arylpiperazine derivative useful as a synthetic intermediate for pharmaceutical products and agricultural chemicals from inexpensive and readily available starting material by an industrially practicable method. The objective can be accomplished by treating an optically active substituted aminodiol derivative produced from an optically active styrene oxide derivative with a sulfonating agent in the presence of a base, and then reacting an amine compound to obtain the 2-arylpiperazine derivative. Especially, an optically active 1-unsubstituted-2-arylpiperazine derivative can be produced by treating an optically active 1-allyl-2-arylpiperazine derivative with water in the presence of a transition metal catalyst for deallylation. |
| US08273881B2 |
Phenazine compounds and use thereof in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
The invention discloses compounds, compositions and methods useful for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. The methods and compositions utilize water-soluble phenazine compounds, or salts, or solvates thereof. These molecules can be delivered alone or in combination with agents which treat or prevent autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases such as those caused by arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| US08273880B2 |
Pyrazole compounds with inhibitory activity against ROS kinase
Disclosed herein are novel pyrazole compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a method for preparing the same, and uses thereof as anticancer agents. |
| US08273876B2 |
Medicaments containing vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate
The invention relates to a method for producing medicaments that contain vardenafil hydrochloride, essentially as trihydrate in solid form, and to medicaments that can be obtained according to this method. |
| US08273873B2 |
Sucrose of new conformational polymorphs and manufacturing method thereof
A sucrose of a conformational polymorph and its manufacturing method are disclosed. The sucrose is a Form II sucrose having a melting point of 140-180° C., and furfuryl alcohol is added into a saturated sucrose solution by a reverse solution method, such that the saturated solution is recrystallized to form a new sucrose. The sucrose of this conformational polymorph has a melting point lower than the melting point of a general Form I sucrose, and the solubility of the Form II sucrose is different from the solubility of the Form I sucrose. Thus the Form II sucrose can be used as an excipient of medicines, sacrificial fiber blood vessel network structure for cell cultivations, or the manufacture of an optical interference wavy device. Since the hydrogen bonds in the molecular structure of the Form II sucrose and the Form I sucrose are different, the mechanoluminescence of the sucrose is affected. |
| US08273872B2 |
Cellulose esters and their production in halogenated ionic liquids
Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more halide ionic liquids and at least one binary component. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can have a degree of substitution (“DS”) of at least 1.5 and can comprise a plurality of ester substituents, where at least 50 percent of the ester substituents comprise alkyl esters having a carbon chain length of at least 6 carbons. |
| US08273865B2 |
Multivalent clostridial toxins
The present invention is directed to multivalent Clostridial toxin comprising more than one binding domain directed to a cell surface molecule of a target cell. Such modified toxins are useful as therapeutic compositions to prevent exocytosis and secretion by the target cell. Conditions in which such compositions may be useful include, without limitation, disorders of the sensory or motor nervous system, acute or chronic pain, cancer, pancreatitis, hyperhydrosis, glandular disorders, viral infections, cystic fibrosis and the like. The invention is also directed to methods of using and administering such a composition, and methods of treating a given condition using such a composition. |
| US08273862B2 |
Processes for the convergent synthesis of calicheamicin derivatives
This invention describes processes for the convergent synthesis of calicheamicin derivatives, and similar analogs using bifunctional and trifunctional linker intermediates. |
| US08273860B2 |
Imatinib immunoassay
Novel conjugates and immunogens derived from imatinib and monoclonal antibodies generated by these immunogens are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of imatinib or its pharmacologically active salts in biological fluids. |
| US08273858B2 |
Polypeptide compounds for inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor growth
In certain embodiments, this present invention provides polypeptide compositions, and methods for inhibiting Ephrin B2 or EphB4 activity. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating cancer or for treating angiogenesis-associated diseases. |
| US08273856B2 |
Purified linear epitopes from cashew nuts, nucleic acids encoding therefor and associated methods
Disclosed are major allergenic proteins in cashew nut, which are legumin-like proteins and 2S albumins. Also disclosed is a polypeptide allergen in the 7S superfamily, which includes vicilin-like and sucrose binding proteins. Several linear epitopes of the cashew nut are identified and characterized. The invention further discloses the sequence of cDNA encoding the allergenic polypeptide, the allergen being designated Ana o 1, and also describes the characterization of the expressed recombinant polypeptide and associated methods employing the polypeptide. |
| US08273843B2 |
Organosilicon compound and thermosetting resin composition containing the same
An organosilicon compound which is obtained by subjecting a compound (A), a compound (B) and a compound (C) to hydrosilylation reaction: (A) silicone and/or silsesquioxane that has two or more Si—H groups per one molecule and has a molecular weight of 100 to 500,000; (B) silicone and/or silsesquioxane that has two or more alkenyl groups per one molecule and has a molecular weight of 100 to 500,000; and (C) a compound that has one or more epoxy or oxetanyl group and an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms per one molecule. |
| US08273837B2 |
Compound, polymer, and resin composition
A radiation-sensitive resin composition which has high transparency to radiation, excelling in basic properties as a resist such as sensitivity, resolution, and pattern shape, and, in particular, exhibiting high resolution performance, excellent DOF and LER, and high resistance to a liquid medium used in liquid immersion lithography is provided. Also provided are a polymer which can be used in the composition, a novel compound useful for synthesizing the polymer, and a method of producing the composition. A radiation-sensitive resin composition having an excellent resistance to a liquid medium can be obtained by using the novel compound shown by the following formula (1), wherein R1 represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R2, R3 and R4 individually represent a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent organic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 0 to 3, A represents a methylene group, a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or an arylene group, and X− represents a counter ion of S+. |
| US08273836B2 |
Method for producing water-absorbent polymer particles
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein a product stream comprising water-absorbing polymer particles is tested for nonferritic metallic impurities by means of an eddy current detector. |
| US08273833B2 |
Branched Polymers
The present invention is directed to branched reactive water-soluble polymers comprising at least two polymer arms, such as poly(ethylene glycol), attached to a central aliphatic hydrocarbon core molecule through ether linkages. The branched polymers bear at least one functional group for reacting with a biologically active agent to form a biologically active conjugate. The functional group of the branched polymer can be directly attached to the aliphatic hydrocarbon core or via an intervening linkage, such as a heteroatom, -alkylene-, —O-alkylene-O—, -alkylene-O-alkylene-, -aryl-O—, —O-aryl-, (—O-alkylene-)m, or (-alkylene-O—)m linkage, wherein m is 1-10. |
| US08273832B2 |
Block terpolymer with confined crystallization
A polyester block terpolymer comprising an amorphous block comprising a polystyrene dicarboxylate; a crystallizable block comprising a polyethylene glycol; and an aliphatic diol block; wherein the amorphous block is a continuous phase and the crystallizable block is a dispersed phase, and wherein the dispersed phase is less than about 200 nanometers in size. |
| US08273830B2 |
Deprotection method of protected polymer
Provided is a method of deprotecting a protected polymer, the method being capable of, in the deprotection reaction of a polymer comprising a unit structure having a phenolic hydroxyl group protected with an acyl group, deacylating the polymer in a short period of time while maintaining the other structure, and being capable of taking out the deacylated polymer while highly suppressing contamination of the deacylated polymer with a substance other than the polymer taking part in the reaction. More specifically, provided is a method of deprotecting a protected polymer comprising at least a step of dissolving in an organic solvent the protected polymer comprising at least a unit structure having a phenolic hydroxyl group protected with an acyl group and a deprotecting reagent selected from primary or secondary amine compounds each having a ClogP value of 1.00 or less with the proviso that in the secondary amine compound, neither of the two carbon atoms coupled to the nitrogen atom of the amino group is tertiary. The primary or secondary amine compounds are each represented preferably by HNR12-nR2n (1). |
| US08273829B2 |
Method for making conjugated polymer
The present disclosure relates to a method for making a conjugated polymer. In the method, polyacrylonitrile, a solvent, and a catalyst are provided. The polyacrylonitrile is dissolved in the solvent to form a polyacrylonitrile solution. The catalyst is uniformly dispersed into the polyacrylonitrile solution. The polyacrylonitrile solution with the catalyst is heated to induce a cyclizing reaction of the polyacrylonitrile, thereby forming a conjugated polymer solution with conjugated polymer. |
| US08273828B2 |
Methods for introducing reactive secondary amines pendant to polymers backbones that are useful for diazeniumdiolation
Biocompatible polymers having polymer backbones with at least one secondary amine suitable for diazeniumdiolation are disclosed. Specifically, methods for providing secondary amines-containing polymers using epoxide-opening reactions are provided. More specifically, nitric oxide-releasing medical devices made using these polymers are disclosed. |
| US08273826B2 |
Impact modification of thermoplastics with ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers
Impact modified compositions having good impact performance can be made from a thermoplastic (e.g., a polyolefin such as polypropylene or HDPE) and a multi-block ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. The compositions are easily molded and often have particular utility in making, for example, automotive facia, parts and other household articles. |
| US08273823B2 |
Atom transfer radical polymerization in microemulsion and true emulsion polymerization processes
The invention is directed to a microemulsion polymerization comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor, such as a transition metal complex in the higher of two accessible oxidation states, an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion. Radically polymerizable monomers and a reducing agent may then be added to the emulsion. The reducing agent converts the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first monomer from the initiator. In certain embodiments the organic solvent may comprise radically polymerizable monomers. The aqueous solution may comprise a surfactant. Further embodiments are directed to an ah initio polymerization process comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor; an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion, wherein the organic solvent comprises second radically polymerizable monomers, adding a reducing agent to convert the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first radically polymerizable monomer from the initiator; and adding first radically polymerizable monomers to the emulsion. |
| US08273822B2 |
Reversible thermochromic compositions
The present invention pertains to a reversible thermochromic system comprising a β-phenylvinylketone or a ω-phenyl polyacetylenyl ketone with at least one acidic hydrogen and a base and to a reversible thermochromic composition comprising the reversible thermochromic system and a carrier material and to novel substituted β-phenylvinylketones or ω-phenyl polyacetylenyl ketones with at least one acidic hydrogen. |
| US08273816B2 |
Alumina fiber aggregate, process for producing the same, and use thereof
An object of the invention is to provide an alumina fiber aggregate which, when used as a filler in various materials such as, e.g., resins, coating materials, metals, and ceramics, enables the mixtures to have reduced viscosity and thereby heightens the productivity of products containing alumina fibers, and which enables cured thermosetting resins to have a sufficiently heightened thermal conductivity.This alumina fiber aggregate, when examined by the electron microscope method, gives a frequency distribution regarding number of fibers, wherein the number of fibers having a fiber length of 50-200 μm is 70% or more (including 100%), the number of fibers having a fiber length smaller than 50 μm is 30% or less (including 0), the number of fibers of 50-100 μm is 30-50%, the number of fibers longer than 100 μm but not longer than 200 μm is 30-50%, and the number of fibers longer than 200 μm is 20% or less (including 0). The fibrous mass comprises 70-100% by mass of Al2O3 and 0-30% by mass of SiO2. |
| US08273815B2 |
Curable silicone composition and electronic component
A curable silicone composition comprising at least the following components: (A) an epoxy-containing organopolysiloxane; (B) a curing agent for an epoxy resin; (C) a thermally conductive metal powder; and (D) a thermally conductive nonmetal powder; exhibits low viscosity, excellent handleability and curability and, when cured, forms a cured body of flexibility, low specific gravity, and excellent thermal conductivity. An electronic component sealed or adhesively bonded with use of a cured body obtained by curing the aforementioned composition provides high reliability. |
| US08273813B2 |
Fire extinguishing and/or fire retarding compositions
The invention concerns fire-extinguishing and/or fire-retarding compositions comprising at least one water-absorbing polymer and at least one alkali metal salt of a nonpolymeric saturated carboxylic acid, processes for their production and the use of the compositions for firefighting or as fire-retarding coatings. |
| US08273812B2 |
Nano-silver infused container arrangements
Nano-silver infused container arrangements are presented including: a nano-silver infused container body defining at least one opening; and a nano-silver infused container lid configured to close off the at least one opening. In some embodiments, the arrangement is a composition of a polymeric compound and a concentration of nano-silver particles. In some embodiments, the polymeric compound includes polyvinyl-pyrrolidione, polypropylene and polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the nano-silver infused container lid includes: a lid top disposed along a plane, a gasket channel disposed along the contiguous lid wall edge, a channel opening, two opposing concave surfaces disposed perpendicular to the channel opening, and a bottom surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the two opposing concave surfaces and a compressible gasket disposed within the gasket channel and retained by the two opposing concave surfaces; and wherein, the nano-silver infused container body includes: a container bottom, a container wall, and a sealing ridge. |
| US08273810B2 |
Polyisoprene articles and process for making the same
The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved process for making elastomeric polyisoprene articles. In particular, the process of the invention is a system which produces synthetic polyisoprene articles exhibiting tensile strength properties similar to that of solvent-based processes using natural rubber latex. The process comprises an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage comprising a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole and a guanidine compound. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerator composition comprises zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG), in conjunction with a stabilizer, such as sodium caseinate. The invention also includes an elastomeric polyisoprene product made by the process, such as a surgeon's glove. |
| US08273800B2 |
Self-priming surfacing composition for finished surfaces
A surfacing composition made of recycled paint, which requires no priming, has a non-reflective “flat” appearance, and is partially composed of dried paint. The composition provides a useful application for used or excess household paint, which would otherwise require special methods of disposal and potentially create future toxic cleanup problems. The composition is made of granular dried paint and a water-based sealer, which can be spread on a surface to repair imperfections. The surface can then be finished, and no priming is required. Due to the composition's flat appearance, the patch does not display any characteristic sheen where the repair has been made. The composition provides a simple means of recycling paint, and provides a simple and inexpensive means of repairing imperfections in walls and other surfaces while saving the step of priming the patch before painting or repainting. |
| US08273797B2 |
Treating renal cancer using 4-[bis[2-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]ethyl]amino]-2-methyl-benzaldehyde
The present invention features methods of treating a mammalian subject having renal cancer by administration of 4-[bis[2-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]ethyl]amino]-benzaldehyde. The present invention further features administration protocols and dosing schedules for methods of treating patients having renal cancer and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the treatment methods provided herein. |
| US08273791B2 |
Compositions, kits and regimens for the treatment of skin, especially décolletage
Compositions, kits and regimens for treatment of damaged skin, especially décolletage, include application of a retinoid, hydroquinone or hydroquinone derivatives, and a composition containing a multi-metal complex. |
| US08273790B2 |
Exo-selective synthesis of himbacine analogs
This application discloses a novel process for the synthesis of himbacine analogs, as well as the compounds produced thereby. The synthesis proceeds by alternative routes including the cyclic ketal amide route, the chiral carbamate amide route, and the chiral carbamate ester route. The compounds produced thereby are useful as thrombin receptor antagonists. The chemistry disclosed herein is exemplified in the following synthesis sequence: |
| US08273789B2 |
Biologically active taxane analogs and methods of treatment by oral administration
The present invention relates to a novel chemical compound of formula S-(1): for use in the treatment of cancer, to compositions containing said compound, methods of manufacture and combinations with other therapeutic agents. |
| US08273786B2 |
3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compounds
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where R1-6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds. |
| US08273785B2 |
Substituted 2-indolinone as PTK inhibitors containing a zinc binding moiety
The present invention relates to substituted 2-indolinone containing zinc-binding moiety based derivatives that have enhanced or unique properties as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) receptors and their use in the treatment of PTK related diseases and disorders such as cancer. The said derivatives may further act as HDAC inhibitors. |
| US08273782B2 |
Inhibitors of Akt activity
Invented are novel heterocyclic carboxamide compounds, the use of such compounds as inhibitors of protein kinase B activity and in the treatment of cancer and arthritis. |
| US08273781B2 |
Process for preparation of 1-alkyl-5-benzoyl-1H-tetrazole derivatives
The present invention provides a process for preparation of 1-alkyl-5-benzoyl-1H-tetrazole derivative including a step 1 of reacting a ketoamide derivative represented by formula (I) (in formula (I), A represents a halogen atom or the like; n represents an integer of 0 to 5; Y represents an alkyl group) with a halogenating agent to obtain an imidoyl halide derivative represented by formula (II) (in formula (II), A, n and Y are as defined above; X represents a halogen atom); and a step 2 of reacting the imidoyl halide derivative represented by formula (II) with an azide represented by formula (III) (in formula (III), M represents an alkali metal or the like; m represents 1 or 2) to obtain a 1-alkyl-5-benzoyl-1H-tetrazole derivative represented by formula (IV) (in formula (IV), A, n and Y are as defined above). |
| US08273773B2 |
Heterocyclic antiviral compounds
Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, R4c, R5, R6, R9 and n are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication. |
| US08273772B2 |
Heteroaryl compounds as P2Y1 receptor inhibitors
The present invention provides novel heteroaryl compounds and analogues thereof, which are selective inhibitors of the human P2Y1 receptor. The invention also provides for various pharmaceutical compositions of the same and methods for treating diseases responsive to modulation of P2Y1 receptor activity. |
| US08273771B2 |
Ischemic disorder or disease inhibitors
The invention relates to the use of at least on inhibitor selected from the group consisting of raf-, protein kinase C (PKC)-, MEK1/2-, or ERK1/2-inhibitors, for the manufacturing of a medicament to be administrated from 1 up to 12 hours after initiation of an ischemic disease. |
| US08273769B2 |
Phenoxy acetic acid derivatives
The present invention provides phenoxyacetic acid derivatives of Formula (I) for the treatment of CRTH2 related disorders and disease selected from asthma, atopic dermatitis and inflammatory dermatoses. |
| US08273766B2 |
Tetrahydroisoquinoline compound
The present invention relates a specific tetrahydroisoquinoline compound which is useful as a chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) antagonist, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient. The tetrahydroisoquinoline compound of the present invention is useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease in which CCR3 participates. |
| US08273761B2 |
Tricyclic compound and medical use thereof
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), amino optionally having substituent(s), hydroxy optionally having a substituent or a heterocyclic group optionally having substituent(s), R2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), R3 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s), amino optionally having substituent(s), hydroxy optionally having a substituent or mercapto optionally having a substituent, Xa to Xe are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, m is 0 to 2, and ring A to ring C are each a ring optionally having substituent(s), or a salt thereof, which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease relating to an action of melatonin, and the like. |
| US08273760B2 |
Indolo[3,2-c]quinoline compounds
Disclosed herein are indolo[3,2-c]quinoline compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,wherein R and m are given the definitions as set forth in the Specification and Claims.These compounds can be used to inhibit both growth of cancer cells and activity of telomerase. |
| US08273759B2 |
Fungicide heterocyclyl-pyrimidinyl-amino derivatives
The present invention relates to heterocyclyl-pyrimidinyl-amino derivatives of formula (I) heterocyclyl-pyrimidinyl-amino derivatives of formula (I) wherein Het, Y, p, Ra, Rb, Rc, X, n, L1 and L2 represent various substituents, their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions. |
| US08273757B2 |
Combination of two analgesic chemicals
The present invention is a novel analgesic combination and its use. It is classified to be an invention in the field of medicine and technology. The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that existing analgesics does not effectively attenuate pain or produces serious side-effects in clinic. The ingredients of the analgesic combination include ketanserin and propranolol. This combination is used to make a drug to treat pain. Because the ingredients of the analgesic combination target peripheral receptors, the unwanted effects could be only minimal. The big advantage of this combination is that each of the ingredients acts on the different receptors producing the synergizing analgesic. Therefore, the analgesia that the combination produces is remarkable and the effective doses are low. |
| US08273756B2 |
Use of modified pyrimidine compounds to promote stem cell migration and proliferation
This invention provides cells and methods for stimulating proliferation and migration of endogenous and exogenous mammalian stem cells in vivo and in vitro. The invention provides reagents and methods for efficiently proliferating mammalian stem cells in an animal in need thereof and producing stem cells that can be re-introduced into an animal in need thereof to alleviate neurological and corporal disorders. |
| US08273749B2 |
N-substituted oxindoline derivatives as calcium channel blockers
A series of N-substituted oxindole derivatives represented by Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprise an effective amount of the instant compounds, either alone, or in combination with one or more other therapeutically active compounds, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of treating conditions associated with, or caused by, calcium channel activity, including, for example, acute pain, chronic pain, visceral pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, urinary incontinence, itchiness, allergic dermatitis, epilepsy, diabetic neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorder, bipolar disorder and stroke, comprise administering an effective amount of the present compounds, either alone, or in combination with one or more other therapeutically active compounds. |
| US08273747B2 |
Small organic molecule regulators of cell proliferation
The present invention makes available methods and reagents for modulating proliferation or differentiation in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a compound. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal patched pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity. |
| US08273735B2 |
Process for preparing benzazepine compounds or salts thereof
This invention provides a process for preparing benzazepine compounds of the formula (1): wherein X1 is a halogen atom, R1 and R2 are a lower alkyl group, or salts thereof as well as intermediate benzoic acid compounds in high yield and high purity on industrial scale, which are useful as an intermediate for preparing a pharmaceutically active 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine compound having vasopressin antagonistic activity. |
| US08273734B1 |
5HT2C receptor modulators
The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I): which act as 5HT2C receptor modulators. These compounds are useful in pharmaceutical compositions whose use includes the treatment of obesity. |
| US08273731B2 |
Compositions comprising nicotinic agonists and methods of using same
The disclosure is directed at least in part to compositions and methods comprising nicotinic agonists for treating e.g., nervous system disorders, in particular, to combination therapies that include a nicotinic agonist (for example, nicotine) and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor desensitization inhibitor (for example, opipramol). |
