| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08334941B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes; a lower receiving container which includes; a bottom plate, sidewalls extending from the bottom plate, a first through-hole formed in the bottom plate, and a guide pole disposed on the bottom plate and which substantially surrounds the first through-hole, a plurality of light sources disposed within the lower receiving container; an optical sensor printed circuit board (“PCB”) attached to a bottom surface of the bottom plate, wherein the optical sensor printed circuit board covers the first through-hole, and an optical sensor mounted on the optical sensor PCB and inserted into the first through-hole. |
| US08334940B2 |
Display panel
A display panel including a first substrate, scan lines, data lines, sub-pixel units, a light-shielding layer, a second substrate, and a display medium is provided. Each of the sub-pixel units includes a main display unit and a sub-display unit. The main display unit includes a first switch and a first pixel electrode, wherein the first pixel electrode and the data lines adjacent thereto are separated from each other with a gap (G1). The sub-display unit includes a second switch and a second pixel electrode, wherein the second and the data lines adjacent thereto are overlapped with a first overlapping width (W1). The light-shielding layer is disposed between two adjacent first pixel electrodes such that the light-shielding layer and one of the first pixel electrodes adjacent thereto are overlapped with a second overlapping width (W2). Additionally, the display medium is display between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08334932B2 |
Image processing device, image display device, and image processing method
An image processing device includes a target correction amount calculating unit operable to calculate a target correction amount based on input image signals, a frame memory operable to store the input image signals, and a scene change amount calculating unit operable to calculate a scene change amount based on an input image signal of a present frame and an input image signal of a previous frame. Moreover, the image processing device includes a correction amount calculating unit operable to calculate a correction amount for the input image signal of the present frame, based on the target correction amount and the scene change amount, and a correcting unit operable to perform image quality correction to the input image signal of the present frame to generate a corrected input image signal, thereby outputting a corrected input image signal as an output image signal. |
| US08334931B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method for performing correction processing on input video
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention extracts a characteristic value of a luminance in relation to respective fields of an input video, and determines the presence of a scene change between adjacent fields. A gamma curve is then generated on the basis of the magnitude of the characteristic value. When a difference in the characteristic value between fields is larger than a predetermined value and a scene change does not exist, the gamma curve to be applied to a subsequent field is modified such that the correction characteristic of the gamma curve does not vary rapidly. The luminance is then corrected using the modified gamma curve. |
| US08334929B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, and method for controlling signal processing apparatus
A signal processing apparatus, comprising: an input section; a storage section; first and second signal processing sections; and a control section. |
| US08334928B2 |
Automatic OSD adjusting device and method
An automatic OSD adjusting device and the associated method are provided. The device includes a receiving unit, a processing unit, an OSD unit and an OSD adjusting module. The receiving unit receives a video signal. The processing unit is coupled to the receiving unit and processes the video signal to generate a pixel signal. The OSD unit generates an OSD signal. The OSD adjusting module, coupled to the processing unit and the OSD unit, compares the OSD signal with the pixel signal to generate a comparison result, and selectively adjusts the OSD signal according to the comparison result. |
| US08334927B2 |
Television operative to download new functional applications via an external software module and to execute the same without additional hardware
A television includes a control section, an interface and an external software module. The control section includes a processor and an internal memory that is in communication with the processor. The internal memory stores original program instructions for use by the processor to operate the television in accordance with the original program instructions. The interface is accessible exteriorly of the television and is in communication with the control section. The external software module is connectable to the interface and stores additional application program instructions that are downloadable to the control section when the external software module is connected to the interface. The downloaded additional application program instructions enable the television to function in a manner differently than any of the original program instructions. A method for adding new application program instructions to a television is also described. |
| US08334925B2 |
Method and apparatus for backlight compensation of an image
A method and an apparatus for processing images are disclosed. The method includes: generating an image histogram of an image to be processed; judging whether the image to be processed requires backlight compensation according to the image histogram; if the image to be processed requires backlight compensation, determining a first luminance boundary value A used for deciding whether to perform backlight compensation and a second luminance boundary value C used for deciding whether to perform positive or negative backlight compensation; and performing backlight compensation for the image to be processed according to the first luminance boundary value A and the second luminance boundary value C. The method is simple and universally applicable. After backlight compensation, the contrast of the image is high, and the image is free from background overexposure and image layering. The image photographed in a backlight environment is processed properly. |
| US08334922B2 |
Imaging lens, imaging apparatus and portable terminal device
An imaging lens is provided and includes: in order from the object side, a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a concave surface on the image side near the optical axis and having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power near the optical axis; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power near the optical axis. An image side surface of the fifth lens is concave near the optical axis and has a region where a negative power of the region decreases toward a periphery of the fifth lens as compared with a negative power near the optical axis. |
| US08334920B2 |
Image playback apparatus and image display control method
An image playback apparatus has a recording section which records shot images, and a display section which displays the images. The apparatus includes a motion detection section which detects a motion applied to the image playback apparatus in a state where hold of the image playback apparatus is detected, and a display control section which, when application of a particular motion set in advance is detected by the motion detection section, sorts and displays the images displayed on the display section. |
| US08334919B2 |
Apparatus and method for digital photographing to correct subject area distortion caused by a lens
A digital photographing apparatus is provided that includes: a lens unit through which image light is transmitted; an image capturing unit for converting the image light transmitted through the lens unit into an image signal; a subject detection unit for detecting a subject from the image signal of the image capturing unit to designate a subject area; a distortion correction unit for converting the image signal into a correction image signal for correcting distortion of the image light caused due to the lens unit, after the subject detection unit has detected the subject; and a subject area converting unit for designating a corrected subject area corresponding to the subject area from the correction image signal. |
| US08334917B2 |
Ultra low noise CMOS imager
A column buffer for use with a pixel cell array includes an amplifier coupled to three read-out circuits in parallel providing a signal corresponding to accumulated photon-generated charge in a pixel cell plus noise, a reset level plus noise, and a pedestal level, respectively. These three signals are used to generate an ultra-low noise signal Di=Si−Pi-1−G*(Ri−Ri-1), wherein S is the sampled signal, P is the pedestal level, R is the reset level, and G is a gain associated with a pixel cell, and wherein i is a frame number greater than 0. The three signals can be read-out simultaneously. In another embodiment, the three signals are obtained from a column buffer having only one output. In this case, the signals are read-out sequentially. |
| US08334912B2 |
Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable recording medium storing image processing program
A synchronization processing in which an image data having a plurality of color components per pixel is generated based on the image data obtained by an imaging apparatus which includes an image sensor arranged with a plurality of color filters is performed. Then, a predetermined granular pattern is added to the image data subjected to the synchronization processing. |
| US08334910B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and control methods thereof
An image capturing apparatus having a three-dimensional grid data table holds a matrix coefficient which is a basis of the three-dimensional grid data table, and editing data for editing grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table. To set the three-dimensional grid data table, the grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table is calculated by performing a matrix operation using the matrix coefficient, and the calculated grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table that is calculated based on the editing data is edited based on the editing data. Image data acquired by image capture is thus processed using the edited three-dimensional grid data table. |
| US08334909B2 |
Image shake correction device
Provided is an image shake correction device which can be miniaturized without degrading a correction performance thereof. The image shake correction device includes a support supporting a lens; a moving portion installed independently from the support and moving the support on a plane that is approximately perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, wherein the moving portion comprises a first moving portion moving the support in a first direction and a second moving portion moving the support in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; a prop supporting the support; a pressurizing member pressurizing the support toward the prop by applying force to the moving portion; a first driving portion driving the first moving portion; and a second driving portion driving the second moving portion. |
| US08334908B2 |
Method and apparatus for high dynamic range image measurement
The present invention provides a method and system for high dynamic range image measurement which is configured to control the light intensity distribution through an optical modulating switch for adjusting the intensity of the light passing therethrough so as to control the light intensity distribution of the light projecting on an object or of the object light being sensed by a photo detector for preventing the optical sensing signals of the photo detector from over-saturating. After that, the optical sensing signals are compensated according to the optical intensity distribution modulated by the optical modulating switch so as to obtain an image data with high dynamic range. |
| US08334907B2 |
Photographing method and apparatus using face pose estimation of face
Provided are a photographing method and apparatus using face pose estimation. The photographing method includes: detecting a face area from an input image; estimating pose information in the detected face area; and determining a face direction based on the estimated pose information and recording the input image according to the face direction. Accordingly, when a face of a subject looks at something other than a camera, a picture is not taken, and thus a failed photograph is prevented. |
| US08334906B2 |
Video imagery-based sensor
A sensing device includes: a video imager to obtain video of an area; a processing unit to receive and process the video from the video imager to identify one of an event or a datum of interest; and a communication channel to output a non-imagery signal representing the event or datum. |
| US08334900B2 |
Apparatus and method of optical imaging for medical diagnosis
Described herein is a novel 3-D optical imaging system based on active stereo vision and motion tracking for to tracking the motion of patient and for registering the time-sequenced images of suspicious lesions recorded during endoscopic or colposcopic examinations. The system quantifies the acetic acid induced optical signals associated with early cancer development. The system includes at least one illuminating light source for generating light illuminating a portion of an object, at least one structured light source for projecting a structured light pattern on the portion of the object, at least one camera for imaging the portion of the object and the structured light pattern, and means for generating a quantitative measurement of an acetic acid-induced change of the portion of the object. |
| US08334899B1 |
Protective laser beam viewing device
A protective laser beam viewing system or device including a camera selectively sensitive to laser light wavelengths and a viewing screen receiving images from the laser sensitive camera. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera is worn on the head of the user or incorporated into a goggle-type viewing display so that it is always aimed at the area of viewing interest to the user and the viewing screen is incorporated into a video display worn as goggles over the eyes of the user. |
| US08334898B1 |
Method and system for configuring an imaging device for the reception of digital pulse recognition information
In one aspect, the present disclosure related to a method for configuring one or more imaging sensors of an imaging device to capture digital images for digital pulse recognition demodulation. In some embodiments, the method includes initializing one or more imaging sensors of the imaging device, determining a subset of the one or more imaging sensors to configure, setting a configuration for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset by defining a region of interest as a metering area for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset and automatically adjusting a setting for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset, and adjusting input parameters of a demodulation function based on a device profile of the imaging device. In some embodiments, the adjusted setting is locked to prevent further adjustment of the adjusted setting. |
| US08334895B2 |
Image capture and processing using converging rays
Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to capture a portion of an omniscopic or omni-stereo image using one or more image capture media. The media may be located substantially perpendicular to a converging ray originating at a viewpoint on an inter-ocular circle and having a convergence angle between zero and ninety degrees from a parallel viewpoint baseline position that includes a non-converging ray originating at the viewpoint. The media may also be located so as to be substantially perpendicular to a non-converging ray originating at a first viewpoint at a first endpoint of a diameter defining an inter-ocular circle, wherein the origin of the non-converging ray gravitates toward the center of the inter-ocular circle as spherical imagery is acquired. |
| US08334888B2 |
Dynamically generated ring tones
A first input signal, which has a first playback sequence, is resequenced based upon a characteristic of a second input signal. The resequencing occurs analyzing the characteristic in the second input signal, and modifying the first playback sequence of the first input signal based upon the analysis of the characteristic to generate a second playback sequence. Finally, a third signal is output using the second playback sequence. The third signal can be a rearranged signal or a signal played at a different rate. Using the method, video ringtones can be generated on a mobile device when a call is received. |
| US08334886B2 |
Thermal head and printer
A thermal head has a support substrate, an upper plate substrate having a back surface bonded to a top surface of the support substrate, and a heating resistor provided on the upper plate substrate. A concave portion is formed in a region of at least one of the top surface of the support substrate and the back surface of the upper plate substrate and opposes the heating resistor. A through portion is formed in the upper plate substrate and passes through the upper plate substrate from a top surface of the upper plate substrate to the top surface of the support substrate in a plate thickness direction. The upper plate substrate functions as a heat accumulating layer, and the concave portion functions as a heat insulating layer. |
| US08334882B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display apparatus realizing an improved view angle characteristic of luminance and higher response speed. A sub-pixel group is provided with a plurality of sub-pixels. At the time of display driving on liquid crystal elements of each pixel, space-divisional-driving which allows each of the first and the second sub-pixels to be driven separately is performed. By the space-divisional-driving, fluctuations in the gamma characteristic in the case of seeing a display screen from an oblique direction are effectively dispersed, and the view angle characteristic of luminance improves. Area of the first sub-pixel is set to be smaller than whole area of the sub-pixel group. As a result, the drive voltage to be applied to the first sub-pixel at the time of lower gray level becomes high, and response speed improves. |
| US08334873B2 |
Method and apparatus of managing images stored in storage medium
An image management method and apparatus that uses a plurality of time maps to display retrieved images for allowing a user to conveniently and quickly retrieve images. An upper map is displayed with time intervals included on the upper map and divided into first time units, images corresponding to a point in time in which a key is positioned on the map are retrieved, and the retrieved images are displayed. A lower map is displayed with time intervals included on the lower map and divided into second time units, images corresponding to a point in time in which a key is positioned on the map are retrieved, and the retrieved images are displayed. If a user input for any one of the time intervals expressed on the upper map or lower map is received, candidate images corresponding to the input time interval are retrieved and the retrieved images are displayed. |
| US08334869B1 |
Method and apparatus for modeling 3-D shapes from a user drawn curve
Method and apparatus for modeling 3-D frustums using a single click-and-draw action. A cursor control device button is pressed at a desired starting point. The user then moves the cursor to draw a curve. When the curve intersects, the shape that has been drawn is saved as a start surface. When the cursor control device button is released, the method may search for one or more other intersections from the end of the curve. If another intersection is found, the intersection defines an end surface. If one or more additional intersections are found, the additional intersections may be used to define intermediate surfaces. The recorded points between the start and end surfaces define the path of the frustum. If a second intersection is not found, the start surface may be duplicated as the end surface. Once the user completes the curve, the frustum defined by the curve may be rendered. |
| US08334868B2 |
Method and apparatus for surface inflation using mean curvature constraints
Method and apparatus for the interactive enhancement of 2D art with 3D geometry. A surface inflation tool may be used to create a 3D shape by inflating the surface that interpolates the input boundaries. The surface inflation tool may, for example, obtain a closed 2D boundary as input, triangulate the area within the boundary to generate an initial surface, and inflate the surface while maintaining a fixed boundary. Using the mean curvature specified at boundary vertices as a degree of freedom, the tool may control the inflated surface efficiently using a single linear system. Embodiments handle both smooth and sharp position constraints. Position constraint vertices may also have curvature constraints specified for controlling the inflation of a local surface. |
| US08334859B2 |
Electroluminescent display and method of driving same
An electroluminescent (EL) display device has pixels spatially arranged in a matrix, each pixel having first, second, third and fourth EL elements, gate lines each coupled to a respective row of pixels, first data lines each coupled to the first EL elements of a respective column of pixels, second data lines each coupled to the second EL elements of a respective column of pixels, first switches each coupled to a respective third EL element, second switches each coupled to a respective fourth EL element, a switch control line coupled to the first and second switches for providing a switching control signal to set the first and second switches to be in an ON state or an OFF state, and third data lines each coupled to the first and second switches corresponding to a respective column of pixels for transmitting a data signal. |
| US08334857B1 |
Method and system for dynamically controlling a display refresh rate
A method and system are implemented to dynamically control a display refresh rate. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which comprises the steps of driving a display device at a first refresh rate over a period of time, measuring a number of first content frames with changes in content out of a plurality of content frames that are generated over the period of time for the display device, and driving the display device at a second refresh rate if the number of the first content frames meets a first condition associated with a first threshold reference, and optionally driving the display device at a third refresh rate if the number of first content frames meets a second condition associated with a second threshold reference. |
| US08334854B2 |
Display device and display method
The present invention includes a display device for displaying an image and receiving light simultaneously or alternately. The display device includes: a plurality of display elements for displaying the image on a display surface of the display device by emitting light; a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light incident on the display surface formed by the display elements; a storing unit for storing, as an initial value, a difference between two amounts of light received by the light receiving elements; and a detecting unit for detecting a state of contact with or proximity to the display surface and subtracting the initial value stored by the storing unit from a difference between the two detected amounts of received light. |
| US08334853B2 |
Light sensor circuit and driving method thereof and touch screen panel having the same
A light sensor circuit, includes a light receiving element coupled to a first power supply, a capacitor coupled between the light receiving element and a second power supply, a first transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a first electrode of the capacitor, and a second transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a selection signal line, wherein the first transistor is coupled between the selection signal line and a first electrode of the second transistor, and the second transistor is coupled between a second electrode of the first transistor and an output signal line. |
| US08334847B2 |
System having user interface using object selection and gestures
A system includes a touchscreen display and an interface application. The interface application may control the touchscreen display to provide a container and a selectable user interface control. The user interface control may be selected through manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container proximate the user interface control. The user interface application may identify a gesture function in response to manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container when the manipulation has a motion magnitude in a plane of the touchscreen display exceeding a threshold value. |
| US08334843B1 |
Electronic pointing device with user variable weight
An electronic pointing device for a computer comprising a housing and an electronic module to detect the relative displacement over an external surface and transmit it to the computer wherein the housing comprises means to adjust the total weight of the device. According to the invention, the user can freely (within certain limits) adjust the weight depending on his wishes. In one embodiment, the pointing device is a mouse. |
| US08334842B2 |
Recognizing user intent in motion capture system
Techniques for facilitating interaction with an application in a motion capture system allow a person to easily begin interacting without manual setup. A depth camera system tracks a person in physical space and evaluates the person's intent to engage with the application. Factors such as location, stance, movement and voice data can be evaluated. Absolute location in a field of view of the depth camera, and location relative to another person, can be evaluated. Stance can include facing a depth camera, indicating a willingness to interact. Movements can include moving toward or away from a central area in the physical space, walking through the field of view, and movements which occur while standing generally in one location, such as moving one's arms around, gesturing, or shifting weight from one foot to another. Voice data can include volume as well as words which are detected by speech recognition. |
| US08334837B2 |
Method for displaying approached interaction areas
A method, a computer program and a computer program product for interacting with a device via an interaction unit, wherein the interaction unit comprises a plurality of interaction areas that can be activated by an activation unit to effect the interaction, the method comprising detecting approached interaction areas, wherein the approached interaction areas are interaction areas that are approached by the activation unit without yet being activated; displaying representations of the approached interaction areas on a display of the device. The invention further relates to the device itself and to a module for such a device. |
| US08334836B2 |
Driving method for driving electrophoretic display apparatus, electrophoretic display apparatus, and electronic device
A driving method for driving an electrophoretic display apparatus, which has a display section including a plurality of pixels each having a pixel electrode and a common electrode opposing each other and an electrophoretic element interposed therebetween which includes electrophoretic particles, includes erasing a first image displayed on the display section, during a process of rewriting the first image into a second image. The driving method includes displaying the second image on the display section, during the process of rewriting the first image into the second image, wherein the corrected image data is image data obtained by correcting image data associated with the second image so as to reduce an area displaying the one gradation and expand an area displaying the other gradation in the second image. |
| US08334833B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same
A display apparatus, includes: a display unit which displays a video; a light source unit having a plurality of light sources which are independently driven, and which illuminate the display unit; and a driving unit which drives the light source unit. The driving unit includes: a driving signal generating unit which generates a driving signal which has a first voltage level and a second voltage level so that the plurality of light sources can be independently driven, and a control unit which blocks or applies the driving signal to drive the light source unit based on a voltage level which is applied to the light source unit if the driving signal which is generated by the driving signal generating unit is the first voltage level. |
| US08334829B2 |
LCD device with an improvement of MURA in pixel matrix and driving method for the same
A liquid crystal display and method for driving the same are proposed. The liquid crystal display includes a pixel matrix. The pixel matrix includes two first pixel groups each having a first pixel and a second pixel are at one side of the data line, and two second pixel groups each having a third pixel and a fourth pixel are at the other side of the data line. The driving method includes steps of: driving one of the two second pixel groups to transmit a first signal to a fourth pixel of the driven second pixel group, driving one of the two first pixel groups to transmit a second signal to a first pixel of the driven first pixel group, driving the other second pixel group to transmit a third signal to a fourth pixel of the other second pixel group, and driving the second group to transmit a fourth signal to a third pixel of the driven second pixel group. |
| US08334826B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a pixel and a data driver, and a driving method thereof to measure degradation of an organic light emitting element and a threshold voltage and mobility of a driving transistor in an organic light emitting device, wherein the degradation of the organic light emitting element and the threshold voltage and the mobility of the driving transistor are measured in a turn-on interval or a frame interval of the display device to amend the data voltage applied to the pixel, and thereby images of improved and uniform quality may be displayed. |
| US08334823B2 |
Display device and display driving method therefor
Disclosed herein is a display device, including: a pixel array in which pixel circuits each having a light emitting element, a driving transistor for applying a current corresponding to a gate-to-source voltage to the light emitting element connected to a source side by applying a drive voltage across a drain and a source, a sampling transistor for inputting a signal line voltage to a gate of the driving transistor by being caused to conduct, and a sustaining capacitor connected between the gate and the source of the driving transistor for sustaining a video signal voltage inputted thereto are disposed in a matrix; a signal selector; a drive control scanner; and a write scanner. |
| US08334822B2 |
Display apparatus, driving method for display apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a pixel array section configured to have a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix thereon, each of the pixels including an electro-optical element, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, and a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode and the source electrode of the driving transistor for storing an image signal written by the writing transistor, each of the pixels carrying out a mobility correction process for applying negative feedback to a potential difference between the gate and the source of the driving transistor with a correction amount determined from current flowing to the driving transistor; a detection section configured to detect variation of a characteristic of any transistor in the pixels; and a control section configured to control the period of the mobility correction process based on a result of the detection by the detection section. |
| US08334815B2 |
Multi-feed antenna system for satellite communications
The present invention provides an improved single antenna system that allows reception of RF energy at multiple frequencies. In one embodiment, the antenna is implemented as a multi-beam, multi-feed antenna having a primary reflector fitted with a dual mode feed tube and a switchable LNB that supports both Ka band and Ku band reception. In another embodiment, the antenna is implemented as a multi-beam, multi-feed antenna having a primary reflector fitted with a feed horn and a LNB that is capable of providing movement such that the feed horn with the LNB is at a focal point with the primary reflector for both Ka and Ku band reception. In another embodiment, the antennae is implemented as a multi-beam, multi-feed antenna having a primary reflected fitted with a feed horn assembly and a switchable LNB that supports both Ka band and Ku band reception. |
| US08334814B2 |
Antenna for circular polarization, having a conductive base surface
An antenna for circular polarization having an electrical dipole radiator which is oriented essentially parallel to an electrically conductive base surface in a plane of symmetry SE oriented perpendicular to the electrically conductive base surface. The dipole is in connection with a slot radiator which is configured in an electrically conductive base surface, with its longitudinal expanse along the intersection line between the plane of symmetry SE and the electrically conductive base surface. The slot radiator connection location is formed by means of connection points situated at the longitudinal edges and lying opposite one another. The electrical dipole radiator and the slot radiator are tuned to one another in their resonance frequencies. The slot radiator and the electrical dipole radiator with dipole feed line are connected with the antenna connection location by way of a combining network, in terms of magnitude and phase, in such a manner that circular polarization exists in the remote field at the frequency at which the radiators are tuned to one another. |
| US08334812B2 |
Microwave ablation antenna radiation detector
A radiation detector is disclosed. The radiation detector is disposed on a microwave antenna assembly. The radiation detector includes a receiving antenna adapted to receive microwave energy. The receiving antenna includes a first tubular antenna member and a second tubular antenna member disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis defined by the microwave antenna assembly. The detector also includes at least one rectifier coupled to the receiving antenna adapted to rectify at least a portion of the microwave energy and a filter coupled to the at least one rectifier and adapted to convert the rectified microwave energy into a detection signal. |
| US08334804B2 |
Multi-frequency GNSS receiver baseband DSP
A dual-frequency DSP correlator receives I and Q signal components from a down convertor in a GNSS receiver system. The signal components are cross-wiped (de-spread) for noise cancellation and can be combined for use in a processor. |
| US08334803B1 |
Method for simulating noisy radar target echoes
A method for determining target echo detection efficacy of a signal processing algorithm of a radar system involves generating a simulated noise complex envelope sequence, generating a simulated radar target echo signal complex envelope pulse sequence and adding the simulated noise complex envelope sequence to the simulated radar target echo signal complex envelope pulse sequence, thereby producing simulated noisy radar target echo signal complex envelope sequence. The simulated noisy radar target echo signal complex envelope sequence is inputted into the signal processing algorithm and the output of the signal processing algorithm is analyzed to determine target echo detection efficacy of the signal processing algorithm. |
| US08334789B2 |
Using IPTV as health monitor
An IPTV can receive a user name and present a screen enabling a user by means of a remote control to select health information categories, inputting numeric parameters into the selected categories which can be uploaded to an Internet server for analysis and viewed by the user for subsequent monitoring/charting. |
| US08334782B2 |
Smoke detector and ionisation apparatus
A smoke detector comprises a soft x-ray source (10) and an air space (16) communicating with ambient air (18) and positioned so that soft x-rays produced by the soft x-ray source (10) pass into the air space (16) to ionise air in the air space (16). A detector (14) is positioned for detecting ionised air in the air space (16). Smoke particles entering into the air space (16) mop up ionised air. This leads to a reduction in the number of ions detected which triggers an alarm. The soft x-ray source (10) preferably comprises a substrate (22) on which are provided a plurality of nanometer scale elongate structures (28). The elongate structures (28) are provided in an evacuated chamber (42) formed between the substrate (22), a spacer (30), and a laminated film (36). The laminated film (36) comprises an aluminum foil layer (38) and a supporting nylon layer (40). A voltage converting circuit (44) is powered by a 9 volt DC battery and applies a 1.5 kV DC voltage between the substrate (22) and the aluminum foil layer (38). In use, the electrical voltage induces field emission of electrons from the elongate structures (28). The electrons are accelerated across the chamber (42) to the aluminum foil layer (38), where they collide with the foil layer (38) and produce the soft x-rays. |
| US08334781B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless monitoring
A method of collecting data from (and sending instructions and data to) a reefer is provided, the method includes the steps of connecting a monitoring device on a reefer at an existing connection port for collecting (and delivering) data related to the reefer and wirelessly transmitting the data. A software management system for collecting and monitoring data of a reefer is also provided, the software management system has a monitoring device for obtaining data from a reefer at an connection port of the reefer and wirelessly transmitting the data, and a software system for receiving the data and monitoring and controlling the status of the reefer based on the data received. |
| US08334779B2 |
Touch screen control of a hospital bed
A hospital bed includes a frame having at least one movable frame portion and circuitry coupled to the frame. The hospital bed also has a touch screen coupled to the frame and coupled to the circuitry. The touch screen is operable to display a plurality of screens for controlling bed functions, including displaying a frame control screen having at least one icon which is touched by a user to command the circuitry to actuate movement of the movable frame portion of the frame. |
| US08334777B2 |
Patient room and bed management apparatus and system
A bed system includes a user interface module that is not mounted to a patient's bed. The user interface module may provide bed controls that allow a staff person to initiate an electronically controlled function of the bed from the user interface module. The user interface module may also be in data communication with a health information system used by a healthcare facility. The bed may include a built-in weigh scale, and the user interface module may initiate zeroing of the weigh scale. The user interface module may allow a staff person to activate bed controls that are not available at the bed. |
| US08334773B2 |
Asset monitoring and tracking system
Techniques for monitoring and tracking assets and providing notifications to users are disclosed. In one aspect, a request to track an asset and enterprise data describing the asset are received, a tag is selected to associate with the asset, an event notification is received from the tag, and a user notification is generated from the event notification and the enterprise data. In another aspect, a request for a tag is received, a tag is selected in response to the request, a tag is routed to the origin location for the tag, a notification is received that the tag has arrived at a destination location, and the tag is routed from the destination location to a tag pool. |
| US08334772B2 |
Personal artifact tethering device
A personal artifact tethering device includes a casing having an open wrist-receiving area for allowing the casing to be worn as a bracelet on a person's wrist, the casing having an enclosed interior area. A reel is positioned inside the enclosed interior area and is movable between retracted and extended configurations. A spring connects the spring and casing and biases the reel to the retracted configuration. The tethering device includes a flexible tether having a first end coupled to the reel and a second end coupled to a hook, the tether passing through the enclosed interior area of the casing such that at least a portion of the hook is always outside the enclosed interior area, relatively less of the flexible tether being outside the enclosed interior area of the casing when the reel is at the retracted configuration. |
| US08334770B2 |
Body mounted detector and method for detecting flash in solar blind ultraviolet spectral region
A detector assembly for detecting a flash from the firing of a weapon comprising: a first support; a plurality of sensors supported by the first support for detecting light from the flash; the sensors operating to receive light in the range of ultraviolet light from approximately 100 nm to approximately 290 nm; a directional indicator for indicating the directional location of the first support; and an indicator assembly comprising at least one indicator; the at least one indicator operating to display the directional location of the flash. |
| US08334767B2 |
Method and system for facilitating automated navigation in a healthcare environment
A method and system for facilitating automated navigation in a healthcare facility. The navigation system comprises: a healthcare information system configured to have access to at least patient information, healthcare resource information and healthcare facility information; and an identification device provided to a patient in the healthcare facility, configured to communicate at least the current location of the patient to the hospital information system. The identification device and the healthcare information system interact with each other for generating and providing at least navigation information to the patient. |
| US08334761B2 |
Multi sensor detection, stall to stop and lock disabling system
A multi sensor detection and disabling lock system includes detector cases for holding interchangeable detectors that sample for chemical, biological and radiological compounds, agents and elements, with each detector case disposed in or upon the monitored product whereupon light alarm indicators (color coded) on the detector case light up when a specific compound or agent is detected whereupon the detector case transmits detection information to a monitoring computer terminal and transmits a signal to a lock disabler engaged to the product to lock or disable the product's lock thereby preventing untrained, unauthorized and unequipped individual's from gaining access and entry to the product, and also preventing further contamination of the area. An authorized individual resets the detection system, and the system's power source is electrical, battery or computer generated. In addition, the detection system can be interconnected to surveillance towers scanning detector cases disposed at seaport docks, freight depots and rail terminals for monitoring containers being prepared for shipment or sitting on docks for long periods of time. |
