| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08282443B2 |
Automatic machine for grinding the perimetric edge of glass sheets
An automatic machine and an automatic method for grinding the perimetric edge of rectangular or nonrectangular of glass sheets arranged substantially vertically, comprising at least one conveyor and at least one workhead provided with an abrasive tool for grinding the glass sheet at its edge, following its perimetric profile by way of the relative action of movement of the glass sheet and movement of the at least one workhead. During grinding, the glass sheet is no longer supported and moved by the conveyor but by at least one carriage, to which the glass sheet is coupled by way of at least one sucker. |
| US08282441B2 |
Comfort support brassier and method
A brassiere includes a take-up member having an inner and an outer take-up segment. The take-up segments follow the outer curvature of the upper portion of the brassiere cup. The lower ends of the take-up segments are attached at or near the ends of the lower edge of the cup, which extends side to side, below the breast. The lower edge of the cup can comprise an uplifting wire, a support strip, a bent support strip or a simple seam. |
| US08282438B2 |
Playset system for toy vehicles
A playset system for toy vehicles, preferably wheeled toy vehicles, the playset system having multiple levels including a base level, having one or more and preferably two or more base segments that are interconnectable; and a roadway level having one or more and preferably two or more segments that are interconnectable, wherein the roadway level is located on an upper surface of the base level. In a preferred embodiment, the playset system is specifically designed and scaled to accommodate die cast vehicles, preferably 1:64 scale die cast vehicles that are known in the art. The playset in preferred embodiments utilizes magnetic fields to operatively connect the components of the base level to components of the roadway level. |
| US08282436B2 |
Light emitting device, electronic device, and method of manufacturing light emitting device
A light emitting device having at least one pixel having a light emitting element includes a substrate, a partition wall formed over the substrate, and a luminous layer of the light emitting element, where the luminous layer is formed in at least one groove partitioned by the partition wall. The partition wall has a plurality of first partition walls and at least one second partition wall. Each of the first partition walls is extending in the first direction and the second partition wall is formed to extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connect end portions of the plurality of first partition walls. A lyophobic degree of the second partition wall is lower than that of a center region between both ends of each of the first partition walls in the first direction. |
| US08282431B1 |
Floating double compression connector
An electrical connector includes a lengthwise housing and two rows of terminals. The housing defines two rows of passageways running through opposite first surface and second surface thereof to load with terminals. Each terminal includes a middle portion and two contacting arms extending from opposite ends of the middle portion. The two contacting arms of the terminals respectively extend beyond the first and second surfaces and curving inwards. Each terminal further includes a stopping rib and a spring rib at opposite lateral sides of the middle portion. Each passageway defines a first stopping shoulder adjacent to the second surface and a second stopping shoulder adjacent to the first surface. The stopping ribs are lodged against the first stopping shoulder or the spring ribs are lodged against the second stopping shoulder so that the terminals are moveable limited in the passageways. |
| US08282430B2 |
Electrical contact
An electrical contact includes a soldering plate, first curved plate extended upwardly from one end of the soldering plate, a middle plate extended from the free end of the curved plate, a second curved plate extended upwardly from the free end of the soldering plate, a contact plate extended from the free end of the second curved plate, a vertical plate extended downwardly from each of opposite lateral edges of the contact plate and beyond a bottom surface of the middle plate, and a restricting plate extended inwardly from the vertical plate and positioned between the soldering plate and the middle plate. The movement of the contact plate and the middle plate are limited to resist a vertical force for preventing the electrical contact from permanent deformation in a vertical direction by the restricting plates. |
| US08282426B2 |
Electrical contact for interference fit into housing
An electrical contact (10), in particular for an electronic control unit (50), includes a number of contact pins (56) and at least one electrical cable (14) which has a connector lug (28). The connector part (12) is accommodated in an interference fit (44) in a receiving chamber (40) of a housing part (36) that includes at least one contact strip (64). |
| US08282420B2 |
Delayed contact action connector
A connector having a plurality of terminals for connecting to a circuit card and a method therefore are disclosed. The connector includes a socket having a casing with an aperture for receiving the circuit card therein and a plurality of terminals made of electrically conductive material. At least one of the plurality of terminals includes an elongated portion and a substantially L-shaped portion joined together by a U-shaped portion. The elongated portion has a proximal end and a distal end, and includes a support section and a bending section between the proximal end and the distal end. The terminal is secured to the casing by the support section at or near the proximal end of the elongated portion. The U-shaped portion is disposed at the distal end of the elongated portion. The terminal continues from the U-shaped portion to a region approximately halfway towards the proximal end of the elongated portion and turns away from the elongated portion thereby forming the substantially L-shaped portion. The L-shaped portion ends in a lip section curving towards the proximal end of the elongated portion. |
| US08282419B2 |
eSATA connector structure
An improved eSATA connector structure includes a base, a circuit board, a chassis and a casing. The base includes a containing space, a retaining wall formed at a front end of the containing space, and an opening formed on the retaining wall. The circuit board is installed in the containing space and passed through the opening and out of the retaining wall, and at least one surface of the circuit board has a plurality of conductive pins, and a transmission line segment is extended from an end of each conductive pin and electrically coupled to a conductive terminal. The chassis is installed in the containing space and includes through holes for passing out conductive terminals, and the casing is installed at the exterior of the base and includes a hollow main body, and a port is formed at a front end of the hollow main body for exposing the circuit board. |
| US08282415B1 |
Multi-port connector assembly
A multi-port connector assembly includes a housing that has a front end and a back end. The housing has a plurality of openings therethrough that extend between the front end and the back end. The housing has a shelf that extends from the back end. The shelf has a plurality of channels formed therein. A plurality of contact subassemblies are received in corresponding openings. The contact subassemblies have center conductors and outer shells surrounding the center conductors. The outer shells have rails that extend outward therefrom. The rails are received in corresponding channels to orient the contact subassemblies with respect to the housing. |
| US08282411B2 |
Connector position assurance lock
A Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock (10) for an engine wiring harness connector (12) having a connector body (14) and a lever latch (30) pivotal with respect to the connector body includes a lock body (34). A foot (52) extends from the lock body (34) and engages the connector (12) to fix the position of the lock body relative to the connector. The lock body (34) captures the lever latch (30) and prevents the pivoting of the lever latch with respect to the connector body (40) unless the foot (52) is deformed. |
| US08282410B2 |
Adaptor assembly for electrical connector
A deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter assembly may include a deadbreak-to-loadbreak bushing having a first end and a second end, and an annular shoulder portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end may include a loadbreak interface for connecting to a loadbreak device and the second end may include a deadbreak interface for connecting to a deadbreak bushing. A bailing element may be provided for securing the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing to a housing in which the deadbreak bushing is installed via a securing force applied to the shoulder portion of the deadbreak-to-loadbreak adapter bushing. |
| US08282409B2 |
Electrical connector with latches holding module in place
An electrical connector includes an insulting housing defining a receiving room and an inserting opening through which the module is inserted in the receiving room in an inserting direction. A plurality of contacts are retained in the housing and each contact comprises an engaging portion extending in the receiving room. A pair of latching structures is located in front of the inserting opening to limit the module in the receiving room in the inserting direction of the module, the latching structures being urged to move downward to allow the module into the receiving room. |
| US08282403B2 |
Connecting unit
A connecting unit includes a wiring board and a connector. The wiring board has a main face and a side face substantially perpendicular to the main face, and includes a soaking plate and a first terminal. The connector has a through hole for passing the first terminal therethrough. The first terminal is disposed in an intermediate layer of the wiring board and is projected outwardly from the side face. When the connector is connected to the wiring board, the first terminal passes through the through hole. |
| US08282402B2 |
Card-edge connector
A card-edge connector may provide a physically secure attachment to a substrate without the use of removable hardware. The card-edge connector may include a straddle-mount card-edge connector housing and a retention assembly that extends from the connector housing. The retention assembly configured to releasably secure the connector to the substrate. |
| US08282398B2 |
Energy transfer via rolling elements of rolling-element bearings
Systems and methods are disclosed for x-y tables wherein rolling elements of rolling-element bearings are transferring electrical energy between a fixed part of the x-y table and a movable part of the x-y table. The electrical energy transferred could be power to electrical devices as well as signals to and from devices on the movable part of the x-y table. Electrically conducting rolling elements are moving on electrically conducting grooves on the fixed and movable part of the x-y table. Conductor tracks on the fixed and movable part are connected to the grooves and to devices on the movable platform. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the x-y table is part of a camera wherein linear motors, preferably with integrated position sensing, are moving the x-y table back to a home position in case of a dislocation due to a mechanical shock. The invention allows an exact and fast positioning of an x-y table without requiring a flexible cable. The rolling-element bearings could be ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, or other kind of bearings having electrically conductive rolling elements. |
| US08282397B2 |
Computer system and method for training, certifying or monitoring human clinical raters
A method and system are disclosed for computerized training, monitoring, certification or re-certification of human raters in clinical trials. The invention provides an interactive computerized interview that can be compared scores obtained by human raters to monitor and train clinical raters on a continuing basis in order to reduce rater drift and variance during clinical trials. Remediation can be automatically flagged or provided to improve a deviating rater's performance. Computerized assessment of symptom severity is provided without the need for human clinical raters. The system and method enable screening of prospective patients for inclusion or exclusion from a clinical trial by automatically obtaining computerized ratings of symptom severity. |
| US08282396B2 |
Calcium-containing restoration materials
A bone or dental implant material in the form of a paste includes a mixture of calcium phosphate and/or calcium-containing powders, liquid glycerol, organic acid and gelling agent. The paste is stable, resistant to washout and will harden upon exposure to water. Physical characteristics of the paste, including consistency, porosity, and hardening time, are controlled by the choice and ratio of constituents. |
| US08282395B2 |
Method of installing a prosthesis in a jawbone of a patient
An abutment clip for use in a dental implant system for orienting an abutment relative to features on a patient's teeth and jawbone so that a prosthesis, which is attachable to the abutment, will be correctly oriented. The abutment clip comprises a housing that includes a chamber sized to receive the abutment therein. The housing has at least one position indicator provided at one end thereof. The dentist engages the abutment clip over the abutment when it is still attached to a manufacturer's plaster model. He notes the position of the indicator on the housing in reference to features on the model and then detaches the abutment clip, abutment and abutment screw as a unit from the model. The combined abutment clip, abutment and screw are then positioned on an implant post in the patient's jaw bone and the position indicator is used to verify the orientation of the abutment before it is secured to the implant post. |
| US08282393B2 |
System and method for removing surface contamination
A system and method are provided in which a laminar flow of pressurized gas from a curved slit in a chamber is directed across a surface to propel a laminar flow of a liquid, below the laminar flow gas, across the surface to prevent surface contamination or remove contaminants from the surface. In a particular application, the system and method are employed in a self-cleaning dental mirror tool including a dental mirror attached to a handle, wherein the gas is air, the liquid is water, and the surface is the reflective surface of the dental mirror. |
| US08282392B2 |
Self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly
A clip for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly has a lifting element between the labial surface of the bracket and the labial portion of the clip that can be rotated to provide a range of adjustability in lifting the labial portion of the clip with respect to the bracket. The lifting element thereby controls the range of motion of the tongue of the clip in its closed position. This limits the forces applied by the clip to an archwire held in the archwire slot of the bracket, and also allows an archwire to slide freely in the slot. A threaded shaft or camming mechanism can be employed as the lifting element. |
| US08282388B2 |
Apparatus for coupling and uncoupling an injection valve pin
An injection molding system comprising an actuator, a mounting plate, a mold and a manifold mounted between the mounting plate and the mold, the mounting plate being removably coupled to the mold, a valve pin comprising a pin stem and a pin connector; the actuator housing being mounted on or within the mounting plate for radial movement upon decoupling of the actuator housing from the mounting plate. |
| US08282387B2 |
Hot runner nozzle for lateral spraying
A hot runner nozzle for lateral injection of plastic components. The nozzle includes a multi-part nozzle body including at least one tip element which protrudes outwardly over a circumferential area of the nozzle body. The multi-part nozzle body further includes a nozzle body clamping disk section and a nozzle body base section having an axial side that has at least one recess arranged on the axial side to accommodate the at least one tip element. |
| US08282382B2 |
Method of manufacturing thermoformed plastic articles and drink cup lid made by such method
A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids. The method and apparatus include the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors. The step of imparting printing to the lids is done while the lids are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen. |
| US08282379B2 |
Production of thin, irregular chips with scalloped edges and surface bubbles
A dough sheet for producing thin, baked chips is obtained continuously by compressing a dough sheet to a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.035 inch between counter-rotating gauge rolls while maintaining the surface of each gauge roll at a temperature of about 85° F. to about 95° F. Maintaining the gauge roll surface temperature at about 85° F. to about 95° F. avoids sticking, tearing, and shredding of the thin dough sheet as it is compressed and transferred by the gauge rolls, even at high production rates or line speeds. A rotary cutter is employed to obtain thin, irregularly shaped, scallop-edged snacks in a variety of shapes from a single dough sheet without producing dough scraps between the pieces. |
| US08282378B2 |
Device for extruding a strip of rubber
A device for extruding a strip of rubber comprises a passage for forming the strip, which passage is defined by a rotary roller for forming and driving the strip. The device also comprises a shutter for shutting the forming passage, which shutter is deactivatable under the effect of the pressure of the rubber upstream from the shutter exceeding a predetermined threshold. |
| US08282377B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object
In a method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, (i) a solidified layer is formed by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion. Further, (ii) another solidified layer is formed by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer obtained in step (i), and irradiating the light beam on a specified portion of the new powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the new powder layer. The steps (i) and (ii) are repeated to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. In the method, a gas is supplied to a mirror used in scanning the light beam. |
| US08282374B2 |
Evacuation system for plastics extrusion
Disclosed is an evacuation system for use with plastic extrusion dies, in particular a contaminant evacuation system for removal of air borne contaminants generated at the die orifice of a plastics extrusion apparatus. The system includes an annular evacuation chamber and a suction source connected to the evacuation chamber for generating a vacuum in the evacuation chamber. The evacuation chamber has a radially inwardly directed annular air intake opening for placement about the die orifice, and a baffle structure in the evacuation chamber for equalizing suction pressure along the air intake opening and reduce or avoid localized pressure differences around the extruded product, which would lead to deformation of the product. |
| US08282373B2 |
Tire vulcanizer
In a tire vulcanizer of the present invention, a locking mechanism which secures a top mold and a bottom mold in a closed condition comprises tie rods disposed alongside the top mold, and each having a top end part fixed to a top mold mounting member and a lower end part on which a plurality of grooves are formed one above the other in a vertical direction; through holes formed in a bottom mold mounting member for allowing each of the tie rod to pass through each of the through holes; lock plates capable of engaging and disengaging, along a horizontal direction, with the groove on each tie rod having passed through each through hole, and lock plate shifting mechanisms each opening and closing the lock plates only in a horizontal direction relative to each tie rod. With the configuration as described above, adjustment based on a height of a mold is simplified, while reducing an overall height of the tire vulcanizer. |
| US08282369B2 |
Variable displacement vane pump with defined cam profile
A variable displacement pump including a rotor, a plurality of vanes, a swingable cam ring, a suction port and a discharge port, wherein a dynamic radius of the vane which extends from a center of the rotor to a leading edge of the vane is gradually decreased in a closed section that is defined between a terminal end of the suction port and an initial end of the discharge port, along with rotation of the rotor, and a port timing defined as a position of the terminal end of the suction port or a position of the initial end of the discharge port with respect to a rotational position of the vane varies along with a swing motion of the cam ring. |
| US08282365B2 |
Pump for pumping fluid in a wellbore using a fluid displacer means
A pump is disclosed which has a housing with a upper end and a lower end. A conduit is defined through the housing between the upper and the lower ends. The pump includes an impeller within the housing, an inlet from the conduit to the impeller and an outlet from the impeller. Portions of the impeller may be distributed around the conduit. The pump may also include a motor coupled to the impeller. Portions of motor may also be distributed around the conduit. The outlet from the impeller may be independent of the conduit. |
| US08282363B2 |
Portable air compressor
An air compressor includes a compressor unit having a motor with a motor housing, a pump operably coupled to the motor and having a pump housing formed as a single piece with a portion of the motor housing, and a first tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air from the pump when operated by the motor. The air compressor also includes a tank unit removably coupled to the compressor unit in a stacked arrangement. The tank unit includes a second tank fluidly connected to the pump to receive pressurized air from the pump when operated by the motor. |
| US08282360B2 |
Pneumatically operated reciprocating pump
A pneumatically operated reciprocating pump comprises two opposed pumping chambers, in each one of which a respective flexible bellow slides under the control of a pneumatically operated shuttle valve capable to alternatively let a gaseous fluid in one of the two chambers for expanding the respective flexible bellow, each one of the two chambers being connected to at least one respective suction valve and to at least one respective delivery valve. Each delivery valve is provided with a compensating elastic means capable to compensate variations of rate of fluid that is pumped by the respective chamber. The pneumatically operated shuttle valve comprises a shaped spool sliding between two limit positions within a perforated cylinder, which shuttle valve is connected, for each chamber, to one or more delivery ducts and to one or more ducts for respectively letting and discharging gaseous fluid in and from the respective chamber. |
| US08282354B2 |
Reduced weight blade for a gas turbine engine
A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine having an edge buttress having an aperture. A method of reducing rotor blade weight includes removing material from within a truss area bounded by a platform section, an internal airfoil cooling passage, and an underplatform fillet. |
| US08282353B2 |
Bearing unit for a long rotor blade of a wind power installation, wind power installation comprising one such rotor blade bearing arrangement, and method for operating one such wind power installation
The invention relates to a bearing unit for a long rotor blade, especially a wind power installation, said bearing unit comprising two annular elements that can be rotated in relation to each other and are directly or indirectly connected to the rotor blade hub and to the rotor blade, and at least two running tracks that can be axially staggered in relation to each other and comprise peripheral rolling bodies with an approximately cylindrical shape, i.e. each comprising a lateral surface that is rotationally symmetrical to a rotational axis in a very precise manner. The aim of the invention is to be able to fully absorb the tipping moment caused by the wind pressure on the rotor blade and on the bearing unit, and optionally to absorb other forces and other moments. To this end, two running tracks are arranged between the two connection elements, are axially staggered in relation to each other, and comprise rolling bodies with an approximately cylindrical shape, said rolling bodies being oriented in such a way that the rotational axes thereof intersect the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade in question at an angle of between 30° and 90°. The invention also rates to a wind power installation provided with one such rotor blade bearing arrangement, and to a method for operating one such wind power installation. The at least one rotor blade in question is continuously rotted about the longitudinal axis thereof during the option of the wind power installation. |
| US08282352B2 |
Tapered helical auger turbine to convert hydrokinetic energy into electrical energy
A helical multi-piece auger that is rotatable by a moving fluid for the generation of energy is provided. The helical multi-piece auger may include several interior pieces and two tapered end-pieces mounted on a central shaft. The pieces may include an outer spiral flange perpendicular, in both directions, to a portion of helical auger. Each tapered end-piece may be tapered with respect to both the outer diameter of a helical auger portion, and the width of an outer spiral flange. Each tapered end-piece may have an outer edge that effectively merges with the central shaft of the multi-piece auger over a radial arc of between 90 and 180 degrees. The helical multi-piece auger may include wing-shaped nose cones that are axially offset with respect to each other and house hydraulic components. The helical multi-piece auger may be rotatable by the moving fluid to facilitate generation of energy. |
| US08282343B2 |
Vane
A vane for a gas turbine engine includes a cap arrangement having a cap insert and a cap adapted to receive the insert. The cap insert has a wall defining a through passage from top to bottom of the cap insert for receiving a cable or the like therethrough. The wall has a slot with a convoluted profile. |
| US08282340B2 |
Turbo-machine having bellows unit for automatic axial thrust control
A turbo-machine including a volute casing, a rotating shaft, an impeller, seals, an axial thrust control member and a bellows unit. The volute casing defines therein a fluid passage. The rotating shaft is rotatably provided in the volute casing. The impeller is coupled to the rotating shaft to draw fluid using centrifugal force. The seals are provided around the front and rear ends of the impeller to prevent leakage of fluid. The axial thrust control member is installed in the volute casing behind the impeller. The bellows unit includes the piston installed in the volute casing in a shape surrounding a circumferential outer surface of the axial thrust control member; and a bellows connected with one surface of the piston, the bellows having the predetermined elasticity; and an internal space, between the piston and the volute casing, isolated from the fluid drawn behind the impeller. |
| US08282338B2 |
Underwater generator
An underwater generator for generating electricity including: a casing, a turbine propeller assembly configured within the casing; a platform, where the platform provides a mechanism to hold the casing; a cover member, where the cover member protects the turbine propeller assembly; and a power cable for transmitting electrical energy from the underwater generator to a user thereof. The casing may include a slit at a bottom portion, where the slit allows the removal of sediments, sand particles and similar materials. The turbine propeller assembly includes a plurality of blades. In one exemplary embodiment, the blades may turn in two directions. |
| US08282337B2 |
Instability mitigation system using stator plasma actuators
An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a stator stage located axially proximate to a rotor, the stator stage having a row of a plurality of stator vanes arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on the stator vane that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed. |
| US08282333B2 |
Workpiece transfer robot system