| US08273729B2 |
Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and related bowel disease
The present invention discloses a method of treating an individual having irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects. Further provided is a method of inhibiting the onset of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to the individual a prophylactically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects. |
| US08273728B2 |
Preformulation for tabletting natural mixtures of conjugated estrogens
A pharmaceutical preformulation in the form of a solid, free-flowing dry extract of a natural mixture of conjugated equine estrogens, which is particularly suitable use in for solid galenic forms, e.g. tabletting. The conjugated estrogens are available for further galenic processing in a form which assures the chemical stability of the hormones and permits advantageous processing into solid galenic forms, for example a tablet. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing these preformulations in the form of a dry extract. |
| US08273726B2 |
Compositions for treating and/or preventing diseases characterized by the presence of metal ions
The present invention generally relates to the treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative diseases, and/or diseases characterized by the presence of certain metal ions, by using certain compositions including organosilicon compounds. A composition of the invention may be administered to a mammal, such as a human. In some cases, the composition may include a silanol, a silandiol, a silantriol, or a cyclic organosilane, and/or be able to form a silanol, a silandiol, or a silantriol upon exposure to physiological conditions such as are found in the blood, in the stomach and/or gastrointestinal tract, or in the brain or other organ. In certain cases, the organosilicon compound may be bound to a moiety able to be transported across the blood-brain barrier into the brain, for example, an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a virus, etc. The organosilicon compound may also be labeled (e.g., fluorescently or radioactively) in certain instances. In some embodiments, the composition, or a portion thereof, may sequester aluminum, copper, iron or other ions, for example, by electrostatically binding to the ions. The composition may also include other functionalities such as amines, certain alkyl and/or aryl moieties (including substituted alkyls and/or aryls), or hydrophobic moieties, for example, to facilitate transport of the organosilicon compound through the blood-brain barrier. |
| US08273719B2 |
Wrinkle-diminishing agent
An antiwrinkle agent which is highly effective in alleviating wrinkles caused by the photoaging. The present invention relates to an antiwrinkle agent comprising an eugenyl glycoside. |
| US08273716B2 |
Use of LHRH antagonists for intermittent treatments
The invention relates to methods of treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathological conditions with at least one LHRH antagonist, in particular at least one peptidomimetic LHRH antagonist such that the at least one LHRH antagonist is administered in a dose, which does not cause chemical (hormonal) castration. |
| US08273715B2 |
Methods of treating fragile X syndrome
Subjects having fragile X syndrome are treated with a composition that includes gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists. The gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist (GABA) can be a GABA(B) agonist, such as baclofen, including racemic and R-baclofen. |
| US08273714B2 |
ADAMTS13 genes and proteins and variants, and therapeutic compositions and methods of utilizing the same
The present invention relates to a disintegrin and metalloproteinase containing thrombospondin 1-like domains (ADAMTS) and in particular to a novel ADAMTS13 protease and to nucleic acids encoding ADAMTS13 proteases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of ADAMTS13, as well as mutant and variant forms including fragments, some of which posses altered characteristics relative to the wild-type ADAMTS13. The present invention also relates to methods of using ADAMTS13, including for treatment of TTP. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for the presence of TTP. The present invention further relates to methods for developing anticoagulant drugs based upon ADAMTS13. |
| US08273713B2 |
Methods of treating obesity using PYY[3-36]
Methods and compositions are disclosed to treat metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and increased cardiovascular risk comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PYY or a PYY agonist. |
| US08273709B2 |
Triazole-containing macrocyclic HCV serine protease inhibitors
The present invention discloses compounds of formula I, II and III or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. |
| US08273707B2 |
Process for purifying proteins
The invention relates to a process for purifying a protein by mixing a protein preparation with a solution having a first salt and a second salt, wherein each salt has a different lyotropic value, and loading the mixture onto a hydrophobic interaction chromatography column. The dynamic capacity of the column for a protein using the two salt combination will be increased compared with the dynamic capacity of the column for either single salt alone. |
| US08273702B2 |
Wound healing compositions containing keratin biomaterials
Disclosed are keratin preparations for use in medical applications. Methods of treating wounds are provided, wherein keratin preparations are applied to the wound in a treatment effective amount. Methods of treating burn wounds are also provided. Surgical or paramedic aids are provided, comprising a substrate with keratin preparations provided thereon. Kits comprising keratin derivatives packaged in sterile form are also provided. |
| US08273700B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of cystic fibrosis
The present invention relates to compounds and methods of inhibiting p97/valosin-containing protein and compounds and methods of inhibiting gp78, the compounds and methods being useful for the treatment of a disorder comprising a IκB/NFκB mediated chronic inflammatory response component, for example cystic fibrosis. |
| US08273696B2 |
Emanator blister
The use of an emanator blister, comprising a nonwater soluble membrane, for the release of a surfactant. Also an emanator blister, the emanator comprises a non-water soluble membrane which is suitable for the dispense of a surfactant. |
| US08273694B2 |
Synthetic compositions obtained from algae
The application provides a base stock or a lubricant composition comprising the substances derived from algae by chemical modification of algal oil, including compositions comprising estomers. Methods for obtaining the same are also provided, including chemically modifying the algal oil with a saturated fatty acid under conditions favorable to the formation of a poly-estomer. |
| US08273692B2 |
Permeability-modifying drilling fluids and methods of use
Methods of reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation to aqueous-based fluids using a water-soluble relative permeability modifier that comprises a hydrophobically modified polymer, wherein the hydrophobically modified polymer is a reaction product of: a hydrophilic polymer that comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylamine, a poly(vinylamine/vinyl alcohol), and an alkyl acrylate polymer; and, a hydrophobic compound comprising at least one alkyl chain having a carbon chain length between about 4 and about 22 carbons. The water-soluble relative permeability modifier may be placed within a subterranean drilling operation such that the water-soluble relative permeability modifier attaches onto surfaces within the subterranean formation to effect permeability of aqueous fluids. |
| US08273691B2 |
Method for binding non-solid oxidic inorganic materials with etherified aminoplast resins and cured compositions of said materials and etherified aminoplast resins
The present invention relates to a process for binding non-consolidated oxidic inorganic materials with curable formulations which comprise etherified amino resins, and to cured compositions obtainable by the process. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a process for stabilizing underground formations composed of oxidic inorganic materials, wherein the curable composition is injected into the underground formation and cured at the temperatures which exist in the formation. |
| US08273690B2 |
Crosslinkable polymer compositions comprising phenols and associated methods
Crosslinkable-polymer compositions that comprise a chitosan-based compound and a phenol source, and associated methods, are provided. Various methods of use are also provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise providing a crosslinkable-polymer composition comprising an aqueous fluid, a chitosan-based compound, a chitosan-reacting polymer, and a phenol source; introducing the crosslinkable-polymer composition into the portion of the subterranean formation; and allowing the crosslinkable-polymer composition to form a crosslinked gel in the portion of the subterranean formation. |
| US08273689B2 |
Method for lubricating and/or reducing corrosion of drilling equipment
Lubricants and drilling fluid systems comprising lubricants which form a coherent lubricating film on metal equipment, thereby prolonging equipment life even under a wide variety of conditions, including high temperature and/or high pressure conditions. |
| US08273688B2 |
Collection of HCDR3 regions and uses therefor
The present invention is directed to the preparation and use of a collection of antibody heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (HCDR3) members, where diversity of the collection is a function of the length of the HCDR3 members. The diversity of the collection of HCDR3 regions substantially represents the natural amino acid distribution of HCDR3 in the human repertoire. This natural amino acid distribution can be represented by biasing the complete random distribution of amino acids, accordingly, in the HCDR3 encoding DNA sequence by using trinucleotide mutagenesis (TRIM) technology. A collection of HCDR3 members of the invention each can be comprised within a variable region of an antibody (or fragment thereof) to form a library of synthetic antibodies or antibody fragments. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such diverse collection and methods of making and using the same. |
| US08273685B2 |
Agrochemical composition
An agrochemical composition is provided in which an agrochemically active ingredient having 4 or more fluorine atoms in a molecule and having a Log P value of 3 or more is contained, and superior disintegration dispersibility is exhibited, and which is suitable for a water dispersible granule or a suspension concentrate. An agrochemical composition is characterized by containing (a1) an agrochemically active ingredient having 4 or more fluorine atoms in a molecule and having a Log P value of 3 or more, or (a2) an agrochemically active ingredient for which, in a fluidity test of a mixture composed of 50 parts by weight of the agrochemically active ingredient, 2 parts by weight of sorbitan monooleate and 48 parts by weight of water, the time for moving 85 mm is not less than 90 seconds, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 70% by weight of the total amount of the composition, and (b) a wetting agent such as an alkylsulfate salt, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the total amount of the composition. |
| US08273678B2 |
Highly active catalysts for alkylene oxide polymerization
The reaction product of the reaction product of A.) a ligand of the formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 in each occurrence independently are the same or different hydrocarbyl substituents of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrogen, halogen, or alkoxy groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; X in each occurrence independently is CR6 with R6 being hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R5 is an organic divalent group of 4 to 40 carbon atoms with the proviso that the two nodes X are not bound to the same atom or to vicinal atoms in the group R5; B.) an aluminum compound of the formula AlR7R8R9, wherein R7, R8 and R9 each independently is a C1 to C12 hydrocarbyl group, hydrogen, halogen, or an alkoxy group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and C.) a Lewis base selected from the group consisting of amines, phosphines, amides, nitriles, isonitriles, and alcohols is useful as a polymerization catalyst, particularly for the homopolymerization or copolymerization of an alkylene oxide. |
| US08273677B2 |
Production process of pre-polymerized polymerization catalyst component and addition polymer
A production process of a pre-polymerized catalyst component, comprising steps of (i) contacting a transition metal compound defined by formula [1], an activation agent, an organometallic compound defined by formula [2], and an optional organoaluminum compound with one another, thereby forming a primary polymerization catalyst, and (ii) pre-polymerizing an olefin in the presence of the primary polymerization catalyst; and a process for producing an addition polymer, comprising a step of polymerizing an addition polymerizable monomer in the presence of a pre-polymerized catalyst component produced by the above production process, or in the presence of the pre-polymerized catalyst component and an organoaluminum compound. |
| US08273671B2 |
Glass material for radio-frequency applications
A glass material for producing insulation layers is provided. The glass material can improve the radio-frequency properties of radio-frequency substrates or radio-frequency conductor arrangements. In one embodiment, the glass material for producing insulation layers for radio-frequency substrates or radio-frequency conductor arrangements is an applied layer with a layer thickness in the range between 0.05 μm and 5″mm and has a loss factor tan δ of less than or equal to 70*10−4 in at least a frequency range above 1 GHz. |
| US08273669B2 |
Method of forming a passivated densified nanoparticle thin film on a substrate
A method for forming a passivated densified nanoparticle thin film on a substrate in a chamber is disclosed. The method includes depositing a nanoparticle ink on a first region on the substrate, the nanoparticle ink including a set of Group IV semiconductor particles and a solvent. The method also includes heating the nanoparticle ink to a first temperature between about 30° C. and about 400° C., and for a first time period between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes, wherein the solvent is substantially removed, and a porous compact is formed. The method further includes flowing an oxidizer gas into the chamber; and heating the porous compact to a second temperature between about 600° C. and about 1000° C., and for a second time period of between about 5 seconds and about 1 hour; wherein the passivated densified nanoparticle thin film is formed. |
| US08273658B2 |
Integrated circuit arrangement including vias having two sections, and method for producing the same
An integrated circuit arrangement containing a via is disclosed. The via has an upper section having greatly inclined sidewalls. A lower section of the via has approximately vertical sidewalls. In one embodiment, a liner layer is used as a hard mask in the production of the via and defines the position of the sections of the via. |
| US08273657B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus having a through-hole interconnection
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus having a through-hole interconnection in a semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A via hole is formed through the semiconductor substrate and the insulating layer. Another insulating layer is formed in the via hole, and a conductive layer of the through-hole interconnection is subsequently formed. The insulating layer formed in the via hole is formed such as to substantially planarize an inner surface of the via hole. |
| US08273655B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A GaN layer and an n-type AlGaN layer are formed over an insulating substrate, and thereafter, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on them. Next, an opening reaching at least a surface of the insulating substrate is formed in the source electrode, the GaN layer and the n-type AlGaN layer. Then, a nickel (Ni) layer is formed in the opening. Thereafter, by conducting dry etching from the back side while making the nickel (Ni) layer serve as an etching stopper, a via hole reaching the nickel (Ni) layer is formed in the insulating substrate. Then, a via wiring is formed extending from an inside the via hole to the back surface of the insulating substrate. |
| US08273650B2 |
Method of fabricating thin film interface for internal light reflection and impurities isolation
A high-quality epitaxial silicon thin layer is formed on an upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG-Si) substrate. A thin film interface is fabricated between the UMG-Si substrate and the epitaxial silicon thin layer. The interface is capable of internal light reflection and impurities isolation. With the interface, photoelectrical conversion efficiency is improved. Thus, the present invention is fit to be applied for making solar cell having epitaxial silicon thin layer. |
| US08273644B2 |
Soldering method and method of manufacturing semiconductor device including soldering method
A soldering method of soldering first and second members includes shooting a laser light to at least one part of an outer peripheral portion surrounding a soldering-target region of the first member thereby to form an oxide film, and bonding the second member with the soldering-target region through a solder. According to the method, the solder resist is never exfoliated even after cleaning with chemicals for removing flux residues contained in solder. |
| US08273642B2 |
Method of fabricating an NMOS transistor
A SiC region and a source/drain region are formed such that the SiC region includes a first portion overlapping the source/drain region and a second portion protruding from the source/drain region to a position beneath the LDD region. The concentration of crystalline SiC in the second portion is higher than the concentration of crystalline SiC in the first portion. The SiC region may be formed through a normal implantation before the second spacer is formed, or the SiC region may be formed through a tilt implantation or deposition epitaxially in a recess having a sigma-shape like sidewall after the second spacer is formed. |
| US08273640B2 |
Integrated semiconductor nanowire device
A method of making a semiconductor nanowire device includes providing a plurality of spaced semiconductor nanowires on a growth substrate; applying a dielectric material so that it is disposed between the semiconductor nanowires producing a layer of embedded semiconductor nanowires having a top surface opposed to a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is defined by the interface with the growth substrate; depositing a first electrode over the top surface of the layer of embedded semiconductor nanowires so that it is in electrical contact with the semiconductor nanowires; joining the first electrode to a device substrate; removing the growth substrate and exposing the bottom surface of the layer of embedded semiconductor nanowires; and depositing a second electrode on the bottom surface of the layer of embedded semiconductor nanowires so that it is in electrical contact with the semiconductor nanowires. |
| US08273634B2 |
Methods of fabricating substrates
A method of fabricating a substrate includes forming first and second spaced features over a substrate. The first spaced features have elevationally outermost regions which are different in composition from elevationally outermost regions of the second spaced features. The first and second spaced features alternate with one another. Every other first feature is removed from the substrate and pairs of immediately adjacent second features are formed which alternate with individual of remaining of the first features. After such act of removing, the substrate is processed through a mask pattern comprising the pairs of immediately adjacent second features which alternate with individual of the remaining of the first features. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08273631B2 |
Method of fabricating n-channel metal-oxide semiconductor transistor
A method of fabricating an NMOS transistor, in which, an epitaxial silicon layer is formed before a salicide process is performed, then a nickel layer needed for the salicide process is formed, and, thereafter, a rapid thermal process is performed to allow the nickel layer to react with the epitaxial silicon layer and the silicon substrate under the epitaxial silicon layer to form a nickel silicide layer. |
| US08273630B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a silicon substrate having first and second surfaces, the silicon substrate including no oxide film or an oxide film having a thickness no greater than 100 nm, forming a first oxide film at least on the second surface of the silicon substrate, forming a first film by covering at least the first surface, forming a mask pattern on the first surface by patterning the first film, forming a device separating region on the first surface by using the mask pattern as a mask, forming a gate insulating film on the first surface, forming a gate electrode on the first surface via the gate insulating film, forming a source and a drain one on each side of the gate electrode, and forming a wiring layer on the silicon substrate while maintaining the first oxide film on the second surface. |
| US08273627B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device which includes two trenches formed in a semiconductor substrate, a charge storage layer as an insulator formed on each side surface of the trenches, and separated on a bottom surface thereof, and a bit line formed below the bottom surface of the trenches in the semiconductor substrate. A channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate from a side surface of one of the two trenches to that of the other trench via an upper surface of a protruding portion between those two trenches. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided. |
| US08273626B2 |
Nonplanar semiconductor device with partially or fully wrapped around gate electrode and methods of fabrication
A nonplanar semiconductor device and its method of fabrication is described. The nonplanar semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a top surface opposite a bottom surface formed above an insulating substrate wherein the semiconductor body has a pair laterally opposite sidewalls. A gate dielectric is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body on the laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body and on at least a portion of the bottom surface of semiconductor body. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric, on the top surface of the semiconductor body and adjacent to the gate dielectric on the laterally opposite sidewalls of semiconductor body and beneath the gate dielectric on the bottom surface of the semiconductor body. A pair source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode. |
| US08273616B2 |
Gated-varactors
Various embodiments of the invention provide a varactor structure that, depends on configurations, can provide a C-V characteristic based on one or a combination of a reverse bias junction capacitor, a channel capacitor, and an oxide capacitor. The junction capacitor is formed by reverse biasing the P+ source region and the N-well. The channel capacitance is formed between the P+ source region and the N+ drain region, and the oxide capacitor is formed in the gate oxide area. Depending on biasing one or a combination of the gate voltage VG, the source voltage VS, and the drain voltage VD, embodiments can utilize one or a combination of the above capacitors. Other embodiments using the varactors in a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) are also disclosed. |
| US08273614B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To reduce variation among TFTs in manufacture of a semiconductor device including n-type thin film transistors and p-type thin film transistors. Further, another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of masks and manufacturing steps, and manufacturing time. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of a first thin film transistor, then, forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor. In the formation of the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor, a gate insulating film in contact with the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor is used as a protection film (an etching stopper film) for the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the first thin film transistor. |
| US08273605B2 |
Manufacturing method for electronic device having IC chip and antenna electrically connected by bridging plate
There is provided an electronic device manufacturing method capable of manufacturing a device having a preferable communication characteristic at a low cost with a high productivity. The manufacturing method is for manufacturing an electronic device including a plurality of IC chips 100, each having external electrodes formed on a pair of opposing surfaces. One 102 of the electrodes is arranged on an antenna circuit 201 in a transmission/reception antenna having a slit. Furthermore, a bridging plate 300 is arranged for separately and electrically connecting the other external electrode 103 to a predetermined position of the corresponding antenna circuit 301. The method is characterized in that by positioning at least one of the IC chips 100 with the predetermined position on the corresponding antenna circuit 201 to be mounted, it is possible to arrange the retraining IC chips 100 at the predetermined positions on the antenna circuit 201 all at once. |
| US08273603B2 |
Interposers, electronic modules, and methods for forming the same
In accordance with a method for forming an interposer, a fill hole is formed in a first side of a substrate and a cavity is formed in a second side. The cavity is in fluidic communication with the fill hole. A plurality of posts is formed in the cavity, and an encapsulant is injected through the fill hole into the cavity to encapsulate the plurality of posts. In accordance with a method of thermal management, an electronic component and a heat sink are disposed on opposing sides of an interposer that includes a plurality of encapsulated posts. |
| US08273602B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with integration port
An integrated circuit package system comprising: fabricating a package base including: forming a lead frame, coupling a first integrated circuit device under the lead frame, coupling a second integrated circuit device over the first integrated circuit device, and molding an enclosure on the lead frame, the first integrated circuit device, and the second integrated circuit device for forming an integration port; and coupling a third integrated circuit device on the integration port. |
| US08273600B2 |
Self-aligned metal oxide TFT with reduced number of masks
A method of fabricating MOTFTs on transparent substrates by positioning opaque gate metal on the substrate front surface and depositing gate dielectric material overlying the gate metal and a surrounding area and metal oxide semiconductor material on the dielectric material. Depositing selectively removable etch stop material on the semiconductor material and photoresist on the etch stop material to define an isolation area in the semiconductor material. Removing uncovered portions of the etch stop. Exposing the photoresist from the substrate rear surface using the gate metal as a mask and removing exposed portions leaving the etch stop material overlying the gate metal covered. Etching the semiconductor material to isolate the TFT. Selectively etching the etch stop layer to leave a portion overlying the gate metal defining a channel area. Depositing and patterning conductive material to form source and drain areas on opposed sides of the channel area. |