| US08334760B2 |
Antitheft device, electronic control unit, antitheft security system, and antitheft method
An antitheft device that activates in connection with tampering with a vehicle, includes an air-conditioning unit operation determining portion that determines whether an air-conditioning unit is about to be operated or is operating, and a restricting portion that performs control to prohibit or restrict activation of the antitheft device when it is determined by the air-conditioning unit operation determining portion that the air-conditioning unit is about to be operated or is operating. |
| US08334756B2 |
RFID device
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes: a first amplifier configured to amplify a level of a first radio signal applied through a first antenna, and output an amplified signal; a second amplifier configured to amplify the amplified signal to a predetermined level, and output a power signal; a demodulator configured to demodulate the amplified signal and generate a command signal; a transmission switch configured to selectively output the power signal according to a response signal corresponding to the command signal; and a modulator configured to output a second radio signal, which is generated by modulating the power signal, to a second antenna. |
| US08334755B2 |
Method for recognizing radio frequency identification tag reader and apparatus thereof
Provided is a method and apparatus for recognizing a radio frequency identification tag reader. In order to obtain protocol addresses of a plurality of radio frequency identification (hereinafter referred to as RFID) tag readers, a request message including a timestamp indicating a generation time is generated and transmitted, and a response message for the request message from one of the plurality of RFID readers is received. When the timestamp included in the response message satisfies a set condition, a hardware address and a protocol address of the RFID reader are extracted from the response message. |
| US08334750B2 |
Integrated antenna module for push button start vehicle and emergency start method using the same
The present invention provides an integrated antenna module for a push button start vehicle and an emergency start method using the same, which can perform a series of processes of starting a vehicle, such as power supply to a transponder, secret code authentication, start-up authorization, etc., when a driver simply brings the fob close to a specific location in the vehicle, without the use of the existing fob holder for an emergency start. |
| US08334749B1 |
Temperature detection in a gas turbine
A temperature detector includes a first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. The first metal includes a plurality of wires and the second metal includes a wire. The plurality of wires of the first metal are connected to the wire of the second metal in parallel junctions. Another temperature detector includes a plurality of resistance temperature detectors. The plurality of resistance temperature detectors are connected at a plurality of junctions. A method of detecting a temperature change of a component of a turbine includes providing a temperature detector include ing a first metal and a second metal different from the first metal connected to each other at a plurality of junctions in contact with the component; and detecting any voltage change at any junction. |
| US08334748B2 |
Method for manufacturing ceramic electronic component and ceramic electronic component
A method for manufacturing a ceramic electronic component includes the steps of preparing a ceramic body including a plurality of first internal electrodes and a plurality of second internal electrodes, processing the ceramic body to an internal electrode exposure rate of about 102% to about 153%, and plating the processed ceramic body to form a plated layer thereon. |
| US08334742B2 |
Quiet electromagnetic actuator
An electromagnetic actuator (20) comprises a stator (22), a piston (24), and a key (26). The stator comprises a stator frame (30) having an axial direction (32), the stator frame in turn comprising a magnetic member (50) and a base (52). The base (52) is separated by a gap (56) in the axial direction from the magnetic member (50) and positioned so that magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member (50) also extends through the base (52). The piston (24) is configured to reciprocate within the stator frame (30) in the axial direction (32). The key (26) is configured and position both to locate the base (52) with respect to the stator frame (and thereby provide the gap) and to absorb energy when the piston (24) strikes the base. A flux transfer flange (60) is configured to concentrate magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member (50) in a radial direction into the base (52). |
| US08334741B2 |
Switching device
A mechanical switching device including a base member, at least one pair of elongated conductor members mounted on the base member, each conductor member including a conductor end, wherein the conductor ends of the pair of conductor members are separated by a gap, a middle member mounted on the base member, a switch member including a stationary part and a movable part, the movable part including a conductor bridge. The stationary part includes a protruding member protruding away from the direction of displacement of the conductor bridge, wherein the base member, the conductor members, the middle member and the stationary part of the switch member are attached together by means of at least one attachment arrangement formed in the base member, the middle member and the protruding member. |
| US08334739B2 |
Circuit breaker with short circuit self-locking function
A circuit breaker with a short circuit self-locking function, a short circuit self-locking mechanism is disposed in the circuit breaker, and comprises a self-locking mechanism and a reset mechanism. As the circuit breaker is opened, it cannot be directly closed, whereby reminding an operator of a short circuit fault. |
| US08334737B2 |
Acoustic wave device and electronic apparatus using the same
An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, an IDT electrode on the substrate, an internal electrode above the substrate, a side wall above the internal electrode, a lid on the side wall, an electrode base layer on the internal electrode, a connection electrode on the electrode base layer, and an anti-corrosion layer between the internal electrode and the side wall. The internal electrode is electrically connected to the IDT electrode. The side wall surrounds the IDT electrode. The lid covers the IDT electrode to provide a space above the IDT electrode. The electrode base layer is provided outside the space and the side wall. The anti-corrosion layer protrudes outside the side wall, and is made of material less soluble in plating solution than the internal electrode. This acoustic wave device prevents the internal electrode from breaking due to plating solution, hence being manufactured at a high yield rate. |
| US08334734B2 |
Printed multilayer filter methods and designs using extended CRLH (E-CRLH)
Printed multilayer filter design techniques and filters based on metamaterial structures including an extended composite left and right handed (E-CRLH) metamaterial unit cell. |
| US08334730B2 |
Connection method and substrate
A connection method includes the step of connecting, using a line on a dielectric element, two points through which a signal flows, the two points having different heights and the widths of the line at the positions of the two points having been adjusted on the basis of the thickness of the dielectric element. |
| US08334729B1 |
Elimination of hot switching in MEMS based impedance matching circuits
An antenna tuner has a plurality of switch-capacitor branches made up of a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switch in series with a capacitor such that a branch node is formed between the MEMS switch and the capacitor. A plurality of electronic switches is included wherein the branch node of each of the plurality of switch-capacitor branches is coupled to at least one other branch node of the plurality of switch-capacitor branches with a corresponding one of the plurality of electronic switches. A hot switching sequencing method uses a closed one of the plurality MEMS switch along with one or more of the plurality of electronic switches to reduce the voltage potential across another one of the plurality of MEMS switches that is about to undergo a change of state such as from open to closed or vice versa. |
| US08334728B2 |
High-frequency coupler and communication device
A high-frequency coupler is provided to include a resonator wherein an infinitesimal dipole is formed, the infinitesimal dipole including a line segment which connects the center of electric charge accumulated in the coupling electrode and the center of mirror-electric charge accumulated in the ground, and the high-frequency signal is transmitted to another high-frequency coupler at a communication partner side, which is placed opposite the high-frequency coupler so that the angle between the direction of the infinitesimal dipole and the direction from the high-frequency coupler toward the other high-frequency coupler is nearly zero. |
| US08334716B1 |
Digital phase detection circuit and method
A digital phase detector circuit and corresponding monitor and control logic is presented. The digital phase detector has two storage elements, where the data input of the first storage element receives a first clock signal and the data input of the second storage element receives a second clock signal. A time shifter shifts the second clock signal by a shift period, and transmits the shifted signal to the clock input of the storage elements. The signals applied to the data inputs are transmitted from the storage elements when the clock input receives the shifted second clock signal from the time shifter. A monitor and control module samples the data output from the storage elements after each shifted second clock signal is transmitted by the time shifter. The sampling of the output data provides the data used to determine the time relationship between the first and the second clock signals. |
| US08334708B1 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) driver circuits using shared-charge recycling charge pump structures
Example driver circuits can utilize shared-charge recycling charge pump structures. In particular, an example shared-charge recycling process may be applied to a clock buffer and charge transfer cells of the charge pump in a driver circuit. An example recycling process may include recycling of shared charges between the capacitors/capacitances in the charge transfer cells. An example recycling process may use the charges in one or more capacitors to charge one or more other capacitors before the charges are wasted or otherwise discharged to ground. Such recycling may significantly reduce the power consumption of the charge pump while still providing a high output voltage level, according to an example embodiment of the invention. |
| US08334706B2 |
Impedance calibration mode control circuit
An impedance calibration mode control circuit includes: a first signal generating unit configured to generate a first calibration control signal in response to a ZQ calibration command received after a power-up operation; and a second signal generating unit configured to generate a second calibration control signal during a refresh operation of a semiconductor device. |
| US08334705B1 |
Analog circuitry to conceal activity of logic circuitry
An integrated circuit comprises logic circuitry driven by a clock and reference circuitry. In operation, logic elements of the reference circuitry are synchronized to the clock. In operation, a first sensing circuit outputs a voltage VC proportional to an instantaneous current consumption IC of the logic circuitry, and a second sensing circuit outputs a voltage VR proportional to an instantaneous fluctuating current consumption IR of the reference circuitry. In operation, differential circuitry outputs a voltage difference αVR−VC between a scaled-up version αVR of the voltage VR and the voltage VC, the scaled-up version scaled to approximately the scale of the voltage VC. In operation, a square root circuit receives the voltage difference as input and outputs a square root of the voltage difference. A current source is controllable by the output of the square root circuit to generate current through a dissipative load. |
| US08334698B2 |
Sample holding device, in particular for holding a rodent or an MR phantom in an MRT device
A sample holding device, adapted for holding a sample, like a rodent or an MR phantom sample in a magnet bore of a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device, comprises a sample carrier being adapted for an arrangement in the bore of the MRT device, wherein the sample carrier comprises a carrier platform for accommodating the sample and at least one clamping part with radial locking pieces being adapted for fixing the sample carrier in a hollow enclosure structure, wherein the at least one clamping part is connected with the carrier platform. Furthermore, an MRT device and a method of MRT imaging of a sample are described. |
| US08334693B2 |
NMR device for detection of analytes
This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient. |
| US08334692B2 |
Simultaneous multinuclear magnetic resonance imaging
A magnetic resonance (MR) device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body placed in an examination volume includes a main magnet or generating a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume, and an RF coil arrangement for generating RF fields in the examination volume and/or for receiving MR signals from the body. In order to provide such an MR device, which is arranged to operate at the resonance (Larmor) frequencies of two or more different nuclear species at the same time, the RF coil arrangement includes independent resonator elements which are adjacently arranged in or near the examination volume. The adjacent resonator elements are alternately tuned to one of two or more different MR resonance frequencies, and each resonator element is associated with a separate signal transmission and/or signal reception channel of the MR device. |
| US08334690B2 |
Atomic magnetometer and method of sensing magnetic fields
A magnetometer and method of use is presently disclosed. The magnetometer has at least one sensor void of extraneous metallic components, electrical contacts and electrically conducting pathways. The sensor contains an active material vapor, such as an alkali vapor, that alters at least one measurable parameter of light passing therethrough, when in a magnetic field. The sensor may have an absorptive material configured to absorb laser light and thereby activate or heat the active material vapor. |
| US08334688B2 |
Multi-position switch having dual output hall device
A multi-output switch includes a dipole magnet configured to move from a central position to either a first position or a second position and a Hall Effect sensor having a first sensitive area with a first output and a second sensitive area with a second output, wherein the sensor is relatively positioned such that when the magnet is in the central position, the first output and second output read off, when the magnet is in the first position the first sensitive area is activated and the first output reads on, and when the magnet is in the second position the second sensitive area is activated and the second output reads on. The switch may further include a magnet holder configured to house the magnet and define a pathway of movement for the magnet. |
| US08334686B2 |
Vibrating helical spring sensors and methods to operate the same
Example vibrating helical spring sensors and methods to operate the same are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a housing, a helical spring held in tension, a flowline to expose the helical spring to a fluid, a magnet to expose the helical spring to a magnetic field, and a wire to electrically conduct an actuating current through the helical spring to displace the helical spring. |
| US08334679B2 |
ACG output voltage control
A generator control system is provided in a vehicle having an engine that drives an electric power generator arranged to selectively provide electric power to an electrical load of the vehicle and to selectively charge a battery of the vehicle. The generator control system includes: a sensor that detects a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; and, a controller that controls a voltage output mode of the generator in response to the SOC detected by the sensor. |
| US08334677B2 |
Battery life optimizer
A method of controlling charging of a battery (16) of a totally implantable auditory prosthesis and a control system (50) therefor. The method comprises determining a first charge related characteristic of the battery (16) such as the predetermined minimum amount of charge (58), and a second charge related battery characteristic such as the preset charge level or charge rate of the battery (16). The method further comprises detecting when a charge cycle of the battery (16) commences and monitoring where the charge level of the battery (16) is in relation to the first charge related battery characteristic when the charge cycle commences and adjusting the second charge related battery characteristic depending on the relationship between the charge level and the first charge related battery characteristic at the commencement of the charge cycle. The control system and method has the potential to increase the operational life of the battery (16). |
| US08334673B2 |
Voltage monitoring apparatus including active power source, low consumption power source, and a failure diagnosis section to disconnect active power source as a result of failure
A voltage monitoring apparatus includes a plurality of voltage monitoring sections corresponding to a plurality of blocks of unit cells of a multiple-set battery respectively and a main control section. Each of the voltage monitoring section includes a voltage detection section which detects voltages of the unit cells of a corresponding block, a voltage adjustment section which adjusts the voltages of the unit cells of the corresponding block so that the voltages are uniformized, an active power source which obtains power from the unit cells of the corresponding block, and supplies power to the voltage detection section and the voltage adjustment section, a power source switching section which switches a power supply mode and a power disconnect mode of the active power source, and a low consumption power source which obtains the power from the unit cells of the corresponding block, and supplies power to the power source switching section. The main control section includes a failure diagnosis section which performs a failure diagnosis of each of the voltage monitoring sections, and a switching control section which controls to disconnect a supply of the power from the active power source when a result of the failure diagnosis indicates a failure. |
| US08334668B2 |
Machine motion control system
A machine motion control system includes a number of moving parts for securing test electronic devices, a machine and an axis control card mounted on the machine. The machine includes a number of servo modules and a number of sensing units. The servo modules drive and control the corresponding moving parts on the machine. Each sensing unit is electrically connected to a corresponding moving part; the sensing units are operable to sense and transmit location information of the moving parts and the machine. The axis control card is electrically connected to the moving parts, the machine, and the sensing units. The axis control card receives location information of each moving part and processes the location information to generate a corresponding command signal, and transmits the generated command signal to the servo modules to control and adjust the moving parts. |
| US08334666B2 |
Device, computer program product and computer-implemented method for backspin detection in an electrical submersible pump assembly
A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage. |
| US08334665B2 |
Fan control system
A fan control system for controlling a fan to dissipate heat from an electronic device includes a current detection circuit having a shunt resistor to receive current, a signal amplification circuit having an operational amplifier, and a switch circuit having an npn transistor and a pnp transistor. A first terminal of the shunt resistor is connected to the electronic device, a second terminal of the shunt resistor is connected to the electronic device via a power source and is grounded. A non-inverting terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to the first terminal of the shunt resistor, an inverting terminal of the operation amplifier is connected to the second terminal of the shunt resistor via a first resistor and connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier via a second resistor. The output terminal of the operation amplifier is grounded via a third resistor and a sixth resistor. |
| US08334662B2 |
Adaptive switch mode LED driver
An adaptive switch mode LED driver provides an intelligent approach to driving multiple strings of LEDs. The LED driver determines an optimal current level for each LED channel from a limited set of allowed currents. The LDO driver then determines a PWM duty cycle for driving the LEDs in each LED channel to provide precise brightness control over the LED channels. Beneficially, the LED driver minimizes the power dissipation in the LDO circuits driving each LED string, while also ensuring that the currents in each LED string are maintained within a limited range. A sample and hold LDO allows PWM control over extreme duty cycles with very fast dynamic response. Furthermore, fault protection circuitry ensures fault-free startup and operation of the LED driver. |
| US08334660B2 |
Light source driving circuit with low operating output voltage
A driving circuit for regulating current in a light source using a tracking component. The tracking component detects the voltage difference between an input node in the input stage and an output node in the output stage. The input stage is connected to a current source and includes an input transistor. The output stage is connected to the light source and includes an output transistor. The tracking component generates an output that controls the input and output transistors based on the voltage difference between the input node and the output node so that the voltage at the input node tracks the voltage at the output node. By using the tracking component, the LED driver can achieve accurate current control through one output transistor instead of cascaded transistors, resulting in lower output operating voltage and reduced power dissipation of the LED driver. Further, the tracking component is intermittently operated or shared across different channels to reduce energy consumption of the LED driver. |
| US08334652B2 |
High-pressure discharge lamp for operation with longitudinal acoustic modulation
A high-pressure discharge lamp may include an elongate ceramic discharge vessel, at the ends of which an electrode system with an electrode tip pointing towards the discharge is mounted in a seal, the seal being tubular, the discharge vessel having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5, the discharge vessel having a metal halide fill and a wall load of more than 25 W/cm2, wherein the lamp is configured for operation with longitudinal acoustic modulation, the specific rated power of the entire outer surface area of the discharge vessel lying between 17 and 22 W/cm2, while at the same time the wall load in a subregion of the surface area, which extends between the tips of the electrodes, lies in the range of between 28 and 40 W/cm2. |
| US08334650B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display device is disclosed. The device includes: a substrate; a functional layer positioned on the substrate and making constructive interference of transmitted lights; a first electrode positioned on the functional layer; an organic emission layer positioned on the first electrode; and a second electrode positioned on the organic emission layer. |
| US08334644B2 |
Lighting using solid state device and phosphors to produce light approximating a black body radiation spectrum
Solid state light emitting devices and/or solid state lighting devices use three or more phosphors excited by energy from a solid state source. The phosphors are selected and included in proportions such that the visible light output of such a device exhibits a radiation spectrum that approximates a black body radiation spectrum for the rated color temperature for the device, over at least a predetermined portion of the visible light spectrum. |
| US08334639B2 |
Package for electronic component, piezoelectric device and manufacturing method thereof
A package for an electronic component includes a first substrate and a second substrate. In the package, an interior space capable of housing the electronic component is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a sealing hole communicating with the interior space and an exterior is formed in at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, the interior space can be airtightly sealed by melting a solid sealant provided in the sealing hole, and an interior wall of the sealing hole has a curved surface extending in directions of penetration and inner periphery of the sealing hole. |
| US08334637B2 |
Transducer with shield
A physical shield placed on the face of a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer for medical applications is described. The shield may be shaped or angled to match a particular pattern of mechanical or acoustic energy that may damage the transducer during operation. The shield may be ablative, replaceable or modified as needed. Methods of manufacturing a transducer with a shield are also disclosed. |
| US08334631B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator including a stator core and a rotor. The stator core includes an annular-shaped first stack core and an annular-shaped second stack core. The first stack core includes first core pieces and first couplers. The first core pieces are spirally stacked. The first couplers mutually couple the first core pieces. The second stack core includes second core pieces and second couplers. The second core pieces are spirally stacked. The second couplers mutually couple the second core pieces. An outside shape of the second stack core is larger than an outside shape of the first stack core in a radial direction. The first stack core and the second stack core are alternately arranged in a stack direction. The rotor is provided on an inner peripheral side of the first stack core and the second stack core. |
| US08334629B2 |
Electric rotating machine
An alternator comprising a rotor having plural magnetic poles in the circumferential direction; and a stator whose teeth are disposed opposite to the periphery of the rotor, with an air gap interposed between the rotor and the stator, wherein the coil conductors are wound on the stator so that two stator magnetic poles may be formed by two coil units of a phase wound around stator teeth within the range of 360 electrical degrees subtended by the magnetic poles of the rotor; each of the two coil units forming the stator magnetic poles spans an electrical angle less than 180 electrical degrees; the two coil turns forming the two stator magnetic poles are laid out so that they may not overlap each other; and the coil conductors are so wound that the adjacent stator magnetic poles exhibit opposite magnetic polarities. |
| US08334628B2 |
Stator coil for axial gap electrical rotating machine
A stator coil for an axial gap electrical rotating machine includes first coil pieces, second coil pieces, and an annular base member having recesses for arranging and holding the first and second coil pieces in back and front faces of the annular base member. The first and second coil pieces are arranged in a circumferential direction of the annular base member in the recesses in both back and front faces of the base member. The first joint portion of one first coil piece faces and is connected to the first joint portion of another first coil piece. The second joint portion of one first coil piece faces and being connected to the second joint portion of another second coil piece or the third joint portion of one second coil piece to provide a coil loop. |
| US08334626B2 |
Adaptive cooling unit for a power tool
A cooling unit for a power tool comprises a fan wheel (10) to be supported on an armature shaft (3) of a motor (1) of the power tool. The cooling unit comprises a torque transfer means as well as an actuating means (20, 22) for actuating this torque transfer means so as to selectively transfer the rotation of the armature shaft (3) to the fan wheel (10) during operation of the power tool. |
| US08334625B2 |
Method for manufacturing a storage disk drive motor, motor for driving a storage disk and storage disk drive apparatus provided with the motor
A storage disk drive motor 12 includes a stator unit 2, a rotor unit 3, a shaft 41 arranged in a coaxial relationship with a center axis 9, a sleeve unit 22 including a flange portion 223, and a base member 21, having a through-hole, fixed to the sleeve unit 22 by caulking. The flange portion 223 includes a flange lower surface 223b making contact with an upper surface 21a of the base member 21 and a jut 24 protruding downwards from a radial inner side of the flange lower surface 223b. The jut 24 includes a first outer circumferential surface 241 opposed to the inner circumferential surface 21c of the base member 21, a second outer circumferential surface 242 positioned below the first outer circumferential surface 241, and a groove 243 radially inwardly indented from the first outer circumferential surface 241 and the second outer circumferential surface 242. |
| US08334622B2 |
Emergency stop system for a group of machine units
An emergency stop system for a group of machine units (1), driven by energy from a source (2) is disclosed. The machine units are provided with a cut off means (3) for the energy feed, that can be acted upon via a receiver (5) by a transmitted signal, with a radio frequency, from a transmitter in a group of mobile units (7), provided with such, carried by one or several operators.Primarily the emergency stop system is characterized in that every machine unit (1) is provided with a communication unit (4) in the form of a transmitter/receiver (5) for radio-resp. IR-frequency in contact with a computer unit (6). Each mobile unit (7) in provided with a transmitter/receiver for radio-resp. IR-frequency for identifying and authorizing communication. The cut off means (3) is provided not to be activated or inactivated without foregoing identifying and authorizing IB-communication. |
| US08334612B2 |
Wind-power unit with vertical axis
A wind-power unit with a wind turbine, a generator with vertical axis a supporting pillar which supports the wind turbine, and a foundation for the supporting pillar (2). The generator includes a stator which is integrated with the foundation. |
| US08334610B2 |
Gearless pitch control mechanism for starting, stopping and regulating the power output of wind turbines without the use of a brake
Apparatuses and methods for controlling pitch angle of the wind turbine blades are disclosed. The pitch angle of all the blades can be controlled by a “spider” that moves substantially perpendicularly with respect to a plane of the turbine blades rotation. The turbine blade bearings are connected with the spider by the linkage arms. The turbine blade bearings have an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the respective turbine blades. The actuating mechanism for moving the spider can be a combination of a hydraulic piston installed inside a hollow driveshaft (to move the spider in one direction) and a spring (to move the spider in another direction). An onboard controller can receive a turbine generator output signal to decide whether the turbine is overloaded or underloaded, and if so, the onboard controller can instruct a hydraulic system to add or remove fluid from the hollow driveshaft. Therefore, the power produced by the generator is adjusted up or down by the spider's adjustment of the turbine blade pitch angle. |
| US08334608B2 |
Locking mechanism for a wind turbine
A locking mechanism for a wind turbine decelerates and/or locks a rotor or a rotor shaft of the wind turbine. For maintenance work, the rotor or the rotor shaft is lockable to a machine support of the wind turbine in a form-fit manner by utilizing the locking mechanism. A rotational position of the rotor shaft is automatically detected in a DESIRED position. Moreover, the locking mechanism is configured to be automatically engaged when the DESIRED position has been reached. The locking mechanism additionally has at least one deceleration device for affecting the drive train and/or allowing the rotational speed of the rotor and the rotor shaft to be reduced. |
| US08334605B2 |
Floating mechanical structure to produce directly electricity by means of the swinging of a magnetic pendulum caused by sea wave motion
The invention refers to a floating mechanical structure suitable for realizing a mega-plant for generating electrical energy, by exploiting the relative motion of a large number of electromagnets mounted on a floating structure, with respect to a multiple number of permanent magnets incorporated in a pendulum suspended from the top of a trestle acting by magnetic induction on the electromagnets; the swings are provoked by wave action. |
| US08334600B2 |
Low-noise flip-chip packages and flip chips thereof
A low-noise flip-chip package, comprising: a carrier substrate having first and second opposing main faces; and a flip-chip substrate connected in a face-down manner onto the first main face of the carrier substrate via a connection array, wherein: the flip-chip substrate comprises at least first and second circuitry portions spaced apart from one another; the flip-chip substrate comprises a substrate-contact boundary located between the first and second circuitry portions; and each of the first circuitry portion, the second circuitry portion and the substrate-contact boundary has its own separate signal-reference connection extending via a respective connection of the connection array through the carrier substrate to a respective electrical contact at the second main face of the carrier substrate for connection to a common signal-reference element in an external circuit. |
| US08334599B2 |
Electronic device having a chip stack
An electronic device provides a stack of semiconductor chips. A redistribution layer of a first semiconductor chip is arranged at the bottom of the stack. The redistribution layer of the first semiconductor chip comprises external pads. |
| US08334598B2 |
Power semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
A power semiconductor device includes a substrate, an element circuit pattern formed on the substrate and made of Cu covered with an electroless Ni—P plating layer, and a power semiconductor element bonded to the element circuit pattern by a solder, wherein the solder is an alloy of Sn, Sb, and Cu, and the weight percent of Cu is in the range of 0.5 to 1%, inclusive. |
| US08334597B2 |
Semiconductor device having via connecting between interconnects
A first insulating film is provided between a lower interconnect and an upper interconnect. The lower interconnect and the upper interconnect are connected to each other by way of a via formed in the first insulating film. A dummy via or an insulating slit is formed on/in the upper interconnect near the via. |
| US08334594B2 |
Chip having a metal pillar structure
The present invention relates to a chip having a metal pillar structure. The chip includes a chip body, at least one chip pad, a first passivation layer, an under ball metal layer and at least one metal pillar structure. The chip body has an active surface. The chip pad is disposed on the active surface. The first passivation layer is disposed on the active surface, and has at least one first opening so as to expose part of the chip pad. The under ball metal layer is disposed on the chip pad. The metal pillar structure is disposed on the under ball metal layer, and includes a metal pillar and a solder. The metal pillar is disposed on the under ball metal layer. The solder is disposed on the metal pillar, and the maximum diameter formed by the solder is shorter than or equal to the diameter of the metal pillar. Therefore, when the pitch between two adjacent metal pillar structures of the chip is a fine pitch, the defect of solder bridge can be avoided, so that the yield rate is improved. |
| US08334592B2 |
Thermal interface material, electronic device containing the thermal interface material, and methods for their preparation and use
A thermal interface material includes a thermally conductive metal matrix and coarse polymeric particles dispersed therein. The composite can be used for both TIM1 and TIM2 applications in electronic devices. |
| US08334589B2 |
Power block and power semiconductor module using same
A power block includes an insulating substrate, a conductive pattern formed on the insulating substrate, a power semiconductor chip bonded onto the conductive pattern by lead-free solder, a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the power semiconductor chip and extending upwardly away from the insulating substrate, and a transfer molding resin covering the conductive pattern, the lead-free solder, the power semiconductor chip, and the plurality of electrodes, wherein surfaces of the plurality of electrodes are exposed at an outer surface of the transfer molding resin and lie in the same plane as the outer surface, the outer surface being located directly above the conductive pattern. |
| US08334580B2 |
Semiconductor chip comprising a directional coupler having a specific main line and sub-line arrangement
A technique capable of promoting miniaturization of an RF power module used in a mobile phone etc. is provided. A directional coupler is formed inside a semiconductor chip in which an amplification part of the RF power module is formed. A sub-line of the directional coupler is formed in the same layer as a drain wire coupled to the drain region of an LDMOSFET, which will serve as the amplification part of the semiconductor chip. Due to this, the predetermined drain wire is used as a main line and the directional coupler is configured by a sub-line arranged in parallel to the main line via an insulating film, together with the main line. |
| US08334575B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device
A semiconductor device comprises a switching element. The switching element comprises a first channel terminal, a second channel terminal and a switching terminal. One of the first and second channel terminals provides a reference terminal and the switching element is arranged such that an impedance of the switching element between the first channel terminal and second channel terminal is dependant upon a voltage across the switching terminal and the reference terminal. The semiconductor device further comprises a first resistance element operably coupled between the first channel terminal and the switching terminal and a second resistance element operably coupled between the switching terminal and the second channel terminal of the semiconductor device. When a negative current is encountered at the first channel terminal, the negative current causes both a voltage drop across the switching terminal and the first channel terminal and a voltage drop across the second channel terminal and the switching terminal. |
| US08334572B2 |
Resistive device for high-k metal gate technology
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure formed in the substrate for isolating an active region of the substrate, the isolation structure being formed of a first material, an active device formed in the active region of the substrate, the active device having a high-k dielectric and metal gate, and a passive device formed in the isolation structure, the passive device being formed of a second material different from the first material and having a predefined resistivity. |
| US08334567B2 |
LDMOS using a combination of enhanced dielectric stress layer and dummy gates
First example embodiments comprise forming a stress layer over a MOS transistor (such as a LDMOS Tx) comprised of a channel and first, second and third junction regions. The stress layer creates a stress in the channel and the second junction region of the Tx. Second example embodiments comprise forming a MOS FET and at least a dummy gate over a substrate. The MOS is comprised of a gate, channel, source, drain and offset drain. At least one dummy gate is over the offset drain. A stress layer is formed over the MOS and the dummy gate. The stress layer and the dummy gate improve the stress in the channel and offset drain region. |
| US08334564B2 |
Field plate trench transistor and method for producing it
A field plate trench transistor having a semiconductor body. In one embodiment the semiconductor has a trench structure and an electrode structure embedded in the trench structure. The electrode structure being electrically insulated from the semiconductor body by an insulation structure and having a gate electrode structure and a field electrode structure. The field plate trench transistor has a voltage divider configured such that the field electrode structure is set to a potential lying between source and drain potentials. |
| US08334563B2 |
Field-effect semiconductor device and method of producing the same
A semiconductor substrate of an IGFET has drain regions, a p-type first body region, a p−-type second body region, an n-type first source region, and an n+-type second source region, and additionally has multiple pairs of trenches that constitute an IGFET cell. A gate insulating film and a gate electrode are provided inside the trenches. A source electrode is in Schottky contact with the second body region. A pn junction between the second drain region and the first body region is exposed to one of the main surfaces of the semiconductor substrate. The first body region, the second body region, and the first source region are also provided outside the trenches, and an n-type protective semiconductor region is provided. The trenches contribute to miniaturization of the IGFET and to lowering of the on-resistance. The reverse breakdown voltage of the IGFET can be improved by the reduction in contact area between the second body region and the source electrode to the outside from the trenches. |