A workpiece transfer robot system including a machine tool provided with a workpiece support section and a robot capable of transferring a workpiece relative to the workpiece support section of the machine tool. The machine tool includes a cover surrounding at least the workpiece support section. The cover includes a first side wall provided with a first opening usable for a workpiece transferring task of the robot. The robot includes a track member defining a traveling axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the first side wall of the cover of the machine tool; a slider attached to the track member and capable of traveling along the traveling axis; a first arm attached to the slider and capable of swinging about a first swing axis; a second arm attached to the first arm and capable of swinging about a second swing axis parallel to the first swing axis; and a workpiece hold section provided on the second arm and capable of accessing the workpiece support section through the first opening of the cover of the machine tool. |
| US08282332B2 |
Conveying and lock system
A conveying and lock system (10) for introducing a bulk material into a reactor (14) with exclusion of gas and while preventing gas exchange at low pressure differences has a screw shaft (44) on which first windings (46) and second windings (48) are formed. A winding-free section (50) is disposed between the first and the second windings (46, 48) in which the conveyed bulk material is compacted. The compacting causes a bulk material plug which is substantially gas free and, during bulk material transport, the bulk material plug is constantly formed in the conveying and lock system (10) by the screw shaft (44) to prevent gas exchange between the product inlet and the product outlet of the conveying and lock system. |
| US08282329B2 |
Fastener for securing together two panels
A fastener includes an adjustable insert that disposed a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A stud, having cross pins, extends into said central opening, and said cross pins being engageable with said cam and locking surfaces. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert and the bore having an opening at the outer periphery of the insert facing the receptacle. An engagement member disposed within the bore and moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle. |
| US08282316B2 |
Method and assembly for installing oilfield equipment at the water bottom
Subsea oilfield equipment (2), such as an oil and/or gas production template, is installed at the water bottom (16) by means of a submerged installation vessel (1) from which hoisting lines (3A, 3B) are deployed to support the equipment during the installation procedure, which lines (3A,3B) are reeled from at least one hoisting line reeling winch (3A,3B) mounted at the submerged installation vessel (1) to lower the equipment (2) at a desired speed and in a substantially horizontal position onto the water bottom (16). |
| US08282312B2 |
Machine system operation and control strategy for material supply and placement
A method of operating machine system includes receiving expected material placement data for a paving machine and comparing the expected material placement data with actual material placement data. The method further includes outputting a signal based on the comparison, and commanding replenishing material from a supply machine to the second supply volume responsive to the signal. A paving control system for a paving system includes a computer readable memory configured to store expected material placement data, a receiver configured to receive actual material placement data and a data processor configured to output a control signal to a supply machine to controllably replenish material to an external material supply volume for the paving system in a manner responsive to comparing the expected material placement data with the actual material replacement data. |
| US08282311B2 |
Paving block formed of rubber crumb and a method of manufacturing the same
A hollow paving block comprises a substantially planar member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of the planar member is a textured surface which functions as a top of the paving block. A side wall extends along and away from a periphery of the second surface of the planar member to define a cavity in the paving block. The side wall has a bevelled edge which extends about a mouth of the cavity. At least one protrusion extends along the second surface of the planar member. The paving block is formed in part from crumb rubber and polyolefin. |
| US08282310B2 |
Paver installation system
The paver installation system includes a grid having a plurality of mounting holes for selective installation of spacers, a flexible edging and a screed guide rail. The screed guide rail may be selectively installed on the grid via mounting pegs mounted in select mounting holes for screeding an intermediate layer of aggregate material between the grid and the pavers to be laid thereon. The flexible edging is attached to the grid in order to set the edges of the pavement to be laid, and the flexibility thereof easily accommodates curved edges by bending to conform to the curves. The spacers are laid onto user selected mounting holes in the grid in order to serve as guides for laying pavers in a desired pavement pattern and to maintain spacing between adjacent pavers. |
| US08282307B1 |
Furniture joinery
A furniture joinery, comprises a slide rail and a slide block. The slide block includes a cut extending therethrough. The slide block receives a fastener and when the fastener passes through the cut, slides on the slide block become misaligned in the slide rail thus retaining the slide block therein. |
| US08282299B2 |
Friction body, writing instrument and writing instrument set
A friction body that produces frictional heat allowing development, disappearance or change of color of handwriting formed with a writing instrument for producing thermochromic handwriting, with the friction body having a friction coefficient of 0.2 to 1.0 when rubbed against paper surface, and a writing instrument for use in forming thermochromic handwriting which is equipped with the friction body and a writing instrument set including the friction body and a writing instrument for use in forming thermochromic handwriting. |
| US08282297B2 |
Adjustable cartridge pen housing
A writing instrument having a housing accommodating various sizes and lengths of cartridges fixed inside the housing by an adjustable control element. In its correct placement, the cartridge will abut against one end of the control element and will be held in place with a spring at the other end, such that the user may write steadily with the pen. |
| US08282295B2 |
Label sheet positioning device of barcode printer
A label sheet positioning device is provided for a barcode printer, including a pressure regulation seat having two pressure adjusting knobs and at least one universal adjusting knob mounted to a top thereof. The pressure adjusting knobs serve to adjust pressure for positioning in the upward-downward direction of a label sheet of the barcode printer. The universal adjusting knob functions to realize fine adjustment of pressure for positioning in a universal adjustable manner that the pressure regulation seat applies to the label sheet. At least one universal adjusting mechanism is coupled to bottom of the pressure regulation seat for effecting adjustment of inclination direction by the universal adjustment realized by the universal adjusting knob. At least one printing head holder is coupled to a front portion of the universal adjusting mechanism and has a bottom coupled to a printing head, whereby the printing head holder is subjected to adjustment of pressure in upward-onward direction by the pressure adjusting knobs of the pressure regulation seat and is also subjected to fine adjustment of inclination direction by the adjustment that the universal adjusting knob applies to the universal adjusting mechanism to effect universal fine adjustment for the printing head holder and the printing head in order to ensure tight engagement of the printing head with respect to the label sheet of the barcode printer. Thus, a label sheet positioning device featuring universal fine adjustment of inclination direction is provided. |
| US08282294B2 |
Barrier unit
The present invention provides a barrier unit structure that can avoid not only ruining the appearance of a barrier unit due to a vertical misfit of blades that contact with each other at their edges when closed but also interfering with smooth movement of the blades due to their unintentional overlap.The barrier unit includes: a base, which defines a first window; a cap, which defines a second window and which is arranged so that the second window faces the first window; and a number of blades, which are arranged between the base and the cap so as to open or close with respect to the first and second windows. In a space between the base and the cap, clearance e left in the vicinity of a first position, where the blades contact with each other at their edges when closed, is smaller than clearance d left at a second position, which is different from the first position. |
| US08282291B2 |
Automatic alignment for splicing of non-circular fiber
A method of aligning a non-circular fiber with another component is provided. A method of aligning a first D-fiber with a second D-fiber includes rotating the first D-fiber; obtaining a first image profile of an end of the first D-fiber; using the first image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the first D-fiber along a first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the first D-fiber is aligned along the first direction. The method also includes rotating the second D-fiber; obtaining a second image profile of an end of the second D-fiber; using the second image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the second D-fiber along the first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the second D-fiber is aligned along the first direction. |
| US08282289B2 |
Rollers with retainer
A retainer comprises a roller retaining click which is bent from an inner diameter edge of a rib portion toward the inside in an axial direction and extends so as to protrude and positioned between adjacent rollers. A part of the retainer other than the roller retaining click is hardened by high-frequency quenching and high-frequency tempering. |
| US08282277B2 |
Replaceable probe holder structure for thermometer
The invention discloses a replaceable probe holder structure for thermometer, including a thermometer shell. Inside the thermometer shell installs a slot and an elastic positioning mechanism; inside the slot installs a probe holder; after the insertion of the probe holder in the slot, the probe holder will match with the elastic positioning mechanism and then fixed in the slot. By adopting the above structure, the probe holder structure of this invention requires fewer components, and convenient for installation; the adoption of the elastic positioning mechanism to fix the probe holder is more convenient to replace in practical use. |
| US08282273B2 |
Blackbody fitting for temperature determination
A temperature monitoring technique for collecting radiation intensity (blackbody emission) across a broad wavelength range. A solid state spectrometer (26) acquires spectra from a sample (10) in real time and resolves the spectra to a radiation intensity (I) versus wavelength (λ) curve. This curve is fitted to Planck's equation using a non-linear least squares fitting analysis. The system can be configured to self-calibrate and then lock in an amplitude value (A) which is used in subsequent temperature measurements by fitting to the blackbody emission curve. Preferably, the spectrometer (26) is flat field corrected (36) in an initial step to counteract variations in the spectrometer response with wavelength. |
| US08282270B2 |
Process for manufacturing a ceramic element for a watch case and element obtained by this process
According to this process for manufacturing a ceramic element intended to be fitted onto a watch case, the visible surface of which has features, a soluble layer (2) is selectively deposited on said visible surface, the thickness of said soluble layer being at least equal to the height of said features, a first tie layer (3) of the Ti, Ta, Cr or Th type is vacuum-deposited by magnetron sputtering with a thickness of at least 100 nm by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on said surface thus selectively coated, followed, without venting atmosphere, by PVD deposition of said second layer (4) made of Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Pd, TiN, CrN, ZrN or alloys thereof with a thickness of at least 100 nm, and then said soluble layer (2) is dissolved. |
| US08282269B2 |
Mixing bag or vessel having a fluid-agitating element
A vessel in which a fluid is received and agitated by using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by a non-contact coupling with a motive device external to the vessel. In one aspect, the vessel is a bag including a first receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location. The first receiver may be in the form of an inwardly-projecting post having an oversized portion for capturing the fluid-agitating element, but various other forms are disclosed. In another aspect, the vessel or bag further includes a second receiver for receiving a portion of an external structure, such as a motive device, and aligning the vessel relative thereto. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08282265B2 |
Apparatus for mixing at least two fluids in a pulsating manner
The apparatus comprises a first fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing first fluid and a second fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing second fluid, the two fluid lines being connected at a junction to a third fluid line, which forwards the two, particularly mixed, fluids. Further, the apparatus comprises a first flow adjuster, inserted in the first fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the first fluid, and a second flow adjuster, inserted in the second fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the second fluid, as well as apparatus for generating a first control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the first flow adjuster, and a second control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the second flow adjuster. To produce the fluid mixture, the first fluid and the second fluid are made to flow into the third fluid line alternately. The invention is particularly suited for mixing fluids having different viscosities. |
| US08282262B2 |
Light guiding panel assembly for display, signboard, surface illumination or the like
A light source receiver 31 is disposed adjacent to an incident end face 11 of a light guiding plate 1 using the light source holder 31 for receiving the LED unit 4 and a light source holder 3 formed in an L-shape in a cross section having a standing plate 34 at one end of the light source holder 31, the standing plate 34 is disposed outside of a reflective plate 2 laminated on the light guiding plate 1, and a bolt 81 via a long hole 35 of the standing plate 34 is screwed into an insert-nut 8 of the light guiding plate 1 via a clearance hole 21 of the reflective plate 2, thereby the standing plate 34 follows the heat expansion or contraction of the light guiding plate 1 except the reflective plate 2. A relative position between the incident end face 11 of the light guiding plate 1 and the light source receiver 31 of the light source holder 3 is always constant, and the LED unit 4 is prevented from being damaged. |
| US08282257B2 |
Presenting display objects in a gaming machine
An apparatus for lighting display objects in a gaming machine is described herein. In one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a display object to be viewed and a light source to emit light. The gaming machine also includes a light-guiding panel. The light-guiding panel includes an edge to receive the light from the light source and a surface through which the light is reflected. In one embodiment, the surface includes a window through which the display object can be viewed. In one embodiment, the light is substantially uniformly reflected through all but the window of the surface. |
| US08282255B2 |
Window, in particular a window for an aircraft cabin
A window intended to be assembled over an opening defined in an outside wall having on the one hand an outer partition and on the other hand an inner partition. This window includes a glazing, means making it possible to hold the glazing in the opening of the outside wall, while ensuring a watertightness at the outer partition, and a connection crosspiece between the outer partition and the inner partition. The crosspiece is implemented so as to make it possible to guide light having passed through the glazing toward the inner partition. Means making it possible to diffuse the light guided by the crosspiece are arranged at the inner partition. |
| US08282253B2 |
Mirror reflective element sub-assembly for exterior rearview mirror of a vehicle
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate having a generally planar portion and a display receiving portion, and a display element. The generally planar portion of the mirror back plate is attached at the rear surface of the mirror reflective element. The front surface of the display receiving portion is generally coplanar with the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The display receiving portion is configured so that at least a portion of light emitted by the light source of the display element passes through the display receiving portion and exits the display receiving portion at an angle relative to the front surface of the display receiving portion so that, when the light source is activated, the light emitted by the display element is directed generally toward the driver of the vehicle. |
| US08282250B1 |
Solid state lighting device using heat channels in a housing
A light assembly includes a cover, a base and a housing coupled between the housing and the base. A first circuit board is disposed within the housing. The first circuit board has a plurality of light sources thereon. The housing comprises an inner wall defining a first volume therein and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall. The housing comprises a plurality of spaced apart fins extending between the inner wall and the outer wall define a plurality of channels having a first end proximate the cover and a second end proximate the base. The channels have a first cross sectional area proximate the first end greater than a second cross-sectional area proximate the second end. An elongated control circuit board assembly is electrically coupled to the light sources of the first circuit. |
| US08282246B2 |
Stage light fixture and method for controlling said light fixture
A stage light fixture is provided with: a main body extending along a longitudinal axis; a light source arranged inside the main body at a first end of the main body and suitable to emit a light beam substantially along the longitudinal axis; an objective lens arranged at a second end of the main body; light beam adjusting means, which are arranged between the light source and the objective lens for intercepting the light beam; a frame; a carriage which is movable with respect to the frame along the longitudinal axis of the main body, and supports the light beam adjusting means; at least a first power cable to power at least a first electric device mounted on the carriage; and a compensation device suitable to keep the first power cable under tension for each working position of the carriage. |
| US08282245B2 |
Stage lighting methods and apparatus
Spot illumination apparatus and methods are described. According to one implementation a spot luminaire includes a light source for emitting a beam of light and a projection lens configured to project the beam of light towards a distant target. A first field stop, through which the beam of light passes, is positioned between the light source and the projection lens. A filter apparatus is positioned proximate the first field stop and is adapted for selectively moving at least one variable density filter across the beam of light. A relay lens group is positioned between the first field stop and the projection lens. The relay lens group is configured to prevent the at least one variable density filter from being imaged by the projection lens. Methods for providing stage lighting are also described. |
| US08282240B2 |
LED lamp with heat dissipation structure
An LED lamp comprises a supporting base, a number of heat dissipation structures, a number LEDs and a transparent envelope covering the heat dissipation structures and the LEDs therein. Each heat dissipation structure comprises a bottom plate and a lateral plate extending upwardly from the bottom plate. The bottom plates are mounted on a top surface of the supporting base and surround a regular shaped zone on the top surface of supporting base. The lateral plates spacingly surround the regular shaped zone. The lateral plates each comprises an inner surface facing the regular shaped zone and an outer surface facing away from the regular shaped zone. The LEDs each are mounted on the outer surface of the lateral plate of each heat dissipation structure. |
| US08282239B2 |
Light-directing apparatus with protected reflector-shield and lighting fixture utilizing same
A light-directing apparatus for off-axial preferential-side distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis, including a lens member positioned over the light emitter and a shield member. The lens member has a proximal end substantially transverse the emitter axis and an outer surface which may be configured for refracting light from the emitter. The shield member may be snugly received in a shield-receiving void of an inner surface of the lens member. Alternatively, the shield member is embedded by the lens member having been molded thereabout. Another aspect of this invention is a lighting fixture utilizing such light-directing apparatus. |
| US08282238B2 |
Light emitting apparatus including independently driven light emitting portions
The present invention provides a light emitting apparatus comprising: a first light emitting portion for emitting white light with a color temperature of 5700K or more; and a second light emitting portion capable of changing the color temperature of the white light emitted from the first light emitting portion, wherein the first and second light emitting portions are independently driven. Accordingly, the present invention has the advantage that it can be diversely applied to desired atmospheres and uses by implementing white light with various light emitting intensities and color temperatures. Further, there is an advantage in that the cumbersomeness in a process is reduced, the space efficiency is enhanced, and the costs are reduced. |
| US08282236B2 |
Wind powered device
A light fixture including a turbine generator having one or more vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) for generating energy and a plate located above and/or below each turbine for focusing and converging the wind inwardly. The plate is aerodynamically-designed to converge the wind onto the turbine and provide a strong wind current. The turbine generator is incorporated into a light fixture to provide self-sustaining light energy. Solar panels may be provided in conjunction with the turbine generator to provide an additional source of energy and a controller is included to manage the flow of electricity and ensure that the light fixture is powered during periods of darkness. |
| US08282235B2 |
Lighted bag and backpack
A lighted workbag or backpack having a positionable light source configured so as to provide significant illumination into the interior portion of the workbag or an external work area or the path in front of the backpack. The light source having a gooseneck configuration is mounted in a column or pouch positioned in the back of the backpack that allows the light to extend over the shoulder of a user wearing the backpack so as to illuminate the area in front of the user. |
| US08282222B2 |
Image projector with reflected light tracking
An image projection device for displaying an image onto a remote surface. The image projection device employs a scanner to project image beams of visible light and tracer beams of light onto a remote surface to form a display of the image. The device also employs a light detector to sense at least the reflections of light from the tracer beam pulses incident on the remote surface. The device employs the sensed tracer beam light pulses to predict the trajectory of subsequent image beam light pulses and tracer beam light pulses that form a display of the image on the remote surface in a pseudo random pattern. The trajectory of the projected image beam light pulses can be predicted so that the image is displayed from a point of view that can be selected by, or automatically adjusted for, a viewer of the displayed image. |
| US08282221B2 |
Projection apparatus using variable light source
A projection apparatus using a spatial light modulator (SLM), comprising the following: at least one variable light source, at least one spatial light modulator for modulating the illumination light emitted from the variable light source in accordance with the modulation state of arrayed pixel elements, a variable light source controller for controlling modulation of the variable light source, and a spatial light modulator controller for controlling modulation of each pixel element of the spatial light modulator, wherein the variable light source controller controls the variable light source so as to reduce the period in which the modulation states of the pixel element are in transition on a display image. |
| US08282209B2 |
Systems and methods for testing and/or training near and far visual abilities
Systems and methods for automated testing and/or training of a subject's visual ability at varying distances are provided. A near display device may display visual indicia possessing characteristics. After receiving an input identifying a visual characteristic possessed by the displayed indicia, a second indicia may be displayed on a far display device. After receiving an input identifying a characteristic of the indicia displayed on the far display device, further testing may proceed alternating between the near display device and the far display device. More than two display devices may be utilized, with the display devices being located at differing distances or positions relative to a subject. |
| US08282206B2 |
Printer
A display unit includes a slide mechanism slidable in a lateral or vertical direction to a housing. A maintenance opening formed in the housing can be covered and uncovered. When the opening is uncovered, a user can access at least apart of a print section in the housing from the opening and perform maintenance. |
| US08282202B2 |
Aqueous inkjet printing fluid compositions
An aqueous inkjet printing fluid composition for use in an inkjet printer comprising a silicon-based material which contacts the aqueous printing fluid composition, comprising in a concentration sufficient to inhibit corrosion of the silicon-based material when contacted by the aqueous printing fluid composition a soluble metal ligand complex of Formula (I): wherein M represents a divalent or a trivalent metal; Z represents OH or CO2H; n represents an integer from 1-4; each Y may independently be chosen from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, carboalkoxy, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, hetaryl, carboxy, hydroxy, sulfo and phospho, or any two of Y on adjacent carbons may be combined together to form a 5-7 atom carbo- or heterocyclic ring; and the number of ligands y is 2 or 3; with the proviso that at least one Y comprises a solubilizing group capable of imparting water solubility to the complex. The useful lifetime of microelectromechanical fluidic devices based on silicon fabrication is extended. |
| US08282198B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus
A residual ink container comprising laminated members for absorbing residual ink not used for recording, wherein the laminated members are laminated with a gap between adjacent ones of the members; and a covering member covering such that non-contact portion is provided between the covering member and a topmost one of the laminated member so as not to press against the topmost one. |
| US08282193B2 |
Optimizaton of dot placement for thermal drift
A method of printing executes a software instruction using a print system controller to measure a vertical position of each row of an array of jets, having at least one offset subset of the array offset in a movement direction, adjusts timing of firing intervals for the offset subset such that the offset subset fire after a longer interval than other jets, and fires jets other than the offset subset at a predetermined firing interval. A print head has an array of transducers, an ink chamber to store ink arranged adjacent the array of transducers, and an array of jets arranged adjacent the ink chamber such that when selected ones of the array of transducers are activated, ink from the chamber exits a jet corresponding to the selected ones of the transducers, the array of jets having at least one subset of the array offset in a vertical direction relative to the other jets. A print system has a print head having an array of jets through which ink can be emitted, the array of jets having at least one subset of the array offset in a vertical direction relative to the other rows, an array of transducers arranged adjacent the array of jets to cause the jets to emit ink when activated, and a controller electrically coupled to the array of transducers to control the activation of the transducers. |