| US08273596B2 |
Method for producing electric contacts on a semiconductor component
Process for producing strip-shaped and/or point-shaped electrically conducting contacts on a semiconductor component like a solar cell, includes the steps of applying a moist material forming the contacts in a desired striplike and/or point-like arrangement on at least one exterior surface of the semiconductor component; drying the moist material by heating the semiconductor component to a temperature T1 and keeping the semiconductor element at temperature T1 over a time t1; sintering the dried material by heating the semiconductor component to a temperature T2 and keeping the semiconductor component at temperature T2 over a time t2; cooling the semiconductor component to a temperature T3 that is equal or roughly equal to room temperature, and keeping the semiconductor component at temperature T3 over a time T3; cooling the semiconductor component to a temperature T4 with T4≦−35° C. and keeping the semiconductor component at temperature T4 over a time T4; and heating the semiconductor component to room temperature. |
| US08273595B2 |
Silicon thin film deposition for photovoltaic device applications
The present invention provides for cost-efficient methods for on-line deposition of semi-conducting metallic layers. More specifically, the present invention provides on-line pyrolytic deposition methods for deposition of p-type, n-type and i-type semi-conducting metallic layers in the float glass production process. Furthermore, the present invention provides for on-line pyrolytic deposition methods for production of single-, double-, triple- and multi-junction p-(i-)n and n-(i-)p type semi-conducting metal layers. Such p-type, n-type and i-type semi-conducting metal layers are useful in the photovoltaic industry and attractive to manufacturers of photovoltaic modules as “value-added” products. |
| US08273594B2 |
Planar microshells for vacuum encapsulated devices and damascene method of manufacture
Low temperature, multi-layered, planar microshells for encapsulation of devices such as MEMS and microelectronics. The microshells include a planar perforated pre-sealing layer, below which a non-planar sacrificial layer is accessed, and a sealing layer to close the perforation in the pre-sealing layer after the sacrificial material is removed. In an embodiment, the pre-sealing layer has perforations formed with a damascene process to be self-aligned to the chamber below the microshell. The sealing layer may include a nonhermetic layer to physically occlude the perforation and a hermetic layer over the nonhermetic occluding layer to seal the perforation. In a particular embodiment, the hermetic layer is a metal which is electrically coupled to a conductive layer adjacent to the microshell to electrically ground the microshell. |
| US08273590B2 |
Methods for manufacturing array substrates
Disclosed is a patterned photoresist layer on a passivation layer, formed by a lithography process with a multi-tone photomask, having a non-photoresist region, a thin photoresist pattern, and a thick photoresist pattern. The passivation layer corresponding to the non-photoresist region is removed, thereby forming vias to expose a part of a drain electrode in a TFT and a part of a top electrode in a storage capacitor, respectively. The thin photoresist pattern is then ashed to expose the passivation layer in a pixel region. Thereafter, a conductive layer is selectively deposited on the exposed passivation layer and on the sidewalls/bottoms of the vias. Subsequently, the remaining thick photoresist pattern is ashed. |
| US08273589B2 |
Light emitting diodes and methods for manufacturing light emitting diodes
Light emitting diodes and methods for manufacturing light emitting diodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a light emitting diode (LED) comprises applying a first light conversion material to a first region on the LED and applying a second light conversion material to a second, different region on the LED. A portion of the LED is exposed after applying the first and second light conversion materials. |
| US08273588B2 |
Method for producing a luminous device and luminous device
A method for producing a luminous device is specified. A number of light emitting diodes each have a radiation-transmissive carrier and at least two semiconductor bodies spatially separated from one another. Each semiconductor body is provided for generating electromagnetic radiation. The semiconductor bodies can be driven separately from one another and the semiconductor bodies are arranged at the top side of the radiation-transmissive carrier on the radiation-transmissive carrier. A chip assemblage is composed of CMOS chips each of which has at least two connection locations at its top side. At least one of the light emitting diodes is connected to one of the CMOS chips. The light emitting diode is arranged, at the top side of the radiation-transmissive carrier, at the top side of the CMOS chip and each semiconductor body of the light emitting diode is connected to a connection location of the CMOS chip. |
| US08273587B2 |
Underfill process for flip-chip LEDs
An underfill technique for LEDs uses compression molding to simultaneously encapsulate an array of flip-chip LED dies mounted on a submount wafer. The molding process causes liquid underfill material (or a softened underfill material) to fill the gap between the LED dies and the submount wafer. The underfill material is then hardened, such as by curing. The cured underfill material over the top and sides of the LED dies is removed using microbead blasting. The exposed growth substrate is then removed from all the LED dies by laser lift-off, and the underfill supports the brittle epitaxial layers of each LED die during the lift-off process. The submount wafer is then singulated. This wafer-level processing of many LEDs simultaneously greatly reduces fabrication time, and a wide variety of materials may be used for the underfill since a wide range of viscosities is tolerable. |
| US08273586B2 |
Light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
A light emitting device comprises a substrate having a plurality of light emitting elements mounted thereon; a side wall structure having a partition wall portion separating a plurality of light emitting areas that each include at least one of the light emitting elements; and encapsulating resin filled in the light emitting areas to bury the light emitting elements therein. The side wall structure is separated by a space from the substrate at, at least, the partition wall portion so as to be in noncontact with the substrate, and the encapsulating resin is formed so as to integrally, continuously fill the light emitting areas and the space without producing any interface therein. |
| US08273569B2 |
Preparation of human embryonic stem cells
A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (−); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed. |
| US08273567B2 |
Portable measurement system having biophotonic sensor
There is provided a portable measuring system having a biophotonic sensor. The portable measuring system also includes a tunable light source, an output intensity detector and an output wavelength detector, which are mounted therein. The portable measuring system can precisely measure a variation in the reflectivity spectrum and/or the transmittance spectrum of the biophotonic sensor before and after an antigen-antibody reaction by varying the wavelength of the tunable light source. Thus, the concentration of the antigen is precisely measured. |
| US08273566B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for conducting assays
Disclosed are methods for conducting assays of samples, such as whole blood, that may contain cells or other particulate matter. Also disclosed are systems, devices, equipment, kits and reagents for use in such methods. One advantage of certain disclosed methods and systems is the ability to rapidly measure the concentration of an analyte of interest in blood plasma from a whole blood sample without blood separation and hematocrit correction. |
| US08273563B2 |
Production of peracids using an enzyme having perhydrolysis activity
A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided. |
| US08273559B2 |
Method for the production of concentrated alcohol from fermentation broths
A method for obtaining a concentrated alcohol solution from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The lignocellulosic feedstock is hydrolyzed to prepare a sugar solution. The sugar solution is fermented to produce a fermentation broth comprising alcohol and at least about 1 g ammonium ions/kg fermentation broth. The alcohol in the fermentation broth is then concentrated by distillation to produce an alcohol-enriched vapour. Either before distillation, during distillation or during the azeotrope breaking process, the concentration of ammonia in the alcohol-enriched vapour can be reduced by acid addition to at most about 300 ppm. The alcohol in the alcohol-rich vapour is then further concentrated by an azeotrope breaking process to provide the concentrated alcohol solution. |
| US08273558B2 |
Fermentive production of four carbon alcohols
Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway. |
| US08273557B2 |
Hydrolytic enzyme mixtures for saccharification of lignocellulosic polysaccharides
The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications. Some embodiments relate to a method of producing ethanol using the cell wall degradative systems of the present invention. |
| US08273556B2 |
Aldolase and production process of substituted α-keto acids
4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxaloacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas. |
| US08273555B2 |
Process for esterifying or transesterifying side chains in polymers
Provided is a process for esterifying or transesterifying side chains in polymers, which involves esterifying or transesterifying the carboxyl group having the R4 radical of a copolymer obtained by polymerizing a (meth)acrylate of formula (I), and a monomer of formula (II): wherein R1 and R3 are independently H or CH3, R2 and R4 are independently H or an alkyl radical which is optionally substituted by functional groups such as acryloyl, ether, amino, epoxy, halogen or sulfonic acid groups, and n is from 1 to 40, with an alcohol in the presence of an enzyme which catalyzes the esterifying or transesterifying. Further provided is the esterified or transesterified polymer product and its use. |
| US08273554B2 |
Ketoreductase polypeptides for the stereoselective production of (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme including the capability of reducing 5-((4S)-2-oxo-4-phenyl(1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl))-1-(4-fluorophenyl)pentane-1,5-dione to (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize the intermediate (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one in a process for making Ezetimibe. |
| US08273552B2 |
Modified growth hormone polypeptides
We describe modified growth hormone fusion proteins and dimers comprising said fusion proteins; nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteins and methods of treatment that use said proteins in the treatment of conditions that result from growth hormone excess. |
| US08273550B2 |
Antibodies against a cancer-associated epitope of variant HnRNPG and uses thereof
The present application provides the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy and light chain complementarity determining regions of a cancer specific antibody directed to an epitope of variant Heterogeneous Ribonucleoprotein G (HnRNPG). In addition, the application provides cancer specific antibodies and immunoconjugates comprising the cancer specific antibody attached to a toxin or label, and methods of uses thereof. The application also relates to diagnostic methods and kits using the cancer specific antibodies disclosed herein. Further, the application provides novel cancer-associated epitopes and antigens of variant HnRNPG, and uses thereof. |
| US08273548B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding a human PAP1 polypeptide
The present invention relates to novel compounds and their uses, in particular their pharmaceutical or diagnostic uses or their use as pharmacological targets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel protein, referred to as PAP1, as well as to novel peptides and compounds which are capable of modulating, at least partially, the activity of parkin. |
| US08273546B2 |
Processes of producing fermentation products
The invention relates to a process of fermenting plant material in a fermentation medium into a fermentation product using a fermenting organism, wherein one or more carbonic anhydrases are present in the fermentation medium. |
| US08273542B2 |
Human T2R receptors for acetaminophen, ranitidine, strychnine and denatonium and related assays for identifying human bitter taste modulators
The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter ligands, i.e., acetaminophen, ranitidine, strychnine and denatonium. The present invention further relates to the use of these receptors in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of these taste receptors and which may be used as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for modifying (blocking) T2R-associated bitter taste. |
| US08273538B2 |
Blood monocyte CD163 expression as a biomarker in HIV-1 infection and neuroaids
The invention provides a method for detecting CD163+/CD16+ cell population in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a biological sample from a subject infected with HIV-1 which comprises contacting the biological sample with an anti-CD163 antibody, so that levels of CD163+/CD16+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the biological sample can be quantified. The method of the present invention is particularly useful for monitoring the course of HIV-1 infection and/or HIV Encephalopathy |
| US08273532B2 |
Capture, recapture, and trapping of molecules with a nanopore
In a molecular analysis system, there is provided a structure including a nanopore and first and second fluidic reservoirs. The two reservoirs are fluidically connected via the nanopore. A detector is connected to detect molecular species translocation of the nanopore, from one of the two fluidic reservoirs to the other of the two fluidic reservoirs. A controller is connected to generate a control signal to produce conditions at the nanopore to induce the molecular species to re-translocate the nanopore at least once after translocating the nanopore. This enables a method for molecular analysis in which a molecular species is translocated a plurality of times through a nanopore in a structure between two fluidic reservoirs separated by the structure. |
| US08273528B2 |
Methods and compositions for determining methylation profiles
Methods and compositions for determining the methylation profile of individuals and using the profiles to identify clones with desired traits. |
| US08273527B2 |
Viral variants
The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogues and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular hepatitis B virus variants. |
| US08273525B2 |
Systems and methods for forming defects on graphitic materials and curing radiation-damaged graphitic materials
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for forming defects on graphitic materials. The methods for forming defects include applying a radiation reactive material on a graphitic material, irradiating the applied radiation reactive material to produce a reactive species, and permitting the reactive species to react with the graphitic material to form defects. Additionally, disclosed are methods for removing defects on graphitic materials. |
| US08273524B2 |
Liquid discharging head, producing method thereof, structure, and producing method thereof
A producing method of a liquid discharging head includes a discharge port discharging a liquid and a flow path communicating with the discharge port, the method comprising the steps of forming a pattern of a shape of the flow path on a substrate, forming a layer of a negative type photosensitive resin composition including a photo-initiated polymerization initiator on the substrate so as to coat the pattern, at least a region of the layer in a vicinity of the substrate including a sensitizing agent of the photo-initiated polymerization initiator, a density of the sensitizing agent in the layer formed to be higher in the region than in a part where the discharge port is formed, forming the discharge port by exposing the layer to pattern the layer, and removing a pattern to form the flow path. |
| US08273521B2 |
Radiation-sensitive resin composition and compound
A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound shown by a formula (1) in which R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or R1 and R2 form a heterocyclic structure having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R3 represents a monovalent acid-dissociable group, n is an integer from 1 to 6, each of R4A, R4B, and R4C represents one of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a monovalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, or R4A represents one of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a monovalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and R4B and R4C form a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. |
| US08273517B2 |
Method of manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrophotographic photoreceptor, image-forming apparatus, and process cartridge
An aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor. The method includes forming at least one layer selected from the group consisting of an undercoat layer, a photosensitive layer, and a protective layer, by jetting by an inkjet method a first coating liquid and a second coating liquid from liquid drop discharging heads which are different from each other, and mixing the first coating liquid and the second coating liquid on a conductive substrate. The first coating liquid and the second coating liquid react with each other when they are mixed. |
| US08273501B2 |
System and method for hydrating a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack. |
| US08273498B2 |
Solid polymer fuel cell-purpose electrolyte membrane, production method therefor, and membrane-electrode assembly
In an electrolyte membrane (10) for a solid polymer fuel cell, sealing ribs (12) of a predetermined height made of an electrolyte resin is formed integrally with the electrolyte membrane (10). Using the electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly (20) is formed, which is further processed into a fuel cell (30). Thus, an electrolyte membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly which are capable of improving the sealing characteristic when incorporated into a fuel cell are obtained. Besides, a fuel cell improved in the sealing characteristic is obtained. |
| US08273495B2 |
Electrochemical cell structure and method of making the same
An electrochemical cell structure is provided which includes an anode, a cathode spaced apart from said anode, an electrolyte in ionic communication with each of said anode and said cathode and a nonconductive frame. The nonconductive frame includes at least two components that support each of said anode, said cathode and said electrolyte and define at least one flowpath for working fluids and for products of electrochemical reaction. |
| US08273494B2 |
Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack includes a stack of fuel cells. Each of the fuel cells includes a membrane electrode assembly and a separator that are stacked. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte membrane therebetween. The terminal plate, the insulation plate, and the end plate are stacked at each end of the stack of the fuel cells in a stacking direction of the fuel cells. The terminal plate has a plurality of spaces formed therein. The spaces are separated from each other by a partition wall. A connection terminal is disposed on a plate surface of the terminal plate. The plate surface faces the insulation plate, at a position at which the connection terminal does not overlap the partition wall in the stacking direction. The connection terminal protrudes outward from the end plate in the stacking direction. |
| US08273493B2 |
Solid electrolyte fuel cell stack
A solid state electrolyte fuel cell stack includes: layered solid state electrolyte fuel cells, each formed by a solid state electrolyte body having a fuel pole in contact with a fuel gas and an air pole in contact with an oxidant gas; and inter-connectors arranged between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells so as to separate a gas flow path between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells and assure electric conduction between the solid state electrolyte fuel cells. The solid state electrolyte fuel cell stack has two or more air vents for supplying a fuel gas or two or more air vents for supplying the oxidant gas which vents penetrate a part or the whole of the fuel cell stack in the stack layering direction. The different air vents communicate with the different solid state electrolyte fuel cells. |
| US08273492B2 |
Load applying mechanism in a fuel cell system
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit, and a load applying mechanism. The fluid unit includes a heat exchanger and a reformer provided on one side of the fuel cell stack, and the load applying mechanism is provided on the other side of the fuel cell stack. The load applying mechanism includes first and second tightening units for applying different loads to desired regions of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction. |
| US08273491B2 |
Method to reduce time until acceptable drive away in a fuel cell system
Methods and systems of reducing the start-up time for a fuel cell are described. One method of reducing the start-up time includes: concurrently supporting load requests for the fuel cell and stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell; wherein stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell comprises: providing a flow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and opening an anode valve, wherein the hydrogen flow continues for predetermined volume or a predetermined time; and ending voltage stabilization after the predetermined volume or predetermined time is exceeded while continuing to support load requests for the fuel cell. |
| US08273488B2 |
Plate-type heat exchanger and fuel cell system with the same
A plate-type heat exchanger for use in a fuel cell system that has a fuel cell stack and a reformer is provided. The heat exchanger includes a substrate and a pair of cover plates. The substrate has a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. The substrate is disposed between the cover plates, and combined with the cover plates to form a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway is formed in the first face and circulates steam discharged from the fuel cell stack. The steam or water condensed from the steam is supplied to a water supply source. The second passageway is formed in the second face, and circulates water supplied from the water supply source. The water is supplied to the reformer after the circulation. The heat exchanger of the present invention improves performance and efficiency of a fuel cell system. |
| US08273486B2 |
Protecting a PEM fuel cell catalyst against carbon monoxide poisoning
An anode structure comprises an array of carbon nanotubes having a diffusion side and a membrane side, and catalyst particles interspersed on inner surfaces of the membrane side of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes have an average diameter greater than the size of the hydrogen molecule but smaller than the size of the carbon monoxide molecule. Thus, hydrogen flowing toward the catalyst particles interspersed inside the carbon nanotubes are able to go through, while the flow of trace amounts of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen is blocked, preventing the poisoning of the catalyst particles by the carbon monoxide. A fuel cell utilizing the anode structure and a method for manufacturing the anode structure are also disclosed. |
| US08273479B2 |
Negative electrode for lithium secondary cell and lithium secondary cell using the same
A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present invention includes a current collector 12, and an active material layer 14 formed on the current collector 12. The active material layer 14 includes a plurality of negative-electrode active material members 16 disposed on the current collector 12. Each negative-electrode active material member 16 is oxide, including a first region 18 of a relatively high oxygen concentration and a plurality of second regions 20 having an oxygen concentration which is lower than that of the first region 18. The first region 18 extends from a bottom face of each negative-electrode active material member 16 in a direction away from the surface of the current collector. The plurality of second regions 20 are alternately disposed on both sides of the first region 18. |
| US08273477B2 |
Inorganic salt mixtures as electrolyte media in fuel cells
Fuel cell designs and techniques for converting chemical energy into electrical energy uses a fuel cell are disclosed. The designs and techniques include an anode to receive fuel, a cathode to receive oxygen, and an electrolyte chamber in the fuel cell, including an electrolyte medium, where the electrolyte medium includes an inorganic salt mixture in the fuel cell. The salt mixture includes pre-determined quantities of at least two salts chosen from a group consisting of ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, ammonium trifluoroacetate, and ammonium nitrate, to conduct charge from the anode to the cathode. The fuel cell includes an electrical circuit operatively coupled to the fuel cell to transport electrons from the cathode. |
| US08273476B2 |
Secondary battery with protection circuit module
A secondary battery with a protection circuit module integrated with a structural reinforcing support. The secondary battery includes a bare cell, a protection circuit module. The protection circuit module includes a circuit board, and a structural reinforcing support coupling the bare cell and the circuit board of the protection circuit module. The structural reinforcing support is integrated with the protection circuit module in order to prevent separation of the protection circuit module from the bare cell. |
| US08273472B2 |
Shunt current interruption in electrochemical energy generation system
An electrochemical energy generation system includes plural electrochemical cells connected electrically in series that utilize a common electrolyte that can be delivered to each of the cells and/or collected from each of the cells using one or more manifolds. The system provides a possibility for reducing shunt currents by applying a shunt-current minimizing voltage to terminals of the manifolds from the terminal electrodes of the cells connected in series. |
| US08273470B2 |
Environmental barrier coatings providing CMAS mitigation capability for ceramic substrate components
Environmental barrier coatings having CMAS mitigation capability for silicon-containing components. In one embodiment, the barrier coating includes a bond coat layer comprising aluminide-alumina TGO; and an outer layer selected from the group consisting of AeAl2O19, AeHfO3, AeZrO3, ZnAl2O4, MgAl2O4, Ln4Al2O9, Lna4Ga2O9, Ln3Al5O12, Ln3Ga5O12, Ga2O3, HfO2, and LnPO4. |
| US08273467B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device
An organic electroluminescent device, which comprises: a pair of electrodes; and an organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein the organic compound layer comprises a compound represented by formula (I): wherein Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 each independently represents an atom selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen and necessary for forming an unsaturated 6-membered ring skeleton, the atom may have a hydrogen atom or a substituent; a bond in the unsaturated 6-membered ring indicates a single bond or a double bond; and R1 represents a substituent. |