| US08334561B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A memory string comprises: a first semiconductor layer having a plurality of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and joining portions joining lower ends of the plurality of columnar portions; a charge storage layer surrounding a side surface of the first semiconductor layer; and a first conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the charge storage layer and functioning as a control electrode of memory cells. A select transistor comprises: a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of the columnar portions; an insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the second semiconductor layer; a second conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the insulating layer and functioning as a control electrode of the select transistors; and a third semiconductor layer formed on an upper surface of the second semiconductor layer and including silicon germanium. |
| US08334557B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a transfer transistor
A first diffused region is formed in a surface of a semiconductor substrate located under a gate electrode. A second diffused region is formed in a surface of the semiconductor substrate adjoining the first diffused region on a first side thereof. A third diffused region is formed in a surface of the semiconductor substrate adjoining the first diffused region on a second side thereof. The first side and the second side are opposite to one another. A first wire is disposed above an overlapping region where the first and third diffused regions overlap. The first wire is supplied with at least a certain voltage for preventing formation of a depletion region in the third diffused region when transfer transistor transfers the voltage used for writing. |
| US08334556B2 |
DRAM semiconductor device with pad electrode
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region and an isolation region. A gate structure is provided on the semiconductor device. First and second impurity regions are provided in the substrate on both sides of the gate structure. A pad electrode is provided to contact the first impurity region. Because the pad electrode is provided on the first impurity region of the semiconductor device, the contact plug does not directly contact the active region. Accordingly, failures caused by damage to the active region may be prevented. |
| US08334549B2 |
Light emitting diode with current blocking region
A light emitting diode and a fabricating method thereof are provided. A first-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer and a second-type semiconductor layer with a first surface are sequentially formed a substrate. Next, the first surface is treated during a surface treatment process to form a current-blocking region which extends from the first surface to the light emitting layer to a depth of 1000 angstroms. Afterward, a first electrode is formed above the current-blocking region of the second-type semiconductor layer, and a second electrode is formed to electrically contact to the first-type semiconductor layer. Since the current-blocking region is formed with a determined depth within the second-type semiconductor layer, the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting diode may be increased. |
| US08334542B2 |
Light emitting diode and manufacturing method thereof
A light emitting diode includes a thermal conductive substrate, an p-type GaN layer, an active layer and an n-type GaN layer sequentially stacked above the substrate and an electrode pad deposited on the n-type GaN layer. A surface of n-type GaN layer away from the active layer has a first diffusing section and a second diffusing section. The first diffusing section is adjacent to the electrode pad and the second diffusing section is located at the other side of the first diffusing section opposite to the electrode pad, wherein the doping concentration of the first diffusing section is less than that of the second diffusing section. The n-type GaN layer has an electrical resistance larger than that of the first diffusing section which in turn is larger than that of the second diffusing section. |
| US08334540B2 |
Display device
The protective circuit is formed using a non-linear element which includes a gate insulating film covering a gate electrode; a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer which are over the gate insulating film and whose end portions overlap with the gate electrode; and an oxide semiconductor layer which is over the gate electrode and in contact with the gate insulating film and the end portions of the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. The gate electrode of the non-linear element and a scan line or a signal line is included in a wiring, the first or second wiring layer of the non-linear element is directly connected to the wiring so as to apply the potential of the gate electrode. |
| US08334539B2 |
Manufacturing method for contact pads of a thin film transistor array panel, and a thin film transistor array panel having such contact pads
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first insulation substrate, a plurality of data wires formed on the first insulation substrate and extending in a first direction, a data pad region formed on the first insulation substrate and having plural ones of the data wires extending therefrom, and an organic layer formed on the data wires, where the organic layer has a greater thickness where it is disposed over the data wires than the thickness it has between the data wires. The surface of the organic layer of the data pad region includes minute slit patterns that extend parallel to the first direction of the data wires, and the data wires have line boundaries of a zigzag shape. |
| US08334538B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel includes: an insulation substrate; a gate line disposed on the insulation substrate and including a compensation pattern protruding from the gate line; a first data line and a second data line both intersecting the gate line; a first thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the first data line; a second thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the second data line; and a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode connected to the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor, respectively. The first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode share the compensation pattern. |
| US08334537B2 |
Light-emitting device
A method of manufacturing, with high mass productivity, light-emitting devices having highly reliable thin film transistors with excellent electric characteristics is provided. In a light-emitting device having an inverted staggered thin film transistor, the inverted staggered thin film transistor is formed as follows: a gate insulating film is formed over a gate electrode; a microcrystalline semiconductor film which functions as a channel formation region is formed over the gate insulating film; a buffer layer is formed over the microcrystalline semiconductor film; a pair of source and drain regions are formed over the buffer layer; and a pair of source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the source and drain regions so as to expose a part of the source and drain regions. |
| US08334536B2 |
Thin film transistor, organic light emitting diode display device having the same, flat panel display device, and semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same
A thin film transistor and a method of fabricating the same include: a semiconductor layer having a grain boundary disposed in a crystal growth direction and having a variation in height of a top surface of 15 nm or less formed by a thin beam directional crystallization method. Also, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device comprising the thin film transistor is provided and has excellent characteristics fabricated by a simple process. Also, a flat panel display device and a method of fabricating the same are provided and include: a polycrystalline silicon layer in a pixel region; and a polycrystalline silicon layer in a peripheral region formed by the thin beam directional crystallization method. Also, a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same include: an intrinsic region of a semiconductor layer in the photodiode region formed by the thin beam directional crystallization method. |
| US08334532B2 |
IGZO-based oxide material and method of producing IGZO-based oxide material
The invention provides an IGZO-based oxide material and a method of producing the same, the IGZO-based oxide material being represented by a composition formula of In2-xGaxZnO4-δ, where 0.75 |
| US08334531B2 |
High-molecule-based organic light-emitting diode and fabrication method thereof
The present invention discloses a high-molecule-based organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and a fabrication method thereof. The high-molecule-based OLED comprises a layer selected from a group consisting of an organic emissive layer, a first emission-auxiliary layer and a second emission-auxiliary layer. The organic emissive layer, first emission-auxiliary layer or second emission-auxiliary layer comprises a molecular material having a molecular weight of larger than approximately 730 g mol−1, and is formed by a solution-process. |
| US08334525B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a variable resistance layer including carbon
According to one embodiment, a variable resistance layer includes a mixture of a first compound and a second compound. The first compound includes carbon (C) as well as at least one element selected from a group of elements G1. The group of elements G1 consists of hydrogen (H), boron (B), nitrogen (N), silicon (Si), and titanium (Ti). The second compound includes at least one compound selected from a group of compounds G2. The group of compounds G2 consists of silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon nitride (Si3N4), carbon nitride (C3N4), boron nitride (BN), aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and silicon carbide (SiC). Concentration of the first compound in the variable resistance layer is not less than 30 volume percent, and not more than 70 volume percent. |
| US08334518B2 |
Drinking water server
The invention presents a drinking water server having a configuration capable of suppressing generation of bacteria in a cold water tank, in a cold water pour tube, and in a pour valve.An opening part (2c) is formed in bottom side of a cold water tank (2), and a straight cold water pour tube (6) disposed horizontally in this opening part (2c) by way of a bent part (6b). An ultraviolet lamp (8) is disposed so as to reach up to a bottom part of the bent part (6b) by way of the opening part (2c) from inside of the cold water tank (2), so that ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp (8) may be emitted uniformly both in the cold water tank (2) and in the duct of the cold water pour tube (6). As a valve body of a cold water pour valve (7), a diaphragm (71) for clogging the leading end of the cold water pour tube (6) is used, and dead angle of ultraviolet rays is eliminated. |
| US08334514B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for localizing photons and a light source emitting the photons
Localization methods and methods for localizing a light source using multivariate statistical analysis. In particular, a multi-variate distribution, such as a multi-variate normal distribution, may be used to localize photons originating from a light source and, in particular, may be used to analyze photon position maps acquired by Photon Event Distribution Sampling (PEDS). The multi-variate distribution assigned to each of the photons in the photon position map may be summed to predict a most probable location for the light source. |
| US08334510B2 |
Scanning electron microscope, an interface and a method for observing an object within a non-vacuum environment
An interface, a scanning electron microscope and a method for observing an object that is positioned in a non-vacuum environment. The method includes: generating an electron beam in the vacuum environment; scanning a region of the object with the electron beam while the object is located below an object holder; wherein the scanning comprises allowing the electron beam to pass through an aperture of an aperture array, pass through an ultra thin membrane that seals the aperture, and pass through the object holder; wherein the ultra thin membrane withstands a pressure difference between the vacuum environment and the non-vacuum environment; and detecting particles generated in response to an interaction between the electron beam and the object. |
| US08334508B1 |
Mirror energy filter for electron beam apparatus
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for forming an electron image using electrons with a narrow range of electron energies from an electron beam with a wide range of energies. An electron beam source is configured to generate an electron beam, and condenser lenses collimate the beam into an objective lens configured to illuminate the specimen. The illuminating electrons are scattered by the specimen and form an electron beam with a range of energies that enter a magnetic prism separator. After a 90 degree deflection, the prism separator introduces an angular dispersion that disperses the incoming electron beam according to its energy. A knife-edge plate removes either the high or low energy tail from the propagating beam. An electron lens is configured to focus the electron beam into an electron mirror so that after the reflection, the other energy tail is stopped on the same knife-edge plate. The remaining nearly monochromatic beam reenters the prism separator and is deflected toward the projection system and used to form a two-dimensional electron image on an electron detector. By adjusting the strength of the prism separator, the specific electron energy used for imaging is selected from the energy distribution of the scattered electrons. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08334507B1 |
Fragmentation methods for mass spectrometry
Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low-energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (ECD) and positron capture dissociation (PCD), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures. It has recently been discovered that fragmentation of protonated ions of many biomolecules via ECD often proceeds along fragmentation pathways not accessed by other dissociation methods, leading to molecular structure information not otherwise easily obtainable. However, such analyses have been limited to expensive Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers; the implementation of ECD within commonly-used multipole ion guide structures is problematic due to the disturbing effects of RF fields within such devices. The apparatus and methods described herein successfully overcome such difficulties, and allow ECD (and PCD) to be performed within multipole ion guides, either alone, or in combination with conventional ion fragmentation methods. Therefore, improved analytical performance and functionality of mass spectrometers that utilize multipole ion guides are provided. |
| US08334506B2 |
End cap voltage control of ion traps
An ion trap for a mass spectrometer has a conductive central electrode with an aperture extending from a first open end to a second open end. A conductive first electrode end cap is disposed proximate to the first open end thereby forming a first intrinsic capacitance between the first end cap and the central electrode. A conductive second electrode end cap is disposed proximate to the second open end thereby forming a second intrinsic capacitance between the second end cap and the central electrode. A first circuit couples the second end cap to a reference potential. A signal source generating an AC trap signal is coupled to the central electrode. An excitation signal is impressed on the second end cap in response to a voltage division of the trap signal by the first intrinsic capacitance and the first circuit. |
| US08334504B2 |
Mass spectrometer system
This invention describes an analytical system where a kinetic impact ionization source is combined with an RF-only ion guide to form a mass spectrometer system for analysis of the elemental and chemical composition of exoatmospheric particles. The kinetic impact ionization source may be used to transform a flux of particle debris into a beam of ions for analysis by a mass analyzer. |
| US08334502B2 |
Apparatus comprising an ion mobility spectrometer
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is located downstream of the first chamber and an inter-chamber aperture is provided between the two chambers. An ion guide is located in the first chamber and an ion mobility spectrometer is located in the second chamber. Helium gas is provided to the first chamber. As ions are accelerated towards the ion mobility spectrometer from a relatively low pressure region they pass initially into the first chamber. The helium gas provided in the first chamber minimizes ion fragmentation and ion discrimination effects as ions are accelerated into a relatively high pressure region. The ions are then transmitted by the ion guide and are subsequently transmitted to the ion mobility spectrometer located in the second chamber. |
| US08334498B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device, method of driving solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a substrate voltage supply applying a first potential to the substrate during a light receiving period including first and second exposure periods different from each other and applying a second potential to the substrate during a no-light receiving period; and a plurality of pixels each including: a light receiving portion formed on a front surface side of the substrate and generating a signal charge in accordance with received light; a storage capacitor formed adjacent to the light receiving portion so that the signal charge generated in the light receiving portion is transmitted thereto and is stored and held therein when the first potential is applied to the substrate; dark current suppressing portions; an electronic shutter adjusting layer; a reading gate portion; and a vertical transmission register transmitting the signal charge read by the reading gate portion in the vertical direction. |
| US08334492B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, Imaging device, and semiconductor device
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit; a vertical scan unit reading out analog pixel signals from the pixel array unit; an AD conversion unit provided each column for converting the analog pixel signals read out from the pixel array unit into digital data; a data memory unit having a data holding circuit that holds the digital data; a transfer driving unit driving a signal line for data transfer based on data of the data holding circuit; a signal amplification unit receiving the data of the data holding circuit and performs signal amplification; a potential fixing unit fixing an input terminal and/or internal wiring of the signal amplification unit to a predetermined potential; a drive power supply unit on/off-controlling power supply; a scan unit controlling the transfer driving unit to transfer the data to the signal amplification unit; and a drive control unit controlling entire operation. |
| US08334491B2 |
Pixel array with shared readout circuitry
A pixel array comprises a plurality of photo-sensitive elements arranged in rows and columns and readout circuitry for reading a value of a photo-sensitive element. Shared readout circuitry is provided for a pair of adjacent photo-sensitive elements. Adjacent instances of the shared readout circuitry are staggered with respect to one another. For a layout having shared readout circuitry for a pair of photo-sensitive elements, adjacent instances of the shared readout circuitry are offset by a horizontal distance of one column and a vertical distance of one row of the array. The shared readout circuitry can serve a pair of adjacent photo-sensitive elements in a row or column of the array, or a pair of photo-sensitive elements which are diagonally adjacent in the array. An improved yield and symmetry results from staggering instances of the shared readout circuitry. |
| US08334490B2 |
Off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system
An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror. The use of the off-axis mirror segment allows the optical port and any folding mirror to be positioned so that they do not obscure the reflected laser beam. The second optical element may be a segment of a dome corrector parent lens, a prism or a refractive lens formed on the front surface of the off-axis minor segment. |
| US08334489B2 |
Photovoltaic system with managed output and method of managing variability of output from a photovoltaic system
Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output. |
| US08334487B2 |
Induction heating cooking device
An induction heating cooking device includes a heating coil (8) that induction-heats a cooking container, an infrared sensor (10) that detects infrared radiation which is emitted from a bottom surface of the cooking container and that outputs a detection signal based on the quantity of energy of the detected infrared radiation, and a heating control section (9) that controls supply of electric power to the heating coil based on the detection signal. When the temperature of the bottom surface of the cooking container is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature which is higher than 230 degrees C., the infrared sensor (10) outputs the detection signal, and when the bottom-surface temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the infrared sensor (10) does not output the detection signal substantially. |
| US08334484B2 |
Cooking apparatus
Provided are a cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The cooking apparatus senses the size of a cooking vessel, or more specifically, the undersurface area of the cooking vessel, and selectively operates heaters accordingly. Therefore, food can be more efficiently cooked. |
| US08334481B2 |
Mounting table structure, and processing apparatus
A mounting table body made of ceramic includes power-receiving conductor portions and buried therein. A surface of mounting table body is formed with a recessed connection hole and a connection terminal electrically jointed to the power-receiving conductor portion and exposed into the connection hole, the connection terminal being made of a high-melting-point metal, an alloy thereof or a compound thereof. A power-feeding line member provided with a power-feeding connector portion is inserted at its leading end portion into the connection hole to feed electricity to the power-receiving conductor portion. A stress relaxing member is interposed between the connection terminal and the power-feeding connector portion. The stress relaxing member and the connection terminal are jointed together by a brazing material. The stress relaxing member is made of a metal free from cobalt and nickel or an alloy thereof. |
| US08334473B2 |
Method and apparatus for microplasma spray coating a portion of a compressor blade in a gas turbine engine
A method and apparatus for microplasma spray coating a portion of a substrate, such as a gas turbine compressor blade, without masking any portions thereof. The apparatus includes a microplasma gun with an anode, cathode, and an arc generator for generating an electric arc between the anode and cathode. An arc gas emitter injects inert gas through the electric arc. The electric arc is operable for ionizing the gas to create a plasma gas stream. A powder injector injects powdered material into a plasma stream. A localized area of the compressor blade is coated with the powdered material without having to mask the compressor blade. |
| US08334470B2 |
Lever operation device
A lever operation device includes a movable support member that supports a base portion of an operation lever such that the base portion is pivotable along a first operation plane, a housing that supports the movable support member such that the movable support member is pivotable along a second operation plane that is orthogonal to the first operation plane, an actuator holder attached to the base portion such that the actuator holder is rotatable along the second operation plane, a first actuator retained by the actuator holder, and a second actuator retained by the movable support member. The housing is provided with a first cam surface and a second cam surface on an inner wall surface thereof, the first actuator and the second actuator being in elastic contact with the first cam surface and the second cam surface, respectively. |
| US08334468B2 |
Method of switching a cordless hand-held ultrasonic cautery cutting device
A method for operating an ultrasonic, self-powered surgical device, includes the steps of connecting a self-contained power supply to a surgical device handle, providing a control circuit within at least one of the handle and the power supply, the control circuit being operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition. |
| US08334467B2 |
Lead frame design to improve reliability
An electronic device package 100 comprising a lead frame 150 having at least one lead 110 with a notch 205. The notch includes at least one reentrant angle 210 of greater than 180 degrees and the notch is located distal to a cut end 1010 of the lead. |
| US08334465B2 |
Wafer of circuit board and joining structure of wafer or circuit board
A wafer (or a circuit board), which is used to perform three-dimensional mounting, has protrusion 20 which is provided in low melting point metal 15 for electrically connecting mutually joined wafers 61 and 62, and which defines an interval between mutually joined wafers 61 and 62 without being deformed at the time when low melting point metal 15 is melted. A joining structure of wafers 61 and 62 is manufactured by using wafers 61 and 62, at least one of which has protrusion 20. In the manufactured joining structure of wafers 61 and 62, wafers 61 and 62 are electrically connected to each other by low melting point metal 15, and protrusion 20, which defines the interval between wafers 61 and 62 without being deformed at the time when low melting point metal 15 is melted, is provided in low melting point metal 15. |
| US08334459B2 |
Plate for electric apparatus
A cover plate (2) for electrical apparatus (1) includes at least one opening (22, 32) intended to provide access to at least one functional part (5) of the electrical apparatus and which is formed by superimposing a rear mounting plate (20, 30) fitted at the back with elements for mounting on an apparatus support (4) and a front finish plate (10) giving the cover plate an aesthetic appearance. The rear mounting plate includes on its front side a recessed housing (24) which completely houses the front finish plate, such that the front side (11) of the front finish plate extends flush with or is slightly back from the front side (21) of the rear mounting plate. |
| US08334458B2 |
Grounding mechanism for slide-type electronic devices
A grounding mechanism is used for a slide-type electronic device including a first housing and a second housing. The grounding mechanism includes a grounding tab for attachment to the first housing and an opening defined in the second housing. Two sidewalls are formed in the opening, and a conductive layer is coated on each sidewall. When the grounding tab is received in the opening, the grounding tab abuts against the conductive layer of the sidewalls for electronically connecting the first housing to the second housing. |
| US08334455B2 |
Photovoltaic devices including Mg-doped semiconductor films
A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer. |
| US08334454B2 |
Thin film photovoltaic device
The present invention provides a thin film photovoltaic device and a method of forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The thin film photovoltaic device has a substrate, a thin film layer formed on the substrate and first and second electrodes formed on one side of the thin film layer. By applying an electric field over the first and second electrodes, the thin film layer is polarized in a direction parallel to the surface plane of the film. Upon exposure to light, the thin film layer converts light energy into electricity. According to the method, a thin film layer is formed on a substrate. A first electrode and a second electrode are formed on one side of the thin film layer. By applying an electric field over the first and second electrodes, the thin film layer is polarized in a direction parallel to the surface plane of the film. |
| US08334451B2 |
Discrete and integrated photo voltaic solar cells
A photovoltaic (PV) cell device comprises a first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate bonded to the first semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided between the first and second substrates to electrically isolate the first substrate from the second substrate; a plurality of PV cells defined on the first substrate, each PV cell including a n-type region and a p-type region; a plurality of vertical trenches provided in the first substrate to separated the PV cells, the vertical trenches terminating at the insulating layer; a plurality of isolation structures provided within the vertical trenches, each isolation structure including a first isolation layer including oxide and a second isolation layer including polysilicon; and an interconnect layer patterned to connect the PV cells to provide X number of PV cells in series and Y number of PV cells in parallel. The n-type regions are formed by performing ion implantation of arsenic to provide shallow junction depths for the n-type regions, so that PV cell device is optimized for sunlight. |
| US08334450B2 |
Seebeck solar cell
A Seebeck solar cell device is disclosed, combining both photovoltaic and thermoelectric techniques. The device may be formed using, for example, a conventional photovoltaic cell formed from a doped silicon wafer. The material used to form conductors to the front and rear regions of the cell are chosen for their thermoelectric characteristics, including the sign, or polarity, of their Seebeck coefficients. The distal portion of each conductor is insulated from the solar and waste heat and, in some embodiments, is also coupled to a cooling mechanism. Multiple such devices can be connected in series or parallel. |
| US08334446B1 |
Maize variety inbred PHVNA
A novel maize variety designated PHVNA and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHVNA with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHVNA through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHVNA or a locus conversion of PHVNA with another maize variety. |
| US08334445B1 |
Maize variety hybrid 10967280
A novel maize variety designated 10967280 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10967280 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10967280 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10967280, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10967280. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10967280. |
| US08334444B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X13A459
A novel maize variety designated X13A459 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A459 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A459 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A459, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A459. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A459. |
| US08334443B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X05A932
A novel maize variety designated X05A932 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05A932 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05A932 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05A932, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05A932. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05A932. |
| US08334440B1 |
Soybean cultivar 08220483
A soybean cultivar designated 08220483 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 08220483, to the plants of soybean cultivar 08220483, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 08220483, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 08220483. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08220483. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08220483, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 08220483 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08334436B2 |
Soybean cultivar 93454905
A soybean cultivar designated 93454905 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 93454905, to the plants of soybean 93454905, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 93454905, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 93454905 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 93454905, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93454905, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 93454905 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08334435B2 |
Soybean variety A1016278
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016278. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016278. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016278 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016278 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08334434B2 |
Soybean variety A1016082
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016082. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016082. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016082 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016082 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08334433B2 |
Soybean variety A1016109
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016109. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016109. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016109 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016109 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08334428B2 |
Backbone-free low transgene copy transgenic plants
Methods and compositions reduce copy number of transgenes and minimizing vector backbone sequences in plant transformation. Agrobacterium strains with T-DNA integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the Agrobacterium reduce the copy number and vector backbone sequences. Chromosomal integration vectors to integrate T-DNA into a specific locus of Agrobacterium chromosome are disclosed. |
| US08334425B2 |
Interactive garment printing for enhanced functionality of absorbent articles
An absorbent article may include one or more circuits formed on the exterior of the article that are configured to connect to a monitoring device. When connected to a monitoring device, the circuit(s) can be used to provide input data to the monitoring device. The monitoring device may provide audio, visual, and other feedback that changes based on user input data. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can further connect to one or more circuits internal to the article to sense changes in the state of the article. For example, interactive features supported by the monitoring device may relate to the wetness state of the article and/or may be used to control the type of indication(s) provided by the monitoring device when wetness (or another state) is detected. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be used to provide interactive games for the user of the article. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can be configured to provide feedback triggered by a caregiver, such as potty training reinforcement messages. |
| US08334421B1 |
Method of making nanostructured glass-ceramic waste forms
A method of rendering hazardous materials less dangerous comprising trapping the hazardous material in nanopores of a nanoporous composite material, reacting the trapped hazardous material to render it less volatile/soluble, sealing the trapped hazardous material, and vitrifying the nanoporous material containing the less volatile/soluble hazardous material. |
| US08334419B2 |
Liquid phase alkylation process
The present invention provides an improved process for conversion of feedstock comprising an alkylatable aromatic compound and an alkylating agent to desired alkylaromatic conversion product under at least partial liquid phase conversion conditions in the presence of specific catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material, e.g., a crystalline aluminosilicate, and binder in the ratio of crystal/binder of from about 20/80 to about 60/40. The porous crystalline material of the catalyst may comprise a crystalline molecular sieve having the structure of Beta, an MCM-22 family material, e.g., MCM-49, or a mixture thereof. |
| US08334417B2 |
Process for preparing chloro- and bromoaromatics
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing chloro- or bromoaromatics of the formula (II) by diazotizing the formula (I) by means of sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite in the presence of aqueous hydrochloric or hydrobromic acids and then reacting with an iron(II) or iron(III) compound, optionally in the presence of additional amounts of hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorides or bromides. |
| US08334411B2 |
Process for producing diamine and polyamide
A method for producing a diamine includes purifying a diamine from an aqueous solution containing a diamine salt by adding an alkaline substance to the aqueous solution and then filtering the resulting solution by allowing the solution to pass through a nanofiltration membrane to remove the salt, thereby obtaining an aqueous diamine solution. |
| US08334408B2 |
Analogs of alpha galactosylceramide and uses thereof
Compounds of formula wherein the variables are defined in the specification, are used in compositions which stimulate T cell responses. |
| US08334406B2 |
Process for preparing carboxamides by hydrolysis carboxylic acid nitriles in the presence of a catalyst comprising manganese dioxide
The present invention relates to a process for preparing carboxamides by hydrolysing carbonitriles in the presence of a catalyst comprising manganese dioxide, wherein the reaction mixture added to the catalyst comprising manganese dioxide has a pH in the range of 6.0 to 11.0 and the hydrolysis is performed in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing alkyl (meth)acrylates, the process having a hydrolysis step according to the process described above. |
| US08334405B2 |
Chiral thiourea compounds and process for enantioselective reduction of ketones
Chiral thioureas are effective catalysts for the borane reduction of prochiral ketones to optically active alcohols. A prochiral ketone may be reduced to an optically active alcohol in the presence of a substantially sub-stoichiometric amount of chiral thiourea. The asymmetric thiourea compound of the present invention may be produced according to a production method described herein. |
| US08334402B2 |
Biological buffers with wide buffering ranges
Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability. |
| US08334397B2 |
Process for producing polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester
A process for producing a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester in which the bitterness just after the production and the bitterness with the lapse of time is suppressed. The process of the invention includes reacting an ester (component A) of a fatty acid having 10 to 22 carbon atoms and a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms with at least either (component B) of sorbitol and sorbitan to form a sorbitan fatty acid ester and adding ethylene oxide to the sorbitan fatty acid ester, thereby producing a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, which is characterized that the following steps (a) to (d) are contained: (a) the component B is provided in the form of a 50 to 90% by weight aqueous solution and mixed with the component A and dehydration was performed until a water content in the system reaches 1.0% by weight or less based on the total weight of the components A and B; (b) 1 to 10% by weight of a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of an alkali catalyst based on the total weight of the components A and B are added at 50 to 90° C.; (c) a transesterification reaction is performed under a nitrogen stream at a reaction temperature of 140 to 190° C. to thereby obtain a sorbitan fatty acid ester; (d) ethylene oxide is added thereto at a reaction temperature of 70 to 130° C. |
| US08334392B2 |
Process for the production of artemisinin intermediates
This application relates to a process for the production of (2R)-dihydroartemisinic acid or (2R)-dihydroartemisinic acid esters from artemisinic acid or artemisinic acid esters, respectively, by diimine hydrogenation of the exocyclic CC-double bond, and use of said process in the production of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. |
| US08334388B2 |
Palonosetron salts and processes for preparation and purification thereof
Provided are novel salts of 2-(1-azabicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benz[de]isoquinolin-1-one, methods of using such salts, and processes for producing such salts. |
| US08334387B2 |
Method for measuring aromatase activity
The present invention relates to compounds useful for measuring aromatase activity. The invention further provides methods for measuring aromatase activity and for screening test agents which modulate aromatase activity. A kit is also provided for use in such screening methods. |
| US08334385B2 |
Process for the preparation of R-sitagliptin and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof
The present invention provides processes for the preparation of R-sitagliptin (as shown) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US08334384B2 |
Process for preparing tetrahydrotetraazapentacenes and derivatives
A process for preparing 5,7,12,14-tetrahydro-5,7,12,14-tetraazapentacene compounds and derivatives of Formula (A): comprises reacting at least one 1,2-diaminobenzene compound of Formula (I) with a 1,2,4,5-tetrahydroxybenzene compound of Formula (II): wherein R1-R14, Ra-Rj, R′, and R″ are as described herein. |
| US08334376B2 |
Certain chemical entities, compositions, and methods
Chemical entities of Formula I, II, or III, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described. |
| US08334372B2 |
Modulation of factor 11 expression
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing Factor 11 and treating or preventing thromboembolic complications in an individual in need thereof. Examples of disease conditions that can be ameliorated with the administration of antisense compounds targeted to Factor 11 include thrombosis, embolism, and thromboembolism, such as, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Antisense compounds targeting Factor 11 can also be used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent individuals at risk for thrombosis and embolism. |
| US08334370B1 |
Polynucleotides comprising intercalating entities
Provided are nucleic acid compositions modified with intercalating aromatic compounds attached directly or indirectly through a linker arm thereto. Modifications to the nucleotides or to the oligo- or polynucleotides involve the pentosyl moieties, the abasic moieties (without a base) and the base moieties. Useful property changes are effected and can be measured or detected when such modified nucleic acids compositions have hybridized specifically to target nucleic acids. |
| US08334367B2 |
T2R taste receptors and genes encoding same
Functional assays that detect the effect of a particular compound or compounds on the activation of at least one human T2R polypeptide are provided. These assays include e.g., assays which detect the effect of said compound on intracellular calcium, second messengers such as cAMP, cGMP, current e.g., by use of voltage-clamp or patch-clamp, techniques, fluorescence polarization or FRET assays, and the like. These assays are useful in identifying compounds that putatively elicit or modulate (inhibit or enhance) bitter taste in human subjects, e.g. bitter taste blockers. The effect of identified compounds on taste may be further evaluated in human or animal taste tests. |