| US08282190B2 |
Printhead assembly with cappedprinthead modules
A printhead assembly includes an elongate carrier. A plurality of printhead modules is serially positioned on the carrier. Each printhead module includes an ink supply arrangement mounted on the carrier and a printhead chip mounted on the ink supply arrangement to be fed with ink from the ink supply arrangement. A plurality of capping devices is mounted on the carrier. Each capping device is displaceable with respect to the carrier between an operative position in which the capping device caps the printhead chip and an inoperative position in which the printhead chip is uncapped. |
| US08282189B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus
The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus having a plurality of caps connected to a common negative-pressure supply source, in which an optimum amount of ink can be sucked and discharged from a plurality of print heads corresponding to the respective caps in spite of a variation in channel resistance among the caps. A plurality of individual suction paths connect a common suction pump to each of the plurality of caps. An introduction condition for a negative pressure to be introduced into each of the caps is set according to the channel resistance of the corresponding individual suction path. |
| US08282188B2 |
Inkjet head cleaning apparatus, image recording apparatus and inkjet head cleaning method
The inkjet head cleaning apparatus includes: a cleaning liquid holding device having a cleaning liquid holding surface with which cleaning liquid is held and applied to a liquid ejection surface of an inkjet head in which the liquid ejection surface is oblique to a horizontal plane, the cleaning liquid holding surface being arranged with an inclination such that the cleaning liquid holding surface is substantially parallel with the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head and faces the liquid ejection surface at a prescribed distance from the liquid ejection surface; and a cleaning liquid supply device which has a cleaning liquid supply port through which the cleaning liquid is supplied from an upper portion of the inclined cleaning liquid holding surface in such a manner that the cleaning liquid slides down the inclined cleaning liquid holding surface while forming a meniscus between the cleaning liquid holding surface and the liquid ejection surface. |
| US08282187B2 |
Liquid discharging apparatus
A liquid discharging apparatus discharges liquid onto a target, thereby forming dots. The apparatus includes a discharge head, a capping unit for moisturizing, a lifting and lowering unit, and a lid member. The discharge head has a discharge surface from which liquid is discharged. The capping unit is disposed substantially just below the discharge head when the discharge head is located at a predetermined reference position. The capping unit has an opening that comes into contact with the discharge head and seals the discharge surface. The lifting and lowering unit lifts and lowers the capping unit, thereby bringing the capping unit into contact with the discharge head and taking the capping unit out of contact with the discharge head. The lid member rotates around a rotating shaft using the lifting and lowering of the capping unit, thereby opening and closing the opening of the capping unit. |
| US08282184B2 |
Print engine controller employing accumulative correction factor in pagewidth printhead
A print engine controller for a pagewidth inkjet printhead having a plurality of abutting printhead modules mounted on a carrier. The print engine controller is configured to: (a) receive data identifying a rotational yaw displacement of an erroneously displaced printhead module; (b) determine a correction factor that compensates for ink dot displacement by nozzles in the erroneously displaced printhead module; (c) use the correction factor to determine an accumulative Y-offset for each printhead module in the printhead; and (d) alter the output of the ink dots from nozzles in each printhead module having a non-zero accumulative Y-offset to compensate for the rotational yaw displacement of the erroneously displaced printhead module. |
| US08282183B2 |
Inkjet printer for detecting the type of print media
An inkjet printer includes a media support defining a surface; an inkjet printhead oriented to eject ink toward the defined surface; a carriage that is movable along a carriage scan direction; a light source directed at the defined surface and positioned on a first side of the defined plane to provide an illuminated portion of the plane extending substantially along the carriage scan direction; a light sensing device mounted on the movable platform on a second side of the defined plane that is opposite the first side, which sensing device functions to sense media type by sensing light emitted from the light source and transmitted across the defined plane and to light sensing device; memory for storing patterns representing particular media types; and a processor for comparing signals from the light sensor to patterns stored in the memory in order to identify media type. |
| US08282181B2 |
Method of controlling a control circuit for a micro-electromechanical inkjet nozzle arrangement
Provided is a method of controlling a CMOS-implemented control circuit for operating a micro-electromechanical inkjet nozzle arrangement of a printer. The circuit includes a plurality of sequential shift registers, a transfer register, a firing control gate and a drive transistor. The method includes the steps of transferring data from the shift register to the transfer register, latching the data in said transfer register, activating the firing control gate to arrange a heater element of the nozzle arrangement in electrical communication with a current source to facilitate ink ejection via thermal cavitation of ink in the nozzle. |
| US08282179B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus is provided with the following a conveying section including a platen which conveys a recording medium, an image recording section which performs image recording with respect to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying section, and a moving mechanism which moves at least one of the image recording section and the conveying section and enables a movement between a recording position in which the image recording is performed and a non-recording position in which the image recording is not performed, and a positioning section which permits the space between the image recording section and the conveying section to have a predetermined value at the recording position. The point of application of a force with which at least one of the image recording section and the conveying section is moved by the moving mechanism is substantially coincident with the positioning section. |
| US08282173B2 |
Electropneumatic parking brake modulator
An electropneumatic parking brake modulator for controlling a parking brake mode of trailer brakes in a vehicle/trailer combination includes a valve element for airing and bleeding the trailer spring brake cylinders, at least one compressed air reservoir inlet for airing at least one compressed air line in the parking brake modulator with compressed air from a compressed air reservoir of the towing vehicle, at least one compressed air reservoir outlet at which a reservoir pressure can be made available for the brakes of the trailer, and at least one compressed air control outlet at which a control pressure can be made available for the brakes of the trailer. A towing vehicle protection valve is integrated into the parking brake modulator, and a compressed air line to the compressed air control outlet is automatically blockable when the reservoir pressure made available for the trailer falls below a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08282172B2 |
Seat
A seating structure including a base, a pair of laterally spaced support arms each having a seat portion and a backrest portion and a transition portion joining the seat portion and backrest portion, wherein the support arms are coupled to the base. A body support member extends between and is connected to the support arms and includes at least a seat portion and a backrest portion. A support element is coupled to the base and includes a central support arm extending upwardly along a centerline of the backrest portion of the body support member. The central support arm is spaced rearwardly from the backrest portions of the support arms and further includes a pair of laterally extending struts connecting the central support arm and the laterally spaced support arms. |
| US08282169B2 |
Load support structure
A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided. |
| US08282165B2 |
Reboard system
The invention is directed to a reboard system comprising a steeply inclined backrest for transporting infants and toddlers approximately in a half-lying, half-sitting posture, particularly in a car opposite the direction of travel thereof, it being possible to vary the length of the backrest in the direction of the spine of an infant sitting in the reboard system when a child is in the reboard system and/or when the reboard system is fastened to a seat of a car opposite the direction of travel thereof, by a guided parallel shift of an extendible part of the backrest relative to said seat surface along a straight line, which is inclined by a constant acute angle α against the horizontal plane in the direction of travel, whereby the extendible part (10) of the backrest (6) is provided with upper lateral body rests (12) for substantially guiding the shoulders and/or upper arms of the infant during the travel in a car. |
| US08282164B2 |
Seating durability layer electrical, mechanical and connecting system integration
A vehicle seat assembly has a seat bottom that is adapted for attachment to a vehicle. The seat bottom has a foam layer and an expanded polymer layer that defines a first cavity. The first cavity is configured to receive an electrical component. |
| US08282153B2 |
Active material based seam concealment device
A device for concealing a seam between a first and second surface includes a seam concealment body having a body surface, the body overlaying and attached to a first surface and a second surface, the body surface being substantially co-planar with a portion of the first and second surfaces, the seam concealment body configured to transition between a first shape and a second shape, wherein the transition permits movement of one or both of the first surface and the second surface such that the seam concealment body forms a hinge. The device also includes an active material in operative communication with the seam concealment body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the seam body from the first shape to the second shape. |
| US08282145B2 |
Gap hider for an interior vehicle panel assembly
Embodiments of interior vehicle panel assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment disclosed herein comprises a first panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a first edge and a second panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a second edge. The second edge of the second panel is aligned with the first edge of the first panel to define a gap having a height between the first edge of the first panel and the second edge of the second panel. A projection extends from one of the first and second panels in a position inward from the exterior surface and toward the respective edge of other of the first and second panels to span at least a portion of the height of the gap. |
| US08282136B2 |
Slip on groove coupling with multiple sealing gasket
Methods, gaskets, and couplings for connecting two pipes are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of placing the assembled coupling over one end of a pipe, aligning the second pipe with the first pipe, sliding the coupling off the end of the first pipe so that a portion of the coupling is around each pipe, and securing the coupling. |
| US08282132B2 |
Passenger motor vehicle with fuel module arranged within a passenger compartment
A passenger motor vehicle (1) has a passenger compartment (3) and a fuel tank module (4) is in the passenger compartment (3). The module (4) has first and second chambers (19, 20). The first chamber (19) holds a tank bladder and a catch tank (32) is arranged within the tank bladder. The second chamber (20) holds a fuel pump unit (33). The module (4) is sealed off from remaining areas of the passenger compartment (3), and fuel lines to the module (4) and from the module (4) to the internal combustion engine are arranged outside the passenger compartment (3). Thus, a high level of safety for the vehicle occupant is ensured despite the accommodation of the fuel module in the passenger compartment, and substantially complete emptying of the fuel in the fuel module is possible. |
| US08282130B2 |
Mobile work machine
Mobile work machine having a chassis that is designed as a tractor-trailer, a multi-axle tractor unit and a multi-axle semi-trailer that carries the work machine and is connected with the tractor unit by means of a fifth-wheel coupling, having a support construction that is disposed in the region of the semi-trailer and can be supported on a surface, raising the tractor-trailer, which construction has two front support booms disposed at bearing locations on the tractor unit end of the semi-trailer, symmetrical to the longitudinal chassis axis, which can be pivoted between a transport position and at least one support position, by means of a hydraulically driven activation mechanism, in each instance, and two rear support booms that can be pivoted between a transport position and at least one support position, whereby the semi-trailer has means for raising and holding the tractor unit in place. |
| US08282129B2 |
Air bag cushion for vehicles
An air bag cushion for vehicles has a connection part which is formed in front portions of the left and right chambers by sewing the inner surfaces of the left and right chambers along sewing lines in a shape of closed curve to form a vertical valley which separates the left and right chambers from each other. A through hole is formed in the connection part to permit gas to flow between the left and right chambers. The cushion includes a tether which passes through the connection part and connects the left and right chambers to each other in a lateral direction of the cushion. The air bag cushion is simple in structure and is superior in uniform expanding performance of the left and right chambers. |
| US08282127B1 |
Gas generating system
A gas generating system including a housing and a divider dividing an interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. First and second tubes extend into the second chamber and end at the divider. At least one opening is formed in the divider to enable fluid communication of the first chamber with an interior of only the first tube after activation of the gas generating system. |
| US08282124B2 |
Side curtain airbag having a main chamber and an extension chamber
A side airbag for use in a vehicle includes a main chamber extending along a ceiling of the vehicle and configured to restrain a head of a vehicle occupant when the airbag is deployed. The main chamber includes an inboard panel and an outboard panel that are joined together. The airbag also includes a forward chamber extending from the main chamber and configured to restrain at least a portion of the vehicle occupant when the airbag is deployed. The forward chamber at least partially overlaps at least one of the inboard and outboard panels of the main chamber when the airbag is stowed. |
| US08282123B2 |
Knee airbag device and connecting method thereof
A knee airbag device includes a column cover that covers a rear end portion of a steering column from below; and an airbag module. The airbag module is disposed in a column lower cover and includes a gas generation portion that generates gas and a knee airbag that is housed in the airbag module in a folded state, and is inflated and deployed by the gas supplied by the gas generation portion. The airbag module is connected to the steering column by a snap-fit action. |
| US08282122B2 |
Airbag assembly
An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having an airbag 110 that is inflated by an inflator when the airbag 110 is deployed in accordance with a control signal from an electronic controller. The airbag 110 has a main chamber 114 and at least one subsidiary chamber 116 fluidly connected to the main chamber 114 by a transfer vent 117. The main and subsidiary chambers 114 and 116 are vented to atmosphere by respective vents 115, 118 and the pressure in the subsidiary chamber 116 is arranged to be equal to or lower than the pressure in the main chamber 114. The subsidiary chamber 116 is produced in a simple manner by forming a depression in the main chamber 114 using a tether 124 and covering the depression so formed with a cover 125. |
| US08282119B1 |
Two-level travel stroller for children
A collapsible child stroller system with a means for attaching an infant carrier at an upper location along with a second child at a lower position occupying a typical front facing seat, is herein disclosed. The infant carrier comprises a molded plastic seat that is attachable thereto an upper frame portion of the stroller. The stroller system may also be reconfigured to allow an infant occupying the upper position to sit facing the caregiver in a similar manner as a grocery cart. The child stroller system provides enhancements such as removable and washable padded cloth padding, a cup holder, and snack trays at upper and lower locations. When the infant carrier is attached to the upper stroller frame, an infant can be safely transported on the same stroller with a second child. The second child would sit facing forward on the lower portion similar to most existing child strollers. |
| US08282115B2 |
Independent air suspension for off-road trailers
A suspension system for use on off-road trailers may be an independent air suspension system that may provide ample wheel travel and stability to keep the wheels on the ground through rough and uneven terrain. Conventional suspension systems may lack adequate wheel travel, may bounce too much, or may not be soft enough. The suspension system of the present invention may use an air bag to normalize the suspension for varying weights of the trailer load, allowing proper suspension for both heavy and light loads. |
| US08282113B2 |
Rideable luggage
Rideable luggage that can be used as either a rolling suitcase or as a baggage scooter for carrying a rider, or additional baggage. The rideable luggage has a suitcase and a platform that can be selectively deployed for holding additional baggage or a person. The deployable platform has at least one scooter wheel at an outboard end and a pair of suitcase wheels at its inboard end. A center steer wheel is connected to an extendable handle to provide steering control. When the platform is deployed, the suitcase wheels retract so that only the steer wheel and scooter wheel are in contact with the floor. When the platform is retracted, the suitcase wheels extend and are in contact with the floor along with the steer wheel. |
| US08282110B2 |
Cargo container system with selectively deployable support and wheel assemblies
A cargo container system is provided having selectively deployable support and wheel assemblies. The support and wheel assemblies are capable of being stowed within a recess formed in the underside of the cargo container system during storage or shipment of the cargo container system (e.g., by ship, rail, and/or the like). At an appropriate time (e.g., the cargo container system is about to placed onto the ground by a crane), the support and wheel assemblies are then selectively deployed downwardly and/or outwardly from the recess of the underside of the cargo container system to provide a fully functional cargo container system/trailer combination that is immediately capable of being engaged to a truck/tractor and driven away. The deployment system can include a screw system that, when rotated in a first direction is operable to raise the support and wheel assemblies and then, when rotated in a second direction is capable of lowering the support and wheel assemblies. |
| US08282106B1 |
Gland packing
A gland packing which is made of a material configured by windingly laminating an expanded graphite tape into a spiral shape. In the gland packing, ring-like projected parts are disposed on end faces of a die mold packing part made of an expanded graphite tape windingly laminated into a spiral shape so as to be integrated with the part. Ring-like seal members are brought into tight contact with the end faces of the die mold packing part excluding the ring-like projected parts in such a manner that the ring-like projected parts are projected in an axial direction beyond the outer faces of the respective ring-like seal members. |
| US08282103B2 |
Apparatus and method for strategy games
A flight stand apparatus for use in playing a airplane combat game including a deck having a first attachment device and a deck top surface, a base having a first opening, and an altitude pole having a first end and an opposing second end. The altitude pole and the base may be configured so that the first end of the altitude pole is adapted to be inserted into the first opening of the base, and the altitude pole is thereby temporarily fixed to the base so that the altitude pole is substantially at a right angle with respect to the base. The first attachment device of the deck is configured to temporarily fix the deck on the altitude pole between the first end and the second end of the altitude pole, so that the deck top surface is substantially at a right angle with respect to the altitude pole and substantially parallel to the base. |
| US08282102B2 |
Fishing game
A board game based on the sport of fishing having a board surface having various features and players are given special privileges in order to catch fish according to a set of rules and steps. |
| US08282098B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet stack portion having a plurality of separately elevatable stacker trays configured to stack a conveyed sheet and arranged one after the other in a sheet conveying direction. When a number of sheets to be stacked is greater than a number of sheets stackable on a stacker tray, the sheets are conveyed on one stacker tray and then stacked on another stacker tray so that the sheet stacking apparatus is capable of stacking a large number of sheets. |
| US08282096B2 |
Automatic document feeder
An automatic document feeder includes a transfer channel, a pick-up module and a thickness detecting module. The thickness detecting module includes a detecting member, a transmission member and an optical displacement sensing member. By the pick-up module, a sheet article is fed into the transfer channel. When the sheet article is transported across the detecting member, the sheet article is sustained against the detecting member, so that the detecting member is moved. The transmission member is connected to the detecting member. As the detecting member is moved, the transmission member generates a displacement amount. The optical displacement sensing member is used for detecting a displacement amount of the transmission member, thereby acquiring the thickness of the sheet article. |
| US08282095B2 |
Double-feed detection apparatus and image forming apparatus
A double-feed detection apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect double feed of transfer materials conveyed along a conveying path, and a control unit configured to execute detection of the transfer material under conveyance plural times with the sensor, and to determine the double feed of the transfer materials based on detection results. The control unit determines a detection timing based on both a distance along the conveying path from the sensor to an image forming unit which forms an image on the transfer material and a length of the transfer material in the feed direction. |
| US08282093B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A sheet feeder includes a sheet cassette insertable into a housing in a first direction, a remaining amount detecting member including a contact piece extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction and coming into contact with an uppermost sheet, and detecting a remaining amount of sheets according to a position of the contact piece, and a switching member switching the position of the contact piece between a contact position where the contact piece enters a storage space to come into contact with the uppermost sheet and a retracted position where the contact piece is retracted from the storage space. The position is switched to the contact position when the sheet cassette is inserted into the housing in the first direction and set to a feeding position while switched to the retracted position when the sheet cassette is separated from the feeding position and withdrawn from the housing. |
| US08282091B2 |
Spine formation device, bookbinding system, and spine formation method
A spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer, a clamping unit disposed downstream from the sheet conveyer in a sheet conveyance direction, for squeezing a folded portion of a bundle of folded sheets, a contact member against which the folded portion of the bundle is pressed, disposed downstream from the clamping unit, and a controller to cause the bundle of folded sheets to bulge by stopping the sheet conveyer after the bundle of folded sheets is transported a predetermined conveyance distance from a contact position between the contact member and the folded portion of the bundle and to cause the clamping unit to squeeze a bulging portion of the bundle created between the sheet conveyer and the contact member with the folded portion pressed against the contact member. The predetermined distance is set in accordance with a predetermined sheet-related variable. |
| US08282087B2 |
Oscillation decoupling device
An oscillation decoupling device is disclosed with a load-receiving element which is mounted in an oscillating manner relative to a support unit at least along an active direction along which at least part of the load is applied having at least one sensor unit which detects an oscillation of the element due to the load and at least one actuator unit acting against the oscillation of the element. The support unit is modularly configured and serves as a support structure for at least one unit that receives the element and is elastically deformable in the active direction of the load. The load-receiving element is connected to the elastically deformable unit. The at least one actuator influences the deformation applied to the at least one unit, or is integrated thereon, so that the at least one actuator initiates a deformation acting against an elastic deformation due to the load inside the unit. |
| US08282086B2 |
Vibration isolator
There is provided a vibration isolator in which a restriction passage for causing a main fluid chamber and a sub-fluid chamber to communicate with each other is changed over to one of a first restriction passage and a second restriction passage according to a change in the frequency of vibrations in a short period of time, and the size of the isolator is made small efficiently. A plunger member 78 closes an orifice opening 74 when being moved to a closing position against the urging force of a coil spring 90 by the fluid pressure in a pressurization space 130, and opens the orifice opening 74 when being returned to an opening position by the urging force of the coil spring 90. For the orifice opening 74, the opening ratio R between the transverse opening width along the axial direction and the longitudinal opening width along the circumferential direction is set in the range of 2≦R≦25, further preferably 5≦R≦20. Thereby, the longitudinal opening width can be made sufficiently small while an opening area necessary for the orifice opening 74 is secured. Therefore, the distance between the opening position and the closing position of the plunger member 78 can be shortened according to the longitudinal opening width. |
| US08282085B2 |
Absorbent covering
An absorbent covering (1) has high damping power, secured on a structure (2) and includes a dissipater mesh made up of a plurality of dissipating elements (3) and of nodes (4) each having its bottom end (4′) secured on the structure (2). In remarkable manner, the bottom ends (4′) of the nodes (4) project from the dissipating elements (3) so as to leave an empty space (5) between the dissipating elements (3) and the structure (2), the absorbent covering (1) including main absorbent elements (6) arranged in the empty space (5), each of the main absorbent elements (6) being secured firstly to a bottom face (3′) of a dissipating element (3) and secondly to the structure (2). |