| US08273464B2 |
Metal and resin composite and method for manufacturing same
An object of the present invention is to obtain a composite in which a copper or copper alloy is securely integrated with and joined to PBT or PPS. A copper product that has been suitably roughened by chemical etching and also blackened can be used favorably. A surface-treated copper piece 1 is inserted into a cavity formed by a movable molding plate 2 and a stationary molding plate 3 of an injection molding mold 10, and a specific resin is injected to obtain an integrated product. PBT or PPS can be used as the resin component of a resin composition 4 that is used here. High injection joining strength is obtained if the resin composition contains, as an auxiliary component, PET and/or a polyolefin resin in the case of PBT, and a polyolefin resin in the case of PPS. |
| US08273463B2 |
Multilayer film for plating, method of manufacturing metal film-coated material and metal film-coated material
Disclosed is a multilayer film for plating comprising, on a surface of a first substrate, a plating receptive layer which contains a polymer having a polymerizable group and a functional group, wherein the plating receptive layer satisfies at least one of the following (1)-(4): (1) the saturated water absorption ratio is from 0.01 to 10% by mass in an environment of a temperature of 25° C. and relative humidity of 50%; (2) the saturated water absorption ratio is from 0.05 to 20% by mass in an environment of a temperature of 25° C. and relative humidity of 95%; (3) the water absorption ratio is from 0.1 to 30% by mass after immersion in boiling water at 100° C. for one hour; and (4) the surface contact angle of distilled water is from 50° to 150° after 5 μl of the distilled water is dropped onto the plating receptive layer and allowed to stand for 15 seconds in an environment of a temperature of 25° C. and relative humidity of 50%. |
| US08273462B2 |
Process for producing metal film
The process of the present invention for producing a metal film includes: forming an organic film using a primer composition containing an addition polymerizable compound including three or more reactive groups, an acid group-including addition polymerizable compound, and a hydrophilic functional group-including addition polymerizable compound; forming a metal (M1) salt from the acid group; substituting the metal (M1) salt of the acid group with a metal (M2) salt by processing the organic film with a metal (M2) ion aqueous solution containing a metal (M2) ion having less ionization tendency than the metal (M1) ion; reducing the metal (M2) ion so that a metal film is formed on a surface of the organic film; and oxidizing the metal film. This provides (i) a process for producing a metal film and a metal pattern, at low cost, on an arbitrary substrate, (ii) a metal film, and (iii) use of the meta film. |
| US08273455B2 |
Method for the preparation of a granulate for the treatment of snow-covered and/or icy surfaces
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a granulate consisting of wood particles comprising 1 to 10% by weight with at least one water-soluble salt of an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal. |
| US08273453B2 |
Structures comprising an association agent and processes for making same
Polysaccharides and/or hydroxyl polymers, more particularly, structures, especially fibers, comprising a polysaccharide and/or hydroxyl polymer and an association agent, fibrous structures comprising such structures and processes for making such structures and/or fibrous structures are provided. |
| US08273452B2 |
Polymeric films
A melt processed film comprising a polymer having several acrylic components. |
| US08273436B2 |
Separatable label assembly
A label assembly including a face sheet, a back sheet, and a layer of an adhesive positioned between the face sheet and the back sheet. A separation line divides the label assembly into at least two portions. The separation line is formed by a first tearable line of separation extending across the back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across the face sheet. The first tearable line of separation is offset with respect to the second tearable line of separation, and at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation includes an angled portion extending at an angle to an other of the at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation. |
| US08273434B2 |
Resealable multi-ply label construction
Resealable multi-ply labels include a base label ply and an overlaminate for capturing onserts between them. The base label plies carry an adhesive layer on the bottom surface for mounting the resealable multi-ply labels to articles. The base plies each include a hinge area, an attachment area, a tab area, and an intermediate area separating the hinge area from the attachment area. The overlaminates form permanent bonds with both the hinge areas and the tab areas of the base plies and form reusable bonds with the attachment areas of the base plies. The permanently bonded tab areas of the base plies provide access for releasing the overlaminates from the attachment areas of the base plies and exposing the onserts. |
| US08273433B2 |
Label assembly having angled registration tabs for applying a label to an object
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure aligned with the label shape. The registration structure is one of raised or raisable above the back sheet surface and includes an edge extending at a non-perpendicular angle from the back sheet surface or the removable panel. |
| US08273429B2 |
Fabric for end fray resistance and protective sleeves formed therewith and methods of construction
An elongated protective textile sleeve for protecting elongate members and methods of constructing a fabric substrate therefore. The fabric substrate has a plurality of filamentary members either woven, knitted or braided with one another. At least some of the filamentary members of the substrate extend to cut edges and are fabricated of a multi-component material that includes a core of a first polymeric material and an outer sheath of a second polymeric material. The outer sheath is heat-fusible and the inner core is heat-settable. The outer sheaths of the filamentary members are heat fused at least in the regions near the cut edges to keep the cut edges from fraying or the filamentary members from pulling out of the substrate. The core is heat set to form the desired shape of the protective sleeve. |
| US08273426B1 |
Encapsulated compositions
A capsule having a reactive chemical enclosed in the hollow interior thereof, and at least one coating in direct contact with and surrounding the reactive chemical, wherein the coating is a heat-cured thermosetting synthetic resin. The capsule can also include a second coating which is in direct contact with and surrounds the heat-cured thermosetting synthetic resin. The reactive chemical is not reactive with, soluble in or a solvent for the coating, or coatings, which surround the reactive chemical in the hollow interior of the capsule. The coating material is not soluble in water, but is permeable to water. |
| US08273419B2 |
Method of forming gas barrier layers including a change in pressure, a gas barrier layer formed by the method, and a gas barrier film
A method of forming a gas barrier layer comprises: forming a first layer over a substrate by plasma-enhanced CVD at a first pressure, at least a part of a surface of the substrate being made of an organic material; and forming a second layer on the first layer by plasma-enhanced CVD at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure. |
| US08273412B2 |
Method for applying corrosion protection layers comprising thioamides to metallic surfaces
Process for applying integrated pretreatment layers to metallic surfaces, particularly the surfaces of coil metals, by treatment with a composition comprising at least one binder, crosslinker, a finely divided inorganic filler, and compounds containing at least two thioamide groups or containing one thioamide group and at least one functional group. Integrated pretreatment layer obtainable by the process. |
| US08273406B1 |
Particulate solid coated with a curable resin
This invention provides a process for coating particulate solids with a curable novolac resin without employing heat as a step of the process, comprising placing an epoxy resin which is curing on the particulate followed by placing a novolac resin capable of being heat cured on the epoxy resin before curing of the epoxy resin is complete. |
| US08273405B2 |
Water-absorbent adhesive compositions and associated methods of manufacture and use
An adhesive composition is provided that is water-insoluble yet water-absorbent, i.e., capable of absorbing up to 15 wt. % water or more. The composition in composed of a film-forming hydrophilic polymer with at least one linear segment having a plurality of recurring polar groups along the polymer backbone, a complementary multifunctional polymer with a plurality of recurring functional groups that noncovalently bind to the polar groups on the film-forming polymer, and plasticizer. A method for manufacturing the adhesive composition is provided as well. |
| US08273402B2 |
Drug coated stent with magnesium topcoat
A method for manufacturing a drug carrying stent includes applying at least a first therapeutic agent to at least an outer portion of a stent framework and applying a first magnesium coating on at least a first portion of the applied first therapeutic agent. |
| US08273401B2 |
Phytosterol/salt composition for topical application to food products
A phytosterol/salt mixture for even topical application to snack products. At least one free phytosterol in dry form is combined with at least one salt of a similar particle size to form a homogenous blend and applied to the surface of a hot snack food product. The at least one free phytosterol can also be part of a phytosterol blend comprised of at least 95% free phytosterols. To ensure that neither the phytosterol nor salt component settles out and to provide for uniformity of the homogenous blend, the phytosterol blend is of a similar size distribution to the at least one salt. In test runs, a phytosterol blend and at least one salt were combined in a ratio of approximately 53:47, with size ranges determined by sieve analysis to generally fell within the range of 149 to 400 microns. |
| US08273396B1 |
Nut cracking device
The hard shells or hulls of whole nuts are effectively cracked and separated from the nut meat by propelling and impacting the whole nuts at a predetermined trajectory velocity against an adjustable impacting plate set at the appropriate impacting angle. By controlling the manner in which the whole nuts impact against the impacting plate, the fracturing of the hard shell may be controlled so as to optimize the whole nut meat recovery while minimizing the production of split nut meats. A variable speed impeller in combination with adjustability of the impacting plate optimizes the nut cracking and nut meat separation for any type of whole nut. An orderly sequential feed of whole nuts to an off-set feed zone of rotating impellers equipped with vanes having a catching section and an accelerating section at a regulated rotational speed effectively propels the whole nuts against the adjustable impacting plate. |
| US08273394B2 |
Dried egg white, production method therefor, and food containing improved dried egg white
A method for producing an improved dried egg white includes preparing a dried egg white by drying a liquid egg white so that the dried egg white after drying has a pH of 9 or more, and dissipating carbon dioxide contained in the dried egg white, wherein, by dissipating carbon dioxide contained in the dried egg white, the pH of the dried egg white is increased to 0.01 to 1 to obtain a pH of 9.5 or more and carbon dioxide concentration in a sealed 250 ml vial is decreased to 1% or less, when 25 g of the improved dried egg white is stored in the vial at 75° C. for 24 hours. |
| US08273393B2 |
Mineral amino acid polysaccharide complex
This document provides complexes comprising a mineral-amino acid compound and a polysaccharide. For example, the document provides compositions containing such complexes and methods of making and using such complexes. |
| US08273391B2 |
Method for producing cheese
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing cheese in which the method includes the steps of: providing dairy milk, which could be a skimmed milk and cream mixture; producing a gel-type curd/whey mixture by coagulation; and cutting the curd/whey mixture in a cheese processor such that the whey flows out of the curd. |
| US08273388B2 |
Extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum and compositions for improving metabolic syndrome
An extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or of Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) for improving metabolic syndrome is prepared by the following method: (a) providing fresh or dry Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. ex Murray var. hypoleucum (Ohwi) or Polygonum hypoleucum (Ohwi) in partial or whole plant; (b) extracting the partial or whole plant by a solvent to obtain a crude extract; (c) condensing and drying the crude extract to obtain an extract product; and (d) collecting the extract product. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical and a food composition having the above extract for improving the metabolic syndromes. The extract of the present invention can be easily prepared and is demonstrated to modulate the levels of both blood glucose and blood lipid, to inhibit the activities of glycolytic enzymes and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and to stimulate acyl-CoA oxidase. The extract of the present invention is capable of improving metabolic syndromes. |
| US08273386B2 |
Use of hop acids in fruit juices, fruit juice concentrates and other beverages to inhibit Alicyclobacillus bacteria
An antimicrobial agent including hop acids is disclosed that inhibits the growth of acid-resistant and heat-resistant bacteria such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a medium such as fruit juice. |
| US08273383B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of preeclampsia
Methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing a pregnancy related disease or disorder are provided. The methods involve administration of 2-methoxyestradiol, or an analog thereof, to a subject. Also provided are methods for diagnosing or predicting a pregnancy related disease or disorder. The methods involve detection of 2-methoxyestradiol, or a precursor or metabolite thereof. |
| US08273381B1 |
Compositions for and methods of controlling olfactory responses to odorants
A composition, system and method for modifying an olfactory response to an odorant is disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition includes crystalline metal nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium. The composition is applied to olfactory tissues using a suitable applicator or dispenser. The metal nanoparticles are believed to interact with a G-protein coupled to receptor located in the cilia to moderate (enhance or reduce) sensitivity or ability to smell particular odorants. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the composition includes one or more odorants. |
| US08273378B2 |
Dialysis solutions containing pyrophosphates
Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate. |
| US08273377B2 |
Method for allogeneic cell therapy
A method of manipulating allogeneic cells for use in allogeneic cell therapy protocols is described. The method provides a composition of highly activated allogeneic T-cells which are infused into immunocompetent cancer patients to elicit a novel anti-tumor immune mechanism called the “Mirror Effect”. In contrast to current allogeneic cell therapy protocols where T-cells in the graft mediate the beneficial graft vs. tumor (GVT) and detrimental graft vs. host (GVH) effects, the allogeneic cells of the present invention stimulate host T-cells to mediate the “mirror” of these effects. The mirror of the GVT effect is the host vs. tumor (HVT) effect. The “mirror” of the GVH effect is the host vs. graft (HVG) effect. The effectiveness and widespread application of the anti-tumor GVT effect is limited by the severe toxicity of the GVH effect. In the present invention, the anti-tumor HVT effect occurs in conjunction with a non-toxic HVG rejection effect. The highly activated allogeneic cells of the invention can be used to stimulate host immunity in a complete HLA mis-matched setting in patients that have not had a prior bone marrow transplant or received chemotherapy and/or radiation conditioning regimens. |
| US08273372B2 |
Extracellular matrix composition
The invention relates to a process for preparing an extracellular matrix composition comprising cross-linked fibrinogen or a derivative thereof, to an extracellular matrix composition obtained by the process and to the use of the composition in wound healing, tissue regeneration or as a tissue engineering scaffold. |
| US08273371B2 |
Crystalline mesoporous oxide based materials useful for the fixation and controlled release of drugs
The invention describes a new class of crystalline silica material having two levels of porosity and structural order. At the first level, building units are nanoslabs of uniform size having zeolite framework. At the second structural level, nanoslabs are assembled, e.g. linked through their corners, edges or faces following patterns imposed by interaction with cationic surfactant or triblock copolymer molecules. After evacuation of these molecules, microporosity is obtained inside the nanoslabs, and a precise mesoporosity between the nanoslabs depending on the tiling pattern of the zeolite nanoslabs, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction. These materials are useful for the fixation of biologically active species, such as poorly soluble drugs. |
| US08273367B2 |
Articles comprising a mint odor-free cooling agent
The present invention relates to articles to be worn in contact with a mammal body, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, nursing pads, baby diapers and the like. The article includes a mint odor-free cooling agent able to convey freshness sensation to the wearer of the article, without the need of modifying body surface temperature. |
| US08273365B2 |
Two-piece, internal-channel osmotic delivery system flow modulator
An osmotic delivery system flow modulator includes an outer shell constructed and arranged for positioning in an opening, an inner core inserted in the outer shell, and a fluid channel having a spiral shape defined between the outer shell and the inner core. The fluid channel is adapted for delivery of an active agent formulation from the reservoir of the osmotic delivery system. |
| US08273364B2 |
Plant remediation
A method for treating diseased plants, such as turf and trees, includes mixing a quantity of a plant remediation composition with water and applying the plant remediation composition to the diseased plants. The plant remediation composition may include from about 70 up to about 90 volume percent of a potassium silicate, up to 10 volume percent of a sodium silicate, from about 0.25 to about 3.0 volume percent of a surfactant, from about 0.25 to about 3.0 volume percent of a polyol, and the remaining volume percent water. The plant remediation composition may be used to treat plant molds, bacteria and fungi, such as Anthracnose, Fairy Ring, Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, and Snow Mold, and may also be used to prevent and remediate insect infestations. |
| US08273362B2 |
Ophthalmic emulsions containing prostaglandins
Cationic ophthalmic oil-in-water type emulsions, include colloid particles having an oily core surrounded by an interfacial film, the emulsion including at least one cationic agent and at least one non ionic surfactant, the oily core including a prostaglandin selected from the group comprising in particular latanoprost, unoprostone isopropyl, travoprost, bimatoprost, tafluprost, 8-isoprostaglandinE2, or a mixture thereof, for treating ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. These emulsions have the property to increase the chemical stability of prostaglandins. |
| US08273361B2 |
Vaccine composition containing synthetic adjuvant
Compositions and methods, including vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing or enhancing an immune response are disclosed based on the discovery of useful immunological adjuvant properties in a synthetic, glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA) that is provided in substantially homogeneous form. Chemically defined, synthetic GLA offers a consistent vaccine component from lot to lot without the fluctuations in contaminants or activity that compromise natural-product adjuvants. Also provided are vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions that include GLA and one or more of an antigen, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, a co-adjuvant and a carrier such as a pharmaceutical carrier. |
| US08273358B2 |
Activatable clostridial toxins
Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids. |
| US08273356B2 |
Anti-IgE vaccines
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the use of antigenic peptides derived from the Fc portion of the epsilon heavy chain of an IgE molecule as vaccines for the treatment and prevention of IgE-mediated allergic disorders. In particular, the invention provides compositions, methods for the treatment and prevention of IgE-mediated allergic disorders comprising an immunogenic amount of one or more antigenic peptides derived from the CH3 domain or junction of Ch-3/CH4 domain of an IgE molecule and methods for the evaluation of IgE mediated allergies in dogs. |
| US08273355B2 |
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) binding proteins
The present invention provides a family of binding proteins that bind and neutralize the activity of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in particular human HGF. The binding proteins can be used as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. With regard to their therapeutic activity, the binding proteins can be used to treat certain HGF responsive disorders, for example, certain HGF responsive tumors. |
| US08273354B2 |
Anti-RSV G protein antibodies
Individual monoclonal antibodies and fragments that bind a conserved epitope of the G protein of RSV and which are minimally immunogenic when administered to a human subject, are useful in treating RSV infections. |
| US08273350B2 |
Antibodies to human IL-1β
An IL-1β binding molecule, in particular an antibody to human IL-1β, especially a human antibody to human IL-1β is provided, wherein the CDRs of the heavy and light chains have amino acid sequences as defined, for use in the treatment of an IL-1 mediated disease or disorder, e.g. osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other inflammatory arthritides. |
| US08273343B2 |
Protein-polymer conjugates
This invention relates to a conjugate of a polymer moiety and an interferon-β moiety, an erythropoietin moiety, or a growth hormone moiety. |
| US08273340B2 |
Methods and compositions for attracting or repelling cockroaches
A method for attracting cockroaches to an object or area, involving treating said object or area with a cockroach attracting composition containing a cockroach attractant effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl esters of C3-7 saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof, and optionally a carrier material or carrier. A method for repelling cockroaches from an object or area, involving treating said object or area with a cockroach repelling composition containing a cockroach repelling effective amount of at least one compound selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl esters of C3-7 saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids or mixtures thereof, and optionally a carrier material or carrier. |
| US08273338B2 |
Treatment and composition for achieving skin anti-aging benefits by corneum protease activation
Novel methods and compositions for treating aged and environmentally damaged skin are disclosed which provide improvements in the skin's visual appearance, function and clinical/biophysical properties by activating at least one proteolytic enzyme in the skin's stratum corneum. The disclosed treatment methods involve topical application of a novel cosmetic composition containing a combination of a cationic surfactant such as N,N-dimethyldodecyl amine oxide (DMDAO), an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), or monoalkyl phosphate (MAP) and a chelating agent such as ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) to stimulate a chronic increase in the replacement rate of the skin's stratum corneum by means of corneum protease activation. This chronic, low level stimulation is effective to induce repair and replacement of the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis of the skin and improvements in the appearance, function, and anti-aging properties of the skin. |
| US08273337B2 |
Hair binding peptides and peptide-based hair reagents for personal care
Peptides have been identified that bind with high affinity to hair. Peptide-based hair reagents formed by coupling a hair-binding peptide to a benefit agent are described. The peptide-based hair reagents include peptide-based hair conditioners and hair colorants. The peptide-based hair conditioners and hair colorants are comprised of at least one hair-binding peptide coupled to a hair conditioning agent or a coloring agent, respectively. |
| US08273332B2 |
Hair care product containing acetylpyridinium salts
Cosmetic hair treatment agent comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one surface-active agent chosen from cationic and/or zwitterionic surfactants, and at least one acetylpyridinium derivative of formula (I) for improving the general condition of the hair, for reducing hair damage in the interior of the hair, and for increasing the elasticity of hair. |
| US08273325B2 |
Contrast agents
The present invention provides novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, wherein the compounds have affinity for proteoglycans. The compounds comprise an amino acid based core unit linked to positively charged moieties. The compounds further comprise at least one imaging moiety detectable in in vivo imaging making the compounds useful as diagnostic contrast agents for imaging of proteoglycans, such as heparan sulphate proteoglycans. |
| US08273323B2 |
Hydrogen production method
In a process for producing hydrocarbonaceous educts, the starting material is autothermally gasified by non-catalytic partial oxidation by adding oxygen-containing gas and hydrogen at temperatures of 1200 to 1500° C. and pressures of 15 to 100 barabs to obtain a raw gas containing H2 and CO as main components as well as the components CO2, H2O, CH4 and traces of H2S, COS, CnHm, N2 and Ar, and subsequently the CO contained in the raw gas is converted to CO2 and further H2 by adding steam. An improvement of the process consists in that in a pressure-swing absorption process the converted raw synthesis gas is separated directly, i.e. without passing through a wash for removing CO2 and H2S, into high-purity H2 and into a gas mixture containing H2S, CO2, H2, CO, CH4, Ar and N2, the gas mixture is supplied to the tail gas wash of a Claus process, the H2S separated is introduced into the feed gas of the Claus process, and the waste gas of the tail gas wash, mixed with the tail gas of the Claus process, is burnt. |
| US08273322B2 |
Sulfate process
A sulfate process for producing titania from a titaniferous material (such as an iron-containing titaniferous material; such as ilmenite) is disclosed. The process includes precipitating titanyl sulfate from a process solution produced in the process. The titanyl sulfate precipitation step includes subjecting the precipitated titanyl sulfate to a shearing action during the course of precipitating titanyl sulfate from the process solution or after precipitation has been completed. |
