Document Document Title
US08313826B2 Medical instruments
By coating a base material with a film of a fluoropolymer such as PTFE, the coefficient of friction of the base material is lowered and the slipperiness of the base material is thus improved. Thus, it is intended to provide a medical instrument, for example, a guide wire for introducing a catheter. A medical instrument which has, on at least a part of a base material, a hydrophilic polymer film and a fluoropolymer film located as the upper layer thereof.
US08313825B2 Curable resin films
A curable resin with at least one electrically conductive metal region on its surface formed by depositing on the surface a composition comprising activator, contacting the activator with a solution of a reducing agent and a solution of a metal ion, the reducing agent and metal ion undergoing chemical reaction activated by the activator to form an electrically conductive metal region on the surface, and method of forming is provided.
US08313824B2 Decorative multilayer material impregnated with resin
A decorative material capable of achieving both surface endurance such as abrasion resistance, and internal endurance such as subsidence resistance, water resistance and oil resistance. The decorative material is produced by laminating an ionizing radiation curing resin coating paper onto a thermosetting resin impregnated paper, and heat pressing for the integration. A surface layer and a base material layer are laminated and integrated on the rear surface thereof. The surface layer has at least a surface resin layer made of a cured material of an ionizing radiation curing resin, a blocking layer for blocking the ooze out of the uncured material of the thermosetting resin, and an impregnated paper layer formed by a paper impregnated with a thermosetting resin and cured, laminated from the surface side. At least the uppermost surface of the base material layer has an impregnated paper layer formed by a paper impregnated with a thermosetting resin and cured.
US08313823B2 Method for coating a metallic substrate with a powder coating composition and an autodepositable coating composition
A method for coating a metallic substrate includes applying a powder coating composition to a majority of a surface of the metallic substrate, and applying an autodepositable coating composition to less than the majority of the surface of the metallic substrate. According to a preferred embodiment, the powder coating composition is applied to at least one continuous surface of the metallic substrate, while the autodepositable coating composition is applied to at least one discontinuous surface, such as an edge, of the metallic substrate.
US08313820B2 Actuator with carbon nanotube yarns
An exemplary actuator based on CNT yarns includes a base and a composite film mounted on a surface of the base. The composite film is extendable in a predetermined direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base in response to light irradiation applied thereupon. The composite film includes a polymer layer, a plurality of semiconducting CNT yarns dispersed in the polymer layer, and a plurality of metallic CNT yarns dispersed in the polymer layer. A longitudinal of each semiconducting CNT yarn is substantially parallel with the direction. Each semiconducting CNT yarn includes a plurality of twisted semiconducting CNTs. A longitudinal of each metallic CNT yarn is substantially parallel with the direction. Each metallic CNT yarn includes a plurality of twisted metallic CNTs.
US08313819B2 Ultra-thin multi-layer packaging
An implantable medical device including a plurality of components on a substrate, and a biocompatible multi-layer coating applied by vapor deposition to conform to and sealingly cover at least a portion of the components and/or the substrate. The coating is applied in at least two sets, each set having first, second and third layers. At least one of the first, second and third layers consist essentially of a polymer such as parylene and at least one of the other two layers of the set consist essentially of inorganic material such that each layer differs in at least one diffusion barrier property from the other layers in the set and adds to an overall barrier effect of the coating.
US08313818B2 Thermal insulating panel composite
Prepare an article by providing an extruded thermoplastic polymer foam having a cavity defined therein and placing a vacuum insulation panel entirely within the cavity.
US08313815B2 Tube with projecting portion raised on tube surface
The technical problem of this invention is to laminate the outer layer onto a main body of a tube, wherein a projecting portion or portions are formed, while maintaining certain uniformity. The object of this invention is to provide the laminated tube and molded tube products comprising the laminated tube, which shows the decorative effect, derived from the laminated outer layer, and enables the user to identify the tube only by touch. The outer layer is laminated onto the main body of the tube. By changing the number, width, or shape of the projecting portions, it is possible to give the decorative effect and identifiable features to the laminated tube. The laminated tube can be used to mold tube products, such as tubular containers and pouch containers.
US08313814B2 Cellulose acylate film, method of producing the same, cellulose derivative film, optically compensatory film using the same, optically-compensatory film incorporating polarizing plate, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device
A method of producing a cellulose derivative film, the method comprising: forming a film with a solvent cast method from a dope including a cellulose derivative satisfying following conditions (a) and (b): (a) at least one among three hydroxyl groups included in a glucose unit of cellulose is substituted by a substituent of which a polarizability anisotropy Δα represented as following Expression (1) is 2.5×10−24 cm3 or higher: Expression (1): Δα=αx−(αy+αz)/2, wherein αx, αy and αz is as defined in the specification; and (b) when a substitution degree by a substituent of which Δα is 2.5×10−24 cm3 or higher is PA, and a substitution degree by a substituent of which Δα is lower than 2.5×10−24 cm3 is PB, the PA and PB satisfy following Expressions (3) and (4): Expression (3): 2PA+PB>3.0; and Expression (4): PA>0.2.
US08313813B2 Process for treating a surface
A process for treating a surface of an aluminium component and an aluminium component of this kind are described. The process described is characterized in that a silicon oxide layer is applied to the surface of the aluminium component.
US08313811B2 Plasma enhanced polymer ultra-thin multi-layer packaging
An implantable medical device including a plurality of components on a substrate, and a biocompatible multi-layer polymeric coating applied by vapor deposition to conform to and sealingly cover at least a portion of the components and/or the substrate. The coating is applied in at least two pairs of layers, wherein each pair has one layer formed by dissociation of a precursor and then simple deposition of that precursor, and the other layer is formed by at least one of plasma dissociation and excitation of the precursor to form a plasma-enhanced precursor, and then deposition of the plasma-enhanced precursor.
US08313808B2 Composite materials from charged or functionalized latexes for inkjet applications
An inkjet receiver comprising a support and one or more layers coated on the support, at least one of which comprises a particulate material and a binder, the particulate material comprising composite particles having an inner portion and an outer portion or core-shell arrangement, wherein the inner portion comprises a negatively-charged, positively-charged or functionalized latex, and the outer portion comprises an inorganic material having enhanced keeping properties and reduced ozone-induced dye fade.
US08313806B2 Vapor deposition method and apparatus
Provided is a method for moving, in a vacuum chamber carrying therein a fixedly-provided evaporation source, a substrate toward the evaporation source together with a mask closely attached to the substrate surface, and onto the surface substrate, evaporating a material vaporized in the evaporation source through an aperture formed to the mask. In this method of the invention, means for moving the substrate toward the evaporation source is provided with cooling means not to come in contact with but to be in proximity to a surface of the mask on the evaporation source side, and a cooling plate formed with an aperture proximal to the evaporation source is disposed. With such a configuration, the steam of the material coming from the evaporation source is directed to the mask and the substrate through the aperture of the cooling plate. As such, the material film evaporated on the substrate surface shows a satisfactory distribution of film thickness, and any possible misalignment from desired positions of evaporation can be accordingly suppressed.
US08313803B2 Spin coating method
Spin coating method for a recording medium having a hole in the center, including moving a tip of a feeding nozzle to an initial position at a distance X above a recording surface and a distance A radially apart from a periphery of the hole, feeding a coating liquid onto the recording surface for a predetermined period of time while rotating the recording medium at a predetermined speed, and moving the tip from the initial position along a radial direction towards an outer periphery of the recording medium while keeping the tip above the recording surface at the distance X. X satisfies X≦2 [3 r γ/(2 g C)]1/3, where γ and C respectively are surface tension and density of the coating liquid, r is the outer radius of the feeding nozzle, and g is the acceleration of gravity. A satisfies A≧r+X/3.
US08313797B2 In-situ growth of magnetic metal nanoparticles in a matrix
Provided is a method for in-situ coating a substrate or matrix with magnetic metal nanoparticles. A metal salt, which may be organic or inorganic, is introduced into a solution of liquid polyol. In the presence of mechanical stirring and heat, a reduction process occurs wherein the magnetic metal nanoparticles precipitate out of solution and deposit or attach to one or more surfaces of the substrate. The concentration of reaction precursors, combined with the polyol, may be varied to control the size and shape of the magnetic nanoparticles.
US08313792B2 Method for improving the barrier properties of a nonwoven
A method for improving the barrier properties of a material. The method includes providing a material, applying a hydrophobic surface coating thereto, and incorporating the material into an absorbent article. The hydrophobic surface coating includes a non-aqueous, solventless, multicomponent silicone composition. The hydrophobic surface coating may be substantially free of aminosilicones.
US08313791B2 Mandrels supporting medical devices during processing of the medical devices
An apparatus and method for applying a coating composition to a stent. A mandrel for supporting the stent has one or more drive pins and other supporting structure that loosely supports the stent, in an unstable position. The support permits freedom of movement of the stent relative to the mandrel to cause the stent to frequently re-position itself over the mandrel during a spraying process. When a coating composition is applied, the stent randomly or periodically moves about relative to the mandrel due to intermittent contact between the stent and the rotating mandrel and fluidic forces applied through the sprayed coating composition.
US08313790B2 Extracting carbonyl compounds from a drink by extraction with a functionalized inert support
The present invention relates to a process for extracting carbonylated compounds from a drink by liquid-solid extraction with a functionalized inert support containing nitrogenous nucleophilic functional groups. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the drink is wine or fruit juice. The process according to the present invention is advantageously applied to the reduction of the sulphur dioxide combination capacity of a drink such as wine.
US08313789B2 Methods of promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut
A method of promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut of a human in need thereof, which involves administering to a human a composition containing an effective amount of Ara-(1-5)-(Ara)n-(1-5)-Ara as a prebiotic, where n=0-18.
US08313784B2 Method of using guava extract
A method of using guava extract is disclosed that includes administering guava extract to a mammal to inhibit, prevent or alleviate at least one of a headache, nausea, dry mouth, lack of appetite, shakiness, and fatigue. A composition is also disclosed that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and guava extract.
US08313782B2 Acne vulgaris treatment regimen
An improved method, formulation and kit for the treatment of acne vulgaris are disclosed. The formulation is effective in inhibiting or killing the Proprionibacterium microorganism without utilizing antibiotics A preferred formulation alleviates the four pathogenic factors involved in the development of acne a) the putative pathogen of acne, Proprionibacterium acnes, b) abnormal desquamation of sebaceous-follicle epithelium (comedogenesis), c) the androgen-induced excessive sebum production, and d) the follicular reactivity (inflammation). The formulations are preferably applied as a cream, lotion or an emulsion.
US08313775B2 Antibiotic product, use and formulation thereof
An antibiotic product is comprised of at least three dosages forms, each of which has a different release profile, with the Cmax for the antibiotic product being reached in less than about twelve hours. In one embodiment, there is an immediate release dosage form, a sustained release dosage form, and a delayed release dosage form, with each of the dosage forms having a different release profile, wherein each reaches a Cmax at different times.
US08313771B2 Phosphazene hydrogels with chemical corss-link, preparation method thereof and use thereof
A phosphazene-based polymer hydrogel with a chemical cross-linkings formed by radiating ultraviolet (UV) and/or mixing with cross-linking agent and/or enzyme, and a method of preparing the same are provided. The hydrogel shows a sol-gel behavior and has an excellent solidity by containing the phosphazene-based polymer that is capable of cross-linking at a certain concentration.
US08313767B2 Drug-containing sustained release microparticle, process for producing the same and preparation containing the microparticle
Sustained release microparticles suitable for various types of drugs, or drug-containing sustained release microparticles capable of sustained release of drugs over a period of three days or more and capable of inhibiting initial burst release; a process for producing the same; and preparations containing the microparticles are disclosed. The drug-containing sustained release microparticles comprise a drug other than human growth hormone and a porous apatite derivative, and optionally include a water-soluble bivalent metal compound. The drug-containing sustained release microparticles can be produced by dispersing under agitation microparticles of a porous apatite derivative in an aqueous solution containing a drug so that the aqueous solution infiltrates into the porous apatite derivative; optionally adding an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble bivalent metal compound that may infiltrate into the porous apatite derivative; further adding additives such as a stabilizer to the mixture; and effecting lyophilization or vacuum drying.
US08313766B2 Oral antidepressant formulation with reduced excipient load
Provided are methods for reducing the excipient load of pharmaceutical formulations containing 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin 10,10-dioxide as the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and compositions related thereto. In particular, provided is a pharmaceutical product comprising 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin 10,10-dioxide and a stabilizer admixed throughout a solid-form unilamellar matrix, wherein the ratio of 3-fluoro-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxathiin 10,10-dioxide to stabilizer ranges from about 2:3 to about 1:10, and related methods of forming the pharmaceutical product.
US08313765B2 Biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative, biodegradable polymeric micelle composition and pharmaceutical or bioactive composition
The invention provides a biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative including at least one modified hyaluronic acid repeating unit represented by the formula (HA)-[O(C═O)NH-M]p, wherein HA is a unit including N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, M is a modifying moiety containing a C2-16 hydrocarbyl group, and p is an integer of 1 to 4.
US08313755B2 Clear aqueous ceramide composition
Provided is a clear aqueous ceramide composition comprising 1.0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the total composition, of a ceramide represented by formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 9 to 17 carbon atoms; and R2 represents an acyl group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms which can contain a hydroxyl group, a long-chain fatty acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, a nonionic surface active agent, and water. The clear aqueous composition is useful as cosmetics, bath agents, hair-care products, external preparations for the skin, skin protective preparations, particularly medical external preparations for the treatment or protection of the skin, or a component making up these preparations.
US08313747B2 Antikine antibodies that bind to multiple CC chemokines
An antikine antibody binds to two, three, four, five or more CC chemokines, such as RANTES/CCL5, MIP-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, or MCP-1/CCL2. Methods for affinity maturation and humanization of antikine antibodies as well as the production of hybridoma cell lines producing antikine antibodies by sequential immunization are also disclosed.
US08313746B2 Human monoclonal antibodies against hendra and nipah viruses
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, fully human antibodies retaining Hendra or Nipah virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08313745B2 Compositions against cancer antigen LIV-1 and uses thereof
Described herein are methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
US08313740B2 Methods for treating cancer with a recombinant MVA expressing HER-2
The invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for cancer therapy using recombinant MVA viruses encoding a tumor-associated antigen, such as HER-2, particularly in combination with taxanes. The taxanes can be administered prior to, at the same time as, or after the recombinant MVA virus.
US08313733B2 Antibacterial 5,5′-disubstituted 3,3′ dialkoxy-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-biphenyl
The invention provides an antiplaque oral composition that includes an orally acceptable carrier; and an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of structure (I) In the structure, R1 and R2 are independently selected from a lower C1-4 alkyl group and R3 and R4 are independently an alkenyl or alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Also included in the invention are toothpastes or tooth gels that include at least one humectant: at least one abrasive compound; and an antibacterially effective amount of the compound represented by the structure of formula (I). Also provided are methods of inhibiting bacterial growth in the oral cavity of an animal by application of the compound of formula (I).
US08313731B2 Shiga toxin B-subunit as a vector for tumor diagnosis and drug delivery to GB3 expressing tumors
The invention relates to new compounds for cancer therapy or diagnosis and more specifically to the use of a non-toxic B subunit of Shiga toxin mutant as a vector for diagnostic products or drugs in over-expressing Gb3 receptor cells, such compounds having the following formula: STxB-Z(n)-Cys-Y(m)-T wherein STxB is the Shiga Toxin B subunit or a functional equivalent thereof, Z(n) wherein n is 0 or 1 and when n is 1, Z is an amino-acid residue devoid of sulfydryl group, or is a polypeptide, Cys is the amino-acid residue for Cysteine, T is a molecule linked by a covalent bound to the S part of Cys, selected in a group comprising: agents for in vivo diagnosis, cytotoxic agents, prodrugs, or enzymes for the conversion of a prodrug to a drug, Y(m) wherein m is 0 or 1 and when m is 1, Y is a linker between T and Cys, said linker being either cleavable or not cleavable for the release of T after the internalization of the hybrid compound into said cells.
US08313729B2 Integrated photoactive small molecules and uses thereof
This invention is directed to the general method of transforming non-photoactive bioactive small molecule compounds of known structure and function into photoactive analogs of the small molecules which exhibit both photoactivity and the original biological targeting activity. The general method for the design of the photoactive analogs of the small molecules includes: (a) selecting a desired bioactive molecule; (b) identifying the region of the molecule that contains an aromatic or a heteroaromatic motif; and (c) either replacing said motif with a photoactive functional group of similar size, or modifying said motif to make it photoactive. Other aspects include photoactive analog compounds and photodiagnostic and phototherapeutic uses thereof.
US08313720B2 Guided diameter SiC sublimation growth with multi-layer growth guide
In the growth of a SiC boule, a growth guide is provided inside of a growth crucible that is charged with SiC source material at a bottom of the crucible and a SiC seed crystal at a top of the crucible. The growth guide has an inner layer that defines at least part of an opening in the growth guide and an outer layer that supports the inner layer in the crucible. The opening faces the source material with the seed crystal positioned at an end of the opening opposite the source material. The inner layer is formed from a first material having a higher thermal conductivity than the second, different material forming the outer layer. The source material is sublimation grown on the seed crystal in the growth crucible via the opening in the growth guide to thereby form the SiC boule on the seed crystal.
US08313714B2 Synthesis of uniform nanoparticle shapes with high selectivity
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of making non-spherical nanoparticles that includes (a) combining a source of a Group 12, 13, 14, or 15 metal or metalloid; a source of a Group 15 or 16 element; and a source of a quaternary ammonium compound or phosphonium compound; and (b) isolating non-spherical nanoparticles from the resulting reaction mixture. Other embodiments of the invention provide non-spherical nanoparticle compositions, that are the reaction product of a source of a Group 12, 13, 14, or 15 metal or metalloid; a source of a Group 15 or 16 element; and a source of a quaternary ammonium compound or phosphonium compound; wherein nanoparticle tetrapods comprise 75-100 number percent of the nanoparticle products.
US08313712B2 Microfluidic valve with pressure gain
The current invention provide a microfluidic valve having a housing that includes a microfluid control port disposed adjacent to a microfluid exhaust port, where a movable rigid material having a first diameter is disposed in the housing between the microfluid control port and the microfluid exhaust port. The housing further includes a microfluid pressure port having a first microfluid pressure. The microfluid pressure port is connected to the microfluid exhaust port by a microfluid valve orifice having a second diameter, where the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and when a second microfluid pressure is applied to the control port the moveable rigid material closes the microfluid valve orifice, where the first microfluid pressure is greater than the second microfluid pressure.
US08313711B2 Liquid dispensing for high-throughput experimentation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for mixing liquid components. Quantities of two or more liquid components are transferred from pressurized source reservoirs to one or more destination locations by means of a fluid outlet that includes a dispense valve, and the two or more liquid components are mixed in the destination locations to create a plurality of fluid mixtures. Two or more dispensing technologies can be combined to provide for increased efficiency in the dispensing of high volume liquid components. The amounts of liquid components being dispensed can be monitored during the dispensing to provide feedback control of the dispensing.
US08313699B2 Sterilization testing device
The invention relates to a sterilization testing device comprised of a housing with a test chamber, an indicator placed therein, and with a supply for supplying the sterilization medium. According to the invention, the sterilization testing device consists of at least two housing parts that are matched to one another. A supply channel is made inside the housing part and serves to supply the sterilization medium. The supply channel is configured in such a manner that it forms the base body of the test chamber. The test chamber accommodates the indicator that indicates the completion of the sterilization process. Alternatively to this solution, the invention provides a variant, which is very effective with regard to manufacturing and which permits a quantitative statement regarding the sterilization. Webs are formed inside the housing in the at least partially meandering and/or spiral configuration of the supply channel. These webs, together with, at least in part, the lateral part(s) of the housing parts form a portion of the supply channel. A supply channel formed in this manner accommodates the indicator.
US08313684B1 Method of and device for thermoforming of antennas
A method thermoforms one or more shaped bodies from a thermoformable tape and a structure having a thermoformable tape with one or more shaped bodies. The thermoformable tape is positioned proximate to a thermoforming device and to thermoform the tape with one or more shaped bodies. The structure includes of a thermoformable tape with one or more shaped bodies formed within the tape. The tape can have a plurality of apertures along the edge of the tape configured to impart a positioning force. The thermoformed shaped bodies can be comprised of one or more antenna carriers. The shaped bodies can further include components such as an antenna radiator coupled to the antenna carrier.
US08313683B2 Method for producing a molded article with a laminated structure
A method for manufacturing a plastic laminated article comprising a surface layer of a sheet-like surface member and a synthetic resin backing material layer laminated on the surface layer, without causing a fracture or a reduction in wall thickness of the sheet-like surface member. When the male mold is pressed against the contact area of the sheet-like surface member, the temperature of the contact area of the sheet-like surface member gradually falls due to a thermal gradient between the male mold and the contact area of the sheet-like surface member. Simultaneously, the contact area of the sheet-like surface member is not heated directly. In addition, the direction of jet flow of a hot fluid is changed, by fluid guide surfaces, from the center of the sheet-like surface member to the outer periphery, of the sheet-like surface member. When the temperature of the contact area of the sheet-like surface member falls to a predetermined temperature and the tensile strength of the contact area increases to a predetermined value, the male mold is moved downwardly at a predetermined rate and closed against the female mold.
US08313681B2 Method of manufacturing seal part
To form gaskets on both sides of a base material (5) without burrs, a first cavity (14) formed between the base material (5) and a first split mold (11) to have a molding material-supplying gate (11b) and a second cavity (15) formed between the base material (5) and a second split mold (12) communicate through a first communicating hole (51) provided in the base material (5), and there are formed in the first split mold (11) a first air vent hole (11c) open to a confluent portion of a molding material in the first cavity (14) and a second air vent hole (11d) which is positioned at and open to a second communicating hole (52) provided in the base material (5) at a confluent portion of the molding material in the second cavity (15), so as to be away from the surface of the base material (5).
US08313676B2 Methods for preparing polymer microparticles
The present invention describes methods and tools for preparing a population of monodisperse polymer microparticles, which are of particular interest in the field of drug delivery.
US08313675B2 Demolding of ophthalmic lenses during the manufacture thereof
Methods, devices, and systems for demolding lens mold assemblies are described in which the lens mold assemblies are positioned below a puncher header each with at least one punch pin. The puncher header is then moved against the lens mold assemblies so that the at least one punch pin of each puncher punches through a lens mold layer of a first mold part to then push against a second lens mold layer of a second mold part to separate the two parts in a demolding process.
US08313674B2 Flame-retardant polyolefin resin composition
A flame-retardant polyolefin resin composition was provided excellent in flame retardance, abrasion resistance, flexibility, low-temperature characteristics, mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength and elongation at break, and heat resistance. The flame-retardant polyolefin resin composition of the present invention comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin (A) and 50 to 400 parts by weight of an inorganic flame retarding agent (B), wherein the polyolefin resin composition (A) comprises 30 to 94% by weight of a polypropylene resin (A-1), 1 to 30% by weight of a low-density polyethylene (A-2) in which the number of terminal vinyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms is 0.2 or more, and 5 to 40% by weight of a modified styrene thermoplastic elastomer (A-3) that possesses 0.4% by weight or more of a carboxylic acid group or an acid anhydride group.
US08313667B2 Environmentally benign anti-icing or deicing fluids employing triglyceride processing by-products
Deicing compositions comprised of glycerol-containing by-products of triglyceride processing processes are disclosed.
US08313664B2 Efficient and accurate method for real-time prediction of the self-bias voltage of a wafer and feedback control of ESC voltage in plasma processing chamber
In a plasma reactor having an electrostatic chuck, wafer voltage may be determined from RF measurements at the bias input using previously determined constants based upon transmission line properties of the bias input, and this wafer voltage may be used to accurately control the DC wafer clamping voltage.
US08313656B2 Wash filter with wash velocity control cone
A variable wash flow filter assembly includes guide that is operable to guide a wash velocity control cone between a minimal position and a maximum position. The guide defines at least one activation deltaP window downstream of a conical gap between the wash velocity control cone and a frusto-conical wash filter. The fuel flow through the conical gap and the activation deltaP window is operable to position the wash velocity control cone between the minimal position and maximum position to selectively split a fuel flow through an inlet into a burn flow through a thru flow port and a filtered flow thru the frusto-conical wash filter and filtered flow port.