| US08282084B2 |
Respiratory humidification system
A respiratory humidification system having a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream, a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage, a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherein the water upon heating is at least partially vaporized to form an aerosol stream. The aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified air stream. |
| US08282083B1 |
Corrosion resistant railing insert and method for installation
A corrosion resistant railing insert including a stainless steel upper body for insertion into a railing post and including channels for liquid drainage from the railing post, an elongated stainless steel mounting arm protruding from the upper body. The mounting arm has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper body, which are integrally associated as a unitary device. The upper body is secured within a railing post while the mounting aim is inserted into a complimentary aperture or sleeve formed in a concrete substrate and secured therein with an adhesive. |
| US08282081B2 |
Guiding device of hauling rope for tools in borehole
Disclosed is a guiding device of a hauling rope, in more detail, a guiding device of a hauling rope that installed at the top of casing, which controls inserting/withdrawing a hauling rope connected with a Sonde, measuring instrument, which probes, observes, and examines an underground structure, geological features, or soil conditions within borehole. |
| US08282074B2 |
Delayed coker isolation valve systems
The present invention provides more efficient, cost effective coke drum isolation valve devices and system as well as more efficient, cost effective methods for isolating the flow of matter from location to another in the delayed coker unit operation where the valve comprises a first seat; a second seat aligned with said first seat; a blind; a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with an orifice in said line; wherein said main body is coupled to said line; an upper and lower bonnet coupled to said main body, wherein said bonnets may be removed in order to replace valve parts without separating the main body from the line; and a plate located inside a bonnet, wherein the plate comprises a planar surface that contacts a surface of the blind. |
| US08282073B2 |
Presettable gas valve
A presettable gas valve is disclosed herein. The gas valve may have a maximum gas flow that can be adjusted to the particular requirements of the fireplace in which the gas valve is used. By way of example and not limitation, for real biomass/fuel burning fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a quarter turn of a handle. In contrast, for fake fireplaces, which require more gas flow compared to real fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a half turn of the handle. The maximum gas flow through the gas valve may be set during installation such that the user does not need to manually determine the appropriate amount of gas during use. |
| US08282069B2 |
Cinch valve
A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture. |
| US08282066B2 |
Method of using a universal intermediate support
The present invention is a method for using a universal support consisting of one or more modules having a deformable enclosure (3) connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice. Said enclosure is of concave shape forming a chamber (6) provided with a flexible body (7). The method consists in the following series of steps: applying a vacuum to the chamber (6) so that the deformable enclosure (3) collapses; positioning the part which is to be supported; breaking the vacuum in the chamber (6); and applying a vacuum inside the deformable enclosure (3). |
| US08282062B2 |
Tilting device
A tilting device is disclosed. The tilting device may include: an arm, on which a tilt-shaft is formed; a tilt-base coupled to the tilt-shaft in a manner that allows tilting; a pulley rotatably coupled to the tilt-base; a wire, which is wound around the pulley, and of which either end is coupled to either side of the arm on opposite sides of the tilt-shaft; and a driving unit, which drives the pulley. An embodiment of the invention enables tilting operations using a smaller driving device, and also allows manual operations. |
| US08282061B2 |
Mounting clips and sensor installations for motorized vehicle doors
Clips for attaching sensors, cables, or other items to doors, such as retrofitted armored vehicle doors, are provided. In one example embodiment, a clip includes a strip portion, a first attachment arm extending from the strip portion, and a second attachment arm extending from the strip portion. A barb leg is disposed at an angle relative to the strip portion and includes a first leg end and a second leg end opposite the first leg end. The barb leg is connected at the first leg end to the second attachment arm, and the second leg end is disposed towards and spaced apart from the strip portion. A cable clamp extends from an end of the second attachment arm opposite the strip portion or an end of the strip portion opposite the first attachment arm. |
| US08282053B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting the length of a boat lift leg
An apparatus for adjusting the length of a leg of a boat lift is described wherein the length of the leg may either be shortened or lengthened without the necessity of entering the water in which the boat lift is positioned. |
| US08282051B2 |
Armrest assembly
An armrest assembly for use with a first control device and a second control device arranged generally in a tandem configuration is disclosed herein. The armrest assembly includes, but is not limited to, a base member configured for mounting to the horizontal surface proximate the first control device in a position aligned with the first and the second control devices. The armrest assembly also includes an arm support member movably mounted to the base member. The arm support member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The arm support member is configured to steady a user's arm when accessing the first control device when the arm support member is in the first position. The arm support member is further configured to steady the user's arm when accessing the second control device when the arm support member is in the second position. |
| US08282048B2 |
Side-locking clamping apparatus and method
A side-locking clamp that includes a lower band and an upper band is provided. The lower band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab disposed at a distal end. The upper band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab, disposed at a distal end, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab and lock the clamp when the upper band is disposed in the closed position. |
| US08282045B2 |
Craft and method of coupling a propulsion system to a regenerative fuel cell system
The invention relates to a craft comprising an energy storage system of the RFCS (regenerative fuel cell system) type and a system for pressurizing the propellants used for propulsion. The craft also comprises a plurality of means (31 to 38) for coupling the tanks of the fuel cell to the propellant-pressurizing tanks of the propulsion system of the craft when the tanks of the propellant-pressurizing system are no longer used.The invention also relates to the method of coupling the tanks of the propellant-pressurizing means to the energy storage system.The invention applies particularly to telecommunication satellites and more generally to spacecraft. |
| US08282044B2 |
Actuator device for varying the attitude of a spacecraft
An actuator device for varying the attitude of a spacecraft includes a reversible conversion chain of electrical energy to mechanical rotation energy of a flywheel. The electrical energy is stored in a capacitive element that may be a supercapacitor. The actuator device also includes an electrical power converter, connected, on one hand, to the capacitive element and intended to be connected, on the other hand, to the spacecraft power bus. The converter makes it possible to compensate for losses to keep a total energy of the actuator device constant. |
| US08282039B2 |
Device for storing life vests in a vehicle cabin
A device is provided for storing at least one emergency equipment item. The device includes, but is not limited to at least one receptacle that is positioned above passenger seats and respectively provided with an access opening and at least one closure element for closing the access opening. In order to provide simpler access, at least one emergency equipment item is held in the receptacle and connected to a pulling element that protrudes from the access opening when the closure element is opened. The closure element may be opened and closed by means of a remote-controlled locking mechanism on the receptacle. |
| US08282036B2 |
Multi wing aircraft
A multi-wing, airfoil fuselage aircraft that is capable of flying in a ground-effect mode includes a main airfoil fuselage wing, a fin that extends vertically from this wing, a pivot mount that is affixed to the fin, an auxiliary wing that connects to the pivot mount so as to allow its angle of attack to be adjusted and changed during different flight conditions, a main landing gear, an adjustable-length, stabilizing landing gear, assorted control surfaces that are movably affixed to the auxiliary wing and fin, and a ground-effect control system that is adapted to control the operation and movement of these control surfaces when the aircraft is flying in a ground-effect mode of flight. |
| US08282034B1 |
Multiple roll toilet paper holder and dispenser
Disclosed is a device and method for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of toilet paper. The present invention comprises a weighted base with an elongated vertical body, onto which several rolls of toilet paper can be placed. The top portion of the elongated body pivots, and can lock in a vertical position, allowing for storage of additional rolls of toilet paper. The top portion can also lock into a horizontal position for use of a toilet paper roll mounted thereon. Once a roll of toilet paper is depleted, a user slides a replacement roll up the vertical body, and over the pivot, where it rests on the top portion. |
| US08282032B2 |
Pre-wound sheet cut-off mechanism for thin material sheet winding device and method thereof
Disclosed is a pre-wound sheet cut-off mechanism of a thin material sheet winding device, including a first winding roller, a plurality of curved guide plates arranged at a predetermined distance below the first winding roller and distributed and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance along an axial direction of a shaft of the first winding roller, a plurality of pre-winding plates each coupled between adjacent curved guide plates, a second winding roller, and a rider roller. In a winding operation, a core is conveyed into a curved-guide-plate channel defined between the first winding roller and the curved guide plates to adhere to and pre-wind a thin material sheet that is conveyed to the first winding roller, and is thereafter transported to a winding nip to form a roll with the thin material sheet. The winding speed of the roll is reduced for preparing a next core to reach the pre-winding plates, accordingly, the thin material sheet is slacked, such that the slacked thin material sheet can be pre-wound, thereafter, the thin material sheet pre-wound continuously and the thin material sheet is gradually tensioned on the next core until the thin material sheet is torn apart. |
| US08282028B2 |
Electrostatically atomizing device
The liquid supplied to an emitter electrode located at a tip of an atomization nozzle receives the high-voltage and electrically charged. The mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is generated from the emitter electrode. A pressure regulating means regulates a pressure applied to the liquid on the tip of the emitter electrode. Therefore, the mode of generating the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes or the mode of generating the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer and micron size is selected. |
| US08282027B2 |
Electrostatically atomizing device
An electrostatic atomizing device for ejecting a mist of charged minute particles includes metal ion elution means for eluting sterilizing metal ions into a liquid to be electrostatically atomized. The metal ions are taken up by the charged minute particles, and are ejected into an environment space together with the charged minute particles, thereby eliciting a sterilizing effect. The elution amount of the metal ions is regulated by varying the voltage applied between two kinds of metal bodies. |
| US08282025B2 |
Ejector
In an ejector, a refrigerant passage of a nozzle for decompressing and expanding refrigerant includes a throat portion in which a refrigerant passage sectional area is most reduced, a first taper portion arranged downstream of the throat portion to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area, a second taper portion arranged downstream of the first taper portion to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area, and an end taper portion arranged in a range from an outlet side of the second taper portion to a refrigerant jet port to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area. Furthermore, a second expanding angle at the outlet side of the second taper portion is larger than the first expanding angle at the outlet side of the first taper portion, and an end expanding angle at the outlet side of the end taper portion is smaller than the second expanding angle. |
| US08282023B2 |
Fluid storage and dispensing systems, and fluid supply processes comprising same
Fluid storage and dispensing systems, and processes for supplying fluids for use thereof. Various arrangements of fluid storage and dispensing systems are described, involving permutations of the physical sorbent-containing fluid storage and dispensing vessels and internal regulator-equipped fluid storage and dispensing vessels. The systems and processes are applicable to a wide variety of end-use applications, including storage and dispensing of hazardous fluids with enhanced safety. In a specific end-use application, reagent gas is dispensed to a semiconductor manufacturing facility from a large-scale, fixedly positioned fluid storage and dispensing vessel containing physical sorbent holding gas at subatmospheric pressure, with such vessel being refillable from a safe gas source of refill gas, as disclosed herein. |
| US08282021B2 |
Boom assembly for a hose drag system
An apparatus for application of a liquid or liquid-solid solution to soil includes an articulating tractor, a frame, a pivot point, a boom and a drag hose. The articulating tractor has a front portion and a rear portion connected to an articulation point. The rear portion has a rear wheel axle. The frame is adapted to mount on the rear portion of the articulating tractor. The frame has a front frame end located between the rear wheel axle and the articulation point. The pivot point is on the front frame end and positioned about 12 inches or more from the rear wheel axle. The boom pivotally attaches to the pivot point. The drag hose has a distal end in fluid communication with a source of liquid or solid-liquid solution and a proximal end coupled to the boom. |
| US08282019B2 |
Adjustable cold spray nozzle
A cold spray nozzle assembly includes a venturi having converging and diverging portions interconnected at a throat. An air supply conduit is in communication with the venturi for supplying a carrier gas to the converging portion. A powder feed tube is in communication with the venturi for supplying a powder material. An adjustment member is arranged within the venturi and is axially moveable relative thereto between multiple positions. The multiple positions respectively provide multiple different areas or throat clearances including a desired area between the adjustment member and the venturi or throat clearance. As a result, the adjustment member can be axially positioned to achieve desired gas pressures, deposition rates, and accommodate machining tolerances and component wear based upon the selected area. A retention member maintains the adjustment member in the desired position during operation of the cold spray nozzle assembly. |
| US08282018B2 |
Track device
Embodiments of a track device include a track section with a hollow rail, a rail support member with flanges, eccentric rail support, a cross member with a rotatably coupling, rail ferrules for mating, and rail materials including a lubricious material. |
| US08282017B2 |
Multiple cell heat transfer system
A heat transfer system comprises a plurality of cells, a plurality of heating elements, and a controller for independently controlling the plurality of heating elements. The heat transfer system is capable of maintaining a fluid temperature within a predetermined range. A second pump pumps fluid through a heat exchanger in operative relationship with the blower upon a call for heat. |
| US08282011B1 |
Tamper sensitive RFID tag
A tamper sensitive RFID tag includes a housing defining a channel that is configured to receive a portion of an object associated with the RFID tag. Included with the tamper sensitive RFID tag is a tamper sensitive RFID label that is adhesively secured to a first portion of the housing, and a second securement means for securing the RFID label to a second portion of the housing in a position between the first and second portions. |
| US08282007B1 |
Laminated cards with manual input interfaces
A laminated card is provided with manual input interfaces. Such manual input interfaces may provide tactile feedback to a user. Laminated cards may be provided as payment cards, identification cards, medical cards, or any other type of card. |
| US08282006B2 |
Imaging device operative for image processing
The invention relates to an imaging device of the type having an imaging assembly including a two dimensional image sensor. In one embodiment an imaging device can be used to obtain an area image representation. In one embodiment, the image representation can be processed. The processing of the image representation can include recognition of an indicia represented in the image representation. In one embodiment an image imaging device can output image data to a first external processing system responsively to reorganization of first indicia and can output image data to a second external processing system responsively to recognition of second indicia. |
| US08282003B2 |
Supply-chain side assistance
An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that identifies an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item, obtains a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source; and aggregates the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. |
| US08282002B2 |
Multi-barcode scan process
Scanning multiple barcodes, storing different code types, in a single scanning operation and automatically recording the data derived from the barcodes. The data can be stored in a form or database having designated locations for each different code type. In some embodiments, the present technology is useful in conducting a retail transaction and facilitates a simplified transaction when the product for purchase has multiple barcodes printed thereon. |
| US08282001B2 |
Method for data interchange
A method for data interchange includes summing up data associated with an electronic document to provide summed up data, representing the summed up data as one or more bar codes, and returning the one or more bar codes for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or a printed version of the one or more bar codes. The electronic document may be of any number of formats. The summing up may include taking data from multiple information fields to create the summed up data. The data may include data tags or a step of adding data tags to the data to assist in data interchange may be performed. |
| US08281998B2 |
Apparatus and method for commercial transactions using a communication device
An apparatus for effecting commercial transactions with a server using a transaction card via a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes a transaction device coupled with the communication device for capturing information from the transaction card and a controller for converting the captured card information into an encrypted audio signal and for transmitting the audio signal to the communication device. The communication device delivers the audio signal to the server for processing the commercial transaction. |
| US08281994B1 |
Barcode emulation in medical device consumption tracking system
An interface system for providing product identifier data to a legacy system for a unit tracking system comprises a reader for reading unit tracking information for items. The unit tracking information uniquely identifies each of the items. In one example, this unit tracking information is an RFID serial number. Then, a translator looks up universal product numbers associated with the items with which the unit tracking number is associated. The translator passes the universal product number to the legacy system. |
| US08281989B2 |
Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. While a user operates the system to dispense cash or perform other banking operations, the system may further permit at least one portable wireless device to wirelessly access the system to conduct transactions. |
| US08281984B2 |
Constructing a combined tracking address
Systems and methods for constructing a combined tracking address and reporting tracking information using the combined tracking address are described. A code resolution response may be received from a first entity involved in resolving a mobile code. The code resolution response may include a first tracking address from the first entity and a second tracking address of a second entity involved in resolving the mobile code. The first tracking address may be combined with the second tracking address, thereby providing a combined tracking address. |
| US08281983B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing and verifying serial numbers using smart labels in an image production device
A method and apparatus for storing and verifying serial numbers using a smart label in an image production device is disclosed. The method for storing may include receiving a signal to query a smart label for serial number information, querying the smart label for serial number information, receiving the serial number information from the smart label, and storing the serial number information in a memory. The method for verifying may include receiving a signal to query a smart label for serial number information, querying the smart label for serial number information, receiving the serial number information from the smart label, determining if the serial number matches a serial number stored in the image production device, wherein if it is determined that the serial number matches the stored serial number performing requested image production device operations, otherwise sending an error signal. |
| US08281976B2 |
Method of making multi-component composite metallic tube
A method for forming a multi-component composite metallic tube, in particular, a bi-component metallic tube, comprises the steps of forming a coextrudable, multi-component billet including an inner component formed from a first metallic material, and an outer component formed from a second metallic material. Notably, explosive bonding is employed for bonding the first and second components to form a metallurgical bond at the interface thereof, thus forming the desired multi-component billet. The multi-component billet is subsequently heated, and coextruded to form a multi-component tubular structure, having a metallurgical bond at an interface between inner and outer layers of the composite metallic tube. |
| US08281975B2 |
Surgical apparatus and structure for applying sprayable wound treatment material
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion; an actuation assembly operatively supported at a proximal end of the body portion; an anvil assembly movably mounted at the distal end of the body portion for movement toward and away from the body portion; an approximation assembly extending between the body portion and the anvil assembly for moving the anvil toward and away from the tubular body portion; a dispersion assembly operatively associated with the approximation assembly, the dispersion assembly including at least one angled surface defining at least one channel interposed between the anvil assembly and the body portion and being configured to dispense a fluid therefrom; and at least one conduit for conducting wound treatment material to the dispersion assembly. |
| US08281974B2 |
Surgical stapler with suture locator
An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for forming surgical staples, and the anvil head mounted to the anvil shaft. The anvil shaft has a longitudinal axis and a helical slot formed therein. A disc is movable along the slot to a selected position to selectively adjust the positioning of a purse string suture. |
| US08281971B2 |
Labor-saving stapler
A labor-saving stapler of the present invention includes a base, a press arm, a transmission arm, a connection arm, a magazine, a staple pusher, a moving mechanism, a buckling mechanism and a switching mechanism. The magazine is slidably disposed between the connection arm and the base. The moving means moves the magazine outwardly when the switching mechanism is activated. As such, the magazine can be opened by operating the switching mechanism. When the switching mechanism includes a button or the same, users can open the magazine easily with only one hand. |
| US08281969B2 |
Equipment rack for trailers
Trailer racks, and more particularly to straddle-type trailer racks for closed trailers, which racks include a load platform supported by legs mounted directly to the trailer sub-frame, fit within the foot-print of the trailer wheels, do not interfere with side and rear doors, and are spaced from and not supported on the trailer body top nor rely on it for structural rigidity. The inventive straddle-type trailer rack can also be adapted for use with open trailers. A wide range of options are available, including equipment brackets secured to the legs that can also be used as steps, lockable keeper assemblies, dual function lockable safety cross braces, catwalk for the load platform, access ladder, and forward extensions. The inventive rack is also configurable in kit form. |
| US08281966B2 |
Bracelet fastening device
A bracelet fastening device with a spring biased clasp gripping member, a bendable metal rod, a holding member, a sliding member, a spring post, and a resilient rod covering member. The holding member is ball shaped at one end and slidably engages with the sliding member and attached rod. The clasp gripping member is constructed like a standard alligator clip and is fixed to the opposite end of the bendable metal rod. The spring post is located within the sliding member and can engage one of a plurality of recesses inside the holding member so that the user can adjust the overall length of the device. The bendable metal rod is covered by the resilient rod covering. The rod and covering can be bent so that the clasp gripping member is in close proximity to the clasp being fastened. |
| US08281965B2 |
Garment hanger with top sizer
In accordance with one embodiment, a garment hanger for use with a top sizer clip includes a body having a cross bar and a hook member extending outwardly therefrom. The hook member includes a web portion having an inner edge and an opposing outer edge, wherein the hook member terminates in a curved distal end and includes a neck portion that connects the hook member to the cross bar. The neck portion is defined by a portion of the outer edge that faces one end of the cross bar and a portion of the inner edge that faces an opposite end of the cross bar. The outer edge in the neck portion has a concave shape, while the inner edge in the neck portion has a convex shape. |
| US08281964B2 |
Rotary stirring device for treating molten metal
Rotary device for treating molten metal has a hollow shaft with a rotor having a roof and a base spaced apart and connected by a plurality of dividers. A passage extends between each adjacent pair of dividers and the roof and the base. A flow path extends through the shaft into inlets of the passages and out of outlets. A chamber in which mixing of the molten metal and gas can take place is located radially inwardly of the inlets, has an opening in the base of the rotor and is in the flowpath between the shaft and the inlets. Upon rotation of the device, molten metal is drawn into the chamber through the rotor base where it is mixed with gas passing into the chamber from the shaft. The metal/gas dispersion is pumped into the passages through the inlets before discharge from the rotor through the outlets. |
| US08281963B2 |
Dispensing apparatus