| US08334366B1 |
Mutant lycotoxin-1 peptide sequences for insecticidal and cell membrane altering properties
Lycotoxin-1 peptide mutant peptides which exhibit increased insecticidal activity are produced by substitution of both a proline for the lysine at amino acid position 24 and a tryptophan for the leucine at amino acid position 25 of the wild-type amino acid sequence for lycotoxin-1. Further substitution of amino acids 8, 9 or 10 of the lycotoxin-1 wild-type amino acid sequence, specifically substituting a histidine for the phenylalanine at amino acid position 8, a glutamine for the glycine at amino acid position 10, or a serine for the leucine at amino acid position 9, provides an even greater increase in insecticidal activity. In addition to changes in the lycotoxin-1 amino acid sequence, the addition of an enterokinase K recognition site, DDDK, to the N-terminus of the lycotoxin-1 peptide increases insecticidal activity further still. Isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the mutant lycotoxin-1 peptides, expression vectors containing these sequences, microorganisms or other host cells transformed with these vectors, and recombinant methods for producing the peptides, are also disclosed. |
| US08334361B1 |
Method of treating paint waste and roofing products containing paint waste
A method of treating oil-based paint waste is provided which includes removing at least a portion of the solvent contained in the paint waste and emulsifying the paint waste to form a paint waste residue. The paint waste residue can be combined with varying amounts of water-based paint waste, emulsifiers, a virgin latex polymer, and a plasticizer to form various roofing products including an elastomeric sealer, a primer, and elastomeric caulk. A bedding cement is also provided which includes water-based paint, sand, and an optional plasticizer. The roofing products may be used in combination to form a strong, water-resistant roofing composite overlay for new or existing roof structures. |
| US08334356B1 |
Low temperature segmented copolymer compositions and methods
There is provided segmented copolymer compositions and methods of making the same. The composition has one or more α,ω (alpha, omega) amine or α,ω (alpha, omega) hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane first soft segments having an average molecular weight of between about 2500 grams per mole to about 10,000 grams per mole. The composition further has one or more diisocyanate species. The composition further has one or more low molecular weight diol or diamine chain extenders. The composition has a high flexibility at an environmental temperature of down to about −100 degrees Celsius, and further has a percent elongation of greater than about 250%, a high tensile strength of greater than about 25 MPa (megapascals), and a single low glass transition temperature (Tg) in a range of from about −60 degrees Celsius to about −110 degrees Celsius. |
| US08334351B2 |
FEP pellet
An FEP pellet having a volatile content of 0.2% by weight or less. The FEP pellet satisfies the following requirements (i) and (ii) when used to form a insulating material coating a core wire by extrusion coating at a coating speed of 2,800 ft/min.: (i) an adhesive strength between the insulating material and said core wire of 0.8 kg or more; and (ii) an average number of cone-breaks in the insulating material of one or less per 50,000 feet of the coated core wire. |
| US08334349B2 |
Method for producing thermoplastic copolymer
A thermoplastic copolymer having an excellent balance among properties such as coating resistance, color stability and fluidity and having high operability and productivity can be obtained by a method for producing a thermoplastic copolymer, comprising step (I) of supplying a monomer mixture (a) containing an aromatic vinyl monomer (a1) and a vinyl cyanide monomer (a2) to a complete mixing type reactor continuously to produce a copolymer (A) and step (II) of supplying the copolymer (A) continuously to a tubular reactor with a static mixing structure therein, which is placed in series with the complete mixing type reactor, and reacting the copolymer (A) to produce a copolymer (B). |
| US08334347B2 |
Compositions for multilayer coating and resins therefore
A 2K basecoat clearcoat system includes a solvent borne basecoat having a low Tg branched polyester polyol, optionally, a high Tg, high molecular weight thermoplastic resin, and a hardener that includes an isocyanate functional material suitable for crosslinking the polyester polyol, and optional thermoplastic resin. The solvent borne clearcoat composition includes a low Tg linear or branched polyester polyol, at least one other multi-functional polyol, and an isocyanate functional material suitable for crosslinking the polyester and multi-functional polyols. |
| US08334343B2 |
Grafted cyclodextrin
Thermoplastic polymer compositions, films, continues, closures, laminates can comprise a modified vinyl polymer said modified polymer having a moiety comprising a cyclodextrin compound. The cyclodextrin compound, locked into the polymer structure, can absorb impurities, permeants, or other undesirable volatile materials. The cooperation between the cyclodextrin grafted onto the thermoplastic polymer and the polymer structure can provide barrier properties to a film, web or other polymer structure. A permeant or a contaminant can be complexed or trapped within the polymer and held within the film or Web preventing the permeant or contaminant from passing into the interior of a container or enclosure. |
| US08334341B2 |
Carbodiimide compound and use thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a carbodiimide type compound having high dispersibility and dispersion stability of pigments, fine resin particles, and pigment-resin composite fine particles particularly in a silicone dispersion medium; a pigment dispersion composition and a pigment-resin composite fine particles-containing dispersion composition preferably usable in a wide range of fields such as inks for solvent ink jet, liquid developers, and the like by using the compound; and a liquid developer using such a pigment dispersion composition and/or pigment-resin composite fine particles-containing dispersion composition. The present invention provides a carbodiimide type compound obtained by introducing a polysiloxane chain by reaction of a functional group of a polysiloxane chain-containing compound having the functional group reactive with a carbodiimide group with a carbodiimide group of a carbodiimide compound having a carbodiimide equivalent weight of 100 to 50000. |
| US08334340B2 |
Sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, process for its preparation, filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer composition containing same and articles fabricated therefrom
A sulfur-containing cycloaliphatic compound, useful as a crosslinker for filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer compositions, is represented by the general formula: G[—CaH2a—S—S(═O)b—R]n wherein G is a saturated, monocyclic aliphatic group of valence n containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen or a saturated monocyclic silicone [RSiO—]n[R2SiO—]p group of valence n; each R independently is a monovalent hydrocarbon of up to 20 carbon atoms; each occurrence of subscripts a and b independently is an integer wherein a is 2 to 6 and b is 1 or 2; n is an integer of from 3 to 6; and p is an integer of from 0 to 3. |
| US08334338B2 |
Composition for forming resist lower layer film
A composition for forming a resist lower layer film, which contains (A) a resin, (B) a butyl ether group-containing crosslinking agent and (C) a solvent. |
| US08334335B2 |
Fluid activatable adhesives and fluids for activating same for use with liner-free labels
Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll. The adhesive compositions described herein may be used not only on paper, cardboard, and metal, but also on glass and plastics commonly used in commercial applications. |
| US08334328B2 |
Photopolymerization material for gums isolation
The main goal of the present invention is the development of a polymerizable material for isolation and protection of the gums and generally the soft tissues of the oral cavity. For better protection during various procedures of the dental surfaces. The composition of the material can contain many other substances that strengthen its qualities and protective action. Such substances can be various substances that have antioxidative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-irritant action etc. |
| US08334327B2 |
Highly breathable biodegradable films
A breathable film having a base layer comprising first filler particles and second filler particles dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix is provided. The first filler particles constitute from about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of the base layer and the second filler particles constitute from about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the base layer. The ratio of the average size of the first filler particles to the average size of the second filler particles being from about 2 to about 100. The film exhibits a water vapor transmission rate of about 2,000 g/m2/24 hours or more and a peak load in the machine direction of about 800 grams-force per inch or more. |
| US08334318B2 |
Anionic isosorbide derivatives and their use (II)
Disclosed are isosorbide derivatives of formula (I) wherein R and R′ independently represent an isosorbide moiety, a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, and A stands for hydrogen, an alkali metal, ammonium or alkylammonium, with the proviso that at least one of R and R′ is an isosorbide group. Also disclosed is the use of compounds (I) for the preparation of cleansers, detergents, personal care compositions, and cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08334315B2 |
Substituted aromatic carboxamide and urea derivatives as vanilloid receptor ligands
The invention relates to substituted aromatic carboxamide and urea derivatives, to processes for the preparation thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and also to the use of these compounds for preparing pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08334309B2 |
Heterocyclic indazole derivatives
Novel heterocyclic indazole derivatives of the formula (I), in which L, Q, R, X, Y, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are SGK inhibitors and can be used for the treatment of SGK-induced diseases and complaints, such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome (dyslipidaemia), systemic and pulmonary hypertonia, cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases, generally in fibroses and inflammatory processes of any type. |
| US08334307B2 |
Hydroxypyridone derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their therapeutic use for treating proliferative diseases
Provided herein are hydroxypyridone derivatives, for example, a compound of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a proliferative disease. |
| US08334306B2 |
Nitroxide free radical synergized antineoplastic agents
Nitroxide free radicals attached to antineoplastic agents can synergize their potencies to cancer cells. This invention relates to any antineoplastic agents and their derivatives chemically attached with nitroxide free radicals, such as TEMPO and its radical derivatives. This invention also relates to precursors of such compounds, as well as the products formed from the adducts after administration. |
| US08334303B2 |
Polymorph of mutilin
Disclosed is a novel polymorphic form of the compound of formula (I) also known as mutilin 14-(exo-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylsulfanyl)-acetate, a process for the preparation of the polymorphic form, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polymorphic form, and the use of the polymorphic form in medicine, particularly in antibacterial therapy. |
| US08334288B2 |
4-phenoxymethylpiperidines as modulators of GPR119 activity
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent; diseases or disorders associated with the activity of GPR119. |
| US08334281B2 |
Nasal formulations of metoclopramide
Nasal formulations of metoclopramide, which remain stable and/or colorless upon storage over a period of time, are provided. Also provided are methods of treating disorders treatable with metoclopramide, comprising administering the nasal solutions to patients in need thereof. |
| US08334277B2 |
{4-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]phenoxy}phosphate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a production method therefor and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating central nervous system disorders containing the same as an active component
The present invention relates to a novel {4-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]phenoxy}phosphate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a production method therefor and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating central nervous system disorders which contains the same as an active component. The novel {4-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethyl]phenoxy}phosphate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to the present invention can beneficially be used to prevent and treat central nervous system disorders since it exhibits an equivalent biological and pharmacological activity to venlafaxine and salts thereof which are known in the field, it has very little toxicity, and, in particular, it is outstandingly soluble in water as compared with prior-art venlafaxine derivatives. |
| US08334276B2 |
Cystitis treatment with high dose chondroitin sulfate
Interstitial cystitis and related GAG-deficient conditions of the bladder and urinary tract are treated by instillation of high dose chondroitin sulfate, such as 400 mg/20 mL. The higher dose of chondroitin is effective for the rapid reduction of symptoms, particularly in patients with severe and otherwise recalcitrant cystitis. |
| US08334275B2 |
Cellular genes regulated by HIV-1 infection and methods of use thereof
This invention provides cellular gene products which have anti-apoptotic activity in HIV-1 infected cells and provides agents for the inhibition of the cellular gene products. |
| US08334272B2 |
Methods for nucleic acid transfer into cells
The present invention provides methods for increasing the transfer of nucleic acids into cells. In particular, the present invention provides for the use of inhibitors of HDAC6, a cytoplasmic histone deacetylase present in mammalian cells by, for example, small molecules or siRNA treatment, in increasing gene transfer and/or expression in cells in vitro and in vivo for research and gene therapy applications. |
| US08334265B2 |
Method of treatment of photodermatoses
This invention relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of photodermatoses that are caused or exacerbated by or associated with UVR exposure in a subject, particularly a human subject, which comprises the step of administering to said subject an amount of an alpha-MSH analogue effective to reduce the photosensitivity of the skin of the subject. |
| US08334263B2 |
Analgesic methods and compositions
Compositions of flupirtine for management of neuropathic or inflammatory pain optionally including one or more other analgesics including opiates, NSAIDS and other active agents in immediate and controlled release forms. Methods and systems for administration of these compositions. |
| US08334261B2 |
Osteopenia animal model
The present invention provides a method for producing an osteopenia animal model by RANKL administration and an osteopenia animal model.Also, a method for producing an osteopenia animal model, comprising administering soluble RANKL or a fused protein of soluble RANKL with an epitope tag to a non-human animal so as to promote vivo osteoclast differentiation and activation in the non-human animal, and an osteopenia animal model produced by the method are provided. |
| US08334254B2 |
Recombinant lactoferrins, methods of production from plants and uses thereof
The invention concerns the use of a recombinant nucleotide sequence containing a cDNA coding for a lactoferrin, in particular human lactoferrin, or the derived proteins, and elements enabling a plant cell to produce lactoferrin or the derived proteins, coded by the cDNA, in particular a transcription promoter and terminator identified by the plant cell transcription machinery, to transform plant cells in order to obtain, from these cells, or plants obtained therefrom, lactoferrin or derived proteins. |
| US08334250B2 |
Method of making granular detergent compositions comprising amphiphilic graft copolymers
A process of making a granular detergent composition comprising amphiphilic graft copolymer. The granular detergent composition may have an L-3b value of at least about 73.5. |
| US08334246B2 |
Composition for stripping color filter and regeneration method of color filter using the same
A composition for stripping a color filter and a color filter regeneration method are provided. A composition for stripping the color filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes glycol and potassium hydroxide (KOH), in which either (a) the concentration of the glycol is in the range of 83 wt % to 91 wt % and of the concentration of the potassium hydroxide satisfies the condition: (wt % of KOH)≧6−(0.065*(wt % of the glycol)), or (b) the concentration of glycol is more than 91 wt % and the concentration of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is more than 0.2 wt %. |
| US08334240B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting the agglomeration of hydrates in a process
One or more compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in a fluid that contain a specified generic formula are disclosed. The fluid can be contained in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery. |
| US08334239B2 |
High affinity VEGF-receptor antagonists
A cell-based screen is reported can be used to identify specific receptor-binding compounds in a combinatorial library of peptoids (N-alkylglycine oligomers) displayed on beads. This strategy was applied to the isolation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-binding peptoids, which were optimized to create lead compounds with high affinity for VEGFR2. One of these peptoids was shown to be an antagonist of VEGF-VEGFR2 interaction and receptor function. |
| US08334234B2 |
Hard coat and image receiving layer structures for indentification documents
The invention provides hard coat and image receiving layer structures and related methods used in ID document production. These structures and methods provide ID documents that offer hard protection in areas where needed (e.g., in optical windows for machine readable data), and also provide image receiving layers for later printing of variable data, such as personalization information of the bearer. Implementations of the structure provide an effective interface between hard coat and image receiving layers that provides enhanced durability in manufacture and field use. |
| US08334231B2 |
Hydrocracking catalyst, the preparation process and use of the same
The present invention provides a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a moulded composite support of a zeolite molecular sieve with alumina, at least one of VIII Group metal components, at least one of VIB Group metal components and an organic additive; said organic additive is one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of oxygen-containing or nitrogen-containing organic compounds; the content of said zeolite molecular sieve is 3˜60 wt %, the content of said alumina is 10˜80 wt %, and the content of said organic additive is 0.1˜40 wt % based on the weight of said catalyst; the content of said VIII Group metal component is 1˜15 wt % and the content of said VIB Group metal component is 5˜40 wt % as calculated on oxide and based on the weight of said catalyst. The present invention relates also to a preparation method of said hydrocracking catalyst and use of the catalyst in the hydrocracking process of hydrocarbon oil. In comparison with the method in existing arts, the hydrocracking catalyst provided according to the present invention has the aromatic-hydrogenation conversion activity increased obviously. |
| US08334230B2 |
Honeycomb structure
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit which includes walls. The walls have a thickness of from about 0.10 mm to about 0.50 mm and extend along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structure to define through-holes. The honeycomb structure has a center area inside a boundary line passing through positions located at substantially a half of a length from a center of the honeycomb structure to a periphery of the honeycomb structure in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The honeycomb structure has a peripheral area outside the boundary line. A thickness of the walls located in the peripheral area is larger than a thickness of the walls located in the center area. A first opening ratio in the center area in the cross section is larger than a second opening ratio in the peripheral area in the cross section. |
| US08334229B2 |
Optical components for use in high energy environment with improved optical characteristics
Optical components that maintain transparency (remain clear) in high energy environments, including in applications of high-intensity gamma-ray radiation dosage of 1.29×109 rads and greater, and neutron energy at neutron fluxes ranging from 3×109 to 1×1014 n/cm2 sec and greater, and fluencies ranging from 2×1016 to 8.3×1020 n/cm2 and greater. Further, the optical components have a bulk laser damage threshold of 105+/−20 J/cm2, a surface laser damage threshold of 72+/−15 J/cm2, a Stokes shift of about 9%, and a fractional thermal loading of about 11%. |
| US08334225B2 |
Stretchable artificial leather
Stretchable artificial leather comprising a fibrous substrate comprising tricot knitted fabric, and a polyurethane resin layer laminated on the surface of the fibrous substrate, the stretchable artificial leather having fixed load elongation of from 30 to 60% in each of a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a bias direction. |
| US08334222B2 |
Semiconductor wafer processing method and apparatus
A processing method of a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method comprising the steps of: removing at least part of oxide film from a surface of the semiconductor wafer; removing liquid from the surface; and providing at least partial oxide film on the surface by applying an oxidizing gas wherein a gas flow of the oxidizing gas and/or an ambient gas involved by the oxidizing gas is characterized by an unsaturated vapor pressure of the liquid such that the liquid on the surface vaporizes. The above-described steps are conducted in this order. |
| US08334221B2 |
Methods of forming patterned photoresist layers over semiconductor substrates
This invention comprises methods of forming patterned photoresist layers over semiconductor substrates. In one implementation, a semiconductor substrate is provided. An antireflective coating is formed over the semiconductor substrate. The antireflective coating has an outer surface. The outer surface is treated with a basic fluid. A positive photoresist is applied onto the outer surface which has been treated with the basic treating fluid. The positive photoresist is patterned and developed effective to form a patterned photoresist layer having increased footing at a base region of said layer than would otherwise occur in the absence of said treating the outer surface. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated. |
| US08334216B2 |
Method for producing silicon nanostructures
The present invention provides silicon nanostructures and their producing method. By employing a metal-assisted chemical etching method, the bottom of the produced silicon nanostructures, connected to the silicon substrate, is porous and side etched, such that the silicon nanostructures can be easily transferred to a hetero-substrate by a physical manner. |
| US08334215B2 |
Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus
A substrate can be appropriately oxidized, while oxidation of the substrate can be suppressed. The present invention includes a step of generating mixed plasma by causing a mixed gas of hydrogen (H2) gas and oxygen(O2) or oxygen/containing gas supplied to a processing chamber to form a plasma discharge, and processing the starting substrate by the mixed plasma; and a step of generating hydrogen plasma by causing hydrogen (H2) gas supplied to the processing chamber to form a plasma discharge, and processing the substrate by the hydrogen plasma. |
| US08334210B2 |
Method and apparatus of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: (a) obtaining a surface of a polishing target, wherein an insulating film and a metal film are exposed; and (b) polishing the surface having the exposed insulating film and the exposed metal film. The step (b) includes; (b1) polishing the surface in a condition with high frictional force, and (b2) polishing the surface in a condition with usual frictional force lower than the high frictional force after the step (b1). |
| US08334207B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device with buried gates
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate including cell regions and peripheral regions; selectively forming a gate conductive layer over the substrate in the peripheral regions, forming a sealing layer over the substrate with the gate conductive layer formed thereon, forming an insulation layer over the sealing layer to cover the substrate with the gate conductive layer formed on the substrate, planarizing the insulation layer to expose the sealing layer formed over the gate conductive layer, and forming a plurality of plugs in the cell regions, the plurality of the plugs penetrating the insulation layer and the sealing layer. |
| US08334205B2 |
Method for removing polymer after etching gate stack structure of high-K gate dielectric/metal gate
The present invention provides a method for removing polymer after etching a gate stack structure of high-K gate dielectric/metal gate. The method mainly comprises the following steps: 1): forming a gate stack structure of interface Si2/high-K gate dielectric/metal gate/poly-silicon/hard mask in sequence on a silicon substrate with device isolations formed thereon; 2): forming a resist pattern by the lithography; 3): etching the gate stack structure; and 4): immersing the resultant structure of the step 3) in an etching solution to remove the polymer, wherein the etching solution consists of HF, HCl and water, the ratio of HF by volume is 0.2˜1% and the ratio of HCl by volume is 5˜15%. |
| US08334202B2 |
Device fabricated using an electroplating process
A method for fabricating a device includes providing a substrate including at least one contact and applying a dielectric layer over the substrate. The method includes applying a first seed layer over the dielectric layer, applying an inert layer over the seed layer, and structuring the inert layer, the first seed layer, and the dielectric layer to expose at least a portion of the contact. The method includes applying a second seed layer over exposed portions of the structured dielectric layer and the contact such that the second seed layer makes electrical contact with the structured first seed layer. The method includes electroplating a metal on the second seed layer. |
| US08334196B2 |
Methods of forming conductive contacts in the fabrication of integrated circuitry
A method of forming a conductive contact includes forming a structure comprising an upper surface joining with a sidewall surface. The sidewall surface contains elemental-form silicon. Silicon is epitaxially grown from the sidewall surface. Dielectric material is formed over the upper surface and the epitaxially-grown silicon. A conductive contact is formed through the dielectric material to conductively connect with the upper surface. |
| US08334190B2 |
Single step CMP for polishing three or more layer film stacks
A one-step CMP process for polishing three or more layer film stacks on a wafer having a multilayer film stack thereon including a silicon nitride (SiNx) layer on its semiconductor surface, and a silicon oxide layer on the SiNx layer, wherein trench access vias extend through the silicon oxide layer and SiNx layer to trenches formed into the semiconductor surface, and wherein a polysilicon layer fills the trench access vias, fills the trenches, and is on the silicon oxide layer. CMP polishes the multilayer film stack with a slurry including slurry particles including at least one of silica and ceria. The CMP provides a removal rate (RR) for the polysilicon layer > a RR for the silicon oxide layer > a RR for the SiNx layer. The CMP process is continued to remove the polysilicon layer, silicon oxide layer and a portion of the SiNx layer to stop on the SiNx layer. Optical endpointing during CMP can provide a predetermined remaining thickness range for the SiNx layer. |
| US08334186B2 |
Method of forming a memory device incorporating a resistance variable chalcogenide element
A method of forming a memory device, such as a PCRAM, including selecting a chalcogenide glass backbone material for a resistance variable memory function and devices formed using such a method. |
| US08334185B2 |
Early embedded silicon germanium with insitu boron doping and oxide/nitride proximity spacer
Devices are formed with an oxide liner and nitride layer before forming eSiGe spacers. Embodiments include forming first and second gate stacks on a substrate, forming an oxide liner over the first and second gate stacks, forming a nitride layer over the oxide liner, forming a resist over the first gate stack, forming nitride spacers from the nitride layer over the second gate stack, forming eSiGe source/drain regions for the second gate stack, subsequently forming halo/extension regions for the first gate stack, and independently forming halo/extension regions for the second gate stack. Embodiments include forming the eSiGe regions by wet etching the substrate with TMAH using the nitride spacers as a soft mask, forming sigma shaped cavities, and epitaxially growing in situ boron doped eSiGe in the cavities. |
| US08334177B2 |
Methods for forming isolated fin structures on bulk semiconductor material
Methods are provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. A method comprises forming a layer of a first semiconductor material overlying the bulk substrate and forming a layer of a second semiconductor material overlying the layer of the first semiconductor material. The method further comprises creating a fin pattern mask on the layer of the second semiconductor material and anisotropically etching the layer of the second semiconductor material and the layer of the first semiconductor material using the fin pattern mask as an etch mask. The anisotropic etching results in a fin formed from the second semiconductor material and an exposed region of first semiconductor material underlying the fin. The method further comprises forming an isolation layer in the exposed region of first semiconductor material underlying the fin. |
| US08334176B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes the steps of mounting a lead frame in a recessed portion of a lower die, bringing the lower die and an upper die to overlap each other so that a portion for sliding the lead frame slides the lead frame toward injection surfaces, the sliding portion being formed on the recessed portion of the lower die or on the recessed portion of the upper die, clamping the lower die and the upper die together so that at least one projection formed on the upper die crushes down an end portion of the lead frame so as to form lateral projections on the left and right sides of the gate, the lateral projections blocking up the gap between the injection surfaces and the lead frame, and injecting a molding resin through the gate. |
| US08334174B2 |
Chip scale package and fabrication method thereof
A fabrication method of a chip scale package includes: disposing a chip on a carrier board and embedding the chip into a composite board having a hard layer and a soft layer; and removing the carrier board so as to perform a redistribution layer (RDL) process, thereby solving the conventional problems caused by directly attaching the chip on an adhesive film, such as film-softening caused by heat, encapsulant overflow, chip deviation and contamination, etc., all of which may result in poor electrical connection between the wiring layer and the chip electrode pads in the subsequent RDL process and even waste products as a result. |
| US08334173B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor apparatus
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus includes: forming a protrusion made of a conductor on each of the electrodes provided on a semiconductor wafer top face side of a plurality of semiconductor devices formed in a semiconductor wafer; making a trench in the top face between the plurality of semiconductor devices; filling an insulator into a gap between the protrusions and into the trench to form a sealing member; grinding a bottom face of the semiconductor wafer opposing the top face until the sealing member being exposed to divide the semiconductor wafer into each of the semiconductor devices; forming a first lead made of a conductor on each of the protrusions, the first lead forming a portion of a first external electrode; forming a conductive material layer directly to form a second lead on the bottom face of the plurality of semiconductor devices, the second lead forming the second external electrode; and cutting the sealing member between the plurality of semiconductor devices to separate the plurality of semiconductor devices from each other. |
| US08334169B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing an integrated circuit having an active side and a non-active side; forming a channel through the integrated circuit; forming an indent, having a flange and an indent side, from a peripheral region of the non-active side; and forming a conformal interconnect, having an offset segment, a sloped segment, and a flange segment, under the indent. |
| US08334167B2 |
Method of manufacturing photoelectric conversion device
A method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device having a semiconductor substrate, comprises a first step of forming an insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, a second step of forming first holes in the insulating film, a third step of forming, in the insulating film, second holes shallower than the first holes, a fourth step of forming electrically conductive portions by embedding an electrically conductive material in the first holes, and forming planarization assisting portions by embedding the electrically conductive material in the second holes, and a fifth step of polishing the electrically conductive portions, the insulating film, and the planarization assisting portions until the planarization assisting portions are removed, thereby planarizing upper surfaces of the electrically conductive portions and the insulating film. |
| US08334159B1 |
MEMS pressure sensor using capacitive technique
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor includes a silicon spacer defining an opening, a silicon membrane layer mounted above the spacer, a silicon sensor layer mounted above the silicon membrane layer, and a capacitance sensing circuit. The silicon membrane layer forms a diaphragm opposite of the spacer opening, and a stationary perimeter around the diaphragm and opposite the spacer. The silicon sensor layer includes an electrode located above the diaphragm of the silicon membrane layer. The capacitance sensing circuit is coupled to the electrode and the silicon membrane layer. The electrode and the silicon membrane layer move in response to a pressure applied to the diaphragm. The movement of the silicon membrane layer causes it to deform, thereby changing the capacitance between the electrode and the silicon membrane layer by an amount proportional to the change in the pressure. |
| US08334157B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises depositing a semiconductor layer over a semiconductor surface having at least one first region with a first (average surface lattice) parameter value and at least one second region having a second parameter value different from the first. The semiconductor layer is deposited to a thickness so self-organized islands form over both the first and second regions. The difference in the parameter value means the islands over the first region have a first average parameter value and the islands over the second region have a second average parameter value different from the first. A capping layer is deposited over islands and has a greater forbidden bandgap than the islands whereby the islands form quantum dots, which have different properties over the first and second regions due to difference(s) between the first and second region islands. |
| US08334155B2 |
Substrate for growing a III-V light emitting device
A substrate including a host and a seed layer bonded to the host is provided, then a semiconductor structure including a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown on the seed layer. In some embodiments, a bonding layer bonds the host to the seed layer. The seed layer may be thinner than a critical thickness for relaxation of strain in the semiconductor structure, such that strain in the semiconductor structure is relieved by dislocations formed in the seed layer, or by gliding between the seed layer and the bonding layer an interface between the two layers. In some embodiments, the host may be separated from the semiconductor structure and seed layer by etching away the bonding layer. |
| US08334152B2 |
Method of manufacturing transferable elements incorporating radiation enabled lift off for allowing transfer from host substrate
Semiconductor material is formed on a host substrate of a material exhibiting optical transparency with an intervening radiation lift off layer. A transfer device, intermediate substrate or target substrate is brought into adhesive contact with the semiconductor material and the radiation lift off layer is irradiated to weaken it, allowing the semiconductor material to be transferred off the host substrate. Electronic devices may be formed in the semiconductor layer while it is attached to the host substrate or the intermediate substrate. |
| US08334150B2 |
Wafer level laser marking system for ultra-thin wafers using support tape
A wafer level marking system is provided including: providing a wafer, a wafer frame, and a support tape; mounting the wafer and the wafer frame on the support tape; and marking the wafer through the support tape. |
| US08334149B2 |
Mechanical coupling in a multi-chip module using magnetic components
A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes at least two substrates that are remateably mechanically coupled by positive and negative features on facing surfaces of the substrates. These positive and negative features mate with each other. In particular, a positive feature may mate with a given pair of negative features, which includes negative features on each of the substrates. Furthermore, at least one of the negative features in the given pair may include a hard magnetic material, and the positive feature and the other negative feature in the given pair may include a soft magnetic material that provide a flux-return path to the hard magnetic material. In this way, the hard magnetic material may facilitate the remateable mechanical coupling of the substrates. |
| US08334147B2 |
Bio-sensor with hard-direction field
A magnetic sensor for identifying small magnetic particles bound to a substrate includes a regular, planar orthogonal array of MTJ cells formed within or beneath that substrate. Each MTJ cell has a high aspect ratio and positions of stable magnetic equilibrium along an easy magnetic axis and positions of unstable magnetic equilibrium along a hard magnetic axis. By initializing the magnetizations of each MTJ cell in its unstable hard-axis position, the presence of even a small magnetic particle can exert a sufficient perturbative strayfield to tip the magnetization to its stable position. The magnetization change in an MTJ cell can be measured after each of two successive opposite polarity magnetizations of a bound particle and the presence of the particle thereby detected. |
| US08334142B2 |
System for alkylation process analysis
Closed-loop control of a hydrocarbon process is provided by an analyzer including an instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentrations of one of the components, independent of concentrations of others of the components. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid mixture, and a processor captures data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and uses the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the components while the liquid mixture flows continuously through the analyzer. A process control module including a process model of the hydrocarbon process, is coupled to the analyzer and is couplable to the hydrocarbon process, to receive the temperature compensated concentration and to generate at least one output configured to affect operation of the hydrocarbon process. |
| US08334137B2 |
MN gene and protein
Identified herein is the location of the MN protein binding site, and MN proteins/polypeptides that compete for attachment to vertebrate cells with immobilized MN protein. Such MN proteins/polypeptides prevent cell-cell adhesion and the formation of intercellular contacts. The MN protein binding site is a therapeutic target that can be blocked by organic or inorganic molecules, preferably organic molecules, more preferably proteins/polypeptides that specifically bind to that site. Therapeutic methods for inhibiting the growth of preneoplastic/neoplastic vertebrate cells that abnormally express MN protein are disclosed. Vectors are provided that encode the variable domains of MN-specific antibodies and a flexible linker polypeptide separating those domains. Further vectors are disclosed that encode a cytotoxic protein/polypeptide operatively linked to the MN gene promoter or a MN gene promoter fragment comprising the HIF-1 consensus binding sequence, and which vectors preferably further encode a cytokine. The MN gene promoter is characterized, and the binding site for a repressor of MN transcription is disclosed. Further, the hypoxia inducibility of the MN gene and the uses of such inducibility are disclosed. |
| US08334136B2 |
Method for promoting hair growth or hair regeneration by maintaining or increasing expression of cell-adhesion factor
An object of the present invention is to promote hair growth or hair regeneration by promoting formation and/or regeneration of hair follicles. A method is provided for promoting formation and/or regeneration of hair follicles, comprising maintaining or increasing expression of one or a plurality of genes involved in cell adhesion in dermal papilla cells. |
| US08334128B2 |
Probiotic spore-forming lactic acid bacteria of Sporolactobacillus vineae strain KCTC 11493BP