US08313654B2 Methods for flocculating suspensions using biobased renewable flocculants
Methods for aggregating suspended solid particles in an aqueous medium involving mixing the aqueous medium with an effective amount of a flocculant to aggregate the solid particles to form aggregated solid particles, and optionally separating the aggregated solid particles from the aqueous medium. The flocculant is obtained from animal blood. The pH of the aqueous medium may be adjusted to a pH of about 4.5 to about 5.7 by the addition of at least one acid or acidic buffer. The temperature of the aqueous medium may be adjusted to a temperature range of about 10° to about 50° C.
US08313651B2 Membrane stacks
The present invention discloses a membrane stack comprising a first and second membrane layers, and a spacer layer disposed between said first and second membrane layers, said membrane stack configured such that fluid passes through said membrane stack in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said membrane layers and said spacer layer. The application also discloses a module comprising a membrane as described above, said module having a fluid flow path that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the major surface of the membrane and spacer layers ins aid membrane stack.
US08313640B2 Method for reducing coke fouling in a burner tip
A method for reducing coke fouling in a burner tip when a waste gas stream containing unsaturated hydrocarbons is combusted by coating the interior of the burner tip and/or impregnating the body of the burner tip with a hydrocarbon hydrogenation promoting catalyst and/or a combustion catalyst.
US08313638B2 Method for the electrochemical detection of target nucleic acid sequences
The invention relates to a method and a collection for the electrochemical detection of target nucleic acid sequences. According to the method, a biological sample that may contain a nucleic acid is provided, said nucleic acid being capable of containing a target sequence, said biological sample being mixed with an oxidizing agent, said target sequence comprising at least one nucleotide base that can be oxidized by said oxidizing agent; complementary means capable of coupling with said target sequence are provided; according to the invention, said complementary means comprise activatable amplification means suitable for replicating said target sequence, said amplification means comprising at least nucleotides which include said nucleotide base, wherein said nucleotides are able to be consumed during replication so as to constitute replicated nucleic acids; and the presence of said target sequence is determined by applying an electric field to said sample and recording the decrease in the electric current.
US08313635B2 Bare aluminum baffles for resist stripping chambers
Bare aluminum baffles are adapted for resist stripping chambers and include an outer aluminum oxide layer, which can be a native aluminum oxide layer or a layer formed by chemically treating a new or used bare aluminum baffle to form a thin outer aluminum oxide layer.
US08313634B2 Conversion of carbon dioxide to organic products
The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for reducing carbon dioxide. The methods in accordance with the invention include electrochemically or photoelectrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode, e.g., an inert metal counterelectrode, in one cell compartment and a metal or p-type semiconductor cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst of one or more substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amines to produce therein a reduced organic product.
US08313633B2 Molecular imprinted nanosensors and process for producing same
A molecular recognition sensor system is provided incorporating a molecular imprinted nanosensor device formed by the process steps of: (a) fabricating using photolithography a pair of metallic electrodes separated by a microscale gap onto a first electrical insulation layer formed on a substrate; (b) applying a second electrical insulation layer on most of a top surface of said pairs of electrodes; (c) depositing additional metallic electrode material onto said electrode pairs using electrochemical deposition, thereby decreasing said microgap to a nano sized gap between said electrode pairs; (d) electrochemically polymerizing in said nanogap conductive monomers containing a target analyte, thereby forming a conducting polymer nanojunction in the gap between electrode pairs; and (e) immersing resultant sensor device in a solution which removes away the target analyte, and intermittently applying a voltage to the conducting polymer while it is immersed in said solution, thereby swelling and shrinking the conducting polymer to effect a more efficient extraction of target analyte from the conducting polymer.
US08313629B2 Water reclamation systems and methods
Water treatment, reconditioning, and reclamation systems and methods are described. The systems utilize two treatment vectors. The first treatment vector is created by flowing electrical current through a first conductive rod. The second treatment vector is created by delivering a magnetic pulse by way of a second conductive rod. Water to be treated is exposed to the two vectors simultaneously, which is accomplished by creating relative motion between the conductive rods and the water, either by moving the conductive rods or by moving the water. The electric current of the first treatment vector and the voltage and frequency of the magnetic pulse of the second treatment vector may be reduced as the treatment process proceeds. During treatment, total dissolved solids (TDS) rise and congeal at the top of the water. The congealed TDS are removed from the water. An additional filtering process may be applied.
US08313615B2 Device for moistening a paper web, corresponding rotary printing press and moistening method
This device for applying a moistening liquid to a paper web includes a liquid applicator roller (44, 46) for applying the moistening liquid (38) on the paper web (18). The liquid applicator roller includes an application surface (60), and is characterized in that the application surface (60) is formed of a material capable of creating a corona effect on the paper web by discharge of static electricity between the surface and the paper web (18). Application to paper web dryers of rotary offset presses.
US08313613B2 Sanitary thin paper
It is a main object to provide sanitary paper comprising: a base thin paper including 5 to 40 wt % of a treating agent wherein bending rigidity B value is 0.03 to 0.07 g cm2/cm and moisture regain is 4.5 to 6.0 wt %, which are measured at a temperature of 25° C. with a humidity of 40% R.H., and the thin paper includes a fluent liquid state at ordinary temperatures with 70 to 100 wt % of effective ingredient including 1) 80.0 to 97.0 wt % of a moisturizing agent 2) 0.5 to 10.0 wt % of a softening agent selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. 3) 0.001 to 1.0 wt % of a hydrophilic high molecular compound.
US08313612B2 Method and apparatus for reduction of voltage potential spike during dechucking
Provided is a substrate dechucking system of a plasma processing chamber adapted to remove a substrate from an ESC with reduction in voltage potential spike during dechucking of the substrate.
US08313611B2 Gas switching section including valves having different flow coefficients for gas distribution system
A gas switching system for a gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, is provided. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the gas switching section can supply different gases to the multiple zones. The switching section can switch the flows of one or more gases, such that one gas can be supplied to the chamber while another gas can be supplied to a by-pass line, and then switch the gas flows.
US08313602B2 Method of producing light weight protective helmets for military and other uses
Methods for manufacturing a protective helmet for the military and other uses are disclosed. Embodiments of the method include winding ballistic-tolerant tape or fibers to create a preform, placing the preform into a first mold member having an interior that defines a helmet-shaped cavity, and pressing together the first mold member against a second mold member that includes a pressurized bladder member. The method may further include pressurizing the bladder until the first and second mold members are heated and adhesives have melted or cured. The first and second mold members are cooled and the preform is removed from the first and second mold members.
US08313598B2 Method of manufacturing a ceramic matrix composite article
A method of manufacturing a ceramic matrix composite article comprising the steps of: — a) forming a slurry consisting of water, polyvinyl alcohol, nitric acid, polyethylene glycol and alumina particles only, b) providing a length of fabric, the fabric comprising a plurality of ceramic fibres, c) applying slurry to at least one of the sides of the length of fabric such that the slurry adheres and impregnates the length of fabric, d) drying the slurry impregnated length of fabric, e) cutting the slurry impregnated length of fabric into a plurality of pieces of slurry impregnated laminates of fabric, f) applying water to each of the pieces of slurry impregnated laminates of fabric to reactivate the slurry, g) stacking the plurality of pieces of slurry impregnated laminates of fabric on a first mould part, h) consolidating the plurality of pieces of slurry impregnated laminates of fabric on the mould part, and i) sintering the stack of the plurality of pieces of slurry impregnated laminates of fabric to form an alumina matrix composite article.
US08313594B2 Method and apparatus for thermoplastic sheet with RFID
A pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention includes a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container having a communications device are also provided.
US08313592B2 Thermal mechanical treatment of martensitic stainless steel
A thermal mechanical treatment method includes hot working a precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel, quenching the stainless steel, and aging the stainless steel. According to certain embodiments, the thermal mechanical treatment does not include solution heat treating the stainless steel prior to aging or cryogenically cooling the stainless steel. An article includes a precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel having a process history that includes hot working the stainless steel, quenching the stainless steel, and aging the stainless steel. According to certain embodiments, the process history does not include solution heat treating the stainless steel prior to aging or cryogenically cooling the stainless steel.
US08313590B2 High strength aluminium alloy extrusion
An aluminium extrusion having a minimum section thickness and made from an aluminium alloy includes, in weight percent, between approximately 1.0 and 1.7 manganese, and between approximately 0.5 and 1.1 silicon, less than 0.3 iron with the balance being Al and inevitable impurities each less than 0.05 weight % and totaling less than 0.15 weight %, the extrusion being formed with an extrusion ratio less than 125 to retain a fibrous grain structure in which less than 40% of the minimum section thickness is recrystallized.
US08313587B2 Method for producing a torque transmission device useful as a fixed constant velocity ball joint for drive shafts
A method for producing a torque transmission device such as a fixed constant velocity ball joint constructed as an opposed track joint in which the curvatures bases of the tracks of the joint deviate in their axial course from the curvatures of the ball contact lines. The method is characterized in that prior to the formation of a longitudinal profile of a joint component, the component is brought to an increased hardness by a hardening process and a diffusion layer is partially or completely removed in the region of the longitudinal profile.
US08313578B2 Etching chamber having flow equalizer and lower liner
A plasma processing chamber having a lowered flow equalizer and a lower chamber liner. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. By equalizing the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber, a more uniform etching may occur. By electrically coupling the flow equalizer to the chamber liners, the RF return path from the flow equalizer may run along the chamber liners and hence, reduce the amount of plasma drawn below the substrate during processing.
US08313576B2 Preparing and dispersing surface-modified colour pigments
A method of preparing a pigment includes the steps of: a) providing a mixture including: a pigment selected from the group of pigments including at least 50 wt % of C.I. Pigment Violet 23, C.I. Pigment Red 146, C.I. Pigment Red 176, C.I. Pigment Red 177, C.I. Pigment Violet 19 and C.I. Pigment Orange 13 based on the total weight of the pigment; alkyl nitrile; and at least one acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid and chlorosulfuric acid, with the acid present in the mixture in amount of more than 2 wt % based on the total weight of the pigment; b) heating the mixture for more than 2 hours to a temperature of at least 70° C.; and c) filtering the mixture and washing the filtrand with a washing liquid containing water until the filtrate has a pH between 4 and 7. Pigments obtainable by the method and non aqueous pigment dispersions are also disclosed.
US08313569B2 Air washer having humidifying function
An air washer adsorbs outside contaminated air to disks, which have water films formed thereon, and settles contaminants in water in a water reservoir, thus purifying and humidifying air.
US08313568B1 Off gas extraction and chemical recovery system and related methods
An off gas extraction system provides superior results to other systems for cleaning polluted soil. Off gas is extracted, followed by compression and condensation. Compression and condensation produce an off gas that must be further treated to produce pollutant-free exhaust. A regenerative adsorber cleans the influent gas/air by adsorbing residual chemical vapor and concentrates the removed chemical vapor and reprocesses them. Conventional scrubbers are used on the back end of the system to produce a final exhaust as prescribed by environmental regulation. Methods of accomplishing the same are similarly provided, including unique business methods for conforming extraction plans with current environmental regulations and compliance impact generation based on an evolved knowledge base.
US08313566B2 Systems and methods for particulate filtration
Devices, systems, and methods improve particulate filtration. A particulate filtration system is implemented within a fossil fuel power plant combustion system. A gas containing particulates flows through the filtration system. The filtration system comprises a collection hopper for collecting the particulates. Within the collection hopper, a particulate trap, upper baffles, and lower baffles are provided to retain collected particulates in the hopper and, thereby, improve the filtration of particulates from the gas flow. The particulate trap can include two sets of variously oriented, interconnecting retaining members crossing the interior of the collection hopper.
US08313565B2 Cyclonic separator and a method of separating fluids
A cyclonic separator for separating fluids comprises an inlet chamber (6) having means for inducing fluids flowing through the chamber to swirl around an axis, a cyclonic separation chamber (10) connected to receive fluids from the inlet chamber, and an outlet chamber (8) connected to receive fluids from the cyclonic separation chamber. The outlet chamber (8) has a tangential outlet (22) for relatively dense fluids and an axial outlet (24) for less dense fluids. The separation chamber is elongate and has a length L and an inlet diameter D, where L/D is in the range 1 to 10.
US08313558B2 Process for separation of tetrafluoroethylene from carbon dioxide using ionic liquids
A process for separating tetrafluoroethylene from a mixture comprising tetrafluoroethylene and carbon dioxide by contacting the mixture with at least one ionic liquid.
US08313557B2 Recovery of [CO2]T from seawater/aqueous bicarbonate systems using a multi-layer gas permeable membrane
The present invention is generally directed to a system for recovering CO2 from seawater or aqueous bicarbonate solutions using a gas permeable membrane with multiple layers. At elevated pressures, gaseous CO2 and bound CO2 in the ionic form of bicarbonate and carbonate diffuse from the seawater or bicarbonate solution through the multiple layers of the membrane. Also disclosed is the related method of recovering CO2 from seawater or aqueous bicarbonate solutions.
US08313555B2 Method and apparatus for circulating fluidized bed scrubber automated temperature setpoint control
A method and system for automated control of the operating temperature setpoint of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) scrubber within a pre-determined range of approach temperatures to the adiabatic saturation temperature of the CFB scrubber exhaust stream to maintain an optimal operating temperature, thereby reducing low temperature sulfuric acid corrosion and deposition of wet materials, and high temperature excess reagent use. A Dewcon® Moisture Analyzer (or equivalent) is connected in the exhaust stream of the CFB scrubber. The Dewcon® Moisture Analyzer transmits adiabatic saturation temperature data of the exhaust stream to the CFB scrubber system controller. Based on pre-programmed parameters, the system controller adjusts the CFB scrubber temperature setpoint.
US08313553B2 Low cost making of a low carbon, low sulfur, and low nitrogen steel using conventional steelmaking equipment
A method of making a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight including steps of preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature as desired for desulfurization at a VTD, tapping open into a ladle the molten steel composition with an oxygen level between about 600 and 1120 ppm, providing slag forming compound to the ladle to form a slag cover over the molten steel composition in the ladle, transporting the molten steel composition in the ladle to a VTD, decarburizing the molten steel composition at the VTD by drawing a vacuum of less than 650 millibars, after decarburizing, adding one or more deoxidizers to the molten steel composition and deoxidizing the molten steel composition, after deoxidizing, adding one or more flux compounds to desulfurize the molten steel composition, and casting the molten steel composition to form a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight.
US08313552B2 Method for the production and the melting of liquid pig iron or of liquid steel intermediate products in a melt-down gasifier
A method and an apparatus for the production and the melting of liquid pig iron or of liquid steel intermediate products in a melt-down gasifier, with the introduction of oxygen-containing gas streams through oxygen nozzles into the solid bed. At least one oxygen nozzle has a single gas supply and introduces at least two gas streams. Using plural gas streams from a nozzle reduces the risk of fluidization of the solid bed because the number of gas raceways in materials in the gasifier is increased.
US08313547B2 Aerodynamic separation nozzle
Multiple designs and methods for aerodynamic separation nozzles and systems for integrating multiple aerodynamic separation nozzles into a single system are disclosed herein. These aerodynamic separation nozzles utilize a combination of aerodynamic forces and separation nozzle structure to induce large centrifugal forces on the gases that in combination with the structure of the nozzle are used to separate heavier constituents of the process gas from lighter constituents. In some embodiments a number of separation nozzles are combined into a single system suitable for dynamic processing of a process gas. In other embodiments the separation nozzles are temperature controlled to condition the incoming gas to a temperature in order to encourage a phase change in certain constituents of the gas to occur within the nozzle to further enhance separation.
US08313542B2 Antioxidant additive for biodiesel fuels
A synergistic combination antioxidant mixture that provides excellent characteristics for biodiesel fuel compositions, when incorporated therein.
US08313541B2 Mixture of polar oil-soluble nitrogen compounds and oil-soluble aliphatic compounds for lowering the cloud point in middle distillate fuels
The use of a mixture comprising (A) 5 to 95% by weight of at least one oil-soluble polar nitrogen compound which can interact with paraffin crystals in middle distillate fuels under cold conditions, and (B) 5 to 95% by weight of at least one oil-soluble aliphatic compound with an alkyl or alkenyl chain having at least 8 carbon atoms, obtainable from aliphatic mono- or dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 300 carbon atoms or derivatives thereof with mono- or polyamines or with alcohols, for lowering the cloud point in middle distillate fuels which, before the addition of additives, have a CP of −8.0° C. or lower by at least 1.5° C. compared to the unadditized middle distillate fuel at a dosage of the mixture of 50 to 300 ppm by weight, with no simultaneous deterioration in the response behavior for the lowering of the cold filter plugging point on addition of cold flow improvers.
US08313537B2 Mordant and hair coloring products containing the same
The present invention relates to a mordant for hair dyeing and a hair dyeing product comprising the mordant. The mordant of the present invention comprises an effective amount of a ferrous salt, antioxidant and water; the hair dyeing product of the present invention comprises three parts: a softening agent, a dyeing agent, and the mordant. The mordant and the hair dyeing product comprising the mordant as provided by the present invention do not contain thioglycolic acid, aromatic compounds such as p-phenylenediamine and hydrogen peroxide, and are safe and free of irritation. The hair dyeing product of the present invention has good chromaticity and fastness as well as good product stability and convenience in usage.
US08313536B2 Functional member having surface cleanliness
Provided is a functional member 4 comprising a fluororesin containing a carbon material 2 and having surface cleanliness, wherein the content of the carbon material 2 in a surface portion 4a of the functional member 4 is significantly less than the content of the carbon material 2 in an inner portion 4b of the functional member 4.
US08313530B2 Total knee arthroplasty system
A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) set that includes a universal cutting jig for shaping the distal femur is disclosed. The universal cutting jig may be used to create a shaped femur that can be receive multiple and different TKA implant designs. A universal high flexion knee system adapted for left-right use is also disclosed.
US08313527B2 Soft prosthesis shell texturing method
A method of texturing a soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell. A soft prosthetic implant with a textured external surface layer of silicone elastomer and having an open-cell structure is made by adhering and then dissolving round salt crystals. The resulting roughened surface has enhanced physical properties relative to surfaces formed with angular salt crystals. An implant having such a textured external surface layer is expected to help prevent capsular contraction, to help prevent scar formation, and to help in anchoring the implant within the body.
US08313522B2 Self-expandable shape memory alloy stent and method for fabricating the same
A self-expandable shape memory alloy stent includes first and second wires made of super-elastic shape memory alloy. The first wire extends downwardly from the top to the bottom of the stent without interlocking with itself but extends upwardly from the bottom to the top of the stent while interlocking with itself to leave a multiplicity of rhombic spaces. Similarly, the second wire extends downwardly from the top to the bottom of the stent without interlocking with itself but extends upwardly from the bottom to the top of the stent while interlocking with itself, in such a manner as to divide the rhombic spaces formed by the first wire into four small rhombic spaces. The first wire and the second wire are woven with each other in such a manner that the second wire passes alternately below and above the first wire at intersection points.
US08313519B2 Multifunction warming device with an upper body convective apparatus
A multifunction warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus disposed to provide therapeutic warming of a patient's upper body during surgery. The warming device includes a clinical garment with an elongate convective apparatus supported on the inside of the garment, transversely to the garment, and running between its sleeves. The positioning of the convective apparatus in the clinical garment locates it against the chest of a patient wearing the garment and permits it to be deployed and used on the patient's upper body during and after surgery without removal of the clinical garment from the patient or removal of the convective apparatus from the clinical garment.
US08313515B2 Multi-level spinal stabilization system
Multi-level spinal stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided that include at least one multi-level connector, one elongated member with an enlarged head, at least one pedicle screw, and at least one mechanism that supports three degrees of rotational freedom relative to both the elongated member and the pedicle screw each. The mechanism may include universal joint mechanisms or ball and socket mechanisms. In the case of the ball and socket mechanisms, the enlarged head of the elongated member cooperates with a first socket member of the multi-level connector to define a dynamic junction that allows the socket member to move relative to the enlarged head of the elongated member while remaining engaged therewith.
US08313514B2 Device for interconnection of components in a spinal implant assembly
A spinal fixation system including an interconnection device is provided. The interconnection device comprises a connector element including a passage structured to receive a component of the spinal fixation system therein. The passage is at least partially bound by a first wall portion and a second wall portion, wherein the first wall portion is movable between a first position to receive the component and a second position to restrain the component in the passage. The device further includes a retainer element which holds the first wall portion in the second position in order to lock the component in the passage.
US08313509B2 Suture and retainer assembly and SULU
A suturing system for receiving and retaining a suture is disclosed and includes a suture, at least one retainer, and at least one needle. Each needle is able to receive and removably retain the suture within a groove located in a tapered end. The retainer has a body that defines an aperture therethrough. The shape of the aperture is formed by a central passageway, and a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending radially outward from the central passageway. The central passageway is sized to allow passage of the needle therethrough. Each slot defines a tortured path section that permits passage of the suture in a first direction and inhibits passage of the suture in a second direction.
US08313508B2 Biopsy incision closure device
A biopsy incision closure device includes a base having a frame incorporated therein. Together, the base and frame define an opening for performing a biopsy incision when the device is placed over a tissue surface. The base is typically composed of an elastomeric material and the frame comprises resilient inelastic members which can be used to close the opening in a highly uniform manner with minimum distortion and stress introduced into the tissue edges being drawn together.
US08313504B2 Foam matrix embolization device
The present invention relates to a medical device for placement at a predetermined location within a passageway of the human body, and more particularly, relates to a flexible embolization device which may be delivered by a catheter to a pre-selected position within a blood vessel to thereby embolize a blood vessel or a blood vessel defect, such as an aneurysm or fistula. Specifically, the embolization device comprises an elongated coil having a lumen, the coil and lumen being at least partially embedded in an elongated foam member comprising, in some embodiments, a flexible, biodegradable, water insoluble, open, interconnecting-cell foam material having embolic characteristics, and capable of allowing cell proliferation into the open cell foam interior.
US08313502B2 Endoscopic cutting instruments having improved cutting efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs
The present invention is directed to improving the cutting efficiency and reducing the manufacturing costs associated with endoscopic cutting instruments by eliminating the distal bearing surfaces or providing means for making the contact at the distal bearing intermittent so that surfaces do no undergo high localized heat and galling. In one embodiment, this goal is achieved by modifying or removing the axial constraints on the inner sliding member that are characteristic of conventional endoscopic shavers. In another embodiment, the improved cutting efficiency and reduced manufacturing cost is achieved by eliminating a closed end characteristic of conventional endoscopic shavers (e.g., removing the closed end of either the inner sliding member or the outer sliding member to thereby eliminate the associated bearing surface formed therebetween).
US08313499B2 Mesh implant with an interlocking knitted structure
A resorbable polymeric mesh implant is provided for use in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The mesh implant is provided with an interlocking knitted structure comprising two or more sets of fibers with different times of degradation, allowing a stepwise increase in the relative distension of the overall mesh over time. The filamentous fibers are knitted together, wherein the filaments of the first set of fibers are interlaced into the filaments of the second set of fibers and at least partly traverse the knit pattern of the second set of fibers such that the filaments of the first set of fibers lock the movement of the part of the mesh formed by the second set of fibers.
US08313492B2 Drill guide assembly
A drill guide assembly having an elongated body is configured with a first and second arm members extending from the elongated body. The second arm member is configured and adapted to be longitudinally movable along the elongated body towards and away from the first arm member for reducing fractured bones for repair. A guide housing provided on the second arm member is fitted with a removable sleeve. The removable sleeve is provided with a longitudinal bore for guiding a guide wire or a drill bit for drilling into the bones.
US08313490B2 Single plane anatomic referencing tissue preparation
A system for preparing a surface of an anatomical structure, such as a bone or cartilage, for example, to receive an orthopaedic implant. The system includes a surgical instrument for preparing the surface and a guide engageable with a follower of the surgical instrument. The guide includes a track or path configured to guide the follower and prepare a desired surface on the anatomical structure. The guide facilitates guidance of the surgical instrument in two dimensions.
US08313488B2 Intramedullary nail
The invention relates to an intramedullary nail (1) having a proximal half (2), a distal half (3) adapted for insertion into the medullary canal, and a central axis (4), whereby the distal half (3) includes three transverse bores (5, 6, 7) suitable for receiving locking screws (10). The distal half (3) is provided with a proximal transverse bore (5) having a bore axis (15), a central transverse bore (6) having a bore axis (16), and a distal transverse bore (7) having a bore axis (17) spaced along the central axis (4). The bore axis (16) of the central transverse bore (6), which extends between the proximal transverse bore (5) and the distal transverse bore (7), is spaced at a shortest distance “a” from the bore axis (15) of the proximal transverse bore (5), and at a shortest distance “b” from the bore axis (17) of the distal transverse bore (7), where a≠b.