| US08273321B1 |
Analytical grade salt
A three-step process for the preparation of analytical grade sodium chloride from rock salt was developed. |
| US08273314B2 |
Internal combustion exchanger-reactor for fixed bed endothermic reaction
The invention concerns an exchanger-reactor (1) comprising: a vessel (2); means for distributing a feed through a fixed bed catalytic zone (10); means (6) for collecting effluent from the catalytic zone (10); means for heating the catalytic zone (10); in which said collection means (6) comprise conduits passing right through the catalytic zone (10), said conduits being distributed in the catalytic zone and interposed between the heating means, and in which the heating means of the catalytic zone are contained in sheaths (8) which are partially immersed in the catalytic zone (10), the sheaths (8) being open at one of their ends and closed at the other, the open end being fixed to an upper tube plate (21) defining the collection chamber (19) which is located above the catalytic zone (10), said heating means comprising at least one combustion zone (13) located close to the catalytic zone, means for supplying said combustion zone (13) with an oxidizing gas mixture (15) and with a gaseous fuel (17), and means for evacuating the gaseous effluent deriving from the combustion (14). |
| US08273311B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating biological particles using difference between gravity and magnetic force
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for injecting liquid-drops of particle mixture liquid including a mixture of biological particles, affecting magnetic field, and having only positive particles, which are combined with magnetic responsive material, separated by magnetic force, and having negative particles, which are not combined with magnetic responsive material, precipitated by gravity. |
| US08273306B2 |
Color-changing materials and multiple component materials having a color-changing composition
The present invention relates to a color-changing material and to a multiple-component material that includes a color-changing composition. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions are capable of changing color in order to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing materials and color-changing compositions include a hydrogel-forming composition, a charged colorant and a pH adjuster. The hydrogel-forming composition includes at least one charged species. |
| US08273303B2 |
Universal sterilizing tool
A contoured sterilizing element is configured to conform to the outer and inner surfaces of a working end-site of a medical device such as a catheter hub, luer connector, luer component, needleless access site, and/or access port The sterilizing element is made from absorbent material and can be pre-moistened or impregnated with an anti-pathogenic agent The sterilizing element can be contained within a housing that is easily griped and opened in one hand by the user The sterilizing element is configured to wipe debris from and to sterilize and/or dry a working end-site of medical device, using a wiping, twisting, dabbing, push/pull, and/or screwing motion around all of the surface aspects of the device to be sterilized. |
| US08273301B2 |
Exhaust-gas treatment device having a sensor foil
A device for exhaust-gas treatment includes at least one housing with an inner surface and at least one sensor foil disposed in the housing. The sensor foil is formed at least with a sensor element and a conductor element. The sensor foil is also provided with an edge up to which the conductor element extends and which bears against the inner surface of the housing. The housing also has an opening for contacting of the conductor element. The opening is surrounded on the inner surface by an electrical insulating layer. |
| US08273297B2 |
Particle agglutination in a tip
An apparatus and a related method for performing particle agglutination reactions in at least one disposable probe tip are disclosed. The at least one probe tip includes a sample cavity for sample acquisition, at least one flanking cavity for the capture of particles by centrifugation or other means, a transition zone for the mixing of the sample with reagents for agglutination and a detection zone for the optical detection of particle agglutination. A mechanism may be attached to the probe tip for the controlled movement of fluids through the internal volume of the probe tip. The probe tip is particularly useful for the automation of high-throughput agglutination-type assays. |
| US08273295B2 |
Apparatus for providing power management in data communication systems
A blood glucose meter having a compact housing, a display unit disposed on the housing, the display unit including a display light source to illuminate the display unit, an input unit disposed on the housing, the input unit configured to provide input functions for the blood glucose meter, and a power source provided within the housing for providing power to the blood glucose meter, where the housing includes a port integrated on said housing configured to receive a blood glucose test strip, and corresponding methods of measuring blood glucose meter is provided. |
| US08273289B2 |
Refractory coating for silica mesh fabric
Coated silica mesh fabrics for use in metal casting operations are disclosed. The refractory coating comprises a mixture of colloidal silica binder and refractory particles such as zirconia flour. A slurry comprising the colloidal silica and refractory particles is applied to the silica mesh fabric and allowed to dry. The coated silica mesh fabric may be used in metal casting operations at relatively high molten metal temperatures above 3,000° F. |
| US08273284B2 |
Position adjusting means for hot runner nozzles, adjusting method and use thereof
The present invention relates to a position adjusting means for hot runner nozzles comprising a main inlet, a manifold, a rotational transitional piece and a nozzle; the rotating transitional member is disposed with an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and the outlet of the rotating transitional member each has a symmetry axis and the two symmetry axes are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other for a particular distance; the inlet of the rotating transitional member and the outlet of the manifold are connected to each other in a rotatable and sealed manner; the outlet of the rotating transitional member and the inlet of the nozzle are connected to each other in a rotatable and sealed manner; the nozzle or a nozzle assembly formed by the nozzle and a nozzle extension member of the nozzle combining together is disposed with an inlet and an outlet; the inlet and the outlet of the nozzle or the nozzle assembly each has a symmetry axis and the two symmetry axes are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other for a particular distance. With the symmetry axis of the inlet of the nozzle or the rotating transitional member as circle center, rotate either one of the rotating transitional member or the nozzle or rotate both the rotating transitional member and the nozzle to position the outlet of the nozzle at a desired position within a particular area, thereby attaining adjustment of the position of the hot runner nozzle. The present invention may be applied to hot runner systems of plastics injection molding. |
| US08273283B2 |
Method of making molded articles
A method of making a finely textured molded article is disclosed. The method utilizes properties of the compound being molded, such as impact toughness and melt flow index. Poly(vinyl halide), particularly polyvinyl chloride), articles can be custom-injection-molded using the method, in order to simulate the appearance of original metal, glass, or wood articles. Consumer, transportation, building construction, and other industries can benefit from durable plastic articles that simulate the more fragile articles. |
| US08273282B2 |
Bisected mold for tire molding and process for manufacturing tire with use of the mold
Provided are a bisected mold for tire molding that enables manufacturing of high-performance tires and that at a mold clamping, avoids a tire from being pinched to thereby attain a yield enhancement; and a process for manufacturing a tire. Inside a container bisected into upper and lower parts in the state of mold opening, there are disposed a mold for tire molding and, along upper and lower side plates, an unvulcanized tire. After performing vulcanization molding of the unvulcanized tire while changing from this state to a state of mold clamping of sectors and segments split into a plurality of pieces in a circumferential direction of the unvulcanized tire through a driving device and a slide unit means, only the sectors are subjected to mold opening by use of a driving means while maintaining the state of mold clamping of the mold for tire molding and the segments by the driving device and the slide unit means, and subsequently taking the vulcanization-molded tire. |
| US08273279B2 |
Microporous polyolefin membrane and manufacturing method
A microporous membrane having a structure in which its pore size distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, which is produced by extruding a combination of a diluent or solvent and a polyolefin resin composition comprising from about 75 to about 99% of a polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 2.5×105 to about 5×105 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 10 to about 100, and from about 1 to about 25% polypropylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 1×104 to about 4×106, a heat of fusion of 80 J/g or higher, and a molecular weight distribution of from about 1 to about 100, percentages based on the mass of the polyolefin composition; cooling the extrudate to form a high polyolefin content cooled extrudate; stretching the cooled extrudate at a high stretching temperature to form a stretched sheet; removing the diluent or solvent from the stretched sheet to form a membrane; stretching the membrane to a high magnification in at least one direction to form a stretched membrane; and heat-setting the stretched membrane to form the microporous membrane. |
| US08273274B2 |
Method for the manufacture of stable, nano-sized particles
The current invention relates to methods of making nano-particles of a material with a narrow polydispersity. The particle materials are active agents, organic compounds, polymers, and combinations thereof. |
| US08273273B2 |
Manufacturing method for optical film
A manufacturing method for an optical film via a solution casting method on a transparent substrate film comprising the steps of: (i) ejecting a micro-particle dispersion containing micro-particles having a average particle diameter of at least 25-200 nm as liquid droplets by use of an ink-jet head when a residual solvent content in a web is 5-400 weight %, and (ii) depositing the liquid droplets to adhere onto one side surface of a web and to form a micro convex structure, and further to form 1-10,000 points of convex parts per 10,000 μm2 having a height of the convex parts of the convex structure of 0.01-0.5 μm. |
| US08273268B2 |
Electrically conductive polyolefin blends
An electrically conductive polymer compound is disclosed. The compound comprises a matrix comprising two polyolefin copolymers having different melt mass flow rates and electrically conductive functional additive particles dispersed in the matrix. The compound is useful for making extruded and molded plastic articles that need electrical conductivity. |
| US08273265B2 |
Phosphors and light emitting device using the same
There are provided phosphors having high luminous efficiency at desired wavelengths and good light output stability and a light emitting device using the same. A phosphor according to an aspect of the invention includes a sulfide crystallographic phase and an oxide crystallographic phase. Here, the phosphor is a multiphase compound in which the sulfide crystallographic phase and the oxide crystallographic phase exist together. |
| US08273261B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor constructions
The invention includes methods in which silicon is removed from titanium-containing container structures with an etching composition having a phosphorus-and-oxygen-containing compound therein. The etching composition can, for example, include one or both of ammonium hydroxide and tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide. The invention also includes methods in which titanium-containing whiskers are removed from between titanium-containing capacitor electrodes. Such removal can be, for example, accomplished with an etch utilizing one or more of hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. |
| US08273260B2 |
Etching method and etching apparatus of semiconductor wafer
A method of etching a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method comprises the steps of: jetting a mixed gas including hydrogen fluoride and ozone onto a surface of a semiconductor wafer; monitoring the surface of the semiconductor wafer; analyzing the surface of the semiconductor wafer; and adjusting at least one of the hydrogen fluoride concentration and the ozone concentration in the mixed gas based on a result of the analysis. |
| US08273255B2 |
Economical fat, oil, and grease waste removal system and method
An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, a sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container includes at least one baffle extending downwardly to a level below the static water level. The container further includes a port at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the port when the liquid level in the container is raised above the static water level. The assembly further includes an inlet bridge, an outlet bridge and a storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container. A hub on the storage tank interfaces the container with the storage tank. |
| US08273253B2 |
Apparatus and method for filter cleaning by ultrasound, backwashing and filter movement during the filtration of biological samples
The present application is directed to the separation of—a solid fraction from a fluid sample particularly a therapeutic cellular fraction from a biological sample such as a bone marrow sample by a porous filter (2) which separates a filtration unit (1) into an upper pre-filtration chamber (3) into which a fluid sample (4) requiring cell separation is introduced and a lower post-filtration chamber (5) into which a fluid (6) capable of transmitting an acoustic standing wave is introduced. An acoustic element (8) is coupled to a substrate (7) which is located within and at the bottom of the lower chamber (5) and which resonates in response to the acoustic generating element (8) and generates a standing wave through the two fluid phases and the filter to agitate the sample (4). Simultaneously, a cyclic process of vacuum draw (9). causes movement of the sample (4) downwards through the filter (2). Vacuum pressure, fluid flow rate and frequency of vibration are controlled from a remote unit housing appropriate pumps and valves. |
| US08273249B2 |
Method integrating electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for pre-treatment of coking wastewater
A new method that integrates electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for removing ammonia nitrogen in coking wastewater is disclosed in this invention. It comprises steps as follow: first, adjusting the PH of coking wastewater and adding Fe2+ into the wastewater; then leading the wastewater containing Fe2+ through such 5 areas as pulsed high-voltage discharge oxidation area, pulsed high-frequency DC electrolytic oxidation area, microbubble oxidation area, flocculation area and precipitation area in succession. High-voltage pulse and high-frequency pulse are two different mechanisms for achieving strong oxidation. With help of both solid and liquid catalysts, these two oxidations can work synergistically. The recalcitrant organic chemicals are effectively destroyed and satisfactorily removed out of wastewater. The high-concentration coking waster pretreated with this method will meet Chinese highest discharge standard as long as the routine biochemical treatment is applied thereafter. The total investment on equipments and operation expenditure of the whole system is economically modest, which, together with its highly efficient treatment performance, ensures its extensive application in the field of wastewater treatment. |
| US08273245B2 |
Microfluidic devices, particularly filtration devices comprising polymeric membranes, and methods for their manufacture and use
The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis. Such devices generally comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters, etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialyzer, microheat exchangers, etc. |
| US08273241B2 |
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. |
| US08273240B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating wastewater containing emulsified oil
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for treating wastewater that contains emulsified oil is provided. The method comprises feeding the wastewater that contains the emulsified oil to an electrolytic tank, and oxidatively electrolyzing the wastewater that contains the emulsified oil using indissoluble electrodes. The negatively charged emulsified oil particles in the wastewater are neutralized on a surface of an anode during the oxidative electrolysis. The anode comprises an indissoluble electrode with oxygen radical-generating characteristics. The method further comprises particle group electrolyzing the wastewater using particle groups, and discharging the treated wastewater. |
| US08273238B2 |
Tool for the electrochemical machining of a fuel injection device
The invention relates to a tool for the electrochemical machining of a fuel injection device, the tool having an electrode holder and an electrode element which forms a cathode during the machining operation in order to be able to electrochemically remove material from the fuel injection device in a machining region. The electrode element is arranged in such a way that it can be displaced in relation to the electrode holder. |
| US08273237B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrowinning copper using an atmospheric leach with ferrous/ferric anode reaction electrowinning
The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for recovering metal values from a metal-bearing materials, and more specifically, a process for recovering copper and other metals through leaching, electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction, and the synergistic addition of ferrous iron to the leach step. |
| US08273231B2 |
Methods of depositing coatings with γ-Ni + γ′-Ni3A1 phase constitution
A method including depositing a powder on a substrate to form a first layer thereon, wherein the layer includes a Pt group metal, Si and reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce, Zr, and combinations thereof. Deposited on the first layer is a second layer including Al to form a coating with a γ-Ni+−γ′Ni3Al phase constitution. In preferred embodiments, the second layer is deposited with an organo halocarbon activator. |
| US08273230B2 |
Method for making membrane fuel cell electrodes by low-voltage electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanomaterial-supported catalysts
A cathode electrophoretic deposition (EPD) suspension is provided by mixing an ionomer solution with an electrolyte. An anode EPD suspension is provided via mixing carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-supported catalyst with a solution of the same composition as that of the cathode EPD suspension. Ultrasonication and high-speed stirring are executed on the cathode and anode EPD suspensions, thus turning them into homogenous suspensions. There is provided a low-voltage EPD apparatus incorporated with a porous material to separate it into anode and cathode compartments. The anode and cathode EPD suspensions are filled in the anode and cathode compartments, respectively. An inert gas is introduced into the anode compartment for stirring the anode EPD suspension. An electrode base substrate is used as the anode of the EPD apparatus. A low-voltage direct current (DC) power supply is used to supply DC low voltage to the EPD apparatus, thus evenly coating a catalyst layer on the substrate. The catalyst layer coated on the substrate is washed with de-ionized water and dried, thus forming a membrane fuel cell (MFC) electrode. |
| US08273221B2 |
Sputter target utilization
An apparatus and method are provided for improved utilization of a sputter target in the longitudinal end regions. The focus of erosion in the end regions is widened, thereby extending the useful life of the target. This provides improved efficiency and reduces waste because a greater proportion of the target material in the more expansive central region can be harvested, because the target is utilized for a longer period of time. |
| US08273217B2 |
Paper machine for used paper recycling apparatus
To present a paper manufacturing apparatus for used paper recycling apparatus small enough to be installed in a room of small shop or the like, friendly to the environment, low in running cost, and high in confidentiality. The paper manufacturing apparatus includes a paper making process unit for manufacturing wet paper from pulp suspension sent from a pulp making section in preceding process, the paper making process unit includes a paper making conveyor for manufacturing and conveying the pulp suspension, the paper making conveyor is composed of a mesh belt of paper making mesh structure of numerous mesh cells for filtering and dewatering the pulp suspension disposed so as to run straightly toward its running direction, and the paper making process length in the mesh belt is set in a range of straight running direction length of the mesh belt in the apparatus case of furniture size. As a result, a used paper recycling apparatus of small size and simple structure is realized. |
| US08273214B2 |
Manufacture of a veil made of glass and cellulose fibers in cationic medium
A process for producing a veil comprising glass fibers and cellulose fibers which includes dispersing cellulose fibers and chopped glass fibers into a white water, forming a bed in a forming device by passage of the dispersion over a forming fabric through which the white water is drained off, the fibers being retained on the fabric and the dispersion including, during passage, a cationic white water, and performing a heat treatment step an oven device. |
| US08273204B2 |
Method for joining cellular acoustic panels
The invention relates to a method for joining a first acoustic panel (2), having a cellular structure of the honeycomb type, with a second acoustic panel (2), wherein said method comprises the steps of: inserting at least one mandrel, (5, 8) having a shape adapted to the cells (3), into at least one cell (3) located in the vicinity of a junction edge (6) of the acoustic panel; passing a roller (12) on said junction edge of the acoustic panel; joining the junction edge of the acoustic panel together with a junction edge (6′) of the second panel and connecting the same by applying a linking means. |
| US08273203B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing prepreg sheet and prepreg sheet
According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a prepreg sheet includes steps of (A) forming a resin layer 61 on a surface of a supporter 3, (B) winding a reinforcing yarn 10 around the resin layer 61, and (C) embedding at least a part of the reinforcing yarn 10 in the resin layer 61. Preferably, in step (C), the surface of the supporter 3 is relatively moved towards the reinforcing yarn 10. |
| US08273202B2 |
Method of making a fixed angle centrifuge rotor with helically wound reinforcement
A centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having first and second axial ends and a circumferential sidewall extending therebetween. The rotor body has a plurality of wells for receiving sample containers to be processed in the rotor. The rotor further includes an elongate reinforcement extending around the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body along a helical path. At least two portions of the elongate reinforcement interlock at one or more specific points on the surface of the rotor. |
| US08273197B2 |
Pyrotechnic priming charge comprising a porous material
Pyrotechnic priming charge (1) intended to be used preferably for starting up one or more ignition chains, comprising a coherent porous fuel structure (2) and at least one oxidizer (4). According to the invention, the primer also comprises a moisture inhibitor (5) applied to the surface of the primer with a view to increasing the safety of the primer and reducing the risk of unintentional ignition due to breakdown of the oxidizer under the influence of ambient moisture and temperature. |
| US08273196B2 |
Aluminum alloy sheet for cold press forming, method of manufacturing the same, and cold press forming method for aluminum alloy sheet
An Al—Mg—Si based aluminum alloy sheet having undergone normal-temperature aging (or being in a underaged state) after a solution treatment thereof is, before press forming, subjected to a heating treatment (partial reversion heating treatment) in which the alloy sheet is partially heated to a temperature in the range of 150 to 350° C. for a time of not more than 5 minutes so that the difference in strength (difference in 0.2% proof stress) between the heated part and the non-heated part will be not less than 10 MPa. The alloy sheet thus treated is subjected to cold press forming in the condition where the heated part with low strength is put in contact with a wrinkle holding-down appliance of the press and the non-heated part with high strength is put in contact with the shoulder part (radius) of the punch. In the partial reversion heating treatment, the temperature rise rate and the cooling rate in cooling down to 100° C. or below are set to be not less than 30° C./min. Further, the period for which the alloy sheet is left to stand at normal temperature after the partial reversion heating treatment until the cold press forming is set to be within 30 days. |
| US08273195B2 |
High-strength steel tube and heat treatment method of heat-treating the same
A heat treatment method of heat-treating a steel tube provides the steel tube with satisfactory workability and high pressure resistance capable of coping with a recent increasing trend of pressure dealt with by a recent common rail type fuel injection system. A steel tube of a desired size is formed by drawing a material of a steel containing at least vanadium. The steel tube is processed for normalizing by holding the steel tube at high temperatures between 950 and 1000° C. for a predetermined time and slowly cooling the steel tube at a predetermined cooling rate. Then, the steel tube is processed for tempering by heating the steel tube at a temperature between 500 and 700° C. and cooling the steel tube to an ordinary temperature at an optional cooling rate. |
| US08273193B2 |
Lead-free, bismuth-free free-cutting silicon brass alloy
The present invention supplies a lead-free, bismuth-free free-cutting silicon brass alloy with high zinc which preferably comprises 35.0 to 42.0 wt % Zn, 0.1 to 1.5 wt % Si, 0.03 to 0.3 wt % Al, 0.01 to 0.36 wt % P, 0.01 to 0.1 wt % Ti, 0.001 to 0.05 wt % rare earth metals selected from the group consisting of La and Ce, 0.05 to 0.5 wt % Sn, and/or 0.05 to 0.2 wt % Ni, and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. In yet another embodiment, the alloy may be boron-free. The invented alloy is excellent in castability, weldability, cuttability, electroplating properties, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties. The alloy is especially applicable in castings which need cutting and welding under low pressure die casting, such as castings for faucet bodies in the water supply system. The alloy is also suitable for use in components which are produced from casting ingots by die forging. |
| US08273189B2 |