The present invention relates to the novel Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 strain (Accession No: KCTC 11493BP) having probiotic activity, precisely Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 having antimicrobial activity against Vibrio genus pathogenic microorganisms and other pathogens. The Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153 strain of the present invention has excellent intestinal adherence and growth inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms including Vibrio genus microorganisms, so that it can be effectively used as a composition for the prevention and treatment of disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms. |
| US08334125B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding nitrilases
The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature. |
| US08334124B1 |
Modified Aspergillus niger phytase
Disclosed herein is site-directed mutagenesis of a cloned phyA gene employed to replaced cysteine residues involved in disulfide bridge formation with another amino acid. Also disclosed herein is an isolated mutant phytase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 96 percent sequence identity to SEQ. ID. NO: 6 and containing a double-substitution amino acid residue substitution of residue 31 and residue 40 of SEQ. ID. NO: 6, wherein said isolated mutant phytase has phytase activity. |
| US08334121B2 |
Method of converting cellulosic biomass to alcohol using web comprising fine fiber and bioactive particulate
The assemblies of the invention can comprise a fine fiber layer forming a multilamellar web or matrix, having dispersed within the fine fiber layer a bioactive particulate material, including cells, enzymes or microorganisms. Fluid that flows through the assemblies of the invention can have any material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the bioactive particulate within the nanofiber layer. The assemblies of the invention can be used to treat or purify fluid streams. The assemblies of the invention can be used in conjunction with a bioreactor system, a bioartificial organ, or a culture container. |
| US08334120B2 |
Perhydrolases for enzymatic peracid generation
Disclosed herein are variants enzymes that are structurally classified as CE-7 enzymes and have perhydrolysis activity. Also disclosed herein is a process for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters using the aforementioned variant enzymes as well as methods and compositions comprising the variant enzymes. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peroxycarboxylic acids produced by the processes described herein are provided. |
| US08334119B2 |
Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol
The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pII, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol. |
| US08334115B2 |
Chondroitin synthase, method for producing the same and method for producing saccharide chain-extended chondroitin
A vector of the present invention has DNA encoding a protein or a product having the same effect as the protein, the protein containing an amino acid sequence from amino acid numbers 47 to 802 in SEQ. ID. NO:2. Expression of the DNA gives human chondroitin synthase. By using human chondroitin synthase, it is possible to produce a saccharide chain having a repeating disaccharide unit of chondroitin. The DNA or part thereof may be used as a probe for hybridization for the human chondroitin synthase. |
| US08334113B2 |
Organic material production system using biomass material and method
An organic material production system using biomass material includes: a hydrothermal decomposition apparatus that causes the biomass material and hot compressed water to countercurrently contact with each other and undergo hydrothermal decomposition, so as to separate the lignin component and the hemicellulose component from a biomass solid residue; a cellulose enzymatic saccharification device that treats, cellulose in the biomass solid residue, so as to enzymatically saccharify the cellulose to a first sugar solution containing hexose; an alcohol fermenter that produces alcohols by fermentation using the obtained first sugar solution; a sulfuric acid decomposition device that decomposes the hemicellulose component in hot water discharged from the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus, which contains the eluted lignin component and the eluted hemicellulose component, so as to decompose the hemicellulose component to a second sugar solution containing pentose; and a second alcohol fermenter that produces, using the second sugar solution containing pentose, alcohols by fermentation. |
| US08334105B2 |
Methods for treating cardiac disease by modifying an N-terminal domain of troponin I
The invention provides methods for identifying modulators of cardiac troponin I activity as well as methods for using N-terminally truncated forms of cTnI to monitor the function of the circulatory system in general, and the heart in particular, of an organism such as man. Additionally, the invention provides methods of treating circulatory diseases, disorders or conditions, such as cardiac diseases and conditions, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of the N-terminal structure of cTnI, such as a molecule capable of binding to the N-terminus of full-length cTnI, a molecule that modulates cTnI phosphorylation and/or N-terminal proteolytic cleavage, or by administering N-terminally truncated cTnI or a polynucleotide encoding that protein or polypeptide. |
| US08334103B2 |
Composition related to rapid ELISA process
The present invention provides improved and rapid detection methods for an antigen such as a chemical compound, a peptide, a nucleic acid, or a protein released from cells or virus particles in situ. The detection time for an antigen can be dramatically reduced relative to conventional technologies. The technology can particularly be used, for example, to modify and reduce the detection time significantly in traditional ELISA, and also Western blot or Dot blot assays. The improved ELISA method is rapid, economical, reproducible, simple and automatable. Also provided are compositions and kits for using the improved ELISA methods for the rapid detection of antigens. |
| US08334102B2 |
Human CD28 specific monoclonal antibodies for antigen-nonspecific activation of T-lymphocytes
The invention teaches human-compatible monoclonal antibodies which are specific against human CD28 and human T-lymphocytes of several to all subgroups to activate without occupancy of an antigen receptor of the human T-lymphocytes and thus antigen-non-specifically. |
| US08334098B2 |
Detection of nucleic acids from multiple types of human papillomaviruses
Nucleic acid oligonucleotide sequences are disclosed which include amplification oligomers and probe oligomers which are useful for detecting multiple types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with cervical cancer. Methods for detecting multiple HPV types in biological specimens by amplifying HPV nucleic acid sequences in vitro and detecting the amplified products are disclosed. |
| US08334095B2 |
Compositions and methods for monosynaptic transport
Disclosed herein are methods of expressing a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, such as a sequence encoding a detectable protein, in a primary neuron (or plurality of primary neurons) and other neurons that are monosynaptically connected to the primary neuron (or plurality of primary neurons). Such methods involve viruses (such as, rabies viruses) defective for transsynaptic transport (TST-defective virus) and in situ complementation of the defect in a manner that permits only monosynaptic transport of the TST-defective virus. The TST-defective virus and, therefore, any heterologous nucleic acid sequence it carries in its genome, are not transmitted to neurons that are not monosynaptically connected to the primary neuron (or plurality of primary neurons). Also disclosed are methods of targeting a TST-defective virus to a genetically defined primary neuron (or plurality of primary neurons). The disclosed technology enables far more specific labelling and/or manipulation of neural networks than has previously been possible. |
| US08334093B2 |
Method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording head
A method and system for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer including an intermediate layer are disclosed. The method and system include providing a mask on the intermediate layer. The mask includes a line having at least one side. A hard mask layer is provided on the mask. At least a portion of the hard mask layer resides on the side(s) of the line. At least part of the hard mask layer on the side(s) of the line is removed. Thus, at least a portion of the line is exposed. The line is then removed, providing an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line. The method also includes forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture. The trench top is wider than its bottom. The method further includes providing a PMR pole, at least a portion of which resides in the trench. |
| US08334089B2 |
Method of fine patterning semiconductor device
For patterning during integrated circuit fabrication, an image layer is activated for forming a respective first type polymer block at each of two nearest activated areas. A layer of block copolymer is formed on the image layer, and a plurality of the first type polymer blocks and a plurality of second and third types of polymer blocks are formed on an area of the image layer between outer edges of the two nearest activated areas, from the block copolymer. At least one of the first, second, and third types of polymer blocks are removed to form a variety of mask structures. |
| US08334087B2 |
Polymer, radiation-sensitive composition, monomer, and method of producing compound
A radiation-sensitive composition includes (A) an acid-dissociable group-containing polymer, and (B) a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The acid-dissociable group-containing polymer (A) includes a polymer that includes a repeating unit shown by a general formula (1) in which R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a fluorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group, R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, Y represents a carbon atom, and X represents an atomic group that forms an alicyclic hydrocarbon group together with Y. |
| US08334085B2 |
Colored curable composition, color filter and method of producing the same, and dipyrromethene metal complex compound and tautomer thereof
A colored curable composition is provided which has good developability, has excellent color purity, can be formed into a thin film, and has a high absorption coefficient. The colored curable composition includes at least one of specific dipyrromethene metal complex compounds and tautomers thereof. Also, a colored curable composition suitable for forming a color filter which is used in a liquid crystal display device or a solid-state imaging device, and a color filter using the colored curable composition and a method of producing the same are provided. |
| US08334081B2 |
Metal alloy catalysts for fuel cell cathodes
For the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, a metal alloy catalyst contains the metals Pd, M1 and M2 where M1 and M2 are different metals selected from Co, Fe, Au, Cr and W (but excluding the combination PdCoAu). Preferred ternary alloys for use as catalysts may be selected from PdCoCr, PdCoW, PdFeCr, PdFeW, PdCrW, PdWAu, PdCrAu, PdCoFe and PdFeAu. Compositional ranges that are specially effective are assessed by a high throughput physical vapor deposition method. Catalysts especially suitable for use in direct methanol fuel cells are identified. |
| US08334080B2 |
Catalyst for fuel cell
A catalyst for a fuel cell is disclosed that includes a conductive carrier, and a catalyst layer formed to cover the conductive carrier and formed of one of Pt, Ru, and a Pt-based alloy. |
| US08334078B2 |
Fuel cell separator and method for producing the same
A separator for a fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a base 1 containing 70 mass % or more of Al; an underlying layer 2 being formed on the base and containing Ti; an intermediate layer 3 being formed on the underlying layer and containing TiNx or TiOy; and a conductive metal layer 4 being formed on the intermediate layer and containing Au or Pt. The separator for a fuel cell according to the present invention has an excellent anticorrosiveness although a base containing aluminum as a main component is used. |
| US08334076B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery and method for producing negative electrode therefor
The present invention relates to an improvement in a lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a porous film formed on at least one electrode surface. The porous film includes inorganic compound particles and polyvinylidene fluoride. The viscosity of the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution dissolving 8 wt % polyvinylidene fluoride is 600 to 2400 mPa·s at 25° C., and the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride in the porous film is 1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the inorganic compound particles. |
| US08334070B2 |
Electrode material including clay mineral and electrochemical cell employed with the same
Provided is an electrode material, which contains an electrode active material, comprising a clay mineral in an amount of the range of 5% by weight or less based on the total weight of the electrode material for increasing the mechanical strength of the electrode material and improving the impregnation ability of an electrolyte. |
| US08334068B2 |
Laminate battery with deformation restricting member
An electrode terminal 42 is connected to a current collector part 12 of electrodes through a deformation restricting member 3. Between laminate films 2 and 2, a space 15 is formed above and below the current collector part 12. The deformation restricting member 3 is placed close to the inner wall peripheral portion of an outer package including sealing parts 23, thereby forming a deformation-restricting part 22 to restrict the inward deformation of the laminated films 2. In a section extending from the inside end of the deformation restricting member 3 to a battery element 1, the laminated films 2 face the space 15 to allow the deformation of the laminated films 2 in response to the change of internal pressure. At the decrease of internal pressure, the contraction of the laminated films 2 can be localized in the deformation-allowing part 21, thereby reducing the bending stress on an end portion of the sealing parts 23. Thus, the laminate type secondary battery and the battery pack thereof can be provided with the effect that the concentration of stress on the bonded part of the laminated films can be suppressed even when the expansion and contraction of the laminated films are repeated in response to the change of internal pressure of the laminated films bonded to hermetically accommodate the battery element. |
| US08334066B2 |
Secondary battery and manufacturing method thereof
A secondary battery having a simplified structure by which a lead of a safety device can be adhered to the battery includes an electrode unit having a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator disposed therebetween, a can having a bottom portion and made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the can in which the electrode unit and an electrolytic solution are accommodated and sealed, and a surface coating provided on at least an outer surface of the bottom portion of the can to which the lead is attached. |
| US08334061B2 |
Heterocyclic compound, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, lighting device, and electronic appliance using heterocyclic compound
An object is to provide a novel heterocyclic compound having a bipolar property. Another object is to provide a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic appliance each having high emission efficiency. A heterocyclic compound represented by a general formula (G1), a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic appliance each formed using the heterocyclic compound represented by the general formula (G1) are provided. By use of the heterocyclic compound represented by the general formula (G1) to a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic appliance, the light-emitting element, the light-emitting device, and the electronic appliance can each have high emission efficiency. |
| US08334058B2 |
Compounds for organic electronic devices
The present invention relates to the improvement of organic electroluminescent devices, in particular blue-emitting devices, by using compounds of the formula (1) as dopants in the emitting layer. |
| US08334056B2 |
High-temperature coatings with Pt metal modified γ-Ni + γ′-Ni3Al alloy compositions
An alloy including: about 10 at % to about 30 at % of a Pt-group metal; less than about 23 at % Al; about 0.5 at % to about 2 at % of at least one reactive element selected from Hf, Y, La, Ce and Zr, and combinations thereof; a superalloy substrate constituent selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Mo, Ta, Re and combinations thereof; and Ni; wherein the Pt-group metal, Al, the reactive element and the superalloy substrate constituent are present in the alloy in a concentration to the extent that the alloy has a solely γ′-Ni3Al phase constitution. |
| US08334055B2 |
Composite materials
Light weight composites with high flexural strength comprise epoxy foam sandwiched between two layers of facing material have high strength and low weight and can be used to replace steel structures. The facing layer may be fibrous material especially glass or carbon fibers, the facing material is preferably embedded into the epoxy matrix. Alternatively they may be matching box structures or concentric metal tubes. The sandwich structures may be prepared by laying up the fiber; coating and/or impregnating the layer with epoxy resin, laying a layer of heat activatable foamable epoxy material, providing a further layer of the fibrous material optionally coated and/or impregnated with epoxy resin on the foamable material and heating to foam and cure the epoxy materials. Alternatively they may be formed by extrustion of the foamable material between the surface layers. |
| US08334051B2 |
Adhesion method, and biochemical chip and optical component made by the same
An adhesion method capable of strongly adhering two members without using an adhesive and without impairing a fine structure or optical properties of a joining surface, and a biochemical chip and optical component made by the same are provided.The adhesion method includes step A of forming a coating film 13 of a first film compound having a first photoreactive functional group on a first joining surface 11 of a first member 21, step B of forming a coating film 14 of a second film compound having a second photoreactive functional group on a second joining surface 12 of a second member 22, and step C of bringing the first joining surface 11 into contact by pressure with the second joining surface 12 while setting a coupling agent having at least one coupling reactive group that forms a covalent bond with the first photoreactive functional group and the second photoreactive functional group by light irradiation to be in contact with the first and second photoreactive functional groups, and conducting light irradiation to form covalent bonds. |
| US08334048B2 |
Conductive elastomer and method of applying a conductive coating to elastomeric substrate
A method for forming a conductive elastomer by applying or spray coating a conductive paste onto an elastomeric substrate using a reactive top coat to thin the conductive paste prior to spraying onto the substrate. The use of a reactive topcoat to thin the conductive paste avoids the need for hazardous volatile organic components as solvents to thin the conduct paste and improves the bonding of the conductive paste to the elastomeric substrate once the spray coating is cured. |
| US08334045B2 |
Wrapping tape for a cable harness
A wrapping tape for automatically circumferentially wrapping an axially extending article, in particular a cable or a cable loom, the tape suitable for wrapping around the article and then tautened and joined to itself in an overlapping manner by a joining tool. The wrapping tape comprises a core with a contact area, which is designed to rest on the article; and tabs protruding laterally from the core. A tab forms such an angle with the contact area that the joining tool can engage behind the tab when the tape is wrapped tightly around the article, and without the tool engaging behind the contact area, while tabs of overlapping tape portions are joined to one another. |
| US08334040B2 |
Electromagnetic wave suppression material and electromagnetic wave suppression sheet
An electromagnetic wave suppression material that has a high light transmission performance even under a low temperature environment to display a sufficient electromagnetic wave suppression effect, and an electromagnetic wave suppression sheet that has the electromagnetic wave suppression material sealed in it, are disclosed. An electromagnetic wave suppression sheet (3) is composed of an electromagnetic wave suppression material (1) charged into a moisture-resistant film (2) whose peripheral part is laminated by a predetermined adhesive by way of sealing. |
| US08334037B2 |
Multi-layer assembly, multi-layer stretch releasing pressure-sensitive adhesive assembly, and methods of making and using the same
A multi-layer assembly that includes a release liner, a first layer disposed on the release liner, the first layer including a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that includes a silicone polymer that includes silicone polyurea block copolymers, polydiorganosiloxane polymers, or combinations thereof, a second layer disposed on the first layer, the second layer including a composition that includes an elastomer, the composition of the second layer being different from the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition of the first layer, the first layer of the multi-layer assembly exhibiting a release force to the release liner of no greater than 100 gram per 0.5 inch width after the multi-layer assembly has been stored for 46 days at 120° F. |
| US08334035B2 |
Polyester polyols from terephthalic acid and oligoalkylene oxides
Polyester polyols are produced by reacting terephthalic acid with a glycol corresponding to the formula H—(OCH2CH2)n—OH and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. These polyester polyols are particularly useful for the production of polyurethane) (PUR) and polyurethane/polyisocyanurate (PUR/PIR) foams for use in insulation applications. |
| US08334028B2 |
Method of forming a protective film
A method of forming a protective film for a magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The protective film suppresses cobalt elution out of the magnetic recording layer and has a thickness not larger than 3 nm. The method of the invention of forming a protective film for a magnetic recording medium comprises (1) a step of forming a protective film, on a lamination including a substrate and metallic film layers formed on the substrate, by means of a plasma CVD method using a raw gas of a hydrocarbon gas, wherein a flow rate of the hydrocarbon gas is in a range of 50 sccm to 200 sccm and a emission current is in a range of 0.1 A to 0.3 A, and (2) a step of surface treatment on the protective film that has been formed in the step (1), including sub-steps of (2a) a plasma treatment in an argon gas and (2b) a plasma treatment in a gas containing a nitrogen gas. |
| US08334023B2 |
Methods for regulating the placement of fluid dispensed from an applicator onto a workpiece
Methods for operating a material dispensing system. The method includes measuring numerical values of an operating parameter, such as line velocity, material pressure, or material temperature, of the dispensing system to predict a future numerical value of the operating parameter. The predicted numerical value of the operating parameter is used to accurately define a start time, which is measured from the detection of the presence of a workpiece being transported past an applicator of the dispensing system, at which to initiate dispensing of the material from the applicator. A calibration procedure is provided for deriving a mathematical relationship used to determine the predicted numerical value of the operating parameter. |
| US08334017B2 |
Apparatus and methods for forming energy storage and photovoltaic devices in a linear system
A method and apparatus are provided for formation of a composite material on a substrate. The composite material includes carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers, and composite intrinsic and doped silicon structures. In one embodiment, the substrates are in the form of an elongated sheet or web of material, and the apparatus includes supply and take-up rolls to support the web prior to and after formation of the composite materials. The web is guided through various processing chambers to form the composite materials. In another embodiment, the large scale substrates comprise discrete substrates. The discrete substrates are supported on a conveyor system or, alternatively, are handled by robots that route the substrates through the processing chambers to form the composite materials on the substrates. The composite materials are useful in the formation of energy storage devices and/or photovoltaic devices. |
| US08334014B1 |
Microparticles with hierarchical porosity
The present disclosure provides oxide microparticles with engineered hierarchical porosity and methods of manufacturing the same. Also described are structures that are formed by templating, impregnating, and/or precipitating the oxide microparticles and method for forming the same. Suitable applications include catalysts, electrocatalysts, electrocatalysts support materials, capacitors, drug delivery systems, sensors and chromatography. |
| US08334008B1 |
Article for dispensing a medicinal ingredient and a method the manufacture thereof
A method is provided for making punctal plugs by providing a fibrous strand and extrusion or dip coating the fibrous strand with a polymeric coating and cutting the coated fibrous strand to adequate length for insertion into a mammal body conduit, vessel, cavity, canal, artery, or vein. |
| US08334006B2 |
Process for manufacturing a sweetener and use thereof
Highly purified Stevioside, Rebaudioside A and a purified sweet steviol glycoside mixture were prepared from sweet glycoside extracts obtained from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. The resulting sweeteners are suitable as non-calorie, non-cariogenic, non-bitter, non-lingering sweeteners, which may be advantageously applied in foods, beverages, and milk products. |
| US08334004B2 |
Intellectualized cooking method
The present invention involves an intelligent cooking method, especially a cooking method defined as oil stir-fry in Chinese cuisine. The present cooking method is comprised of the following steps: feeding heat transfer medium, feeding cooking materials, dispersing and/or turning-over cooking materials, separating cooking materials from oil, re-feeding cooking materials, stir-frying and/or turning-over cooking materials, etc. The method can perform intelligent cooking and can accurately control the duration and degree of heating to achieve the effect of stir-fry which is one of main cuisine techniques. |
| US08334003B2 |
Drink flavouring straw
The present invention relates to a receptacle which comprises a generally elongate tubular body, a plurality of pellets of a predetermined size and shape containing a predetermined measure of active ingredient and filtration means disposed at or adjacent each end of the tubular body to retain the pellets substantially within the body. The receptacle is sized to allow a carrier liquid to be drawn through it. The passage of the carrier liquid through the receptacle causes the pellets to progressively dissolve, thereby releasing the active ingredient into the beverage upon consumption. |
| US08334002B2 |
Cinnamaldehyde—allicin compositions and their method of use
The invention generally relates to mixtures of cinnamaldehyde (cinnamic aldehyde) and allicin (10%) in emulsifiable suspension formulations at ratios ranging from 1:1 to 20:1 for protecting plants from damage by nematodes, fungal pathogens, insects and mites. The nematicidal compositions described are easily flowable, easily mixable in water and have low volatility and exhibit no phytotoxicity. Methods of applying the compositions for agriculture use are disclosed. |
| US08333998B2 |
Herbal mixture extract of rehmanniae radix preparata and acanthopanacis cortex and a composition comprising the same for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
The present invention relates to a herbal mixture extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and Acanthopanacis Cortex and a composition comprising the same for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.The herbal mixture extract of the present invention enhances the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoblasts and effectively inhibits the generation and activation of osteoclasts, so that it can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. |
| US08333989B2 |
Hydrophilic vehicle-based dual controlled release matrix system
A hydrophilic vehicle-based dual controlled-release matrix system, suitable for encapsulation in hard or soft capsules, has been developed. The matrix is in the form of a solution or a suspension, which allows for easier formulation of low dose compounds. The matrix includes two rate controlling barriers for the controlled release of one or more pharmaceutically active agents. The primary rate controlling barrier includes a hydrophilic vehicle. The primary rate controlling barrier can further comprise one or more solvents which are miscible with the hydrophilic vehicle. The secondary rate controlling barrier includes a hydrogel-forming polymeric material dissolved or dispersed in the hydrophilic vehicle. The presence of the hydrogel-forming polymeric material makes extraction of the drug from the dosage form more difficult. This feature could be beneficial in preventing or minimizing the misuse of dosage forms which contain drugs which are prone to abuse. |
| US08333988B2 |
Targeted delivery using tissue-specific peptidomimetic ligands
Compositions and methods for tissue-specific targeted delivery of therapeutic agents through the use of tissue-specific peptidomimetic ligands are disclosed herein. The ligand comprises a composition of formula A-scaffold-A′ and one or more hydrophobic anchors covalently linked to the scaffold. The A and A′ compounds linked to the scaffold comprise monovalent peptidomimetic compounds wherein each monovalent peptidomimetic compound is selected from the group consisting of fragments IKs, GKs, IDs, GSs, GTs, VSs, TKs, KTs, ARs, KIs, KEs, AEs, GRs, YSs, IRs, and morpholino. |
| US08333987B2 |
Nourexin-4 nano-lipid emulsions
The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying, monitoring, and/or treating tissue inflammation caused by diseases or injury. Inflammatory mediators from the Nourin family are provided as diagnostic markers to detect or monitor a disease or injury that results in inflammation. In addition, the Nourin family antagonist, Nourexin-4 is provided as a therapy to treat diseases or injury. Further, cyclocreatine is provided as an inhibitor of Nourin formation, which can be used as a therapy to treat injury and inflammation. |
| US08333985B2 |
Non-glycerol stabilized bone graft
A demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been stabilized by lowering the pH of the composition, reducing the water content, adding water substitutes, and/or increasing the amount of deuterated water present in the composition in order to reduce the activity of endogenous degrading enzymes such as proteases. A hydrated form of a stabilized DBM composition may be stable up to a year at room temperature at acidic pH. The acidified DBM compositions may be further stabilized by the addition of a stabilizing agent such as deuterated water, water substitutes, polymers, protease inhibitors, glycerol or hydrogels. |
| US08333984B2 |
Coatings of acrylamide-based copolymers
An implantable device including conjugate formed of an acrylamide-based copolymer and a bioactive agent is provided. |
| US08333974B2 |
Continuous dosing regimens for neural stem cell proliferating agents and neural stem cell differentiating agents
The present invention provides effective dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents, kits containing effective dosing regimes for neural stem cell proliferating agents, and uses thereof. In particular, neural stem cell proliferating agents, such as hCG, prolactin and EPO are delivered to mammalian subjects at low doses in a continuous fashion over several days, as opposed to delivery of high doses in a short period of time. |
| US08333973B2 |
Targeting recombinant therapeutics to circulating red blood cells
Fusion proteins comprising a single chain antigen-binding domain (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody, linked to an anti-thrombotic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, or a pro-drug thereof are provided, where the polypeptide binds to a binding site (antigen) expressed on the surface of a red blood cell at a density greater than 5,000 copies per red blood cell. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these fusion proteins, and methods of delivering an anti-thrombotic agent to the surface of a red blood cell via delivery of these fusion proteins, and methods of treating or preventing thrombosis, tissue ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary embolism, or ischemic peripheral vascular disease via administration of the fusion proteins or compositions comprising same are also provided. |
| US08333971B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection with conjugated antibodies or antibody fragments
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treatment of HIV infection in a subject. The compositions may comprise a targeting molecule against an HIV antigen, such as an anti-HIV antibody or antibody fragment. The anti-HIV antibody or fragment may be conjugated to a variety of cytotoxic agents, such as doxorubicin. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody or fragment is P4/D10. Other embodiments may concern methods of imaging, detection or diagnosis of HIV infection in a subject using an anti-HIV antibody or fragment conjugated to a diagnostic agent. In alternative embodiments, a bispecific antibody with at least one binding site for an HIV antigen and at least one binding site for a carrier molecule may be administered, optionally followed by a clearing agent, followed by administration of a carrier molecule conjugated to a therapeutic agent. |
| US08333970B2 |
Methods of monitoring the efficacy of anti-CD40 antibodies in treating a subject having an inflammatory or autoimmune disease
Methods for identifying subjects having an inflammatory disease and/or autoimmune disease that will benefit from anti-CD40 therapeutic agents that modulate CD40L-mediated CD40 signaling are provided. The methods comprise the use of biomarkers of cellular apoptosis, cell proliferation and survival, and CD40 signaling pathways to monitor ex vivo response to one or more anti-CD40 therapeutic agents of interest that modulate CD40 signaling on CD40-expressing cells. The ex vivo prognostic assays can be used alone or in conjunction with other prognostic assays to identify candidate subjects who will benefit from treatment with anti-CD40 therapeutic agents. Methods of the invention also comprise the use of these biomarkers to monitor in vivo efficacy of treatment with an anti-CD40 therapeutic agent. |
| US08333959B2 |
Ex-vivo application of solid microparticulate therapeutic agents
The present invention is concerned with a method of preparing and delivering small particles of a pharmaceutically active material to a mammalian subject for treating diseases or disorders. A preferred embodiment entails: (i) the collection of tissue cells from an animal donor, (ii) selective or non-selective growth of these cells in a cell culture medium to which is added solid particles of a therapeutically active compound, mostly free of a drug carrier (about 10% or less, by weight), and having an average particle size of less than about 100 microns, (iii) contacting the cells in the cell culture medium with the solid particles of therapeutically active compound causing the particles to be taken up by the cells into either the intracellular compartment of the cultured cells, attachment of the active compound as particles to the periphery of such cells, or a combination of intracellular uptake and attachment to the cell surface, (iv) optionally, isolation and/or resuspension of the cells prepared in steps i through iii, (v) administering the cells to the mammalian subject. The pharmaceutically active material can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intradermally, intra-articularly, intrathecally, epidurally, intracerebrally, via buccal route, rectally, topically, transdermally, orally, intranasally, via pulmonary route, intraperitoneally, or combinations thereof. After administration, the loaded cells transport the pharmaceutical composition as particles. |
| US08333950B2 |
Process for the preparation of lithium metal oxides involving fluidized bed techniques
A method of producing lithium metal oxides can include mixing lithium salt and a metal oxide to form a composition, heating the composition in a first reactor, transferring the composition to a second reactor, and passing the composition through the second reactor to anneal the composition to form lithium metal oxides. The second reactor can be a fluidized bed reactor. The lithium metal oxide can have an average crystal size of between about 5 microns and about 20 microns. |
| US08333949B2 |
Method for creating high carbon content products from biomass oil
In a method for producing high carbon content products from biomass, a biomass oil is added to a cracking reactor vessel. The biomass oil is heated to a temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 800° C. at a pressure ranging from about vacuum conditions to about 20,700 kPa for a time sufficient to crack the biomass oil. Tar is separated from the cracked biomass oil. The tar is heated to a temperature ranging from about 200° C. to about 1500° C. at a pressure ranging from about vacuum conditions to about 20,700 kPa for a time sufficient to reduce the tar to a high carbon content product containing at least about 50% carbon by weight. |
| US08333941B1 |
Spray pyrolysis synthesis of mesoporous NbRuyOz as electrocatalyst supports in fuel cells
Mesoporous conductive niobium and niobium-ruthenium particles and methods for forming the same are described. In some cases the particles are suitable for use as a fuel cell catalyst. The described aerosol-based synthesis method allows for single step formation and processing of the particles. |
| US08333938B2 |
Test cartridge holder for blood samples
Improved methods and apparatus that make more accurate and reduces risk of filling reaction chambers of cartridge cells with blood samples to conduct blood coagulation tests of the type employing the plunger technique are disclosed. A cartridge holder is provided that secures a test cartridge in a fixed upright position and deflects the plunger flag of each cartridge cell to enable manual insertion of a blood dispenser deeply into the reaction chamber to fill the reaction chamber and avoid contamination of surfaces of the cartridge outside the reaction chamber. Preferably, the cartridge holder provides illumination of the reaction chamber during filling, so that the user can judge when the reaction chamber is properly filled with blood dispensed from the blood dispenser. The cartridge holder may incorporate image magnification to facilitate viewing of the reaction chamber as it is filled. |
| US08333937B2 |
Dispensation tip, reaction kit using the same, and dispensation tip drive mechanism
A surrounding environment and a solution to be dispensed are prevented from being polluted by aerosol inside a dispensation tip. A dispensation tip 20 is provided with a dispensation nozzle 19 attached to its distal end, a syringe having a hollow inner portion, that is connected to a proximal end of the dispensation nozzle 19, and a plunger 22 that is allowed to slide in the cylinder 21 of the syringe so that suction and discharge processes are carried out on the liquid by the dispensation nozzle 19. A separation member having airtightness for separating an inside of the nozzle 19 from the outside and flexibility for allowing the plunger 22 to freely slide is placed between the proximal end of the plunger 22 and the proximal end of the cylinder 21. |
| US08333934B2 |
Gradient structures interfacing microfluidics and nanofluidics
The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to nanochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient. |
| US08333930B2 |
Reaction kit treating equipment
Upper space on the front surface side of a reaction plate, provided with at least a reaction container causing reaction in a sample and a reagent container containing a reagent used for reaction with the sample, is covered with an airtight cover. A dispensation tip (20) for transporting liquid on the reaction plate is arranged in such a way that the distal end side is located on the inside of the covered space and the proximal portion is located on the outside. In order to handle a reaction kit (80) supported movably in the perpendicular direction and in the in-plane direction with respect to the front surface of the reaction plate, a table (82) for attaching the reaction kit (80), a drive unit (36) engaging with the proximal end of the dispensation tip (20) and driving the movement and the dispensation operation of the tip (20), a detection unit (38) for optically detecting a reaction product by receiving light generated through interaction with the reaction product on the reaction plate or the light generated from the reaction product, and a control section for controlling at least the dispensation operation by the drive unit (36) and the detection operation by the detection unit (38) are provided. |
| US08333928B2 |
Fluidizing bed apparatus for producing carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube production facility and method using the same
Provided is an apparatus for producing carbon nanotubes. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber and a rotating member. The reaction chamber provides a reaction space in which metal catalysts and a source gas react with one another to produce carbon nanotubes. The rotating member increases fluidizing of the metal catalysts in the reaction space to increase productivity and raise the gas conversion rate, thereby reducing the price of carbon nanotubes and preventing adhering of metal catalysts to the sidewall of the reaction chamber. |
| US08333925B2 |
Ergonomic pipetting workstation
A workstation for pipetting provides for an ergonomic pipetting environment. Test tubes, centrifuge tubes, micro tubes and micro plates are inserted into a top plate, which is designed to hold such devices in a desired configuration. The top plate is adjustable with respect to height and planar angle, so that extensive pipetting efforts are less likely to result in repetitive stress related injuries. |
| US08333923B2 |
High strength gray cast iron
A gray cast iron alloy is disclosed. The gray cast iron alloy includes carbon from about 3.05 to about 3.40 weight percent, niobium from about 0.05 to about 0.3 weight percent, and silicon from about 1.75 to about 2.3 weight percent. The gray cast iron alloy also includes nickel less than or equal to about 0.06 weight percent. |