US08313487B2 Fixation system, an intramedullary fixation assembly and method of use
An intramedullary fixation assembly for bone fusion includes a first member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly, where the first member includes a plurality of first and second retaining screws, and a second member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly, where the second member includes a plurality of third and fourth retaining screws. The first member is slideably coupled to the second member and provides for an interference fit with the second member.
US08313486B2 System and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure using an ablation device with an integrated imaging device
An ablation device includes an antenna assembly having a radiating portion configured to deliver energy from a power source to tissue. The radiating portion has an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor. The device also includes an imaging device operably coupled to the radiating portion. The imaging device is configured to generate imaging data corresponding to tissue proximate the radiating portion of the antenna assembly.
US08313485B2 Method for performing lung volume reduction
This invention relates to surgical instruments for applying energy to tissue. In one embodiment, an elongated introducer has a handle portion that includes an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid under pressure. An energy source causes a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior chamber and ejects a flow of vapor media from the working end of the introducer. The flow of vapor is controlled by a computer controller to cause a selected pressure, a selected volume of vapor, and an optional aspiration of vapor condensate. Contemporaneous with tissue contact, the vapor undergoes a vapor-to-liquid phase transition which delivers large amount of energy to the targeted tissue. In one embodiment, the system is configured for volumetric removal of tissue by means of high velocity ejection of a vapor media from a first vapor port proximate to soft tissue wherein the vapor-to-liquid phase change of the media applies energy to the tissue. The system provides a second port coupled to a suction source that cooperates with the first vapor port to suction tissue debris from the targeted site.
US08313483B2 Microwave endoscope forceps
Provided is an operating tool for organism, in particular, a microwave endoscope forceps. In terms of the operating tool for organism, provided is a multifunctional operating tool which has holding and scissors functions simultaneously, and may further perform coagulation (tissue fixation) by microwaves. The operating tool has no definite fulcrum, and has both the holding and scissors functions with a simple structure by deforming a long-track rod called beam. Two blades are insulated from each other so as to allow microwave current supply. With this structure, an operating tool having three functions, i.e., “a holding function”, “a coagulating function”, and “a cutting function” with a single tool may be developed.
US08313482B2 Bipolar radio frequency ablation device with retractable insulator and method of using same
A method of ablating tissue, comprises anchoring a first electrode at a first location in a target portion of tissue, deploying a second electrode at a second location in the target portion of tissue and applying current between the first and second electrodes to ablate a first ablation portion of tissue in combination with moving an insulative cover relative to the first electrode to move a conductive portion of the first electrode to a third location within the target tissue, the third location being further from the second location than the first location, moving the second electrode to a fourth location within the target tissue, the fourth location being further from the first location than the second location and applying current between the conductive portion of the first electrode and the second electrode to ablate a second ablation portion of tissue surrounding the first ablation portion of tissue.
US08313474B2 Method for preparing a compressed wound dressing
An aqueous solution of polyacrylic acid is placed in a mold, frozen, and freeze-dried to form a sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure. The sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure is compressed by the application of heat and pressure to reduce the thickness and increase the density of the sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure to form a densified polyacrylic acid structure. The densified polyacrylic acid structure is preconditioned by heating to form a wound dressing. The wound dressing can be applied to control severe, life-threatening bleeding from a wound at a wound site of a person.
US08313473B2 Diaper structure with alignment indicator
An absorbent garment, such as a diaper structure, includes a visually discernible alignment indicator visible from a body-facing surface. The alignment indicator includes at least one first reference point. The absorbent garment comes with instructions defining the location of the first reference point on the absorbent article, defining the location of a second reference point on a wearer, and instructing the consumer to position the absorbent garment so that the first reference point optically aligns with the second reference point, and to fasten the absorbent garment in the position.
US08313472B2 Emergency eyewash station and dispensing structure therefor
An emergency eyewash station and dispensing structure therefore is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a main body configured and arranged to hold and dispense eyewash fluid therefrom, an actuator arm assembly movable from a closed position to an open position, and a dispensing structure having an eyepiece sealed by a membrane. The eyepiece is in fluid connection with the eyewash fluid contained in the main body. The dispensing structure is removably coupled to the actuator arm assembly such that when the actuator arm assembly is moved from the closed position to the open position, the membrane is unsealed and the eyewash fluid dispenses from the eyepiece.
US08313470B2 Autoinjector
The invention relates to an automatic injection device (1) including: a container (6) provided with a needle (8); a housing (3) receiving a container (6) movable relative to the housing (3) between an initial position to an insertion position; a needle shield (12) for receiving the needle (8) and in which the needle (8) is embedded prior to use of the device (1); and, a deshielder (33) coupled to the needle shield (12) by a first connecting arrangement (51) and removably assembled to the distal part of the housing (3) by a second connecting arrangement (44, 45a, 45b, 57). The first and second connecting arrangements are designed so that a rotational movement of the deshielder (33) about the device axis (2) of the device (1) with respect to the housing (3) causes an axial displacement of the needle shield (12) in the distal direction with substantially no rotational movement of the needle shield (12) with respect to the needle (8).
US08313469B2 I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device
An I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device are disclosed which allow for the safe removal of a needle from a catheter assembly. The safety device includes a locking assembly which includes lock housing a rotatable locking member and a locking clip. The needle and the locking member are configured such that withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly effects rotation of the locking member. The locking clip is positioned and configured to obstruct rotation of the locking member after the needle has been retracted within the housing to obstruct re-advancement of the needle.
US08313467B2 Reservoir pressure equalization systems and methods
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.
US08313461B2 Method for a central venous line catheter having a temperature control system
A kit of parts comprises a system and instructions for use for controlling patient temperature which uses a central venous line catheter having a heat exchange element. The central venous line catheter is provided with one or more lumens for providing access to the central blood supply of the patient and with additional lumens for communicating heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange element. Heat exchange fluid temperature is controlled through a feed back loop iii which patient temperature is sensed and used to control a temperature control unit comprising a heating device and/or a cooling device in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange fluid. A tubing set transports the heat exchange fluid between the central venous line and the temperature control unit, with a pump serving to circulate the fluid in a closed fluid circuit in the system.
US08313460B2 Devices, systems, and methods for warming fluids in multiple intravenous fluid containers
Devices, systems and methods for controlling fluid temperatures from more than one fluid containers prior to their infusion into a human body are disclosed. The device includes a power supply source for providing power; an input/output interface for receiving fluid temperature data from thermal sensors and for transmitting duty-cycle signals to each of the fluid warming unit; a processing unit for comparing fluid temperature data with a permissible fluid temperature range, for calculating a fluid temperature differential, and for apportioning the available work cycle of the power supply source; and a controller for adjusting the duty-cycle of each fluid warming unit based on the fluid temperature differentials, so that during each work cycle all available power provided by the power supply source is delivered to only one of the fluid warming units at a time.
US08313456B2 Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug
Devices capable of deterring or preventing bulk extraction of drugs from, for example, drug-delivery systems are exemplarily disclosed. In one embodiment, such a device may include a package releasably retaining a drug and an agent. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The cell package is configured such that an amount of the drug is selectively releasable with respect to the agent when the package is operably proximate to an encoded key. The package, however, may be configured to impose a relatively high likelihood that either the drug will not be accessed or the drug will be contaminated by the agent if access to the contents of the package is sought without the use of an encoded key.
US08313454B2 Fluid drainage device, delivery device, and associated methods of use and manufacture
The disclosure provides an intraocular implant for allowing fluid flow from the anterior chamber of an eye, the implant comprising a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage, wherein the inlet end is adapted to extend into the anterior chamber of the eye, and wherein the outlet end is adapted to be implanted adjacent scleral tissue of the eye. The implant may be adapted to drain aqueous humor into a suprachoroidal space or a juxta-uveal space. The disclosure also provides associated delivery devices, methods of use, and methods of manufacture.
US08313449B2 Foot manifolds, apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot are provided. An apparatus may include an insole and a tissue contacting surface covering at least a portion of the insole. At least one portion of the tissue contacting surface is removable to form a void. The apparatus may also include a reduced-pressure interface for receiving reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source, and at least one flow channel fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface and the void.
US08313442B2 Cerebral compliance monitoring
A system and method for monitoring cerebral compliance of a patient by placing a first pressure sensor in a first sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain of the patient and placing at least a second pressure sensor in a second sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain which is different from the first location. At least one parameter from each of the signals derived from the pressure sensors is compared to estimate cerebral compliance for the patient. Alternatively, at least a single pressure sensor is utilized with a generator of reference signals having at least two different frequencies. Preferably, any change in cerebral compliance is detected by determining a change in the compared parameter, and a perceptible indication is generated when cerebral compliance deviates beyond a pre-selected value.
US08313440B2 Infant breath collector
A breath collection apparatus is provided that includes a facemask to cover the nose and mouth of a patient to direct the breath into a collection bag or collection vial. A valve assembly containing a flexible valve member is provided between the facemask and the collection container to direct a breath sample to the collection container while permitting fresh air to enter the facemask upon inhalation. Between the valve assembly and the collection container is a collection container attachment fitting for engaging the valve assembly with the collection container. The collection container attachment fitting can be a two-piece fitting designed to accommodate a flexible bladder used to accumulate multiple breath samples for subsequent delivery to the collection container.
US08313439B2 Calibration of pulse transit time measurements to arterial blood pressure using external arterial pressure applied along the pulse transit path
An apparatus and methods for adaptive and autonomous calibration of pulse transit time measurements to obtain arterial blood pressure using arterial pressure variation. The apparatus and methods give pulse transit time (PTT) devices an ability to self-calibrate. The methods apply a distributed model with lumped parameters, and may be implemented, for example, using pulse transit time measurements derived from a wearable photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor architecture with an intervening pressurizing mechanism.
US08313435B2 Clutter signal filtering in an ultrasound system
Examples for filtering clutter signals from receive signals obtained in a Doppler mode in an ultrasound system are disclosed. The signal processing unit processes received echoes to provide 2-dimensional image data of the target object, the 2-dimensional image data being representative of a 2-dimensional image. A region of interest (ROI) is set on the 2-dimensional image of the target object, The signal processing unit obtains a Doppler mode image pixel data corresponding to the ROI. The signal processing unit sets filter cutoff frequencies based on characteristics of the Doppler mode image pixel data and filter the Doppler mode image pixel data with the set filter cutoff frequencies to output filtered pixel data with clutter signals filtered.
US08313432B2 Surgical data monitoring and display system
A surgical data monitoring and display system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a data storage module that stores retrospective data and real-time surgical data concerning a patient, a first processing module that receives and processes the retrospective data into processed retrospective data, and a second processing module that receives and processes the real-time data into processed real-time data. Each of the first processing module and the second processing module transmits their processed data to first and second display modules, respectively, before or during performance by a healthcare provider of a medical or surgical procedure on the patient.
US08313429B2 Handheld printing device for optical medical examinations
A handheld device for performing an optical medical examination of a patient. The device comprises a handle; an image sensor positioned at an end of the handle; a trigger provided in the handle; an image memory for storing the image data upon activation of the trigger; a roll of print media mounted in the handle; an ink supply within a core of the roll of print media; a media transportation mechanism; a pagewidth print head extending longitudinally within the handle; a guillotine mechanism for severing a printed image from the transported print media; and a print engine controller.
US08313427B2 Endoscope and endoscope apparatus
An endoscope of the present invention includes a distal end main body portion provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, a disposing hole having a first space and a second space that is formed in the distal end main body portion, and an objective lens. The endoscope also includes an image pickup unit that is provided inside disposing hole such that objective lens faces a second opening and that has a shape formed along a part of first space and second space. Image pickup unit is fixed inside disposing hole by a screw that is inserted into distal end main body portion through a screw hole formed in distal end main body portion at an intersecting region between first space and second space.
US08313426B2 Endoscope system
A fluorescence distribution image of each fluorescent agent can be acquired from a fluorescence image that has been captured in a mixed state so as to improve the diagnosability of cancer cells. An endoscope system comprises: a light source section for selectively irradiating two or more types of excitation lights having different spectral characteristics so as to excite two or more types of fluorescent agents having different optical characteristics; an imaging section provided on a part to be inserted into a body cavity, and having a light-receiving sensitivity in the wavelength bands of the two or more types of fluorescence radiated from the observation target by respective types of excitation lights; a storage section for storing relation information between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of each of the fluorescent agents; a concentration information computing section for computing concentration information of each of the fluorescent agents on the basis of the fluorescence intensities of two or more images captured by the imaging section and the relation information stored in the storage section, and outputting the concentration information; and a mode switching section capable of switching between a first fluorescence observation mode in which at least one of the fluorescence intensity images acquired by the imaging section is presented, and a second fluorescence observation mode in which the concentration information of each of the florescent agents computed by the concentration information computing section is presented.
US08313425B2 Apparatus and method for measuring displacement amount of endoscope image, electronic endoscope, and image processing device for endoscope
An image of a test chart having a test pattern is taken with an electronic endoscope. A DSP of a processing device generates a test pattern image from image signals input from the electronic endoscope. An image compositor composites the test pattern image and a test mask image having a predetermined reference pattern and generates a test mask composite image. An inspector visually measures positional and rotational displacement amounts of the test pattern with respect to the reference pattern in the test mask composite image displayed on a monitor, and inputs measurement results as displacement amount information to the processing device. The displacement amount information is stored in an EEPROM of the electronic endoscope. The processing device calibrates an endoscope image of a body cavity based on the displacement amount information input from the electronic endoscope.
US08313422B2 Magnetic-based methods for treating vessel obstructions
Some embodiments provide a system for external manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles in vasculature using a remotely placed magnetic field-generating stator. In one aspect, the systems and methods relate to the control of magnetic nanoparticles in a fluid medium using permanent magnet-based or electromagnetic field-generating stator sources. Such a system can be useful for increasing the diffusion of therapeutic agents in a fluid medium, such as a human circulatory system, which can result in substantial clearance of fluid obstructions, such as vascular occlusions, in a circulatory system resulting in increased blood flow.
US08313411B2 Backlash-free planetary gear unit with split planet gears, which are preloaded by spring bars arranged parallel to the planetary axis of rotation
The invention relates to a backlash-free planetary gear unit comprising a sun gear, an internal gear and at least one planet gear which is in mesh with said sun gear and said internal gear and which is arranged on a planet carrier such that it is rotatable about a planetary axis of rotation, wherein the toothed planet gear has a plane of division which is oriented perpendicular to the planetary axis of rotation and by means of which the planet gear is divided into a first planet subgear and a second planet subgear, wherein the first planet subgear is preloaded relative to the second planet subgear by a spring bar arranged in these two planet subgears substantially parallel to the planetary axis of rotation, and wherein a plurality of spring bars is arranged around the planetary axis of rotation.
US08313406B2 Dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission 17 for an automotive vehicle is provided, including a dual clutch assembly 216 for selective torsional connection with geared first and second shafts 214, 218 rotatable about a first axis. A third geared shaft 230 having at least one gear 226 for meshed engagement with at least one gear 210 of said first and second geared shafts. A plurality of synchronizers 228, 232 for selectively determining torsional transfer between at least one of said first and second geared shafts 214, 218 and said third shaft 230. At least one synchronized gear 226 can be acted upon by a first synchronizer 228 for direct connection to one of said shafts 230 and said one synchronized gear 226 can be connected to one of said shafts 230 by a planetary gear set 234, 236, 237 to provide a second gear ratio for said transmission 17.
US08313402B2 Transmission for hybrid electric vehicle
A transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle, may include an input element where rotation power may be inputted and an output element from which the rotation power may be outputted, a first motor generator and a second motor generator, a first planetary gear set that may be a multiple planetary gear set having at least four or more rotary elements with which the input element, the output element, and the first motor generator may be connected, a second planetary gear set with which the output element and the second motor generator may be connected, and a first clutch and a second clutch.
US08313397B2 Batting tool and ball-game bat
A bat includes a handle having a handle joint, a barrel having a barrel joint and a barrel joint opening at an end of the barrel joint, and a connector connecting the handle joint and barrel joint together. The barrel joint has a first support hole formed proximal to the barrel joint opening, a second support hole formed distal to the barrel joint opening and having a larger diameter than the first support hole, and a receiver formed between the first and second support holes orthogonal to an axis of the holes. The connector has a handle connection connected to the handle joint, a first barrel connection formed on an outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the first support hole, a second barrel connection formed on an outer periphery of the connector and engaging with the second support hole.
US08313396B1 Tennis ball vacuum collector
A device for quickly picking up numerous tennis balls on a tennis court having a vacuum unit with angled collection members to funnel tennis balls into a location where suction from the vacuum unit draws the balls through tubing and a port into a basket within a chamber of the vacuum unit.
US08313395B2 Multilayer core golf ball having hardness gradient within and between each core layer
The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.
US08313394B2 Multilayer core golf ball having hardness gradient within and between each core layer
The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.
US08313385B2 Torsional vibration damper arrangement
A torsional vibration damper arrangement such that an excessive radially outward flexing of spring units is effectively prevented while torsional vibrations occurring at low torques are nevertheless sensitively damped and the corresponding spring unit is protected against overloading at the same time.
US08313383B1 System for playing an interactive voter choice game
A system for playing an interactive voter choice game involving strategy, chance, a computer network, a game board, a plurality of players using remote terminals to access the game, electronic databases and a voting utility, in which players compete to develop strategies for setting legislative agendas and building voting blocs and coalitions of voting blocs to elect a candidate for public office to represent a fictive electoral district.
US08313379B2 Video game system with wireless modular handheld controller
A home entertainment system for video games and other applications includes a main unit and handheld controllers. The handheld controllers illumination emitted by emitters positioned at either side of a display, and information derived from the sensed illumination is used to calculate the orientation of the controllers. The controllers can be plugged into expansion units that customize the overall control interface for particular applications including but not limited to legacy video games. Further, the controllers can be used in one-handed or two-handed modes of operation.
US08313377B2 Playing browser based games with alternative controls and interfaces
Methods, systems, and computer programs for playing browser based game with alternative controls and interfaces are presented. In one method, a definition of native inputs defined for the game is received. The native inputs are originated in a native device and are capable of causing actions in the game. Further, the method detects an alternate device that does not have all the native inputs. The native inputs are mapped from the native device to alternate inputs from the alternate device. The inputs generated with the alternate device are translated to corresponding native inputs according to the mapping and causing the corresponding actions in the game. In another method, a game area inside a web page is identified for playing the game. The game area is expanded by increasing the size of the game area while decreasing the size of other elements in the web page.
US08313366B2 Card game
A card game played on an electronic gaming machine between a game machine/dealer and one or more players. Each player is dealt one card. Three community cards (Flop cards) are dealt and, in succession, compared to each player's card according to the rules of War. A fourth community card (Turn card) is revealed, along with a single dealer card. The player's final hand must outrank the dealer's final hand and achieve at least a preset Poker ranking in order to win a mandatory wager. A second Raise portion of the player's wager is won if the player's card combined with the four community cards form a predetermined poker hand ranking. In a variation of the game method, one Bet the Hole wager is resolved according to the rules of War.
US08313365B2 Detecting duplicate collections of virtual playing instruments
Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments. The virtual playing instruments may be generated from physical playing instruments. In certain embodiments, the playing instruments include at least one identifier that may identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before and/or during a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to determining if a collection of virtual playing instruments is a duplicate of another collection of virtual playing instruments. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.
US08313363B2 Method for conducting sports tournaments with wagering
A multi-level single elimination sports tournament with wagering for a field of players divided into groups of generally equal size. Each group competes within itself in a series of play sequences, such as a series of golf holes. Each play sequence comprises at least one competitive play action toward a goal, such as one or more golf strokes toward a hole. The players wager after each play action on their expected results in the current play sequence. Players are eliminated when they can no longer meet a minimum ante on the next play sequence. A round of the tournament is completed when only a single player remains in each group. The survivors are divided into new groups for another round. This continues until a last round that has only one group. A single winner survives, and is awarded most of the pot.
US08313360B2 Rasp bar and support
A rasp bar assembly is disclosed that includes a rasp bar having a plurality of rotation stops that contact the rasp bar mount. The plurality of rotation stops stabilize the rasp bar upon the rasp bar mount and prevent the rasp bar from rotating from its assembled position.
US08313356B2 Method of packaging electron emission device
An electron emission device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a gas, a sealant, and a phosphor layer is provided. The first substrate has a cathode thereon, and the cathode has a patterned profile. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate and has an anode thereon. The sealant is disposed at edges of the first substrate and the second substrate to assemble the first and second substrates. The gas is disposed between the cathode and the anode and configured to induce a plurality of electrons from the cathode, wherein the pressure of the gas is between 10 torr and 10−3 torr. The phosphor layer is disposed on the moving path of the electrons to react with the electrons so as to emit light.
US08313353B2 Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member
A method of assembling a coaxial cable connector comprising positioning a portion of a post within a body, the post including a flange; positioning a coupler, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the coupler having a first end configured for coupling to an interface port and an opposing second end, and an internal lip having a first surface facing the first end of the coupler and a second surface facing the second end of the coupler; positioning a continuity member axially rearward of the second surface of the internal lip of the coupler; and wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is configured to extend about an external surface of the connector body and reside axially rearward of the coupler between the coupler and the connector body.
US08313349B2 Multi-slot connector
A multi-slot connector and a manufacture method thereof are provided. The multi-slot connector includes a housing and a conducting structure. The conducting structure has a body and a terminal portion extending from the body. After extending out from the body, the terminal portion bends to form a first ridge. After bending the first ridge, the terminal portion turns to form a winding portion which winds back toward the body and bends to form a second ridge, wherein the first and second ridges protrude toward different directions. The housing has a first slot and a second slot. When the conducting structure is disposed in the housing, the first ridge and the second ridge are respectively corresponding to the first slot and the second slot.
US08313343B2 Terminal block cover with nut retention feature
A terminal block cover includes a base having a base surface configured to be secured against a terminal block. First and second spaced apart sidewalls extend from and adjoin the base. An outer wall is spaced apart from the base and is secured to the base by and adjoins with the first and second sidewalls. A lateral wall is arranged at a first lateral side and extends between and adjoins the first and second sidewalls, the outer wall and the base, which together provide at least one terminal pocket. An inner surface is provided on the outer wall facing the terminal pocket and has first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are at first and second distances respectively from the base surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second surface retains a terminal nut.
US08313342B2 Structure of electromagnetic wave resistant connector for flexible circuit cable
Disclosed is a structure of electromagnetic wave resistant connector for flexible flat cable. A flexible flat cable defines an insertion device mounting section to which an insertion device is mounted. The insertion device includes a metal member that is at least partly formed of a metal material. The flexible flat cable forms thereon conductive traces on which an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer has a surface, which forms, in at least a portion thereof, a conductive shielding layer. The conductive shielding layer extends to the insertion device mounting section, so that when the insertion device is mounted to the insertion device mounting section, electrical connection is formed between the metal member of the insertion device and the conductive shielding layer.
US08313323B2 Sorbents for coal combustion
Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.
US08313318B2 Compressor having capacity modulation system
A compressor including a housing defining a suction pressure region and a discharge pressure region includes first and second scroll members forming compression pockets. A first chamber located on the first end plate of the first scroll member includes first and second passages and a first aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the first chamber. The first aperture provides communication between a compression pocket and the first chamber. A piston in the first chamber is axially displaceable to isolate the first passage from communication with the second passage when in first and second positions, prevent communication between the first aperture and the first passage when in the first position, and provide communication between the first aperture and the first passage when in the second position.
US08313315B2 Circulating pump and method for producing a circulating pump
To provide a circulating pump, comprising a housing, in which a pumping space is arranged, a suction connector, which is in fluid connection with the pumping space, and a pressure connector, which is in fluid connection with the pumping space, which can be produced in a simple manner and can be used in a reliable manner, wherein the suction connector and/or pressure connector are formed on at least one connector element, which is a separate part from the housing, and wherein the connector element is fixed to the housing, it is proposed that the housing have a fixing region for fixing the at least one connector element, which is arranged above the pumping space.