A dispensing apparatus includes a mounting plate and a dispenser fixed to the mounting plate. The dispenser includes a nozzle valve, a valve plug, an actuating shaft, and a nozzle. The nozzle valve defines a cavity containing a material, and defines an inlet opening on a sidewall thereof to communicate with the cavity. The valve plug is disposed in the cavity. The actuating shaft extends through an end of the nozzle valve, and is connected to the valve plug. The nozzle is disposed at the other end of the nozzle valve facing the actuating shaft. The actuating shaft moves the valve plug away from or closer to the nozzle so as to close or open the inlet opening. |
| US08281962B2 |
Coating container
A tongue and groove arrangement guides an outer cap in an axial direction with respect to an inner cap. When a cap is fixed to a mouth of a container body, the outer cap is located in a direction of separating from the inner cap in the axial direction, and an inner face of a top wall of the outer cap is separated from a valve to urge the valve in a direction of projecting from a discharge hole of an inside plug, causing the discharge hole to close. When the cap is detached and removed from the mouth, the outer cap is moved in a direction of approaching the inner cap in the axial direction, and the inner face abuts the valve urged in a direction of separating from the discharge hole while resisting against an urging member, causing the discharge hole to open. |
| US08281959B2 |
Dosage-dispensing device for powders and pastes
A dosage-dispensing device, which can be used for dosage materials in the form of powders or pastes, includes a housing with at least one receptacle compartment formed inside the housing for the purpose of holding the dosage material. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one dispensing head that comprises an elastic material and has an outlet for the dosage material. In the non-stressed condition, i.e. when there is no mechanical force or pressure acting on it, the outlet is tightly closed against the outside. When a force or pressure is applied, the outlet opens up, with the aperture width being variable, dependent on the applied force. Furthermore, inside the receptacle compartment and/or the dispensing head, there is at least one mechanical actuator element arranged through which the outlet can be opened. |
| US08281949B2 |
Product display container having hinged side panels with a slidable gate member to selectively block access through a port in at least one side panel
Systems and methods include unfolding a product bin from a flat configuration to vertical configuration to define a portion of a product enclosure. The product bin comprises a plurality of sections hinged end-to-end in a chain. A free end of a first one of the sections in the chain is releasably connected to a free end of a last one of the sections in the chain with a support member. The support member is fastened to an object such that the plurality of sections and the object combine to define a product enclosure. A plurality of products is placed in the product enclosure. |
| US08281948B2 |
Overpack salvage drum
An overpack salvage drum including a drum body for holding a package to be overpacked, a lid adapted to be rotatably threaded onto the drum body to seal the package held in the drum body therein, and a clip adapted to be operatively associated with the lid before the lid is rotatably threaded onto the drum body. The clip is adapted to break in preference to the lid and the drum body in the event that the initial integrity of the seal between the lid and the drum body is compromised. |
| US08281946B1 |
Hose concealing device
A hose concealing device adapted to contain and conceal a coiled hose within an inner cavity is described. The inner cavity resides beneath a planting receptacle, which is equipped with drainage means that permits water to drain therefrom, rather than accumulating within the planting receptacle. The drainage means is adapted to collect excess water from the planting receptacle and prevent the water from dripping onto or otherwise contaminating the coiled hose. |
| US08281944B2 |
Anti-tamper closure
The present invention relates to an anti-tamper closure (1, 1′) for threaded bottles (100, 100′) comprising an outer cap (20, 20′) and an outer skirt (22, 22′) which is connected to the outer cap (20, 20′) prior to initial opening, and an inner cap (30, 30′) and an inner annular element (32, 32′) which is connected to the inner cap (30, 30′) prior to initial opening, in which the inner annular element (32, 32′) is connected to the inner cap (30, 30′) with respect to both rotation and translation by inner connection means (31, 31′) which render the inner annular element (32, 32′) free to rotate and to translate relative to the inner cap (30, 30′) after initial opening. |
| US08281943B2 |
Shelving system
A shelving system includes a frame with vertical frame members and cross braces, a shelf with three-sided perimeter groove and under-shelf groove, a wire perimeter shelf support engaging the perimeter groove and vertical frame members, and a wire under-shelf support constructed to engage the under-shelf groove and the vertical legs in a stable arrangement. The assembled shelving system does not require tools or separate fasteners for assembly, and assembly is quick, easy and intuitive, yet allows for flexibility, customization, and adaptation for different uses and desired aesthetics. A variety of very different shelving systems can be constructed by purchasing different frames, shelves, and accessories. The system can be leaned against a wall at an angle, or fastened vertically against a wall. Shelves are angularly adjustable, height adjustable, and replaceable. A pair of systems angled against each other form a free standing arrangement, and can support a header panel therebetween. |
| US08281942B2 |
Folding and wall-mountable frame such as for a drying device
A frame which can be moved between a folded-in position and a folded-out position includes suspension means for suspending the frame from a vertical element, an arm assembly having at least three arms and a rod assembly which cooperates with the arm assembly. The arm and rod assemblies are designed such that the arms may extend between a folded-in position and a folded-out position. The suspension means cooperate with a section of the arm assembly and/or with a section of the rod assembly which is/are at the periphery of the planes defined by the assemblies. |
| US08281941B2 |
Holder for box-shaped articles of different sizes
A holder or rack for storing and displaying a plurality of flat box-shaped articles in a substantially vertical and mutual parallel arrangement, comprising at least two mutual parallel and laterally extending rigid beams spaced one above the other in the vertical direction by at least one rigid spacer member, the upper of the beams has a downward extending flange portion providing an upper abutment stop and the lower of the beams has an upward extending flange portion providing a lower abutment stop, each of the beams has on its front side a substantially horizontal and laterally extending projection defining a vertical gap between itself and the other projection, the lower horizontal projection has a substantially smooth and planar horizontal top surface defining a support ledge and the upper horizontal projection has an underside provided with a laterally extending groove adapted to receive and retain an elongated rubber-elastic member having in cross section a wedge-shaped lip portion projecting substantially vertical downwards from the underside of the upper horizontal projection when inserted and retained in the groove so as to form a grip or barb, which holder is characterized in that the at least one rigid spacer member is provided with a member for adjusting the vertical distance between the upper and lower horizontal projections. |
| US08281937B2 |
Compact fluid purification device with manual pumping mechanism
According to one exemplary embodiment, a compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger received within the open end such that it slides within the interior of the housing. The plunger is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, wherein the plunger has an elongated housing that includes a filter element, such as, a plurality of hollow filter elements that are open at a distal end of the plunger housing and are in communication with an outlet that is associated with the plunger. Movement of the plunger toward the fully extended position causes unfiltered liquid to be drawn into the interior of the housing and the device includes a second valve disposed within the outlet and being configured to only permit filtered liquid to be discharged from the plunger housing. The unfiltered liquid is filtered when the plunger is moved toward the fully retracted position causing the unfiltered liquid in the interior to flow into the inside of the filter elements and then across the filter elements and into the outlet. |
| US08281934B1 |
Screen panel retainer system
A screen panel retainer assembly, that is utilizable with a vibrating separatory machine, is configured with a plurality of discrete, mushroom-shaped screen panel retainers. Each such retainer has a retainer head that is generally in the shape of a portion of a cylinder, such as a right cylinder. A shank connects each such retainer head to a suitable retainer bar. The retainer bar can be adapted to be attached either to screen stringer tubes of the vibrating separatory machine, or to underlying cross tubes and end cross tubes. The screen panels, which are to be secured to the vibrating separatory machine, have complementary shaped mushroom-shaped screen panel retainer head receiving chambers in their side surfaces. Two such panel edges define a whole chamber. The retainer heads are metal whereas the screen panel edges are resilient. The mushroom-shaped heads securely snap into their complementary chambers yet can be removed from those chambers when the screen panels have to be replaced. |
| US08281933B2 |
Rider bar for screening element or wear-resistant lining
A rider bar (5) is essentially made of elastomeric material. The rider bar (5) is intended for a surface of a screen cloth (1) or a wear-resistant lining over which pieces or particles of material are intended to move. The rider bar (5) comprises a wear-resistant element (6). |
| US08281932B2 |
Apparatus and method for efficient particle to gas bubble attachment in a slurry
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for efficient hydrophobic particles to gas bubble attachment in a slurry is provided. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a slurry stream into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing slurry; introducing gas into the flowing slurry during at least a portion of its travel in the chamber, the gas being introduced orthogonally to the stream through means located at the chamber inner wall and for developing gas bubbles which move into the slurry. The apparatus comprises of: a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall, the chamber being oriented in any direction, enclosed at both ends, and with an entry port to introduce the stream of slurry to develop a spiral flow of the stream along the chamber inner wall toward the output end, a porous wall to permit the introduction of gas orthogonally into the stream to develop gas bubbles within the stream, and an exit port to discharge the mixture of slurry and gas bubbles. |
| US08281928B2 |
Inflatable box
The present invention is an inflatable box which can come in any shape or size and be made up of any rigid material. The box is uniquely designed to allow for a simple one step process using a box with an integrated inflating tube and bottom liner to expand internally by inflation which cushions the article to be shipped 3 dimensionally thus completely protecting the article and removing the need for peanuts, paper or other fillers in boxes used for shipping goods once the box is closed. |
| US08281921B2 |
Container enabling mixing at least two substances therein
A plural chambered container for storing separately a plurality of substances for mixing prior to opening the container. The container comprises a closed outer container having a side wall, bottom and top. It further comprises an inner chamber with a designated opening area, wherein the inner chamber is operatively attached to the bottom of the outer container. In addition the outer container is filled with a first substance and the inner chamber is filled with a second substance. The outer container is filled with a one substance and the inner chamber is filled with another substance. Upon pressing the side walls of said outer container, the designated opening area is opened thereby causing the substance in the inner chamber to mix with the substance in the outer container. |
| US08281915B2 |
Automatic transmission including clutch devices
An automatic transmission including a first clutch selectively connecting a first rotary member and a second rotary member disposed coaxially with the first rotary member, a second clutch selectively connecting the first rotary member and a third rotary member disposed coaxially with the first rotary member, a first drum in which a first piston of the first clutch is axially slidably received, a second drum disposed coaxially with the first drum, to accommodate the first drum, and in which a second piston of the second clutch is axially slidably received, an abutting portion abutting contact of the first and second drums with each other in an axial direction of the first and second drums, and a fitting portion at which the first drum is fitted in the second drum and that inhibits relative rotation of the first and second drums about a common axis of the first and second drums. |
| US08281912B2 |
Stampable thrust washer with flow cutouts
A stampable thrust washer for a torque converter including an inner circumference, an outer circumference, and a plurality of cutouts disposed in the thrust washer, wherein the cutouts are in fluid communication with the inner and outer circumferences when said thrust washer is engaged between two rotationally engaged components. |
| US08281911B2 |
Active vibration isolation system which is more effective against seismic vibration
The invention relates to an active vibration isolation system in which at least one sensor is provided for detection of ground vibration, and the system has a control device which calculates compensation signals in at least two degrees of freedom, based on movements of the ground. |
| US08281909B2 |
Vehicle drum brake
A vehicle drum brake includes: a first brake shoe; a second brake shoe; a parking brake lever connected with the second brake shoe; a pull unit connected with the parking brake lever; a strut including a curved portion which is curved towards an outer circumferential side of the backing plate, the strut being disposed between a portion of the parking brake lever which lies closer to the portion where the pull mechanism is connected than the portion where the parking brake lever is attached and the first brake shoe; a strut return spring for returning the strut in a non-operating state to its initial position is provided to extend between the strut and the second brake shoe; and an engagement hole formed in the curved portion of the strut for one end portion of the strut return spring to be brought into engagement therewith. |
| US08281908B2 |
Brake cooling fluid diverter for an off-highway machine
The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems. |
| US08281906B2 |
Braking apparatus
The present embodiments relate to a braking apparatus, in particular for slowing down a carriage, with a brake pad, which is formed using a magnetic material, at least one first spring to press the brake pad onto a surface for the purposes of braking and an electromagnet. The brake pad, the at least one first spring and the electromagnet are disposed and embodied in such a manner that when current flows through the electromagnet a force acts on the brake pad by way of the magnetic material, compensating for the action of the at least one first spring on the brake pad in such a manner that the brake pad assumes a position, in which braking cannot take place due to the pressure of the brake pad. The braking apparatus allows braking independently of the material characteristics of the environment in which the braking apparatus is deployed. |
| US08281896B2 |
Drain plug housing and drain plug apparatus for use with oil pans
A drain plug housing body coupled to the interior of an oil pan, which receives, via threaded portions, an extended length drain plug. The drain plug housing further comprises a first threaded aperture having a first diameter terminating at the interior of the oil pan and a second threaded aperture having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, with a hollow cavity therein between. The drain plug is a substantially cylindrical bolt of varying diameters having a first male threaded portion and a second male threaded portion on its shaft that are compatible, respectively, with each of the threaded apertures of the drain plug housing. |
| US08281894B2 |
Floating harness
A safety harness and a method of integrating the safety harness into apparel such as a firefighter's turnout suit. The safety harness may include a waist strap, a leg strap for encircling a wearer's leg, and a support strap slideably attached to the waist strap. |
| US08281893B2 |
Variable transmission ratio mechanism and variable ratio steering device
A variable transmission ratio mechanism comprises: an input member capable of rotating around a first axis; and an intermediate member that allows the differential rotation of the output member. The intermediate member is capable of rotating around a second axis that is slanted relative to the first axis. On first and second power transmission surfaces of the intermediate member, corresponding first and second engaging sections are respectively arranged according to corresponding first and second arrangement pitch circles centered on the second axis. On corresponding first and second engagement circles centered on the first axis, the first and second engaging sections are respectively engageable with corresponding first and second engageable sections. The diameter of the first arrangement pitch circle differs from the diameter of the second arrangement pitch circle. |
| US08281886B2 |
Electric motor control device, drive device and hybrid drive device
An electric motor control device includes an inverter that supplies an output of a primary-side DC power supply to an electric motor to control driving of the electric motor; a converter that includes a voltage increasing power supply device that increases a voltage of the primary-side DC power supply to supply the inverter with the increased voltage as a secondary voltage, and a regenerative power supply device that reversely supplies regenerative power from the inverter to the primary-side DC power supply; a secondary-side target voltage determination unit; a converter control unit; and an electric motor control unit. |
| US08281879B2 |
Method of drilling a wellbore
A method of drilling a wellbore comprises arranging a drill string and an expandable tubular in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining section of the tubular, drill string extending through the remaining section, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, wherein the expanded section covers the wellbore wall in an upper portion of the wellbore. The drill string is operated so as to drill a lower wellbore portion, and a compound is transferred between the lower wellbore portion and a layer of the earth formation surrounding the lower wellbore portion. |
| US08281877B2 |
Method and apparatus for drilling with casing
A top drive system includes a top drive, top drive adapter, and a tubular positioning apparatus. In another aspect, the top drive adapter includes a housing operatively connected to the top drive and a plurality of retaining members disposed in the housing for gripping the tubular. In another aspect, the tubular positioning apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging a tubular and a conveying member for positioning the gripping member. A spinner may be provided to rotate the tubular. |
| US08281873B2 |
Hand-held power tool
The invention relates to a hand-held power tool, in particular a hammer drill which has a hammer drive, a rotary drive, a switching device, and a main output element. The switching device has a slide mechanism, which is designed for switching between different operating modes. According to the invention, the slide mechanism has at least one coupling element, which in at least one operating mode is directly coupled to a coupling element, the latter being rotationally fixed to the main output element. |
| US08281872B2 |
Drill hammer with three modes of operation
A drill hammer for the three operation modes of drilling, chiseling, and hammer-drilling has a motor with a motor shaft; a gear with an intermediate shaft, a driving gear wheel, a toothed slaving shaft , a shifting hub, and a driven gear wheel; a percussion mechanism with a wobble disk and a wobble gear wheel; and a driven shaft with a driving gear wheel and a drill chuck. The gear is configured to be changed over easily without axial displacement of running gears that mesh with one another so that the drill hammer is more robust, shorter or more compact, and lighter in weight. The drill hammer is thus simply and economically constructed and whose efficiency is not impaired by the gear shifting mechanism. |
| US08281864B2 |
Apparatus and method for recovering fluids from a well and/or injecting fluids into a well
Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described. |
| US08281863B2 |
Detachable electrical actuator
A removable module for actuating elements, such as valves, within a subsea production tree. The module can include a motor, a drive shaft, and a ball screw. Embodiments exist where only the motor is removable, optionally the motor and drive shaft and/or all module elements are removable. A fail safe system is included that moves the production tree element into a pre-designated fail safe position. |
| US08281858B2 |
Shot perforator device and method for water well bore decommissioning
Application of the method and device to a water well will permanently seal the well casing in order to prevent hydraulic cross-contamination with other water wells in the area. The method employs a string to explosive modules in spaced relation along the depth of a well casing. This weighted string of explosive modules is lowered into the well casing, wet concrete should then be introduced into the casing, after which the explosive elements are detonated sequentially, starting at the top of the well. Detonation of the elements in such a manner should force the wet concrete or cement out through the well casing perforations, so that the well casing will be entirely captured within the cured concrete. The individual explosive elements are made from detonating cord and metallic ball bearings wrapped into bundles, and then the bundles are bound in suitable adhesive tape. |
| US08281854B2 |
Connector for mounting screen to base pipe without welding or swaging
A subterranean screen system features openings in a base pipe and sleeve sections of a porous material that preferably swells in the borehole to span an annular space around the base pipe. Retainers are mounted to the base pipe in a desired location and mechanically fixated using an internal grip system actuated through the wall of the retainer. A wedging action of slip segments is initiated by an angularly advancing assembly through the wall of the retainer. The retainer can have end rings extending past one or both ends over which the screen sleeve extends. Flat or ridges on the exterior of the retainer or end rings make assembly easier with hand tools to allow for rapid field assembly, if needed. Filtration occurs through the sleeves that abut the borehole wall and into the base pipe openings and to the surface. |
| US08281852B2 |
Coiled tubing quick connect
A bottom hole assembly supported by coiled tubing has components attached to each other with quick connections that do not require threading to provide the integral connection capable of supporting the BHA's required, torque, tensile and pressure loads. This quick connect feature provides torque transmission capability and does not need rig equipment such as tongs for makeup. Connecting the components is faster and safer particularly when the connections have to be made well above a rig floor. The lower end of the coiled tubing connector can also be provided with a quick connection half to mate with the uppermost tool in the bottom hole assembly. |
| US08281849B2 |
Heat exchanger
The invention relates to a heat exchanger with at least two plate-shaped flow ducts which are in parallel to one another and at a distance from one another and have a flow connection through at least one connecting duct (8) which spans the distance. It is proposed that the at least one connecting duct (8) be formed by two self-centering tube connectors (4, 6) which can be plugged one into the other. |
| US08281847B2 |
Roll-up shade apparatus for vehicle
There is provided a roll-up shade apparatus which can ensure a larger open dimension of a shade. The roll-up shade apparatus comprises a pair of first wire drums which travel and rotate in a wire wind-up direction or a wire feed direction when the shade is moved in the open direction or the closing direction, a pair of second wire drums which are coupled to a retractor so as to be rotatable together with the retractor, and which are rotatably provided at both sides of the retractor coaxially therewith so that a wire wind-up direction becomes opposite to a shade wind-up direction of the retractor, and a pair of wires suspended between the respective first and second wire drums so that the second wire drums rotate in a wire feed direction or in a wire wind-up direction when the first wire drums rotate in the wire wind-up direction or in the wire feed direction, respectively. |
| US08281846B2 |
Curtain
A curtain includes a curtain bracket (1) having an end to which a rotation driving device (3) is mounted. The rotation driving device (3) can actuate a curtain reeling drum (4A) to rotate a curtain cloth (7) or actuate a reeling rope device (4) to rotate a curtain cloth or shade (7). A reverse rotation releasing device (5) and a resilience reverse rotation mechanism (14) are connected to the rotation driving device (3). The rotation driving device (3) is comprised of a pull rope rotary disc (3c), a unidirectional clutch device (6) connected to the pull rope rotary disc (3c), and a rewinding spring (3e) mounted between the pull rope rotary disc (3c) and a pull rope rotary disc box (3a). Thus, only one cord is sufficient to control opening of the curtain cloth or shade (7), and reverse rotation of the curtain reel drum (4A) is not adversely affected by the rotation driving device (3). It is convenient to use while avoiding injury to children. |
| US08281845B2 |
Roll-up retractable sheet device
A device that can be used as an advertising display device, an information display device or as a shade or screen that has novel ways to charge the sheet retraction spring, novel ways to prevent tampering with the charge on the spring once the device in operation and that may utilize a pull bar which allows identification of information on the sheet while in a rolled-up state without an additional label. |
| US08281841B2 |
Folding storm shutters
The folding storm shutter provides a shutter for protecting a window during inclement weather, and shade similar to that provided by an awning when window protection is not required. The folding storm shutter has an upper shutter panel and a lower shutter panel pivotally attached to the lower edge of the upper shutter panel so that the lower shutter panel can be extended to cover the entire window, and, alternatively, the lower shutter panel can be placed in a folded configuration against the upper shutter panel when not needed for window protection. A latching mechanism is provided for selectively retaining the lower shutter panel in the folded configuration. Hinges pivotally attach the upper shutter panel to the window frame. A rod removably supported by brackets on opposite sides of the window may be used to support the shutter in the folded configuration. |
| US08281839B2 |
Coupling structure, coupling process and coupling apparatus of laminate film
A coupled portion of mutual laminate films sufficiently contributes to the formation of a packaging bag in that the coupled portion itself has excellent air tightness and liquid tightness. The tensile strength required for the laminate film is given to the coupled portion, whereby a temporary stop of a packaging apparatus is useless when a connecting portion of the laminate film is passed through the apparatus, thereby enhancing the operation efficiency and improving the yield of the material. Oriented base film layers are joined in a mitre form at the coupled portion between a rear end portion and a front end portion of laminate films comprising oriented base film layers and sealant layers. |
| US08281836B2 |
Run flat tire