| US08333922B2 |
Method of producing objects containing nano metal or composite metal
A method of producing three-dimensional bodies which wholly or for selected parts consists of a composite of crystalline or nanocrystalline metal particles in a matrix of amorphous metal. A metal powder layer (4) is applied onto a heat-conducting base (1, 13) and limited areas of the layer is melted successively by means of a radiation gun and cooled so that they can be made to solidify into amorphous metal. In connection with the melting of one or several of the limited areas, the radiation gun is regulated so that the melted area is cooled in accordance with a stipulated time-temperature curve in order to form a composite of crystalline or nanocrystalline metal particles in a matrix of amorphous metal. The method is repeated until a continuous layer, which contains composite metal to a desired extent, is formed. A new powder layer (4) is applied and the method is repeated, the new layer being fused to the underlying layer for successive construction of the three-dimensional body. Alternatively, a layer of only amorphous metal is produced at first, whereupon limited areas of the layer is heated by means of the radiation gun and heat-treated in accordance with the stipulated time-temperature curve in order to transform the amorphous metal into a composite of crystalline or nanocrystalline metal particles in a matrix of amorphous metal. |
| US08333921B2 |
Shaft coupling for device for dispersing gas in or pumping molten metal
A coupling assembly includes a motor driven drive shaft. A rotatable refractory shaft is adapted to be connected to a rotor. Locking recesses are formed in an upper end of the refractory shaft. A rotatable coupling includes a body and a device for affixing the drive shaft to the body. Lever arms are fastened to the body and can be pivoted. A recess in the body receives the refractory shaft. Openings in the body extend from an exterior surface of the body to the recess. Each of the lever arms includes a protruding locking member positioned in the opening in the body. Each locking member engages a locking recess. A device exerts a force against the lever arms forcing the locking members into the locking recesses. |
| US08333920B2 |
Melt supply pipe for aluminum die casting
There is provided a melt supply pipe for aluminum die casting which is strong to mechanical impact and is excellent in the melting loss resistance to a molten aluminum alloy and which has a significantly extended life. The melt supply pipe for connecting a melting furnace and a plunger sleeve of a die casting machine, includes an inner ceramic pipe and an outer steel pipe fitted to the inner pipe, wherein a Ni alloy layer is formed over the inner circumferential surface of the outer steel pipe, and TiC particles are bonded to the surface of the Ni alloy layer. |
| US08333915B2 |
Fine-structure transfer method
A fine-structure transfer method in which a fine-featured pattern formed on one of the two surfaces of a stamper is pressed against a coating of a resist on one of the two surfaces of a transfer element so as to transfer the fine-featured pattern to the resist coating, wherein the atmosphere in the space between the stamper and the transfer element is replaced by the vapor of the resist before the stamper is pressed against the transfer element. |
| US08333913B2 |
Sputtering target, oxide semiconductor film and semiconductor device
A sputtering target including an oxide sintered body, the oxide sintered body containing indium (In) and at least one element selected from gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er) and ytterbium (Yb), and the oxide sintered body substantially being of a bixbyite structure. |
| US08333909B2 |
Conductive polymer, conductive polymer compositions and methods for their use
The invention provides an electrolyte comprising an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts and methods for the use of the resin. |
| US08333908B2 |
Fluorine insolubilizers and methods of producing same
A fluorine insolubilizer capable of sufficiently insolubilizing fluorine within a short time contains calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate in an amount of 95-40 mass % and hydroxy or hydroxyl apatite in an amount of 5-60 mass % for a total of 100 mass %. |
| US08333907B2 |
Articles using persistent phosphors
An article of manufacture that comprises a structure that is a security system device (or portion thereof) or a fire system device (or portion), where a persistent phosphor and/or a persistent phosphor blend is either integrated in a coating on the structure; applied on the structure; or integrated in the structure, wherein the persistent phosphor comprises certain phosphors or phosphor blends. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. |
| US08333904B2 |
Antifreeze concentrates based on amides, and coolant compositions comprising them and intended for protecting magnesium and magnesium alloys
The invention relates to antifreeze concentrates which are based on alkylene glycols or derivatives thereof or on glycerin, containing 0.05 to 10 wt. % of one or more cathoxylic acid amides and/or sulfonic acid amides in relation to the total quantity of concentrate. |
| US08333894B1 |
Multi-level filter device
The present invention is directed to a method for filtering fluid, preferably effluent fluid in a septic system, by providing a staged, filtering array in an effluent flow path, the stages positioned in an orientation designed to maximize filtering capability in conjunction with predetermined apertures. |
| US08333892B2 |
Quick connect modular water purification system
Multiple water purifier modules are stacked in a rack having manifolds for each of the various water filtration functions: feed, concentrate, and filtrate. Each module connects to the rack by a quick connect for each of the filtration tubes. The quick connects are of the self-sealing type. A handle on the end of the module away from the rack has a lever for causing the quick connects to release the module from the rack while the system remains in operation. The, module can then be totally removed from the rack for testing, service, or replacement while the overall system remains in operation. Each module contains complete filtration media. The water is passed into the feed tubes under pressure where it passes into an elongated cavity filled with elongated hollow fibers. Filtrate, such as purer water, passes through the walls of the hollow fibers to an outlet, while concentrate, which is fluid with a high percent of impurities, flows from the cavity into concentrate tubes to another outlet for disposal. The tubes and concentrate tubes are small diameter tubes with small holes spaced along their lengths. The tubes lie at opposite sides of the cavity, rather than at opposite ends, and the tubes are surrounded by the fibers that are tightly packed together and that are tightly packed around the tubes, to control the flow rate of feed fluid between them. |
| US08333890B2 |
Filter cartridge having a filter within a filter, and an endplate sealing structure on an outer filter element
A filter within a filter cartridge design is described that includes a sealing structure on an endplate of an outer filter element. Generally, the sealing structure includes an annular flange on the endplate that can directly seal against an interior surface of a housing when the filter cartridge is assembled for use. During filtration, the annular flange prevents a working fluid from bypassing the outer filter element. The sealing flange can seal with the housing in a press fit engagement. |
| US08333885B1 |
Stormwater filtration system and method with pretreatment capability
A stormwater treatment system and method for removing sediment, chemical pollutants, and debris from stormwater runoff by utilizing bioretention practices including physical, chemical and biological processes by passing stormwater runoff water through a multi-phase filtering and treatment train. Stormwater is initially directed to and enters a pretreatment collection chamber located within or exterior of a primarily open-bottomed, multi-dimensional container whereby entrained sediment and other transportable materials are captured and collected prior to continued transport, filtration and treatment through a media filter layer. A live plant (preferably a tree) situated within the container with roots resident in the media filter layer with the ability for expansion beyond the perimeter of the container through openings in one or more sidewalls. The treated water may be further conveyed to a separate compartment or storage area for additional filtration and temporary collection and storage, or discharged exterior of the container. A vertically positioned overflow/bypass piping apparatus may be included within the stormwater treatment system to provide additional water conveyance. Additional ancillary filtration and storage facilities may be connected to the described stormwater treatment system as conditions warrant. |
| US08333884B2 |
Partial conversion hydrocracking process and apparatus
Partial conversion hydrocracking process comprising the steps of (a) hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feedstock with a hydrogen-rich gas to produce a hydrotreated effluent stream comprising a liquid/vapor mixture and separating the liquid/vapor mixture into a liquid phase and a vapor phase, and (b) separating the liquid phase into a controlled liquid portion and an excess liquid portion, and (c) combining the vapor phase with the excess liquid portion to form a vapor plus liquid portion, and (d) separating an FCC feed-containing fraction from the controlled liquid portion and simultaneously hydrocracking the vapor plus liquid portion to produce a diesel-containing fraction, or hydrocracking the controlled liquid portion to produce a diesel-containing fraction and simultaneously separating a FCC feed-containing fraction from the vapor plus liquid portion. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the partial conversion hydrocracking process. |
| US08333882B2 |
Polishing apparatus and method of polishing work
The method of polishing a work is capable of reducing a polishing cost, polishing a surface of the work with high polishing accuracy and easily disposing used polishing liquid and used washing liquid. The method comprises the steps of: pressing the work onto a polishing member; feeding polishing liquid; and relatively moving the work with respect to the polishing member. Electrolytic reduced water produced by electrolyzing an electrolyte solution is used as the polishing liquid. |
| US08333881B2 |
Electrochemical reactor
The disclosure pertains to an electrochemical reactor (1, 13), in particular but not exclusively for vatting sulphur dye or vat dye as well as to methods of using such a reactor and to uses of such a reactor. The electrochemical reactor comprises at least one liquid compartment (3) in which a multitude of freely suspended granules (14) is enclosed, wherein at least one of the side walls (5) of the compartment is an electrode and an opposite side wall is formed by a separator element (6), typically a membrane (6), wherein there is provided a bottom inlet (7, 9) and a top outlet (8, 10) of the compartment for a liquid catholyte (9) or a liquid anolyte (7), wherein the inlet region as well as the outlet region of the compartment (3) are provided with an upper grid (11′) and a lower grid (11″), the width of the mesh and the positioning of which is chosen such as to allow the liquid catholyte (9) or the liquid anolyte (7) to pass through from bottom to top but to prevent the granules (14) to pass through the grids (11′,11″) to leave the compartment (3), and wherein the upstream flow of the liquid catholyte (9) or of the liquid anolyte (7) can be adjusted so that in operation the multitude of granules (14) is dragged against the upper grid (11′) while the lower grid (11″) is substantially not in contact with the granules (14). |
| US08333880B2 |
Method for detecting disease markers
Disease specific markers, in particular cancer markers, can be detected by electrophoretically separating proteins and protein complexes from a biological sample on a protein binding polymeric membrane in a low conductivity, water-miscible organic solvent buffer. Electrophoretic separation profiles representing different diseases can be produced, and used in the diagnosis or prognosis of these diseases. |
| US08333874B2 |
Flexible apparatus and method for monitoring and delivery
The present invention generally relates to a system and method that co-locates in a small flexible, configurable system and multi-level substrate sampling, rapid analysis, bio-sample storage and delivery functions to be performed on living tissues or matter obtained from living organisms. The types of the sampling may include chemical, biochemical, biological, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical sampling. In general, the analysis performed at the point of sampling measures the sample taken and records its value. The bio-sample storage function encapsulates a small sample of analyte and preserves it for subsequent examination or analysis, either on the organism by the system or at a remote location by an independent analysis system. Once stored, the sample can provide a record of a biological state at the precise time of sampling. The delivery at the point of sampling can include chemical, biochemical, biological, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical stimuli. |
| US08333873B2 |
Apparatus for electrolyzing an electrolytic solution
A method for killing microorganisms in water, by passing an aqueous feed solution comprising of water containing some form of halide salt into a non-membrane electrolysis cell comprising an anode and a cathode, adjacent to the anode, while flowing electrical current between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze the aqueous feed solution and convert the halide salt to anti-microbial mixed oxidants. |
| US08333868B2 |
Apparatus, carrier and method for the plasma treatment of molds
An apparatus for the plasma treatment of molds (2), in particular for contact lens molds, comprises a treatment chamber (50), in which a first electrode (51) is arranged facing a carrier (1;4) for carrying the molds (2) to be treated. The carrier (1;4) forms the second electrode (52) and comprises a first metal plate (10;40) having holes (100;400) therein and a second metal plate (11;41) which is arranged spaced apart from the first metal plate (10;40), and which is connected to the first metal plate (10;40) in an electrically conductive manner (12,13;43). The molds (2) are arranged on the second metal plate (11;41) with their molding surfaces (210) facing towards the first electrode (51) and are exposable to plasma through the holes (100;400) in the first metal plate (10;40). |
| US08333865B2 |
Method for mounting printing plates to printing cylinders or sleeves with adhesive tape
Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made of a flat, support material each side of which is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the pressure-sensitive adhesive on at least one side being produced from a monomer mixture comprising a monomer of the formula CH2═CH(R1)(COOR2),where R1═H or CH3 and R2 is an alkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or H and the homopolymer possesses a static glass transition temperature of <−30° C. |
| US08333863B2 |
Multi-spectral, selectively reflective construct
A selectively reflective construct, and a method for making the construct, are described. In one embodiment reflectance, transmission and absorption properties may be controlled in multiple electromagnetic bands. A construct is described comprising a) a thermally transparent, visually opaque substrate comprising a polymeric material and a colorant, and b) a thermally reflective layer comprising a low emissivity component. |
| US08333861B2 |
Forming a flexible wall for an ink tank
A method for forming a reservoir for holding ink in an ink tank, the method includes providing a housing; inserting a spring into the housing such that a first end of the spring contacts a back wall of the housing; placing a first surface of a plate against a second end of the spring; bringing a flexible sheet into contact with an edge of a side wall of the housing; welding the flexible sheet to the edge of the side wall of the housing while applying a first level of vacuum between the flexible sheet and the back wall of the housing; and applying heat to the flexible sheet in a region corresponding to the plate while applying a second level of vacuum between the flexible sheet and the back wall of the housing, wherein the second level of vacuum is greater than the first level. |
| US08333859B2 |
Efficient lamination press with radiant heating
An efficient lamination presses can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature of a laminate assembly to create final products with excellent structural and aesthetic properties. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can include a radiant heating assembly. The radiant heating assemblies can uniformly heat one or more platens using radiation. The platens in turn can comprise material having a high thermal conductivity, which can allow them to quickly transfer heat to a laminate assembly. The platens can further comprise one or more fluid channels that enable rapid cooling. The rapid heating and cooling capability can enable fast processing times for laminate panels at much lower energy levels than with conventional presses. |
| US08333857B2 |
Fiber reinforced rebar with shaped sections
A composite reinforcing bar is formed by providing a reinforcing material supply of fiber strands rovings; a resin supply bath, and a puller for pulling the resin-impregnated reinforcing material through the resin bath. The material is wound on a holder, while the resin remains unset, rotated about its axis on a drive system so that the material is wrapped around a plurality of bars at spaced positions around the axis such that the fed length of the body is wrapped from one bar to the next to form bent portions of the body wrapped partly around each bar and straight portions between the bars. Each bar has angularly grooves which are shaped to mold the bent portions to a required bent shape. The holder is indexed along it axis and removed when full for curing the resin on the holder while the body remains wrapped thereon. |
| US08333856B2 |
Method for producing an asymmetrical tyre
A method for manufacturing a tyre includes: assembling an unvulcanized tyre, the tyre including a crown, a first sidewall and a first bead, a second sidewall and a second bead, and a carcass reinforcement, each bead including a seat; and vulcanizing the unvulcanized tyre in a mould having an asymmetric configuration in order to obtain a vulcanized tyre, wherein the mould is such that, when the tyre is placed in the mould, in any meridian section, the seat of the first bead has an angle β1 with a rotation axis A and the seat of the second bead has an angle β2 with the rotation axis A, such that β1−β23, with the angles β1 and β2 being expressed in degrees, with the angles β1 and β2 being defined, for each bead, relative to an axis Ox and Ox′ parallel to the rotation axis A oriented positively towards outside of the tyre, and with the angles β1 and β2 being positive when extending radially outwards. |
| US08333847B2 |
Chemical conversion treatment liquid
A chemical conversion treatment liquid which can stably form a phosphate-type chemical conversion film on a steel material for a joint portion of an oil well steel pipe containing 0.5-13% Cr is developed.Using a chemical conversion treatment liquid to which a prescribed amount of potassium is added, a chemical conversion film containing a prescribed amount of potassium compounds and having a prescribed thickness can be formed on the threaded surface of a joint portion of an oil well steel pipe. |
| US08333846B2 |
Manufacturing method of oriented SI steel with high electric-magnetic property
A manufacturing method of oriented Si steel with high electric-magnetic property comprises the following steps: smelting steel in converter or electric furnace; refining molten steel in two stages; continuous casting to obtain slab; hot rolling; first cold rolling; decarburizing annealing; secondary cold rolling; applying an annealing separator based on MgO and annealing at high temperature; applying an insulating coating and leveling tension annealing. The slab comprises (in wt %): C 0.020-0.050%, Si 2.6-3.6%, S 0.015-0.025%, Als 0.008-0.028%, N 0.005-0.020%, Mn 0.15-0.5%, Cu 0.3-1.2%, balance Fe and inevitable impurities, in which 10≦Mn/S≦20 and Cu/Mn≧2. The method could produce oriented Si steel with high magnetic induction intensity and low iron loss at low cost. |
| US08333844B2 |
Oil spill recovery system
A method for separating an oil-substance mixture includes communicating the oil-substance mixture into a first separator tank to separate the oil from the substance, and communicating a remaining portion of the oil-substance mixture into a second separator tank to separate the oil from the substance of the remaining portion. |
| US08333843B2 |
Process to remove metal contamination on a glass substrate
The present disclosure relates to methods and related cleaning solutions (116) for cleaning a glass substrate (10, 112), such as for removing metal ion contaminates from a glass substrate (10, 112) having a transparent conductive oxide layer (12). One method includes: providing a glass substrate (10, 112) having a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer (12); and exposing the glass substrate (10, 112) to a cleaning solution (116) that includes 0.5% to 5% organic acid, wherein the organic acid used includes citric acid, acetic acid, or oxalic acid. |
| US08333839B2 |
Vapor deposition reactor
A vapor deposition reactor has a configuration where a substrate or a vapor deposition reactor moves in a non-contact state with each other to allow the substrate to pass by the reactor and an injection unit and an exhaust unit are installed as a basic module of the reactor for receiving a precursor or a reactant and for receiving and pumping a purge gas, respectively. With the use of a small-size inlet for the reactor, homogeneous film properties are obtained, the deposition efficiency of precursors is improved, and an amount of time required for a purge/pumping process can be reduced. In addition, since the reactor itself is configured to reflect each step of ALD, it does not need a valve. Moreover, the reactor makes it easier for users to apply remote plasma, use super high frequencies including microwave, and UV irradiation. |
| US08333836B2 |
Fiber cement composite materials using bleached cellulose fibers
A fiber cement composite material that incorporates a blend of bleached and unbleached cellulose fibers as a partial or complete substitute for premium grade cellulose pulp is provided. Bleached standard grade cellulose fibers are used in conjunction with unbleached, standard grade cellulose fibers to provide a fiber cement composite product having substantially equal or even superior flexibility and strength as an equivalent fiber cement composite material reinforced by premium grade, unbleached cellulose fibers. A synergistic combination of bleached and unbleached standard grade cellulose fibers to produce a composite material with the desired properties previously achievable only through the use of premium grade cellulose pulp. |
| US08333826B2 |
Pleatable PTFE filter media with ePTFE membrane
A filter media including a scrim, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) media substrate upon the scrim, and a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane adhered to the PTFE media substrate on the scrim. The filter media is pleatable and has air permeability of approximately 3-10 cubic feet/min at a 0.5 inch H2O pressure drop and an original filtration efficiency greater than 99.0% when tested in an unused, unpleated condition with a 0.3 micron challenge aerosol at a flow rate of 10.5 feet/min and when tested after a cleanable dust performance test according to ASTM D6830. |
| US08333825B2 |
Apparatus for and method of separating multi-phase fluids
An apparatus for separating multi-phase fluids, comprising a cyclonic separator (40) having an inlet (42) for multi-phase fluids, a cyclonic separation chamber, a first outlet (44) for relatively high density fluids and a second outlet (46) for relatively low density fluids, and a secondary separator (52) comprising a separation vessel in which fluids are separated primarily by gravity, a first inlet (96) connected to receive the relatively high density fluids, a second inlet (94) connected to receive the relatively low density fluids, a first outlet (54) in the upper part of the vessel for a separated gas phase and a second outlet (56) in the lower part of the separation vessel for a separated liquid phase. |
| US08333820B2 |
Forming conductive features of electronic devices
Provided is an aerosol method, and accompanying apparatus, for preparing powdered products of a variety of materials involving the use of an ultrasonic aerosol generator including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers underlying and ultrasonically energizing a reservoir of liquid feed which forms droplets of the aerosol. Carrier gas is delivered to different portions of the reservoir by a plurality of gas delivery ports delivering gas from a gas delivery system. The aerosol is pyrolyzed to form particles, which are then cooled and collected. The invention also provides powders made by the method and devices made using the powders. |
| US08333813B2 |
Gasifier additives for improved refractory life
Embodiments disclosed herein provide hydrocarbon additives and methods of making and using the same. The additives are suitable for use in conjunction with gasifiers, furnaces, or other high-temperature vessels. The additives may be part of an input stream to a reaction vessel of a hydrocarbon gasifier. The additives may include materials that at least partially reduce the infiltration of slag into the refractory material. |
| US08333810B1 |
Carbon nanotube tower-based supercapacitor
A supercapacitor system, including (i) first and second, spaced apart planar collectors, (ii) first and second arrays of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) towers or single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) towers, serving as electrodes, that extend between the first and second collectors where the nanotube towers are grown directly on the collector surfaces without deposition of a catalyst and without deposition of a binder material on the collector surfaces, and (iii) a porous separator module having a transverse area that is substantially the same as the transverse area of at least one electrode, where (iv) at least one nanotube tower is functionalized to permit or encourage the tower to behave as a hydrophilic structure, with increased surface wettability. |
| US08333809B2 |
Method of purifying ionic liquids
The present invention relates to a method for the purification of an ionic liquid by means of fractional crystallization in which a part of the ionic liquid is crystallized and the crystallizate formed is separated from the liquid remainder. In this respect the ionic liquid is charged with a certain amount of at least one entrainer substance. |
| US08333805B2 |
Composite joint implant
The present invention relates to a femoral component for use in connection with knee anthroplasty. The implant includes a support having a contoured inner bone engaging surface, and a shell affixed to the support. The shell has an outer surface spaced so as to provide an articulation surface for engaging the tibia that substantially replicates the shape of a femoral condyle, and an inner surface for receiving an outer surface of the support. The support bone engaging surface is structured to mate with a prepared surface of the distal femur and the support spaces the shell outer surface at a predetermined distance from the prepared surface. |
| US08333802B2 |
Single tunnel double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
The present invention provides a method of performing anterior cruciate ligament replacement. Specifically, a graft tissue is harvested from a patient and single tunnels are prepared in each of the tibia and the femur of the patient. The graft is secured in the femoral tunnel and separated into an anterior cruciate medial bundle and a anterior cruciate posterior lateral bundle. The bundles are inserted through the tibial tunnel. During insertion the posterior lateral bundle is positioned in a posterior lateral position in the tibial tunnel while the anterior cruciate medial bundle is positioned in an anterior cruciate medial position in the tibial tunnel. The anterior cruciate medial bundle is then tensioned while the patient's knee is in approximately 90 degrees of flexion, and the posterior lateral bundle is tensioned while the patient's knee is approximately in full extension. Each of the bundles is then secured in the tibial tunnel. |
| US08333800B2 |
Mobile external coupling with internal sealing cuff for branch vessel connection
An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto, a forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A cylindrical sealing cuff of graft material is attached to and extends from the top of the mobile external coupling towards the tubular body within the coupling lumen. The sealing cuff is configured to contact a portion of a branch vessel prosthesis and thereby provides an elongated interference seal between the branch vessel prosthesis and the mobile external coupling. |
| US08333799B2 |
Highly flexible stent and method of manufacture
Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have five extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding. |
| US08333797B2 |
Stent-graft delivery system
A method of delivering a stent-graft includes mounting the stent-graft on a pushrod; radially constraining the stent-graft within a sheath; securing a crown portion of the stent-graft to the pushrod with a retainer structure of a stent-graft retainment system; retracting the sheath to expose the crown portion of the stent-graft; and further retracting the sheath to cause the retainer structure to release the crown portion from the pushrod thus deploying the stent-graft. The retainer structure releases the stent-graft automatically as a result of the retraction of the sheath. |
| US08333794B2 |
Side balloon identifiers and methods for radial and axial alignment in a catheter assembly
A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The branch balloon arrangement can include a branch balloon and at least one orientation indicator. The orientation indicator can include visible markings on portions of the side balloon or on inflation segments coupled in fluid communication to the side balloon. The side balloon can have a specific color that is different from a color of the main balloon for improved visualization of the side balloon. The orientation indicator can be helpful in aligning the side balloon relative to features of the stent. The stent can include a side branch opening located between distal and proximal open ends of the stent. |
| US08333791B2 |
Medical implant with tie configured to deliver a therapeutic substance
Embodiments of the invention comprise a medical implant that delivers a therapeutic substance. In some embodiments, a component that carries a therapeutic substance is a tie secured to all or a portion of a surgical construct, surgical screw, pedicle screw, spinal rod cross-link, other element or device, or an anatomical structure. |
| US08333789B2 |
Facet joint replacement
A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The inferior implant may comprise an inferior strut, and a polyaxially adjustable, lockable mechanism which couples the inferior articular surface with a first end of the inferior strut. A second end of the inferior strut may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable, lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. The first end of the inferior strut may be post-shaped, and the second end ring-shaped, and vice versa. The superior implant may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. Inferior and superior implants may be implanted individually, paired on one lateral vertebral side, bi-laterally, and/or in multiple vertebral levels. A crosslink may be secured to one implant and extend across a vertebral sagittal plane to a second implant. A clip may align the articular surfaces during implantation. |
| US08333782B2 |
Lancing device for one skin puncture
A lancing device comprises a main housing, a movable housing, and a damping ring. The main housing forming an inner aperture that encloses a portion of a lancet assembly. The lancet assembly has a lancet body, a lancet-plunger housing, and a lance. The lancet assembly is adapted to move between a resting position, a cocking position, and a puncture position. The movable housing is adjacent to the main housing. The moveable housing is adapted to move from a resting position to a cocking position. The moveable housing is adapted to connect to the lancet assembly. The damping ring is adapted to engage the lancet assembly as the lancet assembly moves from the puncture position back towards the resting position to reduce movement of the lancet assembly back towards the puncture position. |
| US08333779B2 |
Method of maintaining constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide
A method of maintaining constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a motional feedback circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, and a variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration. A feedback voltage measured from the motional feedback circuit is determined and an output of the power source is varied based upon the measured feedback voltage to result in a substantially constant feedback voltage and, thereby, maintain a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads. |
| US08333770B2 |
Systems and methods for pedicle screw stabilization of spinal vertebrae
The present application is directed to various spinal stabilization systems. The systems can include one or more guiding elements attached to screw members to assist in guiding rod implants and tools to desired locations within a patient. The guiding elements can include a plurality of wires, blades, or tabs. The guiding elements can be capable of criss-crossing or intersecting at or near an incision, such that only a single incision may be needed to perform a surgery. The guiding elements can also include telescoping features that allow the height of the guiding elements to be adjusted in use, thereby allowing multiple telescoping guiding elements to be used with the same incision. |
| US08333761B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument and system
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator, the instrument having a longitudinal axis and including at least first, second and third electrodes. The electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more insulating members therebetween, the spacing between the first and third electrodes being greater than that between the first and second electrodes. The electrosurgical generator includes a source of radio frequency energy capable of producing either a coagulating RF waveform or a cutting RF waveform and has first second and third output connections connected to the first, second and third electrodes respectively of the electrosurgical instrument. The generator further includes a switching means, and a controller, the controller being such that when a cutting RF waveform is selected, the switching means directs the cutting RF waveform between the first and second output connections and hence the first and second electrodes. When a coagulating RF waveform is selected, the switching means directs the coagulating RF waveform between the first and third output connections and hence the first and third electrodes. |
| US08333759B2 |
Energy delivery algorithm for medical devices
A method for controlling energy applied to tissue as a function of at least one detected tissue property includes the initial step of applying energy to tissue. The method also includes detecting a phase transition of the tissue based on a detected rate of change in the at least one detected tissue property. The method also includes adjusting the energy applied to tissue based on the detected rate of change to control the detected phase transition. |
| US08333758B2 |
Cryosurgical fluid supply
Improved systems, devices, and methods for delivering cryogenic cooling fluid to cryosurgical probes such as cryosurgical endovascular balloon catheters take advantage of the transients during the initiation and termination of cryogenic fluid flow to moderate the treatment temperatures of tissues engaged by the probe. A flow limiting element along a cryogenic fluid path intermittently interrupts the flow of cooling fluid, often cycling both the fluid flow and treatment temperature. This can maintain the tissue treatment temperature within a predetermined range which is above the treatment temperature provided by a steady flow of cryogenic fluid. In another aspect, room temperature single-use cooling fluid cartridges are filled with a sufficient quantity of cryosurgical fluid to effect a desired endovascular cryosurgical treatment. |
| US08333755B2 |
Coupler to transfer controller motion from a robotic manipulator to an attached instrument
A coupler to provide controller motion from a robotic manipulator includes a pin having a tip with a spherical bearing surface and a plate supported on the spherical bearing surface of the pin with two degrees of rotational freedom about the center of the spherical bearing surface. The plate has a back surface and an opposing driving surface that bears against a first surface of an inner gimbal of a gimbal assembly of a driven device. The plate includes a pin receiving portion that extends outwardly from the driving surface and away from the back surface. The pin receiving portion includes a spherical receiving surface to receive the spherical bearing surface of the pin. The spherical bearing surface is located at a distance above the driving surface such that the center of the spherical bearing surface coincides with an intersection of the gimbal assembly axes of the driven device. |
| US08333754B2 |
Medical or veterinary digestive tract utilization systems and methods
Systems and methods are described for implementing or deploying medical or veterinary utility modules comprising a first module operable in a digestive or respiratory tract to engage a second module, optionally by a magnetic field. Alternatively or additionally, systems may be operable to remain in situ and also operable to permit a therapeutic material dispensation. In some contexts, for example, systems or methods may dispense a therapeutic material via a subject's throat or elsewhere in the digestive or respiratory tract. |
| US08333748B2 |
Outer cover for a disposable absorbent article
An outer cover for a disposable absorbent article including waist regions elastically stretchable in the cross machine direction and activated in the cross machine direction, activated leg cuff regions elastically stretchable in one or more directions other than the cross machine direction, and an inelastic crotch region having a nonwoven crotch patch for providing the outer cover with suitable tensile strength, opacity, and poke-through properties. |
| US08333739B2 |
Injection device
A medication dispensing device with a housing and a member wherein the member is moveable in a distal direction is useful in delivering medication to a patient. A fluid container can be used with the device and often has a moveable piston at one end and an outlet at the other. The member receives a force from a user and drives the piston in the distal direction to expel medication. A intermediate system is disposed between the member and the piston including a gear set that has a pinion in meshed engagement with a rack. The system allows the member to move a greater distance than the piston moves thereby increasing the force on the piston. |
| US08333735B2 |
Catheter insertion device
Embodiments of a catheter insertion device are discussed comprising: an approximately hollow cylindrical catheter sleeve, at whose distal end a catheter is attached; a needle sleeve with a hollow needle, which is attached thereto and which, when ready for use, extends through the catheter sleeve and the catheter, and; a needle protective element that is arranged inside the catheter sleeve while being able to move on the needle. Said needle protective element has an engaging section that engages with an engaging device, which is formed in the vicinity of the needle tip, when the hollow needle is withdrawn from the catheter sleeve. A check valve is placed inside the catheter sleeve between the catheter and the needle protective element. The hollow needle, when ready for use, extends through said check valve, and the check valve automatically closes once the needle is withdrawn. |
| US08333733B2 |
Infusion pump assembly
An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw. |
| US08333725B2 |
Device comprising a container system for a bodily fluid
The invention relates to a device for separating a bodily fluid, in particular blood platelet concentrate, into fractions under centrifugal force. The device comprises a flexible container system which comprises at least a first container for the fluid to be separated and a second container for a separated fraction, wherein the containers are mutually connected using a connecting conduit for a fluid, wherein a widened portion is arranged in the connecting conduit between the first and second container, wherein during use a detectable separating layer is created in the widened portion. The invention also relates to a flexible container system intended for the device, a method for separating blood platelet concentrate into fractions under centrifugal force, and a blood platelet concentrate with low leukocyte content. |
| US08333724B2 |
Low flow optical blood chamber
A low flow blood chamber for optically monitoring blood flowing through extracorporeal tubing has a flat elongated blood flow cavity but preserves the circular viewing area of conventional blood chambers. The blood chamber provides consistent, mixed flow through the blood cavity even at low blood flow rates, e.g. 10 to 500 ml/min., while maintaining certain dimensional characteristics of conventional blood chambers. |
| US08333723B2 |
Knee brace with expandable members and method of using the same
A knee brace (300) has a body (310) supporting first, second, and third expandable members (330). When expanded, the first, second, and third expandable members are positioned on the brace body to provide a counteracting force to the adduction moment of the knee. |
| US08333722B2 |
Communications during rehabilitation
A method, includes recording first regimen data in a controller. The first regimen data includes instructions for a therapeutic regimen. The method also includes controlling a therapeutic device in accordance with at least the first regimen data, and recording progress data representative of at least an amount of force exerted on a joint during each of a plurality of cycles and the number of cycles performed. The method also includes transmitting the progress data from the controller to a remote user, and receiving an input from the remote user containing second regimen data. The second regimen data is different from the first regimen data. The method further includes controlling the therapeutic device in accordance with at least the second regimen data. |