US08313312B2 Screw compressor
A screw compressor comprising: a pair of male and female screw rotors; and an air-cooled heat exchanger, wherein the air-cooled heat exchanger is provided above a motor for driving the compressor body; wherein, with respect to a cooling wind for the air-cooled heat exchanger, the air-cooled heat exchanger is inclined to the upstream side; wherein the uppermost portion of a unit suction port for the air-cooled heat exchanger cooling winds is positioned below the uppermost portion of the air-cooled heat exchanger positioned at the uppermost portion; wherein the lowermost portion of the unit suction port for the air-cooled heat exchanger cooling wind is positioned below the lowermost portion of the air-cooled heat exchanger positioned at the lowermost portion; and wherein the cooling wind for the air-cooled heat exchanger is exhausted from a ceiling portion of the compressor unit. With this structure, it becomes possible to provide a compact screw compressor with less noise whose installation area can be reduced.
US08313311B2 Adjustable unloader valve
A pressure unloader valve is disclosed having inlet and outlet connections adjustable about two dimensions to adapt to a wide variety of high pressure pumps and similar equipment associated with such applications. According to one embodiment, the inlet and outlet connections are adjustable about both a horizontal and a vertical axis. A method for regulating pressure in a valve and pump assembly is also disclosed.
US08313310B2 Variable displacement swash plate compressor
A variable displacement swash plate compressor includes a swash-plate boss (50) permitting a rotary shaft to extend therethrough and coupled to the rotary shaft so as to be tiltable relative to the rotary shaft, the swash-plate boss having a thread groove (78) cut in an outer peripheral surface thereof, an annular swash plate (60) fitted around the swash-plate boss (50), a nut (64) screwed on the thread groove (78) of the swash-plate boss (50) to fix the swash plate (60) to the swash-plate boss (50), a conversion device for converting rotating motion of the swash plate (60) to reciprocating motion of pistons, and engaging protuberances (68) formed integrally with the nut (64) and protruding in a direction parallel with the axis (A) of the nut (64) to be engaged with a tool (80) for turning the nut (64).
US08313308B2 Medical infusion pump with closed loop stroke feedback system and method
A medical pump with a closed loop stroke feedback system and method, for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pumping element that intermittently pressurizes a pumping chamber during a pumping cycle. A pressure sensor detects the pressure exerted by the pumping element on the pumping chamber. A position sensor detects the position of the pumping element. A processing unit processes pressure data from the pressure sensor and position data from the position sensor to determine a calculated stroke volume of the pump for a pump cycle, and to adjust a stroke frequency of the pump to compensate for variation in the stroke volume.
US08313307B2 Electric compressor
In an inverter control apparatus in which a control circuit board is fixed by use of pin-like terminals provided in a power board, the breakage of the pin-like terminals is prevented. The power board 160 is provided with a plurality of signal transmission terminals 210a, 210b, 220a, 220b for signal transmission to and from the control circuit board 150 and for grounding along each of a pair of opposed sides, the control circuit board 150 is electrically connected to the plurality of signal transmission terminals 210a etc. and is fixed by soldering to the plurality of signal transmission terminals 210a etc., and the plurality of signal transmission terminals 210a etc. are arranged along each of the pair of sides in a plurality of rows.
US08313304B2 On-demand on-off water pump assembly
A water pump assembly for an internal combustion engine including a housing, as well as first and second rotatable shafts supported by the housing. First and second pulleys are fixed for rotation with the first and second shafts, respectively. A pumping member is fixed for rotation with the second shaft. A flexible member engages the first and second pulleys and is sized to slip relative to one of the first and second pulleys when in an unloaded state. A control mechanism selectively applies a load to the flexible member to cease the slipping and drivingly interconnect the first and second pulleys to rotate the pumping member.
US08313300B2 Rotor for centrifugal compressor
The present disclosure provides an improved rotor of a centrifugal compressor. The rotor includes a blade arrangement and geometry that increase the overall efficiency of the rotor. In particular, blades within the rotor are curved and inclined in a manner that improves the overall efficiency of the rotor. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing the improved rotor.
US08313298B2 Drive train between a rotor and gear unit of a wind power plant
A drive train between a rotor and a transmission having a torque support for a wind turbine generator system, including a rotor shaft extending from the rotor and supported in this area by a first rotor shaft bearing and extending to the transmission for converting the rotor speed into a desired generator speed, wherein the rotor shaft is supported by a second rotor shaft bearing formed in the manner of a moment bearing which is arranged on the input side within the transmission in order to receive the partial rotor forces, moments and weight forces and to directly pass them on to the torque support.
US08313297B2 Rotor shaft for a wind energy plant and wind energy plant
The invention is related to a rotor shaft for a wind energy plant, wherein the rotor shaft is at least partially hollow, comprising a line pipe, extending in the interior of the rotating rotor shaft and being stationary and accommodating electric lines, a transmission device, arranged at least partially in the rotor shaft, for the electric connection between a stationary nacelle and a rotating rotor of the wind energy plant, wherein the transmission device features a first body, stationary and connected to the line pipe, and a second body rotating with the rotor shaft, and wherein there is an electric sliding contact between the first and the second body, a casing surrounding the transmission device and formed separately from the second body, which is connected to the rotor shaft and/or adapted to be connected to a rotor hub of the wind energy plant, and which rotates with the rotor shaft, and a torque transmitting connection between the casing and the second body of the transmission device.
US08313296B2 Helicopter vibration control system and rotary force generator for canceling vibrations
Helicopter rotating hub mounted vibration control system for a rotary wing hub having periodic vibrations while rotating at an operational rotation frequency. The vibration control system includes a housing attachable to the rotary wing hub and rotating with the hub at the operational frequency. The housing is centered about the rotary wing hub axis of rotation and has an electronics housing cavity subsystem and an adjacent rotor housing cavity subsystem. The rotor housing cavity contains a first coaxial ring motor with a first rotor and imbalance mass and a second coaxial ring motor with a second rotor and imbalance mass. The electronics housing cavity contains an electronics control system which receives sensor outputs and electrically controls and drives the first motor and the second motor such that the first imbalance mass and the second imbalance mass are driven at a vibration canceling rotation frequency greater than the operational rotation frequency wherein the helicopter rotary wing hub periodic vibrations are reduced.
US08313294B2 Circulating pump
In order to provide a circulating pump, comprising a stator, a rotor, a bearing device with a convex bearing member and at least one concave bearing shell, via which the rotor is mounted for rotation, and an impeller which is connected non-rotatably to the rotor, which has improved lubrication possibilities and/or with which any axial lifting of the impeller can be prevented in an effective manner, it is provided for a shaft element to be connected non-rotatably to the rotor and non-rotatably to the impeller and for the shaft element to be guided through the bearing member and to be rotatable relative to the bearing member.
US08313293B2 Turbofan mounting system
A gas turbine engine has a rear mounting assembly incorporating a mounting apparatus attached to a bypass duct wall with a link device for transferring core portion related inertia-induced loads, from an MTF of the core portion in a short circuit across an annular bypass air passage to the bypass duct wall.
US08313289B2 Gas turbine engine systems involving rotor bayonet coverplates and tools for installing such coverplates
Gas turbine engine systems involving rotor bayonet coverplates and tools for installing such coverplates are provided. In this regard, a representative turbine assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a turbine disk operative to mount a set of turbine blades; and a coverplate having an annular main body portion and a spaced annular arrangement of tabs extending radially inwardly from the main body portion with open-ended gaps being located between the tabs, the tabs being operative to secure an inner diameter of the coverplate to the turbine disk.
US08313286B2 Diffuser apparatus in a turbomachine
A diffuser apparatus in a turbomachine is provided comprising a diffuser structure and stabilizing structure. The diffuser structure includes inner and outer walls defining a flow passageway through which gases flow and diffuse such that kinetic energy is reduced and pressure is increased in the gases as they move through the passageway. The stabilizing structure stabilizes a separated gas recirculation zone.
US08313273B2 Hook assembly
A hook assembly comprises a body, a securing portion, a hanging portion, a connection portion and a pair of arc-shaped wings. The securing portion and the hanging portion are respectively extending from two opposite sides of the body. The securing portion comprises an extending portion and a hook portion parallel with the body. The extending portion is extending between the body and the hook portion. The connection portion is extending from the body, the wings are respectively extending from two opposite sides of the connection portion. Junction portions between the connection portion and the body and between the wings and the connection portion are cut, and the connection portion and the pair of the wings are respectively folded along corresponding junction portions resulting in the connection portion with the pair of wings together defining a receiving space to receive the body and the securing portion.
US08313272B2 Devices for logistics of wind rotor blades
The present invention consists of a packing device for logistics of groups of wind turbine rotor blades, preferably of pairs of blades, including at least two structures, each one having a peripheral frame. For guaranteeing the proper conditions for the logistics, said blades are supported and fastened to the structures by flexible belts stressed by ratchets, being said blade profile partially or entirely enveloped by said flexible belts. And alternatively, the device for logistics of groups of wind turbine rotor blades may include tip protection cover, blades fastening device, such as belts, ropes or chains, and protecting devices on areas of contact between the blades to prevent the friction.
US08313267B2 Landscaping wall and mounting system and methods
A landscaping wall includes concrete blocks dry stacked to form a wall. At least one of the blocks has a channel in the lower or upper surface of the block. An accessory mounting bar having a mounting portion and an outer end is positioned in the channel of the at least one block. At least one of an accessory or an accessory holder on the outer end of the mounting bar extends beyond the front face of the at least one block.
US08313265B2 Water management barrier and system
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to barriers for managing and/or controlling water. In an embodiment, a barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion and a bottom portion. An elongated connection member may be connected to the first end. The connection member may have a tapered free end portion substantially adjacent said top portion and a lower free end portion substantially adjacent said bottom portion of said hollow body such that the connection member virtually extends the entire length of the first end. A connection recess may be formed in the second end. The connection recess may be sized and configured to generally correspond to at least a portion of the connection member. The barrier may further include a foot member attached to the bottom portion, and a fill port and a drain port in fluid communication with the hollow body.
US08313261B1 Nail polish bottle device
A nail polish bottle holder device for adjustably supporting and tilting a bottle of nail polish providing a non-slip base having an outside edge and a pivotable stand permanently attached near the outside edge. The stand has a hollow cylindrical pivotal attachment pivotally attached thereto, an extender arm extending inside the pivotal attachment, and a holding ring pivotally attached to the extender arm. The substantially toroid-shaped holding ring has a flat non-slip internal wall. The internal wall, as well as the base, may be formed from cork, rubber, or high-density foam.
US08313258B2 Printing apparatus including plural printheads for printing both sides of paper
A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.
US08313256B2 Focal plane shutter and optical device
A focal plane shutter includes: an electromagnet; a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position where the blade recedes from the opening and a position where the blade covers at least part of the opening; and a drive lever driving the blade, and including: a spindle portion provided at its one end with a flange portion; an iron piece provided at the other end of the spindle portion and capable of being adsorbed to the electromagnet; a support portion including a through hole through which the spindle portion penetrates with a play; and a guide portion provided along the iron piece.
US08313255B2 Shutter assembly with drive ring-mounted magnet
A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.
US08313252B2 Film light guide package, film light guide module, and electronic device
In a package (5) formed by a supporting portion (5a) for supporting a light emitting portion (7) or a light receiving portion (9) for emitting or receiving an optical signal, and a lid (5b) for covering the supporting portion (5a); the supporting portion (5a) or the lid (5b) includes a light guide mounting surface (22) for supporting at least one end including an incident/exit port of the optical signal in a film light guide (4) for optically coupling with the light emitting portion (7) or the light receiving portion (9) and transmitting the optical signal; and a length (D) in a Z-direction serving as a perpendicular direction with respect to the light guide mounting surface (22) from the light guide mounting surface (22) of the supporting portion (5a) or the lid (5b) to the lid (5b) or the supporting portion (5a) facing the light guide mounting surface (22) is longer than a length (d) in the Z-direction in a region of the film light guide (4) supported by the light guide mounting surface (22). The light guide package having a structure in which the deformation and the damage of the core are less likely to occur even when subjected to impact by vibration and the like is thereby provided.
US08313250B2 Telecommunications cable inlet device
An inlet device is described herein for inserting a telecommunication cable into a telecommunications enclosure. An exemplary inlet device comprises a housing, and a compression member. The housing can include a compressible portion at the second end of the housing and a securing zone adjacent to the first end of the housing. The securing zone can include a plurality of deformable locking elements which protrude from opposite sides of the housing to lock the inlet device in a close fitting port of a telecommunication enclosure.
US08313249B2 Multi-fiber ferrules for making physical contact and method of determining same
A multi-fiber ferrule and optical fibers therein make easier contact with other multi-fiber ferrules and connectors with a small fiber tip radius and a modulus of elasticity. A method for qualifying multi-fiber ferrules (and connectors) is also disclosed.
US08313247B2 Positioning of adaptors for optical connectors
An assembly of a mounting support and an optical fibre connector adaptor (20) mounted on the support, wherein the adaptor has a connector-receiving axis and at least one lateral (to the said axis) mounting projection (25) on at least a first one of its sides, and the mounting support comprises wall members (not necessarily flat or continuous) upstanding from the support on both sides of the said adaptor, which wall members on at least one side of the adaptor define mounting slots adapted to receive the said mounting projections of the adaptor, and wherein the slots are formed to permit movement of the adaptor between at least a first position in which the adaptor is supported with its said axis at an acute angle to the support, and a working position in which the adaptor is supported with its said axis lying substantially parallel to the support, and wherein the wall members define, in at least one of the said slots, at least one shoulder (30) on which one of the mounting projections (25) of the adaptor can be supported, and at least one resilient portion (35) of the wall member is arranged to retain that mounting projection removably on the said shoulder.
US08313246B2 Rocker bearing with outer ring and air disk brake system
An outer ring for rocking bearing (11a) includes a raceway surface (12a) on the inner diameter side and has flange parts (13a) and (13b) provided by bending both axial ends to the inner diameter side. The flange parts (13a) and (13b) are provided with bent parts (17a) and (17b) axially bent toward the raceway surface (12a) side so as to enfold a retainer arranged on the inner diameter side. Thus, the retainer can be enfolded by the bent parts (17a) and (17b). Therefore, even when the retainer comes to be moved to the inner diameter side of the outer ring for rocking bearing (11a), the retainer is caught by the bent parts (17a) and (17b), so that the movement of the retainer to the inner diameter side is restricted and rollers and the retainer can be prevented from dropping off.
US08313245B2 Wheel bearing apparatus for a vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, and a constant velocity universal joint connected to a wheel hub of the inner member. A cap, formed as a low friction member, is interposed between a caulked portion and a shoulder portion of the constant velocity joint. The cap has a disc shaped abutting portion, a cylindrical portion and an anchoring portion. The disc shaped abutting portion is adapted to abut against the caulked portion and the shoulder portion. The cylindrical portion extends axially from the radially outermost portion of the abutting portion. The anchoring portion extends radially inward from a free end of the cylindrical portion. The radially inner diameter of the anchoring portion is formed slightly smaller than the radially outer diameter of the caulked portion so that the cap can be mounted on the caulked portion in a snap-fitting manner.
US08313236B2 Thermal conductivity detector
A thermal conductivity detector includes a structure defining a cavity, the structure principally comprising a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a sensing element for sensing a thermal conductivity of a gas flowing within the cavity, the sensing element having a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the third first coefficient of thermal expansion, the sensing element being disposed at least in part within the cavity; and a compensation structure having a third coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first and second thermal coefficients of expansion. Over a selected temperature range, a stress within the sensing element is less than a yield stress of any component of the sensing element, and a stress within the compensation structure is less than a yield stress of any component of the compensation structure.
US08313233B2 Kitchen appliance provided with a reinforced electric motor-gear stage arrangement and method for producing an electric motor-driven kitchen appliance
An electric motor-driven kitchen appliance includes an electric motor having a motor housing and a gear stage having a gear case fastened to the electric motor. A removable reinforcement frame is around the motor housing and gear case. The electric motor-gear stage arrangement can be tested outside of the housing of the kitchen appliance and produced in a cost effective manner, being particularly torsionally rigid due to the removable reinforcement frame, thereby exhibiting an operation reliability.
US08313232B2 Dynamic mixer
A dynamic mixer for mixing components in different volumetric amounts comprises a rotor housing which is closed on the inlet side thereof by a cover, the cover defining inlets for the components. The inlet for the first component having the larger volumetric amount leads to an antechamber that communicates with a following mixing chamber by at least one passage. The mixing rotor includes a distributor body located in the antechamber for distributing the first component around the axis of rotation of the mixing rotor. The inlet for the second component having the smaller volumetric amount leads to at least one inlet opening located in the area of the passage to the mixing chamber transversely to the axis of rotation.
US08313230B2 Mixers for a viscometer and methods for using the same
The present invention is directed to mixers for viscometers and methods of using the same. Such inventions are applicable, for example, to industrial processes such as printing. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a viscosity control system including a viscosity sensor, a mixing element, a shaft fixedly attached to the mixing element, and an actuator interfacing with the viscosity sensor and the shaft. The annular mixing element is oscillatable about an axis lying in a plane tangent to a point on a wall of the mixing element. The shaft is centered about the axis. The actuator receives a signal from the viscosity sensor and rotates the shaft and the mixing element in an oscillating manner about the axis. In some embodiments, the shaft rotates through an angle of less than 360 degrees.
US08313226B2 Display including waveguide, micro-prisms and micro-shutters
A display including a light source for generating light, an optical waveguide for receiving and evenly distributing light in a light propagation direction by total internal reflections and a matrix of electromechanical picture elements for modulating light to produce an image.
US08313220B2 LED lighting fixture
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture includes a lamp housing including a heat conductive cover, and a light transmissive shield connected detachably to a periphery of the heat conductive cover to define a compartment therebetween. A base seat is disposed in the compartment. An LED lamp device is mounted on the base seat. A heat conductive unit is disposed in the compartment and includes at least one heat conductive pipe and a heat conductive medium flowing within the heat conductive pipe due to a change between a liquid state and a gaseous state thereof. The heat conductive pipe includes a heat exchange portion that absorbs heat generated by the LED lamp device, and a heat-dissipating portion that conducts heat absorbed by the heat exchange portion to the heat conductive cover.
US08313212B1 Modular lighting system and method
A modular lighting system has first, second and third lighting fixtures adapted for end-to-end electrical interconnection. The lighting fixtures are mounted to a support structure in a closely abutting relationship with the longitudinal axes thereof in alignment. First and second electrical inter-connector are removably connected to the first and second lighting fixtures and the second and third lighting fixtures, respectively. The first and second electrical inter-connectors are connectable and disconnectable from a top of the lighting fixtures without dismounting the lighting fixtures, and the second lighting fixture intermediate the other two lighting fixtures being dismountable from the support structure without dismounting the other two lighting fixture by removing the first and second electrical inter-connectors from the top of the lighting fixtures.
US08313209B2 Four-way power source for multifunction tool
A multi-power source is described that provides power through a single source—e.g. rechargeable batteries—whose charge is maintained through four or more different power sources. Examples of such power sources are taken from a group consisting of disposable batteries, mechanical energy as developed through a crank, solar power, an external DC source such as provided through a car battery connection, and an external AC input as from an in-wall outlet. The power source is used to power an emergency multifunction tool, such as a modular light source having a flashlight, lantern, siren, flasher, and radio functions powered from the multi-power source.
US08313207B2 Support unit, backlight unit, display device, and television receiver
A support unit (11) includes a support pin (12) passing through both a sheet opening (21H) and a chassis opening (63H) which are superposed on each other and making contact with a diffusion plate (64), a shield section (13) for covering the sheet opening (21H), and members, such as a latch body (14) and the shield section (13), making the support unit (11) unmovable relative to a backlight chassis (63).
US08313206B2 Lighting device
A lighting device and a method for manufacturing the lighting device are provided. The lighting device comprises a light source module and a plurality of light spreading plates. The light spreading plates are secured onto the light source module by stick objects which are sheathed with hollow caps. The lighting device provides uniform surface light within an ultra thin configuration.
US08313205B2 Lighting device for display device, display device and television receiver
An optical member 16 capable of light transmission and having a sheet-shape is installed in a chassis 13 of a backlight device 10 around an opening of the chassis 13. A cold cathode tube 15 capable of emitting light and having a substantially circle cross-section is installed behind the optical member 16 inside the chassis 13. A reflecting sheet 14 that reflects light emitted from the cold cathode tube 15 is installed behind the cold cathode tube 15 inside the chassis 13. The reflecting sheet 14 has a concave portion that surrounds the cold cathode tube 15 from the rear. The reflecting sheet 14 has an arch surface 26 at least in an area that faces the cold cathode tube 15 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the optical member 16. The arch surface 26 is formed in a concentric manner as the cold cathode tube 15.
US08313204B2 Backlight module and keyboard
The invention provides backlight module comprising a light guiding plate, a flexible substrate, and a light emitting unit. The flexible substrate has a first surface, and the light emitting unit is configured on the first surface. A paint area used for reflecting the light, emitted by the light emitting unit, to the light guiding plate is formed on the first surface near the light emitting unit. Accordingly, the light emitted into the light guiding plate could be prevented from being reflected by the flexible substrate directly and presenting the same color with the flexible substrate.
US08313202B2 Hinge construction
A hinge assembly for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprising a central shaft and a mirror housing pivotably arranged around the central shaft. In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the mirror housing is supported on a supporting surface at the base of the central shaft and, through cooperation, first and second run-on surfaces define a predetermined angular position between the central shaft and the mirror housing corresponding to a folded-out position of the mirror housing. In an embodiment, first run-on surfaces are provided on a side of the mirror housing remote from the supporting surface, and second run-on surfaces are connected with the central shaft to be axially compliant and rotation-coupled.
US08313201B2 Optical film, polarizing plate and image display apparatus
An optical film, is provided, the optical film including: a support; and at least one antiglare layer having a surface that has asperities, wherein the at least one antiglare layer contains at least one kind of light transmitting particles including first light transmitting particles in an amount of 0.01 to 1 mass % based on a total solid content in the antiglare layer, the first light transmitting particles have an average particle size that is 0.1 to 4.0 μm greater than an average thickness of the antiglare layer, and a region θ(0.5) in which slope angles θ of the asperities of the surface of the antiglare layer lie within a range of 0°<θ<0.5° constitutes 40% to 98% of the surface of the antiglare layer.
US08313198B2 Projector
A projector includes: light emitting devices provided in correspondence with pixels that form an image displayed on an illuminated surface, each of the light emitting devices emitting light modulated in accordance with an image signal; and shaping optical elements provided in correspondence with the light emitting devices, each of the shaping optical elements shaping the region illuminated with the light emitted from the corresponding light emitting device, wherein the shaping optical elements form a shaped light region in a position on the light path between the shaping optical elements and the illuminated surface.
US08313196B2 Intraoperative estimation of intraocular lens power
Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.
US08313194B2 Method for selecting base-curves for an ophthalmic lens and related spectacle lens manufacturing method
A method for selecting base-curves for an ophthalmic lens according to given prescription data comprising the steps of: providing a base-curve series consisting of a plurality of base-curves; calculating a target lens according to the prescription data; calculating the base-curves calculated lenses according to the prescription data; selecting, for at least an optical parameter and/or a geometrical parameter, a threshold value for the difference between the base-curves calculated lenses values and the target lens value of said parameter(s); determining the list of the base-curves of the base-curve series where said difference for said parameter(s) is less or equal to the selected threshold value(s).
US08313191B2 Eyewear assembly
The present invention provides an eyewear assembly including a frame having a first portion and a second portion defining a first lens aperture for receiving a lens. The first portion is displaceable from the second portion to change the size of the lens aperture. The first frame portion includes a first arm extending therefrom and the second frame portion includes a second arm extending therefrom. The first and second arms include a connecting device disposed therebetween for restricting relative movement between the first and second arms. A securement body includes a slot for receiving therein the first and second arms. A locking member is engageable with the securement body and at least one of the first and second arms to secure the frame to the securement body.
US08313190B2 System and method for stripping media from an offset imaging member in an inkjet printer
A stripper blade system has been developed for high throughput inkjet printers. The stripper blade system includes a metallic blade having a leading edge that is less than 0.06 mm in thickness, a blade holder to which the metallic blade is mounted, and an actuator that is associated with the blade holder to move the metallic blade into and out of contact with an intermediate imaging member.
US08313183B2 Immersed high surface area heater for a solid ink reservoir
A volumetric container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and a heater element positioned within the housing. The heater element is positioned in the container to melt solid ink quickly to enable printing operations.