Method for treating metal surfaces by carboxylation, use of the method for temporary protection against corrosion, and method for manufacturing a shaped metal sheet thus carboxylated
The invention relates to a method for the carboxylation conversion of a metal surface under oxidizing conditions in relation to the metal, consisting in bringing the metal into contact with a hydro-organic or aqueous bath containing a mixture of organic acids. The invention is characterized in that; the organic acids comprise saturated linear carboxylic acids having between 10 and 18 carbon atoms; the mixture comprises a binary or ternary mixture of such acids; the respective proportions of said acids are such that (i) for a binary mixture x±5%−y±5%, wherein x and y represent the respective proportions, in molar percentages, of the two acids in a mixture with the composition of the eutectic and (ii) for a ternary mixture x±3%−y±3%−z±3%, wherein x, y and z represent the respective proportions, in molar percentages, of the three acids in a mixture with the composition of the eutectic; and the concentration of the mixture in the bath is greater than or equal to 20 g/l. |
| US08273187B2 |
Probe cleaning method and apparatus
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning measuring probes (18) of a gas turbine engine (1). The invention further relates to a method for cleaning measuring probes (18) of an gas turbine engine (1). The apparatus comprises distribution means (30) comprising a plurality of supply means (31, 32, 33), each comprising connection means (33) arranged for connection to a probe (18), and each supply means (31, 32, 33) being arranged to, when connected to a probe (18), distribute pressurized cleaning liquid to said measuring probe (18), wherein a substantially simultaneous cleaning of probes connected to said distribution means (30) via said supply means (31, 32, 33) can be obtained. |
| US08273185B2 |
Cleaning a vehicle exhaust filter
A method of cleaning a vehicle exhaust system filter (1), the filter (1) having a first end (11) and a second end (10) and comprising a plurality of elongate channels (6) containing debris (19) to be removed, comprises the steps of: (i) providing a chamber (14) having an outlet in fluid communication with the first end (11) of the filter (1); (ii) covering the second end (10) of the filter (1) to hinder fluid flow out of the second end of the filter; (iii) introducing a flow of liquid into the chamber (14); (iv) stopping the flow of liquid into the chamber (14) when the chamber and channels (6) of the filter are substantially filled with liquid; (v) introducing a pulse of compressed gas into the chamber (14), and (vi) uncovering the second end (11) of the filter (1) to allow the gas to force said debris (19) and liquid (17) out of the second end (10) of the filter (1). The invention also provides apparatus for use in the method. |
| US08273182B2 |
Devices and methods for cleaning and drying ice skate blades
A handheld device for removing moisture from a skate blade, the device including a body and multiple wiper blades. The body includes a front end and a rear end and defines a skate blade pathway substantially parallel to an axis extending from the front end to the rear end. The multiple wiper blades are located within the body along an axis extending from the front end to the rear end, and are adapted to contact a surface of a skate blade traversing the skate blade pathway. |
| US08273181B2 |
Process of removing calcium and obtaining sulfate salts from an aqueous sugar solution
The present invention provides a process for obtaining a product stream comprising one or more sulfate salts of potassium, sodium or ammonium from a sugar stream resulting from [processing a lignocellulosic feedstock, said sugar stream which includes calcium sulfate and one or more of these sulfate salts. The process comprises (i) treating the sugar stream to remove calcium, thereby producing a sugar stream containing substantially no calcium, and obtaining a salt stream comprising a calcium salt; (ii) choosing a feed stream that is either (a) a clarified salt stream derived from the salt stream of step (i) after removal of calcium therefrom; or (b) the sugar stream containing substantially no calcium that is produced in step (i); (iii) introducing the feed stream chosen in step (ii) to an ion exchange bed; and (iv) regenerating the ion exchange resin bed of step (iii) with sulfuric acid to produce the product stream. |
| US08273179B2 |
Deposition mask for display device and method for fabricating the same
A deposition mask for depositing a thin film and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The deposition mask is configured to ensure a positioning accuracy and a pattern size accuracy and is suitable for use in manufacturing a high definition display device. The deposition mask includes at least one pattern mask having the same patterns as the patterns that are to be formed on a substrate and a frame mask which has at least one opening. The pattern mask is individually and non-detachably fixed to the frame mask at a region of the frame mask corresponding to the opening. |
| US08273178B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus and method of maintaining the same
A thin film deposition apparatus and a method of maintaining the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thin film deposition apparatus includes: a chamber including a removable chamber cover; one or more reactors housed in the chamber; a chamber cover lifting device connected to the chamber cover. The chamber cover lifting device is configured to move the chamber cover vertically between a lower position and an upper position. The apparatus further includes a level sensing device configured to detect whether the chamber cover is level, and a level maintaining device configured to adjust the chamber cover if the chamber cover is not level. This configuration maintains the chamber cover to be level as a condition for further vertical movement of the chamber cover. |
| US08273177B2 |
Titanium-doped indium oxide films
An apparatus and methods of forming the apparatus include a film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide for use in a variety of configurations and systems. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be structured as one or more monolayers. The film of transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide may be formed using atomic layer deposition. |
| US08273172B2 |
Heat resistant phosphate cement
A phosphate cement composition is provided. The cement composition comprises about 10 to 40 percent by weight calcium or magnesium oxide, about 10 to 40 percent by weight acid phosphate, and about 10 to 50 percent by weight vermiculite or perlite or mixture thereof. |
| US08273170B2 |
Ink composition
An ink jet ink composition containing an aralkyl-modified silicone surfactant, an organic solvent, and a metallic pigment. |
| US08273169B2 |
Aqueous dispersion liquid and coating material, film, and product using the same
In one embodiment, an aqueous dispersion liquid contains at least one particles selected from tungsten oxide particles and tungsten oxide composite particles. A mean primary particle diameter (D50) of the particles is in the range of 1 nm to 400 nm. In the aqueous dispersion liquid, concentration of the particles is in the range of 0.1 mass % to 40 mass %, and pH is in the range of 1.5 to 6.5. The aqueous dispersion liquid excels in dispersibility of particles and capable of maintaining good liquidity for a long period. |
| US08273166B2 |
Phase change ink compositions and colorants for use in the same
A phase change ink compositions, comprising a novel colorant wax to prevent and/or reduce printhead and nozzle contamination in ink jet printers caused by drooling and faceplate staining. In particular, there is provided novel colorants containing acid groups for use in phase change ink compositions and which are compatible with phase change ink components. |
| US08273165B2 |
Compacted air flow rapid fluid evaporation system
A total water desalination system is disclosed that includes a centrifugal separator, a feed-water device controlled by a relative humidity sensor, an air pump, an evaporator core, an air dryer, a non-particulate coalescent air filter, and an air flow/brine gravity separating tank. The evaporator core typically contains multiple conical processing chambers and introduces a physical dynamic that increases the surface area of the water, using low-level thermal energy to vaporize micron-size water particles into a gaseous state, suitable for reconstitution into desalinated (or lower salt content) water. The evaporator core operation principles are based on creating a highly dynamic environment that separates impurities from sea, brackish, river, or turbid water; evaporating the water into a residual clean vapor, and returning the vapor to water composition with high efficiency. |
| US08273159B2 |
Control device module, especially in or for a motor vehicle
A control device module for a motor vehicle includes a control device that has a closed housing in which a first internal pressure prevails, and at least one connecting device for coupling a connecting element of an electrical cable. A closed space is defined in the coupled state between the connecting device and the connecting element, in which closed space a second internal pressure prevails. The control device also includes a pressure compensating device for adapting the first and second internal pressures to an external pressure that acts on the control device module from outside. |
| US08273157B1 |
Method and system for an integrated air filtering apparatus and thermal solar system using aspect ratio
A solar energy system. The system includes a thermal solar system comprising an air plenum positioned between the system and the underside body. In a specific embodiment, the air plenum is configured according to a specified aspect ratio. The system uses an air moving device to transfer a volume of air through the plenum. The air moving device is configured to maintain a flow rate associated with the volume of air at a specified velocity. The air plenum is configured to reduce the particle concentration of the air traveling through the plenum and to undergo heat treatment for use inside the target building where the thermal solar system is implemented, which keeps the air entering the building clean and healthy. |
| US08273156B2 |
Method and apparatus for water distillation and recovery
Contaminated water stored in an equalization basin is distributed to one or more flash vessels and a desired vacuum is pulled in a filled flash vessel, reducing the boiling point of the contained contaminated water. The suction force is preferably created by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a differential pressure injector. The contaminated water in the flash vessel completes an electrical circuit between conductive plates and a heating element that are submerged therein. An alternating electrical current is applied, some of which is conducted by the contaminated water to a heating element that heats the water, and the rest of which dissipates as thermal energy, heating the contaminated water. The alternating current is preferably generated by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a hydroelectric power generator. Little thermal energy is needed to evaporate the contaminated water, which condenses at the top of the flash vessel and is collected from a collection trough. Slurry created by distillation is delivered to the equalization basin to increase the conductivity and temperature of the stored contaminated water. |
| US08273154B2 |
Fire brick mercury removal process from flue gas
A method and system for removal of in most instances 70% of mercury contamination from flue gas and in many instances 90-95%. It involves passing hot flue gas through a honeycomb filter brick comprising a ceramic honeycomb of MgAl2 Si2O8, preferably containing minor amounts of Iron, Platinum and Titanium. |
| US08273151B2 |
Horizontal liquid/gas separation device, and separation method, in particular for the liquid and gaseous phases of a crude oil
A liquid/gas separator device for separating liquid and gaseous phases of a fluid, in particular crude oil, the device comprising a network of first and second separator pipes disposed horizontally, said first and second separator pipes being connected together by vertical link third pipes. The first separator pipes are fed from and connected upstream to a horizontal cylindrical diffuser and are connected downstream to a first horizontal cylindrical manifold. The second separator pipes are connected upstream to the same diffuser and downstream to a second horizontal cylindrical manifold. |
| US08273150B2 |
High dimensional cored wires containing oxygen removers and a process for making the same
A high dimensional cored wire is provided containing de-oxidant material arranged in a core of the wire, the de-oxidant material being in finely divided granular or powdery form coated with a protective coating material, the diameter of the cored wire varying between 13 and 40 mm. A process for manufacturing the wire is also provided. |
| US08273149B2 |
Method for producing nanometer-size wires and nanometer-size wire
The present invention provides a nanowire production method that is simpler than conventional nanowire production methods, and that makes it easier to control the size and shape of the nanowires by using a technique completely different from the conventional ones. A powder particle containing a metal element is divided into nanometer-size wires containing the metal element by irradiating a suspension of the powder particles with a femtosecond laser. The present invention also makes it possible to divide the nanometer-size wires thus formed into nanometer-size particles containing the metal element by irradiating further the nanometer-size wires with the femtosecond laser. |
| US08273145B2 |
Cam-type locking device for retaining static filter panels in a filter holding frame
A filter holder assembly includes at least one frame having a peripheral wall and an inwardly directed peripheral edge substantially perpendicular to said peripheral wall and adapted to support a filter. At least one cam lock lever is secured to the peripheral wall at a first predetermined distance from the inwardly directed peripheral edge for compressing the filter in the frame and against said inwardly directed peripheral edge. The cam lock lever has a handle portion at one end thereof and a cam head provided with a cam foot at an opposite end thereof. The cam lock lever is rotatable to cause the cam foot to move between an open position and clamping position where the cam foot exerts a compressive force on the filter. |
| US08273143B2 |
Air cleaner, replaceable filter cartridges, and methods
An air cleaner assembly, a main filter element, and a method for servicing an air cleaner assembly are provided according to the present invention. The air cleaner assembly includes an air cleaner housing and a main filter element. The air cleaner housing can include a safety liner or support having a closed end cap that supports the main filter element, and helps reduce the tendency of the main filter element to rotate during use of the air cleaner assembly. |
| US08273140B1 |
Method and apparatus for hydrogen production from water
A method, apparatuses and chemical compositions are provided for producing high purity hydrogen from water. Metals or alloys capable of reacting with water and producing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions are reacted with one or more inorganic hydrides capable of releasing hydrogen in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions, one or more transition metal compounds are used to catalyze the reaction and, optionally, one or more alkali metal-based compounds. The metal or alloy is preferably aluminum. The inorganic hydride is from a family of complex inorganic hydrides; most preferably, NaBH4. The transition metal catalyst is from the groups VIII and IB; preferably, Cu and Fe. The alkali metal-based compounds are preferably NaOH, KOH, and the like. Hydrogen generated has a purity of at least 99.99 vol. % (dry basis), and is used without further purification in all types of fuel cells, including the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. |
| US08273139B2 |
Catalytic partial oxidation reforming
Systems and processes for producing syngas are provided. A first hydrocarbon can be partially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant and one or more first catalysts at conditions sufficient to partially combust a portion of the first hydrocarbon to provide carbon dioxide, non-combusted first hydrocarbon, and heat. At least a portion of the non-combusted first hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of at least a portion of the heat generated in the partial oxidation step and the one or more first catalysts to provide a first syngas. The first syngas can comprise hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Heat can be indirectly exchanged from the first syngas to a second hydrocarbon to reform at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more second catalysts to provide a second syngas. The second syngas can comprise hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. |
| US08273136B2 |
Electrochemical element, and method and apparatus for manufacturing electrode thereof
A method for manufacturing an electrode of an electrochemical element includes: (A) forming an active material layer on a current collector; and (B) providing lithium to the active material layer. The A step and the B step are carried out in continuous space. |
| US08273133B2 |
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities for knee prosthesis patients
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities, more physiologic load bearing and improved patellar tracking for knee prosthesis patients. Such systems and methods include (i) adding more articular surface to the antero-proximal posterior condyles of a femoral component, including methods to achieve that result, (ii) modifications to the internal geometry of the femoral component and the associated femoral bone cuts with methods of implantation, (iii) asymmetrical tibial components that have an unique articular surface that allows for deeper knee flexion than has previously been available and (iv) asymmetrical femoral condyles that result in more physiologic loading of the joint and improved patellar tracking. |
| US08273132B2 |
Multiple-cam, posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis
A distal femoral knee-replacement component provides additional points of cam action by either distinct bars or interconnected structural elements such as cam extensions to prevent early translation of the knee or dislocation of the femoral component over the tibial post which can occur in cruciate-substituting designs. |
| US08273131B2 |
Method and apparatus for positioning a multiple piece prosthesis
A method and apparatus for positioning an implant system in anatomy is disclosed. The apparatus can include an alignment member operable to contact an implant portion, a bone, or other appropriate portion. The method can include using the apparatus to assist in positioning a single or multi-piece implant member. Also, a method of aligning a first implant position relative to another implant position is disclosed. |
| US08273130B2 |
Magnetically mounted artificial joint
The invention relates to a prosthesis for replacing a joint connection, wherein like magnetic fields from the condyle 10, socket 12 and joint collar 14 overlap in such a way that the repulsive forces generate a suspended state of the condyle 10 in the bearing and the damping effect is maximized. The invention is also directed to a method for replacing a bone junction in a mammal, wherein the prosthesis is fastened to the articular bone and repulsive forces generate a levitated state of the condyle 10 under load. |
| US08273125B2 |
Intervertebral disk prosthesis provided with anchor means
An intervertebral disk prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis comprises: a first plate for engaging a first vertebral body, said first plate comprising a first slot formed through the first plate; a second plate for engaging a second vertebral body, said second plate comprising a second slot formed through the second plate; a first anchor member, said first anchor member positioned and slidable through the first slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the first vertebral body; and a second anchor member, said second anchor member positioned and slidable through the second slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the second vertebral body. The first plate and the second plate engage with one another by way of complimentary concave and convex spherical cap portions to provide relative movement between the first plate and the second plate. |
| US08273123B2 |
Unitary accommodating intraocular lenses (AIOLs) and discrete base members for use therewith
Unitary accommodating intraocular lenses (AIOLs) including a haptics system for self-anchoring in a human eye's ciliary sulcus and a resiliently elastically compressible shape memory optical element having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The unitary AIOLS include an optical element with an exposed trailing surface and are intended to be used with a discrete base member for applying an axial compression force against the exposed trailing surface from a posterior direction. Some unitary AIOLs are intended to be used with either a purpose designed base member or a previously implanted standard in-the-bag IOL. Other unitary AIOLs are intended to be solely used with a purpose designed base member. |
| US08273118B2 |
Heart valve holder assembly for use in valve implantation procedures
A valve holder assembly for delivering a prosthetic heart valve having a stent base an multiple extending commissure posts. The valve holder assembly includes a holder and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the holder. |
| US08273113B2 |
Bone screw
A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided. |
| US08273109B2 |
Helical wound mechanically interlocking mating guide and advancement structure
A structure including a pair of helically wound interlocking forms located on a cylindrical closure for an open headed medical implant and in a receiver between arms of the implant respectively. The interlocking forms each include overlapping gripping elements that engage mating elements during assembly to prevent radial splaying of arms of the implant. |
| US08273103B2 |
Surgical needle and method of manufacturing a surgical needle
A surgical needle having an elongate needle body and a needle point formed on a distal end of the needle body, the needle body manufactured from an elongate cylindrical blank. The needle body has at least one textured-profile lateral face, which has at least one textured-profile lateral-face region provided with a textured profile, wherein the textured profile has a plurality of indentations and wherein the at least one textured-profile lateral-face region extends as far as the needle point. |
| US08273084B2 |
Atrial ablation catheter and method of use
An atrial ablation catheter and methods for its use. The endocardial catheter includes an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a distally oriented electrode array that can be pressed against the wall of the atrium. |
| US08273081B2 |
Impedance-based cardiac therapy planning method with a remote surgical navigation system
A method is disclosed for planning the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by RF ablation with a remote navigation system, including the identification of ablation lines around the pulmonary veins ostia—atrial junctions based on impedance measurements. When used by itself or in conjunction with electro-anatomical approaches, the impedance method therein disclosed enables safe and effective arrhythmia treatment. |
| US08273080B2 |
Methods and devices for treating tissue
The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect. |
| US08273078B2 |
Device for creating openings in pressurized vessels with deformable walls
The catheter (1) has a fastener (10) for firmly holding the wall (19) of vessel (18) when it is cut by optical fibers (3). The fastener (10) has an engaging element which can be a pin (20), roughened surface (23), spiral grooves (27), dendritic grooves (31), adhesive surface (34) or pointed pins (38). |
| US08273073B2 |
Long nose manipulatable catheter
A long nose manipulatable catheter is described herein. The catheter generally comprises a flexible joint region defining a main lumen and an adjacent wire lumen. The wire lumen has an opening near or at a distal end of the flexible joint region and a push/pull wire can be pushed or pulled through the wire lumen. The catheter assembly may also comprise at least one radio-opaque marker band for securing the push/pull wire. The joint region has a predetermined length sized to affect a flexure of the joint and is generally located at the distal end of the catheter. The joint region itself may be varied to extend distally from where the braid terminates, or it may extend to encompass a portion of the braid. By varying a length of the joint region, the amount of curvature and flexure of the joint region can be controlled. |
| US08273070B2 |
Port member for infusion solution bag, and infusion solution bag
Provided a port member for an infusion solution bag that is capable of suppressing occurrence of gaps or wrinkles in a sealed portion in a manufacturing process, and preventing damages to resin sheets of a bag body during storage or transportation. A port member for an infusion solution bag includes a tubular body portion having one end sealed by a plug member structured to enable a hollow needle to be pierced into the plug member, and a tubular to-be-sealed portion continuously formed with an other end of the body portion and having an inner space communicated with the inside of the body portion, the to-be-sealed portion being held between and sealed to end portions of resin sheets overlapped together to form a bag body having an inner space for accommodation of at least a medicine, in which the to-be-sealed portion thus sealed has a radially flattened shape. |
| US08273067B2 |
Leg cut-out stages of development
Manufacturers of disposable absorbent articles may produce a wide range of sizes of articles. The design of these articles has generally remained the same as the product increases in size to fit larger and larger users. Generally speaking, the proportions of the articles remain the same in smaller and larger sizes. For example, the longitudinal length of the absorbent core as a percentage of the total longitudinal length of the article may be approximately the same for small, medium, and large sizes. |
| US08273056B2 |
Needle guard with resilient spring surrounding tip shield
A needle guard assembly having a resilient arm extending from a base situated to slide along the shaft of a needle, In one implementation the needle guard has an elongate containment member that rides with the resilient arm and is co-operable with the resilient arm to effectuate a covering of the entire distal tip of the needle upon the needle being refracted into the needle guard. |
| US08273050B2 |
Ocular implant with anchor and therapeutic agent
Ocular implants and methods of treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves inserting an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant has a therapeutic drug or agent and is advanced within the anterior chamber to a location posterior to a cornea of the eye. At least a portion of the implant is placed into eye tissue at this location. The therapeutic drug of the implant is exposed to aqueous humor. In one method, an anchor is utilized to retain the implant in eye tissue. |
| US08273049B2 |
Pumping cassette
A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least, one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump. The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line. |
| US08273046B2 |
Systems and methods for providing light therapy traction