| US08333718B2 |
Weighted bioacoustic sensor and method of using same
A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use. The sensor includes a transducer element coupled to the interfacing portion of the housing and configured to sense sounds produced by matter of biological origin. One or more conductors are coupled to the transducer element. A mass element is compliantly coupled to a surface of the transducer element. Intervening material is disposed between the transducer element surface and the mass element, and allows for differential motion between the transducer element surface and the mass element during excitation of the transducer element. |
| US08333714B2 |
Method and system for providing an integrated analyte sensor insertion device and data processing unit
Method and apparatus for providing an integrated analyte sensor and data processing unit assembly is provided. |
| US08333706B2 |
Method for processing of continuous pressure-related signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human body or body cavity
This invention describes a method for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. Different aspects of the invention relate to a method for optimal differentiating between cardiac beat- and artifact-induced pressure waves, a method for obtaining new and improved information from said pressure signals. In particular, this invention describes the use of said inventive method for processing of pressure signals for controlling an adjustable shunt valve. The method can be incorporated in a processing unit of a device for use in draining fluid from a brain or spinal fluid cavity. |
| US08333704B2 |
Handheld force-controlled ultrasound probe
A handheld ultrasound probe includes force detection and feedback to permit control and/or characterization of applied forces. The probe may, for example, be operated to maintain a substantially constant applied force over a period of use independent of a user's hand position, or to measure applied forces that might contribute to deformation of an imaging subject. |
| US08333696B2 |
Systems and methods for automated prediction of risk for perioperative complications based on the level of obstructive sleep apnea
A system for predicting risk for perioperative complications is described including a user device for receiving a set of risk factors to determine perioperative complications for a patient including patient data useful to determine the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The system also includes an acquisition module to receive data from an obstructive sleep apnea sleep study of the patient. Further a determination module can determine the severity of obstructive sleep apnea for the patient. The system can also include an analysis module having a predictive model that incorporates one or more prediction equations for predicting perioperative complications derived from one or more databases having multiple patient data relevant to predict perioperative complications. The analysis module can be configured to apply the one or more prediction equations to the set of risk factors and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea for the patient in order to identify perioperative complication risks of that patient and to generate a perioperative complications report for the patient. |
| US08333695B2 |
Medical instrument and method for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ
A medical instrument for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ in the human or animal body, comprises an elongated shaft having a distal portion introducible into the body, and at least one working element arranged at a distal end portion of the shaft for manipulating the tissue or organ. The at least one working element comprises at least one magnetically acting element producing a magnetic field for manipulating the tissue or organ. A method for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ uses the instrument. |
| US08333694B2 |
Illumination unit, endoscope having illumination unit and illumination probe having illumination unit which is inserted into endoscopic channel
An illumination unit includes a distal end frame member having a through opening, a plurality of illumination sections, and a holding member which is arranged in the through opening and holds the illumination sections to incline the illumination sections at a desired angle with respect an opening surface of the through opening and to form a cascade along the axial direction of the through opening. The illumination unit includes a reflective member which is configured to reflect the illumination light emitted from the illumination sections toward the opening surface, the reflective member being held by the holding member to face the illumination sections and to apply the illumination light externally emitted from the illumination sections from the inside of the through opening via the opening surface. |
| US08333692B2 |
Endoscope and endoscopic system
An endoscope includes an insertion portion having a bending portion, a base portion connected to the insertion portion, an operation wire extending from the bending portion toward the base portion, a drive source unit which is provided in the base portion, and a drive force transmission unit which is connected to the operation wire and the drive source unit. The drive source unit includes a first frame, a second frame, a motor, a gear box and a potentiometer. The gear box includes a horizontal power transmission mechanism for horizontally transmitting power from the motor, and an epicyclic gear mechanism for vertically transmitting power from the horizontal power transmission mechanism. |
| US08333691B2 |
Endoscope comprising a flexible probe
An endoscope comprising a flexible catheter probe 1 having a plurality of lumens, a handle 12 provided at the proximal end of the probe, an optical system 6 provided in at least one optical system lumen of the catheter probe 1, at least one working lumen for a surgical instrument and a control element which is fixed to the distal end 20 of the probe or in the proximity thereof for bending the end of the probe and is guided movably in the axial direction at the probe, wherein the optical system 6 which projects beyond the proximal end of the catheter probe 1 is guided in a flexible tube which is elastically resilient in its longitudinal direction and exerts a prestressing on the optical system in the longitudinal direction thereof in a direction towards the translucently closed optical system lumen. |
| US08333689B2 |
Medical operation device
A medical operation device is attachable to an insertion portion of a medical instrument for observation. The medical operation device includes: rotary cylinder rotatably disposed in device main body that has insertion portion inserting hole through which insertion portion is inserted; insertion portion pressing member that presses insertion portion inside rotary cylinder; insertion portion mounting section cover provided inside insertion portion inserting hole that prevents insertion portion directly touching inner face of insertion portion inserting hole, vicinity of opening of insertion portion inserting hole, and insertion portion pressing member; switching instruction portion that switches whether insertion portion pressing member presses insertion portion to specify state where rotary cylinder and insertion portion are united and state where insertion portion moves forward/rearward with respect to rotary cylinder; and rotation mechanism that, when rotary cylinder and insertion portion are united, rotates rotary cylinder to rotate insertion portion unified with rotary cylinder around insertion portion axis. |
| US08333684B2 |
Packaging bag
The invention discloses a method of producing a packaging bag from a multilayered sheet material which can be welded on one side, wherein the packaging bag comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a right-hand side gusset, a left-hand side gusset, a bottom and a head portion, which is located opposite the bottom and has an opening which can be closed by a closure element. The two side gussets, the front wall and the rear wall are of essentially the same length and are welded to one another and therefore, other than in the head portion, the side gussets are connected to the front wall and the rear wall over their entire length. The weldable surface is directed towards the interior of the packaging bag. |
| US08333682B2 |
Swim training harness
Swim training apparatus comprising, a pair of leg bands, each having posterior sides and adapted to be secured around the thigh portion of a swimmer's legs, a waist band having a posterior side and adapted to be secured around the waist of a swimmer, a lever arm attached to waist band and having distal ends and a center and a pair of connecting straps each having distal and proximate ends where the proximate ends are attached to the respective distal ends of the lever arm and the distal ends of the straps are attached to the respective posterior sides of the leg bands. |
| US08333681B2 |
Speed controlled strength machine
A speed controlled strength machine is provided. The machine includes a frame and a number of support members. A driver is mounted to the frame and includes an adjustable speed controller. During exercise, the user engages grips/handles and pulls them via one-way clutches through the resistive movement of the driver. The clutches are engaged when the user is able to reach a predetermined speed, which is adjustable and controllable. |
| US08333678B2 |
Epicyclic gear system with load share reduction
A journal bearing includes a main body and a connection portion. The main body extends radially outward from a central cavity to an interface surface. The connection portion supports an end of the main body and extends radially around the central cavity. The connection portion has a dimension selected as a proportion of a reference dimension of the main body to achieve a desired spring rate for the journal bearing. |
| US08333677B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. |
| US08333676B2 |
Gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A gear train of an automatic transmission realizes at least ten forward speeds and one reverse speed by combining four simple planetary gear sets with four clutches and two brakes. In addition, three friction elements are operated at each shift-speed. Therefore, the gear train has advantages of simplifying structures of the automatic transmission and improving power delivery performance and fuel economy. |
| US08333669B2 |
High performance golf ball having a reduced-distance
A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a drag to weight ratio of greater than 3.0 at a Reynolds number of about 230,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085. |
| US08333667B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head 2a of a first aspect is provided with a head body h1a, a double-stick tape w1, and an adherend s1a bonded to the head body h1a by the double-stick tape w1. When an average thickness of a lower part of the adherend s1a is defined as f1 and an average thickness of an upper part of the adherend s1a is defined as f2, the thickness f2 is smaller than the thickness f1. A golf club head 2 according to a second aspect is provided with a head body h1, a double-stick tape w1 and an adherend s1 bonded to the head body h1 by the double-stick tape w1. When an average thickness of a heel part of the adherend s1 is defined as t1 and an average thickness of a toe part of the adherend s1 is defined as t2, the thickness t2 is smaller than the thickness t1. |
| US08333665B2 |
Lubricating system, bearing utilizing the system, universal joint utilizing the system, and process for production thereof
A lubricating having a foam lubricant that minimizes exudation of the lubricating component caused by deformation of the foam lubricant, is excellent in initial lubrication, has a long life, has a low cost, and is excellent in the productivity thereof; a bearing utilizing the lubricating system; a universal joint utilizing the lubricating system; and a process for the production thereof. A lubricating system includes a foam lubricant (9) containing a lubricating component in a resin thereof which foams, hardens, and becomes porous and a lubricant (10) for initial lubrication which is present together with the foam lubricant (9) in a portion to be lubricated. The lubricant (10) for initial lubrication consists of grease having a worked penetration not less than 300 or having a degree of oil separation not less than 0.7 wt % when the grease is left 24 hours at 70° C. |
| US08333664B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, operation device, and information storage medium
Provided is an information processing apparatus, which is connected to an operation device including a magnetic sensor and an operation button used for operation input by a user, and is configured to: receive, from the operation device, a detection result of the magnetic sensor and information indicating an operation performed by the user with respect to the operation button; determine whether or not the operation button has been operated, by using the received information indicating the operation; and, when it is determined that the operation button has been operated, restrict a posture of the operation device from being identified by using the detection result of the magnetic sensor. |
| US08333663B2 |
Game device, method of controlling game device, program, and information storage medium
To provide a game device capable of allowing a user to feel a difference in state of mind between a player of a winning team and a player of a losing team when defending. A selection unit (56) selects one or more player characters from among the player characters belonging to a team not in possession of a moving object. In a case where control by a first player character control unit (58) is applied, a determination unit (62) determines whether or not a reference period has elapsed after a given reference time. In a case where elapse of the predetermined period after the reference time is determined, a switching unit (66) switches the state in which control by the first player character control unit (58) is applied to a state in which control by a second player character control unit (60) is applied. A reference period data control unit (64) changes the length of the reference period, based on game state information. |
| US08333660B2 |
Game program, game apparatus, and game control method
In this program, a regulation command for controlling the movement of a first character is recognized by a control unit. After the regulation command for the first character is recognized by the control unit, a movement command for operating a second character is recognized by the control unit. Then, the state that the second character is moving based on the movement command is displayed on an image displaying unit using image data. The first character with movement controlled based on the regulation command is displayed on the image displaying unit using image data. And, if the receiving of commands related to movements for the first character and the second character is terminated by the control unit, a process for changing the ability data of the first character is executed by the control unit. |
| US08333659B2 |
Apparatuses, methods and systems for a live online game tester
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, the OBM may provide, in response to a gaming app request from a user, a gaming app including a test game feature for the user. The OBM may obtain user social graph data identifying co-users of the user. The OBM may also obtain: online gaming pattern data for the users and the co-users, including gaming action identifiers and their associated gaming action timestamps; user online social activity data, for the users and the co-users, including social networking action identifiers and their associated social networking action timestamps; and game feature adoption evaluation instructions. The OBM may generate social-gaming activity timelines for the users and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps. The OBM may also calculate and provide game feature adoption scores by applying the game feature adoption evaluation instructions to the generated social-gaming activity timelines. |
| US08333656B2 |
Gaming system
A gaming system (1) comprising an electronic gaining machine (5) having an associated players station interface device (4) configured to monitor the turnover of the electronic gaming machine (5) and having an interface device display (7) configured to display an interface device electronic game such that a predetermined proportion of the electronic gaming machine turnover is pulled into an interface device electronic game jackpot controlled by a control server (2) in communication with the player station interface device (4) wherein an electronic trigger is sent from the control server (2) to the player station interface device (4) to commence an interface device game and wherein the control server (2) is configured to provide a payout for a user winning the interface device game. |
| US08333653B2 |
System, device and method for paperless wagering and payment of winnings
A transaction card facilitates typical consumer transactions as well as transactions related to lottery offerings and can incorporate a reader terminal to associate lottery tickets with the transaction instrument. New gaming opportunities tied to the instrument are also facilitated, including a personalized guaranteed prize structure, a personalized and/or localized jackpot and an opportunity for winning additional prizes when making purchases using the instrument. The system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least a lottery data processing system for communicating a first funding amount to be applied to a multi-purpose transaction card based on winnings from a lottery offering, and a reader terminal for reading at least a portion of the transaction card, reading indicia on one or more gaming tickets, and associating the one or more gaming tickets with the transaction card. In one embodiment of the present invention, a custodian not associated with the winner or cardholder can derive non-transaction related earnings on the winnings without providing a fee to the cardholder. |
| US08333646B2 |
Method of playing a poker-type game
A method of playing a succession of poker-type games that has a plurality of two-card, revealed, starter hands and five unrevealed community cards. The starter hands remain the same for all games of the succession of games. In each game a player wagers on one or more starter hands, after which the community cards are revealed. Each starter hand is combined with all of the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a payout amount if a complete hand that has been wagered on is found in the pay table that corresponds to the hand. Optionally, there are multiple sets of community cards. Optionally, the player is required to wager on all of the starter hands. Optionally, the game is played after the occurrence of a triggering event in another game. |
| US08333645B2 |
System and method of gaming on a computer system
The present invention relates to a new system and method of gaming on a computer system. In particular, the invention relates to a novel method of playing games such as poker (and variations thereof) and other games where the player is provided with the opportunity to participate in a bonus round of play for an accumulated jackpot when the results of a regular round of play trigger access to the bonus round. The system and method are particularly suited for deployment on a video lottery terminal (VLT) slot machine or other computer gaming system. |
| US08333643B2 |
Location-aware distributed sporting events
Various embodiments facilitate location-aware distributed competitions. In one embodiment, a system facilitates a distributed sporting event that includes multiple players traveling over courses that are remote from one another. The system includes a manager that receives state information, such as location information, from client devices used by each of the players. The manager then transmits location information for each of the players to the client devices, which are each configured to present a graphical representation, such as a map annotated with the locations of each of the players. The manager asserts a course to each of the players, by providing specific instructions to travel along a particular path. The client devices provide the players with the appearance of competing over the same course, even though they are all actually competing over courses remote from one another. |
| US08333642B2 |
System and method for conducting a fantasy sports game
A system comprising a processor and computer executable instructions readable by the processor and operative to solicit at least one selection of at least one coach. A system comprising a communications module to solicit at least one selection of at least one coach, and a processor module to determine a coach's score based on at least one action of at least one member of a team. A method comprising using a processor to perform at least a portion of one or more of the following: soliciting at least one selection of at least one coach, monitoring at least one action of at least one member of a team, and determining a coach's score based on the at least one action. |
| US08333641B2 |
Wireless video game system and method
A method and system for operating a multi-player wireless video-game session is disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless device is configured to establish a wireless ad-hoc connection with another wireless device capable of serving a video game over the ad-hoc network. The wireless device is capable of communicating with the ad-hoc connection through other networks such that a video-game player in one region may move between geographic regions without loss of game play and/or may join other video games associated with other networks. In one embodiment, in response to the user joining the video game, a selection of characters along with personalities and behaviors based on attributes supplied by the user is presented to the user for selection thereof. In another embodiment, the user may transfer a selected personality to another character associated with the video game, such as a computer operated video-game character. |
| US08333640B2 |
Axial separator for a combine harvester having adjustable guide element
An axial separator for a combine harvester has a separating rotor which is rotatably supported in a housing including, as viewed in the conveyance direction, a receiving region for crop material, a separating region, and a transfer region for crop material residue, a wall that limits the transfer region in sections and a guide element disposed in the transfer region. The guide element influences the flow of crop material residue conveyed from the transfer region to a further-handling unit and, is disposed on the housing such that its position is changeable in the circumferential direction. |
| US08333639B2 |
Ridge vent with biocidal source
An improved ridge vent that includes a support, a cover, a housing, and a concealing structure provides ventilation for a building. The housing contains a biocidal source. Rainwater flows down the cover, into the housing, and over the biocidal source. The water treated with the biocidal source then flows out of the housing and down the roof, inhibiting the growth of mold, moss, bacteria, and fungus. The concealing structure hides the biocidal source from view. |
| US08333636B2 |
Eyeglass lens processing apparatus
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes a processing control unit (50) which in the soft processing mode, roughs the lens such that the torque threshold value is set to a value Tθs lower than the threshold value TθN of a normal processing mode, and when torque detected by a sensor unit does not exceed the threshold value Tθs, a axis-to-axis distance varying unit or a lens rotating unit is controlled so that a cutting amount per rotation of the lens reaches a threshold cutting amount, and when the detected torque exceeds the threshold value Tθs, the axis-to-axis distance varying unit or the lens rotating unit is controlled so that the torque becomes lower than the threshold value Tθs to decrease the threshold cutting amount. |
| US08333635B2 |
Simulated eye
A simulated eye includes a spherical cap eyeball, a resilient film, a driving mechanism, and a transmission mechanism. The eyeball includes a plurality of guide arms on an inner surface thereof. The resilient film received in the eyeball includes a pupil portion and an iris portion surrounding the pupil portion. The driving mechanism provides a first driving force and a second force opposite to the first driving force in direction. The transmission mechanism arranged between the driving mechanism and the resilient film includes a plurality of transmission members received and movable in the corresponding guide arms. |
| US08333634B2 |
Frames
The disclosure relates to frames useful for affixing a garment to figurines such as dolls. In particular, the disclosure relates to play sets comprising a frame of the disclosure and a figurine such as a doll. |
| US08333633B2 |
Method for forming tip for carbon nanotube and method for forming field emission structure having the same
A method for forming a tip for a carbon nanotube wire is introduced. The method includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube wire is provided. A laser beam irradiates the carbon nanotube wire until the carbon nanotube wire is broken off such that the carbon nanotube wire forms a taper-shaped tip. A scan power of the laser beam is in a range from about 1 watt to about 10 watts. A scan speed of the laser beam is equal to or less than 200 millimeters per second. |
| US08333629B2 |
System and method for cooling a marine outboard engine
A marine outboard engine is described, having an engine disposed in a cowling. The engine has a cooling system. A first pump is disposed inside the cowling below a water line of the outboard engine. The first pump is continuously driven by the engine during operation of the engine. The first pump is a centrifugal pump having an inlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the marine outboard engine below the water line and an outlet in fluid communication with the cooling system. A second pump is disposed inside the cowling below the water line. The second pump has an inlet in fluid communication with an exterior of the marine outboard engine below the water line and an outlet in fluid communication with the cooling system. An electric motor is operatively connected to the second pump for selectively driving the second pump during operation of the engine. |
| US08333622B2 |
Dual contact beam terminal
A terminal is used in an electrical connector and receives a matable contact member. The terminal has a receptacle contact section has a bottom wall, an upper wall, and a primary and a secondary spring beam, or member. The primary member extends from a bottom wall and is bent back into the receptacle contact section. The primary member has an upper surface facing the upper wall and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The primary member includes a free end that is spaced from the upper wall a distance less than a thickness of the matable contact member. The secondary member is formed from the bottom wall that extends into the contact section and includes a free end disposed beneath the lower surface of the primary member in an overlapping, spaced relationship thereto remote from the free end of the primary member. |
| US08333621B2 |
Electrical connector
A electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (20) defining a plurality of contact slots (23) extending along a longitudinal direction, a plurality of cantilevered arms (24) extending into the contact slots, respectively, and a transversal groove (25) located in front of the cantilevered arms and communicating with the contact slots; a plurality of contacts (30) received in the contact slots, respectively, each contact having a retention portion (31), a mating portion (32) extending forwardly from the retention portion, a tail portion (33) extending backwardly from the retention portion and a connecting portion (35) connected to the mating portion, and a positioning portion (34, 34′) integrally formed with the retention portion and extending into the transversal groove. |
| US08333617B2 |
Connector constructions for electronic applications
An electronic wiping torsional connector for use in connecting to mating contacts on an insulating base. The connector includes a plurality of contacts 1-10 each having a contact 13 and an anchor 14. Contacts 1-10 twist against anchor 14 when the insulating base is inserted into the connector to provide the wiping contact. In an alternative embodiment, the conductors are wires having two bends at different angles. One bend is elongated such that it engages a paddle before the other and rotates the other bend into contact with a ribbon contact located on the paddle. |
| US08333613B2 |
Header assembly
A header assembly is provided that includes an outer housing that has a mating end and a harness end. The outer housing has a cavity at the mating end and a flange configured to be mounted to a panel of a device. The outer housing is configured to be exposed to an exterior of the device for mating with a plug assembly. A shield is received in the cavity that has a front and a rear. An inner housing is received in the cavity with the shield surrounding at least a portion of the inner housing. The inner housing has a front and a rear and has a latch engaging the front of the shield. The latch allows the inner housing to be released from the shield to remove the inner housing from the cavity. |
| US08333612B2 |
Connector contact for tubular center conductor
A contact assembly for connecting a cable connector to a tubular center conductor of a coaxial cable includes a contact pin, a core insert, and a guided insert. The contact pin includes a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and an intermediate segment therebetween. The contact pin defines a first internal cavity on the proximal end having an inner diameter. The contact pin further includes a central bore extending from the first internal cavity into the intermediate segment. The core insert includes a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a support section therebetween. The support section includes an axial section having a diameter greater than the distal end, and the distal end is configured for coupling with the central bore of the contact pin. The guided insert includes a body having a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and defines a central cavity at least on the distal end. The central cavity has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the core insert support section. |
| US08333604B2 |
Loading arrangement having robust and compliant mounting member
A loading plate includes a substantially rectangular primary plate with a central opening thereof and a pair of sidewalls extending downwardly from opposite edges of the primary plate. The primary plate includes a plurality of depressing portions distributed along the inner periphery of the opening, a pair of opposite mounting holes located at opposite ends thereof, and a pair of slits respectively formed adjacent the mounting holes. |
| US08333603B1 |
Electrical connection system having dielectric spring to absorb axial positional mating tolerance variation for multiple connectors
A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement having a spring including a plurality of engagement portions. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in a plurality of receptacles in the arrangement and a plurality of second connectors is matable to the coupled first connectors along mating axes. The plurality of coupled first connectors have floatable movement in the plurality of receptacles. The floatable movement is in at least an axial direction in relation to the plurality of receptacles and the axial positional mating tolerance variation of each second connector in the plurality of second connectors in relation to each first connector in the plurality of coupled first connectors that manifests at each receptacle in the plurality of receptacles is assimilated by each respective spring engagement portion when the plurality of second connectors mate to the plurality of coupled first connectors. |
| US08333601B2 |
Transportable device
A transportable device includes a housing, a handle portion, a biasing portion, a locking portion, a lever portion, and a link portion. The housing has a power plug insertion opening into which a power plug is inserted. The handle portion can move between the inside and outside of the housing. The biasing portion biases the handle portion in the direction where the handle portion is moved to the outside of the housing. The locking portion locks the handle portion so that the handle portion does not move to the outside of the housing by a biasing force of the biasing portion. The lever portion moves in the insertion direction of the power plug when the power plug is inserted into the opening, while moving in the pull-out direction of the power plug when the power plug is pulled out. The link portion links the locking portion and the lever portion. |
| US08333597B2 |
Connector and interposer using connector
A connector conducts electricity between external electrodes disposed above and below the connector while the connector is being compressed. An interposer includes a plurality of the connectors being inserted in corresponding mounting holes. The connector can include a main body made of an elastic dielectric, and a first contact terminal of an inelastic conductor. A first electrode section is provided on a top surface of the main body, and a second electrode section connects to the first electrode section inside the main body. A second contact terminal includes a fold electrode section provided on a bottom surface of the main body, and a contact section connects to the third electrode section and is always in contact with the second electrode section. |
| US08333592B2 |
Video-captured model vehicle simulator
The present invention provides a video-captured model vehicle simulator including at least one model vehicle, a track layout, at least one video imaging unit, at least one computer, at least one input device and/or control system and a customised software application whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of a vehicle. |
| US08333591B2 |
Bionic dental implant
A bionic dental implant includes a main root (1), a basal platform (2) and a platform bolt (3). The main root (1) includes a fixing root part (11), a neck part (12) located on the upper end of the fixing root part (11), and a mounting channel (13) located inside the main root (1). An aperture (21) is provided inside the basal platform (2). The platform bolt (3) communicates with the aperture (21) to make the basal platform (2) to be fixed on the main root (1). The main root (1) also includes at least one subsidiary root (4). The main root (1) has the same number of inclined holes (14) as the subsidiary root. The inclined holes (14) form a sharp angle with respect to the mounting channel (13) and communicates with it. The upper ends of the subsidiary roots (4) are fixed inside the inclined holes (14) of the main root. |
| US08333590B2 |
Implant having circumferentially oriented roughness
A self-tapping implant includes a shaft including a coronal end, an apical end, an outer surface having a first axial section and a second axial section, and a self-tapping configuration at the first axial section. The first axial section may be located coronally of the second axial section. Each of the first and second axial sections may include a series of peaks being axially spaced apart by troughs. In addition, the axial spacing between the adjacent peaks in the first axial section may be different than the axial spacing between adjacent peaks in the second axial section. A coronal end portion of the shaft may include the first axial section of the outer surface, and an apical end portion of the shaft may include the second axial section of the outer surface. |
| US08333586B2 |
Orthodontic bracket and arrangement for correcting irregularities of the teeth
An orthodontic bracket having a body portion with an archwire slot for receiving an archwire. The bracket includes a locking portion slot wherein the archwire slot is situated in the wall of the locking portion slot. A locking portion can be rotated into at least two of the following positions: standby position, in which the setting slot of the locking portion is towards the opening on the surface facing away from the tooth, and transfer position, in which the setting slot is towards the archwire slot or locking position, in which the locking portion closes the archwire slot at least partially. The archwire can be placed in the setting slot when the locking portion is in standby position, and the archwire can be placed in the archwire slot when the locking portion is in transfer position, and in the locking position the locking portion is arranged to hold the archwire in place in the archwire slot. |
| US08333581B2 |
Molding unit attachment system and molding unit comprising such a system
The invention relates to a molding unit attachment system enabling the attachment of at least one interchangeable molding part (11) into a seating arranged on a support (12) of a complementary shape. Said system comprises, on one of the sides of said interchangeable part (11) which is parallel to its axis, at least one fixed device (2) acting as a stop, and on the other side, a mobile locking device (3) which moves between an active locking position and an inactive locking position. The mobile locking device (3) comprises an elastic return means for automatically returning it from said inactive locking position to said active locking position, the locking device (3) being able to be manually placed in inactive position by an operator. The system is noteworthy in that it comprises on one of the sides of said interchangeable part (11) which is parallel to its axis, at least one fixed device (2) acting as a stop, the mobile locking device (3) being positioned on the other side of the interchangeable part. |
| US08333578B2 |
Center mechanism of tire vulcanizer
In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer of the present invention, in order to improve working efficiency and lower total height, after a green tire is vulcanized and patterned and becomes a vulcanized tire, a bladder well is lifted from a bottom position where a lower bead ring is positioned on a lower mold and a bladder is installed in the green tire to a top position where the lower bead ring is positioned above the lower mold and an upper clamp, and the upper clamp, a lower clamp, and the bladder are placed in the bladder well, while heights of the upper clamp and the lower clamp are fixed. |
| US08333575B2 |
Pump assembly
A pump unit is provided having a wet-running electric motor, wherein a rotor of the pump unit can be driven by the electric motor at a maximum speed of greater than 20,000 rev/min, and the rotor is sealed off axially in the region of a suction port. |
| US08333574B2 |
Coupling element cooling arrangement
A rotating system includes a drive member and a driven member. The rotating system includes a coupling positioned to rotatably couple the drive member to the driven member and a housing surrounding a portion of the coupling to define an inside and an outside, the housing having a plurality of apertures. A fan is coupled to the coupling and operable to produce a flow of air from the inside to the outside via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and a guide tube is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures to guide a flow of air from the outside to the inside. |
| US08333571B2 |
Pump having pulsation-reducing engagement surface
A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, and a body disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a plunger engagement surface. The plunger engagement surface may have geometry configured to reciprocate the plurality of plungers within the plurality of barrels as the plurality of plungers rotate relative to the plunger engagement surface, and a plurality of undulations configured to reduce a flow pulsation of the pump. |
| US08333566B2 |
Fluid pump controlling system, a fluid pump controlling method, a linear compressor and a cooler
The present invention relates to a system and to a method of controlling a fluid pump, as well as to a linear compressor and a cooler configured to calibrate the respective functioning at the time of the first use or in cases of problems caused by electric or mechanical failures. According to the teachings of the present invention, the fluid pump is provided with a piston-position sensing assembly, the electronic controller monitoring the piston displacement within the respective cylinder by detecting an impact signal. The impact signal is transmitted by the sensing assembly upon occurrence of an impact of the piston with the stroke end, the electronic controller successively incrementing the piston displacement stroke upon a trigger signal as far as the occurrence of the impact to store a maximum value of piston displacement. |
| US08333559B2 |
Outlet guide vanes for axial flow fans
An outlet guide vane system is disclosed for axial flow fans. Construction details are described which reduce losses in the end wall regions of the vanes, particularly for axial flow fans operating at low flow coefficient with strong localized swirl associated with upstream rotor tip clearance flows. In the preferred embodiment, the vane spanwise airfoil stacking line is approximately straight, while leaning circumferentially toward the incoming swirl flow over the majority of the radial span. The stacking line then curves abruptly in the opposite direction over the radially outboard spanwise portion, so as to lean away from the incoming swirl at the vane tip station. The radially outboard portion of the vanes simultaneously include a gradual increase in vane stagger angle, vane camber angle and vane chord. The vane may also include an axial sweep component. |
| US08333558B2 |
Containment cases and method of manufacture
A containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and at least one ceramic layer integrated with the composite core. The at least one ceramic layer is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. In another embodiment, a containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and a hybrid material comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one non-ceramic material. The hybrid material is disposed on the inner surface of the composite core. The hybrid material is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. A method of fabricating a containment case includes the steps of disposing one or more layers of ceramic fabric on an inner surface of a composite core, infusing the composite core and the one or more layers of ceramic fabric with resin, and curing the resin. |
| US08333553B2 |
Compressor of a gas turbine