Provided is a run flat tire having an enhanced ride comfort in running on general road surfaces and an enhanced driving stability on snowy road surfaces at the time when the tire is not punctured, as well as an enhanced maneuverability, particularly starting ability, on icy road surfaces in run-flat running where the tire is punctured. Three belt layers (8, 9, 10) are disposed on an outer circumferential side of a carcass layer (6) in a tread portion (4). In addition, as to the three belt layers, the cord angle α of the innermost belt layer (8) with respect to a circumferential direction of the tire is set at 15° to 30°, the cord angle β of the intermediate belt layer (9) with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire is set at not less than 40°, and the cord angle γ of the outermost belt layer (10) with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire is set at 35° to 70°. |
| US08281825B2 |
Fuel filler port closing apparatus
A fuel filler port closing apparatus including an opening (44) of a filler neck or an opening (211) of a nozzle guide (21) securely and reliably sealed, even when a seal packing (325) sags, bends or deflects. Sealing is realized by a flapper (3) including a rotation plate (31) which rotates and flaps, and a seal plate (32) having the seal packing (325) moving freely in an up and down direction with respect to the rotation plate (31). |
| US08281820B2 |
Apparatus and method for flowing compressed fluids into and out of containment
Methods for loading a compressed fluid, such as natural gas, into and discharging the compressed fluid out of containment are provided. The compressed fluid is injected into a bottom portion of a container system for storage and/or transport until a target pressure is reached after which gas is withdrawn from an upper portion of the container system at a rate to maintain the target pressure while the compressed fluid is injected in the bottom portion. The compressed fluid is cooled through an expansion valve and by refrigerated chillers or by injecting a cold liquid of the same chemical composition as the compressed fluid, such as liquid natural gas, into the compressed fluid prior to injection into the container system. Withdrawal or discharge from the container system to a receiving facility begins with blow down from the bottom portion of the container system without a displacement fluid and continues until pressure falls below an acceptable differential pressure. The discharge stream is passed through a separator and a light gas from the separator is pressurized and injected into an upper portion of the container system to drive the compressed fluid out the bottom. The light gas is pressurized using either a compressor or a heated tank system, where two vessels operate in parallel, trapping and heating the light gas and then discharging to the container system from one while filling the other and alternating the operation between the two. |
| US08281814B2 |
Water supply valve cartridge
A water supply valve cartridge in which a flow rate control rotary disk has a reduced size, so that surface friction between the flow rate control rotary disk and a flow rate control fixed disk is minimized, thus improving manipulation efficiency of the water supply valve while opening or closing the valve, and which does not sensitively respond to flatness allowance due to the reduced size of the rotary disk, thus executing stable opening and closing operation. The flow rate control fixed disk (140) has water discharge holes (142). The flow rate control rotary disk (150) has a diameter to cover only the area around the water discharge holes (142), with a pair of flow rate control grooves (151) formed on the rotary disk (150) to open only the water discharge holes (142) during rotation. |
| US08281812B2 |
Valve with low friction coating
Embodiments of the present invention feature a method and device for controlling the flow of fluid. One embodiment of the device for controlling the flow of fluid comprises a rotor, stator and compression means. The rotor has a rotor fluid communication means and at least one rotor load bearing surface. The rotor load bearing surface sealably engages a stationary load bearing surface. The rotor is capable of assuming a first position and a second position by rotation. The stator has a stationary load bearing surface having stator fluid communication means. The stationary load bearing surface sealably engages the rotor load bearing surface and permits rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator. At least one of the rotor bearing surface and said stator load bearing surface has a diamond-like carbon-silica coating. |
| US08281804B2 |
Pressure relief valves
Pressure relief valves are described herein. An example pressure relief valve includes a body having external threads to threadably engage another body having a pressurized chamber. Additionally, the pressure relief valve includes a relief valve orifice that is threadably engaged with the body via internal threads of the body. The relief valve orifice includes a seating surface. Further, the pressure relief valve includes a pressure-balanced piston assembly that is slidably movable within the body relative to the relief valve orifice and the seating surface to control the flow of fluid between the pressurized chamber and the relief valve orifice. |
| US08281800B2 |
Faucet mounting sleeve
A system for mounting a faucet to the exterior portion of a dwelling is provided. A mounting sleeve is employed that is associated with a tube that is interconnected to the faucet that is generally positioned outside of a dwelling. The tube is rigidly interconnected to a mounting sleeve that is supported by at least one bracket that allows for selective adjustments. That is, the mounting sleeve may be selectively offset from the interior surface of the dwelling, thereby accommodating exterior building surfaces with irregular shapes such as stone, brick, mortar, stucco, etc. The mounting system provides additional rigidity to the faucet/dwelling interconnection. |
| US08281795B2 |
Retractable awning
A retractable awning, comprising a screen which may be extended and retracted, wherein there is provided a first motor arranged to extend the screen, a second motor arranged to retract the screen, and a control unit arranged to control the first and second motors, wherein the first and second motors are synchronized so as to maintain tension in the screen within predetermined values. |
| US08281789B2 |
Cuffed medical tubes
A cuffed silicone tracheostomy tube has two tapered recesses (17) and (18) on its outer surface in which opposite ends (7) and (8) of a resilient cuff 6 are bonded using an adhesive or solvent. Two shallow ribs (22) and (23) extend around the tube on the inner edge of each recess (17) and (18), projecting outwardly to prevent the adhesive or solvent spreading onto the inflatable portion (10) of the cuff (6). The cuff (6) has several shallow ribs (9) extending around the cuff and spaced along its inflatable portion (10) to promote even inflation. |
| US08281787B2 |
Bio-mask with integral sensors
A system including a mask to detect an EEG signal and to deliver a gas, the mask having a forehead support extending from the body and adapted to contact a forehead surface of the patient during use, the forehead support having a plurality of sensors located thereon for detecting electrophysiological signals of the patient, with the plurality of sensors including EEG sensors positioned proximate to FP1/FP2 standard electrode placement positions of the patient, a gas delivery device in fluid communication with the mask and having an adjustable gas output, and a control system for determining a sleep stage from EEG signals detected by the mask and adjusting a gas delivery device based on the sleep stage. |
| US08281783B2 |
Thermal absorber with gravity counterflow regeneration for solar AMTEC power systems
A thermal absorber including a light-transparent reservoir having an alkali metal received therein, a housing sealingly coupled to the reservoir to define an enclosed volume, the housing including a thermal barrier wall that divides the volume into a cold chamber and a hot chamber, the cold chamber including a sump having a drain hole in fluid communication with the hot chamber, and at least one AMTEC cell supported by the cell supporting surface, the AMTEC cell extending through the cold chamber and the hot chamber. |
| US08281775B1 |
Synchronized compound archery bow
A rigging structure for a compound archery bow includes first and second pulley assemblies, pivotally mounted on axles at tips of corresponding first and second limbs of a compound bow and interconnected by cables. Each pulley assembly includes a dynamic synchronizing component, and the rigging preferably also includes structure adapted to avoid the usual leaning moment imposed upon the pulley assemblies by the cables of conventional riggings. |
| US08281772B2 |
Glow plug heater control
Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to a glow plug can be controlled to promote combustion stability of a cylinder after an engine start. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons may be reduced during conditions where combustion stability may be otherwise reduced in order to reduce tailpipe emissions. |
| US08281771B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation valve in vehicle
An exhaust gas recirculation valve in a vehicle has two valves that are controlled individually by using one driving source. The exhaust gas recirculation valve enables secure operation of a vehicle even if the driving source is out of order. The exhaust gas recirculation EGR valve includes a driving unit having a driving motor for rotating a motor shaft and an interlocking unit for receiving rotational force from the motor shaft. A rod portion moves upon reception of the rotational force. A valve unit at an end portion of the rod portion controls a flow rate of the exhaust gas. A valve housing is coupled to the driving unit as one unit and has an EGR port and a bypass port. The interlocking unit includes a valve return member for rotating the motor shaft forcibly to make the valve unit to move to an initial position. |
| US08281770B2 |
Catalytic fuel oil economizer in oil lines of motor vehicle
The present invention discloses Aa vehicle oil-way catalytic fuel economizer which includes a catalyzing device, a heating box enveloping the catalyzing device, electric heating temperature controlling parts, return oil amount regulating parts and a return pipeline for economizing fuel oil. The catalyzing device includes a metal box, catalyzing stack sealed in the metal box, inlet and outlet joint communicating with the gaps of the catalyzing stack. The oil inlet is connected with the outlet of the pumping oil pipe, and the oil outlet is connected with main flown pipeline of the engine. The return pipeline for economizing fuel oil is connected between the inlet of the catalyzing device and original return pipeline of the vehicle engine. The present invention heats a catalytic stack using by the electricity of a vehicle storage battery. The fuel can converse a gas with a plurality of small molecules by the effect of accelerant and heat energy as the fuel through the gap of the catalytic stack, and then entrances into an engine cylinder and burns. The catalytic fuel economizer not only can burn the fuel completely and improve the heat efficiency of the engine, but also can decline the oil wear of electrical-spray vehicle in 100 kilometers of 40%-42% and decline the oil wear of carburetor vehicle in 100 kilometers of 48%-52%, and also takes off the contaminant in exhaust gas of the vehicle. |
| US08281769B2 |
System and method for venting fuel vapors in an internal combustion engine
An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank. |
| US08281768B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling fuel rail pressure using fuel pressure sensor error
A control system and method for controlling a fuel system of an engine includes a steady state determination module determining the engine is operating at a steady state and a memory storing a first fuel correction. A fuel pump control module commands a predetermined fuel rail pressure change. The memory stores a second fuel correction after the predetermined fuel rail pressure change. A sensor error correction module determines a fuel rail pressure sensor error based on the first fuel correction and the second fuel correction and determines a fuel rail pressure in response to the sensor error. |
| US08281766B2 |
Mount structure of fuel injection valve and fuel injection system
A combustion chamber side end portion of a fuel injection valve is placed at a location that overlaps with an imaginary plane, which is perpendicular to a center axis of a cylinder and extends along a portion of a wall surface of an intake port where an intake valve protrudes, or is projected out from the imaginary plane toward a combustion chamber. Alternatively, a center of a fuel injecting side end port of the fuel injection valve, which injects fuel into intake air that flows in a branch port branched from the intake port, may be placed on the center axis side of the intake valve in a radial direction of the cylinder. Further alternatively, an upstream side fuel injection valve may inject fuel into intake air that flows in the intake port, and a downstream side fuel injection valve may inject fuel into intake air that flows in the branch port branched from the intake port. Alternatively, an injection quantity of fuel may be controlled for each of fuel injection valves, which injects fuel into intake air that flows in the corresponding branch port branched from the intake port. |
| US08281765B2 |
Spark timing adjustment based on vehicle acceleration
Systems, methods and a processor are provided for adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine. The systems, methods and processor include adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle toward peak torque timing based on an output of a longitudinal acceleration sensor configured to sense a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. |
| US08281761B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders and an air intake system. The air intake system is formed from at least one distributor pipe, a plurality of intake pipes, and at least one plenum. The plenum is located between the distributor pipe and the intake pipes. Here, the combustion air is fed to the air intake system via an air guiding duct which opens out into the distributor pipe. The charge pressure of the combustion air is reduced between the outlet out of the compressor and the inlet into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A distributor pipe length is dimensioned as a function of an equivalent distributor pipe diameter such that it is possible for a reduction in the charge pressure to be obtained within the air intake system by way of an expansion, with the expansion taking place partially in the plenum in the respective intake pipe and/or within the distributor pipe. |
| US08281751B2 |
Hot water apparatus
A hot water apparatus comprises a main body thereof connected to each of water distribution devices 31, 32, and 33 via plumbing 2 and a remote controller 20 for remotely controlling the main body of the hot water apparatus 10. The main body of the hot water apparatus 10 comprises a control device 13 capable of controlling temperature of outflowing hot water which is a temperature of the hot water outflowing from the main body of the hot water apparatus 10 to the plumbing 2. The remote controller 20 comprises a setting element of the temperature of the outflowing hot water 21 for setting the requested value of the temperature of the outflowing hot water, and the correction-data setting element 21U and 24 for setting correction data which defines the deviation value of the temperature of the outflowing hot water with respect to the required value. The control device 13 comprises means for performing the processing for correcting the temperature of the outflowing hot water which controls the temperature of the outflowing hot water to the target temperature which is obtained by changing the requested value by the deviation value defined by the set correction data. Therefore, the hot water having the temperature desired by the user can be outflown from the water distribution device and the user-friendly hot water apparatus can be provided. |
| US08281750B2 |
Boiler furnace to avoid thermal NOx
A boiler furnace avoids NOx and increases thermal efficiency with a small boiler. The boiler furnace has an outer water wall and an inner water wall with flared top and bottom portions. |
| US08281749B2 |
Pet accessory pendant
A pet accessory pendant is provided. The pet accessory pendant houses components for a pet accessory, such as a bark control device, a containment fence receiver, a remote trainer, a pet locator, and the like. The pet accessory pendant is mountable to animal collars of various sizes, lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Specifically, the pet accessory pendant is attachable to an animal collar such that the pet accessory pendant comfortably hangs in a pendant fashion and minimizes pressure points on the animal. Additionally, the pet accessory pendant is readily attachable to and detachable from the collar without removing the animal collar from the animal, thereby reducing the need to adjust the fitment of the pet accessory pendant for each use. Thus, the pet accessory pendant allows a single animal collar to be easily converted between a general-purpose animal collar and an animal collar with attached pet accessory. Furthermore, the ease of attachment and detachment allows for quickly changing pet accessories, leashing the animal without removing the animal collar to detach the pet accessory, replacing the battery, or modifying the pet accessory controls. |
| US08281745B2 |
System and method for managing animals on a dairy farm
A management system for managing animals on a dairy farm includes a receiving element (12) provided for receiving, for each of the animals, a value of a protein content and a value of a fat content of milk from the animal as milked on the dairy farm; a calculating element (19) provided for calculating, for each of the animals, the ratio of the values of the protein and fat contents of milk from the animal; a comparison element (20) provided for fetching, for each of the animals, from a database (18) a reference protein/fat ratio, and for comparing the calculated protein/fat ratio with the reference protein/fat ratio; and a notifying element (21-23), preferably a display unit (21) or a loudspeaker (22), provided for notifying, for each of the animals, a dairy farmer (24) of the dairy farm depending on the outcome of the comparison. |
| US08281740B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus, and magnetic recording medium manufacturing method
The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus capable of suppressing mutual contamination and/or damage of the insides of ion beam generators arranged opposite each other via a substrate, and a magnetic recording medium manufacturing method. A substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first ion beam generator that applies an ion beam to one surface to be processed of a substrate W, and a second ion beam generator that applies an ion beam to another surface to be processed, which are arranged opposite each other via the substrate W, and an area of a first grid in the first ion beam generator, and an area of a second grid in the second ion beam generator, each area corresponding to an opening of the substrate W, are occluded. |
| US08281736B2 |
Adhesive applicator and bookbinder in bookbinding apparatus, and image-forming system associated therewith
Bookbinding-unit adhesive application device that does not interrupt the unit to replenish adhesive when consecutively applying adhesive to sheet bundles, and can shorten the time the system is interrupted. An adhesive storage container (10) that stores adhesive; an applicator roller (30) rotatably disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); an adhesive supplier (55) that refills hot-melt adhesive to the adhesive storage container (10); heater (20) that melts the adhesive in the adhesive storage container (10); and refill volume controller (62) that controls the amount of refill adhesive of the adhesive supplier (55) are provided. The refill volume controller (61) is configured to set the adhesive refill volume based on information from adhesive detector (22a) disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); and remaining sheets determiner (62) that determines the number of sheets to coat for the sheet bundles to be coated with adhesive. |
| US08281727B2 |
Wind-propelled vehicle including wing-sail
A wind-propelled vehicle, includes: a vertical mast assembly having a lower end rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the vehicle; and a wing sail carried by the vertical mast assembly for propelling the vehicle, including a fore sail panel defining the leading edge of the wing-sail, and a pair of aft sail panels attached to a pair of booms defining the sides and trailing edge of the wing-sail. The vertical mast assembly includes a pair of vertically-extending posts connected together at their upper ends, diverging apart at their lower ends, and connected together at the diverging lower ends to define an “A” configuration frame. The diverging lower ends of the pair of posts are rotatably mounted on the vehicle. |
| US08281726B2 |
Holding device for a tool for processing a textile or non-textile sheet material for a sewing machine
A holding device (3) for a tool, e.g., a textile marker (5), for the processing of a textile or non-textile sheet material (44) is attached to the presser foot bar (23) of a sewing machine (1). The tool is supported by a tool holder (15) so that it can move on a base part (19) of the holding device (3) and can be changed in its position or activation through movements of the needle bar (9) of the sewing machine (1). |
| US08281724B2 |
Volumetric metering system with sectional shut-off
A volumetric metering system for a seeding machine is provided with a plurality of movable inserts each insert defining a ledge over which the seed falls to the meter outlet. The inserts are selectively movable between an open position in which seed is allowed to flow over the ledge and a closed position in which the inserts close the product flow to the outlet. By locating the product shut-off after the meter but before product enters the distribution system, there will only be a short delay in stoppage of product flow once the shut-off is closed. |
| US08281721B2 |
Device for unloading and placing rails in a track parallel to another existing track
The invention relates to a device for unloading and placing rails in a track parallel to another existing track, which is assembled in the rear of the rail carrier train (Tc), which runs on the existing main track (Vd), coupled in a series of auxiliary wagons (V1, V2, V3), and formed by a series of metal structures (P1, . . . , P9) fixed in said auxiliary wagons added in the rear of the rail carrier train, which determine several fixed guiding points longitudinally distributed in a suitable manner along these auxiliary wagons, both in the transverse and in the vertical direction, in a smooth transition and according to the standards in relation to the radii and buckling of the rail, from its transport position on the rail carrier (Tc) to its definitive position on the bearing plate of the crossties previously positioned in an also definitive place on the subgrade of the parallel track (Vp). |
| US08281719B2 |
Integrated power source and safety mechanisms for submunitions self-destruct fuze and the like
A method for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions contained in a projectile is provided. The method including: using a firing acceleration of the projectile to deform at least one elastic element to store mechanical energy in the elastic element; converting the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy; and providing the electrical energy at least indirectly to the self destruct fuze for detonation of the self destruct fuze. Alternatively, the firing acceleration can lock the elastic element in the deformed position and an expulsion acceleration of the submunitions from the projectile can be used to unlock the elastic element and convert the stored mechanical energy to electrical energy. |
| US08281717B2 |
Printing cylinder cleaning system
A printing cylinder cleaning cylinder in one embodiment includes a base and a module reversibly attaching to the module. The module includes a housing, a module engagement-disengagement assembly, a reciprocating wiper and brush assembly, a spray discharge assembly and a discharge assembly. The reciprocating brush and wiper assemblies produce a advantageous multi-dimensional scrubbing action. The module engagement-disengagement assembly may displace the module in to an operational position. The spray assembly may deliver cleaning fluid toward the cylinder being cleaned. The discharge assembly may convey cleaning fluid away from the module after the cleaning fluid. A control system allows for automatic or semiautomatic operation is some embodiments. |
| US08281713B2 |
Round baler
A round baler is provided for producing bales. The baler has a bale-forming chamber, at least one roller that is driven and that defines a part of an extent of the bale-forming chamber and that is mounted on a moving holder. Continuous, flexible bale forming elements are driven and define another part of the extent of the bale-forming chamber. The bale forming elements contact a first rotating body and a second rotating body, of which the first rotating body is mounted on the holder. It is proposed that the second rotating body is coupled with the holder with respect to motion by a drive connection, so that both move together with the growing bale. |
| US08281709B2 |
Indoor range-top grill
An indoor range-top grill allows a user to substantially duplicate outdoor grilling indoors. In some embodiments, the indoor range-top grill sits on top of a gas or electric burner of a stove and uses heat from the burner to grill and cook food. Typically, the indoor range-top grill comprises a grill enclosure having an opening at a top and a hole at a bottom, a burner shield positioned inside the grill enclosure, an optional cone positioned above the burner shield, a grate positioned above the cone, and an optional separator configured to position the grill enclosure thereon. In some embodiments, the burner shield comprises a heat director integrally coupled to a grease ring. The grease ring typically guides food residue away from the hole, trapping the food residue between the grease ring and the grill enclosure. |
| US08281707B2 |
Piston for a hydraulic motor having radial pistons, and a method of manufacturing such a piston
A piston for a hydraulic motor including a body having a guiding and sealing surface, a base, and a top, which top is providing with a cradle-shaped recess. The base is provided with an additional cradle-shaped recess whose concave surface faces in the direction in which the concave surface of the recess in the top faces. |
| US08281705B2 |
Method for detecting the drive type of an actuator (II)
A method is disclosed for detecting the drive type of an actuator, e.g., a pneumatic actuator, having a positioner for operating a final control element in a process engineering plant. The actuator is connected to the positioner by a mounting set, the positioner comprising an electronic control unit, which uses a microcontroller to receive one or more input signals, and to output actuating signals to control the flow of gas to or from the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensors are equipped with a rotational measuring system. During commissioning of the actuator, the relationship between the drive volumes and the position signal is found and compared with transfer characteristics of known drive types. Where there is a match between the transfer characteristic defined by the value pairs of the given actuator and one of the transfer characteristics of the known drive types, the identified drive type is assigned to the given actuator. |
| US08281702B2 |
Protection system
A net deployment system which, in one example, includes a manifold assembly including multiple weight ducts and a bladder port. A weight is disposed in each weight duct and each weight is tied to the net. A bladder is behind the net and is over the bladder port. At least one inflator charge is associated with the manifold for inflating the bladder and firing the weights out of the weight ducts to deploy the net in the path of an incoming threat. |
| US08281699B2 |
Firearm with enhanced recoil and control characteristics
The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block or slider for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages. |
| US08281698B2 |
Rapid fire weapon with bidirectional interchangable barrel
An improved barrel and attachment system for rapid fire weapons having a quick release and replacement. Further the barrel is lighter than comparable barrels for the same purpose, and has a flash suppression system. |
| US08281696B2 |
Linear feed cutting apparatus and method