US08313180B2 Inkjet ink tank
An ink tank for an inkjet printer includes a first end wall having an ink outlet port; a second end wall opposite the first end wall; a first sidewall that extends a first length from the first end wall to the second end wall; a second sidewall that extends a second length from the first end wall, wherein the second length is less than the first length; and a connecting wall that forms a recess and that connects the second end wall and the second sidewall.
US08313176B2 Liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head may include a plurality of plates which are laminated via an adhesive. At least one of the plurality of plates may include a plurality of holes which are configured to function as liquid channels. The plate may include a plurality of individual bonding margins which are formed on a surface of the plate, and individually surround the plurality of holes. The plate may include a bonding margin bridge which extends parallel to a direction connecting the plurality of holes to each other, and connect the plurality of individual bonding margins to each other. The plate may include a groove which defines outer edges of the plurality of individual bonding margins and the bonding margin bridge on the surface of the plate.
US08313172B2 Liquid ejection head wiring member and liquid ejection head
The first and second cables overlap with each other while at an attitude where the wiring terminal formation surfaces face the same side, and the one-end-side common wiring terminal is located on the outside of the arrangement direction of the wiring terminals of the group of the one-end-side individual electrode wirings. The one end portions of the first and second cables are bent in the same direction so that the wiring terminals respectively face element terminals of piezoelectric elements, and the wiring terminals are respectively bonded to the corresponding element terminals.
US08313170B2 Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device configured to eject fluid from an ejection port includes a driving element that pressurizes the fluid and causes it to be ejected from the ejection port by being driven according to a voltage applied thereto. A driving voltage waveform selecting unit selects a driving voltage waveform to be applied to the driving element from among a plurality of types of the stored driving voltage waveforms. Power sources set the voltage to be outputted. A power source voltage determining unit determines voltages to be set to the power sources on the basis of the selected driving voltage waveform. A driving voltage waveform applying unit applies the selected driving voltage waveform to the driving element by setting the determined voltages to the power sources and connecting the power sources to the driving element while switching the same.
US08313166B2 Cleaning device for ink wiper
A cleaning device for ink wiper is disclosed. The cleaning device is arranged in a position adjacent to the ink wiper. The cleaning device includes a stand and an ink-absorbing unit disposed on the stand. The ink-absorbing unit is constantly in contact with at least one face of the wiper. In the reciprocation travel of the wiper, the ink-absorbing unit serves to clean off the ink stagnating on the wiper. Therefore, the wiper is prevented from being stained with the ink so as not to affect the ink-wiping effect of the wiper.
US08313164B2 Touch-free nozzle sealant removal
A method for automatic removal of a sealant member from a nozzle plate that includes applying a sealant member to a surface of the nozzle plate, attaching the sealant member with a pull tab, one end of the pull tab being attached to a maintenance sled of a maintenance mechanism at a first position, the maintenance sled moves from a first position to a second position thereby removing the sealant member at a 180 degree angle and with a speed of about 10 mm/sec.
US08313145B2 Fitting for a vehicle seat
A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat is provided having a seat part and a backrest. The fitting includes a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11) for a relative rolling for adjusting the inclination of the backrest between several use positions, a drive motor for driving the relative rolling, a third fitting part (74) for manually free-pivoting of the backrest into a non-use position, the third fitting part (74) being releasable locked with a detent element (75), and a first coupling element (104) and a second coupling element (105) between the third fitting part (74) and the detent element (75). The first coupling element (104) and the second coupling element (105) are inactive in the normal case and become active in the misuse case, when the third fitting part (74) is unlocked and the backrest is in the non-use position and the drive motor is moving the detent element (75) backwards.
US08313143B2 Chair back with lumbar and pelvic supports
An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.
US08313141B2 Monobloc rocking chair
The present disclosure is directed to a monobloc rocking chair. The rocking chair includes a seat, backrest, a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and rockers extending between front and rear legs. The chair is molded of a single material include a downwardly opening cavity and formed to taper outwardly from top to bottom. The cavity is formed by the seat being supported directly from below by front legs and being supported directly from above by a backrest. Rear legs are spaced from the seat. This allows two identical chairs to nest when vertically stacked for compact shipping, storage, or display. The monobloc rocking chair can include one or more arms or be armless.
US08313138B2 Motor vehicle front face of the metal/plastic composite type
A motor vehicle front face of the metal/plastic composite type, comprising at least one metal insert (16) over which a first plastic part (32) is overmolded and at least one metal element (20) produced by hydroforming over which a second plastic part (22) is overmolded.
US08313136B2 Vehicle having utility bed and locking device
A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a locking device. The utility bed is pivotally coupled with the vehicular frame and is pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position. The locking device is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to prevent the utility bed from pivoting to the dumping position when the locking device is in the locked position.
US08313134B2 Integrated structural member for a vehicle and method of making
An integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided, the integrated structural system having: a structural member; a first beam component secured to the structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, wherein the configuration of the first beam component is defined by the molding process; and a second beam component secured directly and only to the first beam component by a vibration weld, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.
US08313129B2 Energy absorber
An energy absorber for damping the impact upon the body of a motor vehicle includes energy absorbing bodies that include successively arranged support walls with a number of energy absorbing structural elements that are each separately arranged at the support wall and are firmly connected to the support wall. Upon impact, each of the structural elements absorb energy by moving towards an opposite support wall while adjoining neighboring structural element until the structural elements are compacting.
US08313119B2 Combined trailer hitch coupler guide and securement assembly and method
An assembly has a bracket attached to the hitch ball mount of a towing vehicle. The bracket is used with a first removable item which allows for the alignment of a trailer coupler with the hitch ball. Once the coupler has been aligned and attached to the hitch ball, the first removable item can be removed. The first accessory item is then replaced by a second removable item which allows for securement of the coupler to the hitch ball and prevents removal of the coupler from the hitch ball. The alignment and guide structure of the first removable item is interchangeable with the securement structure of the second removable item. The second removable item further provides structure for locking the second removable item to the bracket. A method for guiding the coupler toward alignment with the hitch ball and for securing the coupler to the hitch ball is also provided.
US08313118B2 Children's ride-on vehicle with parent steering assist handle and stationary canopy
A children's ride-on vehicle includes a rotatable parent steering mechanism to steer the vehicle in a desired direction, and a canopy supported by the parent steering mechanism that remains stationary as the parent steering mechanism is rotated.
US08313114B1 Shopping cart caddy
A shopping cart caddy body having a pair of elongated opposing edges and a pair of short edges spanning therebetween. A pair of coupling formations are incorporated proximate each lateral end of the body for affixing the body to a shopping cart. The coupling formation includes a support along each of the two lateral edges and along at least one longitudinal edge. A pair of cup holders are formed into the body, each cup holder being located proximate a respective lateral end of the body. The cup holders are sized, shaped, and located providing clearance for the insertion of a second cart into a cart nesting opening.
US08313111B2 Systems and methods for weight transfer in a vehicle
Systems and methods for weight transfer in a vehicle are provided. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of movable spring seats configured to adjust a length of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a pneumatic actuator is provided that is connected to the plurality of movable springs and configured to move the movable spring seats to adjust the length of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to the pneumatic actuator to control the pneumatic actuator to adjust the length of the plurality of springs.
US08313109B2 Tire for private passenger automobile
A tire for an axle of a private passenger vehicle having two axles. The axle comprises a suspension device for positively controlling the camber of the wheels relative to the ground in the case of transverse acceleration. The tire develops a contact patch on the ground, said contact patch having a length at the left shoulder (Leg), a length at the right shoulder (Led) and a central length (Lc), a contact patch ratio (Rep) being defined by the quotient of the average of the shoulder lengths divided by the central length. The tire contact patch ratio is greater than 0.65.
US08313107B2 Rolling boot with transition region
A rolling boot is proposed that has a first fastening region and a fold region with at least a first fold having a first fold peak region and a first fold flank near the first fastening region and, opposite this first fold flank, a second fold flank which is adjoined by a fold trough, wherein a transition region having a base surface is arranged between the first fastening region and fold region, and an angle a having a range from approximately 90° to approximately 140° is formed between the base surface and an outer side of the first fold flank, and the fold trough has a depth T which is, at most, approximately 65 percent of a height H of the first fold.
US08313101B2 Feeder
A feeder for feeding printed products includes a casing comprising a one-piece frame including two spaced apart end plates and a plurality of crosspieces connecting the two end plates. At least one shaft is arranged on the end plates. At least one positioning element is arranged on the end plates to position the shaft on the end plates.
US08313096B2 Image reading apparatus, multifeed determining method, and multifeed determining program
An image reading apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor and a control unit. The control unit monitors each of multi-valued output values of the ultrasonic sensor in absence of a paper, in absence of an overlap, and in presence of an overlap, sets an optimal threshold of multifeed determination for a thickness of a paper based on the monitored values in the absence of a paper and in the absence of an overlap, and performs the multifeed determination using the set threshold and the value in the presence of an overlap.
US08313091B2 Multi-fuel carburetors and related methods
Multi-fuel carburetors and related methods are provided for a combustion engine. A multi-fuel carburetor can include at least two fuel nozzles for providing fuel from a fuel source to a carburetor barrel to produce a mixture of fuel and air. A fuel control device movable with respect to at least one of the fuel nozzles can be used to selectively adjust the amount of fuel that can be drawn through that nozzle, thereby desirably adjusting the air/fuel ratio of the mixture produced in the carburetor barrel.
US08313090B2 Modular winch for stage use
A winch formed of modular components can be reconfigured between different operational configurations. A number of different lengths and devices can be attached to the winch.
US08313086B2 Multiple axle lift system and method
A multiple axle lift system having a column mechanism and a carriage assembly is provided. The column mechanism has a base member with a central support member extending therefrom. The carriage assembly is slidably connected to the column mechanism and includes a centerline, a first lift pad assembly with a first lift pad for engaging a vehicle tire and a second lift pad assembly with a second lift pad for engaging a vehicle tire. The first and second lift pads are configured to face away from the centerline.
US08313084B2 Electromagnetically operatable valve
An electromagnetically operatable valve, in particular a fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a magnetic circuit having a core, a solenoid, an armature, which operates a valve closing body cooperating with a fixed valve seat and is drawn against the core when the solenoid is excited, and is held on the valve closing body by a closing body carrier representing a part of a valve needle. The spherical valve closing body is secured on the closing body carrier in a non-positive manner due to the shape of the corresponding connecting surfaces. The valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, externally ignited internal combustion engines.
US08313083B2 Signaling of the active safety position of electropneumatic position regulators
An electropneumatic position regulator for controlling a pressure-medium-operated actuating drive to which compressed air can be applied via a working connection of the actuating drive. Compressed air is made available to the position regulator via a feed pressure connection, and the pressure regulator includes an electronic control unit configured to assume a safety position in the event of a fault. When the electronic control unit assumes a safety position, a downstream signal output unit, which acts as a driver stage, generates at least one binary fault signal which is indicated in an externally perceptible manner (e.g., visually and/or audibly) by at least one signaling device fitted externally to a housing of the position regulator.
US08313081B2 Parallel-acting roller clamp for intravenous administration set
An improved parallel-acting roller clamp is disclosed, for regulating fluid flow through a deformable plastic tube with improved control of fluid flow rate. The roller clamp achieves this improved performance by configuring a tapered relief groove formed in the clamp's bottom wall to have a reduced taper angle in the clamp's low-flow region. This minimizes variations in flow rate over time, due to cold flow, or creep, of the pinched, deformable plastic tube.
US08313078B2 Support system for power train of vehicle
A vehicle power train support system composed of a plurality of support units including right and left support units. One paired support unit has a mount device mounted on the side members and includes an outer cylinder and a central shaft having an axis extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle, mount brackets secured to front and rear portions of the outer cylinder, extension brackets disposed, with a predetermined space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to an upper portion of the side member, a further mount bracket secured to the power train, the another mount bracket being connected to a lower end of the central shaft protruding downward from a bottom portion of the outer cylinder, and a U-shaped stopper bracket mounted to a lower portion of the outer cylinder, the U-shaped stopper bracket surrounding front, lower and rear portions of the further mount bracket.
US08313077B2 Shaker deck adjustment apparatus
An apparatus to lift an oilfield machine includes at least one lifting bellows, an alignment assembly extending between at least one lifting bellows and an adapter plate of the oilfield machine, the alignment assembly comprising an inner cylinder to reciprocate within a sleeve of the oilfield machine, and the alignment assembly comprising a top plate at an upper end of the inner cylinder, the top plate configured to transfer forces from the at least one lifting bellows and the inner cylinder to the adapter plate, wherein the sleeve is configured to restrict the inner cylinder to a substantially linear displacements therethrough.
US08313073B2 Tilt mounting system
An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces.
US08313071B2 Micro-adjustable supporting device
A micro-adjustable supporting device includes a mounting seat, a movable unit, and an adjusting unit. The movable unit includes a rotating assembly disposed rotatably in the mounting seat and rotatable about an axis, and a bottom seat assembly disposed under the mounting seat and rotatable about the axis. The adjusting unit includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second tilt-adjusting elements, and an angle-adjusting element. Each of the first and second tilt-adjusting elements extends through the rotating assembly to connect with the bottom seat assembly, and is movable relative to the rotating assembly in a direction parallel to the axis to adjust a tilt angle of the bottom seat assembly relative to the axis. The angle-adjusting element is operable to move relative to the mounting seat to thereby rotate the rotating assembly and the bottom seat assembly about the axis.
US08313068B2 Lifting device for display apparatus
Disclosed is a lifting device for a display apparatus that may include a tilting unit to allow a user to easily adjust a viewing angle of the display apparatus. The lifting device may include a wire connected to the display apparatus, and at least one tilting unit to adjust a viewing angle of the display apparatus. The tilting unit may include a rotatable arm to adjust a distance between a wall and the display apparatus, and a rotation obstructer to provide the arm, which may be supported on both the wall and the display apparatus, with a force counter to a force applied by the display apparatus to the wall when no external force is applied.
US08313067B2 Pole shaft coupling assembly and related method
A pole member for a stand, such as a medical stand, is defined by a first pole section and a second pole section. The first pole section includes a hollow end having a spline disposed therein for engaging a corresponding spline formed on a mating end of the second pole section. The splines are sized to interconnect wherein each spline includes tapering teeth and slots to create locking engagement therebetween and limit lateral play. A locking element engages the hollow end of the first pole section when inserted a predetermined distance therein.
US08313065B2 Alloy insert clamp
A pipe support clamp, a system using the clamp, and a method of supporting a pipe with the clamp are disclosed. The pipe support clamp includes two housings, and a number of high temperature inserts, where at least one high temperature insert is coupled to the first housing and at least one high temperature insert is coupled to the second housing.
US08313061B2 Inert gas distribution arrangement
An example inert gas distribution arrangement includes a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank mountable to an aircraft outboard the first fuel tank. A distribution conduit is configured to communicate inert gas to the first fuel tank through a first outlet and further configured to communicate inert gas to the second fuel tank through a second outlet. Fuel in the distribution conduit is biased to flow from the second fuel tank toward the first fuel tank when the aircraft is in selected aircraft attitudes.
US08313055B2 Aircraft having a reduced environmental impact
An aircraft having a propeller engine mounted at the rear of the aircraft, on the back thereof, such that the axis of the engine is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The aircraft has a cell, the rear part of which comprises a horizontal empennage and two vertical empennages, positioned one at each end of said horizontal empennage. The propeller is positioned vertically in line with the rear part of the cell, and the rear part of the cell forms a lateral and downward barrier, on each side of a plane of the propeller, that screens an acoustic intensity equal to approximately−5 dB with respect to a maximum acoustic intensity emitted by the engine.
US08313054B2 Wire dispensing system including wire payoff structure
A wire payoff structure includes a plurality of arm members, a first ring, a second ring, and a third ring. The first ring is coupled with each of the arm members. The second ring is coupled with each of the arm members and is spaced radially outwardly from the first ring. The third ring is coupled with each of the arm members and is spaced radially outwardly from the second ring. A portion of each arm member passes beneath the third ring to facilitate contact with an underlying wire stack.
US08313052B2 Powder mixture for manufacture of a battery electrode, a respective battery electrode and a method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing of a powder mixture for a battery electrode that includes suspending of particles of at least one binder within an inert solvent producing a first suspension, slowly suspending of particles of an active material within the first suspension producing a second suspension, drying of the second suspension producing a granulate material. Further relates to a respective powder mixture, an electrode and a method of manufacturing the electrode.
US08313050B2 Diamond nozzle
In one aspect of the invention, an abrasion resistant nozzle has at least two sintered diamond bodies having flat, mating, exterior surfaces and a thickness, the surfaces being held against each other under compression. An enclosure is formed between the mating surfaces, at least one surface having a groove forming a portion of the enclosure and the other surface forming a remaining portion of the enclosure. The enclosure connects an entry and an exit formed in at least one side of at least one of the bodies.
US08313040B2 Temperature sensing tube for expansion valve
To provide a temperature sensing tube for an expansion valve in which a hunting can be prevented by slowing of a temperature reaction rate of an expansion valve, a ceramic sintered member serving as a heat transfer delay member (3) in a temperature sensing tube (1) is fixed so as not to directly contact with a tubular member (2) by fixing springs (4, 4) provided at both end portions (13, 13), whereby a heat transfer from the tubular member (2) to the ceramic sintered member becomes slow, temperature is not transferred from a mated piping directly via the tubular member, whichever outer surface of the temperature sensing tube 1 contacts with the piping, and a reaction rate with respect to a temperature rise of the expansion valve can be made slow.
US08313039B2 Remote climate control system providing an indication relating to remote climate control operation and associated methods
A remote climate control system for a vehicle includes a remote climate controller to be positioned at a vehicle for starting an electrically powered climate control system based upon a remote climate control handheld unit and causing the electrically powered climate control system to run for a run time period before shutting it off. The remote climate controller is resettable based upon the remote climate control handheld unit to cause the electrically powered climate control system to run for an additional run time period before shutting it off. The remote climate control handheld unit has an indicator for providing an indication to a user prior to expiration of the run time period to permit a user to reset the run time period while the electrically powered climate control system is still running and before shutting off the electrically powered climate control system.
US08313035B2 Semiconductor device
The invention provides a circuit which provides a stabilized boosting in the case where a semiconductor device typified by a non-contact ID chip includes a circuit which requires a higher voltage than a logic circuit does. By inputting an alternating signal inputted from an antenna to a charge pump circuit as it is or through a logic circuit, a charge pump can operate with a stabilized frequency that a clock frequency is not affected by a variation of elements and the ambient temperature, thus a stabilized boosting can be provided.
US08313032B2 Method and apparatus for time and date stamping of image files
A method and apparatus for time stamping an image file generated by an imaging based barcode reader. The method includes initializing a current time and date on the barcode reader and tracking the current time and date using an oscillator of the barcode reader. The date and time value are set whenever the barcode reader is powered on. The method further includes capturing an image of a target object using the imaging based barcode reader and time stamping the captured image using the time tracked by the oscillator. The time stamped image is then transmitted to a host device.
US08313031B2 Adaptive aperture for an imaging scanner
An apparatus and method is provided for focusing an image of a target object. The apparatus comprises imaging circuitry for analyzing an image reflected from a target object that is projected onto an imaging sensor coupled to the imaging circuitry. A fixed imaging lens having an optical axis in alignment with the imaging sensor focuses the reflected image onto the imaging sensor. One of a plurality of apertures located within a selectable aperture of varying sizes is selected for optically enhancing the fixed imaging lens. An actuator is coupled to the selectable aperture for selectively selecting the one of the plurality of apertures in a direction transverse to optical axis for optically enhancing the fixed imaging lens.
US08313029B2 Apparatus and methods for decoding images
A method and system for determining an orientation of a data-encoding symbol, such as a PDF417 bar-code symbol, and for decoding the encoded data. One example method may include detecting an encoded data sequence at a first location of the symbol and at a second location of the symbol. The symbol orientation may be determined at least partially based on the first and second locations. Strings of data encoded in the symbol may then be decoded by processing the strings to generate indices and accessing a codeword array using the indices to look up codewords corresponding to the strings. A match between a string and a codeword may be verified with data in the codeword array.
US08313027B2 Card reader and control method therefor
A card reader may include a card insertion port, a card feeding passage along which a card is carried, a card surface abutting member such as a shutter member capable of abutting with a surface of the card, an abutting member sensor for detecting a position of the shutter member, a card insertion detection mechanism, and a control section for discriminating whether the card is a special shaped card or not on a basis of detection results of the abutting member sensor and the card insertion detection mechanism. A control method may include a shutter opening step, a feeding and stop step in which the card is carried by a first feeding distance in a taking-in direction and stopped, a shutter closing step in which the shutter member is moved in a direction for closing the card feeding passage, and a discrimination step in which the card is discriminated whether the card is a special shaped card or not on the basis of a detection result by the open-and-close sensor after the shutter closing step.
US08313023B1 Exchange of non-negotiable credits of an entity's rewards program for entity independent funds
In one embodiment, a rewards program for credit cards (e.g., payment artifacts) can be established. Non-negotiable credits are accrued in response to one of the payment artifacts being used for purchases of goods or services with venders. Restrictions on use prevent the non-negotiable credits from being directly applied for a purchase of at least one goods or services of a commerce partner, which is an independent entity from the entity. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits are subtracted in response to the purchase of the goods or services that cost a quantity of entity independent funds, which result from a conversion of the subtracted quantity of non-negotiable credits into the entity independent funds in accordance with a credit to fund conversion ratio. The entity provides compensation for the subtracted quantity of the non-negotiable credits. The commerce partner receives at least a portion of the compensation.
US08313021B2 System and method for managing enhancement features assigned to financial presentation devices
A system for managing enhancement features assigned to financial presentation devices such as credit cards. The system includes an accounts database and a feature management module. The accounts database stores account holder data containing assigned enhancement features for associated credit cards. The feature management module is capable of updating and managing the assigned features of an individual credit card independently of other cards so as to provide enhancement features that can be customized for each individual cardholder.
US08313020B2 Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records such as user cards. The machine is operative to accept financial checks. The arrangement enables a card-based deposit at a deposit accepting machine to be carried out even when the deposit becomes jammed in the machine prior to transaction recordation.
US08313016B2 Method and device for positioning a first pipe with respect to a second pipe
This invention relates to a method for axial positioning of a first pipe with respect to a second pipe for the welding of said pipes at their ends thereof of which the faces have been previously machined and define a joint plane, according to which a plurality of jacks are distributed around the first and second pipes, and said jacks are connected to a central processing and control unit.According to the invention, the movement of each of the jacks is controlled with respect to said external surface of the first and/or second pipe so as to align and center the internal end surfaces of the first and second pipes. The invention also relates to an associated device.
US08313015B2 Gas delivery system for reducing oxidation in wire bonding operations
A wire bonding machine is provided. The wire bonding machine includes a bonding tool and an electrode for forming a free air ball on an end of a wire extending through the bonding tool where the free air ball is formed at a free air ball formation area of the wire bonding machine. The wire bonding machine also includes a bond site area for holding a semiconductor device during a wire bonding operation. The wire bonding machine also includes a gas delivery mechanism configured to provide a cover gas to: (1) the bond site area whereby the cover gas is ejected through at least one aperture of the gas delivery mechanism to the bond site area, and (2) the free air ball formation area.
US08313013B2 Method and assembly for anastomosis
The invention includes an assembly for anastomosis having a clamp being arranged to support a fastener. The clamp can be actuated to join a vessel with the fastener to establish a fluid communication. In some embodiments, the invention includes an assembly having a clamp and a fastener with first and second joinable parts, and the assembly can be adapted to facilitate the alignment of the first and second joinable parts.
US08313004B2 Can shell and double-seamed can end
A drawn aluminum can shell has a peripheral crown which is double-seamed with an end portion of an aluminum can body to provide a can end having a generally flat center panel connected by an inclined curved or straight panel wall to an inclined inner wall of an annular U-shaped countersink. The countersink has an outer wall which connects with an inclined lower wall portion of a chuckwall at a junction below the center panel, and the chuckwall has a curved or inclined upper wall portion which connects with an inner wall of the crown. The chuckwall also has an intermediate wall portion forming a break, and the inner bottom width of the countersink is less than the radial width of the panel wall. The inclined upper wall portion of the chuckwall extends at an angle greater than the angle of the inclined lower wall portion of the chuckwall.