The invention relates to a compressor, particularly a high pressure compressor, of a gas turbine, particularly of a gas turbine aircraft engine, having at least one rotating blade ring on the rotor side, and having at least one guide blade ring on the stator side, wherein the, or each, guide blade ring is formed of a plurality of guide blade segments, and wherein each guide blade segment is formed of a plurality of individual blades. According to the invention, adjacent individual blades (11, 12; 12, 13; 13, 14) are permanently connected to each other within each guide blade segment (10) of at least one guide blade ring on opposing surfaces positioned radially outward, whereas the same are not connected to each other on opposing surfaces positioned radially inward. |
| US08333552B2 |
Combined acoustic absorber and heat exchanging outlet guide vanes
An outlet guide vane assembly for turbomachines is provided. The outlet guide vane assembly comprises one or more outlet guide vanes, wherein each of the one or more outlet guide vanes comprises a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the one or more outlet guide vanes are disposed between an inner wall and an outer wall of an engine and a surface cooler layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface, the second surface, or both of the one or more outlet guide vanes, wherein the surface cooler layer comprises a metal foam, a carbon foam, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal foam, the carbon foam or the combination thereof is configured to augment heat transfer and enhance acoustic absorption. |
| US08333550B2 |
Twin scroll exhaust gas turbocharger
A twin scroll exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal-combustion engine, includes a turbine housing and a first and a second gas inlet port separated from one another by the turbine housing. The inlet ports lead into a first and a second spiral duct, respectively, which extend radially on the outside around an exhaust gas turbine rotatable about an axis. The gas inlet ports are arranged at least in sections parallel to one another in the turbine housing and radially with respect to the axis of rotation in a mutually spaced manner. The first spiral duct, which connects to the first gas inlet port arranged closer to the axis of rotation, extends up to 180° around the exhaust gas turbine. The second spiral duct, which connects to the second gas inlet port farther away from the axis of rotation, extends up to 180° around the remaining circumference of the exhaust gas turbine. As a result, thermal stress to the turbine housing is significantly reduced. |
| US08333548B2 |
Turbomachine with a long lasting position-holding system
A turbomachine arranged with a rotor and a stator, including a radial positioning device ensuring that the rotor is radially positioned; and a contactless axial balancing device arranged on at least one bladed wheel for axially balancing the rotor at high speed. The turbomachine includes a thrust bearing distinct from the radial positioning device serving to balance the rotor axially at low speed, and without contact at high speed. In addition, the radial positioning device is constituted by hydrostatic bearings, the turbomachine including hydrostatic bearing feed circuits suitable for connecting the bearings to a source of fluid under pressure. As a result, it is possible to obtain operation at high speeds with a very long lifetime. |
| US08333547B2 |
Multiple-motor blower and impeller thereof
A multiple-motor blower includes a housing and a plurality of motors. The housing has a common outlet passage and different inlet passages. The motors are accommodated in the housing and respectively drive impellers to generate airflow flowing from the inlet passages to the outlet passage. Each of the impellers includes a hub and a plurality of blades mounted around a circumference of the hub. A ratio of a distance between adjacent two of the blades to a thickness of the blade in at least one of the impellers is smaller than or equal to 3. |
| US08333546B2 |
System for controlling at least two variable-geometry equipments of a gas turbine engine, particularly by cam mechanism
A system for controlling at least two variable-geometry equipments of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least a first core rotating at a first speed and a second core rotating at a second speed. The first equipment includes at least one variable-pitch stator blade of a compressor of the first core and the second equipment includes at least one air bleed valve of a compressor of the second engine core moving between an open position at idle speed and a closed position at high speed. The system includes an actuator which actuates both equipments. |
| US08333542B2 |
Bookbinding process
A curable hot melt adhesive is used as a primer on a book block. A conventional thermoplastic hot melt is then applied on top of the reactive hot melt before the cover material is positioned. |
| US08333541B2 |
Process and arrangement for covering a flat blank with a cover
A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station contains at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step can be adapted to the processed materials. |
| US08333538B2 |
Debris-free plastic collating strip for nails
A fastener assembly for use in an associated fastener driving tool for driving a fastener from the assembly, in sequential order, into an associated substrate, includes a row of fasteners arranged substantially parallel to each other, each fastener having a shank and defining an axis and a collation system formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material defines a collar portion at least substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar portions. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener, and the connecting portion includes a preferentially weakened region to influence separation of the connecting portion from the collar at a desired location. |
| US08333536B2 |
Multi-spindle machining machine
A multi-spindle machining machine comprises a base including a working room to move a tool and a workpiece; a working head including a driving spindle disposed on a lower end thereof to clamp the tool; a carrier including a seat fixed on one side of the working room, a rotary shaft mounted on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in an axial direction, a fixing holder connected to the rotary shaft to fix the workpiece to the fixing holder; a lateral driving device disposed on the base and located on one side of the working room in a horizontal direction to drive the working head to move in X and Y axes; a vertical driving device disposed on the base and located on another side of the working room in a lateral direction to drive the seat to move in Z axis direction. |
| US08333534B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved hydropower system
Methods and apparatus for improved power generation through movement of water retrofitting existing hydroelectric dams with draft tube inserts and tailrace walls to increase water velocity for production of power using hydrokinetic turbines installed in the tailrace. By initial design or by draft tube inserts and tailrace walls, increased and streamlined water flow leads to higher efficiencies of the hydrokinetic turbine, thus more efficiently converting available kinetic energy of the water into usable energy. |
| US08333531B1 |
Coupling device
A coupling device 1 for releasably coupling first and second axially aligned hollow tubes 10 and 11 end to end. The coupling device comprises a substantially cylindrical body 2 that is adapted to be received within the adjacent ends of the first and second tubes 10 and 11, wherein the device includes an adjustment mechanism 3 operable for radially expanding and contracting the cylindrical body 2. In an expanded state of the cylindrical body 2, the coupling device forms a friction joint with each of the tubes, locking the tubes relative to each other. The cylindrical body 2 includes one or two longitudinal slots 4 to allow expansion and contraction of the cylindrical body. The coupling device is particularly used for the joining of pole sections of dance exercise poles. |
| US08333525B2 |
Click pen applicator device and method of using same
A click pen applicator device that provides predetermined dosing of the formulation for precise application, and rapidly primes the formulation using the dosing click mechanism to prepare the applicator for use. |
| US08333523B2 |
Recording device with link mechanism configured to link path changing unit to feed roller arm
A recording device includes a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path, an arm having one end attached to a pivot, and a roller attached to the other end of the arm. The roller feeds the sheet to the first conveying path. A recording unit is positioned in the first conveying path, and records an image onto the sheet. The recording device also includes a second conveying path between the pivot and the feed tray, and a path changing unit. The path changing unit moves between a first position, where it discharges the sheet, and a second position, where it conveys the sheet to the second conveying path. The arm moves between a third position where the roller contacts the sheets in the feed tray, and a fourth position where the roller is above the second conveying path. |
| US08333522B2 |
Developing apparatus, developing method and storage medium
There is provided a developing apparatus capable of achieving high throughput. The developing apparatus includes an airtightly sealed processing vessel that forms a processing atmosphere therein; an atmosphere gas supply unit that supplies an atmosphere gas containing mist of a developing solution into the processing vessel in order to form a liquid film of the developing solution on a surface of a substrate loaded into the processing vessel; and a drying unit that dries the substrate in order to stop a developing process by the liquid film. A reaction between a resist and the developing solution can be stopped. Therefore, a developing process can be performed in parallel with a cleaning process performed by a cleaning module and high throughput is achieved. |
| US08333520B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting an imbalance of a camera crane
Systems and methods for positioning a camera crane include detecting an imbalance between a counterweight and an extensible arm and decreasing severity of the consequences of an imbalance. |
| US08333516B2 |
Bearing for alternator and bearing for pulley
A bearing for alternators and a bearing for pulleys for reducing hydrogen embrittlement or cracking is used when the bearing is in an environment having a severe condition, such as, when hydrogen is generated from grease or the like. The bearing includes a rolling element, an inner ring and an outer ring, and at least one of the rolling element, where the inner and outer rings have a nitrogen enriched layer containing austenite crystal grains having a grain size number exceeding 10. |
| US08333513B2 |
Bearing shell
A bearing shell made of plastic material is provided for a ball and socket joint for mounting a ball and socket joint pivot mounted rotatably and pivotably in the bearing shell with at least two shell parts (1a, 1b) forming a bearing surface with an inner, hollow spherical shape is presented, wherein the shell parts form in their entirety the shape of a bearing ring (1) with an opening (2, 3) each arranged on the front sides of the bearing ring, which front sides are located opposite each other, at least one web (4) connecting the shell parts (1a, 1b) being arranged crosswise above one of the opening cross sections. |
| US08333511B2 |
At least two-layer label for opening and closing packages and the use thereof
An at least two-layer label for opening and closing flexible packages provided with a pre-cut opening closable with a cover, having a base label provided with a first adhesive layer having a weakened cut-off area which is placed over the pre-cut opening, and a covering label whose lower part is provided with a second adhesive layer by which it is adhered to the base label; the adhesive strength of the base label to the package being greater than the adhesive strength of the covering label to the base label. |
| US08333510B2 |
Peelable patch
A peelable pouch (1) comprises: a first layer (2), a second layer (3), a compartment (4) for housing the product (7), the compartment (4) being formed between the first and second layers (2, 3) by peelably sealing the first and second layers (2, 3) along a compartment sealing portion (40), which extends along the proximal portion (23, 33) and along at least a part of the two lateral portions (20, 21, 30, 31) of the first and second layers (2, 3) as well as along first (24, 34) and second branch portions (25, 35), a first tear promoting means (50) provided on the first layer (2) only, a second tear promoting means (51) provided on the second layer (3) only, and a third tear promoting means (52) provided on both the first and second layers (2,3) and extending in a direction towards the location (26) where the first and second branch portions (24, 34, 25, 35) meet. |
| US08333504B2 |
Portable timepiece
A timepiece has a valve that discharges gas from an exterior assembly and includes a casing, a valve member that moves from a closed position to an open position in accordance with an inner pressure of the assembly, an exhaust button movable into the casing, a first spring urging the button and valve member away from each other, and a second spring urging the button toward the exterior of the assembly. When an inner pressure of the assembly is greater than a force of the first spring, the valve member is moved to the open position and a portion of the gas accumulates between the valve member and the button. When the button is moved into the casing, the accumulated gas is discharged to the exterior of the assembly by which the valve member is maintained at the closed position by the spring force of the first spring. |
| US08333503B2 |
Portable timepiece
A portable timepiece has a timepiece exterior assembly with a mounting hole having seal surfaces and escape portions. A valve member has a shaft portion movably inserted into the mounting hole and a head portion connected to the shaft portion. An urging member is provided between the head portion and the assembly for urging the valve member toward the interior of the assembly. Seal members are mounted to the shaft portion in correspondence with the seal surfaces. The seal members are configured to be moved between a sealing position in which the seal members are held in contact with the seal surfaces, and an exhaust position in which the seal members are opposed to the respective escape portions. In the sealing position, the seal members define a closed space together with an outer periphery of the shaft portion and the escape portions opposed to the outer periphery. |
| US08333497B2 |
Light guide plate having micro structures arranged in geometric and stripe patterns
A light guide plate has a light emitting surface, a bottom surface opposite to the light emitting surface, a light incident surface, and a side surface opposite to the light incident surface. The light incident and side surfaces are connected between the light emitting and bottom surfaces. Light guide units are disposed on the bottom surface. Each light guide unit extends along a first direction. The first direction is towards the side surface from the light incident surface. Each light guide unit includes geometric patterns and stripe patterns for cascading the geometric patterns. Micro structures are disposed in the geometric patterns and the stripe patterns. Width of the geometric pattern along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is greater than that of the stripe pattern. The light guide plate improves uniformity of a plane light source emitting from the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. |
| US08333492B2 |
Illumination module for a vehicle
An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and/or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area. |
| US08333491B1 |
Emergency light
The emergency light of the invention includes a base (1), a lighting module (2), a rechargeable battery (3) and a retractable support (4). The base (1) has a back (11) with a trough (111). The lighting module (2) is installed in the base (1) and electrically connects a lighting device (21) and a circuit board (22). The rechargeable battery (3) is installed in the base (1) and electrically connects the circuit board (22). The retractable support (4) is pivotally connected to the back (11) and received in the trough (111). |
| US08333482B2 |
Ophthalmic endoillumination with light collector for white phosphor
In one embodiment, an illuminator configured to emit light into an optical fiber includes at least one pump light source configured to emit short-wavelength light. The illuminator further includes a white phosphor disposed to receive the short-wavelength light and to emit white light in response. The illuminator also includes a light collector configured to collect the short-wavelength light at the white phosphor such that a brightness of the white light is greater than a brightness of the short-wavelength light. |
| US08333476B2 |
Image projection apparatus and image display system
An image projection apparatus includes light sources 111 to 113 emitting at least two colored lights whose wavelengths are different from each other, a polarization conversion element 2 controlling a polarization direction of the colored light, at least two light modulation elements 41 and 42 modulating incident light, a light guide optical system 31 guiding the at least two colored lights from the polarization conversion element to the at least two light modulation elements in accordance with the polarization direction, and a projection optical system 5. One of the at least two colored light and the other are emitted as lights whose polarization directions are different from each other from the polarization conversion element. A drive unit 6 turns on the light sources so that the one of the colored lights and at least one of the other enter the at least two light modulation elements at the same time. |
| US08333474B2 |
Optical instrument alignment system
An ophthalmic apparatus for precisely positioning an optical instrument, such as a wavefront aberrometer, in three dimensions with respect to a patient's eye. The ophthalmic apparatus may include an optical instrument directed in a first direction toward a target area to receive light therefrom and a camera directed in a second direction toward the target area to receive light therefrom, the first and second directions being non-parallel. The camera may include imaging optics to form an optical image on a photodetector array using light reflected from the target area. The ophthalmic apparatus may also include a processor configured to correlate a position of the optical image on the photodetector array with the distance between the optical instrument and the target area. |
| US08333472B2 |
Compact neuro-otologic, neuro-ophthalmologic testing device and dynamic visual acuity testing and desensitization platform
The above objects are achieved with a compact neuro-otologic testing device and method of utilizing the same according to the present invention. The device according to the present invention provides an image producing laser with a right hand, servo controlled galvanometric based XY interface. The high quality closed loop servo control system that can drive the target (i.e. the laser image) in excess of 1,000,000 degrees/second2 and at velocities in excess of 12000 degrees/second. The bandwidth of the XY interface is greater than 400 Hz, providing high image reproducibility. The repeatability and position accuracy of the target is +−3 arc-seconds and the field of range of the XY interface are about 60 degrees (i.e. about 60 degrees horizontal and 60 degrees vertical). |
| US08333469B2 |
Method and system for providing financial data for optical labs sharing lens calculation software
A method and system for allowing multiple geographically distributed optical labs to share global resources over a telecommunications network. Each optical lab is set up as a client account on the server with privileges to access the global recourses. Each lab has its own equipment set, the settings and configuration of which, are recorded in one of the client account databases. Other proprietary databases contain price lists, financial information and patient data. The lens calculation software encounters a sequential stream of job requests from different client accounts. The corresponding proprietary account data, allows uniform pricing rules to be applied to lens processing jobs. As jobs are completed, each lab receives an individual packet of printable job ticket data, printable invoice data, electronic interface files for the lens generating equipment, and an extract file for importing into the labs accounting software. |
| US08333468B2 |
Method of printing
A method of printing an image on a substrate in a printing machine having at least a first printing unit and an inkjet printing unit, includes moving the substrate through the printing machine. A raster image formed of image dots is printed on the substrate at a first moment using at least the first printing unit. At least one contiguous area of inkjet dots in the raster image is printed at a second moment, after the first moment, using the inkjet printing unit. Substantially all inkjet dots forming the contiguous area are printed at dot locations having similar surface wetting properties. |
| US08333467B2 |
Image-forming device
An image forming device includes a recording head, a first pair of conveying rollers, a second pair of conveying rollers, and a conveyance controller. The conveyance controller controls the first and second pairs of conveying rollers to halt a conveying operation of the recording medium when a trailing edge of the recording medium has moved to or exceeded a position downstream from the nip position of the first pair of conveying rollers by a first prescribed distance during a first prescribed period of time running from a time instant when the trailing edge of the recording medium has passed through the nip position of the first pair of the conveying rollers. |
| US08333464B2 |
Liquid application apparatus, liquid application method and image forming apparatus
A liquid application apparatus includes: an application member which applies a first liquid to a recording medium; and a liquid holding member which abuts against the application member so as to form a liquid holding space in which the first liquid is held in such a manner that the first liquid held in the liquid holding space is applied to the recording medium via the application member by rotating the application member, wherein a supply port for supplying the first liquid in the liquid holding space and a recovery port for recovering the first liquid from the liquid holding space are provided in the liquid holding member, and the supply port and the recovery port are located in different positions in terms of vertical direction. |
| US08333461B2 |
Ink cartridge for inkjet printer
An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer is provided. The ink cartridge includes a light detection portion, a first triangular prism and a second triangular prism, made of transparent material and disposed on the light detection portion, for receiving, deflecting, or refracting light emitted by a light emitting element on the printer. Two surfaces of the second triangular prism contact ink in the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge has ink contained therein and is installed into a printer, the light emitted by the light emitting element is totally reflected by the first triangular prism and refracted by the second triangular prism into the ink, and will not be received by a light receiving element on the printer. When the ink in the ink cartridge is exhausted, the light is totally reflected by the second triangular prism onto the first triangular prism, and then is reflected onto the light receiving element, and thus the printer detects that the ink is exhausted. |
| US08333456B2 |
System for printing 3D structure with integrated objects
A system for creating a three dimensional printed structure having a plurality of layers. The system includes a plurality of printheads arranged to print voxels of material so as to define respective layers of the structure, a robot for inserting objects into voids created in the structure during printing, and a conveyance for conveying a substrate past the printheads such that the printed structure is created on the substrate. |
| US08333453B2 |
Method of dispensing liquid
A liquid dispensing device (10) having a drop ejection device (12) including an orifice (18) adapted for ejecting drops (20) therefrom above a particular turn-on-energy, a turn-on-energy detection device (28) positioned to receive turn-on-energy information from said ejected drops as a function of energy applied to the drop ejection device, and a controller (40) that receives the turn-on-energy information and conducts a mathematical operation on the turn-on-energy information to determine a drop volume of the drops ejected. |
| US08333449B2 |
Droplet ejection device that adjusts ink ejection amount
A droplet ejection device includes a first determining unit that determines a first amount of liquid on an image pixel basis based on both a second amount and an ejection pattern both obtained from image data, actuator that ejects the first amount of the liquid, a second determining unit that determines a third amount of treating agent on an image pixel basis based on a difference between the first and second amounts, such that a density of the liquid corresponding to a combination of the first amount of the liquid and the third amount of the treating agent comes closer to a density of the liquid corresponding to the second amount of the liquid when there is a difference between the first and second amounts, and a treating-agent application member that applies the third amount of the treating agent to a recording medium. |
| US08333445B2 |
Assembly adaptor
An assembly adaptor (6) for the assembly of a functional mounting (19) that is attachable on a cabinet body (1) with a frame (2) structure has an assembly plate (7) with an assembly face (14) on which the functional mounting (19) is attached. A first attachment face (9), in the mounted condition of the assembly adaptor (6), is held in abutment to a frame (2) of a cabinet body (1). An attachment part (8) with a second attachment face (10), in the assembled condition of the assembly adaptor (6), is held in abutment to a side wall (3) of the cabinet body (1). The attachment portion (8) is retainable relative to the assembly plate (7) with a variable distance between the two attachment faces (9, 10). |
| US08333443B1 |
Compact computer station housing
A compact wall-mountable computer station housing provides storage including a parallelepiped base for holding a flat screen computer monitor, a U-shaped support body integrally attached atop the base for holding a computer printer or a credit card machine, and a utensil tray removably attached to the support body. The housing also includes a swivel wall mount for swivelingly mounting the housing to a vertical surface. A keyboard tray mount attached to a base bottom side allows a computer keyboard to be supported thereon, while a cash drawer which is alternately attached to the base bottom side allows a user to store cash therein. |
| US08333434B2 |
Rendering trailer with dump box having a center gate
A rendering trailer includes a dump box with a center gate dividing the interior chamber of the trailer into forward and rearward compartments. A doorway is formed in the center gate to allow a person to pass therethrough to facilitate washing the forward and rearward compartments. A door is mounted on the center gate to open and close the doorway. The invention also includes a method of using the center gate and the gate itself. |
| US08333433B2 |
Locking harness apparatus and method
A harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and/or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. |
| US08333431B2 |
Lumbar supporting device for vehicle
A lumbar supporting device for a vehicle, may include an actuator, a lumbar plate slidably mounted to a seat back frame of the vehicle, and having a lumbar support part, wherein the lumbar support part is formed between upper and lower ends of the lumbar plate, and a driving unit coupled to the actuator and pulling both upper and lower portions of the lumbar plate together towards the lumbar support part, using power transmitted from the actuator. |
| US08333429B2 |
Removable cup holder for arm of seat
A cup-holding device configured to be retrofitted to an armrest or other horizontal support structure. The cup-holding device has a basket in a seat mounting portion wherein there is sufficient rigidity of the structure to hold a cup with a fluid mass therein. |
| US08333426B2 |
Rise up panoramic roof for a vehicle
A rise-up panoramic roof provided on a roof opening of a body of a vehicle comprises a frame member and a lift assembly. The frame member has a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion is hingedly connected to the vehicle body such that the frame member does not slide relative to the body. The frame member is configured to hold a roof panel. The lift assembly is configured to move the frame member between a closed position where the rear portion of the frame member closes the opening of the vehicle body and a raised, open position where the frame member is raised from the vehicle body and the rear portion is located above the opening. |
| US08333422B2 |
Sun visor for vehicles
The representative sun visor for vehicles has a sun visor body which can slide in an axial direction of a support rod together with a guide member with respect to a movable element. The sun visor includes a friction mechanism which imposes a predetermined frictional resistance to the relative movement of the sun visor body with respect to the movable element. The friction mechanism has a sliding member and a biasing member. The sliding member is slidably held in contact with the guide member and imposes a frictional resistance to the guide member, and the biasing member applies a biasing force in a direction that holds the sliding member and the guide member in contact with each other. The guide member and the sliding member have a plurality of sliding contact portions on which the biasing force of the biasing member acts in different directions. |
| US08333417B2 |
Manipulator tool and holding and/or expanding tool with at least one manipulator tool
One or more embodiments of a flexible manipulator tools are provided. The flexible manipulator tool can include a distal end movable in at least one manipulation plane with respect to a proximal end. The flexible manipulator tool can also include at least two cheeks extending side by side to and spaced apart from each other. |
| US08333413B2 |
Automatic sash lock with rotary latch
A latch for a window sash is disclosed. The latch includes a cover with a handle, a chassis, a bolt biased towards an extended position and containing a notch, a plunger biased towards the extended position and containing a guide, a rotary latch, pivotally connected to the chassis, containing a guide slot for receiving the guide and a protrusion biased towards the notch. The latch is operated wherein the bolt is locked in a retracted position when the handle slides the bolt inwardly towards the chassis and the protrusion engages the notch as the rotary latch rotates towards the notch, and wherein the bolt is released to the extended position when the plunger slides inwardly towards the chassis and the protrusion disengages from the notch as the rotary latch rotates away from the notch. |
| US08333409B2 |
Threaded joint with pressurizable seal
A threaded joint comprises a pin coupled to a box with an annular groove, one or a pair of seal rings, and hydraulic actuating means to pressurize the seal ring or rings against the pin to provide sealability of the joint. The seal ring or rings comprise a frustoconical surface, an external surface, and an internal surface with one or more protruding annular ribs. In the unpressurized state, the seal ring or rings do not protrude from the groove. In the pressurized state, the frustoconical surface of the sealing ring is in sealing contact with an internal surface of the annular groove of the box, and the annular ribs of the sealing ring are in sealing contact with the external surface of the pin. |
| US08333408B2 |
Label assembly for applying a label to electronic devices
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with a label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet includes at least one removable panel disposed over at least a portion of the label shape and including a grasp tab extending from the first removable panel into contact with a remaining portion of the back sheet or an edge of the label assembly. The label assembly also includes a registration structure for use in aligning and adhering the label shape to the object to be labeled. |
| US08333405B2 |
System for blocking the aesthetic lining on dashboard of a vehicle ensuring proper opening of the integrated air bag door
The invention concerns a system for blocking the aesthetic lining of a dashboard, ensuring proper opening of integrated air bag door (5), comprising a list (2), flush within a channel (8) for opening the door (5) containing air bag, outer with respect to dashboard (1) lining (4), and provided with at least a tooth (3) entering within the lining, thus ensuring a symmetrical opening of air bag. |
| US08333404B2 |
Shopping cart with assembly for vehicle storage
A shopping cart has a basket having left and right sides, a floor, a rear wall and a front wall and has a handlebar. Squeezing the handlebar and moving it down causes a front wheel assembly to rotate from a down position in which the front wheels contact the ground toward a storage position in which the front wheels are positioned adjacent or above the floor. A rear wheel assembly is rotatable from a down position in which the rear wheels contact the ground to a storage position in which the rear wheels are positioned at or behind the rear wall. After positioning the loaded shopping cart adjacent a trunk vehicle, slide the cart and rotate the front and rear wheel assemblies, which may be lockable, to get the cart into the trunk for storage during transportation home. Reverse the process once home. The cart basket collapses into two dimensions for closet storage. |
| US08333402B2 |
System for vehicle and trailer connection
The present application is directed to a system and related methods for connecting a vehicle with a trailer. The system includes, but is not limited to, embodiments featuring (a) a docking assembly for securing to the vehicle, the docking assembly being pivotable; and (b) a coupler assembly comprising a first part operationally configured to secure to a trailer, and a second part operationally configured for releasable securement to the docking assembly. |
| US08333399B2 |
Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same
A cylinder mount assembly for a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, a cylinder mount, a hydraulic cylinder, a first longitudinal support, and a second longitudinal support. The slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly has a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The cylinder mount is disposed adjacent at least two sides of a first frame cross member. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the cylinder mount and the slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, and is attached to the cylinder mount. The first longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and a second frame cross member. The second longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and the second frame cross member. The cylinder mount is adapted to move laterally along the first frame cross member. |
| US08333398B2 |
Injury protection accessory
An injury protection accessory for a riding vehicle (e.g., motorcycle), the accessory comprising: at least one shield (4), disposed at the side(s) of the riding vehicle, the shield comprising: a substantially vertical hinge (12), attached to the body or the chassis of the riding vehicle; and one or more substantially horizontal bars (10), attached to the hinge; the shield having an open state, in which one edge of the shield is separated from the body of the vehicle, thereby allowing the rider thereof to get off the vehicle, and a closed state, in which both sides of the shield are engaged with the body of the vehicle, thereby protecting the rider from injury. |
| US08333397B2 |
Vehicle stabilization apparatus and vehicle formed therewith
A vehicle assembly includes a two-wheeled vehicle including a frame having opposed sides, opposed front and rear ends, and a front wheel mounted for rotation to the frame proximate to the front end of the frame positioned in front of an opposed rear wheel mounted for rotation to the frame proximate to the rear end of the frame and that is substantially in-line with respect to the front wheel. A member is carried by the frame of the vehicle between the front and rear wheels and has end portions disposed adjacent to the respective sides of the frame. A wheeled stabilizer assembly is carried by each of the end portions of the member to wheelingly interact with the ground over which the vehicle is driven along the sides of the frame proximate to the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| US08333391B2 |
Frame for a clap skate, and clap skate with such a frame
A frame for a clap skate comprises: a lower frame part; an upper frame part with means for coupling to the sole and heel of a skate shoe; hinge which couples the two frame parts hingedly to each other and which are situated at a distance above the foremost zone of the lower frame part and define a first free degree of freedom of rotation, or a plane varying a maximum of about 30° therefrom of the runner; and resetting means for urging the upper frame part to a rest position determined by positioning means, in which rest position the frame parts have the smallest possible mutual distance. The hinge defines a second free degree of freedom of ±30° perpendicularly of the first free degree of freedom. The upper frame part performs an up and downward and lateral pivoting movement relative to the lower frame part. |
| US08333387B2 |
High pressure fluid sealing mechanism
A high pressure fluid system includes a sealing mechanism, which provides a fluid seal for a cylindrical bore via pressing contact between a first convex, curved surface at an end of the cylindrical bore and a second convex, curved surface at a containment element that is coupled relative to the end of the cylindrical bore. |
| US08333386B2 |
Seal structure for connection sections and seal member used for the same
A seal structure for connection sections, which facilitates installation and removal of a seal member from the connection sections. The seal member is placed in the connection sections between a first part and a second part. A first groove-ridge section is formed at the connection section of the first part, and a second groove-ridge section is formed at the connection section of the second part. The seal member has, on one face, a first fitting section fitting to the first groove-ridge section, and also has, on the other face, a second fitting section fitting to the second groove-ridge section. Press-fitting interferences in the wall-thickness direction are provided at the first and second fitting sections. The seal member has an extended section protruding radially outward from an annular body section where the first and second fitting sections are provided. The extended section protrudes to a position outside the connection sections of the first and second parts. |
| US08333382B2 |
Foldable game board and scrap book album
A game board has a first side and a second side. The first side of the game board includes a plurality of markings associated with a game. The markings can be associated with a particular tourist destination, such as, for example, a national park. The game board is configured to fold such that the game board is moveable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. When the game board is in its expanded configuration, the game board is substantially planar. When the game board is in its collapsed configuration, at least a portion of the game board is folded to form at least one pocket adjacent the second side of the game board. The pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of an object, such as, for example, a picture and/or other memorabilia. |
| US08333381B2 |
Concave tic-tac-toe game board with deflector for rolling game playing member
A game board is disclosed for playing tic-tac-toe. The game board comprises a substantially concave playing surface, having a plurality of depressions at a lower region thereof. In use, the game playing members are launched onto the playing surface and spiral down the concave surface before locating within one of the depressions. |
| US08333379B2 |
Method of administering a greeting card and lottery game combination
A method and a system for administering a greeting card and lottery game combination are provided. The method includes the step of providing the greeting card with an identifier associated therewith, which greeting card is provided at a location accessible to a consumer. A lottery game is maintained at a secure point of sale separate from the greeting card. A vendor of the lottery game obtains information from the identifier associated with the greeting card, which identifier contains sufficient information for the vendor to select the lottery game absent instruction from the consumer, and the lottery game is selected by the vendor based upon the information obtained from the identifier. The selected lottery game is provided to the consumer to produce the greeting card and lottery game combination. The combined greeting card and lottery game system comprises the greeting card and the lottery game, with the lottery game maintained separate from the greeting card. |
| US08333378B2 |
Discharge mechanism and image-forming device
A discharge mechanism includes: a rotation shaft; a pair of roll members disposed on the rotation shaft at different positions in an axial direction; and a protrusion that protrudes from a section of the rotation shaft sandwiched between the pair of roll members, wherein a distance from a center of the rotation shaft to a tip of the protrusion is smaller than a radius of each of the pair of roll members, and the protrusion includes a projecting part that projects in a direction of rotation of the rotation shaft. |
| US08333373B2 |
Image forming apparatus with metal transport chute and resin support frame
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a housing including a sheet feed opening for feeding a recording sheet to the image forming unit, a tray which accommodates a recording sheet, and a feed member which rotates while pressing a recording sheet fed through the sheet feed opening to apply a transport force to the recording sheet. Also, the image forming apparatus may include a friction member provided to oppose the feed member, and contact the recording sheet from a side opposite to the feed member to apply a transport resistance to the recording sheet, a resin support frame which supports the friction member, and a metal transport chute which includes a guide part provided to contact the recording sheet fed from the tray to guide the recording sheet toward the image forming unit, the transport chute being formed integrally with the support frame. |
| US08333370B2 |
Separator belt finger count apparatus and method
The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes. |