Systems and methods for providing light therapy traction to a patient. A light therapy device and a traction mechanism provide concurrent, alternating and/or repetitive treatment to a patient. The light therapy device includes one or more light sources configured to deliver light to a patient. The traction mechanism is configured to provide selective separation to a particular location the patient's body, such as a location of the patient's vertebrae. In some embodiments, the light therapy and traction are performed simultaneously. In other embodiments, the light therapy and lumbar traction are performed in treatment cycles to the patient. Embodiments of the present invention embrace the application of light therapy prior to, during, and/or after a cervical and/or lumbar traction treatment. |
| US08273044B1 |
Traction splint device
A traction splint device for providing aid to a person suffering from a broken or fractured lower extremity. The device generally includes a collapsible shaft adapted to be positioned alongside a leg of a patient, a first support connected to a first end of the shaft, and a second support connected to a second end of the shaft. The first support is adapted to be positioned forwardly of a lower end of the leg and includes a center brace having a notch. A plurality of stabilizing straps traverse the shaft and are adapted to constrain the leg. At least one of the straps is adapted to wrap around the notch of the center brace to secure a lower end of the leg and at least one of the straps is adapted to extend through an opening of the second support to secure an upper end of the leg. |
| US08273040B1 |
Attitude adjustable arm sling
An arm sling provides elastic elongation to accommodate arms of differing lengths. Wedge shaped blocks are engagable with the sides of the sling to provide abduction of the sling. The sling is made predominantly of a net material so as to provide air circulation around the supported arm. An elastic sheet material supports the hand of the supported arm. A shoulder strap provides a movable cushioned pad for comfortable use of the sling as held by the strap. |
| US08273033B2 |
Temperature compensation of a respiratory gas sensor
A mainstream gas monitoring system and method that includes a mainstream airway adapter, and a gas sensing assembly associated with the mainstream airway adapter to measure an analyte of a gas flow through the adapter. A gas sensing portion outputs a signal indicative of the analyte in a gas flow in the mainstream airway adapter. A processing portion receives the signal from the gas sensing portion and determines an amount of the analyte in the gas flow based on the signal from the gas sensing portion. The gas sensing portion is subject to temperature variations associated with variations in flow rate and direction of respiratory gases. Methods are described that utilize the measurement of instantaneous respiratory flow rate combined with estimates of gas temperature and composition to estimate the sensor cooling effects from which a flow based time varying compensation factor is derived. |
| US08273029B2 |
Pressure recovery index to assess cardiac function
Determining an index for assessing cardiac function. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving ventricular pressure data during an invasive cardiac procedure, wherein the received pressure data includes a diastatic ventricular pressure value, a minimum ventricular pressure value, and a predefined fiducial marker pressure value. An index value is calculated by comparing a first pressure difference to a second pressure difference. The first pressure difference represents the difference between the received diastatic ventricular pressure value and the received minimum ventricular pressure value. The second pressure difference represents the difference between the received fiducial marker pressure value and the received minimum ventricular pressure value. The index value is provided to a health care provider to assess early diastolic cardiac function. |
| US08273024B2 |
Ultrasound transmission gel
An improved ultrasound transmission gel adapted to induce a therapeutic effect and/or palliative effect in a patient. An ultrasound transmission gel may include a water-based gel having a conductivity adapted to facilitate ultrasound signal transfer, and an essential oil. An essential oil may be selected according to its ability to calm and/or relieve certain medical conditions. In some embodiments, an ultrasound transmission gel may be customized to suit a particular patient's medical needs. |
| US08273021B2 |
Apparatus, method and medium measuring skin moisture content
An apparatus for measuring skin moisture content in a user's skin is provided. The apparatus may include a signal supplier to generate an out-of-phase signal from a voltage signal obtained from the user's skin and an in-phase signal from the voltage signal, a susceptance measurement unit to measure the susceptance of the voltage signal by synchronizing the voltage signal and the out-of-phase signal received from the signal supplier, a conductance measurement unit to measure the conductance of the voltage signal by synchronizing the voltage signal and the in-phase signal, and an output unit to output sweat gland activity information of the user based on the measured conductance and skin moisture content information of the user based on the measured susceptance. |
| US08273019B2 |
Clinical investigation data logging with contextual time shifting
A health monitoring device that includes a data logger module that collects health information from a subject or clinician during specific time ranges that are part of a health monitoring schedule. The collected health information and/or the time ranges are determined in part by the content of the collected health information. The device records the collected health information along with a time stamp. The device also includes a clock and a time shift mode that allows a user to adjust the clock to a specified point in the health monitoring schedule so that the device operates at the specified point in the same manner as if the device had reached the specified point without intervention by the user to adjust the clock. |
| US08273016B2 |
Esophagus isolation device
An esophagus isolation catheter for deflecting an esophagus of a patient away from an ablation site in the left atrium of the patient's heart is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body and a deflectable section. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a deflectable intermediate section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and a generally straight tip section mounted at the distal end of the intermediate section. In this embodiment, the catheter comprises two puller wires, one anchored proximal the other. The intermediate section deflects to form a generally C-shaped curve. In an alternative embodiment, the catheter comprises a deflectable tip section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. In this embodiment, the catheter comprises only one puller wire. The tip section carries a tip electrode having an atraumatic design to prevent damage to the esophagus upon deflection. |
| US08273015B2 |
Methods for imaging the anatomy with an anatomically secured scanner assembly
A method for viewing a portion of a patient's anatomy that comprises placing a scanner assembly including an oscillating reflector in the anatomy, securing the scanner assembly to an anatomical structure, scanning the anatomy with the scanner assembly secured to the anatomical structure, collecting radiation returned from the scanned anatomy, and generating a displayable image of the anatomy. |
| US08273009B2 |
Pipette aspiration device
A device for aspirating sample media into a pipette for use in a micro-manipulation procedure includes a ring member having an opening sized for receiving a digit of an operator, and an aspirating bulb engaged with the ring member. The aspirating bulb has an open end sized for receiving an end of the pipette, and includes a compressible chamber capable of creating a suction force suitable for aspirating the sample media into the pipette. The aspirating bulb is oriented along the ring member such that the chamber is compressible by a digit on the same hand of the operator as the digit receivable in the ring member. |
| US08273007B2 |
Apparatus for transporting and positioning a capsule in which a radioactive source is present
An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor. |
| US08273006B2 |
Tissue irradiation
Devices and methods are disclosed for treatment to tissue surrounding a body cavity or other intracorporeal site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer. Such a device includes a treatment location on a distal portion of the device with one or more radiation shielding components that partially encircle a radiation source at the treatment location to control emitted radiation from the radiation source. The device minimizes radiation damage to healthy tissue surrounding the body cavity or other site while irradiating tissue not shielded by the radiation shielding components. A device embodying features of the invention can include a sealing member at a location on a shaft of the device proximal to a treatment location to seal the passageway leading to the body cavity. |
| US08273001B2 |
Exercise kit, apparel item and method of using same
A muscle toning kit includes an exercise garment having a first resistance article and a second resistance article. The first resistance article and the second resistance article cooperate to facilitate the exercise of at least one muscle group of a user. The first resistance article is adjustable to provide a range of user selected resistance levels, while second resistance article has another range of user selected resistance levels so that as the user maneuvers the exercise garment, its adjustable pressure opposing structures facilitate the toning and conditioning of the at least one muscle group of the user. The method includes wearing and deforming the exercise garment from its original shape through natural extension and flexing actions of the user to facilitate providing a resistive force to condition the at least one muscle group of the user. |
| US08272996B2 |
Device and method for limiting travel in an exercise device, and an exercise device including such a limiting device
A method and/or a device may limit a distance traveled by a treadle assembly in an exercise device. For example, the distance traveled by the treadle assembly may be limited by limiting a distance that a resistance element operably coupled to the treadle assembly may travel. An exercise apparatus may include a travel-limiting device or capability. |
| US08272992B2 |
Method for operating a drive train
A process of operating a motor vehicle drive train that comprises at least one hybrid drive having a combustion engine and an electric motor with a clutch connected between the combustion engine and the electric motor, and an automatic transmission is arranged between the hybrid drive and an output. The process including the step of disengaging the clutch to carry out a shift, after a reduction of load at the internal combustion engine and after a reduction of the torque that is transmitted between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. Subsequently carrying out a gear shift by the automatic transmission and, thereafter, increasing the torque that is transmitted by the clutch. Increasing the load from the combustion engine, and optionally engaging the clutch. A load transfer by the electric motor occurs before and/or after the gear shift in the transmission is carried out. |
| US08272991B2 |
Power output apparatus, hybrid vehicle provided with the same, and control method of power output apparatus
In a hybrid vehicle, in order to stop an engine while a clutch is kept engaged and to transmit power from a motor to a drive shaft by changing a change speed state of a transmission when the power from a second motor is being transmitted to the drive shaft by the transmission, for example, a rotation speed of the first motor is adjusted so that the first motor can be connected to the drive shaft with the clutch disengaged while torque commands for both motors are set so that the power based on torque demand is outputted to the drive shaft, the power is transferred from the second motor to the first motor while both motors are connected to the drive shaft by the transmission, and the connection between the second motor and the drive shaft by the transmission is disconnected. |
| US08272987B2 |
Single planetary, single motor/generator hybrid powertrain with three or more operating modes
A hybrid powertrain has an engine, an input member, an output member, and a stationary member, and includes a single planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. The input member is connected for common rotation with the engine and the output member is connected for common rotation with the second member. A single motor/generator is continuously connected for common rotation with the third member. A starter motor is operatively connected to the engine for starting the engine. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engagable to connect the input member for rotation with the first member. A second torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engagable to ground the first member to the stationary member. A third torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engagable to ground the third member to the stationary member. The powertrain is operable in an electric-only operating mode, an engine-only operating mode, and an electrically-variable operating mode. |
| US08272986B2 |
Transmission with mechanically-biased clutch
A transmission configured for receiving power from an engine is provided with a normally-closed clutch in order to permit operation in modes requiring closure of the clutch even when hydraulic power from a pump powered by the engine or by rotation of a transmission member is not available, or is not of a sufficient pressure. |
| US08272983B2 |
Pulley tensioner for a belt drive for use in contact with oil
A tensioner for a belt drive comprises a pivot defining an axis, a support hinged to the axis and defining a guiding surface preferably having a circular profile, an elastic element for actuating the support and a crown pulley eccentric with respect to the axis and surrounding the guiding surface. The tensioner further comprises a journal bearing to support the pulley on the guiding surface. |
| US08272982B2 |
Cam damped pulley for rotary devices
A drive system for a rotary device, such as an automotive alternator compensates for and dampens the effect of sudden bidirectional rotational velocity variations of the pulley caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of an internal combustion engine without using a one-way clutch. The drive system in one aspect comprises an axially movable cam member rotatably supported on a hub that is connected to the alternator shaft and that is journaled within the pulley. The cam member is coupled to the pulley by splines so that it rotates with the pulley while affording axial movement. Springs urge the cam member into engagement with a cam follower on the hub. Upon sudden acceleration or deceleration of the pulley, the cam member rotates angularly relative to the cam follower and moves axially to compress the springs, which exert a restoring force on the cam member and cam follower to eliminate their relative angular rotation. In other aspects, projections on the pulley and the hub operate on springs or fluid filled chambers to dampen sudden velocity changes. |
| US08272981B2 |
Pulley assembly for a continuously variable transmission
Pulley assembly for a continuously-variable vehicle transmission, comprising a support element having an axis, a first half-pulley rotationally connected to the support element, a second half-pulley facing the first half-pulley to define a seating adapted to house a drive belt, the second half-pulley being axially and circumferentially mobile in relation to the support element, and cam means functionally inserted between the second half-pulley and the support element to control the position of the second half-pulley. The cam means define a plurality of circumferential cavities carried by a peripheral portion of the second half-pulley, said cavities being defined by the first and second sides which are transverse to axis, and comprise a plurality of cam-followers which are connected to the support element and housed in the corresponding circumferential cavities to cooperate selectively with the first and second sides. |
| US08272980B1 |
Jacket having an access section for insertion and removal of an inflatable bladder
A jacket for an inflatable bladder such as an exercise ball. The jacket has a durable cover with an access section having an inner panel defining an access opening. Outer panels overlie the inner panel and have edges which extend across the opening and are provided with closures. In use, the outer panels may be separated at fasteners so a bladder may be removed or inserted through the access opening. The inner panel and the outer panels may be a woven material with their weave oriented to resist distortion when the bladder is inflated and to assist in securing the closure. The cover may be any suitable material such as a coated nylon providing durability. |
| US08272979B1 |
Multi-bladed expandable broadhead
An aerodynamic multi-bladed expandable broadhead with rearward mounted overlapping blades with greater in-flight blade angles along with substantially perpendicular blade edges relative to the arrowhead body. Position of blades in flight guarantees they will always make a lethal cut on contact with an animal even before expansion. Greater in-flight blade angle means less force to open blades on hide guaranteeing expansion, and minimal rotation of blades to the penetration position results in a maximum entry cut and greater penetration. By expanding the distance between the blade edge and pivot a stronger blocky blade is produced. Geometry dictates during entry when blades hit bone on angle shots arrow direction will favorably remain in its intended lethal path to an animal. |
| US08272974B2 |
Hybrid golf club head
A hybrid type golf club head is disclosed herein. The hybrid golf club head preferably has an increased heel/toe camber to minimize drag through rough when a golfer swings the hybrid golf club. A sole of the hybrid golf club head is relieved to allow for the face angle to open without the leading edge lifting too high. |
| US08272971B2 |
Golf ball with reduced flight path length
Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path. |
| US08272956B2 |
Social supply harvest mechanic for interactive social games
A supply harvest mechanic with a social fulfillment component for online social games. |
| US08272953B2 |
Game machine, game program and storage medium having program therein
When a cooperation game starts in a host game machine and a guest game machine that have been separately executed standalone games, present information (time and position of character) of the guest game machine is changed into one of the host game machine. During the cooperation game, present information of the guest game machine and the host game machine are renewed, being synchronized with each other. Then, player characters of the guest game machine and the host game machine are displayed on a display of each game machine, and each player plays the cooperation game together with the player character of the other game machine which is displayed on one's own game machine. |
| US08272952B2 |
Gaming system having dynamic player inputs
A gaming system comprises a wager input device, a display for displaying a primary wagering game, and a touch screen overlying at least a portion of the display. The system further includes a controller operative to (i) cause the display to display at least one soft key, the soft key overlying and concealing a first portion of the primary wagering game, (ii) cause the display to display a play of the primary wagering game, and (iii) during the play of the primary wagering game, cause the display to present an altered display of the soft key to reveal some or all of the first portion. |
| US08272949B2 |
System and method for automatic progressive link dispersal
Certain embodiments provide a system and method for automatic progressive link management and dispersal. Certain embodiments of a progressive gaming system include a first progressive link, wherein the first progressive link includes a first progressive amount. The system also includes a second progressive link, wherein the second progressive link includes a second progressive amount. The system further includes a progressive manager capable of automatically dispersing to the second progressive amount a portion of the first progressive amount greater than a base amount upon removal of the first progressive link. In an embodiment, the progressive manager calculates the portion of the first progressive amount that is greater than the base amount. In an embodiment, the first and second progressive links are active in multiple gaming environments. The progressive manager may schedule automatic dispersal of the portion of the first progressive amount to a selected progressive amount at a selected time. |
| US08272947B2 |
Managing cashless wagering game systems
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing of cashless wagering game systems. An apparatus comprises a first cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a first cashless wagering game medium associated with a first cashless wagering system; a second cashless wagering game media input device, operable to access a second cashless wagering game medium associated with a second cashless wagering system; and a control module operable to: receive a transfer amount, the transfer amount associated with the first cashless wagering game medium and to be debited from the first cashless wagering system; and credit at least a portion of the transfer amount to the second cashless wagering system. |
| US08272945B2 |
Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements
Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions. |
| US08272944B2 |
Wagering game with rule set altered prior to completion of reel spin
A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player. |
| US08272942B2 |
Gaming machine performing rendered effect that allows suspense of winning to be sustained according to symbol combination rearranged upon losing result
A gaming machine 13 starts a game, determines symbols to be rearranged, and variably displays symbol groups. Next, in a case where at least a predetermined number of identical symbols for providing an award is rearranged or in a case where identical symbols for providing an award are rearranged in “REACH (ready-to-win)” state, the gaming machine 13 displays a rendered effect that corresponds to the identical symbol on a display device. Accordingly, in a case where a combination with a “REACH” state is achieved even if it ends up with a losing combination, a rendered effect, which is the same as that performed when a winning combination is achieved, is performed to allow the player to maintain the feeling of suspense for winning to the end. |
| US08272941B2 |
Bonus with proximity of occurrence related to base game outcomes or payback percentage
Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. In another aspect, winning the bonus award may be based on payback percentage or outcomes of the base game. In yet another aspect, the timing of the next bonus award can be configured, or otherwise based on one or more conditions. |
| US08272936B2 |
Systems and methods for determining a lottery winner based on a plurality of lottery tickets
In accordance with some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, a method, an apparatus and a computer readable medium are provided for receiving a request from at least one lottery player to purchase at least one lottery ticket comprising a plurality of symbols, issuing the at least one lottery ticket to the lottery player, associating the at least one lottery ticket with a lottery team formed of at least one other lottery player associated with at least one other lottery ticket associated with the lottery team, determining an occurrence of a qualifying winning event based on the plurality of symbols of all of the lottery tickets associated with the lottery team, and determining a payout for the lottery team based upon the occurrence of the qualifying event. |
| US08272935B2 |
Gaming system with a select and drag feature
The present invention relates generally to a casino gaming system including a select and drag feature. In the system, a gaming device is capable of enabling play of a game of chance, wherein the game of chance displays multiple game positions for insertion of values related to the game of chance. Also, the system includes a processor associated with the gaming device, and the processor includes an algorithm allowing a player to select an initial value in one of the game positions and then copy the initially selected value into another game position. The select and drag feature may be used with any game, including a lottery style game. |
| US08272930B2 |
Air system
An air system for pressurizing and air conditioning a cockpit and cabin space of a plane comprises a compressor (3) for compressing an air mass flow, wherein the air mass flow to be compressed is extracted through a ram air duct (13, 14) from the environment of the plane and supplied through a heat exchanger (15, 18) to at least one zone (10A-D) to be pressurized and air conditioned. |
| US08272924B2 |
Grinding head for a surface grinding machine
The invention relates to a grinding head for a grinding machine. The grinding head comprises a tool holder, which in use is moved in a plane, in particular rotated or translated back and forth, by the grinding machine. The grinding head furthermore comprises at least two tools which are connectable to the tool holder by a releasable sticking connection. One of the tools or the tool holder is provided with at least one protrusion and the other one is provided with an associated cavity to lock which extend transverse to said plane of movement of the tool with respect to the tool holder in a direction parallel to said plane when the tool is connected to the tool holder. |
| US08272921B2 |
Beehive frame and comb foundation for controlling varroa mites
A frame and comb foundation and method for controlling Varroa mites in a honeybee hive. In a first embodiment the invention is comprised of half portions of the frame and comb foundation in combination with a power supply, heating element, electronic control unit (ECU), temperature sensor and an optional diagnostic system. The ECU which may be mounted on the frame and comb foundation or, in a separate enclosure is comprised of a micro-controller and other circuitry. The temperature sensor is mounted adjacent to the heating unit. The power supply may mobile or stationary, such as a battery or line current.In a second embodiment, the frame and comb foundation is interconnected with similar frame and comb foundations in multiple hives that include individual ECU's and temperature sensors and individual wireless electronic communication systems, a single power source and individual heating elements. The multiple temperature sensors are mounted adjacent to the heating elements. The ECU's are mounted on the frame and comb foundations or in separate enclosures. The ECU's are comprised of logic circuits or micro-controllers and other circuitry. The power source may be a mobile or stationary source such as a battery. |
| US08272917B2 |
Directionally controllable flying vehicle and a propeller mechanism for accomplishing the same
A flying vehicle in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention includes a propeller control mechanism for flying the vehicle. The propeller control mechanism includes a propeller having a center shaft for connecting to the drive shaft; first and second propeller blades extending from the center shaft; and a control mechanism including a first linkage connecting the center shaft to the first propeller blade and a second linkage connecting the center shaft to a region defined on the propeller, wherein a change in a driving torque of the drive shaft causes the first linkage and the second linkage to change the pitch and height of the propeller blades while substantially unchanging the tip path plane of the propeller blades. |