US08313000B1 Foldable pot
A foldable pot has a base, a folding body, two supporting shafts and two handles. The base is a metal basin and has a locking groove formed around an opening top of the base. The folding body is mounted on the opening top of the base and has a connecting ring, a folding segment and a mouth. The connecting ring is mounted in the locking groove and has a linking section. The folding segment is formed on and protrudes from the linking section and has two folding rings and a connecting section. The mouth is formed on the folding segment and has two pairs of through holes. The supporting shafts are transversely mounted in the mouth at intervals and each supporting shaft has two connecting arms. The handles are detachably connected to the connecting arms of the supporting shafts beside the folding body and each handle has an inserting hole.
US08312997B2 Module for processing a fluid and a process for manufacture of same
The invention relates to a module for processing a fluid having a body of wound layers of a sheet material, the body having inner and outer surfaces, first and second end faces and a passage extending along the winding axis of said body in fluid communication with the inner surface, the sheet material having openings forming at least three types of channels, the channels extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, a first type of channel being open at the outer surface of the body and closed at the other end, a second type of channel being open at the inner surface of the body, in fluid communication with said passage and closed at the other end, a third type of channel being closed at both ends thereof and positioned such as to receive fluid from one or more channels of the first or second type.
US08312996B2 Vibratory material screen with seal
A screen assembly for separating solid materials of differing sizes in a material stream, having a support, and a screen arrangement placed upon the support, wherein the support has at least one seal placed on the support, the seal configured to interface with a mounting surface of a shaking apparatus.
US08312995B2 Magnetic vibratory screen clamping
Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator for processing drilling fluid are disclosed. The methods include introducing material to a vibratory separator, and sensing with a sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator and providing a signal indicative of a value of the state parameter to a control apparatus. Then, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter.
US08312992B2 Clip holder
The invention relates to a medical or surgical clip holder, comprising at least one holding device for holding at least one medical or surgical clip, the at least one holding device comprising at least two holding surface areas movable relative to each other for holding the at least one clip with force locking and/or positive locking, wherein the at least one holding device comprises at least one restoring device for moving the at least two holding surface areas relative to each other into a force-neutral position in which the at least one restoring device holds the at least two holding surface areas in a predefined position relative to each other following deflection of the at least two holding surface areas relative to each other from an initial position into a deflected position.
US08312990B2 Accessory display and storage system
A jewelry and accessory display and storage system includes a foldable base material having arranged pairs of connecting elements spaced at intervals to create a display area with different sections. The connecting elements may be one of snaps, magnets, hook-and-look closures, and ties. Multiple modules, each for holding a particular type of jewelry or accessory, are provided with at least a pair of connecting elements that removably engage with the connecting elements attached to the base material to impart flexibility to the system configuration. The modules may include a necklace module, a bracelet module, a charm or pendant module, a ring module, a clip-on earring module, a stud earring module, a pierced earring module, a cufflink module, a decorative pin or medal module, a watch module, and a pocket module. A method of folding the system for transport is also disclosed.
US08312985B2 Tool-free replacement of bottle guide curves
A guide element for containers includes partial guide elements that can be interconnected by a connecting element having first and second partial connecting elements that can be force-locked together. One of the partial connecting elements includes a lockable receptacle into which the other partial connecting element can be inserted by its insertion end, the insertion end corresponding to the receptacle, such that the first partial connecting element, when in an unlocked condition, is held securely in position and supported by the second partial connecting element, and one partial connecting element is held securely in position on the other partial connecting element by form-fit when the lockable receptacle is locked.
US08312984B2 Device for filling of containers
Apparatus for filling packages of the collapsible type, having a first station and a second station, a transport unit for intermittent transport of the packages from the first station to the second station along a transport direction (P) which extends between the first station and the second station, the transport unit being designed to transport the packages in a hanging position, and a swing-inhibiting unit which is designed to engage with the packages in order to counteract a swinging movement of the hanging packages during said transport, the swing-inhibiting unit being movable along the transport direction (P) while the transport unit transports the packages. The swing-inhibiting unit is arranged separately from the tranport unit.
US08312983B2 Apparatus for stacking electrode plates
An apparatus for stacking electrode plates includes a first and second transfer conveyor units, and an electrode plate support. The first transfer conveyor unit includes an addressing conveyor and a movable conveyor, and a power unit drives the movable conveyor upward and downward to vary the angle between the movable conveyor and the addressing conveyor. The second transfer conveyor unit has a plurality of conveyors located at different heights. The electrode plate support has a plurality of support plates which are placed vertically parallel to one another. The electrode plate support is moved upward and downward in a vertical direction via a conveyor device to move the support plates to positions adjacent to their own corresponding conveyors of the second transfer conveyor unit at different heights, and each of the support plates accepts an electrode plate from its own corresponding conveyor of the second transfer conveyor unit.
US08312981B2 Method and device for conveying and rotating impact-sensitive panels in ultra clean rooms
A method and a device for the contamination-free, precise-track conveying and rotating on one plane of thin, impact-sensitive crystalline panels, in particular glass panels is described. The method includes the following features: a) a glass panel (6) is conveyed over parallel mounted carriers (9) of a roller conveyor, the surface of the rollers having a thread-type structure; b) to alter the travelling direction of a glass panel (6), other supplementary rollers (7) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor, said other rollers being lifted above the level of the roller conveyor by means of a lifting device; and c) to rotate a glass panel (6) independently of the travelling direction, other supplementary rollers (10) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor.
US08312980B2 High speed diverter for baggage conveyor
An apparatus is provided to facilitate the transfer of baggage on conveyor systems at the junction between a sort conveyor and a take-away conveyor. The transfer apparatus includes a sweeper arm that rotates across the sort conveyor to sweep a baggage article thereon toward the take-away conveyor. The sweeper arm translates linearly relative to the sort conveyor so that the baggage remains in continuous contact with the sweeper arm. The rotation of the arm is coordinated with the translation so that the baggage will be fully diverted from the sort conveyor by the time the sweeper arm reaches the end of its translation.
US08312974B2 Disc brake for vehicle
A disc brake for a vehicle, reduced in volume by improving a driving unit thereof that presses a wedge and therefore conveniently installed in the vehicle. The disc brake includes a disc rotated along with wheels of the vehicle, inner and outer friction pads disposed at both sides of the disc, a caliper housing supporting the outer friction pad, a wedge member disposed at a rear side of the inner friction pad and formed with inclined surfaces on a rear side thereof, a supporting member formed with inclined surfaces corresponding to the inclined surfaces of the wedge member and fixed to the caliper housing, and a driving unit operating the wedge member to perform a braking operation. The driving unit includes a screw axis, a driving motor, a worm gear constituted by a worm and a worm wheel, and a moving member.
US08312973B2 Method and system to increase electric brake clamping force accuracy
The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
US08312972B2 Brake equipment for holding and braking an elevator car in an elevator installation and a method of holding and braking an elevator installation
Brake equipment for holding and braking an elevator car in an elevator installation, which is arranged to be movable along a brake track in two directions of travel, includes a mount with a brake lining which automatically adjusts under friction couple with the brake track on movement of the elevator car relative to the rail and in that case tightens a first tightening means, which can be released by an actuator. The first tightening means tightens the mount together with the brake lining against the brake track by a biasing force. The brake equipment produces, with unmoved brake equipment and an unreleased state of the actuator, a holding force acting in both directions of travel. The holding force is determined substantially by the biasing force acting on the mount.
US08312970B2 Elevator arrangement
A method for installing, securing, or installing and securing at least one rope pulley of an elevator may include: arranging a set of ropes of the elevator and the at least one rope pulley, in a rigged or unrigged state, near an elevator car of the elevator or in a shaft of the elevator; and detachably mounting the at least one rope pulley to the elevator car, a frame structure of the elevator car, or a guide rail of the elevator car using a quick coupling. The elevator may include the ropes, the at least one rope pulley, the elevator car, and elevator car guide rails. The ropes may pass around the at least one rope pulley. The at least one rope pulley may be adapted to detachably mount to the elevator car, the frame structure, or one of the elevator car guide rails using a quick coupling.
US08312960B2 Occlusion effect mitigation and sound isolation device for orifice inserted systems
Methods and devices for sound isolation are provided. A sound isolation device includes an expandable element and an insertion element. The expandable element is operatively attached to the insertion element. The expandable element includes an expanding medium, where the pressure of the expanding medium is varied to vary a sound isolation across the expandable element.
US08312959B1 Vehicle steering system transmission
A vehicle steering system transmission comprising a housing, an input shaft journalled to the housing, an electric motor connected to the housing and coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft journalled to the housing, the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a first pair of sprockets having a first belt trained therebetween and having a first ratio, the first belt and first pair of sprockets comprising a helical tooth configuration, the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a second pair of sprockets having a second belt trained therebetween and having a second ratio, and the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a third pair of sprockets having a third belt trained therebetween and having a third ratio.
US08312956B2 Auto inter-axle differential lock engagement for improved braking capacity
A work vehicle is provided having a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The front wheel assembly may include a front axle assembly, and the rear wheel assembly may include a rear axle assembly. The vehicle may include a braking system configured to transfer front axle braking torque to the rear axle assembly when the vehicle is positioned on a slope.
US08312954B2 Frame for a two wheeled electric vehicle
A frame for an electric vehicle with a motor and a transmission, the frame including a steering head unit, a power unit casing, a left side frame and a right side frame. The steering head unit includes a steering head, a left extension and a right extension, wherein the left extension and right extension extend at an angle from the steering head. The power unit casing encloses the motor and the transmission, orienting the gearbox of the transmission vertically underneath the motor. The left and right side frames mount, on one end, to the left and right extensions of the steering head unit, respectively, wherein the other end mounts to the left and right sides of the power unit casing, respectively. The steering head unit, the power unit, the left side frame and the right side frame form an open cage, configured to accept a battery assembly.
US08312948B1 Dual mechanical brake release for electric drive system
An actuator assembly for use with a transmission drive system having a pair of transaxles where each transaxle includes an electric motor and a brake release pin extending from a brake housing, where the release pins are both moveable from a first, engaged position to a second, released position. The actuator assembly includes a support bracket fastened to each transaxle, a sleeve attached to the support bracket and arranged generally parallel to the axes of the first and second release pins, a rod moveably disposed within the sleeve and extending from each end thereof, a pair of levers engaged to the two release pins and to the rod, a fulcrum attached to the support bracket, and an actuator arm engaged to the rod and pivotable about the fulcrum to longitudinally move the rod within the sleeve, wherein the actuator arm is moveable.
US08312942B2 Roller cone drill bits with improved fluid flow
Roller cone drill bits operable to form a borehole. A number of support arms may extend from each drill bit. A cutter cone assembly may be mounted on each support arm. A number of cutting elements or inserts may be disposed on an exterior surface of a cone assembly. A lifting surface may be formed on each support arm extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of each support arm such that the lifting surfaces directs cuttings upward in a borehole. A wedge shaped portion may be formed on each support arm proximate the lifting surface and the trailing edge. An inlet to each lifting surface may be formed on the leading edge of each support arm.
US08312941B2 Modular fixed cutter earth-boring bits, modular fixed cutter earth-boring bit bodies, and related methods
A modular fixed cutter earth-boring bit body includes a blade support piece and at least one blade piece fastened to the blade support piece. A modular fixed cutter earth-boring bit and methods of making modular fixed cutter earth-boring bit bodies and bits also are disclosed.
US08312940B2 Apparatus and method for improvements in wellbore drilling
A tool for use in wellbore drilling that is suitable for use with a drill string for drilling a wellbore having an inner wall. The tool comprises a cylindrical abrasion surface for contacting the inner-wall and generating particles of solid material, and a smearing device coupled with the drill string for applying radial and circumferential force to smear the generated particles onto the inner wall of the wellbore.
US08312939B2 Method and system for laterally drilling through a subterranean formation
An internally rotating nozzle for facilitating drilling through a subterranean formation is rotatably mounted internally within a housing connected to a hose for receiving high pressure fluid. The rotor includes at least two tangential jets oriented off of center for ejecting fluid to generate torque and rotate the rotor and cut a substantially cylindrical tunnel in the subterranean formation.
US08312938B2 Vertizontal geothermal loop and installation method
A method and device for installing a tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground. A drill rod includes a hook for removably mounting the heat exchange tube for positioning the tube in the hole bored in the ground by the drill bit. The tube may be inserted into the bored hole once the drill is removed therefrom, mounted to the tube and then reinserted into the hole. Alternatively, the tube is mounted to the drill rod as the hole is being bored.
US08312934B2 Control line retention and method for retaining control line
A line retention system includes a positionally fixed retainer having one or more recesses therein that are receptive to one or more lines. The system further includes one or more spline recesses in the positionally fixed retainer receptive to one or more position splines and one or more position splines that are receivable in the one or more spline recesses. A method for retaining one or more lines is included.
US08312932B2 Capillary hanger arrangement for deploying control line in existing wellhead
To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger.
US08312926B2 Method for reducing thermal loss in a formation
A method for reducing thermal loss in a formation comprising two zone capable of production. The method first begins drilling a pair of wells, comprising a first well and a second well in a formation having two production zones, wherein one production zone is a thief zone such that the first well and the second well are in fluid communication with the thief zone. A sealing agent is injected into the thief zone via a first well and produced from the second well. Either the first well or the second well is then capped to form a capped well and a uncapped well. An amount of activating agent is injected into the uncapped well to form in-situ a thermally restrictive substance inside the thief zone.
US08312920B2 Method and apparatus for automated fluid loss measurements of drilling fluids
A drilling fluid test device including a cell body having a pressurization inlet configured to allow for pressurization of the cell body, a fluid inlet configured to provide a test fluid, a filtrate outlet configured to discharge a filtrate, and a fluid outlet configured to discharge the fluid. The device also including a filter medium disposed in the cell body and a cleaning system disposed in the cell body and configured to clean the filter medium. Additionally, a method of testing a drilling fluid including injecting a drilling fluid into an automated testing cell, the automated testing cell having a filter medium. Furthermore, pressurizing the automated testing cell, forming a filter cake on the filter medium, and separating the drilling fluid into a filtrate and a residual drilling fluid. Additionally, transferring the filtrate to a filtrate collection vessel and determining a volume of filtrate in the filtrate collection vessel.
US08312912B2 Sunshade assembly having a clutch unit
A sunshade assembly includes a housing having a top opening, a winding shaft mounted rotatably in the housing, a sunshade cloth wound around the winding shaft, a pull rod disposed outside the top opening, a frame body disposed below the housing, a gear rack mounted to the frame body and having a top end connected to the pull rod, and a clutch unit meshing with the gear rack and including a pusher that is operable to place the clutch unit in a non-clutching position, where the gear rack is freely movable to permit the sunshade cloth to be wound by the winding shaft, or a clutching position, where the clutch unit applies a retarding force to retard a movement of the gear rack, which prevents the winding shaft from winding the sunshade cloth but permits the pull rod to pull and stop the sunshade cloth at a desired position.
US08312911B2 Golf cart curtain assembly
A portable golf cart curtain assembly that is able to be installed by one golfer in a matter of minutes on any golf cart and provide a substantial barrier to the elements. Its extensible framework is designed for quick attachment to a plethora of different carts and to remain in place despite the twisting of the golf cart frame and any jostling of the golf cart as it traverses about the course. A set of rubber grommets keeps any movement of the assembly quiet as metal on metal contact is eliminated.
US08312908B2 Device for regulating the delivery rate of a linear element
A device for adjusting the delivery rate of a linear element. The device forms a delivery path for the linear element between an inlet to the device at a delivery rate that is substantially constant and an outlet from the device at a delivery rate that is variable and substantially periodic and varies the length of the path of the linear element in application of a predetermined periodic relationship. The device includes a plurality of pulleys movable in rectilinear translation periodically in sinusoidal manner.
US08312907B2 Fiber bundle arranging device and fiber bundle arranging method
A fiber bundle arranging device is provided that laminates fiber bundle layers formed of a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is engaged with arranged pins to have straight parts. The device includes a press roller and a first moving device. The press roller includes a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the press roller depresses the straight parts of the fiber bundle engaged with the pins toward the roots of the pins in the vicinity of the pin. The first moving device moves the press roller in the arrangement direction of the pins such that the peripheral portion sequentially intersects the straight parts of the fiber bundle. The peripheral portion is located in the front of the press roller in the moving direction, and the press roller is moved to sequentially intersect the straight parts of the fiber bundle while being inclined such that, toward the front end in the moving direction of the press roller, the distance from the roots of the pins in the laminating direction of the fiber bundle layers increases.
US08312906B2 Method and device for positioning stringers on an aircraft skin, in particular on a wing skin
Until now, an orientation pattern has been projected onto the skin by means of lasers. The stringers provided with an adhesive film are then positioned by hand on the skin and fixed by pressure weights. A precision of ±3 mm is thus achieved. The fine positioning takes place by means of comb templates. The templates are set one after the other, pressure weights being removed from the stringers after each setting, so a manual orientation of the stringers is made possible. The weights are then set again. The imprecision is still ±1.4 mm. This procedure is very time-consuming and not precise enough. It is therefore proposed to use a gantry robot with a gripper beam to position the stringers, the gantry robot cooperating with a loading unit and a heating station. The time spent is thus substantially reduced and the precision of the product is decisively increased.
US08312896B2 Air valve for spray guns
A compressed gas-aided coating dispensing device includes a valve controlling the flow of compressed gas through the device. The device includes a port for coupling to a source of compressed gas and a port through which the compressed gas flows downstream from the valve. The valve includes a first valve member and a first seat cooperating to control flow through the device, and an operating member for controlling the relative positions of the first valve member and first seat. The valve further includes a second valve member and a second seat. The operating member also controls the relative positions of the second valve member and the second seat. The operating member controls the relative positions of the first valve member and first seat and the second valve member and second seat.
US08312890B1 Dissolvable valve in a fluid processing device
A fluid processing device, system, and method for processing a fluid, are provided. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of fluid retainment regions formed in or on the substrate, and a barrier at least partially separating two or more of the fluid retainment regions, wherein the barrier can include a solvent-dissolvable, LCST-free material.
US08312886B2 Oral tobacco product having a hydrated membrane coating and a high surface area
Provided is a moist smokeless tobacco product including a hydrated membrane coating and a portion of tobacco material. Preferably, the tobacco material is pre-portioned and formed to include at least one dimple and/or at least one hole through the tobacco material so as to increase the surface area of the tobacco product.
US08312881B2 Nasal assembly
A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.
US08312880B2 Adaptable demand dilution oxygen regulator for use in aircrafts
A system and method of automatic delivery of appropriate flow rate of oxygen to a person flying in a pressurized aircraft cabin is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adaptable demand dilution oxygen regulator for use inside a pressurized aircraft cabin, includes an oxygen initiation and demand regulation system adapted to be responsive to differential gas pressure in a first altitude range based on a pulmonary capacity of a person flying in the pressurized aircraft cabin and to control flow of pressurized oxygen to a breathing outlet during the first altitude range. The adaptable demand dilution oxygen regulator further includes a cabin air dilution and delivery system, coupled to the oxygen initiation and demand regulation system, adapted to be responsive to differential gas pressure in a second altitude range and to output progressively enriched mixture till 100% pressurized oxygen into a breathing apparatus during the second altitude range.
US08312878B2 Compensation of volumetric errors in a gas monitoring system
A mainstream gas monitoring system and method that includes a using a mainstream airway adapter, and a gas sensing assembly associated with the mainstream airway adapter to measure an analyte of a gas flow through the adapter. A gas sensing portion outputs a signal indicative of the analyte in a gas flow in the mainstream airway adapter. A processing portion receives the signal from the gas sensing portion and determines an amount of the analyte in the gas flow based on the signal from the gas sensing portion. The processing portion also compensates for volumetric differences between the gas flow during inspiration and the gas flow during expiration to maximize the accuracy in the measurements made using such a system and method.
US08312875B2 Fastenable conduit for breathable gas delivery
A fastenable air delivery conduit includes a body portion having a supply end and a delivery end and a fastener that substantially extends from the supply end to the delivery end. The fastener, when engaged, forms the body portion into a fastened configuration, and when disengaged, forms the body portion into an unfastened configuration. The body portion defines a longitudinal axis when in the fastened configuration, and the fastener extends from the source end to the delivery end of the body portion at an angle that is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conduit.
US08312871B1 Induction drive mechanism for a paintball loader
An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to movement of paintballs in the feed tube. The spatial relationship between the drive electromagnets and the driven magnetic elements is user adjustable to enable variation in the torque transfer of the drive apparatus to suit specific paintball characteristics.
US08312861B2 Engine brake detection
In a method for reducing engine vibrations during engine braking with a malfunctioning engine brake, the engine brake includes an arrangement for altering a timing of at least one exhaust valve and an arrangement for varying an exhaust gas back pressure. The method includes detecting piston acceleration for each cylinder in the engine during the use of the engine brake, comparing the detected piston acceleration with a predetermined reference value, decreasing exhaust gas back pressure during engine braking if at least one piston is detected with a piston acceleration deviating more than a predefined amount from the predetermined reference value so that the piston acceleration will be falling within the predefined amount from the predetermined reference value.
US08312857B2 Oil pan for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to an oil pan made of thermoplastic for an internal combustion engine, said oil pan comprising integrated oil cooler and an integrated oil filter, a straight connection opening being provided between the oil cooler and the oil filter.
US08312854B2 Ignition device for a laser ignition system of an internal combustion engine
An ignition laser for an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein the combustion chamber window is connected to a housing of the ignition laser in a gas-, pressure-, and temperature-resistant manner.
US08312850B1 Valve train control device
A valve train control device, for use in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having a camshaft with a primary cam lobe, is provided herein and generally includes a primary cam follower positioned in an operational path between the primary cam lobe and a corresponding valve with the primary cam follower being constructed to follow the primary cam lobe while an auxiliary motion transfer device, responsive to at least one engine parameter, may be coupled to the primary cam follower to shift the primary cam follower relative to the primary cam lobe during at least a portion of the camshaft rotation to alter one or more valve operating parameters relative to a set of valve parameters defined by the primary cam lobe profile interacting with an unshifted primary cam follower.
US08312844B2 Endoskeletal pet toy
A pet toy includes an internal skeletal member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The internal skeletal member is configured to deform upon compression such that opposing sides of the internal surface come into contact with each other. An outer covering surrounds the skeletal member. A sound-emitting squeaker device is located within an internal space of the internal skeletal member. The sound-emitting squeaker device remains free to move throughout the internal space of the internal skeletal member.
US08312840B2 Substrate processing apparatus and method
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus and method. The substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber (10) providing an internal space, in which a process is carried out onto a substrate; a gas supply unit (40) supplying a source gas to the internal space; a coil (16) generating an electric field in the internal space to generate plasma from the source gas; and an adjustment ring (50) disposed on a flow path of the plasma toward a support member to adjust the flow of the plasma. The chamber (10) includes a process chamber (12), in which the support member is provided and the process is carried out by the plasma; and a generation chamber (14), in which the plasma is generated by the coil (16), provided on the upper surface of the process chamber (12), and the adjustment ring (50) is installed at the lower end of the generation chamber (14).
US08312837B2 Support assembly for stent coating
A support assembly for a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent are provided. The support assembly provides for minimum contact between the stent and the support assembly so as to reduce or eliminate coating defects.
US08312834B2 Apparatus for applying thin coating
A coating apparatus includes a coating transfer roll that transfers a coating material from a coating material reservoir to a work piece. The coating material reservoir is formed between the coating transfer roll, a flexible blade and reservoir wall members. The flexible blade includes a first section that is fixed to a support. A second section of the flexible blade extends along a length of the coating transfer roll and is rotatable about the first section. An actuator selectively applies a pressure on the flexible blade during a coating operation to deflect the flexible blade and control a thickness of the coating material applied to the work piece.
US08312833B2 Pneumatic nozzle for roller coating
A pneumatic nozzle for roller coating is revealed. A workpiece to be coated is fixed on a rotating power source of a machine. A high-pressure pneumatic nozzle and a material supply nozzle, both corresponding to the workpiece, are arranged at the machine. The workpiece is driven to rotate by the rotating power source while the material supply nozzle applies coating material to the workpiece and the high-pressure pneumatic nozzle releases high pressure gas. The coating material attached on the surface of the workpiece is pushed by the high pressure gas and spread uniformly on the workpiece by rotating workpiece. Thereby the material is coated smoothly in a non-contact way and the thickness of the coating material is controlled in micron scale. This helps following manufacturing of three-dimensional microstructures on rolls for producing roll dies and increases the practical value.