A method for automatically cutting a workpiece by moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also include positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece. |
| US08281695B2 |
Chip vacuum system
A vacuum system and apparatus extracts metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of a sawing machine. The system and apparatus is located on the previously cut surface end of the saw and includes rotatable bracketry to engage and disengage a vacuum nozzle from the end of a cut piece to extract metal chips and cuttings from the inside of hollow metal stock as the stock is being cut. Rotation of the bracketry is actuated by means of an electronic controller or other control circuitry. |
| US08281689B2 |
Tightening device
A tightening device is described. The tightening device can be utilized for facilitating the operation of rotation of items mutually coupled by means of closing and locking systems of rotating, screw, bayonet type, or the like. |
| US08281686B2 |
Eddy-current actuated balancer for rotating machinery
An eddy-current actuated balancer includes a barrel having a locating wall at one end thereof; two balancing wheels mounted around the barrel and carrying a respective counterweight at the border, a washer set between the balancing wheels, an elastic ring and a lock ring and a pulsed magnetic field generator mounted on each balancing wheel. The balancing wheels, the washer and the elastic ring are clamped between the locating wall of the barrel and the lock ring. Each pulsed magnetic field generator is controlled to generate a pulsed magnetic field acting upon the associating balancing wheel during its rotation for inducing an eddy current that causes the associating balancing wheel to make an angular displacement relative to the barrel for balance adjustment. |
| US08281685B2 |
Pedal module
A pedal is rotated in a forward rotational direction by a pedal force applied from a driver and is rotated in a reverse rotational direction by a restoring force exerted from a double coil spring arrangement. A friction member generates friction between the pedal and the friction member. The friction member includes a sliding part, a holding part and a resiliently deformable part. The sliding part slidably engages the pedal, and the holding part is held by a housing. The resiliently deformable part is resiliently deformable between the sliding part and the holding part to permit displacement of the sliding part relative to the holding part. |
| US08281679B2 |
Slide mechanism
A slide mechanism includes a main body, a slide body and an elastic member. The slide body is slidably connected to the main body. The elastic member is positioned between the main body and the slide body. The main body includes a base plate and two guide rails fixed on opposite sides of the base plate. The guide rails are elastic. A distance between the guide rails is less than a length of the elastic member in a normal state. Opposite ends of the elastic member are fixed to the guide rails, and a middle portion of the elastic member is fixed to the slide body, so that the elastic member remains bent between the guide rails. |
| US08281678B2 |
Ballscrew assembly with detection feature
A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure. |
| US08281675B2 |
Dissolution rate verification
Apparatus (50) is described for use with a drug on a drug patch (28), the drug patch including a drug side and a back side. An absorbent material (54) is configured to be disposed on a surface (56) and underneath the drug patch. A squeezing device (52) having a squeezing surface is configured to squeeze the drug patch together with the absorbent material. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08281672B2 |
Automatable aseptic sample withdrawal system
An aseptic sampling system includes substantially sealed sampling lines connecting one or more sample container to a vessel containing the fluid to be sampled. A flow control system includes valves and/or clamps placed strategically along the sampling lines and filtered vent lines are provided at strategic locations relative to a reversible fluid pump in communication with the sampling lines. The clamps are selectively actuated, the vent lines are selectively opened or closed, and the pump is operated in a forward or reverse direction to permit a volume of sample fluid to be drawn from the vessel and into a sample container and to permit fluid to be purged from the sampling lines either into the sample container or back into the vessel. Thus, sampling and purging can be accomplished without opening the system to potentially contaminating agents and without wasting or having to properly dispose the fluid. |
| US08281671B2 |
Load measuring device, manufacturing method for the device and control method using the device
A load measuring device for measuring a load acting on an elastically deformable member, has a distance sensor for measuring a length change in response to a deformation of the deformable member under a load. The sensor has a sensing element and a reference element arranged such that a portion of the elastically deformable member is interposed between the sensing element and the reference element. For paper manufacturing or finishing, two members between which the load is measured are cooperating rolls, at least one of which is provided with an elastic cover. One of the rolls includes the sensing element and the other roll includes the reference element. Alternatively, the two members are a roll and a cooperating belt, one having an elastic cover. Also, the sensing element and the reference element may be formed in one and the same member. |
| US08281669B2 |
Simplified orifice type differential pressure flow meter with improved accuracy
A flow meter device that improves a way to obtain an accurate differential pressure across an orifice body situated in line with the flow of gas and liquids. The orifice body is held in place by sealing components integrated into the orifice body. The differential pressure is sensed via openings incorporated into the body of the device, upstream and downstream of the orifice body. The device with its improved accuracy may be used for small and large applications measuring flow. The device is comprised of a meter body; an orifice puck with characteristics; a sealing method; a cover plate, and a way to secure the device into a fluid stream where the device may be used to easily and accurately measure fluid flow in a pipe. |
| US08281662B2 |
Method for determining porosity, pore size and zeta potential of porous bodies
Propagation of ultrasound through a porous body saturated with liquid generates electric response. This electro-acoustic effect is called “seismoelectric current”, whereas reverse version, when electric field is driving force, is “electroseismic current”. It is possible to measure seismoelectric current with existing electro-acoustic devices, which had been designed for characterizing liquid dispersions. Such versatility allows calibration of said devise using dispersion and then applying it for characterizing porous body. In general, magnitude of seismoelectric current depends on porosity, pore size, zeta potential of pore surfaces and elastic properties of matrix. It is possible to adjust conductivity of liquid for simplifying these dependences. For instance, liquid with high ionic strength causes double layers become thin comparing to the pore size, which eliminates dependence of said currents on pore size. We suggest using such case for characterizing porosity. Magnitude of the said currents is proportional to zeta potential. This parameter can be calculated when porosity is known. In contrary, saturation of porous body with low conducting liquid leads to complete overlap of double layers, which can be used for characterizing pore size. Phase of the said currents can be used for determining iso-electric point because it rotates 180 degrees when liquid composition varies through this point. |
| US08281649B1 |
Advanced hot section materials and coatings test rig
A test rig that reproduces high temperature and high pressure conditions found in a gas turbine engine for testing materials under these conditions. The test rig includes a combustor surrounded by an upper plenum chamber and an exhaust plenum that receives a hot gas stream from the combustor. A transparent channeling vessel guides the hot gas stream from the combustor over a test specimen on which a material to be tested is mounted. The hot gas stream exits the clear channeling vessel and into the exhaust plenum where the stream is cooled by diluting the stream with cooling air. A viewing portal is located in the exhaust plenum so that the material can be observed through the clear vessel. |
| US08281648B2 |
Material testing apparatus with non-contact sensor
A non-contact sensor is attached to the indenting module with its working range encompassing the tip of the indenter. The sensor directly measures penetration depth of the indenter during scratch, wear or instrumented hardness testing. During the test, the non-contact sensor records the height of the surface as the indenter penetrates the surface of the testing specimen. |
| US08281647B2 |
Device for measuring physical and/or chemical parameters of water circulating in a treatment circuit of a leisure pool
A device for measuring physical and/or chemical parameters of water circulating in a treatment circuit of a leisure pool comprises: a main body (12) through which a measurement channel (13) passes; a connector (14a, 14b) for connecting the measurement channel (13) to the treatment circuit (8); at least two measurement sensors (18a, 18b) fitted to the main body in order to be in contact with the inside of the measurement channel (13); and an acquisition unit (20) connected to the measurement sensors and comprising a self-contained electric power source (32) and wireless communication means (45) for communicating with a central unit (5). |
| US08281642B2 |
Environmental gas sensor and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are an environmental gas sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The environmental gas sensor includes an insulating substrate, metal electrodes formed on the insulating substrate, and a sensing layer in which different kinds of nanofibers are arranged perpendicular to each other on the metal electrodes. Thus, the environmental gas sensor can simultaneously sense two kinds of gases. |
| US08281639B2 |
Method for adjusting the detector of a chromatograph
The present invention provides a detector for a chromatograph capable of obtaining the accurate retention time, even if there is a frequency deviation of the clock signal for determining the timing of data sampling, by conforming the progress of the detector internal time accompanied with the repetition of the sampling to that of real time. In the detector, consecutive data sampling intervals are defined to be a time adjustment period, and in one time adjustment period, each of the sampling intervals whose number is given as the interpolation value M is elongated by a predetermined number of clock counts compared to each of the other sampling intervals. If the clock signal has a positive frequency deviation, the apparatus internal time determined by the clock signal progresses faster than real time. However, providing the interpolation value M corresponding to the amount of the frequency deviation elongates the time adjustment period on the basis of the apparatus internal time, to be conformed to the time adjustment period on the basis of real time which is determined by the sampling period. |
| US08281635B2 |
Production method of internally ribbed steel tube and drawing plug for use therein
There is provided a production method capable of forming spiral ribs stably by reducing troubles at the time of cold drawing for forming the spiral ribs on an internally ribbed steel tube. When the internally ribbed steel tube on which a plurality of stripes of spiral ribs are formed in the tube axis direction is manufactured by inserting a plug on which a plurality of stripes of spiral grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof into the tube to be worked subjected to chemical treatment and then performing cold drawing, drawing is performed with the plug preheated to 50 to 200° C., thus forming the spiral ribs on the internal surface of a blank tube. The chemical treatment preferably includes a pickling step of removing oxided scale and rust on the tube surface, a step of forming a zinc phosphate coat on the neutralized tube surface, and a step of forming a lubricating layer on the zinc phosphate coat. The internally ribbed steel tube thus obtained is well applicable to increased capacity and higher temperature/higher pressure of a boiler because the steel tube is provided with formability and quality excellent as a boiler steel tube. |
| US08281634B2 |
Continuous extrusion apparatus and method for the production of cable having a core sheathed with aluminum based sheath with a continuous extrusion apparatus
Apparatus for continuous extrusion of an aluminum sheathing on to a core cable includes a rotatable wheel formed with two identical circumferential grooves outwardly bounded by arcuate tooling discharging through radial exit apertures to an extrusion chamber positioned around a portal mandrel. A powered pay-off reel is arranged continuously to supply core cable through the mandrel while aluminum sheathing is extruded as a loose fit from extrusion chamber around the core cable. The extruded cable is discharged through cooling device to roller corrugator including a rotating frame mounted on carriage freely moveable axially of the cable and provided with a rotational drive having a roller arranged to form a continuous helical indentation in the sheathing. Pneumatic actuating cylinders positioned on the carriage provide a constant, low magnitude, tension on the portion of the sheath intermediate the extrusion chamber and roller corrugator and limit forces tending to distort the uncooled sheath. |
| US08281628B2 |
Profile key with local recess
A profiled key for use in an associated cylinder lock provided with a rotatable key plug having a longitudinal keyway. The key has a substantially flat key blade with a longitudinally extending profile groove at a side surface thereof and at least one local recess adjacent to the profile groove. The local recess constitutes a locally expanded portion of the profile groove, and the locally expanded portion of the profile groove has a cross-section with two opposite, non-symmetrical side walls. The local recess will accommodate a blocking element in the lock, and permit full insertion of the key blade into the keyway. |
| US08281626B2 |
Cable wrap security device
A security device includes a locking member, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of cables. The cables are wrapped around an object. An attachment clip is releasably snap-fitted into the body of the security device. The ratchet mechanism includes a spool and a locking pawl or lever. A key is used to unlock the clip from the housing. An alarm system is contained in the housing and actuates an audible alarm upon certain unauthorized actions occurring. Insertion of the clip into the housing automatically actuates the ratchet mechanism preventing movement of the cable in the unwind direction and activates the alarm system. |
| US08281621B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining a characteristic of a consumable
The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus. |
| US08281616B2 |
Bracelet with articulated links
A bracelet with links articulated to each other like a hinge, includes first links provided with a male hinge part pierced by a first through hole, second links provided with a female hinge part pierced by second and third through hole, the first, second and third holes forming an alignment when a male hinge part is engaged in a female hinge part. The bracelet further includes pins occupying the hole alignments, and axial locking elements for the pins formed of a first radially elastic tube and a second tube, axially locked in the first through holes, the pins being driven inside the first slit tubes. The first and second tubes include an annular end via which the tubes are secured to each other so as to preserve the radial elasticity of the first tube. |
| US08281615B2 |
Multichannel evaporator with flow mixing manifold
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include manifold configurations designed to promote mixing of vapor phase and liquid phase refrigerant. The manifolds contain flow mixers such as a helical tape, sectioned volumes, and partitions containing apertures. The flow mixers direct the flow of refrigerant within the manifold to promote a more homogenous distribution of fluid within the multichannel tubes. |
| US08281613B2 |
Ice maker and refrigerator having the same
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a storage chamber, a door coupled to the refrigerator main body to be opened or closed, a cool air supplying device which generates cool air, an ice maker including an ice making tray having ice making cells to produce ice and a cool air guide member installed in the door, coupled to the ice making tray and having a cool air line that guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to flow around the ice making tray. The cool air line disposed on the cool air guide member to supply the ice making tray guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to move along the surrounding of the ice making tray, thereby uniformly cooling down the ice making tray. |
| US08281604B2 |
Divergent turbine nozzle
A turbine nozzle includes a row of vanes extending radially in span between inner and outer bands. The vanes include opposite pressure and suction sidewalls and opposite leading and trailing edges. Each vane includes an inner pattern of inner cooling holes and an outer pattern of outer cooling holes distributed along the leading edge. The inner and outer holes diverge toward the corresponding inner and outer bands to preferentially discharge cooling air. |
| US08281599B2 |
Device for damping the lateral forces due to jet separation acting on a rocket engine nozzle
The invention relates to a device for damping the lateral forces due to jet separation that act on a rocket engine nozzle during a stage of starting or stopping the engine, the engine including at least two identical drive assemblies mounted on the nozzle to take up the lateral forces acting thereon, each drive assembly comprising a first member forming a strut, a second member forming an anchor structure, and an actuator. Each strut comprises means enabling it to act as a rigid strut so long as the lateral forces acting on the corresponding actuator remain below a determined force threshold, and as an element for peak limiting force and for dissipating residual kinetic energy once the forces acting on the actuator exceed the determined force threshold. |
| US08281598B2 |
Gas-turbine combustion chamber with ceramic flame tube
A gas turbine combustion chamber includes an essentially cylindrical flame tube 2, which is made of a ceramic material and circumferentially divided into several circumferential elements 10, 11, 12. |
| US08281594B2 |
Fuel injector for use in a gas turbine engine
A fuel injector in a combustor apparatus of a gas turbine engine. An outer wall of the injector defines an interior volume in which an intermediate wall is disposed. A first gap is formed between the outer wall and the intermediate wall. The intermediate wall defines an internal volume in which an inner wall is disposed. A second gap is formed between the intermediate wall and the inner wall. The second gap receives cooling fluid that cools the injector. The cooling fluid provides convective cooling to the intermediate wall as it flows within the second gap. The cooling fluid also flows through apertures in the intermediate wall into the first gap where it provides impingement cooling to the outer wall and provides convective cooling to the outer wall. The inner wall defines a passageway that delivers fuel into a liner downstream from a main combustion zone. |
| US08281593B2 |
Heat engine and heat to electricity systems and methods with working fluid fill system
A waste heat recovery system and a method for operating a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The system comprises a waste heat exchanger, a waste heat source, an expander, a recuperator, a cooler, a pump, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit. The mass management system comprises a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit. |
| US08281592B2 |
Direct contact heat exchanger and methods for making and using same
A direct heat exchange method and apparatus for recovering heat from a liquid heat source is disclosed, where the method includes contacting a liquid heat source stream with a multi-component hydrocarbon fluid, where the hydrocarbon fluid compositions has a linear or substantially linear temperature versus enthalpy relationship over the temperature range of the direct heat exchange apparatus. |
| US08281591B2 |
Self contained in-ground geothermal generator
A self contained geothermal generator includes a boiler, a turbine compartment, an electricity generator, a condenser and an electric cable. The condenser includes a distributor chamber, a peripheral chamber and plurality of tubes disposed between the chambers. The peripheral chamber of the condenser surrounds and cools turbine, elective generator and selector of the condenser departments. The condenser cools and converts exhausted steam back in liquid state and returns it back into boiler for reheating. In a method of using the geothermal generator, water contained within the boiler is converted to high-pressure, super heated steam due to heat from hot rocks contained within a pre-drilled well below the Earth's surface. The steam is used to produce electric energy which is transported up to the ground surface by the electric cable. A plurality of geothermal generators may be used in a “binary” power plant through system of several heat exchangers. |
| US08281589B2 |
Device and method for operating an internal combustion engine, computer program, computer program product
For operating an internal combustion engine having a throttle situated in an exhaust line or exhaust return line, in which a heat engine is driven by a quantity of heat produced by the internal combustion engine, in a first non-heating operating mode of the internal combustion engine, a first setpoint value is preset, a first operating parameter that characterizes a temperature of the internal combustion engine is detected, a first triggering value is determined for the triggering of the at least one throttle as a function of the first setpoint value and the first operating parameter, the at least one throttle is triggered in accordance with the first triggering value, and the at least one heat engine is driven by the resulting quantity of heat. |
| US08281585B2 |
Controlling heat transfer in active material actuators using external elements
An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged. |
| US08281577B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification method
An exhaust gas purification system, which upgrades exhaust gas purification while curtailing an increase in an operating cost, is disclosed. The exhaust gas purification system comprises an SCR catalyst for reducing and removing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas from an engine (10) by bringing the nitrogen oxides into contact with a reducing agent, oxidation catalysts (11, 17) for oxidizing gas components in the exhaust gas, a water electrolysis device (24) for producing oxygen by electrolyzing water, and an oxygen supply pipe (29) for supplying the oxygen produced by the water electrolysis device (24) to the exhaust gas. |
| US08281576B2 |
Diesel particulate filter control
Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified. |
| US08281570B2 |
Reducing agent injector having purge heater
A method of introducing a reducing agent into an exhaust stream may include injecting the reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream using a reducing agent injector. The method may further include selectively heating a nozzle of the reducing agent injector to reduce residue on the nozzle. |
| US08281569B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device for internal combustion engine and method of controlling the exhaust gas purification device
In an exhaust gas purification device for an internal combustion engine, unburned fuel components are not supplied to a catalyst to make the atmosphere around the catalyst lean during a first lean period, unburned fuel components are supplied to the catalyst to make the atmosphere around the catalyst rich during a rich period, and the supply of unburned fuel components to the catalyst is again stopped during a second lean period. The first lean period, the rich period, and the second lean period form a cycle. If the actual amount of unburned fuel components added to the catalyst is below a required addition amount when a cycle ends, the duration of the first lean period in a subsequent cycle is reduced. |
| US08281566B2 |
Thermally-integrated fluid storage and pressurization system
A propulsion system may be operated by determining pressure in a cryogenic liquid tank storing a fluid and cooling the cryogenic liquid tank in response to determining that the pressure is greater than a predetermined value. The cryogenic liquid tank may be pressurized by admitting a gaseous form of the fluid into the cryogenic liquid tank in response to determining that the pressure in the cryogenic liquid tank is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08281565B2 |
Reheat gas turbine
A gas turbine system includes a compressor, an expander, a combustor disposed between the compressor and the expander, a boiler disposed between the compressor and the expander, a conduit including chargeable air and in thermal communication with the boiler and an external free heat source coupled to the boiler. |
| US08281563B2 |
Gas-turbine bearing oil system with improved oil return arrangement
A gas-turbine bearing oil system with an oil supply arrangement includes at least one oil pump 5 supplying oil from an oil tank 1 to the bearing chambers 2, 3, 4 and at least one scavenge pump unit 6 returning oil from the bearing chambers 2, 3, 4 to the oil tank 1 At least one additional electric scavenge pump 7 is used to return oil from at least one bearing chamber 2, 3, 4 to the oil tank 1. |
| US08281558B2 |
Method for the production of a vacuum insulation element wrapped in a film, filled with powder
The invention relates to a method for producing an especially panel-shaped vacuum insulation element which is wrapped in a film and is filled with a powder. According to the method, the unmolded, loose powder is filled, particularly poured, into the opening of a bag which is formed from a high-barrier film and is open on one side. A filter material that is permeable to air and impermeable to powder dust is fixed to the internal face of the film bag in the area of the opening of the filled film bag such that the interior of the bag is closed in a dust-tight manner while air can still be discharged. The interior of the dust-tightly closed film bag is then evacuated and the evacuated film bag is air-tightly closed in a vacuum. |
| US08281557B2 |
Method of packaging and dispensing nasal devices
Described herein are packaging systems for nasal devices, and methods of packaging and/or dispensing nasal devices. A packaging system may include one or a plurality of nasal devices removably secured to a support backing, and a dispenser. In some variations an applicator may also be included. Methods of using and methods of assembling packaging systems and dispensers are also described. |
| US08281556B2 |
Methods of building modular clipping packaging apparatus
Packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations. |
| US08281550B1 |
Impact and fire resistant windows
The present invention relates to optically clear fire resistant and impact resistant windows having at least one air gap and at least one fire resistant layer. Optionally there is also an anti-spall layer. |
| US08281547B2 |
Modular tower apparatus and method of manufacture
In one aspect, a method of making a selected structure using composite materials is disclosed, which method in form includes providing a plurality of members each comprising a composite material, wherein each member is configured to be coupled to at least one other member in the plurality of members along a longitudinal side; coupling onsite the plurality of members along their longitudinal sides to form a base enclosed structure; and reinforcing onsite the base enclosed structure to form the selected structure. |
| US08281546B2 |
Slip formed concrete wind turbine tower
A wind turbine is formed of a concrete tower which is erected by slip forming. A primary lifting device is erected onto the tower by being lifted together with the slip form and being subsequently transferred onto the tower from the slip form after the tower has been formed. The nacelle, generator, and rotor of the turbine are then lifted onto the tower using the primary lifting device. A secondary lifting device supported on the tower is used to lower the primary lifting device to the ground after the nacelle, generator and rotor are assembled. The height of the tower is therefore not limited by the availability of suitable cranes so that a greater height of tower can be erected to take advantage of winds at greater elevation. |