| US08272915B2 |
Bubble generating assembly that produces vertical bubbles
A bubble generating assembly has a housing having a motor, an air generator coupled to the motor, and a bubble generator associated therewith. The assembly also includes a source of bubble solution, and a pump system provided inside the housing that draws bubble solution from the source to the bubble generator. The bubble generator includes a plurality of openings, with bubble solution delivered to the bubble generator flowing through the openings. The air from the air generator is delivered upwardly through the openings. |
| US08272912B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device and method for producing the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic EL device having a structure to enhance a barrier property against gases such as water vapor and oxygen which penetrate into an organic EL element formed on a substrate.That is, the present invention provides the organic EL device including a substrate 10, an organic EL element 20 holding an organic EL layer including a light emitting layer between one pair of electrodes of which at least one is transparent or translucent, a sealing layer 30 which seals the organic EL element 20 and in which multiple layers are formed by stacking an inorganic film and an organic film alternately and a sealing glass substrate 40 disposed by tightly adhering onto an uppermost organic film 33-n in the sealing layer 30, on the substrate 10. |
| US08272910B2 |
Electroluminescent device having improved light output
An electroluminescent device including a transparent substrate, a securing layer, a light scattering layer, an electroluminescent unit including a transparent electrode layer, a light emitting element including at least one light emitting layer, and a reflecting electrode layer in that order, wherein the light scattering layer includes one monolayer of inorganic particles having an index of refraction larger than that of the light emitting layer and wherein the securing layer holds the inorganic particles in the light scattering layer. |
| US08272909B2 |
Method of assembling a small-diameter spark plug with resistive seal
A spark plug (10) includes an intermediate connecting pin (54) disposed in the central passage (28) of an the insulator body (12). The connecting pin (54) seats in an intermediate taper section (72) within the central passage (28), which is generally frustoconical and establishes a transition between a first larger diameter of the central passage (28) and a second smaller diameter. The intermediate tapered section (72) is located longitudinally above a filleted transition (26) feature of the insulator body (12) exterior. A pin head (53) of the connecting pin (54) has a complementary tapered under-cut and seats against the intermediate tapered section (72) to provide self-centering of the connecting pin (54) without trapping gas during the assembly process. The intermediate taper section (72) also provides an increase in insulator wall thickness which improves dielectric capacity and structural integrity of the insulator (12). |
| US08272908B2 |
Swim ring and swimming aid
A swim ring, including: at least one ring stabilizing a swim position of the swim ring; wings protruding upward from a base component or from the ring and configured with disengageable wing connectors; and suspenders configured to be attached on one side at the base component or at the ring and on the other side at the wings, wherein the ends of the suspenders are configured to be connected to the wings through disengageable suspender connectors, wherein a wing side suspender connector and a wing connector of a first wing are integrally combined to form a combined one piece wing side connector, wherein the combined one piece wing side connector, a suspender side suspender connector and a wing connector of a second wing are configured, so that establishing disengageable connections of the connectors with one another is only possible in a single connection configuration. |
| US08272907B2 |
Sectionalized sports board
A sectionalized sports board including a plurality of board sections and a post-tensioning apparatus incorporated into a board stringer and operatively disposed between the sections along the longitudinal axis of each section. The post-tensioning apparatus includes a post-tensioning cable slidably inserted into a cable chase disposed in each of the board sections, and a cable tension adjustment for selectively coupling the sections into a configuration for use of the board or for separating the board sections so that they can be folded into a compact collapsed configuration. The post-tensioning cable is permanently anchored at its ends, and when the post-tensioning cable is in a stressed condition, the board sections are abutted to provide a useable and rigid board configuration, and when the post-tensioning cable is unstressed, the board sections may be folded into a compact collapsed configuration. |
| US08272904B2 |
Power utility connector with a plurality of conductor receiving channels
An electrical connector assembly includes a main conductive member and a tap conductive member separately fabricated from one another. Each of the main and tap conductive members including at least one conductor receiving channel, wherein the main and tap conductive members together include at least three channels configured to receive conductors therein and extending along three different channel axes. The channel(s) of the main conductive member is configured to receive a main power line conductor, and the channel(s) of the tap conductive member is configured to receive a tap power line conductor. The main and tap conductive members are joined to one another such that the main conductive member and the tap conductive member cooperate to capture the main power line conductor therebetween when the main and tap conductive members are joined, and the tap conductive member and the main conductive member cooperate to capture the tap power line conductor therebetween when the main and tap conductive members are joined. |
| US08272903B2 |
Probe connector
A probe connector adapted for fastening a cable thereto includes an insulating housing and a plurality of probe pin assemblies. The insulating housing defines a plurality of fastening openings and inserting holes penetrating therethrough. The probe pin assembly includes a shell, a plunger and an elastic element assembled in the shell. The shell has a barrel partly received in the inserting hole, and a box-shaped base shell received in the fastening opening. The base shell has a rear plate extending rearward. The rear plate extends rearward to form a connecting piece of which two opposite side edges define two clipping pieces capable of being bent towards each other to clip a core wire of the cable therebetween. The plunger partially projects out of the barrel and the inserting hole. Then the rear plate is bent downward to make the probe pin assembly be a right-angled shape. |
| US08272897B1 |
Electrical connector
The present invention discloses an electrical connector that is soldered on a circuit board. The circuit board has an opening recess having a hooking recess extending forward and outward and formed at each of two side edges of the opening recess. Two side walls of shell of the electrical connector are punched to form flexible fixing pieces, which extend forward and outward, respectively. A track groove is formed in front or rear of the flexible fixing piece in each of the two side walls of the shell. The circuit board can be inserted into the track grooves, and the flexible fixing pieces can be flexibly held in the hooking recesses. The present invention can economize spaces at both sides as well as reduce volume of the electrical connector by engaging the flexible fixing pieces and the hooking recesses, and engaging the track grooves and the circuit board. |
| US08272892B2 |
Hospital bed having wireless data capability
A system is provided for use with a pre-existing hospital bed and a nurse call system. The system includes a first apparatus that is coupleable to a data port of the hospital bed and a second apparatus that is spaced from the hospital bed, that is spaced from the first apparatus, and that is coupleable to the nurse call system. A transmitter of the first apparatus is operable to transmit data received at the data port to a receiver that is operable to wirelessly receive data transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the first apparatus. The first apparatus and second apparatus are used in lieu of a cable that is otherwise usable to connect the hospital bed to the nurse call system via a hard-wired connection. |
| US08272888B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector for transmitting data signals between the insulated conductors of a first data cable and corresponding insulated conductors of a second data cable, including a first part having a socket shaped to at least partially receive a plug of said first data cable; a second part having a plurality of insulation displacement contact slots shaped to receive end sections of the conductors of the second data cable; and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts including resiliently compressible spring finger contacts extending into the socket for electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the first cable; insulation displacement contacts seated in corresponding insulation displacement contact slots for effecting electrical connection with corresponding conductors of the second data cable; and mid sections extending therebetween, wherein mid sections of the contacts are seated in corresponding channels. |
| US08272887B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a first terminal housing for housing a plurality of first connecting terminals aligned, a second terminal housing for housing a plurality of second connecting terminals aligned, and a connecting member for collectively fixing and electrically connecting the plurality of first connecting terminals to the plurality of second connecting terminals at each contact point by pressing the adjacent insulating members. The plurality of first connecting terminals are aligned and held in a first inner housing housed in the first terminal housing. The plurality of second connecting terminals are aligned and held in a second inner housing housed in the second terminal housing. The first and/or second connecting terminals includes a low rigidity portion that can be deformed, when pressed by the connecting member, such that portions of the first and/or second connecting terminals on the contact point side are parallel to portions thereof on the opposite side. |
| US08272886B2 |
Connector
A connector capable of being water-tightly secured to cables without locally applying pressure to the cables is provided.A male connector 14 is formed with at least one guide groove 18m extending in an insertion direction on a portion in a circumferential direction, a female connector 16 is formed with at least one guide protrusion 20m that extends in the insertion direction and can be inserted into the guide groove 18m corresponding to the guide groove 18m, the guide protrusion 20m has both ends coupled to an outer surface of the second connector 16, a middle portion of the guide protrusion 20m is formed to be an elastic arm separated from the outer surface, and a lock mechanism is provided between the guide groove 18m and the guide protrusion 20m. |
| US08272883B1 |
Intersystem grounding bridge and system
An intersystem grounding bridge and associated intersystem grounding bridge system includes a cylindrical housing formed from an electrically conductive material, the housing having a plurality of channels in a first face of the housing for receiving and holding grounding conductor wires of associated communication components, a plurality of threaded apertures in the cylindrical surface of the housing for receipt of set screws so as to secure grounding wires inserted within these first channels, and a second channel formed in a second face of the cylindrical housing for receiving a grounding and an associated grounding conductor wire. A second threaded aperture in the cylindrical housing in cooperates with the second channel to secure a grounding rod and, if present, the associated grounding conductor wire. The grounding bridge may include a cover to form an intersystem grounding bridge system. |
| US08272882B2 |
Semiconductor device socket
A contact terminal (26ai) comprises: a pair of movable side contact pieces (26M) and (26F) which pinch or release a ball-like electrode portion (DVa) of a semiconductor device (DV); a fixed side terminal (26T) having on one end a contact point (26te) coming into contact with an electrode group (PBE) of a printed wiring board (PB); and a fixing portion (26C) which connects proximal end portions of the pair of elastic movable side contact pieces (26M) and (26F) to the other end of the fixed side terminal (26T). The fixed side terminal (26T) formed into a curved shape is elastic and has the one end thereof joined to the fixing portion (26C). The fixed side terminal (26T) is formed of a plurality of curved portions (26ta, 26tb, 26tc, and 26td) and the contact point (26te) provided continuous with one another. |
| US08272875B1 |
Educational device for simulating addictive behavior and method of using
An addiction simulator for use in an educational program, operable for (i) periodically requesting simulated addictive behavior, (ii) receiving a satisfaction signal from an assigned individual in response to a generated request, representing consumption of an amount of addictant in limited supply, and (iii) refusing acceptance of a satisfaction signal when the supply of addictant has been exhausted. The duration of the interval between requests can based upon a physiological characteristic of the assigned individual. |
| US08272872B2 |
System and method for calculating optimal performance and weight classification
A website providing a weight, activity and nutritional program over a network. The website allows users to input an assessment of a subject, which can be used to generate a condition overview and a weight plan for the subject. The weight plan can include minimum weights for the subject, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time. The website can also be used to generate a nutrition plan based on the subject data entered, and to enter and monitor activity data. |
| US08272870B2 |
Device for securing a dental attachment to an implant
An anchorage unit fits to a dental implant. A dental attachment for mounting to the anchorage unit has a first attachment part and a second attachment part. The attachment parts define an aperture for accommodating a portion of the anchorage unit with a boundary wall of the aperture on each of the attachment parts serving, in use, as a jaw for clamping against the portion of the anchorage unit. The aperture is of greater size than the portion of the anchorage unit to allow adjustment of the position of the attachment with respect to the anchorage unit. In another embodiment, a two-part anchoring assembly defines a pair of jaws for, in use, receiving and clamping against a portion of a dental attachment. The apparatus is particularly relevant when an attachment must be placed on more than one implant simultaneously. |
| US08272868B2 |
Dental curing lights and a seamless, single load cavity preparation and filling technique
There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth. |
| US08272862B2 |
Article and method for fabricating an applicator tip assembly for a skin formulation applicator
The article and corresponding method include a casting fixture for a part of a skin formulation applicator which is otherwise difficult to cast. The casting fixture includes a central cup section and two opposing tear-away sections. A rigid base portion of an applicator tip assembly is mounted into an upper rim of the cup section and liquid silicone material is poured into the volume defined in the cup section portion beneath the base portion. The silicone cures and bonds to extending elements from the base portion, providing a firm connection between the cast tip portion and the base portion. When the combined part is ready for use, the tear-away sections are removed by the user, which results in an easy ejection of the part, which can then be installed by the user in the formulation applicator. |
| US08272860B2 |
Elliptical tire mold
A tire mold having a substantially elliptical base surface and a method for making a tire mold are provided. In one embodiment, a user selects a major axis length for the tire mold, then selects a ratio of the major axis length to a minor axis length. The tire mold is then formed with a substantially elliptical base surface defined by the first major axis and the selected ratio. |
| US08272856B2 |
High-pressure pump, in particular for a fuel injection apparatus of an internal combustion engine
The high-pressure pump has at least one pump element which has a pump plunger which is driven in a reciprocating motion and defines a pump working space into which fuel is drawn in from a fuel feed via an inlet valve during the suction stroke of the pump plunger and from which fuel is displaced into a high-pressure region via an outlet valve during the delivery stroke of the pump plunger. The inlet valve and/or the outlet valve has a valve member at least approximately in the shape of a ball which acts as a sealing surface with a valve seat arranged in a valve housing. The valve member, in its open state, is lifted with its sealing surface from the valve seat, a first cross section of flow is cleared between the valve member and the valve seat, and downstream of the first cross section of flow, a second cross section of flow is formed between the valve member and the valve housing. In the direction of flow between the first cross section of flow and the second cross section of flow, a third cross section of flow is formed between the valve member and the valve housing, said third cross section of flow being larger than the first cross section of flow and the second cross section of flow. |
| US08272851B2 |
Fluidic energy transfer devices
A fluid energy transfer device, including a chamber for receiving a fluid, at least a portion of the chamber comprising a movable portion relative to another portion of the chamber, the movable portion being adapted to change the volume of the chamber from a first volume to a second volume by movement of the movable portion. The device further includes an actuator attached to the movable portion, wherein the displacements of the movable portion can be larger than the displacement of the actuator. |
| US08272849B1 |
Process for sizing a throat length of a jet pump
A process for sizing an axial length of a throat in a jet pump, where an exponential relationship between mixing and kinetic energy dissipation of the primary jet is plotted in terms of a non-dimensional parameter on a graph which ranges from around 1.0 at an axial length of zero to a ratio of less than 0.1 at the minimal axial length of the throat to produce complete mixing between the primary and secondary fluids. This non-dimensional parameter is referred to as the Stein number. |
| US08272845B1 |
Systems and methods for asymmetrical pumping in low speed, low volume fluid recovery operations
Systems and methods for asymmetrical pumping in low speed, low volume fluid recovery. According to the system and method, fluid is recovered from a well using an asymmetrical recovery motion. A walking beam is actuated about a first pivot point between an upstroke motion and a downstroke motion in response to rotation of a crank wheel. The crank wheel rotates more than 180 degrees during the upstroke and rotates less than 180 degrees during the downstroke. Further, the walking beam and the crank wheel are in communication with one another by an arm extending there between, wherein the arm is positioned on an opposite side of the first pivot point from the well. |
| US08272840B2 |
Blade support limb for vertical axis wind turbine
A blade support limb structure of a vertical axis wind power generator includes a fixed support limb (1) and a rotatable support limb (2), one end (21) of the rotatable support limb is connected with one end (22) of the fixed support limb and the rotatable support limb may rotate around it. The structure keeps a wind wheel at stable rotation speed in the case the environmental wind speed exceeds the rated wind speed, thereby to ensure that vertical axis wind power generator outputs constant power. The structure solves a problem of constant power output of the vertical axis wind power generator from hundreds watts to thousands watts, so its applications are wide. |
| US08272834B2 |
Acoustic damper integrated to a compressor housing
A compressor housing for accommodating a compressor wheel comprises an inlet and an outlet, each being defined by a wall provided integrally with said compressor housing, wherein at least one acoustic damper element is disposed on the outside of at least one of said walls of the inlet and the outlet. Preferably, the acoustic damper element is integrally formed with the compressor housing by die casting. A compressor or a turbocharger can be equipped with the compressor housing. |
| US08272832B2 |
Centrifugal compressor with surge control, and associated method
A centrifugal compressor for compressing a fluid comprises a compressor wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades, and a compressor housing in which the compressor wheel is mounted. The compressor housing includes an inlet duct through which the fluid enters in an axial direction and is led by the inlet duct into the compressor wheel, and an inner surface located radially adjacent the tips of the blades. A bleed port is defined in the inner surface of the compressor housing at a location intermediate the leading and trailing edges of the blades, for bleeding off a bleed portion of the fluid, the bleed port leading to a recirculation flow channel that feeds the bleed portion back into the inlet duct. Highly cambered vanes are disposed in the recirculation flow channel for turning the bleed portion to take out and in some cases reverse the swirl in the bleed portion. |
| US08272830B2 |
Scissor lift transfer robot
A method and apparatus for a transfer robot that may be used in a vacuum environment is described. The transfer robot includes a lift assembly comprising a first platform and a second platform coupled to the first platform by a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members comprising a first pair of support members and a second pair of support members, a first drive assembly coupled to a portion of the plurality of support members, the first drive assembly providing a motive force to the plurality of support members to move the second platform in a first linear direction relative to the first platform, and an end effector disposed on the second platform and movable in a second linear direction by a second drive assembly, the second linear direction being orthogonal to the first linear direction. |
| US08272828B2 |
Object moving apparatus
An object moving apparatus is provided which is different from coordinated conveyance through real-time information exchange between carriages only by wireless communication and which can move an object reliably and in a more stable manner by coordinated control of carriages without the object falling off. Arranged is a leader carriage A with a carriage body 2 travelable in all directions by travel drivers 1 and a lifter 5 attached to the carriage body via a link mechanism 3 for lifting up a vehicle 4 as object. The leader carriage is movable along a given target track. Further arranged is a follower carriage B with a carriage body 2 travelable in all directions and a lifter 5 attached to the carriage body via a link mechanism 3 for lifting up the vehicle 4. The follower carriage estimates and follows movement of the leader carriage so as to move the vehicle 4 in coordination with the leader carriage. |
| US08272826B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus includes first and second transfer chambers, first and second load lock chambers for exchanging one or more substrates with respective ones of first and the second transfer chambers, and a substrate transfer unit, located between the first and second load lock chambers, for transferring the one or more substrates to the first and second load lock chambers. |
| US08272817B2 |
Tool for machining a workpiece
The invention relates to a tool for machining a workpiece, which tool is rotatable about a tool axis, having a tool shank and a tool head, which tool head comprises at least one land, at least one spiral point assigned to the land and at least one flute assigned to the land, wherein the flute has a left-hand helix and the spiral point is skewed to the left, or wherein the flute has a right-hand helix and the spiral point is skewed to the right. |
| US08272815B2 |
Boring tool and method of boring pilot hole
A boring tool can form a hole accurately by improving the rigidity of a reamer so that the runout of the reamer can be prevented at high speeds, extending product life by suppressing the breakage caused by cutting resistance. The boring tool is inserted into a pilot hole formed in a workpiece beforehand to cut the inner wall of the pilot hole. The boring tool comprises a shank part rotated about an axis, an edge part with a cutting edge at the tip of the shank part, and a chip discharging groove formed in the outer peripheral part of the edge part and extending from the tip to the rear end. The cutting edge is formed at a crossed ridge part between the wall surface of the chip discharging groove and the outer peripheral surface of the edge part. The cross-section of the chip discharging groove is formed in a U-shape. |
| US08272814B2 |
Stringer crawler with attachment mechanism
A crawler assembly includes an attachment mechanism that is removably attachable to a stringer. The stringer has a vertical web and a longitudinal axis. The crawler assembly includes a longitudinal slider that is engageable to the attachment mechanism and having a normalizing mechanism disposable in bearing contact against the vertical web for maintaining an orientation of the longitudinal slider relative to the stringer. The longitudinal slider is movable along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The crawler assembly includes a lateral slider that is mountable to the longitudinal slider and is movable along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lateral slider includes a drill bushing. The longitudinal and lateral sliders cooperate to move the drill bushing to at least one predetermined hole location. |
| US08272810B2 |
Pilings for foundation underpinning
A pile segment for foundation underpinning. In some embodiments, the pile segment includes a head, a trunk extending from the head, and a throughbore passing axially through the head and the trunk. The throughbore has a longitudinal centerline. The area of a cross-section through the head and normal to the centerline is greater than the area of a cross-section through the trunk and normal to the centerline. |
| US08272809B2 |
Active control releasable ballast system for use with dive equipment
An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act. |
| US08272808B1 |
Device and method for the plugging of services in conduits
A plug for a tubular service entrance of a conduit, wherein the plug includes a core body having a central hollow channel extending from a first end to second end of the core body; at least one flexible fin extending radially outwardly from the core body and having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular service entrance so that the plug is adapted to fit tightly into the tubular service entrance, and wherein the at least one flexible fin is deformable to adapt to the shape of the service entrance and apply a lateral force against the inner diameter of the service entrance. A plug dispensing magazine for storing and dispensing service entrance plugs to be service entrances of a conduit prior to installation of a liner in the conduit and a method of sealing the service entrances. |