US08312831B2 Hydrofoil boat stabilizer
A hydrofoil boat stabilizer having a cross-sectional area with the configuration of a true hydrofoil is provided. The hydrofoil includes a slip-on yoke designed to compressively fit on a cavitation plate of a boat motor lower drive unit. The wings of the hydrofoil include at least one angle of attack, and preferably, a plurality of angles of attack. The hydrofoil is shaped to reduced drag and minimize cavitation. A low-drag surface is included on at least a portion of the outer surface of the hydrofoil.
US08312829B2 Boat hatch wind deflector system
A ventilator wind scoop system is disclosed for attachment to a boat deck hatch having a hinged hatch cover which opens to uncover the hatch opening whereby the scoop system communicates through such opening with the boat's below deck space. The scoop system has a deflector unit formed of wind-resistant fabric. The deflector, which is anchored to the inner face of the hatch cover and to supports inside the lower deck, is positioned as desired. The opposing portion of the deflector is anchored within the lower deck, preferably to the ceiling or sides to allow air flow to be forced to the front of the boat or in any direction needed. The wind scoop system is easily customized to fit a wide variety of hatch sizes and when not is use folds into a compact size for easy storage.
US08312828B2 Preloading to reduce loads and save steel on topsides and grillage of catamaran systems
The present invention reduces loads and saves steel on topsides and grillage of a catamaran system by creating a lifting force from a barge to the topsides to offset a sagging bending moment of the self-weight on the topsides during transportation. The present invention can reduce the span of the supports on the topsides on the catamaran float-over barges and move the reaction forces toward inner edges of the float-over barges. The lifting force can cause a reduction of stress on the topsides' and grillage's members caused during the topside offloading and transportation. The stress reduction can result in the members withstanding the additional dynamic load caused by a catamaran system without increasing member sizes adequate for an offloading operation. The reduction results in a significant savings, given the size of a typical topsides for a Spar hull or other offshore structure.
US08312826B2 Alignment mechanisms for materials joined at a seam
Alignment mechanisms are provided for use in conjunction with manufacture of a flat-seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials.
US08312825B2 Methods and apparatuses for assembly of a pericardial prosthetic heart valve
A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.
US08312824B2 Thread cutter for sewing machine
A thread cutter for a sewing machine includes a first thread seizing assembly reciprocally movable and having a distal end with a first thread seizing portion, a second thread seizing assembly seizing needle and bobbin threads both having been seized by the first assembly during a backward movement of reciprocation of the first assembly, cutting the needle and bobbin threads in cooperation with a cutting blade, and a thread cutting frame supporting the first assembly and formed with a single elongated groove supporting the first assembly so that the first assembly is movable. The elongated groove includes a linear proximal end groove, an oblique portion, and a main groove and being shaped such that the proximal end groove is translated slightly forward through the oblique portion. When moved backward in the reciprocation, the first assembly is swung so that the first thread seizing portion comes close to the second assembly.
US08312822B2 Mercury control using moderate-temperature dissociation of halogen compounds
A system and method is provided for the removal of mercury from flue gas. Effective removal of mercury is obtained by oxidation of elemental mercury, with highly reactive halogen species derived from dissociation of halogen compounds at moderate temperatures brought into contact with the flue gas with or without the addition of carbon.
US08312821B2 Waste-tire recycling system
Disclosed is a system for recycling waste tires, which are industrial wastes, so as to protect our environment against pollution and promote recycling of industrial material. The waste-tire recycling system includes a pyrolyzing unit for pyrolyzing a waste tire by using a pyrolysis reactor, in which a CO or N gas circulates as a carrier gas, a decomposed residue processing unit for crushing a decomposed residue pyrolyzed by the pyrolysis reactor to separate the decomposed residue into carbon and an iron core, an oil collecting unit for cooling and condensing an exhaust gas discharged from the pyrolysis reactor to recover heavy oil from the gas, a carbon processing unit for supplying a heat source to the circulating carrier gas by using a hot exhaust gas generated when the carbon separated from the decomposed residue is burned up, and operating a steam turbine and an absorption refrigerator to generate electricity and cold water, an exhaust gas processing unit for clarifying the exhaust gas discharged from the carbon processing unit to discharge the clarified gas in an atmosphere, and recovering a part of the CO or N gas from the exhaust gas.
US08312819B2 Expansion and retraction mechanisms for moveable tray tables
Mechanisms designed to facilitate movement of tray tables or other platforms are addressed. Internal flexible sleeves provide more constant pressure on linearly-moving shafts associated with the tables, reducing or cancelling possible lateral misalignments of the shafts. Outer cases maintain the flexible sleeves in position, and positive stopping features may be employed to prevent extension or retraction of the shafts beyond desired amounts.
US08312818B2 Modular vibratory floor
The invention relates to a vibratory floor consisting of independent vibratory modules that can be pre-fabricated and are strictly controlled before being put into place in structures for storage or transport of bulk products. Each vibratory module consists of a frame (14) in which a support material (12) is arranged, on which a metal sheet (9) is mounted, said metal sheet being attached to a vibratory element (10) and a stiffener (19) and held in place only by a peripheral sealing membrane (11), optionally supported by compression springs (13). The filling material can comprise ribs (30) for deforming the metal sheet in the form of transversal waves (31) under the effect of the weight of the stored product. The vibratory modules constructed in this way are dust-tight, do no transmit vibrations to the surrounding structure, and effectively drain any lumpy or powdery product from silos, ships, railroad cars, or other containers.
US08312817B2 Under-way transfer vehicles and system
A system is provided with vehicles for Under-way Vehicle transfer where railway depot cars run on track flush in runways for buses or other highway vehicles to drive parallelly into bottom and side openings, berths, in the cars while moving at train speed along the runway and be lifted and lowered in their berths for transfer of passengers to and from the train nonstop. The buses have an alignment arm at each front (both ends are front) for the driver to extend into the opening and apply pressure on the front face of the berth on the train so the bus driver can detect steady alignment by reading a pressure gauge before turning to enter the opening. The arm is pushed into the bus as the bus reaches alignment under the berth and turns the bus wheels parallel with the train if the driver has not. The bus floor is at or near the height of the depot car floor when set on end ledges in the berth by retracting the bus wheels or lowering end brackets to lift the bus for quick exchange of passengers with the train. The depot cars that have an offset center sill under a side aisle past the berth have an upper branch over the berth with a header at each end substantially in one plane to prevent twisting torque from strong buffer force on the depot cars.
US08312812B2 Reloadable training ammunition
A reloadable munition having a reusable shell base having a hollow cavity on a bottom face to accept a propulsion system reload and a reusable projectile inserted into a top portion of the shell base, and a mechanical retainer for the propulsion system reload in the shell base to provide reloading and reusing of the munition by hand.
US08312810B2 Printing cylinder or printing sleeve, cup and method for producing a printing cylinder or printing sleeve
A printing cylinder for a printing machine or printing sleeve for forming a printing cylinder that includes a plurality of cups for forming a supporting inner structure of the printing cylinder or printing sleeve. Each cup includes a central disc, a radially outer edge, and a first conical surface part. The first conical surface part of one cup at least partially bears against an adjacent cup in order to form a connection between the one cup and the adjacent cup. The radially outer edges of the plurality of cups together define a substantially cylindrical surface.
US08312808B2 Bar bundler
An apparatus for bundling bars comprises an accumulator rotatable about a horizontal axis. The accumulator has a plurality of notches spaced angularly around its axis. A drive rotates the accumulator about its axis to sequentially locate the notches at a first station at which long bars are received in the notches and accumulated into batches; a second station at which the batches are tied into bundles; and a third station at which the bundles are delivered from the notches to a bundle collector.
US08312806B2 System for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, and exchangeable holder for such system
A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder and an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device which is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid such as water under pressure to the exchangeable holder, while the exchangeable holder is provided with at least one storage space which is filled with a second fluid such as a concentrate.
US08312805B1 High pressure pump piston
A high pressure piston for use within a liner sleeve of a reciprocating pump comprises a dual-durometer elastomeric seal having first and second coaxial seal sections and, in certain embodiments, a circumferential bearing ring. Interactions of the seal components, including seal elastomers, result in stress redistribution within the seal which maintains sealing preload, with corresponding improved extrusion resistance and seal durability. When a bearing ring is present, a pump's pressure stroke causes at least a portion of the bearing ring to elastically expand radially to narrow or close the extrusion gap, thus tending to block elastomer extrusion by establishing sliding contact between the bearing ring's external surface and the liner. On the pump's return stroke the slightly wider extrusion gap allows cooling water directed generally toward the proximal flange of the piston hub to better cleanse, as well as cool, the liner wall.
US08312799B2 Rip fence with a roller-type activation mechanism
A rip fence for a table saw including a front rail and a rear rail. The rip fence includes a front clamping mechanism having a locking tip positioned adjacent to the front rail, a pivotable activation plate and a handle. A rear clamping mechanism is positioned adjacent to the rear rail, and the activation plate is coupled to the rear clamping mechanism where the handle is movable between a release position and a locking position. The activation plate includes a rolling member movable between an upper end and a lower end of the activation plate, wherein when the handle is moved from the release position to the locking position, the rolling member moves from the upper end to the lower end of the activation plate, causing the activation plate to move the rear clamping mechanism into engagement with the rear rail.
US08312793B2 Hydraulic pressure supply device for industrial vehicle
A first hydraulic circuit leads, as clutch control pressure, pressurized oil supplied from a first hydraulic pump, to a transmission control device after regulating the pressurized oil, and leads, as torque converter operation oil, pressured oil to a torque converter, and leads pressurized oil to an oil cooler. Through a second hydraulic circuit, pressurized oil from a second hydraulic pump is distributed to a circuit portion downstream of the pressure regulation valve and upstream of a safety valve and to a circuit portion downstream of the torque converter and upstream of the oil cooler. A flow control device changes a proportion of a rate of flow in the second hydraulic circuit so that a proportion of the rate of flow to the circuit portion downstream of the torque converter and upstream of the oil cooler increases as pressure at an entrance of the torque converter increases.
US08312792B1 Bi-directional overrunning clutched differential unit
In a bi-directional overrunning clutched differential unit, a pair of coaxial hubs are relatively unrotatably fitted on respective coaxial output shafts, and are relatively rotatably inserted into a cage holding rollers. A pair of second bearings journal a clutch housing disposed around the cage is diametrically larger than a pair of first bearings journaling the respective hubs, and are disposed between the first bearings in the axial direction of the output shafts. An axial end portion of the cage and the second bearing on the same axial side are distant from the first bearing on the same axial side so as to have a space where a friction mechanism for applying a frictional rotation resistance onto the cage is disposed.
US08312791B2 Bicycle pedal
A bicycle pedal has a pedal spindle, a pedal body and a step-in cleat engagement structure. The pedal body includes a tubular mounting portion rotatably mounted on the pedal spindle. The tubular mounting portion includes a center tube section that has a widthwise dimension and a lengthwise dimension as measured from the center spindle axis to an outside surface of the center tube section along reference planes that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The widthwise dimension is substantially perpendicular to a cleat pedaling force direction applied to the pedal spindle, as viewed along in a direction of the center spindle axis. The outside surface of the center tube section has an overall transverse cross sectional shape that includes a generally convex arc that extends a majority of the outside surface of the center tube section on a side of the reference plane that faces the cleat engagement structure.
US08312790B2 One touch combination structure of knob for automatic transmission
A one touch combination structure of a knob for an automatic transmission may include the knob which is provided with an operation button, an insert which is interposed inside the knob, a lever pipe which is housed in the insert and a lower end portion of which is hingedly supported to regulate shift speeds, and an operation rod which is slidably inserted into the lever pipe and elastically supported therein so as to vertically move according to an operation of the operation button, wherein a first fitting protrusion and a second fitting protrusion having different width and length are provided at an inner circumference of the insert, and a first cut groove and a second cut groove respectively responding to the first fitting protrusion and the second fitting protrusion are formed at an upper end portion of the lever pipe.
US08312789B2 Foot pedal module
A foot pedal module (1) including an enclosure (3), a rotor (11), a foot pedal (15), two springs (17, 19) and a circuit board (33). The enclosure (3) has a trunnion (5), an outer ring (29) and a cover (39) for accommodating and protecting the rotor (11). The rotor (11) is linked with a bushing (7), a tappet, a lever (13), two haptic springs (17, 19), two damping elements (21, 23) and a driving element (27). The circuit board (33) carries an inductor array (25) which are designed as flat coils and located opposite the damping elements (21, 23). The foot pedal (15) is linked to the lever (13) and bushing (7) by a ball joint (35) and a socket (27).
US08312787B2 Shift lever with button type shift knob
A shift lever assembly with a button type shift knob may include a lower skirt slidably and rotatably coupled around a shift rod, an upper skirt disposed on the lower skirt and rotatably coupled to the lower skirt to allow relative rotation therebetween and to prevent relative straight motion therebetween, and a shift knob detachably attached to an upper portion of the shift rod, wherein the shift knob is slidably coupled to the upper skirt to permit an upper motion of the upper and lower skirts along a center axis of the shift rod and is eccentrically coupled to the upper skirt to prevent a relative rotation therebetween.
US08312785B2 Involute gear teeth for fluid metering device
An oval gear set for use in a flow meter comprises first and second gears that are identical to each other and that are configured to engage at a fixed center-to-center distance such that the first and second gears mesh at all angular positions. Each gear of the oval gear set comprises a hub and a plurality of gear teeth. The hub comprises an oval body having a major axis and a minor axis extending through a center of the hub, and a root profile wall circumscribing the major and minor axes. The plurality of gear teeth extend from the root profile wall. Each of the gear teeth has a pair of contact surfaces with circular involute curve profiles.
US08312778B2 Combination of a load cell and tubular insert to be mounted in a bore
The invention relates to a combination of a load cell (7) and a tubular insert (3) for mounting in a bore (2) in a machine component (1), wherein the load cell (7) is structurally connected to an inner sleeve (6), which is axially displaceable inside an outer sleeve (4), which is insertable in the bore (2), the inner and outer sleeves (6, 4) having portions with mutually tapering envelope surfaces facing each other, and a flange (5) being provided for displacing the inner sleeve (6) and the outer sleeve (4) axially relative to each other for expanding the outer sleeve (4) partially for increasing the grip between the insert (3) and the bore (2), thereby giving the load cell (7) a pretension sufficient for emitting signals representative for the load acting on the machine component (1).
US08312775B2 Diaphragm for pressure sensor and pressure sensor
A diaphragm for a pressure sensor includes: a central section serving as a diaphragm body, the central section including: an external surface deformed upon receipt of an external pressure; and an internal surface transmitting a force to a pressure sensitive element inside a housing of the pressure sensor; a peripheral section that is an exterior of the central section and welded to an outer circumference of a pressure input orifice that is provided to the housing; and a step wall provided between the central section and the peripheral section. The central section and the peripheral section are integrally and concentrically provided. The diaphragm seals the pressure input orifice.
US08312770B2 Capacitive acceleration sensor
A capacitive acceleration sensor that prevents sticking of a mass body, made of silicon, to a first sealing substrate or a second sealing substrate, made of glass. The capacitive acceleration sensor includes a first sealing substrate and a second sealing substrate each made of glass. The mass body is suspended between the first and second sealing substrates by a beam attached to a substrate, and one or both of the sealing substrates is processed such that the mass body only contacts with a subsection of the substrate surface.
US08312767B2 Apparatus and method for fluid flow measurement with sensor shielding
Methods and apparatuses for detecting radial flows of conductive fluid are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, shields are used to prevent or reduce circulating electrical currents from causing a voltage difference that would adversely affect the measured voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. The shields may be a conduit through which conductive fluid may flow. Groups of sensors, e.g., two or more, may be placed within the shield. The shields may have any cross-section shape. Generally, once the circulating electrical current flow between the electrode pairs is substantially reduced or eliminated, only the voltage difference from the localized induced electric field remains. This way, a true induced voltage may be measured, and thus an accurate value for the fluid velocity may be determined.
US08312766B2 Method for ascertaining the pressure and the profile depth in a vehicle tire
A method for ascertaining the pressure and the profile depth in a pneumatic vehicle tire which is fitted to a vehicle, wherein the pressure is detected with the aid of an arrangement comprising load sensors, which arrangement supplies force signals for a two-dimensional pattern of the force distribution which is exerted by the vehicle tire in contact with the sensors when the vehicle moves over the arrangement, wherein the tire pressure is determined from the force distribution independently of the method of manufacture or the model of the tire and of the vehicle, is characterized in that the profile depth of the tire is determined before, while or after the pressure is determined.
US08312764B2 Apparatus for detecting mechanical features of materials
An apparatus (1) for detecting mechanical features of materials, in particular metal materials, comprising an indenter (10) adapted to be pushed against a sample material (15) in which it penetrates for a depth (h) and responsive to the hardness of the materials same. The apparatus (1) provides means for generating a measured force (F) and a transmission gear (35) which changes the rotational motion of shaft (40) of motor (30) into a linear reversible movement. The force generated is then amplified in a hydraulic way and transmitted to the indenter (10). This solution allows to lighten and to reduce the size of the mechanisms for generating the force, reducing also wear and mechanical backlash, as well as costs and overall dimensions. An advantage is also to measure with precision the stroke of the indenter with corresponding control in precision of the penetration (h) of the indenter in the sample material.
US08312763B2 Method and apparatus for trapping single particles in microfluidic channels
Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Susppended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.
US08312762B2 Device and methods for reducing pressure and flow perturbations in a chromatographic system
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for placing a sample in a chromatographic system. The device and method feature placing samples held in a sample loop to pressurization prior to placing such sample loop in communication with high pressure conduits.
US08312761B1 Respirator test accessory
A test accessory for testing a variety respirators. The accessory is designed to compliment existing equipment to provide a robust assessment of respirator performance. The accessory may include a head form having an inflatable bladder capable of fitting a variety of sizes of respirator masks. In some embodiments, the inflatable bladder does not rely on adhesives to effect a seal, thereby eliminating manufacturing and quality assurance steps. The test accessory may also include a detachable instrumentation module that may be removed from the accessory, enabling calibration and maintenance at a remote facility without need for transporting the entire unit. The module may also house a memory device that may be upgraded with calibration data and firmware during the calibration process.
US08312747B2 Tumbler for tumbling bodies of dead furred animals
In connection with the tumbling of the bodies of killed furred animals, a tumbler (2) has a cavity (21) between A filling opening (20) and A delivery opening (26) that is divided into a number of sections (30, 32) to which the bodies are transferred by a conveyor unit (36) that extends through the tumbler (2), combined with a discharge/recycling arrangement (28) for individual and controlled discharge of the bodies from the tumbler. The conveyor unit (36) also has a bottom section with a worm conveyor for recirculation of the supply of sawdust to the respective sections. The tumbler (2) can be emptied and filled without having to stop operations, and is suitable for use for tumbling of pelts with the leather side outermost or with the fur side outermost, so that the tumbler replaces two or three tumblers which normally are found in a pelt processing plant.
US08312745B2 Automatically controlled washing machine
An automatically controlled washing machine having a detergent dispensing unit that is arranged in an upper machine space of the washing machine. A drawer is arranged in the detergent dispensing unit and accessible from the front panel of the washing machine. The drawer has at least one chamber for hand-metered addition of washing powder or washing liquid. At least one storage unit in the upper machine space stores liquid or gel-like washing aid. A receptacle unit of the storage unit receives a transportable storage container that contains the liquid or gel-like washing aid and a metering unit automatically meters the liquid or gel-like washing aid. The metering unit is connected to the receptacle unit by a fluid connection and has an outlet opening that opens into a stationary chamber of the detergent dispensing unit.
US08312738B2 Integrated controlled freeze zone (CFZ) tower and dividing wall (DWC) for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the operation of a distillation tower containing a controlled freezing zone and at least one distillation section. The process and tower design are utilized for the additional recovery of hydrocarbons from an acid gas. In this process, a separation process is utilized in which a multi-component feedstream is introduced into an apparatus that operates under solids forming conditions for at least one of the feedstream components. The freezable component, although typically CO2, H2S, or another acid gas, can be any component that has the potential for forming solids in the separation system. A dividing wall is added to at least a portion of the lower distillation section of the apparatus to effect the separation of at least some fraction of the hydrocarbons in that portion of the tower.
US08312732B2 Refrigerating apparatus
A compressor and an expander are provided in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. In the compressor, refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir to a compression mechanism. In the expander, the refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir to an expansion mechanism. Internal spaces of a compressor casing and an expander casing communicate with each other through an equalizing pipe. An oil pipe connecting the compressor casing and the expander casing is provided with an oil amount adjusting valve operated on the basis of an output signal of an oil level sensor. When the oil amount adjusting valve is opened, the oil reservoir in the compressor casing and the oil reservoir in the expander casing communicate with each other to allow the refrigerator oil to flow through the oil pipe.
US08312731B2 Refrigeration apparatus and method for controlling the same
A refrigeration apparatus includes an outdoor unit having a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel with each other, a first oil separator attached to the first compressor and connected to a suction pipe of the second compressor via a first oil return piping including a pressure reducing device, and a second oil separator attached to the second compressor and connected to a suction pipe of the first compressor via a second oil return piping including a pressure reducing device. The suction pipes of the first and second compressors are connected together. The first compressor is a variable-speed compressor, and the second compressor is a constant-speed compressor. A solenoid valve selectively forming a bypass circuit with respect to the pressure reducing device, is connected in parallel with the pressure reducing device of the first oil return piping. The solenoid valve is opened when the first compressor is restarted.
US08312730B2 Magnetic refrigeration device and magnetic refrigeration system
A magnetic refrigeration device, which can be reduced in size and improve magnetic refrigeration efficiency, and a magnetic refrigeration system can be provided. The magnetic refrigeration device has a heat exchanger vessel of a helical structure filled with magnetic particles having a magnetocaloric effect, a magnetic circuit, a driving unit configured to relatively move the heat exchanger vessel and the magnetic circuit so that a magnetic field can be applied to and removed from the magnetic particles, a low temperature side heat exchanging unit, a high temperature side heat exchanging unit, a refrigerant flow device, and a refrigerant circuit formed by connecting the heat exchanger vessel, the low temperature side heat exchanging unit, the high temperature side heat exchanging unit, and the refrigerant flow device by a pipe for circulating a refrigerant. The magnetic refrigeration system is arranged to use the magnetic refrigeration device.
US08312728B2 Generator with separate oil system for improved nacelle performance
An electrical generator assembly for use in a gas turbine engine, which assembly includes an electrical motor configured to connect to an accessory gearbox arranged radially outward of a main axis of the gas turbine engine and inside a nacelle, and fluid connections between the electrical motor and a generator oil system. The generator oil system is offset from the electrical motor such that the generator oil system is not located radially outward of the electrical motor and inside the nacelle.
US08312726B2 Gas turbine engine systems involving I-beam struts
Gas turbine engine systems involving I-beam struts are provided. In this regard, a representative strut assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first I-beam strut having first and second flanges spaced from each other and interconnected by a web, the first strut exhibiting a twist along a length of the web.
US08312725B2 Vortex combustor for low NOX emissions when burning lean premixed high hydrogen content fuel
A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.
US08312722B2 Flame holding tolerant fuel and air premixer for a gas turbine combustor
A fuel nozzle with active cooling is provided. It includes an outer peripheral wall, a nozzle center body concentrically disposed within the outer wall in a fuel and air pre-mixture. The fuel and air pre-mixture includes an air inlet, a fuel inlet and a premixing passage defined between the outer wall in the center body. A gas fuel flow passage is provided. A first cooling passage is included within the center body in a second cooling passage is defined between the center body and the outer wall.
US08312720B2 Method for controlling an engine braking device of an internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle
In an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas turbocharger, which includes a compressor with a compressor wheel arranged in an inlet tract of the internal combustion engine and a turbine with a turbine wheel coupled rotationally to the compressor wheel and arranged in an at least two-path exhaust gas tract of which is connected to an exhaust gas guide section of the turbine including at least a first spiral channel coupled to the first exhaust path and a second spiral channel coupled to a second exhaust gas path, two guide vane elements are arranged upstream of the turbine wheel and downstream of respective spiral channels which are formed corresponding to a first degree of asymmetry A1 determined as a quotient Θ of a first mass flow parameter and a second mass flow parameter which is between 0.4 and 0.8.
US08312719B2 Variable turbocharger and control method for the same
A variable turbocharger including a turbine housing, a first scroll fluidly communicating with a turbine, a second scroll formed along an outside of the first scroll, wherein the first scroll and the second scroll are disposed within the turbine housing for exhaust gas to exhaust through the turbine, a partitioning unit for selectively separating the first scroll and the second scroll, and a flux control valve disposed at the exhaust gas inflow portion and selectively coupled to the partitioning unit for blocking the exhaust gas from flowing into the second scroll. The variable turbocharger may prevent turbo lag at a low speed and be highly efficient at a high speed.