| US08281542B2 |
Mechanisms for locking and removing flush mounted inserts
A wall-mounted component can be flush-mounted into a wallboard by first installing a panel with a receiver bracket flush into a wallboard. Once the panel is installed, the component can be inserted into the receiver bracket at which point a locking mechanism automatically or manually engages to lock the component into the wall. The locking mechanism is concealed from view so that a casual observer does not see how the component is affixed to the wall, yet is accessible from the wall's exterior for routine service and maintenance, as well as reinstallation of updated components. |
| US08281540B2 |
Unitary steel joist
A unitary steel joist includes a generally vertical web, a generally horizontal bottom flange, a generally horizontal top flange, a bottom wing, a bottom web portion, a top wing and a top web portion. The generally horizontal bottom flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The bottom flange is made of two pieces of steel. The generally horizontal top flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The top flange is made of two pieces of steel. The bottom wing extends outwardly from the web. The bottom web portion extends between the bottom flange and bottom wing. The top wing extends outwardly from the web. The top web portion extends between the top flange and the top wing. The unitary steel joist is made from a unitary piece of steel. |
| US08281537B2 |
Masonry support system and method
The invention relates to a masonry support system and method, suitable for bearing the load of a course of brick-work or defined brickwork panels, comprising a horizontal support section (2) in the X-plane for supporting said load; a vertical support section (3) in the Y-plane for affixing to a support structure; characterized in that there is provided integrated Z-axis adjustment means (61) for adjusting said relieving angle system forward or backwards relative to the support structure. The advantage of the present invention is that the system provides integrated Z-axis adjustment. This feature provides a unique level of tolerance compensation for unforeseen site variances. The invention provides a uniquely adjustable and easy to install angle brick masonry support system. |
| US08281533B2 |
Attachment element for studded plastic sheets
The invention relates to an attachment element for studded plastic sheets comprising a base body with at least one stud projecting from a front of the base body. To provide an attachment means that results both in a tear-resistant attachment of the studded plastic sheet to the building wall and in extensive surface contact at a top edge of the studded plastic sheet, it is provided that a head portion is arranged on the base body, which fully or at least partially projects from the front of the base body with a resiliently deformable area. |
| US08281532B2 |
Edge cladding
A three-dimensional edge cladding for an architectural opening that includes a forward facing portion having a substantially constant first profile along a longitudinal axis. The forward facing portion includes a plurality of spaced apart nailing flanges, stepped surface topography projecting generally forward and away from the flanges. A longitudinally extending channel receives a side facing portion having a substantially constant second profile that include a portion that is generally orthogonal to the nailing flanges. A joint cover portion for covering the section where two or more edge cladding members meet. |
| US08281531B2 |
Ground anchor assembly
A ground anchor assembly includes at least two threaded studs, an anchor plate having at least two openings sized and shaped to receive the at least two threaded studs. The assembly further includes a first fastener for each of the at least two threaded studs attached to the respective stud and bearing against a first side of the anchor plate, and a break-away fastener for each of the at least two threaded studs and attached to the respective stud on an opposite side of the anchor plate. Each break-away fastener cooperates with the corresponding first fastener to retain the corresponding stud in position relative to the anchor plate and the other of the at least two studs. |
| US08281529B2 |
Interlocking building structure
A building structure having a plurality of frame assemblies joined together to form an internal frame structure for a building. Each of the frame assemblies includes a truss, a pair of vertical wall members and a floor joist. The truss is attached to respective top ends the vertical wall members at each end of the truss with interlocking joints in which the truss and vertical wall members are in substantially the same plane. Each vertical wall member is attached to the floor joist with interlocking joints. Each interlocking joint has a puzzle-piece configuration. Cross-members interconnect the frame assemblies in a spaced-apart manner. A floor panel is attached to the floor joists and exterior wall panels are attached to an exterior of the internal frame structure. |
| US08281528B2 |
Apparatus for securing wall members for log homes
An apparatus for securing a plurality of wall members together to define a wall. The apparatus includes a base portion having a stud extending upwardly therefrom, the base portion configured to engage a surface of a first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first securing member sized and shaped to engage with a surface of a second wall member stacked above the first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first coupling member configured to extend through a bore in the first and second wall members. The first coupling member has an elongate rod member having an upper end and a lower end, and a coupler on the lower end of the rod member, the coupler being sized and shaped to receive the stud member therein. The upper end of the rod member is configured to be coupled to the first securing member for biasing the first and second wall members together to inhibit the formation of undesired spaces therebetween. |
| US08281525B2 |
Modular spiral staircase assembly
A modular spiral staircase assembly that involves a handrail formed of one or more sections and a series of slide members each configured to form a link between both a baluster and the handrail of the staircase. The use of such slide members enables initial ease with respect to positioning of the balusters along the extent of the handrail and subsequent secure locking of such balusters in position with respect to the handrail for alignment purposes with corresponding treads of the staircase. Additionally, using such slide members along the extent of the handrail provides the installer ready-made tools for progressively shaping the extent of the handrail so as to align it with the curvature of the staircase. |
| US08281524B2 |
Stackable flat-roof/ground framework for solar panels
A stackable flat-roof/ground framework (1) for solar panels, comprising a sloping desk-like supporting region (2, 5, 6) for the solar panel, at least said supporting region (2, 5, 6) being implemented as a wire grate, wherein the supporting region of the flat-roof/ground framework has downwardly angled elements on two opposite edges, one element, used as rear wall (3), being designed to be longer and one element, used a front wall (4), being designed to be shorter, and having weightable panel-like base regions (2, 5, 6), said base regions (2, 5, 6) being angled from the rear wall (3) and/or the front wall (4). |
| US08281521B1 |
Pre-notched drip edge assembly and method
A pre-notched drip edge assembly and related method includes a plurality of drip edge sections interconnected end-to-end to form a continuous water barrier along a roof edge. Each drip edge section has a formed one-piece construction with a top flange and a bottom flange having an inverted L-shape with upper and lower legs. The forward edges of the top flange and the upper leg are integrally interconnected along a folded-over nose having a wedge-shape. A pair of notches are formed in the opposite ends of each drip edge section which extend through the upper edge of the lower leg and the forward edges of the upper leg and the top flange to define flat end tab areas that are inserted into the noses of the next adjacent drip edge sections to horizontally and vertically locate the same along the building roof. |
| US08281520B2 |
Hip, ridge or rake shingle
A hip, ridge or rake shingle comprised of a plurality of panels sandwiched on each panel portion side of a layer of shingle material, such that each panel portion can be folded along a fold line, and wherein tabs are provided for each panel portion, adapted to be bent backwardly upon themselves, sandwiching thickening panels therebetween. The shingles can be laid up on a hip, ridge or rake of a roof, to yield desirable thickened features. |
| US08281510B2 |
Plastic sheet, and decorative illumination signboard
An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative illumination signboard capable of effectively downwardly emitting light while suppressing an upward emission of light with a simple configuration and a plastic sheet used in the decorative illumination signboard.The object can be accomplished by a plastic sheet having optical transparency which includes an exit surface and an incident surface on which a plurality of prism lines having a flat and smooth surface are arranged to be aligned. A shape of the prism in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the prism line is formed by a side A on a lower side at an angle of α degrees to a normal line of the exit surface and a side B on an upper side at an angle of β degrees to the normal line of the exit surface and α<β, and 40 degrees≦β≦80 degrees. An integral value of a downwardly emitted light flux is 55% or more of the total integral value of an upwardly emitted light flux and the downwardly emitting light flux when predetermined diffusion light enters one surface of the plastic sheet in a direction perpendicular to the plastic sheet. |
| US08281509B2 |
Nautical navigation aid with a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescence
A nautical navigation aid comprising a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities used to enhance the safety of nautical travelers on waterways in conditions where visibility is limited. The navigation aid sign has a first rigid sheet member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge, a second rigid sheet member having an upper surface and a lower surface extending outward from the peripheral edge of the first rigid sheet member at a predetermined angle to a predetermined length, thereby defining an angled collar of the first rigid sheet member sized and configured to redirect light waves emanating from a light source, and a luminescent layer. It is envisioned that an embodiment of the present invention might also include a means for retrofitting existing nautical navigation aids with a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities. |
| US08281508B1 |
Reversible license plate holder
A reversible license plate holder attachable to a prepared rear panel of a vehicle. A rectangular perimeter frame has an obverse and a reverse side and an open central area, the frame having an L-shaped cross-section defining a flange sized to be aligned with and receive a license plate positionable thereagainst. The frame also has spaced mounting holes which are alignable with mounting holes in the license plate and with threaded holes in the rear panel for attaching the holder against the rear panel. When the holder is attached to the rear panel so that the reverse side faces outwardly in a temporary use mode by a car dealer, an upper retaining tab forming a first U-shaped channel with the frame trappingly receives an upper edge of the license plate and a lower retaining tab forming a second U-shaped channel trappingly receives a lower edge of the license plate when a lower edge of the flange is resiliently flexed downwardly, then released. In this mode of use, only the flange and the upper and lower retaining tabs hold the license plate in place. In the permanent use mode, the obverse side is outwardly facing and the holder and license plate are attached to the rear panel or bumper together conventionally. |
| US08281506B2 |
Tool coupler assembly
A tool coupler assembly for a machine. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element. |
| US08281504B2 |
Inner sole for a footwear
An inner sole for an insole has a body made of flexible material and adapted to be laid on an insole of a shoe. Liquid containing spaces are formed in the body of the inner sole for sealingly and flowably containing liquid. Dam portions divide the liquid containing spaces into a toe region, a heel region and a middle region between the two. Orifices communicate the liquid between mutually adjacent regions. The orifice formed by the dam portions that divides the liquid containing spaces into the heel region and the middle region opens toward one side edge portion to cause an eddy of liquid, flowing from the heel region into the middle region, that substantially fills the whole middle region. |
| US08281503B2 |
Multi-position heel
A multi-position heel assembly is structured and arranged to be integrally formed with or mechanically connected to a shoe. The assembly includes: a chassis; a heel connected to the chassis and rotatable relative to the chassis about an axis; and a locking mechanism including an actuator that is axially translatable along the axis. The locking mechanism selectively allows rotation of the heel relative to the chassis. |
| US08281499B2 |
Mobile surface drying apparatus
A mobile surface drying apparatus includes a vacuum and blower assembly. The vacuum and blower assembly includes a vacuum head and a blower head. The vacuum head suctions moisture through an inlet of the vacuum and blower assembly, and the blower head communicates airflow through an outlet of the vacuum and blower assembly. |
| US08281492B1 |
Tube cutter
A tube cutter having first and second arms pivotally connected. Each arm includes a handle segment and a head portion. The head portion of one arm includes a v-block and the head portion of the other arm has a cutting portion. At least each handle portion has a black oxide coating or chrome plating. A second tube cutter may include a pair of bumpers, one on each handle and each of the bumpers may include a gusset connecting the bumper to the terminal end of the handle. |
| US08281491B2 |
Shaving razor and shaving cartridges
A shaving blade unit includes a housing having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges extending between the front and rear edges. The housing has an aperture located between the front and rear edges. One or more shaving blades are positioned between the front edge and the rear edge and the one or more blades have cutting edges arranged to define a first cutting region. A clip is arranged to retain the one or more shaving blades on the housing. The clip has a leg received by the aperture, the leg having a bent portion defining a curvature to secure the clip to the housing. |
| US08281490B2 |
Spherical bearing and process for manufacturing the same
Provided are a spherical bearing in which a ball portion (10) of an inside member (1) can be sealed inside an outside member (2) without employment of casting, and the outside member (2) and the inside member (1) are coupled to each other with high strength, and which can be downsized, and a manufacturing method for the same. The spherical bearing includes: an inside member (1) having a metal ball portion (10); a resin liner (3) covering the ball portion (10) of the inside member (1) and held in sliding contact with the ball portion (10); and an outside member (2) molded outside the resin liner (3) by a forging process and held in close contact with an entire of an outer peripheral surface of the resin liner (3) without being brought into contact with the inside member (1), for undetachably enclosing and holding the resin liner (3). |
| US08281489B2 |
Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins. |
| US08281482B2 |
Method of fabricating crack-resistant thermal bend actuator
A method of fabricating a thermal bend actuator comprises the steps of: (a) depositing a first layer comprised of silicon nitride onto a sacrificial scaffold; (b) depositing a second layer comprised of silicon dioxide onto the first layer; (c) depositing an active beam layer onto the second layer; (d) etching the active beam layer, the first layer and the second layer to define the thermal bend actuator; and (e) releasing the thermal bend actuator by removing the sacrificial scaffold. |
| US08281477B2 |
Method for setting needles in needle boards for felting machines
A semi-automatic loader for needle boards (2) includes a filling device (51)that presents felting needles (17) arranged at a ratio that is consistent with the ratio of holes of a needle board. A machine operator can then grasp the felting 5 needles (17) by use of a multiple collet chuck (45) and set them in groups in the rows of holes of the needle board (2). This provides a loading method featuring extremely high productivity. |
| US08281472B2 |
Method of manufacturing continuous sucker rod
A method for manufacturing a continuous sucker rod coil, wherein the method includes the step of selecting a plurality of input coils, each input coil having the same uniform hardness, and each input coil having two free ends. The method further includes the step of fusing adjacent free ends of adjacent input coils together to form one continuous length of rod, the fusing creating fused areas and a heat-affected zone at each fused area. The method also includes the step of treating each of the heat-affected zones to alleviate irregularities induced during fusing. Additionally, the method includes the step of winding the continuous length of rod into a finished coil. |
| US08281470B2 |
Escutcheon installation tool
An installation tool for installing an escutcheon on a sprinkler assembly includes an extension member and a body portion. The body portion may be disposed on an end of the extension member. The body portion may include a sleeve adjustably engaging a base. The body portion may also include a recess adapted to releasably receive an escutcheon. The installation tool is adapted to remotely install the escutcheon to a sprinkler assembly. |
| US08281469B2 |
Sealing plug removal apparatus
Apparatus for removing a sealing plug from a bore, the sealing plug has an outer sleeve and an inner stem retained within the outer sleeve, the removal taking place after a suitable hole has been drilled part-way into the stem, the removal apparatus has a tapered punch for forcible insertion into the hole in the stem to create an interference fit between the punch and the stem and thereafter driving the stem out of the sleeve while also retaining the stem on the punch by virtue of the interference fit, and sleeve-engaging portion engagable with the sleeve after the punch has removed the stem from the sleeve, the sleeve-engaging portion and the punch being thereafter removable from the bore to remove both the sleeve and the stem from the bore while the sleeve and the stem are both retained on the appropriate parts of the apparatus. |
| US08281468B2 |
Method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrators
Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of improving production efficiency. Providing a method for manufacturing a package including: a base board and a lid board which are bonded to each other; an accommodated article which is sealed in a cavity formed between the base board and the lid board; and a penetration electrode which is disposed in a penetration hole penetrating through the base board so as to electrically connect the accommodated article to the outside, the method including: a penetration hole forming step of forming a penetration hole for the penetration electrodes 30b, 30b in the base board; a penetration electrode alignment step of inserting a core portion 7 of a conductive rivet member 9 into the penetration hole of the base board; a glass frit filling step of applying a paste-like glass frit 6a onto the other surface of the base board and filling the glass frit into the penetration hole; and a baking step of baking and curing the glass frit, wherein the glass frit filling step involves forming a glass frit filling portion 41 having a larger diameter than the penetration hole and filling the glass frit also into the glass frit filling portion. |
| US08281460B2 |
Handle assembly for a domestic appliance
A handle assembly for mounting to a door of an appliance includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. Each of the first and second end portions includes a cavity adapted to receive an end insert formed of soft material. Each of the end inserts includes an attachment member. The handle is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the attachment members and base members provided on the door without scratching the surface of the door. |
| US08281452B2 |
Wiper device
A wiper device includes first and second pivot shafts, first and second pivot holders, a hollow frame, a drive source, and a link rod. The first and second pivot holders are fixed to a vehicle body, pivotally support the first and second pivot shafts, and include first and second attachment shafts, respectively. The hollow frame couples the pivot holders to each other. The link rod transmits drive force of the drive source to the first and second pivot shafts. The hollow frame includes first and second coupling-fixing portions and a drive source fixing portion. The first and second attachment shafts are respectively crimped and fixed to the coupling-fixing portions. Axes of the first and second coupling-fixing portions lie along a straight line. The hollow frame is bent so as to arrange the drive source fixing portion spaced apart from the first and second pivot holders in a direction extending from the distal ends towards basal ends of the pivot shafts. |
| US08281448B2 |
Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections. |
| US08281443B2 |
Multi-motion toothbrush
An electrically powered toothbrush has a body having a first end, a head opposite the first end, a neck between the first end and head, an electrical motor and a power source disposed in the body, a drive shaft operatively connected to the motor, and a bristle carrier. The head has a frame defining a recess. The shaft has a longitudinal axis of rotation and a portion offset from the axis of rotation. The bristle carrier is disposed within the recess and is pivotally secured to the frame by a laterally extending pivot member disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation. The bristle carrier has a receiving channel adapted to receive the offset portion. The rotation of the drive shaft causes the offset portion to engage the receiving channel of the bristle carrier thereby causing the bristle carrier to pivot about the pivot member. |
| US08281441B1 |
Hand-held submersible pool and spa power cleaner
A hand-held submersible power cleaner for cleaning debris from a swimming pool includes a housing having an inlet at a front end thereof which communicates with an interior cavity of the housing. An intermediate conduit having front and rear ends extends through the interior cavity. A filter is positioned between the inlet and front end of the intermediate conduit. A removable drive assembly having an impeller at a forward end and a power switch at the opposing end is removably inserted into the housing such that the impeller faces the rear end of the intermediate conduit. Dual outlet conduits communicate with the rear end of the intermediate conduit, wherein the impeller draws water and debris through the inlet, the filter occludes the debris and retains it in the cavity while the water flows through the filter assembly into the intermediate conduit, and is discharged through the dual outlet conduits at the rear of the housing. |
| US08281440B2 |
Footwear incorporating a light source and methods for manufacturing the same
An embodiment of the present invention is a method that includes the steps of: incorporating at least one light source in an upper part of a shoe, wherein the at least one light source that comprises at least a light emitting source that is capable of illuminating, wherein the shoe comprises: 1) the upper part, 2) at least one bonding strip, and 3) a shoe bottom sole part, assembling at least the upper part with the at least one bonding strip and the shoe bottom sole part to form an assembled unit; and c) applying sufficient heat to vulcanize the assembled unit so as to result in securing the upper part to the at least one bonding strip and the shoe bottom sole part to form the shoe having the at least one light source that is capable of illuminating. |
| US08281439B2 |
Control and wash cycle for activation and deactivation of chemistry in the wash bath of an automatic washer
A control for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle determined based upon various soils and stains in the substrate load to be washed with a wash liquor in a wash zone of the washer. The control has a plurality of stain/soil type entrées, which can be at least one of selected and detected, and cleaned with a particular wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least one wash liquor additive. The control has operational control over activators and deactivators for members of the additives group. The control has operational control over the particular wash cycles using the dispensing control to dispense additives to the wash liquor at selected times during the wash cycle and operating the activators and deactivators at selected times during the wash cycle. |
| US08281432B2 |
Crib bumper and bed structure formed therewith
A crib bumper (23) includes a mattress-receiving base (40), and a continuous sidewall or row of bumper elements (50) attached to, and extending upright relative to, the base (40) encircling and defining a mattress-receiving opening (51) into a mattress-receiving area (51A) formed by base (40). A supporting spine (71) is coupled between the base (40) and each of the bumper elements (50) maintaining the bumper elements (50) upright relative to the base (40). |
| US08281428B1 |
Disability shower
A shower unit includes a shower seat having a plurality of moveable seat pads. Each seat pad is moveable between an extended position wherein the pad is in contact with the body of a user sitting on the seat and a retracted position wherein the pad is spaced away from the user's body. When a pad is in the retracted position, the body surface that would normally be occluded by the pad becomes accessible to spray from a nozzle so that the body surface can be cleaned. While any one pad is in the retracted position, the user is supported on enough of the other seat pads to remain in a stable sitting position. The spray nozzles may be mounted in the seat pads themselves, or may be mounted in the shower seat proximate to the pads. |
| US08281423B2 |
Multi-use portable hand held hygienic device
A multi-functional handheld hygienic device with a J-shaped nozzle and attachment options for alternate use externally on either the genital area as a bidet or the rectal area as a wash and for use internally in the genital area as a douche and the rectal area as an enema. A temperature controlled water tank or water diverter attached to a combined hot and cold faucet supplies temperature controlled water to the nozzle. |
| US08281416B1 |
Cooking utensil gripping glove
A device used while cooking to retain utensils and protect a user's hand and forearm from grease splatters is herein described. The device comprises a glove body made of a flexible fire-resistant material with individual finger and thumb appendages for increased dexterity. The device extends from the hand portion toward a wearer's elbow where an elastic strap provides a seal which prevents heated grease from splattering inside of the glove. A pair of straps is located within the palm area to help retain spatulas, spoons, tongs, whisks, or other similar food preparation utensils. The straps are secured together with fasteners thereby allowing the straps to adjust to any size utensil handle. |
| US08281412B2 |
Multi-piece article of clothing
A multi-piece article of clothing, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a plurality of pieces of clothing. Each of the plurality of pieces of clothing includes a top strap and a bottom leg portion being substantially opposite one another for engaging with an opposite shoulder and leg of a person, respectively. Each of the plurality of pieces of clothing includes a body portion, and each of the body portions includes a crotch portion. Each of the body portions include one leg opening and one hip opening defined by the crotch portions and respective side sections. The body portion of each of the plurality of pieces of clothing is in overlapping relation with each other to at least partially cover the person. |