US08312712B2 Electrically heated particulate filter regeneration during engine start/stop operation
A control system comprises a combustion control module and a regeneration control module. The combustion control module controls operation of a vehicle in a first mode during which a combustion engine is off and in a second mode during which the combustion engine is on. The regeneration control module is in communication with the combustion control module and activates an electric heater during the first mode to heat an inlet of a particulate matter (PM) filter. Exhaust gas produced by the combustion engine enters the inlet and initiates a regeneration cycle of the PM filter in the second mode.
US08312711B2 Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine wherein an HC treatment catalyst (12) having the function of adsorbing the HC in the exhaust gas is arranged upstream of the NOx selective reducing catalyst (14), an urea aqueous solution fed from the reducing agent feed valve (15) is arranged upstream of the HC treatment catalyst (12), urea, and NOx contained in the exhaust gas, and HC adsorbed on the HC treatment catalyst 12 are reacted with each other to form intermediate products having cyano groups, oximes, and amino groups, and these intermediate products are sent to the NOx selective reducing catalyst (14).
US08312710B2 Cold-start reliability and reducing hydrocarbon emissions in a gasoline direct injection engine
A method for starting an engine of a motor vehicle, the engine having an intake manifold, an intake throttle controlling admission of air into the intake manifold, and a plurality of combustion chambers communicating with the intake manifold, the method comprising providing a reduced pressure of air in the intake manifold prior to delivering fuel or spark to the engine, the reduced pressure of air responsive to a temperature of the engine; delivering fuel to one or more of the plurality of combustion chambers in an amount based on the reduced pressure of air; and delivering spark to the one or more combustion chambers to start the engine.
US08312709B2 Method for heating a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust-gas region of a combustion process, and device for carrying out the method
An internal combustion engine is operated with direct fuel injection into the combustion chambers. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine is operated with sub-optimum ignition angle efficiency and an apportionment of a fuel quantity, which is to be injected before the start of a combustion, into at least two partial injections. A torque loss which results from the sub-optimum ignition angle efficiency and/or from the apportionment of the fuel to be injected is compensated by means of an increased charge of the combustion chambers. The fuel quantity and the charge are coordinated with one another in such a way that the air ratio lambda of the combustion chamber charges is greater than 1. The method is characterized in that a measure for a temperature of the catalytic converter, in particular a measure for the temperature at the inlet of the catalytic converter, is determined and in that a quantity of reducing exhaust-gas constituents is increased by means of at least one intervention into the control of the internal combustion engine if the measure for the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold value. The approach according to the invention permits rapid heating of the catalytic converter, wherein the hydrocarbon emissions when the catalytic converter is cold are at the same time as low as possible.
US08312708B2 Closely coupled exhaust aftertreatment system for a turbocharged engine
A closely-coupled exhaust aftertreatment system includes a first exhaust conduit comprising a first valve operable between a first position promoting an exhaust flow within the first exhaust conduit to an inlet of a first oxidation catalyst and a second position promoting the exhaust gas flow within a second exhaust conduit. It also includes a third exhaust conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet of the OC and comprising a second valve operable between a first position promoting an exhaust flow within the third exhaust conduit to an inlet of a particulate filter (PF) and a second position promoting the exhaust gas flow through a fourth exhaust conduit to an inlet in the second exhaust conduit. It further includes a turbocharger fluidly coupled to the second exhaust conduit downstream of the inlet and a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) catalyst that is located downstream of the turbocharger and upstream of the PF.
US08312707B2 Method for operating an exhaust-gas catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine
Method and apparatus for operating an exhaust-gas catalytic converter (21) of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder (Z1-Z4) and one exhaust-gas section (4), in which the exhaust-gas catalytic converter (21) and a lambda probe (43) downstream of the exhaust-gas catalytic converter (21) are arranged. A characteristic value which is representative for the NOx concentration is determined as a function of a measured signal (VLS DOWN) of the lambda probe (43).
US08312705B2 Propellant gas control valve
A gas control valve is configured to controllably supply propellant gas to a thruster so that the thruster may produce thrust over a relatively wide range, and so that the thruster exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas control valve includes a pilot stage having a pilot valve, and a main stage having a main valve. The gas control valve responds to control signals supplied to the pilot stage and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds. Conversely, for commands of relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve both respond.
US08312704B2 High pressure field emitter, photoionization, plasma initiation and field devices
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a propulsion device that ionizes a portion of a medium and ExB drifts the ionized portion providing thrust where the ionized portion is created using high pressure field emitters comprising: a substrate layer; a gate layer; a field emitter tip; and a cover layer, wherein the field emitter tip is configured to emit electrons in a region when there is a potential difference between the gate layer and the field emitter tip, where the cover layer separates an ambient environment at a pressure from the region, and where a substantial portion of the electrons pass through the cover layer.
US08312702B2 Oil recovery device
An oil recovery device is disclosed. The oil recovery device includes two bearing supports mounted on an inter-turbine casing, a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the bearing supports, a low-pressure turbine journal mounted rotating with respect to the inter-turbine casing, a fixed ferrule, and an oil passage provided in the low-pressure turbine journal making it possible to discharge the oil inside the fixed ferrule. The ferrule is preferentially widened from the end at which the oil is discharged.
US08312701B1 Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester
A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
US08312699B2 Horseback riding spur mechanism
A spur attachable to a boot. The spur includes a body having a first arm, a second arm, and a neck. A first bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the first arm and a second bar having eyelets is attached to a distal end of the second arm. The first arm and the second arm are configured to be forward relative to a heel of the boot and the neck is configured to be rearward relative to the heel of the boot.
US08312695B2 Apparatus and method for making packs of at least two containers for beverages
An apparatus (2) and a method for making packs (30) of at least two beverage containers (20) are disclosed. Using a conveyor, (15) the beverage containers (20) are fed to a station (10), at which the beverage containers (20) can be guided into a separate holding element (16). The station (10) has at least two rigid guiding elements (50), which are positioned in the station in transport direction of the beverage containers (20) in such a way that they run towards each other and thus clamp the beverage containers (20) in the holding element (16).
US08312692B2 Roof object support system
A support block for supporting objects on a roof is a molded elastomeric block with a substantially hollow core. The support block can be used as is or in a system whereby a galvanized steel channel is secured to the top wall of the block accommodating the mating of a variety of clamps. In some embodiments, the block is elongate and generally flat and supports a roof mounted object thereon when two or more blocks are supported parallel and spaced apart from one another with the object spanning between the blocks.
US08312688B2 Glazing comprising a reinforcement element
The present invention relates to a glazing unit comprising a glazed element (10) provided with a peripheral frame or with peripheral elements made of plastic overmolded onto said glazed element (10), said peripheral frame or said peripheral elements incorporating at least one element (13′, 14′, 15, 16, 17, 18′, 19′, 19″, 20) for reinforcing the glazed element, this reinforcing element being connected to said peripheral frame or said peripheral elements by an overmolding plastic (9) and consisting of a profile comprising a web part (11) that is arranged parallel or substantially parallel and close to the glazed element (10) and bears at least one projecting part (12) distal to the glazed element, characterized in that the projecting part or parts (12) does not or do not form a pocket that is open in the direction of the glazed element (10).
US08312676B2 Shutter panel having louvers aligned along a single plane
A shutter panel having multiple louvers that may be opened or closed in unison and which provide a flat, non-overlapping surface when placed in the closed position. Each louver is provided with a pivot post and a drive post, and the drive posts of each louver are interconnected to one or more control rods hidden within the stiles of the shutter panel. Each louver is beveled to encourage movement between the open and closed positions, and to assist with the formation of a substantially flat surface when the louvers are placed in the closed positions. The substantially flat surface formed when the louvers are closed may include an aesthetic design applied thereon or engraved therein.
US08312672B2 Methods of seed breeding using high throughput nondestructive seed sampling
The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method for analyzing a population of haploid seeds generally includes providing a population of seeds comprising haploid seeds, removing tissue samples from a plurality of the seeds in the population using an automated seed sampler system while preserving the germination viability of the sampled seeds, and analyzing the tissue samples for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait.
US08312670B2 Horticultural applicator device
A horticultural applicator having a raft, at least one cable attached to the raft, a boom associated with the raft, and a conduit in communication with the raft. The raft includes a lower surface, first and second side surfaces extending upwardly and outwardly from the lower surface at opposite ends thereof, and first and second end surfaces extending generally perpendicular from opposite ends of the lower surface between the first and second side surfaces. The cable is used to drag the raft over a surface containing vegetation. The boom is adapted to apply a substance onto the vegetation traveling below the lower surface of the raft.
US08312665B2 Side-mounted lighting device
A sighting device is mountable to the side plate of a gun. The sighting device includes a light source (preferably a laser), a power source connectable to the light source. The sighting device is mounted to a gun, usually by being mounted to a side plate, which is then mounted to a gun. In one embodiment, the sighting device is mounted to the side plate by being screwed or bolted to it. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a recess or channel that receives a rail, such as a dove-tail projection (or protrusion), formed on the side or vice versa. A side plate to which the sighting device can be attached and a gun including the sighting device are also disclosed.
US08312662B2 Rifle end plate sling adapter and method
End plate sling adapter securable to a rifle for a sling, includes a fastener element, sling adapter clamp and locking insert. Sling adapter clamp has a collar defining a central opening extending therethrough, and a pair of fastener housings arranged at respective ends of the collar defining a gap therebetween. Each housing receives a fastener therein such that the fastener extends across the gap and is adjustable to reduce its width. Locking insert has an upper portion with a threaded cradle accommodated within central opening and meshing with a threaded portion of a rifle buttstock receiver extension, and a lower portion extending into the gap.
US08312659B2 Hand gun
The present invention relates to a hand gun having at least one exchangeable magazine for cartridges, able to be inserted from below into a grip piece of the weapon. According to the invention, a security element is arranged in the grip piece of the weapon, which with the magazine removed blocks a grip security arrangement of the weapon on the grip piece and which on insertion of the magazine is acted upon by an element arranged on the magazine such that it moves within the grip piece, wherein through this displacement the blocking of the grip security arrangement is released. In addition, this hand gun can have a firing pin security arrangement, which blocks a movement of the firing pin on non-actuation of the trigger, wherein a recess is provided in the firing pin, and a firing pin security element, guided displaceably in this recess, which on actuation of the trigger of the weapon is acted upon directly by an arm of a swivel part connected with the trigger, and is displaced into a security release position.
US08312658B2 Firearm firing system
A firearm firing system substantially reduces the force necessary to fire the weapon yet enhances its ability to remain safe when a firing command is not issued. The sear and hammer interact at two distinct locations so as to reduce the force necessary for the sear to be removed from the sear ledge of the hammer resulting firing of the weapon. By redistributing forces to a secondary point on the hammer during firing the primary sear/hammer interaction can be maintained during non-firing modes to safe the weapon. Additionally a cavity is presented at the sear/sear ledge interaction such that residue and foreign material are removed so not to interfere with the firing mechanism.
US08312657B2 Muzzle-loading rifle equipped with a gunpowder-proof sealed breech plug
Muzzle-loading rifle, which comprises a breech plug (1) and a barrel (2), both fixed in a connection area (3), characterized in that the breech plug (1) is provided with a continuous flange (11) that presses from inside against a seating surface (12) of the barrel (2) when the breech plug (1) is fitted in the interior of the barrel (2), so that said pressure increases when the powder (7) explodes on the second end (5) of the breech plug (1). As a result, the seal between the breech plug (1) and the barrel (2) is strengthened and the gunpowder is prevented from reaching the connection area (3), thereby making it easier to detach the breech plug (1).
US08312654B2 Key tag
A key tag includes: a body having a recess and a through hole near its one end, a tag sheet accommodated in the recess, and a cover sheet adaptively engaged with the body so as to confine the tag sheet within the recess.
US08312651B2 Electronic greeting cards
Electronic greeting cards include a greeting card with two or more interconnected panels in combination with a digital multimedia player device which includes an electronic display and an audio output, and circuitry which is operative to receive, store and play digital multimedia files and content. The various greeting card structures cover and encapsulate or otherwise house and adorn the digital multimedia player. Digital files are loaded on to the digital multimedia player by a connection to a network, or directly from a data storage device such as an SD card or USB connection or compact flash which interfaces with a port in the digital multimedia player. Pre-recorded digital multimedia greeting card content is either pre-loaded on a portable data storage device, or selected for purchase and downloaded or transferred for replay by the digital multimedia player of the electronic greeting card.
US08312650B2 Wear assembly
In a wear assembly for securing wear members to excavating equipment, a spool is used with a wedge to hold the wear member in place. The spool is formed with at least one laterally extending arm at its upper end in lieu of an axial arm such as used in a conventional C-shaped spool. In this way, the spool can be easily supported in the assembly as the wedge is installed. The spool does not fall through the opening and no special care is needed to prevent it from falling. The spool also holds itself in place when the wedge is driven into the passage. As a result, installation of the wear assembly is easier and less hazardous. In addition, the lateral support reduces the risk that the spool will suffer spreading.
US08312647B2 Shoe, particularly sports shoe
The invention relates to a shoe, particularly to a sports shoe, with a sole (1), wherein the sole (1) comprises at least one spring element (2), which spring element increases the bending stiffness of the sole (1) around an axis (Q) which is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (L) of the sole (1). To create a shoe which sole has a sufficient bending stiffness and spring properties respectively without employing separate measures, i. e. without employing a spring element, the invention proposes that the sole comprises at least one receiving groove (3) for the at least one spring element (2), in which the spring element (2) is arranged in such a manner that it can slide at least along a part of its extension in longitudinal direction (L) relatively to the sole (1).
US08312643B2 Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.
US08312641B2 UV LED curing appartus with improved illumination and timer control
The present invention is related to an UV LED curing apparatus, and more particularly, to a portable UV LED curing apparatus with improved illumination and timer control to solidify a UV hardening gel, such as acrylic gel. The present invention provides an UV LED curing apparatus comprising a housing and an UV LED lighting assembly enclosed in the housing. The housing is provided with a light aperture allowing UV light shone from an UV LED light source on the UV LED lighting assembly and controlled by a timer and a current regulator integrated thereon. The UV LED lighting assembly is further provided with an optical element to direct and confine UV light shine toward the light aperture of the housing, capable of providing a focused illumination and preventing leakage of UV light outside of the housing. The UV LED light source is preferably of a short wavelength such as between 360 nm and 410 nm, and the current supplied from a power supply to the UV LED light source on the substrate is preferably controlled automatically by the timer and the current regulator integrated thereon to shine UV light toward the light aperture of the housing for a prescribed period of time preferably less than 30 seconds triggered by a switch electrically connected thereto.
US08312639B2 Liquid storage container and clothes dryer having the same
Disclosed is a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The liquid storage container comprises: a reservoir installed at the clothes dryer, and configured to store liquid therein; a light transmitting window disposed above the reservoir; and a level indicator configured to be partially or wholly immersed into the liquid stored in the reservoir according to a level of the liquid. According to the amount of the liquid stored in the reservoir, an immersed degree of the level indicator into the liquid may become different. Accordingly, a user may easily and rapidly check a remaining amount of the liquid with his or her naked eyes.
US08312638B2 Multiple laundry treating machine
A multiple laundry treating machine, in which an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) is coupled to a general laundry treating device (110), is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a main laundry treating device (110) for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the main laundry treating device (110), an auxiliary laundry treating device (120) arranged at one side of the main laundry treating device (110), the auxiliary laundry treating device (120) having a volume and a height respectively smaller than a volume and a height of the main laundry treating device (110), and having a laundry container (121) formed in an interior of the auxiliary laundry treating device (120), and a connecting unit (300) for connecting the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120), to enable communication or control operations between the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices (110, 120). In accordance with the multiple laundry treating machine, it is possible to achieve a convenience in use and to save energy because a small amount of clothes or shoes can be dried by the auxiliary laundry treating device (120), without driving a laundry treating device (120) having a relatively-large capacity.
US08312637B2 Alignment tool for replacement of ultrasonic welder horn
An alignment tool determines the parallelism between the anvil face of an anvil of an ultrasonic welder and the horn faces of a replacement horn mounted on the welder by a rotary mount. The tool includes a tool base having a face plate contacting with the anvil face and a clamp for clamping the tool base on the anvil. A plate member is mounted on the tool base for swiveling movement and contacts the horn faces. Springs urge the plate member into contact with the horn faces while the replacement horn is rotated relative to the anvil. Transducers sense the relative positions between the face plate and the plate member so that the repairman can determine that the replacement horn has been rotated to the desired position in which the horn face has become parallel with the anvil face. Then the replacement horn can then be tightened against further rotation.
US08312630B2 Method for mounting underbody elements on a motor vehicle
A method for mounting, on a motor vehicle, underbody elements and a technical front surface designed to be mounted at one end of a front structural element of the vehicle including side-members. The technical front surface is positioned on one of the underbody elements; the technical front surface is pivoted about a transverse axis from a position wherein it extends substantially transversely to a position wherein it is titled forward; the underbody elements and the tilted technical front surface are moved vertically downwards up to the vehicle; and the technical front surface is folded down from its tilted position to its normal position wherein it is opposite the structural element of the vehicle.
US08312628B2 Liquid discharge head and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head includes heating the surface portion of power line that is to be in contact with a member made of resin, thereby forming, from a precious metal layer and a nickel layer, an adhesion layer made of an alloy containing precious metal and nickel as major components.
US08312623B2 Methods for producing electrical conductors
A device including a heat sensitive substrate and an electrical conductor disposed thereon is provided. In certain examples, the heat sensitive substrate may be configured to degrade at or above a sintering temperature. In other examples, the electrical conductor may be processed, prior to disposal on the heat sensitive substrate, at the sintering temperature on a second substrate that can withstand the sintering temperature. Methods and kits are also disclosed.
US08312622B2 Punching head, machining tool with one such punching head and machining device with one such punching head or machining tool
The invention relates to a novel machining tool and a punching head for use in one such tool. An internal feed channel is formed between the connection for the external feed of components and the readiness position on the joining channel at least over a partial length of a deformable or flexible internal feed, so that the run of this feed within the tool and/or the correction of the feed to the external supply can be optimally matched to the respective tool execution.
US08312617B2 Method of manufacturing a disk drive having a base member, bearing unit, drive unit and hub
A method of manufacturing a disk drive device including: assembling a subassembly by fixing at least a bearing unit, a drive unit and a hub to a base member in a first clean room; cleaning the subassembly in a second clean room; and sealing the subassembly by a sealing member. The first clean room and the second clean room are communicated with each other by a communicating opening for transferring the subassembly, and an atmospheric pressure in the second clean room is equal to or higher than that in the first clean room.
US08312616B2 Method of using a pipe coupling having movable gripping bodies
A method of joining pipe elements in end to end relation includes using a coupling having two or more segments connected to one another end to end surrounding a central space. The coupling also has at least one gripping body positioned between two of the segments. The pipe elements are inserted into the central space. The segments and the gripping body or bodies are moved toward the central space. The segments have arcuate surfaces which engage the outer surface of the pipe element. The gripping body or bodies have gripping surfaces which engage the outer surface of the pipe elements.
US08312613B2 Percussion drilling assembly with annular locking member
A method of manufacturing a percussion drilling assembly, the method including providing a tubular case having a central axis and a lower end with an inner surface and an outer surface, providing a driver sub having a central axis, an outer surface, and an upper end, providing a annular locking member including an annular body, an inner finger extending radially inward from the body, and a first outer finger extending radially outward from the body, positioning the annular locking member about the driver sub, and threading the upper end of the driver sub to the lower end of the case. The inner surface of the lower end includes internal threads and the outer surface of the lower end includes a groove. The outer surface of the upper end includes external threads and the outer surface axially below the outer includes a groove.
US08312610B2 Retail display article and system
A method of constructing a retail display system includes creating a first display article including a support panel and hanging the first display article. Creating the first display article includes editing an original photograph of a clothing product for sale to appear similar to a mannequin wearing the clothing product for sale in an edited photograph. Hanging the first display article includes hanging the first display article in a display area using a mounting bracket secured to a back surface of the support panel. The method further includes positioning a retail good corresponding to the clothing product depicted in the photograph in proximity to the first display article. Retail display systems and methods of construction provide additional advantages.
US08312609B2 Method of manufacturing a patterned media stamper
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a patterned media Ni stamper comprising depositing a perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane release layer. The release layer eliminates bonding at the master-stamper interface. A permanent master for manufacturing a patterned media stamper is also provided.
US08312600B2 Quick release apparatus for an SCBA frame
A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a rescue worker's waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame. The apparatus includes a belt connection apparatus for connection to a wearer's waist belt, an SCBA frame connection apparatus connected to the SCBA frame, and a coupling apparatus including at least one pullable rapid release member that moves in a first direction to couple the belt connection apparatus to the SCBA frame connection apparatus and in a second direction to rapidly decouple the belt connection apparatus from the SCBA frame connection apparatus in such a manner that the SCBA frame is disconnected from the waist belt and the wearer can entirely remove the SCBA from his or her body while leaving the waist belt and any accoutrements attached thereto in place and on his or her person.
US08312599B2 Apparatus for retaining bags for carrying pet droppings
A device for holding bags containing pet waste is disclosed. In certain embodiments the device comprise a body having a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; an interior pathway through the body, the interior pathway configured for receiving and retaining a leash; and a latching mechanism configured to secure a bag to the body of the device.
US08312597B2 Hinge cup for furniture hinges
A hinge cup for furniture hinges having a cup part which can be mounted in a bore in a furniture part such that it can be inserted in a recessed manner, and having, provided on the cup part in the state mounted in the bore, anchoring parts which can be spread open and have external bearing surfaces which are curved arcuately in a manner substantially corresponding to the radius of the bore and can be pressed via tension elements against the wall of the bore, wherein the tension elements can be moved via an eccentric mechanism in the insertion direction of the hinge cup at right angles to the mounting plane of the latter, and the anchoring parts are spread when the tension elements are moved in the direction from the insertion end of the hinge cup to the mounting surface thereof.
US08312576B1 Sturdy, collapsible, folding mattress support having the appearance of a box spring
A foldable mattress support is made by covering a metal frame with a fabric covering. The metal frame includes two sections that fold together at two hinges. A first section includes first upper and lower frames, and a second section includes second upper and lower frames. Each of the upper and lower frames is pivotally attached to a hinge. A bolt that is oriented along a first axis passes through the first upper frame and through a plate of the hinge. The first upper frame pivots about a first axis; the second upper frame pivots about a second axis; the first lower frame pivots about a third axis; and the second lower frame pivots about a fourth axis. Each of the axes is orthogonal to the plate, and the third axis is spaced farther apart from the fourth axis than the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis.
US08312570B1 Quick-installation structure of a toilet seat cover assembly
A quick-installation structure of a toilet seat cover assembly includes two positioning rods which are fixed on a toilet and two connection devices which are disposed on the toilet seat cover assembly and correspond to the two positioning rods, respectively. Each of the connecting devices includes a sleeve formed on a toilet seat, a rotating axle fixed to a cover, a connecting block connected to the rotating axle, a connecting sleeve fitted on the connecting block and a button connected to the connecting sleeve. The connecting block includes a main body, an engaging plate and a first restoration spring. The main body is longitudinally formed with a positioning hole. The engaging plate and the first restoration spring are laterally and pivotally connected to the main body above the positioning hole. The engaging plate is moved to swing by pressing the button. The positioning rod has an annular groove at an upper portion thereof and a cone with an inclined surface. The engaging plate of the connecting device can be swing to engage with the annular groove of the positioning rod which is inserted in the connecting device, such that the toilet seat cover assembly can be assembled on or disassembled from the toilet quickly.
US08312567B1 Weighted exercise gloves
An athletic glove with an integral weight system is herein disclosed, comprising a plurality of pockets on the back of the glove which holds either sand or metal shot to add weight. The amount of weight will vary per glove model, but is envisioned to be approximately three (3) to five (5) pounds per glove, depending on user preference. The glove is secured around a wrist during use by a hook-and-loop fastener. The glove with the integral weight system is intended to strengthen the hand, arm and upper body areas during workouts, exercise or everyday activities. The glove is expected to be introduced in both right-hand and left-hand configurations and to be presented as a pair.